Hi everyone,
I completed my CP inteview at Chennai on Oct 23rd. Experience was a pleasant one, very similar to others. The important points are:
1. Children do not need any tests at Lister. Fees at Lister is Rs 600/- per adult.
2. Dr. Vijaylakshmi also sees other regular patients. Plan to wait upto 45 minutes beyond the appointment time. She charges Rs 450/- per adult and Rs 200 per child. No pants-down examination. The medical exam only takes 15 minutes but filling out the paperwork takes 45 minutes to an hour. We had made an appointment before leaving for India.
3. Dr. Vijaylakshmi accepts vaccination records from US. I and my wife had done a blood immunity test in the US and also got vaccinations in the US for whatever immunity we did not have. She accepted all our vaccinations and did not give us any additional shots. Vaccinations were free with our healthcare provider. They can also be obtained free of cost at any County health Centers in the US.
4. Chennai Consulate requires that all questions in DS-230 be answered completely, i.e. no blanks for any answers. Also they were VERY PARTICULAR about not using "NOT APPLICABLE" for any answer. They asked us to use "NONE" instead for those answers. This is very important.
5. MOST IMPORTANT: CHENNAI CONSULATE REQUIRES ORIGINAL SIGNED DS-230 PART 1. I had submitted DS-230 part 1 along with Pkt 3 to NVC but the consulate insisted on a original signed DS-203 part 1. PLEASE MAKE A COPY OF THE UNSIGNED DS-230 PART 1 BEFORE SUBMITTING IT TO NVC. Sign that copy and take it with you to the interview for submission along with DS-230 part 2.
Interview was a breeze, only question asked was how long I was in the US. Then the consular officer cancelled the H visas in our passports. He also tore off the right side of the H visas ( without damaging he passports)
I did not have birth certificate, so I took non availability letter and submitted 2 original affidavits. My wife's name was incorrect in her birth certificate and we submitted 2 affidavits.
I also submitted 2 pay stubs and 2001 federal tax return copy. Tax transcripts were not asked. I submitted only those documents listed in the appointment letter. We were not given a different list at the consulate.
The consulate returned the non availability letter, wife's birth certificate, child's birth certificate, pay stubs, marriage certificate.
I received the package next day at 11:45am in Chennai. I checked for errors, there were none. make a copy of the visa page for your records.
We took photos at Konica labs near Lister. Excellent quality photos, 20 photos for Rs. 100/- They know exactly what is required.
I stayed with relatives in Chennai, therefore I do not know much about hotels in Chennai. weather was pleasant.
We went to Lister on 19th (Saturday), Dr. Vijaylakshmi on 21st (monday), Interview on 23rd (Wednesday)
I hope this helps future CPers. I will try to answer questions. Iam still in India (bangalore) and will return to US on Nov 8th.
nkm-oct23
I completed my CP inteview at Chennai on Oct 23rd. Experience was a pleasant one, very similar to others. The important points are:
1. Children do not need any tests at Lister. Fees at Lister is Rs 600/- per adult.
2. Dr. Vijaylakshmi also sees other regular patients. Plan to wait upto 45 minutes beyond the appointment time. She charges Rs 450/- per adult and Rs 200 per child. No pants-down examination. The medical exam only takes 15 minutes but filling out the paperwork takes 45 minutes to an hour. We had made an appointment before leaving for India.
3. Dr. Vijaylakshmi accepts vaccination records from US. I and my wife had done a blood immunity test in the US and also got vaccinations in the US for whatever immunity we did not have. She accepted all our vaccinations and did not give us any additional shots. Vaccinations were free with our healthcare provider. They can also be obtained free of cost at any County health Centers in the US.
4. Chennai Consulate requires that all questions in DS-230 be answered completely, i.e. no blanks for any answers. Also they were VERY PARTICULAR about not using "NOT APPLICABLE" for any answer. They asked us to use "NONE" instead for those answers. This is very important.
5. MOST IMPORTANT: CHENNAI CONSULATE REQUIRES ORIGINAL SIGNED DS-230 PART 1. I had submitted DS-230 part 1 along with Pkt 3 to NVC but the consulate insisted on a original signed DS-203 part 1. PLEASE MAKE A COPY OF THE UNSIGNED DS-230 PART 1 BEFORE SUBMITTING IT TO NVC. Sign that copy and take it with you to the interview for submission along with DS-230 part 2.
Interview was a breeze, only question asked was how long I was in the US. Then the consular officer cancelled the H visas in our passports. He also tore off the right side of the H visas ( without damaging he passports)
I did not have birth certificate, so I took non availability letter and submitted 2 original affidavits. My wife's name was incorrect in her birth certificate and we submitted 2 affidavits.
I also submitted 2 pay stubs and 2001 federal tax return copy. Tax transcripts were not asked. I submitted only those documents listed in the appointment letter. We were not given a different list at the consulate.
The consulate returned the non availability letter, wife's birth certificate, child's birth certificate, pay stubs, marriage certificate.
I received the package next day at 11:45am in Chennai. I checked for errors, there were none. make a copy of the visa page for your records.
We took photos at Konica labs near Lister. Excellent quality photos, 20 photos for Rs. 100/- They know exactly what is required.
I stayed with relatives in Chennai, therefore I do not know much about hotels in Chennai. weather was pleasant.
We went to Lister on 19th (Saturday), Dr. Vijaylakshmi on 21st (monday), Interview on 23rd (Wednesday)
I hope this helps future CPers. I will try to answer questions. Iam still in India (bangalore) and will return to US on Nov 8th.
nkm-oct23