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

[GeoMac]

Dear GeoMac,
Thanks for your compliments and the blessings. I am a teacher by profession and love to help people. By God’s grace, all travel preparations for the forthcoming trip to USA have been made. Lot of work however, still remains about winding up of the house etc for an extended stay in USA.
I am wondering about this huge gap in issuing the next set of ILs. This gap of over a month may be quite exasperating for the members in waiting. Hoping for some activities in the next two days . Best wishes to all.

Winding up the house is a Herculean task, o God, I had to do that single handedly. Besides several administrative arrangements, shopping and packing and finally moving. I am relaxing now.

[sapnaanagol]

I am very happy to inform that my husband's immigration visa got approved.It was extremely smooth.They asked for 0nly 3 documents: Birth Certificate,Police verification certificate & marriage certificate.They knew that my slot was also along with him,he told them about my sputum test & that I am awaiting for the results.
Initially they give a toke.Then the certificates are collected by Indian officer.Then you wait for your turn,once your token number is displayed,you go to the Consular officer who is American.My husband had opted for English language.First of all there's oath taking.Then the officer asked him who is the Petitioner?My hubby said daughter.He asked how she had gone to US? he replied saying as student for studies,married & settled there.He asked where does she live? he told the address & Texas.So he said have you been to her home at Texas? so my husband said that I have been to Texas several times but not to her home as she has recently shifted from Boston to Texas.The officer said that he also worked at Texas for 2 years.My husband said that Texas is a lovely place & people ther are good & fond of wearing nice clothes & fashionable hats!The officer said he also loves Texas.The officer was addressing my husband as "Sir"!They both became friendly & had hearty laugh as well!He wished my husband good luck for a new life at USA!He gave the Approval letter & the information regarding the fees that he has to pay.We had already opted for recieving the passport by premier delivery by courier.Thank you dear friends all of you Forum members.

[GeoMac]

I am very happy to inform that my husband's immigration visa got approved.It was extremely smooth.They asked for 0nly 3 documents: Birth Certificate,Police verification certificate & marriage certificate.They knew that my slot was also along with him,he told them about my sputum test & that I am awaiting for the results.
Initially they give a toke.Then the certificates are collected by Indian officer.Then you wait for your turn,once your token number is displayed,you go to the Consular officer who is American.My husband had opted for English language.First of all there's oath taking.Then the officer asked him who is the Petitioner?My hubby said daughter.He asked how she had gone to US? he replied saying as student for studies,married & settled there.He asked where does she live? he told the address & Texas.So he said have you been to her home at Texas? so my husband said that I have been to Texas several times but not to her home as she has recently shifted from Boston to Texas.The officer said that he also worked at Texas for 2 years.My husband said that Texas is a lovely place & people ther are good & fond of wearing nice clothes & fashionable hats!The officer said he also loves Texas.The officer was addressing my husband as "Sir"!They both became friendly & had hearty laugh as well!He wished my husband good luck for a new life at USA!He gave the Approval letter & the information regarding the fees that he has to pay.We had already opted for recieving the passport by premier delivery by courier.Thank you dear friends all of you Forum members.

Thats a great news. Congratulations to both of you. Best of wishes for your interview as well.

[AlienKanpur]

I am very happy to inform that my husband's immigration visa got approved.It was extremely smooth.They asked for 0nly 3 documents: Birth Certificate,Police verification certificate & marriage certificate.They knew that my slot was also along with him,he told them about my sputum test & that I am awaiting for the results.
Initially they give a toke.Then the certificates are collected by Indian officer.Then you wait for your turn,once your token number is displayed,you go to the Consular officer who is American.My husband had opted for English language.First of all there's oath taking.Then the officer asked him who is the Petitioner?My hubby said daughter.He asked how she had gone to US? he replied saying as student for studies,married & settled there.He asked where does she live? he told the address & Texas.So he said have you been to her home at Texas? so my husband said that I have been to Texas several times but not to her home as she has recently shifted from Boston to Texas.The officer said that he also worked at Texas for 2 years.My husband said that Texas is a lovely place & people ther are good & fond of wearing nice clothes & fashionable hats!The officer said he also loves Texas.The officer was addressing my husband as "Sir"!They both became friendly & had hearty laugh as well!He wished my husband good luck for a new life at USA!He gave the Approval letter & the information regarding the fees that he has to pay.We had already opted for recieving the passport by premier delivery by courier.Thank you dear friends all of you Forum members.

