Successful AC 140 CP processing Mumbai June 2004

[amdomd]

Arrived Mumbai June 13th.
Stayed at Hotel Regency, Nepean Sea Road. 5 min to US Consulate by taxi. Nice and clean and safe. Rs 2500+ per night. Good food and service. Comfortable place.
Medicals at Breach Candy June 14th. Carry all vaccination reports, 3 photos, appt letter and Rs 1850. Took whole day - finished only at 3PM.
Photos at My own studio near US Consulate. Same immigration style - sideways. Forget about Mumbai consulate website photo requirements.
Made bank draft for US$335 equivalent in rupees at a exchange rate of Rs 46 for US$1 as specified by consulate. There is a Standered Chartered Bank close to US Consulate (2min walk) that is open 24hrs/7days. Charges Rs 200 for each demand draft. Might be cheaper if you go to SBI.
Interview June 17 AM.
Reached at 7:00 AM. Let in at 7:25 AM. Do not carry anything else other than documents. No bags/ handbags/ briefcases allowed. Carry everything in polythene bags. Called to window 10 at 7:35 AM. Collected all documents:
DS 2003 part I & II
Appt Letter
Notarised employment letter (original)
PCC (original)
Birth certificate & affidavit (checked original and kept copies)
H-1B extension approval letter (original)
Sent to window 14 to give draft and collect receipt and return to window 10.
Then wait for eternity - 2 hours.
Called my name to window 9. White American lady. Flipped through the documents. Asked to raise right hand swear that all info is correct. Made to sign DS 230 part II. Asked 2 questions. What do you do? I explained in detail XXXXX. Where do you live? XXXXXXX. 2min interview. "Please come and collect your passport in the afternoon". It was like music to my ears. Walked out in a daze realising that this long journey was finally over.
Collected my stuff from outside window at 3:30 PM. Passport and big sealed packet with approval notice stapled to outside.
They did not cancel my H-1B visa on my passport. I had taken a UK transit visa for my return journey - just in case.
Returning June 27th. Wont be able to reply till then if anyone has questions.

 

[amdomd]

thanks

Thanks to all the CP gurus, esp KD1403 and this forum. Excellent bank and source for info. Thanks for all the prompt replies and cheeky remarks(from some).
Best of luck to all future CP'ers.

 

[vm1214]

amdomd,
Congratulations amdomd !!!! Three cheers for your sucessfull interview, post your POE also. Can you also provide the contact phone number for the hotel Regency it can be useful.

I am posting your exp. in another thread called "Sucessful CP interview at Mumbai consulate from June '04 onwards" in this way we can have all the latest CP interviews togeather, hope you don't mind.


KD's quote "Live Life King Size"

Thanks

 

[vm1214]

Made bank draft for US$335 equivalent in rupees at a exchange rate of Rs 46 for US$1 as specified by consulate. There is a Standered Chartered Bank close to US Consulate (2min walk) that is open 24hrs/7days.

{ The exchange rate is fixed by bank or American consulate... What I mean is draft drawn for American consulate goes with $1 - Rs46/- and different for other drafts. I never got this exchange rate so I am confused}

 

[reshmaya]

hi amd

Congratulations! amd.Your news is very spirit lifting.

I have another thread going with a few questions that one person has helped me with.The thread is "please help with ac 140 and lawyer".

I still have a few questions.If you could please help, I will be very grateful.

Some Background info -

Applied I140 - July 2002
Approved i-140 :May 2004
Applied 485 - Dec 2004
EAD/Advanced Parole received - May 2004.
I-824 applied - Dec 2004 (without my knowledge, paralegal mistake).

