Notes

To Do Kruti
Priority 1

1) Affidavit, saying Kruti is now "Kruti Mehta"
2) Verify Marriage certificate

Priority 2
1) Bring some US Dollors - try getting one dollor bills or coin. Go to travel agency in Ahmedabad and get them. You will need quarters (coins) to call me from JFK/NYC airport.
2) We are going to need to share some "Indian gifts". Kashmiri scarf will do for regular people. And two shawls, for you and Maa :)
3)


Trip
1) https://ssl.panoramio.com/photo/110619450
Shenandoah National Park, Piedmont, from the N entrance station at Front Royal to the S entrance station at Rockfish Gap

Virtual walk through of various destinations
*Fingerprinting:
-- Don't reach too early. 15-30 minutes is enough. In case you are late, use your sweet powers, and convince them! I had success in past to entertain me late ;)
-- I dont know where it is (ask Richa, Rose). Bring only asked/necessary documents (check online or the email from DS 160/visa docs website). I think it is, passport, DS 160 confirmation, payment receipt of fees (or something - please checek).
-- Here, you will see only desi staff. Follow what they say. Before you leave, confirm, if everything is done, and good?

Visa Interview! (most important step)
-- You cant take cell phone. No purse. (ask other ladies, you might be allowed a smaller one). I would suggest, use a sasti kapda ni theli or tranparent plastic bag - which if you have to throw, you should not feel bad. Keep required cash. Now about folder, be parepared to throw it too ! Try to get a tranparent folder for all papers. Another one, marriage album. And put in a bag.
-- No liquid. Biscuits are allowed. Please take some.
-- They might have security closet (with some charge). They might. Don't rely on it, and it's NOT AT ALL SAFE!
-- Again, don't reach early. Relax in the area, around at coffee shop, OR in AC car. It's gonna be hot! Getting H4 is piece of cake, so Relax. How difficult it is, to prove that we are married, and we love each other so much? :* :*
-- Wear traditionals. Heena is helpful, but don't worry if you dont have it. You know how to look married women so well ;)
-- Follow the desi staffs instruction. Keep drinking water.
-- You will be given a token. Take a seat. Keep your ears open. When they call out your number, walk in and stand behind the yellow line. If any questions, ask desi staff. They're very helpful. Keep your ears alert! Socialze, but don't share any personal details. I working at BoFA is also confidential !
-- You're in standing in line now. There might be one or two other person ahead of you, and then there is a Visa officer, now on, a VO.
-- Don't look stressed, remember, you just got married! And you are soon gonna meet your baby. It's a reason to be happy, not tensed :) :*
-- When called, Greet the officer. Remember, it's always officer. No Sir, No Mam. (which is insulting for someone who is officer)
-- Up to you how you greet - but I say: Good morning officer, how you doing! (if he/she looks bore, dont ask. Say, Hope you'rer doing well!)
-- "I am Kruti Acharya (Mehta now), wife of Kedar Mehta, applying for H4B visa. Kedar works for Bank of america (employer) as Vice president, BA (business analyst) of Professional Marketes. One Bryant park, NYC. Home, 38 Saint Paul's Ave, Jersey city, NJ 07306." If you say Mehta initially, later on, add that your passport still carrys your old last name. It's okay if they stamp you with Acharya.
-- If you don't understand accents/can't hear, don't hesitate requesting him to repeat himself.
-- "I would like to notify, that my husband works for BoFA now. If you would like, here is his current I 797". And offer I 797 (petition) from Bofa. Just offer, dont put tons of documents on his window.
-- Provide document, as he asks. As always, organize them well. Use yellow sticky notes heavily. One group (clip) will have most important documents (list: ), and second group supporting documents about you/marriage(list:) and third one about my employement. Current and previous (alltech consulting services)
-- Talk about wedding, if asked. When was it. How was it. Why was it not as shiny? (my grand-uncle passed away :(
-- Honeymoon plan - in US. (dont directly mention, but try answering all questions as if you are a desh bhakt merican !) Again, don't over do anything. Just answer only they ask, and no artifical sweetners. Helping US economy is a good thing ! (but don't say like that)
-- A lady VO is always better. Indian wedding is so fancy thing for them. They hardly merry anyways :P You won't have a choice thogh. Don't even try to change your destiny/VO.
-- If you get visa, say, Thank you officer, have a great day! (and ask when can you/our relative collect passport? Someone else can, but i will suggest doing it by yourself, so you can verify and correct name/mistakes).
-- Don't think it's done, untill you see your passport stamped. You must verify visa stamp. It should say H4, have my name and my employer too! If all is good, then, yaaay! You got the visa, darling :)

* Before you seat in ahemadabad/rajkot flight:
-- Pick a aisle seat, far from bathroom and kids row. Check in online. Request veg meals.
-- If you go through Mumbai, you will have to collect your luggage, all big checked in bags. The domestic--> international switch should happen on same airport terminal (better to ask and confirm the airlines). Now, your indian immigration will happen. You will be required to fill out an immigration form. Don't forget ! Keep asking your flight attendent (if you seat from Rajkot) for immigraiton form. If ahmedabad, ask it to flight checkin person.
-- Weight management - try your please, wala sweet magic !

