cdss

I have a very difficult sounding name . At times it is so difficult to make people say it that I don't even bother to pronounce it I just start to spell it out.

All my degree certificates and job experience etc list my current name and I am considering changing it to a more western sounding name .

What could the implications be of changing my first name? I am just worried whether job hunting will be difficult once I change my name?

How do I mention in my job application that I changed my name ? Can that cause more suspicion?

Any suggestion from people who have very ethnic names? is it a better idea to go with a ethnic name and a western sounding alias?

I always feel as though a western sounding name would get shortlisted better during a job application

Hi,

I am CR1 visa holder and i am moving to LA in September.

I am about to put in my months notice by the end of this week.

For the company that I work for there are openings in LA and I would like to apply for the same from here, but I am not sure how to explain my visa status on paper.

Any suggestions as to how I can convey that I am eligible to work when I get there?

Do I need employment authorization to be eligible to work?

Regards

cdss

Hi,

Can anyone describe their port of entry experience?

As far as I know there are 2 lines one for non residents and one for the other, which line should I take?

Also are there any procedures that I need to follow at the poe?

Regards

cdss

Approved on 17th July at Mumbai. 14 months of nourney finally ends !!!! wohooooo

Interview was easy barely any questions

does the NVC assign the interview time slot to a case or does the embassy handle that part?

It comes with the interview letter that NVC sends

I have some great news..

Visa got APPROVED

It hardly took an hour(Mumbai consulate) and the feeling is just out of this world !!!

Il put a detailed review soon.

Thanks to each and every VJ family member and hope the best to all.

Hi,

Your embassy review seems to be appearing partially

Regards

cdss

I am not pregnant . They only asked me and I answered.

Got done with the biometrics today and now its the last phase of this ordeal,the Interview,which is tomorrow.

Will need all the prayers,wishes from all of you.

Thanks in advance to the VJ family.

In our prayers. Hope everything goes smoothly. Keep us posted!

Hi CresentMoon,

The list seems adequate . Wish you all he very best for your interview next week.

Regards

cdss

Well, Still 11 days to go for interview. Here I am listing out the evidences and docs to be taken to the interview. Hope It helps other members also.

1. I130 Packet
# US passport and naturalization photocopy of petitioner.
# Indian Passport of Beneficiary(Original and Photocopy)
# US passport style photos
# Affidavit of bonafide marriage by brother of beneficiary
# Affidavit of bonafide marriage by cousin of beneficiary
# Affidavit of bonafide marriage by Sister of petitioner
# Affidavit of Bonafide marriage by mother of petitioner
# Wedding invitations with certified translation
# Wedding greeting cards from friends.
# Joint bank account statement and copy of passbook
# Xoom Transactions.
# Email history, Skype logs, Gtalk text history
# Boarding passes of petitioner for wedding trip to India.
2.AOS Packet
# Federal tax return,W2,1099INT,1099DIV,Tax transcripts of 2013,2012 and 2011.
# Letter of employment
# Recent 6 months pay stubs.
3.IV Packet.
# Original and photocopy of Marriage certificate
# Original and photocopy of Birth certificate
# Original and photocopy of PCC
4. Copy of interview letter
5.Copy of OFC appointment where we can see the pick up location address for confirmation.
6.DS 261 Confirmation page
7.DS 260 Confirmation page(stamped by OFC)
8.DS260 Review( for my reference)
9.Sealed Medical packet.
10. Insurance screenshot of petitioner where my name has been list out as beneficiary..
11. screenshots of Wedding announcement in a magazine
12.Screenshots of our wedding website(our stories are there).
13.Wedding album and other few mixed photos together.

Did I miss anything?

Thank you.

The last few days are the hardest. It all comes down to a few minutes in the interview, all the hard work and waiting all the stress , it can either double or be gone forever.

13 more days n time feels like standstill

Il be staying at my relative's place and so the hassle of traveling is taken care of.

Do we have to take a print out of the OFC appointment letter to be shown on the day of biometrics?

Yes it would be good to have. They checked mine in the mail entrance.

Sure will do.Il be posting a detailed one too.

Is there anyone from India having the Interview this week?

Does not seem to be any before 8th. Have you booked your stay yet?

14 Days to go for my interview Checking in

CresentMoon,

What apart from evidence what other items are you carrying to the interview?

This is the list I have so far.

a) ds260 confirmation stamped from VAC

b) Photos

c) Tax returns

d) pcc

e) marriage certificate

f) Interview letter

Regards

Cdss

8 more days to the Interview..

Slowly starting to realize, what all im going to miss when i leave for the US but then im sure the best is yet to come!

We have another 16 days. I feel the same too leaving everything behind.

All the best for your interview. Do share your experience

How long does the interview last?

Less than 2 mins . They asked me to read out my name as in passport. Read out my passport number.

Read an aloud an agreement. What type of visa . Place fingers and thumbs on the scanner and take picture.

