I applied online for a US Visa – DS 160, on 9th January 2021. After a couple of cancellations of visa appointments in these 20 months, I finally got a slot this week. I preferred a personal interview instead of DropBox for me, despite previous US visas (4 times issued before) as Lalitha had never been to the USA, so her physical presence was mandatory, so we decided to attend together.
All my previous visa interviews were one day affairs with Fingerprint/ biometrics done on Arrival at US Airports. This has now changed with a 2-day affair of First day being day for Biometrics at III party agency and second day being Visa interview at Consulate on Mount Road.It appears this process is a huge loss of personal productivity, with you not able to work anything else due to travel etc, as well as cost quite a bit as you need to spend at least 2 days at Madras. (Madras is the nearest option for 3 states covering 700 Kms).
Our appointment for Biometrics was, Monday 4pm ( We reached Madras by 11am to be on safer side). We were called in around 3pm. (We saw a trend online that they close the facility at 4pm so it is good to go early and call in early). The process was done in 15 min flat. The irksome aspect was that you are not allowed to wear a smart watch about which there was no intimation. (Mobile can be carried, switched off). I had to find a locker to keep safe and that took some time. They check documentation and do 4+4+ 2 (Thumbs) as a way to fingerprint and photo for biometrics.
Our US visa appointment was 12 Noon the next day, Tuesday, we arrived at 11am and were allowed in. Security check is minor as you are not allowed to carry anything other than papers. There are about 20+ windows for interviews. It is good to see Interview options exist for Indian languages. After waiting 20 minutes in line we were called.
Visa officer asked me the purpose of my visit and I explained. After a few more questions she approved the visa for both of us. The interesting aspect was when I said we plan to spend 3 months with my son at Cupertino, she responded “ Beginning of Retired Life”!!! (Maybe it's time to throw the towel fully, I guess!)
The observations in the 20 minutes I stood in line were.
1. All visa officers I saw asking questions ( I could see 6- 7 windows) were polite, respectful, and had a sense of humor, never showed irritation when the questions were not understood, and the applicant went tangential. (You can hear a bit of the conversation as both speak to mike with a speaker- there is a glass partition in between).
2. Preference for fast track to Family group with children, Old aged people.
3. Couple of American women officers spoke Tamil to the applicant and conducted the entire interview in Tamil.
4. The pride and amazement they show when responding that the sponsor, dependent works for a great organization shows they wish the immigrants would do well and are proud that America gives such opportunities.
5. Generally, B1/B2 were Yes or No decisions. While L1/H1B were accepted with visa issued, subjected to providing additional evidence. (Green slip or Pink slip handed over at end of interview).
6. The only disappointment was the Lady officer never questioned Lalitha anything,!!!
7. Number of documents asked as evidence =0. I spent quite a bit of time collecting and collating them for both of us!
Interesting also is that the US Visa in your Passport allows you to travel to 49 countries without a visa of that country for a short duration. Even in the UK, you can spend a maximum of one night on transit without a UK visa.
While it is a far more improvement from my days 20 years ago, to stand in Queue at 3am for an 11am appointment (That too lottery / first come first served basis) to fixed slots. (This changed when George Bush's senior security Advisor on travel for Dubiya's visit planning, saw the crowd waiting for visa at Madras, assumed Rioters were gathered and he was concerned about security issues. He then escalated the matter for change of process and appointments etc started from 2007 or so) Even now in 2022, still there are no facilities while waiting on Roadside until you are called in. If it rains, you are at nature’s mercy as so on Hot blistery Summer day. Also there are no lockers, etc for keeping even car keys etc if you drive down etc. Some things never changed for densely populated, III world countries, I guess!!!
Regards
Karthik.
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