*** Experience in Chennai before Visa Interview ***
I booked my slot in Chennai as I didn't find them in Hyderabad. Waiting for the most important and final stage of process to enter USA, felt very tensed.
I had started from my hometown, Vijayawada, on Saturday night (Nov. 15th), reached Chennai at 7 AM at Koyambedu bus stand. It's a hectic bus journey. We searched here and there for the direct buses to reach U.S. Consulate. As we didn't find any at that time, we catched a bus to Chennai Central (15F,15B etc.,.)
When I searched in Google, it was given like "U.S. Consulate is 5 KM from Chennai Central" but it's not that much nearer. It's far away from Chennai Central. We got down in Chennai Central and again catched a bus to the consulate.
We reached a bus stop nearest to the consulate and enquired the security guys over there regarding when they will open the consulate on Monday (Nov. 17th.) Security guys told us to come by 6:00 AM as there will be a big queue because all types of Visas related people will come. We searched for hotels near by consulate which are located in opposite road of the consulate. One guy showed us a nice hotel which will cost ₹ 760 for a day.
Hotel (Star Hotel) owner is a nice guy, guided us where we can have Andhra tiffin, lunch, dinner etc.,. So, stayed in a hotel on Nov. 16th. Prepared for sometime in hotel. Funny thing is hotel guy is also helping in Visa interview questions. He is telling the answer for "Why Chennai? Why not Hyderabad for Visa interview?"
Nov. 17th: We got ready by 5:30 AM, waiting until 6 AM to go to the consulate. When we went, nobody was there. So, waited for half an hour in hotel. But when we went at 6:30 AM there were 15 people before me. OMG! I got shocked. Waiting to get inside, waiting waiting waiting. Feeling tensed.
I met a guy next to me, who came for H1-B Visa stamping. We chatted for sometime to divert myself from thinking about Visa interview. I met another guy next next to me, he is a Hyderabadi guy whose F1 Visa got rejected in Hyderabad and applied for second time in Chennai.
Waited till 7:15 AM. Now security guy came and separated us into two lines - one line for 7:30 slot and another for 8:00 slot. He didn't allow the next slots to stand in line.
Now we started moving into the consulate. As usual, security checks were done. They will open everything which was placed in envelopes. So, my suggestion is not to keep anything in envelope because it takes time to place them again in envelope. Consulate guys will direct you to go to a building, here the doors are too hard to open.
Now one guy will ask your Passport and stick your token number on your passport as per your type of Visa. Now you enter into a hall where people are seated at your left hand side and counters are visible on right hand side. As it is early in the morning, only two counters are opened and were taking Visa interviews for H4 Visas (families with kids.)
I got seated and waiting for my token to be displayed on the LCD monitors which were hanged. As it is early in the morning U.S. guys are entering one by one into the counters. I see them chatting with each other and there are some H4 Visa interviews going on. I was still waiting for my number.
Meanwhile, the guy next to me was called for interview. He is very active and his Visa got approved (H1-B). And also there is a guy from counter 18 whose Visa got rejected. I was looking at the counter which was left to me. one guy (VO) came and trying to settle the things, roaming here and there, searching for few things.
I was thinking in mind, "Oh God, let him call me, I can't bear this tension." May be God heard my words. A guy called me to go to that counter. There will be two guys to guide you to enter the counter though there is an LCD dispaly. As it is early in the morning, all LCD displays are not working properly. So finally went to counter 23.
*** My Visa Interview Experience ***
Counter - 23
University - Northwest Missouri State University
VO is an American, aged around 30-35 years. He is stylish and bold. He just entered the counter and searching for his things, adjusting system etc.,.
Me: Hi Sir, good morning
VO: Hi ma'am, just wait. (Meanwhile, he went somewhere and just came back again.)
VO: Give me your Passport.
Me: Sure sir.
VO: (He told something, I didn't understand.)
Me: Sorry sir could you please (...VO interrupted)
VO: There is a file called I-20, please give me that.
Me: Here it is sir.
VO: (He opened the second page of my I-20 which has tution fee and looking into system.) Why are you going to this university?
Me: Sir, I am very much interested in CS subjects and I got this because my Project Lead motivated (...VO interrupted)
VO: Ok that is fine, I want the subjects what you are going to study.
Me: Mobile Computing Android, Advanced DataBase Management Systems, Development of Web application and Web Services.
VO: Which year passed out?
Me: 2010
VO: What were you doing since then?
Me: Working for Tata Consultancy Services.
VO: Ohhh, TATA! (said loudly) Who is sponsoring your education fee?
Me: My father is sponsoring my education.
VO: What is your father?
Me: He is a central government employee working for Postal Department.
VO: Ok ma'am, your Visa is approved!
Me: Thank you sir, thanks a lot! (Came out of the cabin happily.)
I am the first person interviewed by this VO. He is so cool.
Be confident and all the best to everyone. Hope my experience will also help!