Great news, Heartiest Congratulations Sapnaanagol. That was one very cordial interview. As a matter of fact most interviews are very cordial. Now the next step. Your sputum test with a negative result and then the approval for you too. Best wishes.

[sapnaanagol]

Thats a great news. Congratulations to both of you. Best of wishes for your interview as well.

Thank you very much dear GeoMac, for the good wishes.Hope to recieve the result soon & thereafter the slot (which seems difficult!).
I will post our photo after my interview!

[sapnaanagol]

Great news, Heartiest Congratulations Sapnaanagol. That was one very cordial interview. As a matter of fact most interviews are very cordial. Now the next step. Your sputum test with a negative result and then the approval for you too. Best wishes.

Thank you dear AlienKanpur. Its nice to hear about the proper wrapping up byyou before going to USA.Its truly difficult task.Yes,most of the interviews are very cordial.I will also post our photo after getting the approval.

[sapnaanagol]

Can someone share insights into what are the various medical tests, especially the one which triggers the sputum test, are so that people who are awaiting their interviews can get those checked out before hand and not run into trouble once the interview is scheduled? Sputum test seems like a huge delay for people who are already waiting for years now as the whole process gets delayed by 2+ months. Insights will be greatly appreciated.

You get almost 1.5 months gap from getting IL to the time of interview.Get the appointment for medicalasap,then get a slot for biometrics.This way, you can save some time in case sputum test is advised.

[tooolong]

Dear tooolong and others,
I have no idea about the after effects of the sputum test. I did mention that once you miss your scheduled interview then finding a new slot is very difficult and the consulate will not help.
About the cancellation of the B1/B2 visa, I can say that this is as per rules. Since you have shown your intent to migrate to USA, the non-immigrant visa is no longer permitted. This will in no way effect the adjudication of the Immigrant VISA. Best wishes for the sputum test coming out negative and I hope that you can soon find a new slot for the interview.

Thanks for the wishes and positive words of encouragement but at this time the issue remains as to how would / could we setup an appointment if medical is a go?

[tooolong]

Thank you dear AlienKanpur. Its nice to hear about the proper wrapping up byyou before going to USA.Its truly difficult task.Yes,most of the interviews are very cordial.I will also post our photo after getting the approval.

touche' - I am relying on you @ssapnaanagol ap to give me and this forum, a path forward for soutum cases like my mom/s (hoping her medical comes out ok).

[rmalik]

You get almost 1.5 months gap from getting IL to the time of interview.Get the appointment for medicalasap,then get a slot for biometrics.This way, you can save some time in case sputum test is advised.

sapnaanagol My mom's sputum test results came and I got an email from consulate to schedule an interview. Now they have already done Biometrics but the CGI system doesn't let me schedule consular interview without VAC, did you have the same situation. I scheduled the VAC too but should we just skip it? I called and support people don't have any idea they are just saying go for both, I called again and the other person on the phone said its consulate decision but I didn't get any reply to email

[rmalik]

My mom was asked for sputum test in May. The result came and I got an email from consulate to schedule interviews. I went to CGI website and there is no way to schedule consular interview without Biometrics. I scheduled Biometrics for July 25th and consular for 8th August. They have already done biometrics in May, can they just skip this Biometrics appointment? I called the helpdesk and they said go for both but it sounded ridiculous so I called another number again that person said send an email and its consular decision if they need to go again. I sent an email and there is no reply. If I try to reschedule it won't give me any date for rescheduling. Has anyone in the same situation? This is urgent can anyone please help, I will be travelling soon to help them so need to plan.

[AlienKanpur]

Can someone share insights into what are the various medical tests, especially the one which triggers the sputum test, are so that people who are awaiting their interviews can get those checked out before hand and not run into trouble once the interview is scheduled? Sputum test seems like a huge delay for people who are already waiting for years now as the whole process gets delayed by 2+ months. Insights will be greatly appreciated.

