My wife and I had our passports stamped after a 6 hour ordeal that started at 8:30 a.m. and ended at 2:30 p.m. Here are some tips based on what we experienced, 1. For an 8:40 appointment, get there before 8 if at all possible. They were not checking appointment timings, so people with 9/10 a.m. appointments were ahead of us in the line. All they care is that you have an appointment for that day. 2. The clerk at the end of the first line (150 min) took our I-797c, Infopass appointment notice, EAD cards and 2 pp snaps (mark your A# and name on the back of each photo with a pencil) and also our index fingerprints on a form which was handed to us alongwith a token number. (My wifes case and mine were combined so we didn't have to wait for two seperate calls) 3. Line 2 was a laborious 180 min wait as the numbers counted up ... out of 25 available counters only 3 were functioning at any given time ... who the heck coaches these people on queue management !!! When we were called, the guy at the counter (listening to rap music at his desk) took our I-94's and also painstakingly handwrote our names on a new form. We were then told to wait until a background check (new policy he mentioned) was performed. 4. 35 minutes later; call that line 3 (interspersed by a lunch break for them), our token numbers were called again at which point, the same guy stamped our passports and explained that they were as good as green cards for travelling, employment etc. He said the cards arrive in 3-6 months. Woo Hoo !!! AP docs, I-140 approval docs and original I-797 from lawyer were not required, nobody asked for a drivers license or any such identification. Though all the above must be carried to be on the safe side. 5. We took the courage to step up to the 10th floor on the same building to join a queue in that other malfunctioning dept called the Social Security admin. Once again 65 people in the room and 1 counter open. After 50 min of waiting we had re-applied for our new SS cards without the DHS qualification. Makes sense to get both processes out of the way at one shot. 7 hours later we were on the streets of Newark a free couple !!! And oh yes, the Federal Bldg checks yours baggage by x-ray machines and complained about a pen knife I carried in my office bag. So kosher bags would be ideal!!! For more information on this topic click here
I got my medicals done in Chennai in early November, thought I would post my experience while it is still fresh in my memory.Note that I am not a Chennai resident - I reached Chennai at 6AM on the test day, and had booked my return the same night. I wanted to finish both the lab and the checkup the same day. A)Procedure at Lister 1) 8.00AM: Entered reception room. Stated purpose of visit to Prasad, who seems to be an all-purpose guy. Prasad handed me a Lister consent form, in which I filled in name, date, passport number and signed. Handed over the filled Lister consent form, consulate medical form and passport. After checking passport details, passport was returned to me. Handed over Rs. 600, and was asked to wait outside to be called. 2) 8.20AM: Was called to give blood sample for AIDS and syphillis test. Was asked to wait outside again. 3) 8.30AM: Was called to the Xray room to take the chest shot. (Note that shirt must be removed, but no need to leave shoes outside the room). Was asked to wait outside. 4) 8.35AM: The Xray technician called me, gave me a receipt for Rs. 600, told me I was done, and asked me to come after 5PM for the results. 5) 4.30PM: Returned to Lister for the results. Sat in the (A/C) reception room. Two other consulate cases were already sitting there. I noticed the Xrays were already prepared and ready on Prasad's table. 6) 5.00PM: A Lister menial rushed in with the blood test results. 7) 5.10PM: Prasad started stuffing the blood test results into the Xray envelope. After stuffing all the results (about 25 or so), he sealed each envelope. (Everyone at Lister appears to be a big champion of batch processing). 5.20PM: The stuffing/sealing of envelopes was finally complete. By this time about 15 or so consulate cases had turned up. Names were called at random, and the envelopes distributed. 9) 5.25PM: Finally got my result. Took it and rushed over to Sanjan John. B) Procedure at Sanjan John (same day) 1) 8.40AM: Called Sanjan John (SJ) on his cell phone for an appointment (Note that all the 4 doctors maintain hours that are different from the hours listed in the consulate website. Every doctor is not available every day. Rajkumar is available in the evenings also. SJ is only too happy to stay beyond 6PM. Vijaylakshmy is not available every evening. In any case, I had called V and Mathai Thomas earlier. Both of them refused to give me an appointment on the same evening as the test day). SJ wrote down my name, gave me directions to his clinic, and asked me come over as soon as I got the resport from Lister. 2) 5.40PM: Reached SJ's clinic. I was the first consulate case to reach there. A receptionist immediately took my photograph (she does not care about what kind of photograph it is), handed me a form and asked me to fill it. This is a detailed form and asks for all kinds of biographical/passport/health info. Asks for height/weight/power of corrective lenses. (Note that SJ is not very keen on actually measuring your height/weight etc. He will try to persuade you to "guess" or "estimate" your weight. If you balk, he will ask you to weigh yourself on the weighing machine). 3) 5.45PM: While I was filling the form in the reception area, SJ called me inside. Told me to continue filling the form while he did his paperwork. He examined the reports from Lister (no problem areas), letter from consulate, and started filling up several forms. 