H1B, H4 Visa

Hi,

There are very few posts here related to experience @ the US Consulaate - Kolkata. So thought of adding mine to it.

The entire process takes around 1 hour. It includes the following:

1) Initital security check @ the entrance for the appointment letter and passport.

2) Baggage and physical check inside. Only wallet and your file is allowed inside. You need to switch of your cell phone and keep them over there, so its advisable if you carry a bag and leave it there alongwith your other things. They will provide you with 2 tokens, one for your belongings and one will be your interview token number.

3) Then you will be asked to sit in another place with other visa aspirants where a lady will be verifying your petition papers, passport and photograph.

4) The interview hall is separate where you will be called serially according to your token numbers. Inside there are 7 counters: Counters 1-2-3-4 are for another round of paper check and biometrics collections (both hand fingerprints). Counters 5-6-7 are for interview.

Finally the Interview time and the VO asked a few questions regarding my client, my experience and marital status . Pretty straight forward questions and I had answered accordingly in 1-2 lines. Do not exaggerate and make the answers lengthy, they just want to check the candidates confidence.

Then the VO asked me to place my hands on the biomteric machine for another set of fingerprints. And finally came the golden words: 'Your visa is approved, have a nice stay at US' :)

They arent really looking for too many papers apart from the petition doc, passport and company letter. But do carry 1 copy of your educational history, professional history and financial records alongwith their originals.

Be confident and all the best - see you in US :-)