Sharing experience at Visa Interview Mumbai Embassy H1B November 7-9 2012

I apologize I should have written my experience right after my interview. 1st thing my interview was successful and I got my visa stamped on November 9th. A couple of things to keep in mind, I did a few mistakes and would like to share so other do not do the same.

  1. Fingerprinting appointment Mumbai - I was confident that all my documents are upto date and have no errors. I missed my middle name on DS-160. They asked me to do a correction and gave me an hours time to fix it.

This means you have to fill a new DS-160 (so take all your documents for the biometrics appointment too even though your information is saved in the system). So now you will need a photo too (which I did not have, basically my mistake) and your interview confirmation will have a new barcode and DS-160 confirmation number since you made correction.

I had to get a print out of new DS-160 with all the given names and a new interview confirmation printout since you filled a new DS-160. Do not worry your fees you paid for the appointment will not go waste and the system will override it to give you a new prinout. YOU DO NOT NEED TO PAY FEES SINCE YOU ARE ONLY CORRECTING YOUR DS-160. If you miss that day then you will need a new appointment.

Guess what there is no cybercafe around this place, no photostudio and people with all sorts of weird advice. So finally I got exploited right from the rickshaw wala to the photostudio guy. So below is the things to keep in my.

  1. Take someone along with you, someone apt who may help you in case you need them. Someone smart not to say.

  2. Keep a soft copy of your photo.

  3. If you are from Mumbai and have a car take your color printer with you.

  4. NO MATTER HOW SURE YOU ARE, TAKE THE DS-160 CONFIRMATION PAGE AND OPEN YOUR ORIGINAL PASSPORT TO COMPARE LINE TO LINE OF INFORMATION you provided on DS-160 at least a day before. This document as you know is the the ticket to get your foot in the door for biometrics appointment and the interview day.

  5. If they stamp any of your document and you cant read it ask them what is the stamp for . REASON: I took my new DS-160 confirmation page with but did not take a new printout for appointment confirmation since the confirmation number changes. They stamped that appointment letter which was unclear, which actually said take a new printout to the final interview.

  6. Read your petition as many times you can, know your case well. Be confident in answering all your questions

  7. In the embassy, when you enter the main office you
    a. They will token you passport with a sticker, which will be displayed on the monitor when your number comes to corresponding window.
    b. before that you will be ten printed again, this is just a verification that you are the same person coming for the interview. DO NOT SKIP IT.
    c. Rest is your deal with the officer. Answer to the point and do not behave casually.

Questions asked by the visa officer.

Where do you work

How big is your company

Where did you work before

what is your salary

where did you got to school

why did you leave your previous job

any countries visited in the past

have you been to US before

do you plan on getting married in next six months - give an honest answer

So, I did a lot of mistakes, no one to blame but me. But I am glad everything went well and I got the visa stamped. I hope this helps, not trying to scare anyone but it does not hurt to share if I can save even one person from this frustration.

PS: I am a contractor working for a company on site. Company A holds my visa and I work at company B at their location.

GOOD LUCK.

TTUBSA

Hi,

Thank you for ur post. I am also going to mumbai for stapimg.



I have one issue with my petition document:
 

Name in my passport is as :

Given Name: AAA  BBB

Surname: CCC

However in I129 and in I797 its : CCC, AAA

There is no middle name in petition documents. Will it create in any issue in stamping or travel (Immigration at POE)

Any inputs are highly appreciated.

 

Regards,

KKS

I don’t think that should be an issue just make sure information on your passport and DS-160 is identical.

thanks for sharing your experience. If you don’t mind can I ask you couple of questions,

  1. For fingerprinting do we need the I797 approval notice. Mine is still under process and I was thinking while that is being done I can atleast get the fingerprinting done.
  2. Where is the nearest internet cafe near the mumbai consulate?
    thanks,
    v