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First of all, thanks to immihelp for their invaluabe help in the process. Keep it up. Here is my experience.
12/16 - Hotel
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Wanted to go to Palmgrove, but the taxi driver took us to Hotel Woodlands. It was a horrible hotel with dirty rooms. Then went to a hotel we stayed before. Originally thought it was far from the consulate. But is it only 1/2 KM or so. It is called Hotel Grand Orient. I would HIGHLY recommend it. It costs Rs. 2000 per day, but worth it. Looks great, rooms are maintained very well and has excellent customer service. The best part is the FREE continental breakfast every morning. They have about 4 different items on the menu (like dosai, vada, idli, utappam, etc.), cereal, fruits, fruit juice, toast and omelette. Their phone number is 852 4111.
12/17 - Lister
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My advice is to go there as early as you can. It will shorten your wait. Finished our tests, got the photos at Konica lab opposite to Chola Sheraton.
12/17 - Doctor Appt.
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We got an appointment with Dr. Vijayalaxmi for 17th evening. Appointment was made a month in advance (from US). We collected the reports at 4:30 and rushed to the hospital. But people who called on 17th afternoon and got to the hospital right before us were seen first. We had to wait till 7:30 to see the doctor. When we told the doctor about it, she apologized and said the admin. person is new and does not know the procedures well. Nonetheless, she was very courteous and friendly.
As you probably already know, my advice is to get to the hospital as soon as you can.
12/18 - Extra day
12/19 - Interview
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Went to the consulate at 7:45. Since we got transparent bags, we were waived thru security without much inspection. People with opaque bags were search more thoroughly. A woman brought a handbag and was asked to leave it outside.
We sat under the shamiana WAITING. At 9 AM or so, we were asked to submit documents in the order specified in P4 and pay application fee. Came back and WAITED AGAIN. They were issuing student/visitor visa also at the building. An American officer came and asked us to take oath. We did and WAITED again.
Our names were called around 11:30 or so. An Indian lady at the counter had an envelope with red marking that read some thing like 'CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS, ETC.'. I knew what it was for. Was arrested on a DUI charge about 6 years ago. Later the charges were dropped, because the blood test showed negligent alcohol level. It was changed to a reckless driving violation. I had gotten police report, court docket stating the final disposition in anticipation of a file under my name. She asked me about it and I explained all this to her. I don't think she quite understood. So, she asked us to wait till called again.
So we WAITED AGAIN. This time it was a longer wait (till about 2 PM or so). The American who administered the oath was at the counter this time. Had to explain the who thing again to him. He asked a few questions, looked up a book (Looking for grounds of exclusion which was rather funny since I already knew it was no big deal) and asked us to pay the issuance fee.
The morale is 'if you have been arrested/charged with any offence, get all the reports you can'. It WILL be needed during the interview.
1/11 - Atlanta POE
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Went thru immigrants/citizens line. Sent to an office where they took our packets. Stamped passports and told that our GCs should arrive in about 6 months.
1/23 - Green Card
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Got my GC in mail. Waiting for my wife's.
CP ROCKS,
gimme_gc
12/16 - Hotel
-------------
Wanted to go to Palmgrove, but the taxi driver took us to Hotel Woodlands. It was a horrible hotel with dirty rooms. Then went to a hotel we stayed before. Originally thought it was far from the consulate. But is it only 1/2 KM or so. It is called Hotel Grand Orient. I would HIGHLY recommend it. It costs Rs. 2000 per day, but worth it. Looks great, rooms are maintained very well and has excellent customer service. The best part is the FREE continental breakfast every morning. They have about 4 different items on the menu (like dosai, vada, idli, utappam, etc.), cereal, fruits, fruit juice, toast and omelette. Their phone number is 852 4111.
12/17 - Lister
--------------
My advice is to go there as early as you can. It will shorten your wait. Finished our tests, got the photos at Konica lab opposite to Chola Sheraton.
12/17 - Doctor Appt.
--------------------
We got an appointment with Dr. Vijayalaxmi for 17th evening. Appointment was made a month in advance (from US). We collected the reports at 4:30 and rushed to the hospital. But people who called on 17th afternoon and got to the hospital right before us were seen first. We had to wait till 7:30 to see the doctor. When we told the doctor about it, she apologized and said the admin. person is new and does not know the procedures well. Nonetheless, she was very courteous and friendly.
As you probably already know, my advice is to get to the hospital as soon as you can.
12/18 - Extra day
12/19 - Interview
-----------------
Went to the consulate at 7:45. Since we got transparent bags, we were waived thru security without much inspection. People with opaque bags were search more thoroughly. A woman brought a handbag and was asked to leave it outside.
We sat under the shamiana WAITING. At 9 AM or so, we were asked to submit documents in the order specified in P4 and pay application fee. Came back and WAITED AGAIN. They were issuing student/visitor visa also at the building. An American officer came and asked us to take oath. We did and WAITED again.
Our names were called around 11:30 or so. An Indian lady at the counter had an envelope with red marking that read some thing like 'CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS, ETC.'. I knew what it was for. Was arrested on a DUI charge about 6 years ago. Later the charges were dropped, because the blood test showed negligent alcohol level. It was changed to a reckless driving violation. I had gotten police report, court docket stating the final disposition in anticipation of a file under my name. She asked me about it and I explained all this to her. I don't think she quite understood. So, she asked us to wait till called again.
So we WAITED AGAIN. This time it was a longer wait (till about 2 PM or so). The American who administered the oath was at the counter this time. Had to explain the who thing again to him. He asked a few questions, looked up a book (Looking for grounds of exclusion which was rather funny since I already knew it was no big deal) and asked us to pay the issuance fee.
The morale is 'if you have been arrested/charged with any offence, get all the reports you can'. It WILL be needed during the interview.
1/11 - Atlanta POE
------------------
Went thru immigrants/citizens line. Sent to an office where they took our packets. Stamped passports and told that our GCs should arrive in about 6 months.
1/23 - Green Card
-----------------
Got my GC in mail. Waiting for my wife's.
CP ROCKS,
gimme_gc
AT CHEN
UI
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