Dear maneeshsah,
The most crucial test for senior citizens happens to be X-ray of the lungs. The Lungs need to be absolutely clear. In case there is any shadow / cloudy haze in the x-ray then they will prescribe a sputam test. I wonder if something can be done about this. May be sapnaanagol who is a Doctor can advise if one can take some precautionary measures /medicines, to ensure that the lungs are clear.
Sputam test causes the process to be delayed by atleast two months. As a side effect one is certain to miss the scheduled interview date. Rescheduling of the interview is one big hassle. I wonder if someone in the forum has succeeded in rescheduling the interview. GeoMac had given an elaborate step by step algorithm to do this. I hope that it will work.
Best wishes

[thinknam]

Seems like a big grey area. My Mom is also waitin on the results of her Sputum Test and will be in the same situation after that. Pleasete do keep us posted if you are able to move it forward or any information that you get and could share. This is going to be really helpful for a lot of folks.

After the sputum test results were out, I emailed the service desk asking for a new appointment and attached two documents 1) the cancellation form received from the medical facility and 2) the medical report information sheet provided by the medical facility that says medical exams are completed. After that I received an email on how to book the new appointment. Basically, you have to choose the Class B Medical options and to choose your VAC (biometrics) appointment date followed by the Consular interview date. I have one scheduled now. Lets see what happens next.

[apshah05]

Hi Thinknam &Rmalik,

Thanks for the above post, this def gives us some sense of direction on how to proceed after sputum results are negative. I have the following questions:

1. thinknam - which email address did you email the service desk? and after receiving the results, did you email them right away or waited for sometime weeks/months?
2. rmalik - After your mother results come in May, when did you get consulate email to reschedule for interview? What number did you call the helpdesk / email from helpdesk (similar to above question).

My mother-in-laws visa got approved and she received passport everything, but father in law had to do sputum test. We are still waiting for his results - hoping it comes out negative, then we have to proceed with the next steps of rescheduling.

Any guidance from all members in this situation is highly appreciated!!

Thanks,
A.

[GeoMac]

Dear maneeshsah,
The most crucial test for senior citizens happens to be X-ray of the lungs. The Lungs need to be absolutely clear. In case there is any shadow / cloudy haze in the x-ray then they will prescribe a sputam test. I wonder if something can be done about this. May be sapnaanagol who is a Doctor can advise if one can take some precautionary measures /medicines, to ensure that the lungs are clear.
Sputam test causes the process to be delayed by atleast two months. As a side effect one is certain to miss the scheduled interview date. Rescheduling of the interview is one big hassle. I wonder if someone in the forum has succeeded in rescheduling the interview. GeoMac had given an elaborate step by step algorithm to do this. I hope that it will work.
Best wishes

Dear maneeshsah and all dear members who need to re-schedule the consular appointment,
Since our friend Senior Member AlienKanpur mentioned my earlier post, it has become my moral duty to post it again in the interest of all.⬇️

THIS INFO WILL HELP THOSE WHO HAVE TO RE-SCHEDULE THE CONSULAR INTERVIEW APPOINTMENT.

NVC sends you the dates for consular interview. It is important that you book a biometrics appt at VAC before attending it. If not, your consular interview will not take place.

Then you've to book two interviews, one for VAC and one for consular. Try changing the dates for VAC until you get a date for consular interview.

The following is for these 2 situations
1) You've to book consular interview alone separately because you missed the original appointment
2) You've completed VAC (biometrics) and couldn't find a date for consular
-----------------

When you try to book a consular interview (follow the right steps), you will first see selection of a date for VAC. Even though you have already completed biometrics at VAC, just pick a farthest date, and click next. Then it'll show you a calendar for selecting consular interview date. Select and save. You'll have two dates, one for VAC and one for consular. You can just ignore the vac date or attend and tell them that you've already done it.

If you picked a date for vac and couldn't find a date for consular, then go back and pick a different VAC date, click next to pick consular date. Keep trying different vac dates until you find a slot for consular.


There is no way to book consular date alone. This is the way the system operates.