Anyway I checked into the hotel, arranged all my documents to carry to consulate in a plastic file
1.Photo
2. Bar-code print out of confirmation
3.Invitation letter from US
4.Application form
5.Tax return
6.Bank statement past 6months
I rehearsed how I would answer the questions such as Where are you going to US? Why are you going to US etc. Went to bed at 1 am after watching a movie and got up at 6AM. I had my breakfast in the hotel and I left my wallet, mobile phone in the locker in the room.I carried money,ATM,Credit card,my visiting card and the plastic file. I left the room key in the lobby.
I had to give 100rs to rickshaw guy although it was only 4 kms.
I reached consulate at 8.10am and saw hotels right across the consulate and the queue was on. If you carry mobile phone you will have to leave at a shop nearby for 10RS.
I was allowed in by 8.15 am and they give you a counter number chit. Once inside they do another security check and you would enter the hall with some 11 counters.You would be asked to sit and wait for your turn and when your number flashes in the screen just go to the counter. I had heard a lot about the Indian staff being non polite etc. I did not feel so and they would check your photo and your application with bar-code and then you would be directed to another counter for finger print screening.
Please carry photograph as required on a photographic paper , few guys were asked to take new photos and they were given appointment 1 hour later. (Chennai was boiling and although there are studios nearby don't make this unnecessary mistake)
After the finger print you would be asked to sit and then you would be taken to the adjacent building.There again there would be lot of counters and you would have to wait for your turn.
The counter is like a bank or a movie ticket counter with microphone and speaker across a glass.You would be standing in the queue and just go ahead when your turn come.
Two guys ahead of me did not get the visa, simply because they failed to convince the interview officer who would always be an American (man/woman). One guy was really shaky and the officer had to ask him 3 times 'where are you going to US?'
The next guy was giving a long speech as to why his training was important and he had the income exactly as mine. He too was rejected and I was panicked a bit. The other 2 guys in front of me got the visa and it was my turn..now or never.
I went with a natural smile and greeted the officer- 'Good morning sir' and handed over the papers to him
Visa Officer- 'Good morning, where are u going to US?'(Intensely looking right into my eyes
Me-' I am going to ---medical university,----city,---state'
Officer-' Why are you going to US?'
Me- ' I had been awarded -----spine fellowship of 2012 and I am invited to spend 4 weeks with Prof---- of
-----medical university.
Officer- 'So you are a doctor?' (With a smile, for a change he was meeting a non-IT guy, I thought)
Me--' Yes, I am an Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon' (He was impressed !! I thought..then the officer became very relaxed and started smiling )
Officer- How did you get this award
I explained in 2-3 sentences
Officer-- ' show me your invitation letter'
I handed him the letter
Officer- Whats your annual income in Lakhs
Me ----lakhs
Officer-'Are you married?
Me ---'yes'
Officer --' Do you have children?'
Me--' Yes, one child'
Officer- 'how old is your child?
Me-- '----years'
Officer- ' Who is funding your travel?'
Me--'myself '
Officer types and declared that my Visa is approved and the passport would reach in one week.
So I went out happily and it was only 9.45am. As my return flight was in the evening I took a rickshaw to nearby mall, and roamed around till 12 and went to my room. I decided to try the suburban train on my way to Airport from Egmore station. I took auto to station for 30 rs and paid 6RS as train ticket and at just across the Trisulam station was Chennai airport.
So overall I was very happy with my experience.
So to all the people who would be appearing for the VISA interview here are my suggestions
1.Reach early if you are away from Chennai
2.Carry all in a plastic file--any kind of file will do
3.Please carry proper photograph
4.Dress neatly( with tie /without tie )and be confident and be confident and be confident to face the interview
5.Carry cash /ATM/ Credit card/ Visiting card
6. Prepare well and answer to the question
7. If you don't get visa there is always a next chance
Few misconceptions prevailing are..
1. Towards the end of the month the chances of getting visa becomes less--not true
2. Have to wear black and white for guys-- not true, I saw a lot of guys in white shirts and black pants
3. Don't be too honest-- Just be honest
All the best folks
Dr Krishna Kumar
Spine and Scoliosis Surgeon
Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences
Cochin,Kerala,India
If you do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program or are traveling to study, work, or participate in an exchange program, you must apply for a nonimmigrant visa. Applicants for U.S. Visas are required to appear in person for an appointment at the Visa Application Center (VAC) and the visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
- The only thing that will hold you back from getting a visa in 15 days is getting a free slots the US Embassy for fingerprinting and interview. Try all the consulates.
- Advance travel planning and early visa application are important. If you plan to apply for a nonimmigrant visa to come to the United States as a temporary visitor, please review the current wait time for an interview using the tool on the page.
You are eligible for a US visa interview waiver via Dropbox and have received an email with the message 'Passport ready for pick up Closest casino st joseph mo. ' after dropping the documents in the US visa VFS location.
As soon as you have your passport in your hand, you see that there is no US visa stamp but a light green slip with the message:
'Please come to the consulate for fingerprints'
Don't worry. This is a normal process and keep calm as:
- Your US visa has not been rejected or denied.
- You just need to get your fingerprints verified by visiting US embassy any day between 10:30 AM to 11 AM as an additional step.
This can happen with any US visa type including B1/B2, H1B, H4, L visa who are going for Dropbox service at any US visa embassy including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad or Kolkata.
Although, form 221g is considered a refusal in legal terms, rest assured, your visa is under processing until it shows the status as ‘Refused' on CEAC site without a pending form 221g.
