Hi All,
First of all big thank you to this forum for helping me prepare for interview and all other processes. It helped a lot.
Here is how my experience went.
Stay - Hyatt Regency - Very near - 10 mins by Auto
Consulate - 5 Mins by Auto
Biometrics : Date XX-Sep 2022. Apt time - 1.30 PM, Arrived at 1.00 PM
Pre-requisite -
1. DS 160 Confirmation Form Pages for all applicants
2. Appointment Confirmation Page
3. Passports Original plus recent expired
4. Photos of kids if under 14 Years
Dress Code - Formal Shirt and Trouser
What else you can carry -
1. Phones are allowed but must be switched off. Small backpacks too are allowed. No issues.
Most Imp Tips:
1. DS160 Confirmation form must match all details with your most recent passport. Especially, name, DOB and Passport number. If there is any mismatch, then your form will not be accepted till the edit is complete and details are up to date.
2. Personal Exp. - My daughters latest passport received after DS160 was submitted and appointment schedule. Hence, old passport number was present on DS160 confirmation.
3. So I was asked to visit a nearest cyber cafe to have it update immediately. There is one right opposite the VAC center - that fellow was very helpful and knew these were common edits. This does not alter your schedule. So no worries. Within minutes, I was in same queue for Biometrics with my kids.
4. Photo - Must ensure Photo is as per specification Size plus - Forehead and both the ears must be visible.
Steps Followed -
1. Submitted documents mentioned above for verification along with passport.
2. Once validated, you proceed for Photo and fingerprints.
3. Kids under 14 yrs fingerprints are not taken.
Interview - XX- Sep-2022 - Apt Time - 8.30 AM - Arrived at 8.10 AM.
Actual Entry inside 8.40 AM
Documents -
1. All original passports - Primary Applicant First (Along with recent expired passports)
2. 2 Sets of I-129
3. First page of I-197 (2 Sets) - Rest other stuff is put aside ( All those exhibits and summary pages are not included in application)
4. Demand Draft for $500 Fraud Prevention Fees. You can pay it with Credit Card ( MC or VISA only). Ensure to have Card activated for international transactions.
5. For DD - Follow this link for latest USD Rates and DD details -
https://in.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/american-citizen-services-acs-fees/
6. VAC Stamped DS160 Form for Primary Applicant
7. Photos of kids incase not given at Consulate.
8. Appointment confirmation page for entry in consulate
Dress Code - Formal Shirt and Trouser ( I did not go with Suit or Tie - my attorney specifically advised not to overdo it. Not too casual and not too formal). I saw several candidates with suit getting rejected. So I doubt if that matters much.
What you can carry?
1. Apart from documents and small hand held folder - nothing is allowed inside.
2. All electronic gadgets, mobile phones, smart watches, even the digital ones are not allowed.
3. Can carry small water bottle in case you have kids.
4. Can carry wallets with Cards, Cash and Hotel Key pass - make sure no SIM or memory cards inside
Steps
1. Entry in consulate
2. Once all belongings are scanned and you are post security check - there is counter to segregate/arrange your docs as per instructions provided for each VISA Type.
3. Docs arranged, you can get priority in Queue if kids are accompanied.
4. Counter 2 - Validation of documents at Consulate Window ( There are 2 dedicated windows for document verification) You can submit kids photo, in case was not taken at VAC center at the time of Biometrics. Keep extra copies.
5. Counter 3 - Proceed to VISA Fees - $500 - Ways - DD or Credit Cards - you get a receipt.
6. In line for L1 interview - There was separate Queue for L1 Blanket candidates.
7. My turn came - Handed over the earlier arranged forms and Passports.
Usual Greetings.
Noticing multiple passports - VO inquired if my wife/kids were with me - I said yes. But he requested them to be seated separately till the interview was over.
Q 1 - Which company do you work for? -
Ans - XXX
Q 2 - How long you have been working with this company? -
Ans 10.5 Yrs - (At this time VO stamped my form - which I did not know was approval till I came back and saw the actual text. I thought it was just date stamp.)
Q3 - How many direct reports? (Here he put all the passports and forms in a separate Bin)
Ans - Team of 12 - 4 Direct and 8 are sub-reportees
Q4 - Educational Qualification?
Ans - Post Graduation
This time he requested to call my wife. No question asked - only told to scan our fingers. We parted ways with big smile.
Handed over stamped form I-129 back along with green slip.
I was out at 9.30 AM . Actual VO interview time - not more than 3 minutes.
Thank you!