Is Mumbai consulate scheduling interviews for IR5 (Parent of a U.S. citizen)

[melonyears]

Sharing my today's interview experience

- Interview appointment was at 8.15 AM, reached at around 7.50. Done security check (if you are carrying a mobile phone, then they have a space on rent at Rs.50, you can deposit your mobile there, and you can carry a water bottle, umbrella, and car key). If an applicant is in a wheelchair, one person can accompany them (carry ID proof).
- Post security, they guided me to go to the immigrant visa section on counter 1 to get the token
- Token received. The time printed on the token was 8.01 AM
- waited for my call & finally got call at around 10.45 - 11 AM (almost 3 hrs wait)
- On this window, you submit your papers, passport (pls carry your old passport too, in case you have B1/B2 visa), original birth certificate, original marriage certificate, original police verification
- Lady asked me preferred interview language, who is sponsoring me, have I ever visited the US before since I had a valid B1/B2 visa stamped on my old passport. So she asked for the old passport. Further, she asked me if I am carrying my son's tax documents, I said yes & reply was to keep them handy if the officer asks. So this process was for the collection of documents. Now wait for the consular interview.
- I waited for almost 1 hr. & got a call (aprx. interview time at around 12 PM)
- Consular officer asked to raise right hand to take the oath & then took the fingerprint, then asked the following Qs
- Who's sponsoring
- What does he do
- Was he a citizen by birth or migrated
- where was he born (he was born in the US, so I told the name of the US state where he was born)
- Is he staying with someone?
- When did you last meet him?
- What am I doing currently
The officer said I am canceling your visitor visa since I am granting you the immigrant visa as everything is good to go. You will get your passport within 3-5 working days & follow the process mentioned in the paper (the officer handed me the paper mentioning the process of paying visa fees).

The above questions may differ based on your sponsor. If your son/daughter was a citizen by birth & unmarried, then Qs may differ. If married and having kids, then Qs may be different. If migrated & settled in the US, then Qs may be different. So above Qs are not standard & may differ based on your sponsor's status.

My appointment also was set for the morning, so I arrived at the consulate around 30 minutes early. After passing through security (I also noticed a mobile deposit facility for Rs.50, which was convenient), I was sent to the immigrant visa division. The process of receiving a token was straightforward, and my token time was also printed on it. Then came the wait, which was perhaps the longest part of the process. It took roughly 2-3 hours before I was called to submit documents.


I always bring my water bottle that I purchase at https://bottledevents.com/, which I originally purchased for family gatherings, and it came in quite handy during the long wait. Staying hydrated is especially important in the waiting area, which can feel stuffy. Plus, because they allow water bottles inside, there's one less thing to worry about.

At the first window, they took my passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate, and police clearance. Because I had a valid B1/B2 visa, they requested my old passport as well. The officer asked basic questions about my sponsor, such as who they were, what they did, and whether I had my sponsor's tax documents (which I did, but they did not request to view them at that time).

After another hour of waiting, I was called for the consular interview. The officer asked me to swear an oath, took my fingerprints, and then inquired about my sponsor. The inquiries were nearly identical to yours: who was sponsoring me, their immigration status (citizen by birth or naturalized), where they lived, and when we last met. They also inquired about my current occupation.

After the interview, the officer informed me that my B1/B2 visa will be canceled because my immigrant visa had been approved. They provided me a piece of paper outlining the process for paying the visa cost, and I was advised to expect my passport within 3-5 working days. I received it in approximately four days.

Overall, the wait time was long, but the process went smoothly. The cops were professional, and as long as the paperwork was in place, there were no problems.

