I had my Visa yesterday and it was quick....very quick actually. My appointment was for 8:30 am, and I reached there at around 7:30 am. Please make it a point to reach at least an hour before.....there's a long queue there. After they take the documents and take ur fingerprints, either the token no./ names are called out. There are lots of ppl there, so be attentive when they call. I've heard stories of ppl missing out their interview coz they missed their name being called out. The interviews are taken in booths where you have to stand and there's a glass wall between you and the visa officer. The person in front of me had got rejected...so i was a bit worried....

When i went in,
Me: Good Morning
VO: Good Morning (Took my coupon, found my papers)
VO: What program are you going for at Stony Brook ?
Me: Biomedical Engineering
VO ( Checks out my papers): So you're from IIT ?
Me: Yes
VO: You didnt get any funding ?
Me: No
VO: I'm surprised
Me: (Gave a smile)
VO: What does your dad do ?
Me: Answered that
VO: Thanks, your visa has been issued

All this took place in around 30 seconds...... :)
I was out of the consulate at 8:20 am

When you go to the Visa Application center to submit the documents, plz take some one with you. You wont be allowed to carry any bag or cellphone inside. I had to shell out 200 bucks just to keep my bag and cellphone in a Locker. So beware....
You can get the photo taken from inside the VFS Application center too.

You can collect the Visa on the same day itself at Mumbai in the evening between 5:30 to 6:00 pm. Reach at the Visa Application Center at Tirupati Apartments by 4:00 pm atleast....it gets very crowded. You will have to carry a copy of the Pink HDFC Receipt. Anybody can collect your visa for you....

Date of Interview :June 18, 8:15 A.M
Decision : Accepted and Visa Issued.
US Consulate : Mumbai
Duration of Visa : 5 years valid

Well,people I got my visa too quick less than 30 seconds,all my hardwork for VI preparation gone in vain :-) only three questions asked.VO didn't asked for any documents neither financial documents. I would advice people to reach the VFS Application centre(Opp. to Mahalakshmi temple,bhulabhai Desai road) in Mumbai atleast 1 hour before there sheduled VI interview,as there will be lot of people in the queue. You will get the lounge,locker facilities at VFS and if you don't have VFS coupons with you,you can buy there itself also.

I arrived at VFS at 7:00 A.M. Waited in a Queue outside for sometime and later we were allowed to enter the VFS. VFS lounge facility is good,with AC and big LCD TV along with CCD for food and drinks. VFS person told us "anyone for 8:15 VI,please board the Bus".I boarded the Bus,Its hardly a 5-10 minutes ride from VFS to Consolate. Once I entered Consulate after initial security checks, I was handed a pick token with some number written on it (W no. 477). Then, I went to counter no -1 for finger printing. Then, I waited for my Token number to be called. After a long wait,I heard an announcement "people with following Token numbers 440,477,456....please come to counter number 15". I quickly went to the counter and I was the first person in the Queue. VO was a pretty young guy.

Me: Goodmorning Sir! ( With a big smile)
VO: Good morning,how are you doing?
Me: I am doing good,sir!
VO: Give me your pink token
Me: gave the token to him
VO: Why are you going to US?
Me: I am going to US for my Masters studies in computer science.
VO: What you have done?
Me: I have done my B.E in CS from pune university
VO: Who is sponsoring you?
Me: My parents and University,I have got RAship with...
VO: (Interrupting in between),Ok your Visa has been issued,goodluck!

Visa@new delhi

my First advice to all applicants taking visa at delhi is that plz go as early as u can..my scheduled time was at 10.15..but i reached at 9.00; i was allowed after the intial security check. the first window they checkd d mandatory documents..DS 156,157,158;passport;sevis proof;I-20.. nxt u go inside,there's an x-ray scanner machine which scans ur folder..i was asked to put my pen also! the 2nd window..fingerprinting takes place. after this i was told to stand behind a long queue..with some 50-60 ppl ahead of me..tat was at 10 o'clock. so kept waiting waiting!! till at 11.15 my turn came!

the VO was a young guy..very cheerful..greeted me with a big smile..i also wished him.

VO: pass me ur folder!
me: passed it
VO: so..why US?
me: answered
VO: where in US r u going to?
me: answered
VO: where have u done ur masters from?
me: answered
VO: in branch of chemistry will u do ur phd?
me: answered
VO: who's sponsoring ur education?
me: answered ( all this while he kept on working on his comp..this time he looked at me directly)
VO: plz keep ur fingers on the machine...
me: kept it..first the 4 fingers & then d index finger(both right & left hand)
VO: ok sir..u r visa is issued..it will be couriered to u in 4-5 days..with a smile
me: thank u sir.

so tat was it!!
one thing for sure..is that once u have full funding..they dont bug u much. and yes..standing in that queue for over an hour..is an experience..u see so many ppl being grilled in different manner...and unless the VO's are fully satisfied..they r not issuing d visa.

finally to all..go early..ahead of ur scheduled time..its a long long queue!!

all d best!

Got My Visa

Interview appointment was at 7:30 on jun 25th in the chennai consulate.. The officers came at 8 o Clock.. I was interviewed by a black lady (man! she was so grim!!!someone told me she is the dreaded 'NANCY')

VO: Hi How are you?
me: fine, thank you. how are you?
VO:(no answer for that!!) was looking at my docs..
VO: so why are you goin back to studies?
me: the usual answer abt gettin splized knowledge blah blah..
VO: you have a good job here. why are you GOING BACK (lots of stress!) to studies? how is that goin to help you?
me: An MS degree from US will give me much better opportunities here.
VO: What would you do if you dont get to study in the US now?
me: I shall apply again..

VO: (gave me a hard..sorry.. harder look!) What would you do if you N E V E R E V E R get the visa?
me: (now, I tried my best and I think I kept the same smile on my face!) I have a very good job here.. may be i'll continue with that
VO: ok.. what is ur dad doin?
me: told.
VO: what is his annual income?
me: started but din let me complete..
VO: savings?
me: told
VO: ok.. ur visa is approved.
me: thank you very much mam!
So, even if they ask uncomfortable q's like this, they do give the visa!!! (hope my experience helps!)
All the Best for all of u!

Hey, I had my visa interview scheduled at 11:30 am at Mumbai consulate. The interview itself is not worth mentioning, as it lasted barely a minute. But to all the people who have their appointments at Mumbai consulate and are not local, please take in account the rains. On the day of my interview, the consulate was running late and the visa officers themselves came in late. So even when my interview was scheduled at 11:30, I got to get inside at 12:45.

And there was a long line outside in which people had to stand through heavy rain and wind. So i would also advise people to book VFS bus service if they haven't. It ll at the very least, provide sheltered area for waiting. :)