The questions I have are -
1. Did you do all the paperwork?
2. Is there help you used to put all paperwork together to post?
3. Did you use fedex?Any details of how to post is appreciated?
4. My company lawyer refuses to submit any paperwork on my behalf.They said they will provide me with Ac 140 but i should do everything as the company wants to go conventional path of 824/CP/AS.Therefore, I am thinking of hiring a lawyer myself.Do you think it is a good decision?Very frankly I am so not confidant when it comes to immigration matters...
5. A letter of hardship is required.What did you use for the letter?
6. Was the letter given to you by your company attorney?If yes, could you please share the format?
7. Do you know any lawyer who could help me?

Thank you very much, I understand that you will be back on june 27.
I am anxiously awaiting your helpful response.

regards,
R.

 

[amdomd]

Vm1214

Entered on June 27th via Chicago. No problems. While on the plane fill out only customs form this time. Stood in US citizen/ GC holder's line. Gave consulate packet to immigration officer. Asked me to wait for few minutes. Taken to another counter. They checked paperwork. Made me sign and fingerprint. Cancelled H-1B visa. Stamped temporary GC on passport. She congratulated me and sent me on my merry way. Now I await the plastic GC in the mail.

 

[amdomd]

Hotel info

Regency Hotel
73 Nepean Sea Road,
Mumbai 400006
Ph: 23699696/ 56571234/ 23697700
Fax: 56571200
Decent/ reasonable price (2100+ double bed)/ clean/ safe/ comfortable/ good clean food/ close proximity to US consulate & Kemp's corner.

Other hotels in Kemp's corner were Shalimar Hotel (too expensive 4000+), Hotel Kemp's corner (too shady) - both hotels in a very congested, noisy neighbourhood with too much traffic.

 

[amdomd]

draft

Exchange rate is as per the US Consulate - not the Bank or the market!!!! Currently its $1 - Rs46.

 

[amdomd]

Congratulations! amd.Your news is very spirit lifting.

I have another thread going with a few questions that one person has helped me with.The thread is "please help with ac 140 and lawyer".

I still have a few questions.If you could please help, I will be very grateful.

Some Background info -

Applied I140 - July 2002
Approved i-140 :May 2004
Applied 485 - Dec 2004
EAD/Advanced Parole received - May 2004.
I-824 applied - Dec 2004 (without my knowledge, paralegal mistake).

The questions I have are -
1. Did you do all the paperwork?

YES

2. Is there help you used to put all paperwork together to post?

LOOK UP PREVIOUS POSTS OF KD FOR DOCUMENTS TO GATHER

3. Did you use fedex?Any details of how to post is appreciated?

YES - USED FEDEX. SET UP FEDEX ACCOUNT. EASY TO TRACK.

4. My company lawyer refuses to submit any paperwork on my behalf.They said they will provide me with Ac 140 but i should do everything as the company wants to go conventional path of 824/CP/AS.Therefore, I am thinking of hiring a lawyer myself.Do you think it is a good decision?Very frankly I am so not confidant when it comes to immigration matters...

IF YOUR COMPANY LAWYER WILL CO-OPERATE AND PROVIDE THE NECESSARY PAPERWORK & INFO TO NEW LAWYER, THEN GO AHEAD

5. A letter of hardship is required.What did you use for the letter?

DID NOT USE ONE. WAS NOT ASKED FOR ONE DURING INTERVIEW

6. Was the letter given to you by your company attorney?If yes, could you please share the format?

7. Do you know any lawyer who could help me?
RAJIV KHANNA

Thank you very much, I understand that you will be back on june 27.
I am anxiously awaiting your helpful response.

regards,
R.

 

[vm1214]

. Stood in US citizen/ GC holder's line. Gave consulate packet to immigration officer. Asked me to wait for few minutes. Taken to another counter. They checked paperwork. Made me sign and fingerprint. Cancelled H-1B visa. Stamped temporary GC on passport. She congratulated me and sent me on my merry way. Now I await the plastic GC in the mail.

