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

[AlienKanpur]

I got my mothers IL yesterday (25th July); DQ was Sept 3 2021. Thank you everyone for this great forum and information sharing.

I wanted to check a few things:
- The site says that plan for 7 days in advance of your interview appointment to get medical test done. Since we are not from one of the cities where they do the medical tests, do people just stay in Mumbai for 7 days to do all 3 - medicals, biometrics and visa appointment?
- Has anyone successfully expedited their interview date? Mine is on Sept 27 which is 2 months away. I wanted to see if it can be done sooner than that.

Thanks again!

Dear maneeshsah,
heartiest Congratulations for your mother’s IL. It is important that medical must be done at least a week before the interview and biometrics two days before. For the medical and biometrics you can go to the nearest facility. Staying in a hotel for 7 days is a personal choice. I wonder if anyone in this forum did that.
To the best of my knowledge expediting the interview is not possible. You may give it a try. Please note that the NVC is now out of the picture and you have to communicate with the Mumbai Consulate. Best wishes.

[AlienKanpur]

Hello, new member here, but have been following this topic.
DQ: 12 JUL 2021
Interview: 8 Sept 2022
Although had followed this topic in the past, but there are so many posts now to be able to search. So would appreciate input from someone that has completed the process:
Parents are in New Delhi. What are the next steps now, with interview scheduled for Mumbai on Sep 8.
- Medical appointment: Is there just one location in Delhi where it happens? Shall we call them first thing ? Is there any requirement on the dates/window within which this should be done ? Or ASAP ?
- Biometrics/fingerprinting/etc: I believe/hope this can happen in Delhi as well ? Again, how to take this appointment ? And again, is there any requirement on the dates/window within which this should be done ? Or ASAP ?
- Interview travel to Mumbai: Recommendations on the airlines, hotel , etc, please ? Would it suffice to arrive the evening before the interview date ?
- Documents to be taken to interview : I am hoping they will just check the parents documents mainly (parents passports, birth certificates, etc etc), and I do not need to send originals of my documents (any/all sorts, including my birth certificate, marriage certificates, tax forms, etc etc) from here in the US to them in India to take for the interview ?
- PCC (police certificate): Had gotten in June 2021. Reading some previous posts on the forum, I hope this will still work.
Thank you so much.

Dear IR5user and all those who got their ILs a few days back, heartiest Congratulations again and best wishes for a successful adjudication. You need to do the following ASAP:

1. Look at the Medical facility nearest to which you wish to go. If it is Delhi, you can call them (MAX Lajpat Nagar) on phone. Generally the slots are easily available. Some centers require online filling of an application. Once the slot is fixed, you will get a mail, confirming the appointment and the documents required ( DS 260 confirmation page, Copy of the IL, passport, copy of covid 19 vaccination and any other vaccinations that the beneficiary may have taken, doctors prescription of medication being taken, and photographs). Medical must be atleast a week before the Interview date. Try to do ASAP, so that you may have time to address the sputam test issues. The medical people will give you a summary sheet and may be a CD. You will need to carry the summary sheet for the interview.

2. Click the link given on the IL. Go to register. While registering choose Immigrant visa. As you will go along you have to choose All Immigrant/ Diversity Visa. Once you do that you will find the slots for biometric. You can choose a slot either close to your medical date or close to the Interview date. I did my Biometrics at Delhi two days after my Medical. I gave this gap because the vaccines can sometimes have a side effect. Unfortunately if you have fever or cough etc, then the VAC security may not allow you inside. Once your VAC appointment is fixed you will get an e-mail, telling you about all the documents you need to carry for the VAC appointment as well as the Consulate Interview. Do carry atleast two current photos of your self.

3. The VAC people will return your DS 260 page with a stamp and the two photos stapled to it. At the Mumbai consulate you will be asked for several documents the list of which I have posted in this forum several times. This is only a cut paste from the letter that you will receive from VAC.

