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Hi All,
Recently (OCTOBER 17) we had applied for US Visa. I thought I should share my experience so that it might be of some help for others in the same category as mine.
I live in Bangalore so the consulate is still Chennai for us.
Kindly note this is my personal experience only and it might differ from case to case.
After submitting the application on line, it was fairly easy to find dates that were available for the personal interview. I had been already issued US VISA once but it was from USA consulate, Paris so I had to attend personal interview even though my earlier VISA just expired and Dropbox facility was not available to me.
We had taken 2 appointments on separate days that is one for Biometrics and other for the paper submission and personal interview. There were not many people for the Biometrics and we were done with our work in the fingerprinting place very soon. Our appointment was at 12 pm, but we went there around 10:30 and the security did allow us to enter the building. The queue was not at all huge, there were 3 separate queues based on the time slot. ours was obviously the last row, but I must say all this did not take more than 45 minutes. It is very important to NOT to carry any back packs, cell phone (although in Biometrics place they allow inside but they ask us to switch off)However, we had not taken anything but transparent files and a plastic bag.
There are 2 verification counters, one is to make sure no errors etc once you cross that you will be at the counter where they stick a small sticker with the interview details etc on the passport.
Here it is token system, a security personnel hands over the token and your number will be called on the screen. Go to the respective counter, finger printing and Photographs and done! Here no other paper will be collected other than the application form for verification and will be given back.
After the Biometrics the next day was our Interview. Earlier the better, We had it at 8 am. we reached the place by 6:45 and already there was fair amount of people waiting. When asked some of them were there for their 9 am slot..However, do take nothing but Transparent file for papers. No mobile phones, etc. Just purse, Pen, Files thats it. Watch is allowed but they will ask you to remove and keep it in the folder.Photographs are not required.
So the security starts to allow people at 7:30. Here people try to act chaotic and try to nudge their way to the front. I find it very uncivilized at this behavior.
After the first queue, you will be signaled further towards futher checks byt other security. There will be one staff with a little tab that rechecks and verifies your slot and name etc. After this you enter the main building of the great consulate through a heavy and high secured door and security. I must say all the security personnels are friendly and not at all cranky at people. They were patient enough to send the Queue breakers lol.
Once inside the building, you will further have a queue to enter the main building. Once again your finger prints are verified but this time it is just 4 fingers from the right hand. Then again passport etc is checked and will be asked to make a final queue after which your next thing would be seeing or meeting with the VISA officer. BTW There is a separate queue, you have chairs here to sit, well this Q is for preferred language for the interview. Here the Q moves faster. You will have a translator in the counter along with the officer. Just a word of caution, again my experience only, the translator does not do a very convincing job in translating it to the officer, I wish Good luck to those people that require this service. Or hope they will appoint a better people to do this job.
Once at the counter, the officers are pretty swift. We were not asked for any papers apart from passport and the application form. The background verification would have already taken place I guess. But there were people that were asked for papers, got to know after interaction. We were asked the reason for the travel and how long we would stay thats it. We spent not more than 5-10 minutes in the counter and we were told our VISAs were approved.
We had opted for home delivery and we received after 2 days at home through post. You will pay Rs 500 per post directly to the post service.
Please note, all that I have written is my personal experience and each will have their own. Here just note what are dos and donts thats it and nothing else.
Good luck all.
Recently (OCTOBER 17) we had applied for US Visa. I thought I should share my experience so that it might be of some help for others in the same category as mine.
I live in Bangalore so the consulate is still Chennai for us.
Kindly note this is my personal experience only and it might differ from case to case.
After submitting the application on line, it was fairly easy to find dates that were available for the personal interview. I had been already issued US VISA once but it was from USA consulate, Paris so I had to attend personal interview even though my earlier VISA just expired and Dropbox facility was not available to me.
We had taken 2 appointments on separate days that is one for Biometrics and other for the paper submission and personal interview. There were not many people for the Biometrics and we were done with our work in the fingerprinting place very soon. Our appointment was at 12 pm, but we went there around 10:30 and the security did allow us to enter the building. The queue was not at all huge, there were 3 separate queues based on the time slot. ours was obviously the last row, but I must say all this did not take more than 45 minutes. It is very important to NOT to carry any back packs, cell phone (although in Biometrics place they allow inside but they ask us to switch off)However, we had not taken anything but transparent files and a plastic bag.
There are 2 verification counters, one is to make sure no errors etc once you cross that you will be at the counter where they stick a small sticker with the interview details etc on the passport.
Here it is token system, a security personnel hands over the token and your number will be called on the screen. Go to the respective counter, finger printing and Photographs and done! Here no other paper will be collected other than the application form for verification and will be given back.
After the Biometrics the next day was our Interview. Earlier the better, We had it at 8 am. we reached the place by 6:45 and already there was fair amount of people waiting. When asked some of them were there for their 9 am slot..However, do take nothing but Transparent file for papers. No mobile phones, etc. Just purse, Pen, Files thats it. Watch is allowed but they will ask you to remove and keep it in the folder.Photographs are not required.
So the security starts to allow people at 7:30. Here people try to act chaotic and try to nudge their way to the front. I find it very uncivilized at this behavior.
After the first queue, you will be signaled further towards futher checks byt other security. There will be one staff with a little tab that rechecks and verifies your slot and name etc. After this you enter the main building of the great consulate through a heavy and high secured door and security. I must say all the security personnels are friendly and not at all cranky at people. They were patient enough to send the Queue breakers lol.
Once inside the building, you will further have a queue to enter the main building. Once again your finger prints are verified but this time it is just 4 fingers from the right hand. Then again passport etc is checked and will be asked to make a final queue after which your next thing would be seeing or meeting with the VISA officer. BTW There is a separate queue, you have chairs here to sit, well this Q is for preferred language for the interview. Here the Q moves faster. You will have a translator in the counter along with the officer. Just a word of caution, again my experience only, the translator does not do a very convincing job in translating it to the officer, I wish Good luck to those people that require this service. Or hope they will appoint a better people to do this job.
Once at the counter, the officers are pretty swift. We were not asked for any papers apart from passport and the application form. The background verification would have already taken place I guess. But there were people that were asked for papers, got to know after interaction. We were asked the reason for the travel and how long we would stay thats it. We spent not more than 5-10 minutes in the counter and we were told our VISAs were approved.
We had opted for home delivery and we received after 2 days at home through post. You will pay Rs 500 per post directly to the post service.
Please note, all that I have written is my personal experience and each will have their own. Here just note what are dos and donts thats it and nothing else.
Good luck all.
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