Hello guys,
I am glad to write about my successful CP inteview at mumbai yesterday. The experience was a breeze. The interview couldn't have been better.
Me and my wife reached the consulate on time (8.15) and were let in within 5 minutes of waiting at the door and then were waiting for about 1.5 hours before we were called at a window for submitting the documents. We were asked for one document after another and it lasted about 10 min or so. The lady (Indian) was very courteous and asked for the standard documents (DS230-II form, Birth certificate copy, marriage certificate copy (1 for each of us = 2), original PCC, I-134 form, employment letter, photos). She compared the photo-copies with the original and gave them back to us. My H1B visa had expired and I had got an approved h1B extension (& H4 extension). We submitted her those documents as well, along with ofcourse the passport. She simply spent time reading out aloud the DS230-I form and asking us to confirm name, address, mother's name, etc... that's it. She also asked if we could interview in English and we were fine with it. I suppose you could interview in Marathi & Gujarati as well.
Then, we were again asked to wait while we would be called for our "interview". It was another 30 min before we were asked to the interview-window. This time, it was an American lady at the window. We were at the window for probably 4-5 minute. The lady was very polite. She asked us to sign the forms first followed by 3 questions:
- married for how long
- company name and what they do
- my educational qualification
It seemed as if she didn't care about my answers, because she was asking me the next question even before I reached the end of the previous answer. Finally, she announced that the documents are all in place and that our Immigrant Visas has been granted (with a big smile!).
At 3.30pm in the afternoon, we were supposed to pick up the passport etc... and that was simple as well. We got back the passport, my original H1B extension approval and the yellow packet.
Some comments:
While we were waiting inside the consulate, I have seen almost everybody being interviewed for about 25-30 minutes. But, I think they were all family-based Immigrant visas. My reading is that for Employment based CP, if all the documents are good, you shouldn't worry a thing about CP interview.
We had our medicals done at Breach Candy Hospital about a week in advance. Medicals were easy too, although you end up spending most of the day there - mainly waiting all the time! I think they should be able to wrap up the medicals in less than an hour, but they drag it for 4-5 hours. The officials at the hospital were rude at times, but I think, it's just part of bad customer service in India. I won't attribute it to Breach Candy. You simply have to ignore such things and get your work done.
Finally, I thank everybody at this group for all their discussions, comments and ofcourse answering my questions. The information on this newsgroup is priceless. I hope you all have a successful GC!
I am going to be in India for another 3 weeks, enjoying with my family before I return to US. I don't know much about Port of Entry procedures etc.. but, my priliminary understanding is that it's very simply and nothing to worry about....
I am glad to write about my successful CP inteview at mumbai yesterday. The experience was a breeze. The interview couldn't have been better.
Me and my wife reached the consulate on time (8.15) and were let in within 5 minutes of waiting at the door and then were waiting for about 1.5 hours before we were called at a window for submitting the documents. We were asked for one document after another and it lasted about 10 min or so. The lady (Indian) was very courteous and asked for the standard documents (DS230-II form, Birth certificate copy, marriage certificate copy (1 for each of us = 2), original PCC, I-134 form, employment letter, photos). She compared the photo-copies with the original and gave them back to us. My H1B visa had expired and I had got an approved h1B extension (& H4 extension). We submitted her those documents as well, along with ofcourse the passport. She simply spent time reading out aloud the DS230-I form and asking us to confirm name, address, mother's name, etc... that's it. She also asked if we could interview in English and we were fine with it. I suppose you could interview in Marathi & Gujarati as well.
Then, we were again asked to wait while we would be called for our "interview". It was another 30 min before we were asked to the interview-window. This time, it was an American lady at the window. We were at the window for probably 4-5 minute. The lady was very polite. She asked us to sign the forms first followed by 3 questions:
- married for how long
- company name and what they do
- my educational qualification
It seemed as if she didn't care about my answers, because she was asking me the next question even before I reached the end of the previous answer. Finally, she announced that the documents are all in place and that our Immigrant Visas has been granted (with a big smile!).
At 3.30pm in the afternoon, we were supposed to pick up the passport etc... and that was simple as well. We got back the passport, my original H1B extension approval and the yellow packet.
Some comments:
While we were waiting inside the consulate, I have seen almost everybody being interviewed for about 25-30 minutes. But, I think they were all family-based Immigrant visas. My reading is that for Employment based CP, if all the documents are good, you shouldn't worry a thing about CP interview.
We had our medicals done at Breach Candy Hospital about a week in advance. Medicals were easy too, although you end up spending most of the day there - mainly waiting all the time! I think they should be able to wrap up the medicals in less than an hour, but they drag it for 4-5 hours. The officials at the hospital were rude at times, but I think, it's just part of bad customer service in India. I won't attribute it to Breach Candy. You simply have to ignore such things and get your work done.
Finally, I thank everybody at this group for all their discussions, comments and ofcourse answering my questions. The information on this newsgroup is priceless. I hope you all have a successful GC!
I am going to be in India for another 3 weeks, enjoying with my family before I return to US. I don't know much about Port of Entry procedures etc.. but, my priliminary understanding is that it's very simply and nothing to worry about....