My case was forwarded to new delhi consulate on July 7th 04 and hence I was expecting a sept interview. However as Delhi consulate sometimes takes longer I sent an email on Aug 7th to embassy requesting a sept interview. The sept dates were published on 19th Aug and my case no was not in the list.
Next time, around 7th Sept I decided to call embassy rather than send email so that I get interview in Oct at least. Luckily a lady picked up the phone with just a few minutes of tries. She told me that my interview has been scheduled on 27th Sept as per my email request.
This was too close, I had to arrange everything within a week. To appear for 27th (Monday) interview, I have to have medicals by Friday (24th), which means I must appear for medical by 22nd, which means I must fly by 20th (monday). So I instead flied on friday and reached india.
Medicals were not an issue, just a couple of things. First since nobody had posted Apollo review, I decided to go to Dr. Dewesar. He asked me to remove all clothes even tho he did not check for hernia (maybe he thought this guy can never get a girl, no point checking for STDs). Also the bed he asked me to lie did not look like they change sheets after every patient. So I was uncomfortable lying naked in a bed where many people have possibly been naked. Secondly, I had to go to diff places fro x-ray and blood test. Since somebody posted Apollo's good review later on, I wish I had gone there as it was closer too.
I appeared for medicals on 20th itself. Even though while giving appointment she said they were very busy, there was not a lot of rush. Just had to wait 5 mins. Got the medicals right next day. Went for photo in Kumar studios, they had no idea of changed photo requirements and tried to persuade me to take both kind of pics so that I am safe. I did not like his cheap upselling tactic. I instead went for a low profile photographer and got 4 pics for Rs 50/-
Reached embassy on 27th, they started making lines at 7:30 am. Even tho interview time was 9 am, in Delhi they dont care. I was inside embassy by 8:45. First I had to go to window 17 for document submission. He took medicals (without x-ray), 3 pics and all papers mentioned in packet 4. Even tho I had birth certificate affidavit, he asked for 10th certificate. I luckily carried all certificates, he made a copy and returned the original. I was asked to be seated again in waiting area.
Got another call after 1 hour on window no 8. Two ladies where there, they asked me to sign the DS-230 and take oath. I was seated again.
Finally got the interview call around 11 am. The guy had american accent but indian looks and name. My guess is that he is indian by origin but was born in US. He asked me my name, which company I work for etc. He asked for my old passport and seemed little suspicious of my passport. So he went away for 5 mins (I think he was checking old visas etc for authenticity). No tricky questions or games. Just simple things. Interview was over in 10 mins. He asked me how long was I staying in India. I said 2 weeks. he said that was good as he is giving me visa but they have to do a name check. Namecheck is required everytime somebody leaves US. Since I left US a week before, they had to do another namecheck that will take 7-10 days. Even though I knew they dont do a check for everybody, I was not in a position to argue. I submitted Rs 440 for courier and left embassy.
Next 10 days were filled with impatient calling and embassy telling me that it can take 20-30 days etc. I finally got hold of an indian female on 6th, I explained that I have to fly soon. She said I should not have made plans before the visa is issued. I said, I only had that much vacation and I have to join the job. She said she will forward my case and I should enquire next day. I called on 7th and I was told that I have been issued visa on 6th. I am not sure if that was because I called or if namecheck finished in due course. Anyway, got my passport and a packet of papers on 8th. This packet had instructions that I should not open it and give it to US immigration.
Flied back to US on 15th Oct. Went to counter 6 at immigration as that caters to 'aliens with immigration visa'. He first took my right hand index finger print and got it signed. Then he took the papers and looked through it. He asked me if I was going to join same company, I said yes. He asked "sure?" I said yes. Then he asked if I had x-ray, I said that was in the luggage, he didnt ask me again (not sure why he asked for it). He asked my residence address, I told him. He said they have diff address for sending GC card. I explained it was company address. He said everything was ok and I should get green card in 8-10 months!!! I was surprised, he seemed serious. I think he was trying to trick me to express concers about GC address if I leave the company or something like it. I did not fall into the trap. He stamped my passport etc and explained that these stamps are temporary ID as GC holder till I get my GC. He again told me that I should get GC in 8-10 months (I hope it doesn't take that long). After that, I just walked out of the airport.
