Interview Waiver Program-4 months visa

[gsarunprasath]

I am a doctor and I got my B1/B2 visa for my USMLE step 2 cs exam in november 2011 at Chennai consulate .
My visa was just for four months and it expired on March 9 2012.They have mentioned the exam in visa too (Usmle step 2)

I made a travel to US and came back on time i.e I left US on 7th of march and came back in time before my visa expired though my I-94 was till july,I didnt wanted to take a risk to endanger my future visa chances.

Now that i am applying for my step 3 and interviews for my Post graduate studies (which one should take only in B1/B2 )in US can i apply in the interview waiver program.

What are the chances for me to get a visa this time through IWP or should i schedule a interview?

I also would like to add that I am elgible for IWP according to their checklist.

The only thing I am bothered about is the special mention in Visa.

Pls do give your valuable suggestions.

Your help would be greatly appreciated.Thanks in advance..

[peace999]

Just apply under the IWP.
The rule is they cannot deny without calling you for an interview.
So, If they see something doubtful, they will call you for interview anyway.

From your side, just make sure you submit all the documents required.
( interview call letters) USMLE scores including step cs which you took.

[gsarunprasath]

thanks for the response..

Do u think i should submit all the documents and also a cover letter to state that this time it is to take my step 3 and attend my interviews.

[peace999]

Yes , cover letter is very important.
Also write that you will return home after xxx weeks of interviews and wait for
the match results in India.
You can omit mention of step3 as it is not required for residency training.
Mention of step3 may let the officer think you are eventually looking for full licensure and
hence wish to settle there .

[dark angel]

Peace, I had applied for my sons B1/B2 under IWP. I have a valid B1/B2 visa and I'm applying B1/B2 for my son who is 4 years old, for the first time( We are travelling for my cousins wedding in september). But I havent submitted any cover letter. Only the documents that vfs asked me to submit. I have all the supporting documents ready like affidavit of support, Sponsorship letter, finance documents/bank statements, NOC from my husband as he is not travelling due to work. I did not give a cover letter at that time coz VFS dint ask me for one and they asked me for only the basic(like passport, fee receipt, barcode, my visa copy)

The summary of my case is this:

1. My B1/B2 visa was issued in Mumbai consulate as at that time my residential address was Pune at that time and Mumbai was the closest consulate. Visa issue date -Mar 2007 Visa expiry date - Mar 2017

2. I travelled only once to US on that visa and the trip lasted for 3 weeks. The visa was stamped for 3 months and I returned to India well ahead of time.

3. We have now moved to Chennai

4. I took a break from work from last 2 years for my kids sake. But my hub has a regular good job

5. I'm applying for new B1/B2 under IWP for my 4 year old son at the Chennai consulate as we are residing here now

6. My husband is not a B1/B2 visa holder and is not applying for the visa now as he is not travelling to the US now for the wedding, due to his work commitments. Be we have a notarized NOC

7. I was not 10 finger printed as my visa was taken in 2007

Do you think my case is complicated due to 4(I'm currently not working), 5(as my visa was taken in mumbai and for my son we are applying in chennai), 6 (as father is not travelling), 7(coz I'm not finger printed , and they dont finger print children under 14)

I'm hoping that I get the visa atleast by last week of August, so that we can fly out on first week of September. I want to show disneyland first to my son on the first week, and the second and third week will be busy with the preparation and rehearsals for the wedding and then fly back a day after the wedding. If there is any delay, then I would miss disneyland coz my aunt has to get back to work couple of days after the wedding(shes taken a month leave for her sons wedding), or worst miss the wedding or the entire US trip altogether if the visa is delayed any further- as there is no point to go there after the wedding.

I hope you could provide your inputs /or anybody else who has any inputs.

Thanks

[dark angel]

Another reason I forgot to mention on why I could not give the cover letter is - that my agent did not know about this IWP, and it was VFS who informed me. So my agent did not advise me on what I need to take to VFS. He just told me to ask VFS on what docs I need to submit, and they asked only for my basic docs.


If I knew IWP procedure would take so long, I would have opted for personal interview instead. Atleast we would know the result upfront and can plan the travel and wedding preparations. This wait is really horrible, and you have no idea on whats going on and how long its going to take for them to revert back with anything.