Consulate Review: Mumbai, India
Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
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| Event |
Description |
| Review Date : |
March 13, 2012 |
| Embassy Review : |
Arrived in Mumbai 1 day prior to interview, woke up early morning 3 am, after that, just started to get ready, and finally left for US Consulate, Mumbai around 6 am from hotel. I got there around 6:15 am. There were alot of people who were just waiting there. Around 6:50 am, two Indian officials came to announcement to make the line ( one for immigrant and 2nd other for non-immigrant ). I got in line quickly!!!
Next got entry, token number, scan, it was all really quickly. Took less than 5 minutes and then arrived in interview room. Now pre-screen people started to open the window, then within 15 min, I was called for pre-screen:
Pre-screen:
It was quite easy. He just asked about medical, whether my wife files taxes, age, and returned my original doc. That is it. Super easy! Asked me to sit and wait for interview call.
After 15 later, I was called for interview by American CO.
I said - Good Morning
CO: Good Gorning
1 - Who is your co-sponsor?
2 - Age of co-sponsor?
3 - Religion of my wife?
4 - What do I work?
5 - When she came? and how long we have together?
I answered all these questions instantly.
Then twist came:
There was some typographic error in my divorce decree, that made alot of confusion. I said to CO, sir, there is some mistake in that doc. But he got kind of freak out, and said instant that " You are ineligibly for this visa " and he said to me that she was not divorced to right person ( due to last name typographic error ). But I made it clear that there is some error in those doc. That is it. In our I-130 application, we mentioned the correct name for that divorce decree, so I guess, that is the plus point. So they knew, we didnt hide anything, but mention the facts as it is.
He then asked me, do you have photos?
Yes, and gave all photos: 1 wedding album ( 11 x 8.5" ), 1 daily life flip book ( 11 x 8.5" ), 3 photo book album ( around 100 photos in that ).
It was very easy to pass thru CO window.
Then he asked me to sit, and will call me later.
Well, felt little nervous, but I was confident whatever would happen, will see it, either this way or that way.
After half and hour wait, I was called at interview counter 19, but this was the private cabin. Since I have few major red flags, so they wanted to take the interview in very detailed.
Red flag, age different 20+, divorce, one way family approval but no kids from any previous marriage.
There was one Indian CO, and she started to ask the things from divorce decree which had the typography error, but I said, there is some mistake in those doc. Some technical mistake, but she flipped out the paper, where we submitted one doc with I-130 with correct name, so she was somewhat okay with that. I already got kind of anxiety, was feeling thirsty. I then asked if I can go and drink water. She said, yes! I went outside, got one bottle of water, drink some of water. Then I said, okay, I am fine, and she asked me to close the cabin.
Overall, interview was related to my case. She asked every single thing related to I-130, our relationship, etc. I answered all questions, except few like what was marriage date of previous marriage. I said, I know only divorce timeline ( mm/yy ). That is it. She was okay. She asked the question, typed in her computer. then I again asked, if I can drink water, she said I can drink the water whenever I feel, since water bottle was beside me. Water really helps me to feel more confident! lol
Then she asked me about the age different part, what it makes different. I said, it doesnt make different to me, since e both are soulmates! She asked, what is soulmates? I said, past lives connection. She was fine with that. After that, she said, she now will go and call the American CO, since American CO is the decision maker.
I prayed to Lord, please dont send the first American interview! Lord granted the request!
One nice american CO came. He asked me " How are you doing? "
I said, good thank - what about you?
really helped me alot with a good start! felt like that he is not going to be heavy with me. He asked first question about what do I work? I answered that. after that, he just asked basic question about relationship, like how we have been together, etc etc. I explained all that, since we have been together in India for 3 yrs. That really made good weight about this situation. My wife wears saree, and really accept the Indian culture. We had all our picture of daily life, and she was in saree all the time. CO seems impressed, he then made a complimentary: Oh - your wife is like Sonia Gandhi, because my wife is living in India for me. Overall, interview became fun, and it was good experience there.
Except due to typographic mistake in divorce decree, it really wasted alot of time. That american Co really tried to help for my case, and tried to research the records, but he couldnt verify it. He then issued me 221g to provide the court order for divorce decree, doc related to verify the correct name, and returned my passport.
I asked whether I should submit the passport with doc. He said, dont submit the passport. Just doc. I said all right! I asked, how long it may take. He said, as soon as they get, will review, and if they are satisfied, then you are good to go.
WOW! Green Signal!
I said, thank you so much! Overall it was good experience. Even having such major red flags, where custom do not accept such things, and I was able to make my case stand out. My wife and me look cute together, and really look same age people. CO seems like us together.
All I would say, your case is yours, questions would be related to your case.
After submitting the doc, process was quite quickly, and overall, everything was taken in timely manner. I will say, I was given a chance to explain my situation, and American Co was really nice. American CO didnt even question me about age different, divorce, etc. He was very nice guy. May God bless him!
Finally today got visa in hand!
Thank you Lord! |
| Rating : |
Very Good |
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ver 5.0