Then they asked me to submit a US size picture and asked me how recent it was.

The queues took a bit of time. the boimetrics was very short

thanks for the write up !!!.

What sort of qns did they ask?

Thank you !!!

Name , passport number etc.

Great...Did you get your bags back once you are out of the building?

Yes, but I was absolutely terrified leaving my laptop, ipad and luggage on the sidewalk... lol

Everything was in place when I got back .. thankfully!

Also they expect a very recent picture.

I went for my Medical on Friday at Apollo Chennai.I got in at 9:30 am straight from the airport with luggage .

At the main reception I had a half hour wait and got registered. They needed my original passport and 1 Indian size picture.

I was sent to 4th floor for eye test and blood sample.Carry your glasses/lenses

I had a small wait after which a lady took a visual examination, and gave me a list of vaccines I needed to take .

I went to the pharmacy in ground floor to get the vaccines and back to 4th floor to have them administered.

Last the chest xray is in the first floor.

It took a few hours overall and was a very smooth experience.

I collected the reports on Saturday 4pm. They were not ready with the reports so I had to push them a bit.

I got my vaccination certificated a X-Ray CD and a sealed envelope.

Hi,

I booked my OFC appointment online ,. Sunday 1 am was the earliest slot available.

There was a queue and we were not allowed to take our bags in. So I had to leave my laptop bag and my suitcase on the sidewalk outside .

Near the gate they asked for my OFC appointment confirmation page. As I entered I had to pass through two counters where they asked for interview letter, ds260 confirmation page and passport.

I got a token, and they called me. I had to answer a few questions, give my fingerprints and let them take a picture, and submit 1 US visa size photo.

I got the DS260 confirmation stamped and had to read the instructions on my way out.

It was a very easy process overall. Just don't carry any baggage and keep your cell phones switched off.

All the best!!

cdss

I don't have my husbands name on it either. I dont think change of address invalidates your passport

Yes, i did gave them a call but it was automatic case update when u enter case number and then same answer --- AP (nothing more)

I don't knw what options to choose to talk to a operator....

They do say such things on embassy and DOS sites that don't contact us till 60 days after interview if u r in AP, but how can i just sit idle and don't do anything (when i have already waited for 15 months for this ridiculous process).

I have gone through tons of docs and posts online in these 2 weeks..... and found out that i have around 95% chances that CO has put me into VISA CONDOR check

I have worked in Malaysia (i work for a IT company and it was transfer for project work) for about 1.5 years late back in 2008-09....... and this country falls in list of 26 countries (that are listed as T countries)...

Though i got PCC from Malaysia last December when i was about to submit packet IV, still i guess they want to do some background checks (as its normal for these countries)....

these VISA CONDOR checks generally complete in 30 days or in 2-4 weeks....

As already discussed, i have seen a similar case as mine and it was approved in 2 weeks after AP........... thus i am assuming May be i can get my visa issued in next week............. though i can't be sure as AP is kind of a nightmare..... but then nothing in my case is fraud or wrong, i have given all the correct info for all my entire stay in different countries (all from my employer side).......

Yeah they took your passport so I think its a short delay. Hopefully this week should be a good one.

Prayers

No news... CEAC website still says 'AP'..... its been 11 days since my interview now

They say that 80% of AP cases gets resolved/approved in 2-4 weeks...... i will cross 2 week mark this Thursday... fingers crossed...hoping for the best...... don't knw what these guys r upto....

Did you speak to the dos?

we got approved today at our interview!!! We are so happy, this was a long journey and we are thankful that these wonderful resources were here to guide us!

below is our story from this morning at the interview! hope it makes sense!

our interview was scheduled for 930am but we got there early

1 - walked in at 830am

2 - token at 844am asked for DS260 and interview letter and passport

3 - first indian guy already had our file, asked for the interview letter and looked at passport and asked about our trip to Thailand, asked where is your wife, when did she come to india and when is she flying back. when were you in the US last. were you married before, was your wife married before.

4 - wait from 930am to 1045am.

5 - american guy called his token number and asked him to take oath and give fingerprints again, who is calling you, where did you meet, where does she work, where did you get married, how many people attended the wedding, were your parents there and were her parents there, did your family approve the marraige, did your parents try to get you fixed to any other indian girl before marrying your wife, where does your wife live in US and where was she born, show me your wedding pics, congrats approved you will get it in a week, thank you

whooohoooooooooooooooooooooo!

VISA granted today! Super happy to say the least!

Please share your experience?

I have mentioned above 5 ques that were asked.....

I wish they should print it soon... i m getting restless (though its just 1 day that case is in AP)....

I am not sure if they doing background checks (and if yes, then how much time does it takes?)... if i call DOS will they be able to tell something?

Did the lady say how long it would take? I can understand the restlessness not knowing how long it could take.

I feel you should call , there is no harm in calling them