Indiainfo.com conducted an exclusive Live Chat Session on Nov 22, 2004 with Mr Ravi Candadai, Consul for Public Affairs at the American Consulate in Chennai. Here are a few excerpts from the Chat Session that was flooded with over 10,000 users.


Ramya: When is the Consul entering the Chat Room?

Moderator: He will be here by 11:00 hrs (IST).

Krishna: We are waiting for him.

Moderator: Just a few more minutes.

US Consul: Hello everyone! Lets go!!!

Piya: This is new what is this about?

US Consul: Piya, I'm very pleased to do this chat with Indiainfo.com, this is an open session with me. Am the consul for public Affairs at the American Consulate in Chennai.

Sunitha: Hi, this is regarding H4 visa. My husband is on H1 visa. We got married in church under Christian marriage act. We got marriage certificate from Pastor (church). Is certificate enough to show as proof of marriage at US Consulate when I go for H4 stamping? Do I need to get any other certificate from District Registrar?

US Consul: Sunitha, I would refer you to ChennaiNIV@state.gov Please send this question to them. The good news is Chennai issued over 15K visas this fiscal year ending this year 2004. It is the highest ever issued by a single post anywhere.

Krishna: Hi, We are a group of NRIs in Virginia. My question is "What is the status on dual citizenship". Will we see it in our lifetime.

US Consul: Mr Krishna, B G Mahesh, the co-founder of Indiainfo.com, is one of the experts on this issue. He is closely following this and I advice you to closely stay tuned to this site. As I understand it, the Indian Govt. is amenable to grant dual citizenship but has not legislated the proposal.

Ramya: Hi sir, I have a doubt about student visas. Is it so that I need to get the stamping from the home country always for a student visa

US Consul: Ramya, Visa must be obtained in the US. In other words, should you adjust your status from F1 to H1 in the US, you must apply, in-person, at an overseas embassy or consulate for the visa. Otherwise you cannot re-enter the US.

Mukund: When Bush is coming to India

US Consul: Mukund, Your question is a compliment to the comprehensive nature of the Indo-US relations. I agree with you. Not only Bush, every American President should visit India. After all, these are the two greatest democracies.

Sunitha: Thank you sir. My husband is on H1, Am I eligible for K visas? Is there any chance to increase/reopen H1 quota for the year 2005?

US Consul: Sunitha, K visa is a fiancé visa to join an LPR spouse in the US when the wedding is imminent. K visa is a stop gap to get an immigrant visa and therefore is almost like an immigrant visa. On the other hand, an H4 clearly is NIV, for the spouse or dependent of an H1B

Satish2: Right now I am in Canada on s/w work permit. ..already my H1 B visa has been rejected by US Consulate, Chennai, in 2003 December under 221G and this year I applied for H1B again through another company. ..and I got LIN on July 21st. but I did not get approval notice from INS. according to INS after 120 days LIN will expiry automatically. ..please clarify and is there any chance getting visa..as a rejected H1B person..and is this one cause to not getting papers from INS???

US Consul: Satish, I hope you eventually get your H1B. This visa is initiated by the employer and your question clearly shows that it is in process. Upon receiving approval from the INS you should be able to apply for Visa. Only a consular officer, reviewing the case will be able to tell if your previous 221G relating to a different H1B petition has any bearing on this application.

Rao: Please open a visa issuance office in Bangalore.

US Consul: Rao, Thank you for your suggestion. We are, thanks to a web-based appointment system, well organised. Therefore opening a visa office in Bangalore is not on the cards right now. I would like to assure our Bangalore based applicants who totalled over 40,000 for year ending Sept 2004 that the current system is working well. (I know the lead time is 90 days).

Vandana: What types of visas enable me to work in the United States? My Husband has a H1 visa.

US Consul: Vandana, You will have to qualify, on your own for a temporary work visa. (H1 or L1)

Ramya: Sir, my question is if a student does his MS in UK or Australia or Canada and wants to apply for a F1 visa or H1 visa to USA should he again come back to his home country for the stamping.

US Consul: Ramya, Typically applications are made from the country of origin, although one can apply from a third country. Please refer to the FAQs.

Moin: I work for a call center in Noida. I have been reading on BPOIndia.org list that it is difficult to get even a tourist visa if you work for BPO. is that true?

US Consul: Moin, Let me share some positive news. Chennai issued over 65 K visas in FY 04 alone, it's highest ever. Am sure they included employees in BPO as well.

Little: Dear sir......Is there any agency helping to poor student issue VISA to visit US.

US Consul: Little, I think you are talking about financing your US education. Quite a few private banks in India offer education loans.

nlnl: hello sir...can I know which is your Native....

US Consul: Nini: I am from Brownsville, Texas and was born in Hyderabad, India.

Maratha: I am a journalist, should I have separate visa

US Consul: Maratha, A journalist when applying should clearly state his /her profession so that the consular officer can consider issuing an I visa instead of a B1/ B2.

Shivalin: I am an astrologer and I want to visit the US next year. My trip is being sponsored by my followers in the US. I file my taxes in India. Will I have any problem in getting a tourist visa?

US Consul: Shivalin, Please follow the application procedures which is the same for everyone. You may be able to predict the outcome better than I can!

Brat: Very nice...I like the idea of counselling. ..keep up the good work

US Consul: Thank You, Brat!

Shaks: I'm a student planning to go to US for my higher studies. I would like to know what are the new visa charges for student visa. I came to know that the US has increased the student visa charges for Indian students.

US Consul: Shaks, You are referring to $ 100 SEVES, which is certainly an added expense. However some universities and colleges are refunding this amount directly to the student . Please check with your college.

Brat: But must we pay such high fees just to get into the US Consulate???

US Consul: Brat, The US remains the most popular destination for higher education. In FY 04 nearly 80,000 Indian students, the highest from any country, were studying in the US. The costs are increasingly reflecting reality.