Sajid Azmi: May 2007

My parents recently got their 10 years mulitple entry Visitor Visa (B2) so that they can come and visit me here. The process to apply for VISA involves lot preparation from parents as well as the sponsorer side. I am posting my experience so that it may benefit other who are going through the process or wish to start it soon

Pre-VISA preparation:Parents side:

My dad and mom, did not have a marriage certifcate or birth certificate, so got an affidavit created from the same.
My dad has retired and used to work in garment store,so not much of pension to show. Got a letter of employment from the employer stating his service.
Got a letter from his bank manager on the bank letter head (Mentioning the date of account opening , Total deposits for last 3 years, Current Balance,3 months banks statements)
Affidavit of Assurance - Notarized
Proof of Property - Notarized
Got a letter from my brother's employer in Bangalore mentioning he is working since 9 years and his current address proof
Got a letter from my second brother's employer mentioning the same
Pictures of all the family member , grandkids

From my side:

To kick start the process by paying the VISA fees and filling the form visit the VFS India website and go through the detail steps

Everything according to the checklist in Path2USa except my birth certificate

Invitation letter
Letter to Consulate
I-134
Account Verification Letter
I-797A ( Extension letter)
Letter of Employment and Salary Certificate on Employee Letter head-
2 years W2
3 months bank statements
Colour xerox of all pages of my passport

Next Steps- My parents tooks the following things

Checklist provided on VFS site (signed)- DS-156 for Dad and Mom
Yellow receipt
Copy of interview letter
Copy of front and last pages of passport
Copy of passport with "Remarks" and "Observation"

These documents had to be submitted at the address mentioned in the checklist minimum 5 dayas before. My parents submitted 11 days before

What happens when they went to submit the documents :-

Only the people who are appearing for interview are allowed.
No mobiles or any other stuff beside documents are allowed.
Both parents need to go
They give you a token and make you sit.
When your number is called, you go and submit the documents ( both parents at same time)-
They check the documents and the photograph
If anything is wrong they point out.
Anything wrong with the photo. They will take a photo immediately for you. So my suggestion. Staple the picture and do not GLUE it.
Then they make each of the parents sign on the register. - After that the person at the counter informs you about the option of a bus on the day of interview which will take you from this place to the consulate.
They charge you 200 Rs (As of May 2007) per voucher.
The voucher is optional but is a very good thing because on the day of interview, all you need to do is go half an hour before at the location. They give you seating place and depending on your interview time they send you by buses.
The advantage of going by this bus is you do not have to stand in huge queue outside the consulate and so your parents look fresh when they reach at the consulate

Finally interview day

Parents reached 45 minutes before to the same place where they showed the voucher.- Their interview was schedule for 8.30 am. The bus takes the people in batches
The bus dropped them at the consulate gate at 9.25 am.
ON entrance first, they went through a physical search. Please note try not to carry ANYTHING besides the file for documents
Then their BIOMETRICS (finger scanning) was done.
Next window, they said they required a hindi translator.
Then they were asked to submit their passports and they get an acknowledgement receipt with number on it.
IMPORTANT. After that they sat and waited for their name to be announced. The announcement done on the mike was very feeble. So tell your parents to be attentive.

Interview

Their name was called and they went to their window-There was lady translator and lady VO (Visa Officer) and these were the questions that they were asked

VO TO DAD: Whom are you going to visit?

DAD: MY youngest son, XXXXXXXX

VO TO DAD: Since when is he in US?

DAD - Answered the month and the year

VO TO DAD: Are you working?

DAD: No, I am retired

VO TO DAD: Where did you work?

DAD: I was working for XXXX which a private garment store as a Shop Manager

VO TO MOM: How many sons do you have

MOM: 3 sons

VO TO MOM: Where are they

MOM: Eldest son in XXXXwith his family and 2 kids. Second son in XXXXXwho has 1 kid

VO TO MOM: What do they do?

MOM: Eldest one work as an Engineer for XXX Technologies and Second son works in a garmen industry.

VO TO DAD: For how long do you want to go?

DAD: 4 to 5 months

VO TO DAD AND MOM: You have been granted the Visa.

It will be sent by courier.MOM AND DAD LEFT AND CALLED ME IMMEDIATELY.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO CONSIDER:-

They were not asked documents but having the documents makes parents feel confident
How you approach the window is observed-
Tell them to carry a smile and take atleast 3-4 mock interviews with them. It really helps.

SOME USEFUL WEBSITE

I wish all elderly parents and their kids who are trying to get through this ordeal. All the very best. Please let me know for any queries or documents and I will be more than willing to help or provide information for the same

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