Visa procedure (ttvisas) - some questions

[vsubrama]

I made an appointment for my mother-in-law through ttvisas in Aug for Jan 17, 2006 for Chennai consulate (earliest date we could get with a Tamil translator). I have the following questions, may be somebody can help me out.

1) She is taking
a) Courier DD: payable to “TT Services”, Chennai for Rs.441
b) Visa issuance fee DD: for Rs. 2300 payable to "American Consulate General, Chennai”, payable at Chennai
c) Visa Fee DD: Rs.4600 - who do I make this to?

2) My wife who works in the USA is sponsoring my mother-in-law (her mother). Do I need to send in a photocopy of my passport and greencard? (I have sent my wife's passport, greencard copies, affadvit that my wife provided, birth certificate, our tax returns, bank doc, my wife's employment doc etc) The travel agent who is helping with my MIL's Visa application is asking for it ( I don't know why)?

3) Travel agent is saying that there is no need to fill DS157. Is this correct (we used ttvisas not vfs)?

4) I have send the Original of my wife's birth certificate to my MIL to take with her to consulate. We need this original back. Will the consulate give back this original?

5) My MIL is a widow and does not have any income other than interest amount from bank. She has property (land) and few lakhs in the bank. Will the fact that she does not have pension/constant income reduce her chances of getting a visa (my wife has signed the affadavit of support agreeing to support her mom during the stay). Anyone else in similar situation obtained/got rejected, pl. share?

6) My MIL is not required to file income tax, as her income amount is below minimum required to file in India. So, she does not have any IT documents to take with her to consulate. Does this in any way reduce her chances of getting a visa? Pl. share any experiences in this regard.

7) Why do TT services have offices? My MIL lives in Bangalore and there is a TT services office in Bangalore. Does my MIL need to submit any documents to them? From what I read, my MIL has to show up to US consulate in Chennai with all the documents on the day of the interview - that's all (remember we made the appointment through ttvisas not vfs). Correct me if I am wrong.

Thanks for your help and answers

[sonujan]

Just follow the OLD TTS procedure

1)
a) The TTS fees is payable in cash also.
b) Visa issuance fee DD: for Rs. 2300 payable to "American Consulate General, Chennai”, payable at Chennai
c) Visa Fee DD: Rs.4600 payable to "American Consulate General, Chennai”, payable at Chennai

2) Not necessary but there is no harm sending either

3) You do not have to fill DS 157

4)I assume the Consulate will return all original, haven't heard of them holding back any documents esp. birth certificate

5) I think everyone who has sponsered have signed the affidavit of support.

6)My mil dis not have a bank account or any property in her name, she made it through with no hazzles

7) Yes TTS have their office in Bangalore. Check their website for their contact details. Your mil doesn't have to submit any document to them