Recent Consular Experience at Mumbai, India
Posted Nov 11, 2005
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From time to time, clients of The Law Office of Sheela Murthy are kind enough to share with us their experiences at the various consulates, and to allow us to, in turn, to pass this information on to our MurthyDotCom and MurthyBulletin readers. What follows is based upon a detailed description of such an experience. Our clients are a married couple who recently processed an employment-based (EB) immigrant visa case at the U.S. consulate in Mumbai, India on an EB second-preference petition. We appreciate their sharing this with us so that others may benefit.
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While this case was processed through India, the individual was not impacted by retrogression. The reason for this is that it was possible to have the case charged against the quota for a different country, based upon the derivative spouse's country of birth, which was not India. Therefore, under cross-chargeability provisions, both of the applicants were able to have their case charged to that country rather than to India. Cross-chargeability is outside the scope of this article, but is certainly worth mentioning, as it may provide options for some of our readers.
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Medical Checkup
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Our clients made an appointment by telephone at a hospital authorized to perform physical examinations for U.S. immigration purposes. They reported that the service and staff were efficient and courteous at Hinduja Hospital and that they were able to have all of the work done in one day. They mentioned also that there were other hospitals in the area from which one may select.
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The couple was asked to arrive at the hospital by 7:00 a.m. They underwent a series of medical checks and tests (blood, height / weight measurements, and blood pressure) as well as X rays. This preliminary process was completed by 11:00 a.m. They were asked to return at 1:45 p.m. for a final examination by the doctor and to collect the final medical reports to be presented during the consular interview. The doctor prepared a form pertaining to their medical histories and conditions, and asked a few relevant questions on these topics. The doctor performed the medical examinations and the couple was asked to sign the form.
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Our clients mentioned that there was a lot of waiting involved in each step of this medical exam process. There were about 25 other applicants undergoing the same procedures at the hospital on that day. Each stage had to be completed for all applicants before the next stage could commence for any of them. Therefore, while the actual time involved in getting tested and examined was less than an hour, the completion of the process took almost the entire day. It is our suggestion, therefore, to bring one's patience and perhaps a good book when going for the medical checkup in case you should encounter a similar situation.
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Consular Interview
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The consular interview for the immigrant visa was set for 7:30 a.m. on the day after the medical exam. The couple was able to enter the consulate by 8:00 a.m. They commented that the consulate was easy to find, because outside there was a long line of people waiting next to a busy road.
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Our clients reported that they brought only minimal and necessary items with them into the consulate. As we have advised in previous MurthyBulletin articles, there are many items that cannot be brought into the consulate. These include cell phones and other electronic devices, knives, tobacco, lighters, and food items. A list is available on the Mumbai Consular WebSite. It is best to review this list before going to the consulate. Since there is no food allowed, it is also important to eat before going to the consulate.
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Once they made their way inside, our clients found that the consulate was well-organized and neat. They were treated courteously by the staff. They paid their fees and waited to be called for the interview. Our clients were first called to a window and asked for their papers - primarily the supporting personal and employment documents requested in the Packet 4, issued by the consulate with the appointment instructions. The couple was able to see that the consular employee had a file with their other immigration papers.
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They waited a bit and were able to purchase some snacks inside the consulate. Shortly thereafter, they were called for their immigrant visa interview. The interview was conducted under oath. The primary applicant was asked some questions related to his education and the petitioning employer. The only unusual question concerned the applicant's reason for previously traveling to another foreign country. The spouse was also asked about time spent in countries other than the United States and India.
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The applicants had their prior visas in their passports cancelled and were told to come back at 3:30 p.m. to collect their passports. Upon their return, they found that the line moved quickly, as one family member must collect the packets for the entire family.
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Port of Entry - Welcome to America!
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In the United States at the Port of Entry, our clients advised the inspectors that they were new immigrants. They were taken into a small room for some additional processing. The CBP personnel took the couple's passports and the sealed envelopes, given to them at the consulate. Their passports were stamped with the temporary evidence of permanent residence and a form was prepared (with inked fingerprints and signature) as part of the process needed to generate a plastic green card. They were told that they would get their green cards in the mail in two to three months.
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We extend congratulations to our clients for adding themselves, another successful immigrant family, to the multi-cultural fabric of American society! We at The Law Office of Sheela Murthy are pleased to be a part of this process for so many people whose lives change forever. We appreciate the invitation to help our clients through this process.