4) 5.50PM: Asked me about my vaccination history. Based on my responses, said I had to take 3 different shots (chicken pox, MMR and one more which I have forgotten). 5) 6.00PM: SJ finished filling all forms. Administered the shots. 6) 6.05PM: Collected the fees (600 for consultation, approx 2000 for shots, total Rs 2600). Handed the filled in report to me. Told me to go to a nearby xerox shop and make a copy for him. 7) 6.25PM: Returned to SJ's clinic with the photocopy. Knocked on his door (he was attending to the next consulate case). SJ came to the door and took the copy. 6.26PM: Left for Chennai Central. C) Getting to Lister (I took an auto from Chennai Central - bargained for Rs 50 ) 1) Tell the auto to take you to Ganapathy Hotel, Nungambakkam. 2) Opposite the hotel, there is a small lane (flanked by Happy Home hotel on one side, and a shop called Signora on the other). Go into this lane. 3) About 50 meters in, on the left, you will see an unremarkable building with the Lister signboard, with 13/6 on the gate. This is your destination. Enter this building. 4) Proceed to the reception room. D) Getting to Sanjan John (SJ) (In the evening, there is a gaggle of autos hanging outside Lister, somewhat like vultures. These autos are very familiar with the names/locations of all the panel docs. After getting my report, I got into one such auto, which charged me Rs. 50. Normally, the fare should have been Rs 20, but I needed to rush as I did not want to take a chance on missing my train) 1) Tell the auto to take you to Shree Mithai, Chetpet (apparently, this sweet-shop is a famous Chennai landmark). 2) SJ's clinic is right next door to Shree Mithai E) Comments on Lister 1) Employees here are friendly, professional, courteous. 2) Sanjan John (SJ) appears to have an "in" with Prasad. When I fixed an appointment with SJ, he said he would call up Prasad to make sure that my reports would be ready by 5PM. In the evening, I noticed that Prasad called up their lab a few times telling them to make sure that my report (and that of other SJ patients) was sent to him. 3) I also felt that Prasad went out of his way to "sell" SJ to me. 4) As mentioned above, Lister is a big champion of batch processing. Otherwise they could distribute the results well before 4PM. F) Comments on Sanjan John (SJ) 1) As soon as I went in, SJ started making small talk with me in various Indian languages. Told me that he felt this whole medical test business was a big waste of time and money for everyone. Little did I realize then that he was merely softening me up for the big whammy he was planning to lay on me a bit later. 2) The fun started when he got to the innoculations (vaccinations) page. Incidentally, the various shots that must be "discussed" with the panel doc are Measles, Mumps, Rubella (individually) or MMR (collectively - single shot), Hepatitis B, Varicella (chicken pox). There are other shots, but those (like flu for example) are not relevant for most adults (ages 19-49). 3) SJ asked me if I had taken a chicken pox vaccine. I told him that I had had the pox as a child, so my understanding was that I could not get it again. He asked me how long ago I had it: told him 20 years. Immediately SJ told me that after 10 years, it could not be verified, so I had to take a booster shot for Rs 1300, and wrote on the sheet that I needed the shot. 4) Next SJ asked me if I had taken MMR shots. I told him that I had 2 years ago while in an US university. Immediately he told me that I needed a booster shot for Rs 350, since the earlier shot was more than 1 year ago. And wrote that down. 5) Later on, I did some research on the subject. As far as I can make out, there was absolutely no need for me to have been given either the chicken pox or the MMR shot. 6) In any case, I advise you to be careful when "discussing" your immunization history with SJ or any panel doc. Unlike me, do your homework prior to going in. If you feel shots are necessary, take them elsewhere, then carry the records with you to the doc. The panel docs will overcharge you. (I admit I feel bitter because I am not earning in $$, your mileage may vary). 7) As SJ was about to give me the shots, I asked if there would be any side effects (I did not want to end up sick on a train in the middle of the night). SJ assured me that there would be no side effects, and proceeded to give me the shots. Later on, some things struck me as being strange: -SJ filled the injection syringes in another room -I don't recall SJ swabbing my arm with alcohol prior to giving the shot -how SJ could be so cocksure that the shots would have absolutely no adverse reaction I now suspect (this is just conjecture on my part, I have absolutely no proof) that SJ might not actually have given me the vaccines, he might just have injected saline or glucose or water. 9) The photocopying business was also annoying. It added about 20 minutes to my "experience". SJ will tell you that the xerox shop is 2 mins walk away: it is actually more like 5 mins. You will need to spend a few mins locating the shop as it is very small and in a small, dingy street. (Ladies: be careful, especially if going alone at night). The xerox machine itself appears to only cater to SJ, because it is normally kept switched off. The shopkeeper (a small urchin) will switch on the machine after you plead with him, it will take a few minutes for it to warm up). Also, the chap charges Rs 1 per sheet, when almost universally, shops charge only 50p per sheet. 10) In fact, if you are in a hurry, you can tell SJ that you will mail him the copy later, or even that you don't have the time/inclination to make a copy for him. Or just walk out quietly with the report and push off (note that SJ is careful enough to collect the loot, i.e his fees, before packing you off to the photocopier). 11) Again, the panel doc will figure out what shots you need only by talking to you. Be prepared with the "right" answers unless you want to pay several thousand rupees for (basically useless) shots. My advice again is: discuss your innoculation history with your family doc (in India/US), follow their advice, get them to give you a history/certificate of whatever shots they decide to administer to you. This cost might be borne by insurance: in any case it would be cheaper/more reliable than the advice/shots given by the panel docs. Good luck. RR