[Familygc2024]

Thanks to contributors of this thread. It had been really helpful

Parents IR5 interview at Mumbai completed fine.
Interview was at 7:15, they reached by 7 there, joined correct line ( immigration) as pointed out by other member here
They could keep mobile in locker for 100 rs
Received one token for both of them and translator

Below questions were asked
Petitioner prior visa
Petitioner address, family members
Petitioner job, company
There previous visa category
Earlier US visits , overstay if any and why

No immigration packet was given there other than 1 page . Passport stamped and got delivered in 2 days
Later we need to pay GC fees before travelling

Someone was asking about photos in above thread
Photos were taken at the time of fingerprinting. At interview documentation said to bring 2 photos, but none was taken

[OOJOHN]

Landed US on 6th September on IR5. Immigration fees is also paid before entering US. This is the 6th week running and not yet received the green card. Heard that the GC should reach within 6 weeks even though website say 90 days. Anyone else is facing such delays recently… is this because of the US election?

[OOJOHN]

They have to take appointment for bio-metric atleast couple of days before the interview. Otherwise they won’t allow them for interview

[Familygc2024]

Received interview appointment letter in email for IR5 parents in India. I am confused do they need to take biometric and photo appointment or will it be covered in same IR5 visa interview which is already scheduled by Mumbai consulate
I understand medical exam appointment we have to take
Please let me know for biometric scheduling

[NF23]

Can someone please confirm if petitioner( sponsor's) birth certificate will be needed with parents at Mumbai consulate interview
In that case I need to send to my parents
Currently our case is documentarily complete and waiting on further communication for interview, medical, biometric

They usually don't ask, better to keep a copy of the same, in case if they ask.

[OOJOHN]

Normally they won’t ask but it is better to keep a copy not original. They ask many questions about the sponsor though

[Familygc2024]

Can someone please confirm if petitioner( sponsor's) birth certificate will be needed with parents at Mumbai consulate interview
In that case I need to send to my parents
Currently our case is documentarily complete and waiting on further communication for interview, medical, biometric

[NF23]

When I entered US first with my immigrant visa, there was no secondary inspection at the port of entry. They just stamped an admit stamp. Is this the normal process? I read some where that there is a secondary inspection, hence asking. Thanks

Yes, it's normal, I have heard this from a few others too, some go through the secondary process, I went through the secondary process, and they just confirmed the address to make sure we get our GC at the correct address or the info they have on their system to confirm it.

[NF23]

Normally how long it will take to get the green card after entering US and paying the fees?

It generally takes 3-4 weeks, depending on the region you are living in, or max 6 weeks

[OOJOHN]

When I entered US first with my immigrant visa, there was no secondary inspection at the port of entry. They just stamped an admit stamp. Is this the normal process? I read some where that there is a secondary inspection, hence asking. Thanks

[OOJOHN]

As far as I recollect, No you don't need to carry other than your valid passport with the Immigrant VISA stamp. Unless they gave you an envelope to handover to Immigration in the US, it used to be earlier that process but nowadays they transfer all necessary info electronically. So just walk in with your valid passport with VISA. I was carrying vaccination records, green card fee receipt & if any other documents that were necessary at the time of the VISA interview, just for a safer side. Here usually they just check your passport & VISA.

Normally how long it will take to get the green card after entering US and paying the fees?

[Familygc2024]

My parents had to overstay during covid for more than year. We filed extension of stay but biometric appointment letter did not receive in mailbox, missed biometric appointment. Then sent letter for rescheduling biometric but never heard back. Filed extension again as dad has to go through medical procedure. After a year got extension rejection letter for one of the parents. Then they departed USA immediately.
Did anyone's parents had overstay for more than year and then received Greencard with no issues?
rajssum how did you come to know that your mom's visitor visa was cancelled ?

[OOJOHN]

Thank you

[NF23]

I have received IR5 immigration visa and planning to enter US by the first week of September. I have already paid the green card fees and have the receipt. I have also got the vaccination certificates. Anything else I need to carry at the port of entry in US?

thanks

As far as I recollect, No you don't need to carry other than your valid passport with the Immigrant VISA stamp. Unless they gave you an envelope to handover to Immigration in the US, it used to be earlier that process but nowadays they transfer all necessary info electronically. So just walk in with your valid passport with VISA. I was carrying vaccination records, green card fee receipt & if any other documents that were necessary at the time of the VISA interview, just for a safer side. Here usually they just check your passport & VISA.