H1-B Visa stamping experience at Chennai Consulate

Below is my experience with the H1-B visa stamping at Chennai consulate.
Appointment: 13 Sep 2012, 07:30AM

Travelled from Bangalore to Chennai the previous day. Since I have a relative in Chennai I stayed with them. I am sure there are some good hotels nearby US Consulate. Reached the consulate on 13th Sep at 7:00AM. There were about 20-30 people and we were let in around 07:15AM.

After the brief security check, we were let in and asked to be seated. None of the counters were open. Around 07:45AM few counters were open and I was called to a counter within 5 mins. The officer looked into my documents, asked for my old passport and said he cant accept the photo and would require me to get new photo. Photos will be taken at the consulate itself by paying Rs.100. I suggest that people get photos at the consulate as there is a fair chance of him/her rejecting the photo even though everything looks good.

There was queue already as many people were waiting to get their photograph and the photographer was yet to come. He came around 8:15AM and took our photographs. I took the photos, looked at the screen and stood at the counter where my token number was called. He put a rubber band to the documents this time and asked me to get my fingerprints at another counter. I had to wait again for 10 min at this counter. Once I was done with the finger prints I was asked to go to the other building.

In the other building there were lot of people seated and time was about 8:35AM. I looked at the screen and my token number was called within 15 min. The counter to which I went had an American Indian as the VISA officer. There were two people in front of me in the queue and noticed that those two had come for B1 & H1 respectively. The VO seemed cool and she was not asking lot of questions. The person in front of me was already working in the US and come for H extension. He was not tensed at all and neither was I. He went to the VO and surprisingly was asked a lot of questions. However, he was cool and answered all of them. He was issued the visa.

Next it was my turn.
Me: Good Morning Madam.
VO: Good Morning. How are you?
Me: I'm doing good. How are you?
VO: Good. Thank you.
I passed over the documents(which was given to me in the other building) to VO. VO looked at the documents.

VO: So which company do you work for?
Me: Answered.
VO: What's your role? (She started typing something on her computer)
Me: Answered.
VO: Do you work on a client location?
Me: No
VO: Looks like you got your Masters in the US.
Me: That is correct. I've been working at the same company for over 1.5 years now.
VO: Yes, I can see that.(She stopped typing)
VO: Alright, your visa has been issued.
Me: Thank you. Have a good one.

Headed out of consulate. Auto drivers outside the consulate seem to be VISA consultants in their own right. I told the auto driver my visa got rejected (assuming he would charge less, which he did). He said maybe it was L1 and hence the rejection. Had I gone for H1 it would have been definitely approved! Auto gyaan :)

Feel feel to leave your comments and share your experience(s). I wrote this blog in a hurry and also after 3 months so have recollected as much as I could.

Update:
Since Sep 26, 2012 the VISA process has changed. 2 appointments are to be scheduled instead of 1. Few friends of mine had been for H and F visa under this new format. Though it was a hassle, they got their visa approved.

APPLYING FOR REISSUE OF AN INDIAN PASSPORT IN USA - CHANGE OF NAME

I'm updating my blog after a hiatus of five years. What better way to update than writing about my own experience in applying for a new Indian passport, here in the US. When I searched online to find out more about the procedure to apply for a new Indian passport after a change in name, I couldn't find one place which gave me a step by step instruction (Indian Consulate, Houston website is confusing). That's when I decided to update my blog with this information. Hope it helps :)

First of all, let me give some background information. I'm currently in the US on a student visa (F1) and had a Last Name consisting of two words and a total of 22 characters. This is a situation which most of the people from my native state Karnataka or South India in general encounter. I was determined to change this really long last name but was told by lot of people that since I am in US already, the procedure is cumbersome and time consuming. I thought maybe that was true and the only way to change my last name was:
1. Go to India and get my name changed.
2. Apply for a new passport
3. Get your visa stamped

Since this requires a lot of time, the priority of getting my name changed decreased though I loathed my long last name.

Note: As of July 2011, applying for re-issue of passport after change of name CANNOT be processed under TATKAAL in India. It takes 30 calendar days to obtain a passport under normal circumstances.
(Bangalore, RPO)

These are some of the things that I did:

1. Change your name in India.
I went to a notary and got my name changed. There is a specific format to get your name changed. It's Appendix E and has been put on the Indian passport website (passport.gov.in. )I would advise people to get another affidavit spending an equal amount of money in the "generic" format which can be used for other purposes in India.