For more information click here
Here are some experiences with regards to my entire track from NIW I-140 petition to I-485 approval. I had somewhat of an unique case, so if anyone here is in the same boat, this may be of help to you. I have done the entire process by myself, without an attorney, and long hours of research in the law library on U.S.C. Section 8. Arrived to US in 1991 on J-1, not subject to section 212e, changed to F-1 on arrival. Became an H-1 in 2001 and filed for NIW in March of 2002, case was backlogged due to 9-11. NIW was based on the "homeland security" with 18 letters of recommendation from U.S. government agencies, university, defense and legislative branch. Extensive documentation (resumes, Ph.D. diplomas, bibliography and sample publications) were submitted with an application. RFE for I-140 for "statement of the qualification of alien" and copies of "all scientific communications in last 5 years" as well as "cross-referenced bibliogrpahy search listing applicant as a 1st or 2nd author." USCIS is insitutionally biased against NIWs, so it seems. I-140 approved on 03/10/03. Filed for I-485 on 4/11/03, RD: 04/23/03, 1st FP: 02/29/04 RFE on 07/11/04 for: Empl. Verification Document, 3 Years of W-2s and 1040s, Affidavit that J-1 was not subject to section 212e (two year home rule), Original IAP-66 from 1991 (keep all your documents!), Copy of university transcript and diploma, letter from the government agency stating that NIW scope of work is still applicable and copy of every page from any passport used since 1991 (copy your passport!!). RFE docs received by USCIS on 08/10/04 Response that I-140 was re-adjudicated (?!!) and re-approved (?!!) on 09/01/04 Finally, E-mail and status change on 09/24/04 that the case was approved on 09/23/04. Still waiting for the paper notice. Apparently stamping in the local office is a quasi-interview, where they take a last parting shot at you, until you file for the citizenship. Some folks have been asked to provide documentation establishing their legal status upon stamping of the documents. According to a legal expert here in town, a great majority of I-140s are re-adjudicated before the final decision on I-485 was to be made, even if they were previously approved. Hope this helps!
today I had my interview conducted, and passport stamped as the final result. I finally can draw a closure for this 27-month-long journey. Honestly and surprisingly, I was extremely calm when I arrived INS office 4 am today. I was reading one of my favorite authors' (Ann Quindlen) bestseller " One True Thing" while I was waiting in the waiting room so concentratedly that when my name was called, I realized that my eyes were full of tears (yeah, the story's very touching and real. ) Anyway, here's my detail report to all of you who are still waiting: I arrived Arlington office way too early (around 4am) for someone who's been scheduled for interview. As we all already knew, that if you don't have interview scheduled, then go get your infopass and show up at the designated time. No need to stand outside of the building overnight anymore. Well, I wasn't so sure and didn't really want to take ANY unnecessary risk. I was the first one went in at 7:30 3rd floor, while my scheduled interview time was 8:45. Until almost 9:30, I was called in by Officer B, whom I learned by reading this forum is supposed to be a very picky and can-be-difficult officer. Either there are two officer B, or she changed (? ) the one I had was not like that at all. She's very professional (firm but polite) the whole time, my overall interview last only about 10-15 minutes, and half of the time was: I was looking at her flip through my file, look into computer (their system doesn't work very well this morning, so she had to try and re-try couple times), with no talking. The questions she asked me were very standardized: have you ever had any criminal record, ever attempted to apply permanent residency besides this time, what's the name of your current employer (after I answered, she looked up my file and realized that I've never changed my employer since day one), asked for PP and driver license, and is the address on my driver license is the current one. Among all the document they requested (were listed on the interview letter), she only asked for employment letter, nothing else. I offered at the end just want to make sure that she's not missing anything , she said firmly " I don't need them". I was very surprised about this. When her hand tried to reach one of her desk drawers and when I saw a rather worn-out plastic bag was being pulled out off the drawer, my gut told me "this is where the stamp is kept". Yup, I was right. She stamped the "ugly" stamp , and said it serves for one year period, meanwhile within next 6 months I should be expecting to receive the actual card. and that was it. Fore more information click here
