Successful CP interview in ND in April - Some Details!!
Thanks to all the folks (esp Kd and Raju) who helped me in this mentally agonizing process of getting the GC.
Boy, What a relief!
I think my interview was very similar to what paragm had experienced in Dec 2003.
The interview was a cake walk (I might have over-prepared or was lucky, I guess). My perception (or prejudice) is that they know employ based are more prepared and educated folks, so notarized employment letter is the only imp doc except the regular stuff like birth certs, DSxxx forms, photos, etc..
Anyway...don't get carried away by my after-thoughts; always prepare for the worst by remembering what Murphy wrote in Golden words in a law written FOR ME, "The thing which might go wrong will go wrong and at that moment when you expect least." and it should also be added to it that "and When you desperately need it."
b2b (back to business):
If possible, better ask for a pick up and drop at Embassy rather than taking your own conveyance (Parking was pain in the butt; I had to park 1 km away and walk to the place with folders in 4 plastic bags). Even in the evening it was terrible to park the car. Thesedays they tow the car away. Anyway...I didn't have any other choice as I was coming from Noida (40 Km) with my family and it was darn hot on that day...Dilli ki polluted garmi.
There was no separate line for Imm based at the entrance--everyone was treated equal under the sun--one long line irrespective of time of interview or category (Delhi believes in justice for all, at least in public). Inside, it was a diff story. Imm based were allowed to sit while non-imm were standing in lines.
Were called at around 12:15 pm after 3 hr wait to the counter 16 (different than 12-15 for most of the folks; coincidence, I guess).
As I observed and noticed, I think I was the only Emplo based on that day among ~100 Fam based from Punjab.
The guy who collected the docs was courteous (addressing by saying sir all the time) but in a great hurry; in less than 180 secs, he asked for:
1) Latest DS230 Part 1 and 2 forms (I had hand filled the embassy sent forms in P4),
2) PCC from US (he only asked for PCC)
3) Copy of Birth certs (as I had the NO Availabiltiy cert and Affidavits he asked for High School Cert for DOB)
4) Employment letter,
5) 3 Imm Style photos (docs says 2 but he asked for 3rd one),
6) I-134 (I volunteered before he asked, as he wanted to wrap up everything quickly; commented that the guys from US always bring a lot of unnecessary docs)
7) Medical reports (no x-rays)
8) Approval notices, as our visas had expired (he kept originals and never returned those again, even after interview)
After an hr we were interviewed by American-Desi Lady Imm Officer. First thing asked was to sign the DS230 Part 2 (I knew that it is over now, as the rest is only a formality). Afterwards, She asked questions about overseas travel & duration (less than 6 months everywhere), Job function (Current job), how many jobs changed (2), wife's job (n/a on H4)--no serious stuff basically; in less than 3-4 minutes it was over.
Collected the passports and Visas the same day at 5:30 after a wait of 45 mintues inside.
PS:
NO Local PCCs were asked although I had pain stackingly obtained those by camping in Sarkari Offices and using the ever prevalent Nepotism in Delhi and local places in UA. Although, I had known that "CP James Bond KD1403" has said it many times on this forum that local PCCs were not asked for to the US residents, yet I wasted 10 days in getting the local PCCs because my company attorneys were adamant on getting those before interview and also Remember! Murphy's law FOR ME. No regrets in the end!
Thanks KD!! I would not overlook your other suggestions--esp the king size one. I would certainly try to "LIVE LIFE KING SIZE from NOW ONWARDS." I guess, I have already felt it a little bit. HOPE to see you some day, in person!
Also, Thanks! all the folks on this forum - esp Raju, KD, Paragm, cpdelhi, and ABOVE ALL "Rajiva Khanna--Immigration.COM"
As a repayment of some of the volunteered services rendered by my seniors like Raju, KD and et al., I would try my best to continue this tradition of leading the followers by coming back on this forum and helping the CP seekers (who are in the "line of hope") in their Q&A's.