Time taken: Couple of hours - 1 day
Cost: Rs. 150

2. Advertise in a Newspaper
Go to any newspaper office and they would have the format to advertise change of name.
If you are applying for a passport in India, you need to advertise in two papers. Since we are applying in US, advertising in one newspaper in the area of permanent residence is sufficient.
I would recommend advertising in two newspapers.

Cost: Rs640
Time Taken: Couple of hours - 1 day

It may take a few days for your advertisement to appear in the newspaper. Take 5 original newspaper copies since you cant get them at a later date.

3. Change your name in USA
Go to the county clerk office and get your name changed. Process varies from county to county. In some counties it is mandatory to appear in front of the judge.

Time taken: Couple of hours
Cost: $58 ( It depends on each county )

4. Advertise in a newspaper in USA
Fill out the change of name affidavit given on consulate web page. Get the copy notarized. You can either get it notarized at any bank or the city hall. Take both the court order (obtained in step 3) along with the notarized affidavit to advertise in a newspaper. If the newspaper does not have a format, you can use the format used in India.

Cost: $30.10
Time taken: Couple of hours

Similar to procedure in India. Keep about 5 copies of original newspaper. It may take a week for your advertisement to appear in the newspaper.

5. Notarizing the documents
I got the following documents notarized.
a. Two proofs of residence ( Lease agreement and Drivers License )
b. First 5 and last 2 pages of Indian Passport
c. Color photocopy of VISA. ( I guess B/W photocopy should be sufficient )

Time taken: Couple of Hours

6. Checklist of documents
a. Paste a 2" X 2" photo on the application form ( you can also use the Indian passport size photo which is 3.5 cm X 4.5 cm ) Also include two other photographs in a separate envelope.
b. Postal Money Order or Cashier's Check for $60 or $210 (in case you are applying under TATKAAL )
c. Photocopy of Drivers License duly notarized.
d. Photocopy of Rental Agreement duly notarized.
e. Photocopy of first 5 and last 2 pages of passport duly notarized.
f. Photocopy of VISA duly notarized.
g. Original newspaper clippings of name change advertisement in US and India. (send the entire sheet)
h. Original affidavit of name change in India and US.


I found out the Indian Consulate, San Francisco web page to be helpful in order to fill in the application form. Mail all the documents using either USPS Express/Priority Mail or FedEx/UPS. I do not know of the processing time as it can vary depending on the Consulate that you apply. I sent my passport to the Houston consulate on a Monday(overnight) and received my new passport on Friday of the same week.

NOTE:
* Students on F1 visa who are on OPT can change their name provided their H1B has not been filed.
* Once H1B has been filed using old name, then changing the name is really cumbersome. So, make sure that your H1B has been filed using the new (correct) name.
* It is not mandatory for the candidate to apply for a new OPT under the new name. However, please consult USCIS

Once you get the new passport, make sure to change your social security and your drivers license. Good Luck!! Please share your experience(s) and help others :)

Update:
From October 1, 2012, Passport applications will only be accepted at the Indian Consulate in Atlanta. Residents of the following US States and Territories can apply: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virgin Islands.

DA VINCI CODE-MYTH OR MYSTERY!

Well I don't think one needs to give any introduction about the novel DA VINCI CODE by DAN BROWN. It's been one of the most read and talked about novel in recent times.Also RON HOWARD making a movie based on that novel just added to the curiosity and controversy behind that huge selling novel. It has been translated into more than 45 languages and more than 60 million copies sold worldwide, making DAN BROWN an instant hero! He has been given about 25 crores as renumeration by the producers of DA VINCI CODE. From kids to adults and Canada to Australia all speak about this DA VINCI CODE!!!

BUT IS THE THEORY BEHIND 'DA VINCI CODE' FACT OR HOAX?

Well friends there has been a lot of opinions about that but let us try to have a little more insight into the so called FACTS in that book.

I'm just dealing a few of them now and will keep updating this blog.

1.What is the Priory of Sion?Does it really exist?
YES.It does exist but the thing is that it is in existence for the past 50 yrs or so and not as mentioned in the book.It was registered as a Priory in France in 1954!And there is nothing that this priory knows or seems to know about Jesus or Mary Magdalene!

2.What about Opus Dei?
YES.It too exists and as far as i know it DOES have few orthodox principles as mentioned in the book.

3.Was DA VINCI the REAL MASTER of any secret society?
NO.He was just a brilliant genius and thats it!No work of his has been related to any priory as we knowthat this priory was not even in existence then.

