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

[visa_jdoe]

Hello,

my parents’ interview has been scheduled for Sep 1 at Mumbai consulate. I cannot find any biometrics appointment slots before their interview date. The earliest one available is Oct 1 in Hyderabad VAC which is one month after their interview. Will this be okay? I have been checking online multiple times everyday but can’t find any available slots in any cities before their interview. Please advise.

There are a few of us facing the same issue. No biometrics slots before interview date in September.

@averma1988, did you get any reply from [email protected]. Please keep us posted.

Thanks.

[averma1988]

There are a few of us facing the same issue. No biometrics slots before interview date in September.

@averma1988, did you get any reply from [email protected]. Please keep us posted.

Thanks.

They did reply but to no good.

”Dear Applicant,

We understand that you are seeking resolution in this case. Unfortunately, appointments can not be scheduled via email.


Kindly try scheduling for the biometrics appointment via our website at: www.ustraveldocs.com/in/en. If you have additional scheduling related inquiries, you may email at [email protected] or call the Visa Application Center during business hours at +91 22 62011000.“

[Kuljit3188]

Hello,
My parents entered US on July 25,2023. My mom did the sputum test and was given a sealed envelope. My dad didn't need the sputum and was not given a sealed envelope. At the port of entry ( chicago), my mom forgot to give the sealed envelope to the immigration officer and officer also didn't also for it. Now my dad has already got ssn week after the entry and my mom still didn't get hers( she had checked) yes for ssn on ds260). I wonder if hers being delayed because she didn't give the sealed envelope. Anyone with similar experience?

[visa_jdoe]

They did reply but to no good.

”Dear Applicant,

We understand that you are seeking resolution in this case. Unfortunately, appointments can not be scheduled via email.


Kindly try scheduling for the biometrics appointment via our website at: www.ustraveldocs.com/in/en. If you have additional scheduling related inquiries, you may email at [email protected] or call the Visa Application Center during business hours at +91 22 62011000.“

I have tried calling +91 22 62011000. They said to email [email protected], or call a Mumbai number- which never rings. So we have a deadlock here !!

So our only option is to keep trying for the next few weeks and hope that VAC slots open up? Else email request to reschedule interview (absolutely last resort)?

Why does the Mumbai consulate even schedule interviews if the VACs don't have slots. To hang on to something, I had reserved slots at Delhi VAC for late October (which is way past the interview date of Sept 11). Just thinking aloud here. Would the consulate even entertain the IR5 interview if the biometrics appointment is scheduled more than a month past the interview date (for no fault of ours)? Should my parents even consider a trip to Mumbai in such a case?

Or just keep trying for VAC slots and not show up for interview in Mumbai if biometrics are not done. In that case, will also have to cancel the medical (to prevent the 6 month clock from starting unnecessarily).

Maybe I'm thinking too far, but this is all very frustrating.

Thanks.

[michianders]

I have tried calling +91 22 62011000. They said to email [email protected], or call a Mumbai number- which never rings. So we have a deadlock here !!

So our only option is to keep trying for the next few weeks and hope that VAC slots open up? Else email request to reschedule interview (absolutely last resort)?

Why does the Mumbai consulate even schedule interviews if the VACs don't have slots. To hang on to something, I had reserved slots at Delhi VAC for late October (which is way past the interview date of Sept 11). Just thinking aloud here. Would the consulate even entertain the IR5 interview if the biometrics appointment is scheduled more than a month past the interview date (for no fault of ours)? Should my parents even consider a trip to Mumbai in such a case?

Or just keep trying for VAC slots and not show up for interview in Mumbai if biometrics are not done. In that case, will also have to cancel the medical (to prevent the 6 month clock from starting unnecessarily).

Maybe I'm thinking too far, but this is all very frustrating.

Thanks.

My immigration lawyer advised to keep the interview appointment and show up for it. That the consulate, in such a case, would inform the VAC to close the file after biometrics. They also said they will be emailing the consulate to alert them of our situation.

keeping fingers crossed this is exactly how it plays out - with the consulate honoring the interview date anyway since the fault is clearly not ours!

[averma1988]

My immigration lawyer advised to keep the interview appointment and show up for it. That the consulate, in such a case, would inform the VAC to close the file after biometrics. They also said they will be emailing the consulate to alert them of our situation.

keeping fingers crossed this is exactly how it plays out - with the consulate honoring the interview date anyway since the fault is clearly not ours!

It is encouraging to hear this but has the lawyer seen any similar case in the past? I am definitely not canceling the interview though.

[michianders]

It is encouraging to hear this but has the lawyer seen any similar case in the past? I am definitely not canceling the interview though.

good question! Although he sounded confident in his communication, I should ask if he is experienced in similar situations.