4. There are several hotels around the consulate. You may choose according to your convenience. Reaching one day before the interview is generally enough. I stayed in hotel Trident. The consulate is in the back side of the Hotel. One can easily walk to the Consulate. But the hotel provides a free service for drop and pick up.

5. Interview is generally very cordial. Please note that no electronics item is permitted inside the Consulate. Even your smart watches or fitbit etc. There is a facility outside for deposit and they charge Rs. 50 for every single item that you will deposit. Once inside after checking the IL etc. you will be given a token and asked to wait. When Your number is displayed on the monitor, you have to proceed to window 1 where all the documents will be collected and maybe some simple questions. Then you will be asked to wait. Maybe within an hour you will be called again and this time an American will interview you after taking an oath. You can choose a language of your choice for your interview. Interviews are generally barely 5 to 10 minutes. Once approved the officer will retain your passport and hand over two sheets of paper with general information. One of which will have a title that Your Visa is Approved. Copy of these documents have been posted in this forum.

I guess I have pretty much covered every thing. May be our more senior friend GeoMac can add if I have missed anything or if some finer details are needed.
Best wishes.

[sapnaanagol]

wow! Congratulations Dear sapnaanagol. Now in few days your report will come. Is it feasible that you re-schedule your interview sometimes in the end of August by which time your medical clearance will come and thus you will save days.

Thank you so much dear GeoMac. Its very thoughtful of you.I will try to get a slot after 22nd August,as i have read somewhere that we should wait for a week after we get the result,so that the Consulate is informed & my status will turn from refused to ready.

[sapnaanagol]

Hi @Sapnaanagol,

Please do share your experience with us in detail, on all the steps taken after you received the negative test results - if you waited for the email from Consulate and steps taken to book VAC/Consular appointment on the website. Such useful information since this is all grey area.

Thanks,
A

Hi apshah05,I will definitely post.

[maneeshsah]

I had enquired about the PCC in the past in this forum as well, but now that I have the appointment scheduled for my other, I see that they are asking for PCC that is less than a year whereas some members had mentioned that under two years old PCC is accepted. Below is from the website.

If you are older than 16 years of age: The original police certificate from your country of current residence and countries of previous residence. If these three items are all true, you must bring a more recent police certificate to the interview:

1. You are older than 16 years;
2. The police certificate you submitted to NVC is more than one year old; and
3. You still live in the country that issued the police certificate.

[GeoMac]

I had enquired about the PCC in the past in this forum as well, but now that I have the appointment scheduled for my other, I see that they are asking for PCC that is less than a year whereas some members had mentioned that under two years old PCC is accepted. Below is from the website.

If you are older than 16 years of age: The original police certificate from your country of current residence and countries of previous residence. If these three items are all true, you must bring a more recent police certificate to the interview:

1. You are older than 16 years;
2. The police certificate you submitted to NVC is more than one year old; and
3. You still live in the country that issued the police certificate.

As read on website, the Police Clearance Certificate has to be less than one year old and so I applied and got a new PCC, however at the interview I asked the Indian officer who was verifying the documents, the validity of PCC. He told me "2 years" and he took my old PCC only. So let us say that the PCC less than 2 years old is valid.(this relaxation may be due to prevailing Pandemic) Further, there has been atleast one incidence before Feb 2021, that they demanded PCC less than one year old and kept the case pending until the new PCC was submitted.
Looking to the fact above, as a precautionary measure and to avoid delay, I decided and requested a new PCC.

[GeoMac]

Dear IR5user and all those who got their ILs a few days back, heartiest Congratulations again and best wishes for a successful adjudication. You need to do the following ASAP:

1. Look at the Medical facility nearest to which you wish to go. If it is Delhi, you can call them (MAX Lajpat Nagar) on phone. Generally the slots are easily available. Some centers require online filling of an application. Once the slot is fixed, you will get a mail, confirming the appointment and the documents required ( DS 260 confirmation page, Copy of the IL, passport, copy of covid 19 vaccination and any other vaccinations that the beneficiary may have taken, doctors prescription of medication being taken, and photographs). Medical must be atleast a week before the Interview date. Try to do ASAP, so that you may have time to address the sputam test issues. The medical people will give you a summary sheet and may be a CD. You will need to carry the summary sheet for the interview.

