More Tips for IV and NIV Applicants at Chennai, India
Posted Feb 23, 2001

In the December 1, 2000 MurthyBulletin, we provided a description of immigrant visa (IV) interview procedures at Chennai (Madras) India. The article includes practical information on waiting times, procedures for submitting documents and paying fees, and also some comments on the interview itself. The article also describes the procedures, applicable to persons from all countries, which take place at the port of entry upon returning to the United States. For an overview of IV processing at Chennai, please consult the article.

As a follow up to that article, we provide below a few additional notes, based upon client observations, which may be useful to our readers.

Photos for IV Applicants

Even though the checklist on the "Instructions for Immigrant Visa Applicants" form (Form OF-169) states that two photos are needed, the Chennai consulate prefers to have three photos, so they can staple the extra one to the front page of the applicant's passport. This photo is to be used by the INS official at the port of entry, to process the request form for production of the actual Green Card.

Recently, one of our clients reported that the INS official found this photo unacceptable because of the staple marks, and asked if the applicant had an extra photo. We cannot confirm that this problem arises in all cases, because much depends upon the judgment of the individual INS officer, and also on where exactly the staples are placed. (For example, if the stapled area can be cut off without making the photo too small for INS specifications, then the staple is less likely to cause a problem.)

Anyhow, in the particular client's case, an extra photo was available. He had gone to a photographer who provides four photos, just in case. Our readers may prefer to do the same.

Documentation for Nonimmigrant Visa (NIV) Applicants

The general articles in the various topic sections of www.murthy.com include basic information on procedures and documentation for various types of NIV's, including tourist, student, H1B and so forth. Readers may also be interested to note that the Chennai consulate posts lists of documents required for some types of NIVs on the wall of the waiting area.

For H1B, the list includes :

a) Passport
b) Application form (OF-156) with one photo
c) Original INS Approval Notice
d) Copy of the I-129 Form
e) Labor Condition Application
f) Original degree certificate/s and mark sheets
g) Original work experience letters
h) A complete set of photocopies of all the above