Hi All,
First of all a very special thanks to Kd, Raju, Rjain and all other people who post on these forums for thier help. I can't imagine getting through this without help from the forum. Here are my interview details:
Reached Delhi on July 2nd. Went for photos next morning to WhiteSales Corp, a shop recommended by the embassy. The guy there is slightly crooked, the embassy website says that for photo charges are 100 Rs but the guy asked for 150Rs. And his reason was that we were at his shop at 9.15 am and the 100 Rs rate starts from 9.30am. In any case, we got the photos done there. It took us an hour. From the photo studio we drove straight down to Dr. Daweshwar's office. Surprsingly, everyone knows about her a doctor for GC. Extremely nice lady and understands the whole GC process. Only thing I want to caution future GC interviewers that Dr. Daweshwar sends people to two different places for blood test and x-rays. We had our vehice so it wasn't a big problem but something to be aware of.
On July 5th we picked up the medical reports. She gave us a copy of the immunization records separately. Next day was the big day. The interview was at 10am, so we reached the emabassy at 9.30 am. Security people allowed us to go inside at 9.45 am. There is a separate, much smaller queue for immigrant visa seekers. They don't allow mobile or any battery operated device inside the embassy so we had to deposit our stuff with the security. Once we entered the consulate hall, a security officer took our apointment letter and asked us to take seats. At 11.20 am, we were called and all our papres were submitted taken. Only required papers were asked- PCC (original), photocopies of birth and marriage certificate, DS 230-I and II and notarized employment letter. After submission of the documents we were asked to take seats and wait for names to be called. At 2.10 pm (right after lunch) we were called for the interview. The consulate officer was very polite and administered us the oath. He asked a few very basic questions about the nature of the job and my company. My wife was asked about her job in India and how she met me. Nothing worrisome and our interview was over in 5 minutes. Then with a big grin the officer told us that he is approving our visas but he would like to keep our passports for the name check. He told us that the name check would take 15-20 days.
Based on Rjain's similar experience, I went to the embassy after a week at 2pm to request to expedite the process and to my surprise they told me that name check was already done. So I was asked to come next day 8.30 am for finger printing. We reached the emassy at 8.20 am. Inside the embassy there was a separate queue of people who were asked to come at 8.30 am. Our turn came at 9am and the officer asked us to wait in the hall. Finally, at 3pm our names were called for the finger printing. And we got the red labels to be given to the TTS guys in the lobby. I requested the oficer if I could pick up the passports in the evening. He quite strongly told me that passports would be couriered. Finally, our passports arrived 3-4 days later. The courier contained a sealed envelope along with each passport.
The POE was Detroit. Had to stand in GC/Citizen line. After inspection of the documments the immigration officer asked me to go to Special Handling counter. At the special handling counter the officer was very polite and asked my address for mailing the actual card. One caution here, at the POE it took me more than an hour so if you have connecting flights from POE then keep this time factor in mind.
Will post more once I get the welcome letter. Please let me know if I can share anything more about my interview.
Good luck to all those who are waiting for their turn. Trsut me it just a matter of time. The staff in Delhi is quite polite and understanding.