[Jee_mo]

Interview scheduled for my parents.

[mnjn]

Hi All:

I and my parents are in a spot, I guess.

1. My parent's Indian passports have expired, and they have started process to renew them. Their passport renewal interview appointment is on 4th Sep 2023.

2. The Police Verification that my parents did with the now expired passports -- was done on 10th Oct 2022. Per guidelines these verifications are valid for one year.

3. Just today, my parents received their IR-5 visa interview letters. The interviews are scheduled for 06th Oct 2023 in Mumbai consulate.

Based on the comments in this forum, I think it would be hard to get VAC Biometrics done before the interviews.

But more importantly, my parents' passports would not be valid, and not sure when they would receive their new Indian passports. Plus the Police PCC certificates would have reference for old passport numbers, and I think we would need new PCCs as well.

Would you please advise on the best course of action here? I appreciate all your help and comments!

Thanks!

[Jee_mo]

Hello Everyone.

Just like others , I am also getting confused while creating profile to schedule bio metric appointment for my parents. Anyone who had completed successfully, please share your experience as well as steps you took on website..

I thought it will be step by step but as soon as I started seemed everything mixed up.

[michianders]

good question! Although he sounded confident in his communication, I should ask if he is experienced in similar situations.

if anyone is reading this right now, I just found biometrics slots for Aug in Mumbai!!!! Go grab them

[asg1957]

Hi All:

I and my parents are in a spot, I guess.

1. My parent's Indian passports have expired, and they have started process to renew them. Their passport renewal interview appointment is on 4th Sep 2023.

2. The Police Verification that my parents did with the now expired passports -- was done on 10th Oct 2022. Per guidelines these verifications are valid for one year.

3. Just today, my parents received their IR-5 visa interview letters. The interviews are scheduled for 06th Oct 2023 in Mumbai consulate.

Based on the comments in this forum, I think it would be hard to get VAC Biometrics done before the interviews.

But more importantly, my parents' passports would not be valid, and not sure when they would receive their new Indian passports. Plus the Police PCC certificates would have reference for old passport numbers, and I think we would need new PCCs as well.

Would you please advise on the best course of action here? I appreciate all your help and comments!

Thanks!

Dear mnjn,
1.) Passport renewal in India takes only 3 to 4 days. Tatkal services are also available at all PSKs. This takes 24 hrs wherein you will have to do the police verification after issue of passport.
2.) PCC on new Passport will take 7 days and can be started on receipt of the new passports.
3.) Biometrics and Medical can be done immediately on receipt of the passports.
4.) Please be advised that getting an appointment for Biometrics and Medical is very easy. Kindly take the help of a clueful computer operator who will know how to FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS as and when he logs into the cgifederal site. If you do not get an available slot please keep trying again and again after a gap of 1/2 days.
P.S.:- I faced the same problem and finally got all my work completed.
Best of luck for your respected parents.
ASG

[asg1957]

Hello Everyone.

Just like others , I am also getting confused while creating profile to schedule bio metric appointment for my parents. Anyone who had completed successfully, please share your experience as well as steps you took on website..

I thought it will be step by step but as soon as I started seemed everything mixed up.

Dear Jee_mo,
Please be advised that you need to log into the cgifederal site with a totally new email ID. Separate for each parent. Once the software permits you a log-in, please follow the instructions on each page. Keep someone well versed in English to clarify any doubts when logged in. Most people face problems due to the language barrier, otherwise, it is very straight forward and easy.
Best of luck in your adjudication.

[averma1988]

I was able to finally get an appointment in mumbai VAC in Sep but in a rush entered incorrect year of birth for my dad. Hopefully, this is a non-issue. I have submitted a case letting VAC know about this already.

NOTE - As mentioned above, I had to remove my dad as dependent from my mom's account because appointments are NOT possible currently in a group but as an individual.

[Jee_mo]

Dear Jee_mo,
Please be advised that you need to log into the cgifederal site with a totally new email ID. Separate for each parent. Once the software permits you a log-in, please follow the instructions on each page. Keep someone well versed in English to clarify any doubts when logged in. Most people face problems due to the language barrier, otherwise, it is very straight forward and easy.
Best of luck in your adjudication.

Thanks for your response.. What i did was was right but after adding my Mom , i was getting an error. So I created new account for my mom and completed steps. But then when I logged into my father's account , issue was resolved. Now I see both my parents name..







I hope this is all right.. I believe, I dont need to worry about when I use my father's account to schedule VAC appointment, it will schedule for both.. My parents' interview is on Oct 31st and Oct slot is not open yet (I think) as they need to travel to Mumbai from Ahmedabad. I will wait for sometime for scheduling Medical also as there is 6 months validity whichever comes first (medical or interview).