IV Processing at U.S. Consulate in New Delhi
Posted Jan 18, 2002

In a cooperative spirit, we sometimes hear at The Law Office of Sheela Murthy from our clients who recently have been to various consulates. Hoping others will benefit from their having experienced the procedures firsthand, we pass share these with our MurthyBulletin and MurthyDotCom readers. In this article, we share one client's account of the U.S. consulate in New Delhi, India. Of course, each person's case is different and the consulate procedures could be revised at any time. While this information might be helpful in planning and one may use any information available, it is not expected that all issues will pertain to each, individual case.

The client first described the medical examination, which precedes the immigrant visa (IV) processing, as being "overall a simple process." While waiting, the medical forms were filled with basic information. In this particular case, the applicant and his wife were taken together into the doctor's office.

Once in the office, the doctor took a medical history and general physical review of the patient. It is recommended that one take along any records of immunizations. The patients had their blood pressure taken and blood drawn. Following the medical examinations, the patients were given instructions for obtaining x-rays, which were sent directly from one doctor to the other. In this case, the final medical reports were available by 5:30 p.m. The clerk informed the patients that all was "okay" when they picked up their reports. Their names are checked against their passports.

Having the medical requirements were completed, the IV process progressed as follows. The applicants lined up outside the Embassy at 7:45 a.m. and were allowed through security around 8:15 a.m., in groups of 10 to12. They were allowed to bring in bags. After sitting in a waiting area, they were asked to form a line to go to a clerk for document collection. The clerk took the appointment letter and returned a fee sheet with the appropriate fees circled. Following, the IV applicants waited for the fee window to open at 9:00 a.m. While waiting, all IV applicants were sworn in by a consular officer. Once the fee window opened, payments were taken in the order of the numbers at the top of the fee receipt. It is generally a good idea to carry some small bills, as obtaining change for big bills can sometimes be a problem and cause delays.

Once these matters were complete, applicants waited to be called for the immigrant visa processing. At this point, the clerk requested the papers. The applicants each submitted DS 230 I & II, copies of their birth and marriage certificates and IRS form 9003. The client submitted his employment letter. The client and his wife were told to return at 4 p.m. to pick up their passports. Upon their return, they were given their packets with the IV approvals.

The client's arrival back in the U.S. was routine and uneventful. The POE officer entered the A numbers into the system and swiped an old visa belonging the client. They were taken to a separate room where the officer prepared the card that will ultimately become the client's green card. This card requires signatures and index fingerprints. A stamp was placed in each person's passport indicating "temporary evidence of I-551." This stamp is temporary evidence of permanent resident status. The renewable stamp is valid for a year and can be used in the same manner as a green card. The couple was advised that their physical green cards could be expected in 6-8 months.

We hope that every IV case proceeds in a smooth manner, though we do know there are variations among countries and consular procedures. We should also note that in the current economy and with the flexibility afforded to adjustment applicants under the American Competitiveness in the Twenty First Century Act of October 2000 it is generally recommended one consider the Adjustment of Status procedure over Consular processing. See our article entitled AOS vs. CP in Green Card Processing, published concurrent with this article for the January 18, 2002 issue of the MurthyBulletin.