Final interview details
April 16th 8:15 AM: Arrive at the US Embassy gate 7 on Naya Marg in New Delhi. The road is blocked at the both the entrances, which cover US embassy. Heavily guarded by armed and non-armed security forces. The queue had about 15 persons standing before me (outside the US embassy). As soon as I came, one of the Security personnel in blue dress (Security 4 group) asked if there were any individuals standing in queue who had an immigration visa interview appointment. I rushed out of the queue and reported to the security officer. He asked for my passport and the interview letter. There were other individuals who came along who had a scheduled interview for non-immigrant visa. All of these individuals were firmly asked to return to the original queue. Another security officer entered my name and my CP case number in the log book. I had a black nylon computer bag with a 1 inch folder in it and my mobile phone. Another security officer asked my to raise my hands parallel to the ground and stand-in-ease position. He had a instrument similar to the one used by security check personnel’s at the US airports. Another security officer checked my bag visually. I was then asked to go directly into the embassy, about a 100 meters walk.
April 16th 8:25 AM: Another set of security officers at the entrance of the embassy. Now I was in the air-conditioned area. I was already feeling better. The security officer asked if I had a mobile in my black bag. He asked to take it out and deposit it at the desk. The security officer gave me a blue Plastic 1 square inch coin. My black bag and x-ray report film sealed envelope was scanned by the x-ray machine as found on the US airports. I walked through a metal detector. I was again checked by a hand detector by another security officer.
April 16th 8:37 AM: I entered the waiting area. There are about 88 seats right in the front and another 40 on the right hand side of the entrance. Cashier window is to the immediate left of the enterance (Working hours: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM). There is a reception desk right in the middle of the hall with two Indian individuals sitting. There are at least 3 to 4 security offices in the hall at all the time. The security officer checked my passport and the interview letter and asked me to have a seat. All non-immigrant visa individuals had pay some fees and again stand in another queue in the hall. All immigrant visa interview individuals were asked to take a seat till called by name on the intercom. I took one of the seats in the main area. A 15-inch TV mounted on the wall was working, though the volume was zero.
April 16th 9:00 AM: All the immigrant visa interview letter holders were asked to report to window 15. There was queue of about 25 people. I was about the 9 person. There was young Indian lady behind the counter 15. She was collecting the interview letters and giving back a receipt to pay the visa fee at the cashier check. When It was my turn, the young Indian lady in salvar-qurta asked me if I had paid the fee of USD 335 in US. I said Yes with a nod. I did not get any receipt. I was told to wait in the hall till called on the intercom.
Windows 13, 14, 15 are for immigrant visa only. There is a plate hanging with “statue of liberty” stating “Immigrant Visa” near window 13. There is another plate hanging at one of the other windows(9 to 12} stating “non-immigrant visa” with an Eagle head. The hall has two stall selling cold drinks (coke, fanta, mountain dew, water, veg/non-veg sandwiches) and a hot drinks (tea, coffee, etc). There is another water fountain in the room with free-water. There is a restroom for gents and ladies in the hall.
Window 13: An America Gora Consular Officer making decision on immigrant visas.
Window 14: An Indian lady collecting docs
Window 15: An Indian gentleman collecting docs
April 16th 11:35 AM: My name was announced on the intercom and I was asked to come to window 14. The same young Indian lady asked me to provide the required docs.
1. Valid passport
2. Two immigration style photos (I had not signed. I asked the lady if it was necessary. The answer was “No”)
3. DS 230 part 1
4. DS 230 part 2
5. A copy of my birth certificate
6. Marriage certificate
7. Police certificate
8. Employment letter
9. Medical Report (sealed & stamped)
The lady gave me a form to sign, which stated (in a paragraph with about 9 to 10 lines) something that meant that if I lost my job before I enter US, I should inform the embassy.
The young lady asked if my wife had a green card, to which I replied yes. She then asked my how did she get her GC. I replied through family based immigration. I was then asked to return back to the siting are of the hall.
April 16th 1:55 AM: The consular officer (a gora in late twenties or early thirties) called my name and asked me to report to window 13. Below is an excerpt of the conversation details.
CpDelhi: Good Afternoon
Gora Consular officer: No response ( I am not sure if he did not hear me or just ignored me. Facial expressions were not very friendly. I was in relaxed mode, hence didn’t bother me. I was calm and ready for the next set of questions)
Gora Consular officer: Whom are you working for?
CpDelhi: Answered promptly
Gora Consular officer: How long have you been working for firm?
CpDelhi: Answered promptly
Gora Consular officer: On what visa did you first enter US?
CpDelhi: F1 (student visa)
Gora Consular officer: Which University did you go to?
CpDelhi: Answered promptly
Gora Consular officer: Do you have the degree certificate?
CpDelhi: Answered promptly and showed him a copy of my degree certificate
Gora Consular officer: Raise your right hand and repeat after me that all the info is correct and true to the best of my knowledge.
CpDelhi: I said “all info is correct and true to my knowledge”
Gora Consular officer: Come at 4:30 to collect your visa. Signs some document.
April 16th 4:15 PM: Enter the embassy through the same security checks and had a seat in the hall.
April 16th 4:50 PM: I was called to come to window 15. I was handed a sealed yellow envelope cut on the top left corner and my immigrant visa stapled to other docs but outside the envelope. The immigrant visa had my name, mother name, father’s name, date of birth, passport number, city of birth and other info with my photograph pasted, stamped and US seal.