Jasmine Tower — Local services in Kolkata

Had my biometrics done here for US visa on the 1st floor. The nearest metro station is Maidan metro. There was no clock room or safety room for keeping your belongings, though you can keep it on a small shop (cobbler), he asked for 50Rs. The process was very smooth and the staff were very helpful. Pls don’t bring any kind of smart watch, electronic device, not even the charger. Our interview was for 3.30 pm. We had reached there around 2.45 pm and were standing outside the gate. Around 3 pm the security asked whoever is having 3.30pm time can go inside, the security had names on a paper with him, we had to mention our name he verified and let us go inside the building. After we went inside we had to stand in a queue before entering into a room where biometrics was done. Another security came and asked for current passport, confirmation page, appointment confirmation, she (security) arranged the papers and gave it to us. Then an interviewer came and checked our details whether its matching or not in both the passport and ds160 confirmation. Around 20-25 mins later a security asked us to enter the room where security check and biometrics were done. Our docs were taken and shared to some person who were attaching the ds 160 barcode on the backside of passport, at the same time my security check was being done, my phn was checked whether it is switched off or not. We then entered to the main room where biometric was done. Security provided us token no, according to our token no we were asked to stand. There were 4 counters. The interviewer first asks in which language we are comfortable ( hindi, eng, bengali) . He then asked me to read some kinda oath in my mind, asked my full name, dob and after that asked me for the photograph, since my hair was untied he told me to tie it ( for girls pls carry e scrunchie or a hair clutcher). Asked me to provide my left hand 4 fingerprint then right hand and then both right and left thumb. Told me to collect the passport from the office as my delivery location was pick up. Hope...

Only biometric and passport collection centre. Biometric process is smooth. Security person are very professional and polite, allows to enter inside around 30 minutes before appointment time.

Documents required: Appointment confirmation, DS 160 confirmation page, Original passport. Only these 3 are required but please keep others necessary documents also.

Biometric process: Reach 45 minutes before your appointment time. Bags, smartwatch or any other electronic device are not allowed inside. Wallet and mobile phone are allowed in switch off mode. You can deposit your bag outside shop by Rs 50 but on your risk. After you enter go to first floor and make a queue they will guide you further.

When your turn comes, start conversation with greetings. You have to read a paragraph says whatever you tell is truth and you're responsible for your words like this. Pass the documents with passport. Might ask questions like your visa type, your DOB or do you wear lense like this. Officer will capture your photo. All 10 fingerprints will be captured and you're done. Officers are very polite and helpful, you'll have choice to choose comfortable language English or Hindi.

Haven't seen car parking places there so...

You need to read this.

Authenticity. The only word. Stuffs are very unprofessional and I found they were not trained to be authentic to people, especially to elderly persons.

My parents went for their VISA interview at US Embassy Kolkata. By usual schedule, they were supposed to collect their passports from Jasmine Tower/VAC Kolkata the next day of interview.

To confirm the same, my dad, soon after this interview got over, went to Jasmine Tower to know what is the procedure to collect passport. There, someone highly knowledgeable and overconfident stuff without even thinking twice replied to my dad that "it will shipped to his home in 2/3 days".

This was far from reality. While filling out their form, I have explicitly mentioned it to be collected from VAC Kolkata office. As my father is a bit aged, he was not able to do the due-diligence from his side. He didn't go to collect his passport from VAC center next day, expecting it to be shipped at home. Which never happened.

If you are planning a visit, then please do your thorough homework before coming, such that you don't have to ask VAC stuffs...