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My parents were granted B2 visas at Mumbai. They were interviewed by a friendly American male VO. After the usual greetings the interview went as follows:
VO: What is the purpose of your visit.
Mum: A sight-seeing trip through the Western U.S. with our younger daughter and s-i-l. It's a early gift for my 60th b'day later this year and for my husband's 70th b'day which is in Jan 2008.
VO: What is the current visa status of your s-i-l?
Mum: He has his EAD and his I-485 is pending.
(Hands over I-134, employment letter and copies of our visa status papers. VO glances through them for a few seconds disinterestedly )
VO (to dad): What is your current income?
Dad: I retired after 35 years from the German multinational company _______. I don't get pension but have wisely invested the money I got lumpsome at the time of my retirement and the interest we get is more than sufficient for the two of us.
(Hands over a letter of appreciation he received for his long, dedicated service, from the German headquarters of the company he worked for and CA statement on top.)
(VO reads through the letter of appreciation very carefully and smiles. Barely glances through the CA statement)
VO (After going through their passports): I see that you have travelled to Malaysia and Singapore.
Mum: Yes, we spent a very pleasant month travelling through both countries and spending time with my sister and her family who are settled in Malaysia.
VO: Who else do you have in your family?
Dad: We have our elder daughter, s-i-l and only grandson living in Mumbai, whom we visit very frequently. Both of us also have our siblings settled in Kerala whom we visit a couple of times each year.
(Shows a big family photo of the whole extended family - 30-40 people)
VO (smiles): Oh Kerala, I see!
VO: But you settled in Gujarat. So you have your own flat in Gujarat?
Dad: Yes.
VO: Do you have a four-wheeler?
Dad: I am finding it a little difficult to drive these days. So, no. (VO nods sympathetically)
VO: How many servants do you have?
Mum: Just one.
VO: Yes, one servant will do.
VO: Who will take care of your flat when you are away?
Mum: We have friends and relatives who will keep an eye on the place. Our elder daughter will also make a trip to Gujarat from Mumbai once or twice. That arrangement worked well during our S.E. Asia trip.
VO: Well, you have your visa. B'day wishes to you. Have a good time in the U.S.
Parents: Thank you. Have a good day.
According to my parents, the most difficult part of the whole visit was the waiting - they were called 2 hours after their scheduled appointment time.
VO: What is the purpose of your visit.
Mum: A sight-seeing trip through the Western U.S. with our younger daughter and s-i-l. It's a early gift for my 60th b'day later this year and for my husband's 70th b'day which is in Jan 2008.
VO: What is the current visa status of your s-i-l?
Mum: He has his EAD and his I-485 is pending.
(Hands over I-134, employment letter and copies of our visa status papers. VO glances through them for a few seconds disinterestedly )
VO (to dad): What is your current income?
Dad: I retired after 35 years from the German multinational company _______. I don't get pension but have wisely invested the money I got lumpsome at the time of my retirement and the interest we get is more than sufficient for the two of us.
(Hands over a letter of appreciation he received for his long, dedicated service, from the German headquarters of the company he worked for and CA statement on top.)
(VO reads through the letter of appreciation very carefully and smiles. Barely glances through the CA statement)
VO (After going through their passports): I see that you have travelled to Malaysia and Singapore.
Mum: Yes, we spent a very pleasant month travelling through both countries and spending time with my sister and her family who are settled in Malaysia.
VO: Who else do you have in your family?
Dad: We have our elder daughter, s-i-l and only grandson living in Mumbai, whom we visit very frequently. Both of us also have our siblings settled in Kerala whom we visit a couple of times each year.
(Shows a big family photo of the whole extended family - 30-40 people)
VO (smiles): Oh Kerala, I see!
VO: But you settled in Gujarat. So you have your own flat in Gujarat?
Dad: Yes.
VO: Do you have a four-wheeler?
Dad: I am finding it a little difficult to drive these days. So, no. (VO nods sympathetically)
VO: How many servants do you have?
Mum: Just one.
VO: Yes, one servant will do.
VO: Who will take care of your flat when you are away?
Mum: We have friends and relatives who will keep an eye on the place. Our elder daughter will also make a trip to Gujarat from Mumbai once or twice. That arrangement worked well during our S.E. Asia trip.
VO: Well, you have your visa. B'day wishes to you. Have a good time in the U.S.
Parents: Thank you. Have a good day.
According to my parents, the most difficult part of the whole visit was the waiting - they were called 2 hours after their scheduled appointment time.
