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

[vapIR5]

Thanks for the guidance

[AutisticManChild]

Dear AutisticManChild,
Heartiest congratulations for the scheduling of the interviews for you. Best wishes. The Biometric can be scheduled through a link mentioned in the interview letter. I do not know about OFC, we generally call VAC appointment. I guess OFC and VAC are kinda similar. best wishes.
I think that the following link will take you to the appropriate page.

https://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/en/immigrant-visa

after you click you will be advised to go to :

https://portal.ustraveldocs.com/SiteLogin?refURL=http%3A%2F%2Fportal.ustraveldocs.com%2F

create an account if not already done and proceed from there. Somewhere you will have to choose " all diversity and Immigration Visa".

Thank you for your response.

I went to the second link, made account, and then the appointment.

Is the appointment called VAC appointment? We received confirmation email but it doesn't mention biometrics and/or fingerprinting at all.

Appreciate any input.

[GeoMac]

Thank you for your response.

I went to the second link, made account, and then the appointment.

Is the appointment called VAC appointment? We received confirmation email but it doesn't mention biometrics and/or fingerprinting at all.

Appreciate any input.

Thats the one. Dont worry. You have done it properly. The confirmation mail has date and time in it. Isnt it? Take two print outs for biomatrics. Also carry two copies of DS260 confirmation page. They will put a stamp on it which will be required at interview. Carry two photographs also for biomatrics.

[AlienKanpur]

Thank you for your response.

I went to the second link, made account, and then the appointment.

Is the appointment called VAC appointment? We received confirmation email but it doesn't mention biometrics and/or fingerprinting at all.

Appreciate any input.

Great. You did it. The confirmation will highlight the documents that you need to take for the VAC appointment and also for the consulate appointment. Geomac has already mentioned everything that you will need for the VAC appointment. Generally this is no more than 30 minutes of work. Best wishes.

[AutisticManChild]

Thank you both. Is it advisable to do biometrics and medical on the same day?

Edit: decided to take both appointments on the same day, one in the morning and one in the later afternoon. It is just easier for parents to travel to Mumbai just once.

BTW do the parents need original signed 864 or just scanned version is fine?

On a related note, do I need to include updated financial documents (for example, newer bank statements, new job verification letter, etc.) for support? I didn't submit these documents to NVC before.

[zakasbanda]

Thank you both. Is it advisable to do biometrics and medical on the same day?

Edit: decided to take both appointments on the same day, one in the morning and one in the later afternoon. It is just easier for parents to travel to Mumbai just once.

BTW do the parents need original signed 864 or just scanned version is fine?

On a related note, do I need to include updated financial documents (for example, newer bank statements, new job verification letter, etc.) for support? I didn't submit these documents to NVC before.

Same day is fine as long as there is sufficient duration between the appointment. Usually the med appointments are in the morning and bio is in the afternoon. So should be okay.

864 print out works. Upon Biometrics, they will put a stamp on the copy of 864. This needs to be saved and taken during the interview.

You can upload the latest financial documents. In my case, I just had my father carry the latest ones. And they did ask for the latest income tax returns (transcripts)

[zakasbanda]

DQ Date: 21-Jul-2022
IL notification date: 23-Jan-2023
Interview date: 27-Mar-2023
Passport received date: 29-Mar-2023

Thank you to Shanaya AlienKanpur GeoMac for all your comments/inputs on this forum.

I have entered US on immigrant visa on 7-April and now waiting for the actual green card to arrive. I had requested a change of address at the port of entry.

Question - is there a way to verify that address was in fact correctly changed in the system and is there a way to track the printing/delivery of actual green card online?

Thanks

Hi Friends

My father is travelling in 2 days. I still can't believe it. Took years to get here and friends such as yourself to assist me throughout the process.

I have two questions
1. What questions can the officer at port of entry ask?
2. Are there different lines for US citizens vs Green Card immigrants. He will be travelling with another companion who is a US citizen. Can they both go in the same line so that he can get some help (if needed)?

Thanks

[vjrnn2022]

Hello folks, my dad received his passport with the IR5 visa stamped and valid till the end of September as expected. Due to familial commitments and his ailing brother, we are planning to make the trip to the US only 10 days before the expiry of the visa. Would this be a problem?

[GeoMac]

Hello folks, my dad received his passport with the IR5 visa stamped and valid till the end of September as expected. Due to familial commitments and his ailing brother, we are planning to make the trip to the US only 10 days before the expiry of the visa. Would this be a problem?

Dear vjrnn2022
Congratulations on receiving visa. There is no problem at all to delay travelling till the validity of the visa. However, the earliest is better. Once your dad enters the US, his immigration visa will become Green Card, the thing you awaited eagerly since long and spent quite a sizeable amount of money and efforts. Waiting till the end of the validity of visa, may sometimes be risky. Better take care.

[nynjct]

Anybody got Documentarily Qualified recently? If yes, how long did it take. I have submitted all civil documents for my parents last week -- just curious about the timeline for next action / steps.

[GeoMac]

Anybody got Documentarily Qualified recently? If yes, how long did it take. I have submitted all civil documents for my parents last week -- just curious about the timeline for next action / steps.

Approx. 3+ months for the approval of petition. Then about an year after DQD.

[AS45]

Hi Friends

My father is travelling in 2 days. I still can't believe it. Took years to get here and friends such as yourself to assist me throughout the process.

I have two questions
1. What questions can the officer at port of entry ask?
2. Are there different lines for US citizens vs Green Card immigrants. He will be travelling with another companion who is a US citizen. Can they both go in the same line so that he can get some help (if needed)?

Thanks

Hi zakasbanda,

1. Normally no questions are asked. They just verify the address as per their records as SSN/GC would be mailed on that address and stamp the passport.
2. I had landed at Los Angeles Airport. There were immigration counters catering to both US citizens and green card holders. For visitors, the counters were different. I believe that is same at all airports. Family members travelling together can approach the counter together. Best wishes.

[Shanaya]

I received email yesterday for my parents regarding their GC status and it says, "they approved GC and sent for printing." Does anyone know how long does it take after this for arrival?

[nynjct]

Approx. 3+ months for the approval of petition. Then about an year after DQD.

Thanks!

[ansh_6p]

From recent experience, Does anyone know how long mumbai embassy takes to dispatch passport after visa approval? Mine status says Passport is received from counselor processing and preparing for delivery.