CP Experience: II
CP experience.
We visited Chennai and did the Blood work at Lister Labs at Nunamgbakkam. Most taxi drivers know this as ‘The Lab’. Nothing extraordinary here. Fill out the form obtained with P4 with one photograph. They drew the blood and did the Chest X Ray. The results are normally ready by end of the day.
We already had an appointment with Dr. Vijayalakhmi the next day. The medical check up is comprehensive. There will be a male doctor examining males for hernia and STD and other surgeries. Dr. V examines female candidates. If there are any surgical scars be prepared to explain or back up with previous reports. Based on our account of immunization, Dr. V gave one MMR to my spouse and asked us to provide a photocopy of the report. We had forgotten the photos for the full medical history report but Dr. V gave the report and said we can attach the photo later. Once the photocopy was given to her she gave the report unsealed to us. She mentioned that we DONOT have to take the X-ray to Consulate. (TIP: take all documents regarding immunization; I presented a document about 8 years old to prove I obtained MMR)
We took the photos at Konica and Foto India. Konica charged INR135 for extra photos and a CD with photos. They gave a few dozen photos when all we needed at consulate was ONE copy. I did not like the photograph from Konica so I went to Foto India. They charged INR75 for three copies. They were quick with about 10 minutes wait time and the photo looked much better (subjective opinion). Konica and Foto India are opposite to Consulate and in very close to each other.
On the interview date we reached the consulate 30 minutes early and was let in. (TIP: Wave the yellow interview letter and cause the catch phrase ‘Immigrant Visa’ and you will be given preference to enter consulate). As others mentioned, no electronics items, CDs, food, cosmetics are allowed through security check up. The documents are X-rayed and they may ask to open unopened covers.
Once inside we were let in to the new building and were seated. They will give a Blue Dart form to fill in the address. The document collection can take some time. We were among the last and waited about 1 hour for the documents to be collected. The document clerk wanted two copies (plus original) of marriage certificate and she seemed surprised that I had two copies ready with me. We had prepared and carried only the documents and copies specified in P4. (TIP: Keep one extra copies of P4 documents in a separate folder and arrange the documents as per P4 list).
We had arranged the documents in three folders plus one folder with extra set of documents. The first folder was for me, the second one for spouse and the third one with BC and Marriage Certificate Originals and original Financial documentation. We gave the three folders one by one and asked the clerk to take the documents she needed. She returned some documents and kept the Marriage Certificate original and Marriage photos. Only one Immigration photo was asked. (TIP: there is a USD45.00 surcharge over USD330.00, so keep demand drafts ready). We took all requested P4 documents and old INS/USCIS papers and education documents.
We saw a few employment cases and the in almost all cases there was no more than three or four cordial questions. However for FTJ and Family based categories few candidates were interviewed extensively by another officer. We waited another hour or so till we were called. The officer was very cordial and took our fingerprints and the only questions asked was what we think of recent advancements in India and how long we were married. He returned the originals and was asked to wait till he runs the fingerprints through the system. We were the only ones remaining in the IV section and after a few minutes the officers waved us that everything is OK. We walked to the window and he signaled and said ‘you are all set’.
We got out of the Consulate and went to hotel. The next day we got a big package via Blue Dart in our home city. The passports have the MRV with ‘Immigrant VISA’ printed on them, with a validity of 6 months (upon endorsement, it becomes PR proof for another year). With the passports we received three big envelopes, which contain some documents.
TIP: Dress comfortably, and be prepared to wait for 2-3 hours till the name is called; they are not going to miss the case for interview. We saw few fidgety, impatient candidates, while I was thinking if I can wait for three years I could wait a few more hours.
POE :
Entry to Dallas was uneventful. Doesn’t really matter which line to stand (Foreigners or US Citizens), the POE Officer takes the case packets (VISA) and passports to an separate room where the fingerprinting and a signature on a form is done and stamping is done. I was out in a few minutes.