What is Dropbox Fingerprinting Processing Time?Dropbox fingerprinting processing time is 3-10 working days. Your passport will be stamped with a US visa after fingerprint verification in the US embassy.Will there be personal interview after Dropbox fingerprinting Green slip? There won't be any personal US visa interview after you receive fingerprinting request unless it has been specifically mentioned in the form 221(g) Green Slip that you have received.Where Do I go for Dropbox Fingerprinting Request after Dropping Documents?Fingerprints are taken inside US consulate building where you would normally appear for US visa interview.
So, don't be confused with the VFS center as the time slot is only 1/2 an hour and you do not want to waste time.
For example, If you are visiting Mumbai, you will have to appear for fingerprints at US Embassy Mumbai (BKC – Bandra Kurla Complex).What are the documents required for Dropbox Fingerprint form 221g?There are no documents required for fingerprinting after DropBox form 221(g).
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You just need to carry your original passport and original visa approval i797 form (if any).The passport will be kept by the US embassy after fingerprints. Your i797 will be returned to you.
Dropbox Fingerprint Timeline
Once of our guest visitor shared his fingerprinting timeline experience after going through it at Mumbai consulate.
- Dec 10 – Dropped documents in DropBox for both husband (H1B) and wife (H4).
- Dec 19 – Date updates on CEAC website with status 'Administrative Processing'.
- Dec 20 – Email Received – 'Passport ready for pickup'.
- Dec 21 – Pick up the passport at VFS center. No H1B or H4 visa stamped. Form 221(g) green slip with message: Fingerprint verification required on any day between 10.30 AM to 11 AM at US Embassy.
- Dec 21 – Passport tracking status will show: Passport Picked Up. Don't worry.
- Dec 27 – Both H1b & H4 appear for fingerprints verification at US consulate.
- Dec 28 – Fingerprints provided, date updates on CEAC website with status 'Administrative Processing'.
- Dec 29 – CEAC website status Updates to 'Issued'.
- Dec 30 – Email received for wife H4 – Passport ready for pickup.
- Dec 31 – Pick up Wife's Passport with H4 visa stamp from VFS center.
- Jan 2 – Email received for H1B – Passport ready for pickup.
- Jan 2 – Received my passport with H1B visa stamp from VFS center.
Green Slip vs Form 221g
Dropbox form 221(g) fingerprinting administrative processing is different than the other form 221(g) issued after the visa officer said ‘Visa Approved' and status still shows Admin processing.
You are eligible for a US visa interview waiver via Dropbox and have received an email with the message 'Passport ready for pick up Closest casino st joseph mo. ' after dropping the documents in the US visa VFS location.
As soon as you have your passport in your hand, you see that there is no US visa stamp but a light green slip with the message:
'Please come to the consulate for fingerprints'
Don't worry. This is a normal process and keep calm as:
- Your US visa has not been rejected or denied.
- You just need to get your fingerprints verified by visiting US embassy any day between 10:30 AM to 11 AM as an additional step.
This can happen with any US visa type including B1/B2, H1B, H4, L visa who are going for Dropbox service at any US visa embassy including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad or Kolkata.
Although, form 221g is considered a refusal in legal terms, rest assured, your visa is under processing until it shows the status as ‘Refused' on CEAC site without a pending form 221g.
What is Dropbox Fingerprinting Processing Time?Dropbox fingerprinting processing time is 3-10 working days. Your passport will be stamped with a US visa after fingerprint verification in the US embassy.Will there be personal interview after Dropbox fingerprinting Green slip? There won't be any personal US visa interview after you receive fingerprinting request unless it has been specifically mentioned in the form 221(g) Green Slip that you have received.Where Do I go for Dropbox Fingerprinting Request after Dropping Documents?Fingerprints are taken inside US consulate building where you would normally appear for US visa interview.The fingerprinting request after dropping documents is made with a specific form-221g.
So, don't be confused with the VFS center as the time slot is only 1/2 an hour and you do not want to waste time.
For example, If you are visiting Mumbai, you will have to appear for fingerprints at US Embassy Mumbai (BKC – Bandra Kurla Complex).What are the documents required for Dropbox Fingerprint form 221g?There are no documents required for fingerprinting after DropBox form 221(g).
B1 B2 Visa Lost But Found
You just need to carry your original passport and original visa approval i797 form (if any).The passport will be kept by the US embassy after fingerprints. Your i797 will be returned to you.
Dropbox Fingerprint Timeline
Once of our guest visitor shared his fingerprinting timeline experience after going through it at Mumbai consulate.
- Dec 10 – Dropped documents in DropBox for both husband (H1B) and wife (H4).
- Dec 19 – Date updates on CEAC website with status 'Administrative Processing'.
- Dec 20 – Email Received – 'Passport ready for pickup'.
- Dec 21 – Pick up the passport at VFS center. No H1B or H4 visa stamped. Form 221(g) green slip with message: Fingerprint verification required on any day between 10.30 AM to 11 AM at US Embassy.
- Dec 21 – Passport tracking status will show: Passport Picked Up. Don't worry.
- Dec 27 – Both H1b & H4 appear for fingerprints verification at US consulate.
- Dec 28 – Fingerprints provided, date updates on CEAC website with status 'Administrative Processing'.
- Dec 29 – CEAC website status Updates to 'Issued'.
- Dec 30 – Email received for wife H4 – Passport ready for pickup.
- Dec 31 – Pick up Wife's Passport with H4 visa stamp from VFS center.
- Jan 2 – Email received for H1B – Passport ready for pickup.
- Jan 2 – Received my passport with H1B visa stamp from VFS center.
Green Slip vs Form 221g
Dropbox form 221(g) fingerprinting administrative processing is different than the other form 221(g) issued after the visa officer said ‘Visa Approved' and status still shows Admin processing.
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Dropbox's fingerprinting is just a formality to validate your identity before issuing you a visa stamp.
Form 221g can be issued on any color paper and for various reasons including your past status violations in the US.
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