My brother is getting married next month and is on H-1B visa. Few questions, its in Mumbai Consulate:
---- I hope you are asking for your brothers spouse to get her H4 visa stamped from Bombay
1 - What all documents need to be carried at the consulate?
H1B approval Notice, recent pay stubs, Employer letter, W-2, complete I-129 petition with LCA that was submitted by employer HR or Lawyer for H1B to INS (it should be with employer or with Lawyer, better take it certified by lawyer) copy of all the passport pages of H1B holder, Photograph (new 2inch by 2 inch) she has to fill up form DS156 and draft for the fees, Marriage certificate and marriage photographs
2 - Do they need an appointment?
Bombay has Visa facilitation service, you can send the passport through them or she can go directly to consulate as it is her first H4 (much better)
3 - Is there a possibility that my brother's wife can get the visa next day, I know it depends, just asking if its a possibility
Normally she may get the same day after 4 PM if she visits US Consulate ,it depends on the visa officer
4 - Any recent experiences?
Recently some one posted that Bombay consulate wanted that her wife passport should have to spouse name added, so the person went to Worli Passport office and filed up a form (Miscellaneous Service Form) paid the required fees and paid “chai Pani” to travel agent and it was done in one day from Passport office.
You can go to Mumbai US consulate site and check the recent requirements as everyday new requirements are being posted.
It will be much better if she changes her passport with married name and can be done in 2-3 days with help of some agent so that in future no problems if your brother files GC, both will have same surname (according to INS it is not must) but when she goes for H4 stamping it will clear many things for the Visa officer if he/she looks at passport with the married name and same Surname on H1B approval Notice then no doubt about the marriage and they may not ask for lot of marriage photographs to show
If I missed any thing others will post.
Good Luck!!