My sincere thanks to everybody for all the information and moral support. The journey would have been much tougher without all of you!
user55
Next time, around 7th Sept I decided to call embassy rather than send email so that I get interview in Oct at least. Luckily a lady picked up the phone with just a few minutes of tries. She told me that my interview has been scheduled on 27th Sept as per my email request.
This was too close, I had to arrange everything within a week. To appear for 27th (Monday) interview, I have to have medicals by Friday (24th), which means I must appear for medical by 22nd, which means I must fly by 20th (monday). So I instead flied on friday and reached india.
Medicals were not an issue, just a couple of things. First since nobody had posted Apollo review, I decided to go to Dr. Dewesar. He asked me to remove all clothes even tho he did not check for hernia (maybe he thought this guy can never get a girl, no point checking for STDs). Also the bed he asked me to lie did not look like they change sheets after every patient. So I was uncomfortable lying naked in a bed where many people have possibly been naked. Secondly, I had to go to diff places fro x-ray and blood test. Since somebody posted Apollo's good review later on, I wish I had gone there as it was closer too.
I appeared for medicals on 20th itself. Even though while giving appointment she said they were very busy, there was not a lot of rush. Just had to wait 5 mins. Got the medicals right next day. Went for photo in Kumar studios, they had no idea of changed photo requirements and tried to persuade me to take both kind of pics so that I am safe. I did not like his cheap upselling tactic. I instead went for a low profile photographer and got 4 pics for Rs 50/-
Reached embassy on 27th, they started making lines at 7:30 am. Even tho interview time was 9 am, in Delhi they dont care. I was inside embassy by 8:45. First I had to go to window 17 for document submission. He took medicals (without x-ray), 3 pics and all papers mentioned in packet 4. Even tho I had birth certificate affidavit, he asked for 10th certificate. I luckily carried all certificates, he made a copy and returned the original. I was asked to be seated again in waiting area.
Got another call after 1 hour on window no 8. Two ladies where there, they asked me to sign the DS-230 and take oath. I was seated again.
Finally got the interview call around 11 am. The guy had american accent but indian looks and name. My guess is that he is indian by origin but was born in US. He asked me my name, which company I work for etc. He asked for my old passport and seemed little suspicious of my passport. So he went away for 5 mins (I think he was checking old visas etc for authenticity). No tricky questions or games. Just simple things. Interview was over in 10 mins. He asked me how long was I staying in India. I said 2 weeks. he said that was good as he is giving me visa but they have to do a name check. Namecheck is required everytime somebody leaves US. Since I left US a week before, they had to do another namecheck that will take 7-10 days. Even though I knew they dont do a check for everybody, I was not in a position to argue. I submitted Rs 440 for courier and left embassy.
Next 10 days were filled with impatient calling and embassy telling me that it can take 20-30 days etc. I finally got hold of an indian female on 6th, I explained that I have to fly soon. She said I should not have made plans before the visa is issued. I said, I only had that much vacation and I have to join the job. She said she will forward my case and I should enquire next day. I called on 7th and I was told that I have been issued visa on 6th. I am not sure if that was because I called or if namecheck finished in due course. Anyway, got my passport and a packet of papers on 8th. This packet had instructions that I should not open it and give it to US immigration.
Flied back to US on 15th Oct. Went to counter 6 at immigration as that caters to 'aliens with immigration visa'. He first took my right hand index finger print and got it signed. Then he took the papers and looked through it. He asked me if I was going to join same company, I said yes. He asked "sure?" I said yes. Then he asked if I had x-ray, I said that was in the luggage, he didnt ask me again (not sure why he asked for it). He asked my residence address, I told him. He said they have diff address for sending GC card. I explained it was company address. He said everything was ok and I should get green card in 8-10 months!!! I was surprised, he seemed serious. I think he was trying to trick me to express concers about GC address if I leave the company or something like it. I did not fall into the trap. He stamped my passport etc and explained that these stamps are temporary ID as GC holder till I get my GC. He again told me that I should get GC in 8-10 months (I hope it doesn't take that long). After that, I just walked out of the airport.
My sincere thanks to everybody for all the information and moral support. The journey would have been much tougher without all of you!
user55
