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My parents-in-law got 10yr multiple-entry visas 2 weeks ago at Chennai. My wife is the only daughter and FIL is (voluntarily) retired. So we were bracing for a denial. But we did prepare very well, thanks to this awesome website!
We were surprised that they looked at just one document - sponsor's employment verif. letter. All the bank statements, affidavits, tax returns, bla bla were not needed. But ofcourse, it doesn't mean no one needs to take these. Just want to stress that documents are only to support your case. The main battle is the interview; and if you answer the interviewer's questions in a straight forward and clear manner, I think it's most of the battle won.
One thing we had been worried about was whether my parents-in-law would be able to communicate with the American interviewer. They know english, but they are not at all used to the accent. But it turned out fine - they had no problem communicating. Infact, my mother-in-law didn't have to answer a single question.
Here is more detailed info from my FIL about what happened at the consulate. We could have used this kind of detail before we went; so thought of sharing it.
Stage I-(Security check at the gate)
1)Appointment letter (3 copies per applicant)
2)Original Passport
Stage II
3)security scan (individuals + material)
Stage III
4)Producing original DS156 form+DS157 form+DS158(where applicable)+Appointment letter + Passport+HDFC Bank receipt(in duplicate)
5)After scrutiny by Consulate staff, Documents detailed in No:4 above will be delivered back to the applicant + one memo(yellow color) detailing the schedule of what the applicants have to carry out inside US consulate.
Stage IV
6)Finger prints scanning
Stage V
7)Listen carefully the contents of speech delivered by Chief of Consulate General(Very informative and useful)
Stage VI
8) Get ready to meet the visa issuing officer to attend the face to face interview.
Stage VII
9)Produce form DS156,DS157,original passport,HDFC receipt in duplicate to the visa issuing official.
10)whatever questions asked are very clearly audible over the speaker on the top of the counter
11)the interviewer is very courteous and relaxed
12)after completion of the interview, proceed to Cash counter and make payment towards visa issuance fee, if so directed
13)Take delivery of the acknowledgement from the cash counter staff.
Questions asked:
1)who are all in USA and why do you want to go to USA
2)how many chidren do you have
3) what is your daughter doing in USA
4)How long your sil is in usa and what is he doing now
5)Can you produce the evidences---(showed employment verification letters+ I-134)
6)What were you doing before the current job
7)How do you ensure that you will be back to india
8)how many months do you plan to stay in USA?
9)Why so long (we asked for 6 months)?
Optional steps:
1)Say Thanks to every member of staff whom you pass through upto the exit gate.
2)Goto the nearest Phone booth and make a call to your near and dear.(Of course it will be night time in USA if you make a call from India)
3) goto the nearest restarunt and enjoy the feast
We were surprised that they looked at just one document - sponsor's employment verif. letter. All the bank statements, affidavits, tax returns, bla bla were not needed. But ofcourse, it doesn't mean no one needs to take these. Just want to stress that documents are only to support your case. The main battle is the interview; and if you answer the interviewer's questions in a straight forward and clear manner, I think it's most of the battle won.
One thing we had been worried about was whether my parents-in-law would be able to communicate with the American interviewer. They know english, but they are not at all used to the accent. But it turned out fine - they had no problem communicating. Infact, my mother-in-law didn't have to answer a single question.
Here is more detailed info from my FIL about what happened at the consulate. We could have used this kind of detail before we went; so thought of sharing it.
Stage I-(Security check at the gate)
1)Appointment letter (3 copies per applicant)
2)Original Passport
Stage II
3)security scan (individuals + material)
Stage III
4)Producing original DS156 form+DS157 form+DS158(where applicable)+Appointment letter + Passport+HDFC Bank receipt(in duplicate)
5)After scrutiny by Consulate staff, Documents detailed in No:4 above will be delivered back to the applicant + one memo(yellow color) detailing the schedule of what the applicants have to carry out inside US consulate.
Stage IV
6)Finger prints scanning
Stage V
7)Listen carefully the contents of speech delivered by Chief of Consulate General(Very informative and useful)
Stage VI
8) Get ready to meet the visa issuing officer to attend the face to face interview.
Stage VII
9)Produce form DS156,DS157,original passport,HDFC receipt in duplicate to the visa issuing official.
10)whatever questions asked are very clearly audible over the speaker on the top of the counter
11)the interviewer is very courteous and relaxed
12)after completion of the interview, proceed to Cash counter and make payment towards visa issuance fee, if so directed
13)Take delivery of the acknowledgement from the cash counter staff.
Questions asked:
1)who are all in USA and why do you want to go to USA
2)how many chidren do you have
3) what is your daughter doing in USA
4)How long your sil is in usa and what is he doing now
5)Can you produce the evidences---(showed employment verification letters+ I-134)
6)What were you doing before the current job
7)How do you ensure that you will be back to india
8)how many months do you plan to stay in USA?
9)Why so long (we asked for 6 months)?
Optional steps:
1)Say Thanks to every member of staff whom you pass through upto the exit gate.
2)Goto the nearest Phone booth and make a call to your near and dear.(Of course it will be night time in USA if you make a call from India)
3) goto the nearest restarunt and enjoy the feast
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