{ Congratulations amdomd, so I bet you must be feeling like WAH TAJ !!!!!!
You had little different experience at POE because ash was asked to stand in the Non-immigrant line even though rest was cool for her}

 

[vm1214]

Regency Hotel
73 Nepean Sea Road,
Mumbai 400006
Ph: 23699696/ 56571234/ 23697700
Fax: 56571200
Decent/ reasonable price (2100+ double bed)/ clean/ safe/ comfortable/ good clean food/ close proximity to US consulate & Kemp's corner.

Other hotels in Kemp's corner were Shalimar Hotel (too expensive 4000+), Hotel Kemp's corner (too shady) - both hotels in a very congested, noisy neighbourhood with too much traffic.

{This is the excellent information you provided I am going to go with it.
Two questions:
1. Did you book it earlier or just walk in and if requested will they pick you up from airport else what is the cost of the taxi ?
2. How far is the distance between the hotel and the VT(CST) station ?

Thanks}

 

[vm1214]

Exchange rate is as per the US Consulate - not the Bank or the market!!!! Currently its $1 - Rs46.

{So if I say draft for US consulate then the rate automatically goes with it, right}

Thanks

 

[amdomd]

{This is the excellent information you provided I am going to go with it.
Two questions:
1. Did you book it earlier or just walk in and if requested will they pick you up from airport else what is the cost of the taxi ?

I booked it earlier. They seem to run full all the time. So book in advance. You can take a "cool cab" (AC cab) from airport. Airport is quite a distance from city. Takes about Rs 300 - 350. Sorry, they don't pick up hotel guests from airport.

2. How far is the distance between the hotel and the VT(CST) station ?

About Rs 80-90 by cab. Dadhar Bus station is Rs 100-110 by cab. I had to go to Pune. Excellent drive through Khandala by bus.

Thanks}

 

[amdomd]

demand draft

If you have time make it from State Bank of India. They charge less. Check appointment letter and go by exchange rate specified by Mumbai consulate. You will have to do the calculation and tell bank people to make the draft for the specific amount. They won't understand if you just tell them demand draft for immigration.
Do try to call the consulate and reconfirm total amount in rupees. I had the misfortune of getting a draft made for wrong amount. The consulate people gave me a pass to go out and come back - but within an hour. That was at 7:30 AM. Luckily I knew that Standard Chartered Bank (nearby) was open 24hrs/ 7days. I had to run out in the Mumbai rain and come back. Otherwise I would have been royally screwed!!!!!! Those were very tense 15-20 mins.

 

[vm1214]

Do try to call the consulate and reconfirm total amount in rupees. I had the misfortune of getting a draft made for wrong amount.

{So you are second person I am hearing after srisubra, he also faced the same only difference there was no rain. Thanks for the info I have noted it down in my do list. Can it be more than Rs 15410/- by any chance }


very tense 15-20 mins.

{ How do you add those expression, I tried but I couldn't find this option anywhere can you teach me? }

Thanks amdomd for your responses

 

[amdomd]

Please make sure to check with Mumbai consulate about exact amount in rupees for the draft and exchange rate.
Regarding the expressions you will have to add it to your profile and activate expressions when you log on.

 

[alren]

Tip - (esp. from the domestic airport), don't take a prepaid taxi from inside the a/p. The rates are almost thrice the regular rate.

 

[vm1214]

alren,
We are going to get down at International Airport so how does domestic came in to picture ?

Amdomd
Where did you take taxi from ??

Thanks

 

[vm1214]

Regency Hotel
Decent/ reasonable price (2100+ double bed)/ clean/ safe/ comfortable/ good clean food/ close proximity to US consulate & Kemp's corner.

{ Looks like they increased the price they are quoting std room Rs 2491/- and Delux room RS 2650 /- which one was your ? }

.

 

[amdomd]

taxi

alren,
We are going to get down at International Airport so how domestic came in to picture ?

Amdomd
Where did you take taxi from ??

Thanks

took the cab from outside international airport. Prepaid from the airport should also be fine.