2. Click the link given on the IL. Go to register. While registering choose Immigrant visa. As you will go along you have to choose All Immigrant/ Diversity Visa. Once you do that you will find the slots for biometric. You can choose a slot either close to your medical date or close to the Interview date. I did my Biometrics at Delhi two days after my Medical. I gave this gap because the vaccines can sometimes have a side effect. Unfortunately if you have fever or cough etc, then the VAC security may not allow you inside. Once your VAC appointment is fixed you will get an e-mail, telling you about all the documents you need to carry for the VAC appointment as well as the Consulate Interview. Do carry atleast two current photos of your self.

3. The VAC people will return your DS 260 page with a stamp and the two photos stapled to it. At the Mumbai consulate you will be asked for several documents the list of which I have posted in this forum several times. This is only a cut paste from the letter that you will receive from VAC.

4. There are several hotels around the consulate. You may choose according to your convenience. Reaching one day before the interview is generally enough. I stayed in hotel Trident. The consulate is in the back side of the Hotel. One can easily walk to the Consulate. But the hotel provides a free service for drop and pick up.

5. Interview is generally very cordial. Please note that no electronics item is permitted inside the Consulate. Even your smart watches or fitbit etc. There is a facility outside for deposit and they charge Rs. 50 for every single item that you will deposit. Once inside after checking the IL etc. you will be given a token and asked to wait. When Your number is displayed on the monitor, you have to proceed to window 1 where all the documents will be collected and maybe some simple questions. Then you will be asked to wait. Maybe within an hour you will be called again and this time an American will interview you after taking an oath. You can choose a language of your choice for your interview. Interviews are generally barely 5 to 10 minutes. Once approved the officer will retain your passport and hand over two sheets of paper with general information. One of which will have a title that Your Visa is Approved. Copy of these documents have been posted in this forum.

I guess I have pretty much covered every thing. May be our more senior friend GeoMac can add if I have missed anything or if some finer details are needed.
Best wishes.

There are people who are helpful and sincere beyond limit, like AlienKanpur and sapnaanagol, who do real service to this forum inspite of them being in busy activities of their own preparations for visa and travel. They deserve appreciation. AlienKanpur had to dig in to past and refresh his memory to put the whole visa process (post IL) for the info. and benefit of the members. Thanks.

[mumbaispecial]

Hello apshah05

Please review my posts #2198 where I tagged you with process after test results, also copied below in italics. Hope it is helpful.

Dear ALL and apshah05

UPDATE ON MEDICAL SPUTUM TEST:

This is with regards medical test done at RELE CLINIC, MUMBAI. RELE CLINIC have been super helpful. They do answer your questions and are super nice, be kind as they get many phone calls.

Also make sure you have the medical results from RELE CLINIC. They will send you Information sheet and vaccination summary via email. This is required for the the Interview, so please PRINT.

As mentioned by RELE CLINIC and noted on their website, after the test results were sent to US Embassy, we received an email from the US Embassy on how to schedule the Consulate Interview with 7 days of them sending the medical results to US Embassy. The instructions come via email and are specific to "Class B Medical Applicants".

I would strongly suggest for you to wait for the Email Instructions, follow the Steps and book your appointment upon receipt of email.

You can call the US Travel Docs Support line - India time after 8:00 am and they will help you answer your questions. However for the SPUTUM Tests you have to WAIT and communicate with the MEDICAL facility. We have a positive experience with RELE CLINIC, MUMBAI. From within India, please dial 91-120-4844644 or 91-40-4625-8222. From the United States, please call 1-703-520-2239.

Hi @Sapnaanagol,

Please do share your experience with us in detail, on all the steps taken after you received the negative test results - if you waited for the email from Consulate and steps taken to book VAC/Consular appointment on the website. Such useful information since this is all grey area.

Thanks,
A

[sandhyaa]

Hello all, Thank you for providing guidance through this forum.