* Take off and during flight
1) Save your passport number, and flight name (final one to JFK) on your mobile.
2) Take the most care of your passport, and all supporting documents. Whenever you transist, change planes, airport, just have a look inside your bag, and keep confirming, that I have passport, and other documents.
3) An hour before you are landing, they will hand over small form, for US custom. There, you will need all stuff from #1.
For other questions, fill most safe answers! You don't have farm products, animals, amount more then blah, etc.

After you land at JFK airport, NYC, you will wait for crowd and proceed for immigration check. (and enjoy art work posted@ wall!)

Port-of-entry:
0) NO ARGUMENTS! Never make such a foolish mistakes. Americans don't like it. Be super sweet and use manners all the time!
1) Pick the line which says "visitors". Yes, H visa is called visitor visa. Other lines will say, Citizens & express.
2) Wait in the line. You will find suited people, whom you can ask questions, if lost. Wait behind the yellow line.
3) Port of entry officer calls you out.
3.5) Dont try hard for it (that it becomes evident for them to figure out), try to pick a line, where you see happy looking lady/guy. Prefer immigrant person, over old white man who looks scary. It hoestly doesn't matter. The worst would be, if you clearly switch your rows, and they see you. You know what, don't bother :) Never mind.
4) Good evening officer, how you doing? (how are you). Important keyword is officer. No Sir, No Mam.
5) I am Kruti Mehta, wife of Kedar Mehta, who is on H1B visa, working for employer Bank of America, as AVice President;BA (business analyst) of Professional MKTS. Say, "I would like to notify, that my husband works for BoFA now. If you would like, here is his current I 797". And offer I 797 (petition) from Bofa. Just offer, dont throw tons of documents on his table.
6) Provide document, as he asks. As always, organize them well. Use yellow sticky notes heavily. One group (clip) will have most important documents (list: ), and second group supporting documents about you/marriage(list:) and third one abuot my job.
7) He /she will ask you to scan your finger prints. Quite the same way you did at Mumbai, however here they will need just one or two fingers.
8) Always say, thank you officer, have a great blah! Even take care is fine (and personal) I really appreciate, thanks for your understanding - works (if they are giving you hard time)
9) Be prepared to answer where do i work, where will we leave, where will go for our honeymoon, etc. Truth - always speak truth.
10) If you get stamped, you will get I 94#. (not in passport, online. No receipt) That will have your exit date.

* Port of Entry, I 94 - The last hurdle crossed ! Yaaay :)
1) Until this point, you will just have cabin bag. Now, you will run into a caterpillar.
2) First pay 6 $, and pull a cart. Here, they make money out any thing :) Visa/Amex credit cards/cash work!
3) Wait for bag, right at caterpillar. If you are tired, hire a paid help. There will be people roaming around. Someone can help you too (you will figure out). Dont hesitate asking for it!
4) Load all the bags in cart, and proceed towards custom.
5) Look very confident, as if you have enter US many times, and that you know the rules. Behave like an educated, confindent woman ;) which you are
6) This is when your flight form will come into picture. Hand over them (along with passport?). If they ask, do you have fresh fruits and agricultural product, seeds, currency over certain limit, say no ! Look confident. If you think they are keen on checking your bag, just say you have pickles. (if you have mangoes pieces)
7) If they are upset about some stuff, act emotional. Say, my mom or granny prepared it for me ,and i love her stuff, blah blah. Don't worry too much, just offer to throw it, with sad face :)
8) Walk out, take an elevator, do whatever other people are doing to get out.
9) When you will get out, you will see lots of cabwalas with person's name and other relatives/bfs, etc.
10) That's it, you will soon see your baby, which is your final destination :) He will take care of you from this point :* :*
Love :*


Precautions during flight (health wise)
-- Your ears are going to blow away. Consider keeping ear plugs in at take off and landing. Esp, put them up an hour before landing
-- Keep some nose congestion blocking medicine in cabin bag. Just in case.
-- Keep all important medicines in small tranparent plastic box or plastic bag. Try to avoid liquids in cabin bag. If you have to, use the smallest bottle with proper brand/labelling
-- Anything from duty free can be taken inside flight/cabin
-- You will feel cold during flight. Be prepared.
-- Also, you can bring some of your coats/blazers in hanger. Flight attendent can take them and hang in to their own closet
-- Chewing gum during take off/landing helps you.
-- Try to sleep, as much as you can, in flight.
-- Move your wrist watch back, as you enter new country/airport/time zone.