4.Then what about NEWTON,BOYLE etc i.e BIG names mentioned in that book?
Its a BIG HOAX,well whenever a superstar or a famous personality does something it becomes a big issue! Just look at the case where Aamir Khan supported NBA!Even before he came into the picture there were many supporting NBA but just wit his entry see the enthusiasm and controversy!

5.What about the CRYPTEX?
It was not even devised by DA VINCI as the book claims to be. Also another important thing is that even if one breaks the cryptex using the wrong code,the vinegar wont dissolve the papyrus in it!

6.Then what are the facts in that book?
Well Dan Brown claims that all the things mentioned in that book are facts and relevant but the thing is he has just cooked up a story based on some facts.
The Vitruvian Man , Fibonacci series , Golden ratio are all true .Also there has been a lot of talk about Last Supper itself! So one can say that he has just made a story based on these things.

7.What about Jesus and Mary Magdalene and their bloodline?
Well I still do not deny that they had a bloodline but the thing is, it is not as presented in that book.Maybe they have a bloodline but this Priory is for sure not connected with preserving that secret!

8.Is the Roselyn and St.Sulpice a hoax?
As said before they do exist but not as interpreted in that book. Dan Brown has broken Roselyn into ROSE and LINE and it is not so. Also there was once a Paris meridian time similar to GMT and this St.Sulpice points to that and not the HOLY GRAIL as mentioned there!

Well my conclusion is this :

One must not go by the words of any! As Gautama Buddha says "Do not believe anything just because it was said by your teacher or parents or elders or whom you respect a lot, but believe only those which you yourself ascertain it to be true after a detailed in-depth analysis." You try to find the truth for yourself before coming into any conclusion and please don't JUMP into any conclusion.But one thing is for sure.

TRUTH SHALL PREVAIL

NB:
An Anon has written a comment asking me to mention the references for this blog of mine.
Mr.Anon I have not copy-pasted this from any other source or site. In fact I have gone through many books, web-sites and TV shows. I have taken a long time to read that book as I had to refer every other 'fact' mentioned in that book. Also this blog is just my opinion of that book and it is left to the reader to do more research, if need be.

namaskara,

ee blog nalli naanu goDDu sampardaya haagu mooDha nambike bagge baritidini. namma bharata deshadalli halavaaru bhashe, halavaru sampardaya aadrinda halavaaru paddati gaLu ide.ee paaddatigala maadhye iruva bhoota andre ee moodhanambike mattu goDDu sampardaya gaLu.

naanu saakastu vodidini idru bagge, idrinda nange tilidu bandiro vishya yenu andre namma bharatiyaru bahaLa chennagi suLLu heLtarey anta.(naanu genaralize maadutilla) ondu volle pustaka ide "MASKS OF GOD" anta by "JOSEPH CAMPBELL"adrallantu tumba ne chennagi kottidaney. ee namma jana adarallu BRAHMANIS hindina kaaladalli maadiro assayya taruvanthaha krutya ,henge ivarrella dabbaLike maadtidru henge MooDha nambike shrusti maadidru antella tumba chennagi with references bardidaney, ee pustaka sikkidre yellaru vodi. ee kaaranakke eeglu brahmanrige yelli hodru ee reservation indagi merit iddru kelsa aagli mattond aagli sigtilla.

yaavaglo hinde brahmins bere jaatiya janakke kasta kottidru anta eeglu saha nammagaLige ee reservation anno bhoota kaaDtide. ide viparyaasa..aa pustaka vodid mele namge bejaar aagatte paapa ansutte ee brahmanru maadid onnondalla. maamsa tinnodu chennagi kudiyoodu sullu heLi yellarannu hedarsi bedarsi sumne kelsakke baarada kathe heLi duraseyinda rajana hatra dudd keeLo saluvaagi homa havana antella maadsidru.(haaganta homa havana tappu anta naanu illi heLtilla, naanu heLtirodu aagina kaaladalli brahmanaru henge rajanige mosa maadutidru anta maatra). bejaar aago innond sangati yenandre inta swalpa vichara namma VEDA dalle heLide.(yaake andre ee VEDA gaLanna ketta jana awarige bekaguva haake 'edit' maaDidarey)
aa pustaka yelladru sikkidre vodi adanna innu hattu halavaaru vichitra sangatigallella ide.

ee nan post ge dayavittu COMMENT maadi yaakandre nanna vicharavannu illi bariDDidene. bahushaha naane sariyaagi artha maadikoLLade iruva sadhyate kooda ide.