My Mothers DQ date is December 10th 2021. Any estimate on when she will get her interview date?

Thank You all!!!!

[anvinjoe]

My parents have DQ as Sept 27,2021. Anyone got IL with DQ close to this date?

[AlienKanpur]

Dear GeoMac,
thanks a ton for your highly flattering comments. I am doing what I have always loved to do. I have always loved helping people in need. I hope and pray that I can continue to help. Best wishes to one and all in this forum.
Extrapolating about the subsequent lot of interviews is a little dicey now. Beneficiaries with DQ date in September can get their letters in the next month. Similarly December DQd people can get in November/ December. As we see the situation today, one can say that the IL will come almost in one year from the DQ date. Again a disclaimer, that this is only a statistical inference with probability not known. Best wishes.

[PayalRoshanPatel]

Heartiest Congratulations to all those who got the Interview Letters. It is a great relief, this time the new ILs came after a gap of 40 days. A great relief for PayalRoshanPatel, Shrutipshah, Sumanbehl, AS45, IR5user, erikjakel, etc. Heartiest Congratulations and wishing you all a successful adjudication. Some of you have asked for a detailed procedure to be followed now. As a matter of fact, every single detail is available in this forum. One does not have to scan the entire 150 pages of posts, just go back to the posts commencing in Early May. However for the benefit of the members I will try to recall the steps and post very soon. Best wishes to all.

Thank you so much

[sapnaanagol]

Hello apshah05

Please review my posts #2198 where I tagged you with process after test results, also copied below in italics. Hope it is helpful.

Dear ALL and apshah05

UPDATE ON MEDICAL SPUTUM TEST:

This is with regards medical test done at RELE CLINIC, MUMBAI. RELE CLINIC have been super helpful. They do answer your questions and are super nice, be kind as they get many phone calls.

Also make sure you have the medical results from RELE CLINIC. They will send you Information sheet and vaccination summary via email. This is required for the the Interview, so please PRINT.

As mentioned by RELE CLINIC and noted on their website, after the test results were sent to US Embassy, we received an email from the US Embassy on how to schedule the Consulate Interview with 7 days of them sending the medical results to US Embassy. The instructions come via email and are specific to "Class B Medical Applicants".

I would strongly suggest for you to wait for the Email Instructions, follow the Steps and book your appointment upon receipt of email.

You can call the US Travel Docs Support line - India time after 8:00 am and they will help you answer your questions. However for the SPUTUM Tests you have to WAIT and communicate with the MEDICAL facility. We have a positive experience with RELE CLINIC, MUMBAI. From within India, please dial 91-120-4844644 or 91-40-4625-8222. From the United States, please call 1-703-520-2239.

Thank you for this information.How long did it take for the results of Sputum test?Plz give the last date of sputum collection & the date when you received the report by Rele Clinic.

[sapnaanagol]

There are people who are helpful and sincere beyond limit, like AlienKanpur and sapnaanagol, who do real service to this forum inspite of them being in busy activities of their own preparations for visa and travel. They deserve appreciation. AlienKanpur had to dig in to past and refresh his memory to put the whole visa process (post IL) for the info. and benefit of the members. Thanks.

Its so nice of you to shower AleinKanpur & myself with such valuable compliments ! am extremely thankful to you.Even I love teaching,though I am in Private practice,I have started teaching in my own way by writing books on PCOS,Endometriosis,IVF etc. Published 14 books & many scientific articles.I also teach in many IVF centres across the country, these centres, I have set up.Now, I am leaving all this & going to US to be with my kids & grandkids.I will however continue teaching on zoom,mail,calls etc.
This Forum is so nice, so many of my doubts got cleared.If possible I would like to help members on this forum,not as much as AleinKanpur & you but a lil bit!Thank you once again.

[maneeshsah]

For the medical check-up, how do folks provide prior history? Is this a write-up from a physician or taking prior reports of tests etc.? Trying to evaluate how to prepare for my mother's medical check-up. I have some of the reports from past several years but not surgery she had two decades ago. How folks prepared would be helpful.