Interviews for EB1 visa in mumbai consulate

[ayraval]

I had a successful interview for my IM visa (EB1A), will give you a blow by blow account of it.

Priority date- 21 Oct 2021, DQ- 22 Feb 2022, Interview date- 23 Aug 2022

Our (Wife, son & myself) interview was scheduled on the 23rd August at 8:30am, we stayed at the Sofitel Hotel. We stood in the queue at 7:45am, passports were checked (they look at the sticker pasted by the VFS biometric center). After that we entered the place were they did security check (typically what you see in airports). We left our phones, smart watches and bags in the room and only carried transparent covers to hold our documents.
After the security check there was an open area where other categories of visas were asked to wait, since ours was EB1A we were asked to enter another area. There were 18 counters, I was asked to go to Counter 1 to collect the token (8:01am). At around 8:45am we were asked to go to counter 17, the lady checked our DS 260, birth certificates and PCC. This was done in 15 minutes. At around 9:15am we were called to counter another number. The US immigration officer asked the three of us to raise our hands pledge that the information provided was true. We were asked to do finger scan (four fingers of the hand). Then the immigration officer asked me a few questions about my qualifications. I briefly explained that to her as I am a patient safety and risk management expert. She asked if we have stayed beyond 6 months during our stay in the US. My son goes to college in the US (he is 20 years old) she said that she would cancel our B1/B2 visas for my wife and me and for my son she asked us to present the immigrant visa instead of the F1 visa at the port of entry. After this she said the golden words (your visa has been approved). She asked me to travel with my wife and son at the first time of entry as I am the principal applicant. By 9:30am we were out of the embassy.

I checked my NVC case status, it said "Administrative Processing", the same status remained until 25th August afternoon. On the 25th August afternoon it changed to "Issued", I opted to collect the passports instead of courier. On 26th Aug at around 1:00pm I received the SMS saying that the passports are read of collection. We presented a original ID proof and a copy to collect the passports and the sealed cover (yellow color) which needs to given to the passport officer at the port of entry.

Started at 7:45am- finished at 9:30am

Hope this helps.

Congratulations and thank you for sharing your experience in detail. If you could guide me on following questions then it would be a great help.
My EB1A interview has been scheduled on 14th September.

1) Did they ask any questions to your wife?
2) Do they ask for the job offer letter from the US employer? (I have done my EB1A I-140 filing from India and I am employed in India till this time. I don't have US employer as of now and that is perfectly fine in the case of EB1A)

I would really appreciate your help for this. Thank you.

[ayraval]

Hi All - Completed my interview and all went well. Giving below my experience in detail (though its mostly similar to the experience of other friends who explained it, just sharing it with the hope that it helps others, similar to the benefit i got from others experience)

DQ- 16 Mar 2022, Interview date- 29 Aug 2022

Our (for my family and me) interview was on the 29th August at 8:30am, we went to the entrance around 7.30am and was allowed in immediately after the passports check.

We carried only our documents in transparent folders. That helped us to go thorough the security screening quickly.

Then we have been directed to an area which was specific to immigrant visa process (Non immigrant visa process happens on the other side). We were asked to go to Counter 1 to collect the token.

Once the token is collected, we were waiting on the area to get our token number called. Waited for around 15 - 20 mins and went to a counter in which we had an Indian Officer. He asked us to share original passport, PCC, DS-260 (which was stamped and handed over to us in biometrics), employment/offer letter and birth certificates. He reviewed, organized the documents and said we are good from the docs end and asked us to wait to be called again for the interview - This process took around 10 to 15 mins. - This document verification happens between Counter number 2 to 8, i guess.

After almost an hour wait we have been called to go counter number 12 (Counters between 9 to 15 are used for this final interview, i guess). Here we had an US immigration officer and he asked us to raise our hands pledge that the information provided was true. All of us were asked to do finger scan (four fingers of the hand). Then the immigration officer asked me a few questions about my work (Just basic question on what role i am playing, how long i am with current company, currently am i playing similar role of what we mentioned in our initial I140, etc.,). Asked if we have stayed beyond an year on any countries other than US and India. In our case we haven't and said NO to that question. Then he said we are all set and stated our Visa is approved. He asked me to travel with my family at the first time of entry as I am the principal applicant. Also handed over a sheet which stated that our Visa is approved and had the instructions to pay the Visa/GC processing fee of $220 per applicant. He asked us to pay the same anytime prior to our travel. That's it and this process took around 10-15 mins.
By 10am we were done and out of the embassy.

