Immigrant Visa Interview Procedures at Chennai, India
Posted Dec  02, 2000

Over the past year, it has become increasingly common for clients of The Law Office of Sheela Murthy to choose consular processing for the green card. Though we have assisted with both non-immigrant visa (NIV) and immigrant visa (IV) processing in a variety of countries, including, for example, Canada, Kenya, Peru, and Australia, our most common consular posts have been Chennai and Mumbai in India. Clients reporting back after their interviews at Chennai have indicated that the process goes very smoothly. 

In this article, we wish to share with you the experiences described by some or our clients to help you to have a better understanding of the process and procedures at the Chennai Consulate in India for IV processing. 

Much of the information below, particularly with regard to the immigrant visa package and the procedures at the port of entry, relates to consulates all over the world, not only to Chennai, India.

Please note that the appointment time for the interview at Chennai indicates when the applicant will be able to enter the consulate, rather than the actual time he/she is called in for the interview. Upon entering the consulate, the applicant first pays the visa application fee, and then sits in the waiting area until being called to the counter for documentation verification. 

The applicant for the IV then submits the supporting documents (generally the items that have been marked off in the second page of the OF-230 Part II), such as birth certificate, employer letter, etc. If there is any problem with the photographs, new photos can be taken at the consulate.

The next step is an interview with a U.S. Consular Officer. One possible indication that things are going is that few questions are asked. As is often the case with both NIV and IV applicants, successful applicants often experience a shorter interview than that given to persons who have particular problems. Of course, the questions asked can vary from case to case. For example, one client had an approval in the EB-1 "Outstanding Researcher" category, so he was asked questions about his research.

The applicant is required to take an oath that the information submitted is true and correct. The OF-230 Part II is signed in front of the consular officer. The successful applicant pays the visa issuance fee, and is instructed to return around 3 p.m. to pick up the immigrant visa package. Applicants returning at 3:00 need to stay in the waiting area again until the visa is ready. Often, there is an additional wait for about an hour or so. Once the consular officer approves the immigrant visa the applicant obtains a sealed package with a certificate stapled to the outside. 

Upon the new immigrant's return to the U.S., the INS Inspector at the Port of Entry (POE) opens the sealed package. The immigrant must complete the Form I-89, which is the same form that is completed at the INS when an I-485 application is approved. It involves an index fingerprint and a signature, for making the actual green card. The INS official stamps the passport, indicating that the person is now a permanent resident of the U.S. Until the actual evidence of lawful permanent residence status, namely the I-551 or "green card", is received, the passport stamp is temporary evidence of lawful permanent resident status. If the green card is not received by the time the stamp expires, the local INS office can re-stamp the passport and also do an inquiry on the status of the card.

We at the Law Office of Sheela Murthy hope that this information is useful for those of you who are either considering consular processing as an option or for those of you who have an interview scheduled and would like to understand the process. Keep in mind that details like the timing, nature of the interview and other factors will depend on the particular applicant and the consular officer interviewing the candidate and the particular consulate's procedures, etc.