DESPERATE
04-10-2005, 02:02 PM
:) Hi everybody,
On April 5th I had successful H4 VISA stamping at Chennai Consulate. My appointment was at 1.45 pm. But my friends who had been to Chennai Consulate earlier told me to go much before the appointment time. So went to Consulate at 10.30 am. Just 2 applicants were in the queue - Off late it is enough that you arrive only 15 minutes before the appointment time. But no harm in being early. But as I went early, I made a request if I can go in - the security said - if you are the applicant then no problem. So I went in, after the security check, went to the TT counter and paid the fee - (3 minutes). Then I was asked to pay the application fee at counter 1 - it took less than 3 minutes. Then I was asked to go to any counter on left to submit the papers. As I was standing in queue - in the main building they had opened additional counters and I proceeded there. I was asked by the lady (indian) why I came in so early for the 1.45 appointment. I told her, my friends who came in earlier told me it was better if I go early so I came earlier. She gave a funny look (did not matter to me much). I was asked to submit my passport and application. After checking in the computer, she asked me to give the following documents - letter from company, my husband's 1-94, LCA filed by the company for my husband (I think that is it). She arranged my papers in a green folder and I was given a token and asked to take seat.
The interview was going on in 7 counters opposite to where we were asked to take seat. Each interview would have lasted for 3 to 5 minutes in each couner - during the 30 minutes wait I would have seen atleast 30 to 40 interviews. It was quite normal - Some of the forums that I read / and experiences told by some friends, really scared me - but I did not witness any such things. What I could infer is that - they expect people to answer with confidence and to the point. He does not want too much details or beating around the bush. Documents were secondary. Infact most of them were complaining that they brought in so many documents, but it was not necessary. Including me, many of them had taken pains to arrange the documents in order, but nobody had a glance at it. (but it is always better to be prepared). Most of the rejections that I saw was for old couples who came in for visitors visa. But they were not prepared well to answer even simple questions like when did your son or daughter came to US or wherein US they were staying. I would blame the son or daughter for not preparing their parents.
My token No. was called in after 30 minutes and I was asked to stand in a queue in counter 6. My turn came in after 5 people. The interviewer said hi to me and took my green folder. He took the impression of left index finger and right index finger. He asked me following questions:
Are you Uma Ravichandran? - I said yes looking straight into his eyes.
So your husband works for XXX - I said that is right
When did you get married - I said the date with the year
Why did your daughter did not come with you - I said she will be taking her State Standards and California testing in Mid April and did not get her at this point in time
When did your husband come to USA - I said the date - as it was in 1998 - he requested for copies of his passport. I had taken the full set - black and white and the VISA pages and the first pages of his old and new passport in color. He only had a look at the color pages and compared the old passport photo and the new passport photo and smiled - and said he looks so different - I also laughed and said "OH, yeah".
He said pay the issuance fee at the next counter and have a safe trip.
The interview would have lasted for less than 5 minutes. Had a long wait to pay the visa issuance fee. I was out of the Consulate by 12.00 Noon (But my interview time was at 1.45 pm !!!!!!).
Goodluck to each and everyone who would be going for their VISA stamping. Be confident and things will work out.
On April 5th I had successful H4 VISA stamping at Chennai Consulate. My appointment was at 1.45 pm. But my friends who had been to Chennai Consulate earlier told me to go much before the appointment time. So went to Consulate at 10.30 am. Just 2 applicants were in the queue - Off late it is enough that you arrive only 15 minutes before the appointment time. But no harm in being early. But as I went early, I made a request if I can go in - the security said - if you are the applicant then no problem. So I went in, after the security check, went to the TT counter and paid the fee - (3 minutes). Then I was asked to pay the application fee at counter 1 - it took less than 3 minutes. Then I was asked to go to any counter on left to submit the papers. As I was standing in queue - in the main building they had opened additional counters and I proceeded there. I was asked by the lady (indian) why I came in so early for the 1.45 appointment. I told her, my friends who came in earlier told me it was better if I go early so I came earlier. She gave a funny look (did not matter to me much). I was asked to submit my passport and application. After checking in the computer, she asked me to give the following documents - letter from company, my husband's 1-94, LCA filed by the company for my husband (I think that is it). She arranged my papers in a green folder and I was given a token and asked to take seat.
The interview was going on in 7 counters opposite to where we were asked to take seat. Each interview would have lasted for 3 to 5 minutes in each couner - during the 30 minutes wait I would have seen atleast 30 to 40 interviews. It was quite normal - Some of the forums that I read / and experiences told by some friends, really scared me - but I did not witness any such things. What I could infer is that - they expect people to answer with confidence and to the point. He does not want too much details or beating around the bush. Documents were secondary. Infact most of them were complaining that they brought in so many documents, but it was not necessary. Including me, many of them had taken pains to arrange the documents in order, but nobody had a glance at it. (but it is always better to be prepared). Most of the rejections that I saw was for old couples who came in for visitors visa. But they were not prepared well to answer even simple questions like when did your son or daughter came to US or wherein US they were staying. I would blame the son or daughter for not preparing their parents.
My token No. was called in after 30 minutes and I was asked to stand in a queue in counter 6. My turn came in after 5 people. The interviewer said hi to me and took my green folder. He took the impression of left index finger and right index finger. He asked me following questions:
Are you Uma Ravichandran? - I said yes looking straight into his eyes.
So your husband works for XXX - I said that is right
When did you get married - I said the date with the year
Why did your daughter did not come with you - I said she will be taking her State Standards and California testing in Mid April and did not get her at this point in time
When did your husband come to USA - I said the date - as it was in 1998 - he requested for copies of his passport. I had taken the full set - black and white and the VISA pages and the first pages of his old and new passport in color. He only had a look at the color pages and compared the old passport photo and the new passport photo and smiled - and said he looks so different - I also laughed and said "OH, yeah".
He said pay the issuance fee at the next counter and have a safe trip.
The interview would have lasted for less than 5 minutes. Had a long wait to pay the visa issuance fee. I was out of the Consulate by 12.00 Noon (But my interview time was at 1.45 pm !!!!!!).
Goodluck to each and everyone who would be going for their VISA stamping. Be confident and things will work out.