On the same day afternoon my NVC case status changed to "Administrative Processing". On the next day afternoon, its changed to "Issued", I opted to mail the passport in courier. Passport delivered at home on 2nd Sep.

By the way, we stayed at Hotel Sofitel which is 5 mins walk from the embassy. On the previous day, i just tried to visit the embassy location. On google map i checked for US Consulate and it took me to a place which is around 1 KM from the hotel, which was not the right location. Then i checked with the Hotel folks and they told its just 5 mins walk. Just pointing out if in case you face similar issue. Embassy location is 5 mins from Sofitel Hotel and right opposite to Trident Hotel.

Hope this helps.

Congratulations and thank you so much for sharing!

Was your interview for EB1A?

[sjchn]

Congratulations and thank you so much for sharing!

Was your interview for EB1A?

Mine is EB1C.
And in my case, they haven’t asked any questions to my wife. Even if they ask, my understanding is, it would be very basic questions.

[VSRam]

Hi all, thanks for sharing your experiences. Very helpful.

Our documents were qualified on Aug 26th for EB1A. My wife and I are waiting for the IL. Looking at the trend can we expect the interview in 5-6 months?

thanks!

[sjchn]

Hi all, thanks for sharing your experiences. Very helpful.

Our documents were qualified on Aug 26th for EB1A. My wife and I are waiting for the IL. Looking at the trend can we expect the interview in 5-6 months?

thanks!

I haven’t seen anyone informing about the ILs in this forum recently. Based on what i have seen in this forum, mine was the last one and my DQ date was mid march, got IL notification from NVC mid june and had the interview on 29th Aug. If any one with the DQ date after mid march update here, then that would give us an idea. Based on my case if we go, then you are right, i hope, you can expect the IL in 3 to 6 months.

[ayraval]

There is one TG group for EB consular processing. It has around 60 members and pretty active, lot of support and help for everyone.

Can you please share the link for TG group? Or help me to access that group?

[ayraval]

There is one TG group for EB consular processing. It has around 60 members and pretty active, lot of support and help for everyone.

I am not sure what this TG group is, please if someone else knows about it and can share the link, would be a great help.

[sjchn]

I am not sure what this TG group is, please if someone else knows about it and can share the link, would be a great help.

Personally I haven’t used the TG group. But, i am sure the link is posted by a member on this forum. If you browse through older posts on this thread, you would be able to get. Pls check.

[ayraval]

Personally I haven’t used the TG group. But, i am sure the link is posted by a member on this forum. If you browse through older posts on this thread, you would be able to get. Pls check.

I did it but the link is not available. The link is removed.

[krishnanks]

ayraval
The Visa officer asked my wife if she had travelled to US and if she stayed beyond the 6 months period.
Regarding the job, the officer asked me what I planned to do in the US, I said that I already have a job with a US based company and that I will transfer to a US contract. I also told that I have other job opportunities which I will pursue.
So don't worry about it, if the question about jobs comes up, tell them what opportunities you have in the US and in which field you will be working and how you can benefit that particular industry.

[ayraval]

ayraval
The Visa officer asked my wife if she had travelled to US and if she stayed beyond the 6 months period.
Regarding the job, the officer asked me what I planned to do in the US, I said that I already have a job with a US based company and that I will transfer to a US contract. I also told that I have other job opportunities which I will pursue.
So don't worry about it, if the question about jobs comes up, tell them what opportunities you have in the US and in which field you will be working and how you can benefit that particular industry.

Thank you Krishnanks. The information you have given is really useful.

[djkhatri1986]

I have got a email saying "The National Visa Center (NVC) received all the requested documentation for this immigrant visa case. The
applicant is now in the queue awaiting an interview appointment overseas, where a consular officer will adjudicate
the applicant’s visa application."

Does this mean that I should consider this date as a Document Qualified date?

[sjchn]

I have got a email saying "The National Visa Center (NVC) received all the requested documentation for this immigrant visa case. The
applicant is now in the queue awaiting an interview appointment overseas, where a consular officer will adjudicate
the applicant’s visa application."

Does this mean that I should consider this date as a Document Qualified date?

Yes, thats right.

[djkhatri1986]

Does anyone else got a interview appointment date? Just trying to see whats the wait time currently after the DQ.

[krishnanks]

Hello all, just wanted to let y’all know that we received our EB1A category green card today. We entered the US on the 1st September and the GC arrived today 1st October, like 30 days after entry. Somehow our SSN has not come in yet, not a big deal will need some follow up on it.
My US Immigration journey completes here. Thank you all for sharing valuable information in this group.