Visitor Visa - B2

I am thankful to immihelp for helping in my DS160 preparation and for the visa interview.

There are lot of posts here regarding experiences in India. Majority of the experiences is for parents. Our visa interview was with Abu Dhabi embassy.

Our family (me below 40 years, my wife and my daughter) interview was scheduled on 29 Jan 2015. We were self-sponsored and had invitation from my brother-in-law. We are planning for summer vacation in USA.

Few points which can be useful to those applying from Abu Dhabi
1. Finger printing is done on the same day as that of visa interview.
2. No separate appointment for the same.
3. We did not book our flight tickets. We did not go through tour operators.
4. Process is well organized and it takes 4 hours to complete.
5. Parking is available opposite to embassy and it is bit crowded during morning.
6. No bags are allowed. Mobiles and car key with auto lock to be deposited.
7. No surname for south Indians
In passport Surname :
Given name: YYYY YYYY
In DS160 write Surname: YYYY YYYY
First name: FNU

After security screening at security office, applicants are allowed in batches to the embassy. After entering embassy our passport details are checked and finger printing is completed. No other supporting documents are checked.

Visa interview is conducted in counter located in the waiting room. We could hear the questions asked and there were quite a few refusals as well. One of the VOs (a lady) was a bit strict with questions and was asking documents. We were praying not to get her. To our luck we got this VO. She had refused for 3 just before us.

We: Good Afternoon.
VO: Good Afternoon. Passports please.

VO: How long you are there in UAE?
Me: X years.

VO: Are you both parents for this young lady?
We: Yes.

VO: Why are you going to US?
Me: We are going for tourism.

VO: Where are you going?
Me: Detroit, Chicago, Niagara falls, New York, Washington.

(Most of the time she was typing and checking in her computer. Not much eye to eye contact)

VO: Do you have relative there?
Me: My brother-in-law is there.

VO: (to my wife) Where is your sister there?
My wife: No madam, my brother. He is in XX place, Michigan.
VO: Michigan.

VO: Where are you working?
Me: Working as xxx for xx company.
VO: xx company.

VO: What is your salary?
Me: YYYY dirhams.

VO: How old is this young lady.
My wife: She will be X this March.

VO: She is quite tall.
My wife: Yes madam.

VO: Does she have cousins there?
My wife: Yes.
Me: Two of them.
VO: She’s going to have a nice time there.
(we are smiling inside)

VO: (to my wife) Have done your Masters?
(I had mentioned only about her BE degree. I prepared the form for her)
My wife: Yes. I have done my MBA.
VO: Masters?
My wife: Yes.
VO: That’s what I am trying to figure it out
(I am worried as something mentioned without DS160 backup)

VO: (to me) Have you done your Masters?
Me: No. I have done bachelor’s from YYYY institute.

After this the VO was looking at her computer and took the passports in her hand. (confused what is this !).

I am APPROVING all of you. You will get an email from us in 2-3 days about passport collection. She gave us a white slip which mentioned the same and kept the passports with her. We said Thank you and left.

VO did not ask for any of the supporting documents. We were prepared with Salary certificate, Bank statement for 6 months, Marriage certificate, Birth certificate, Degree certificate, Invitation letter from my brother-in-law, my brother-in-law’s identification documents & address proof.

Checked status in CEAC site same day. It was showing Administrative processing (AP). Next day mine and my daughter’s changed to ISSUED in the afternoon. My wife’s still AP. Hers changed after one more day to ISSUED. We all got 10 year multiple entry B1/B2 visa.

Overall it was a pleasant experience.