ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresInterview process question...
I'm going to be staying in Pakistan with my husband throughout this entire process because, well....no better way to put it...I just haven't got much reason to stay here for the whole period really. But reasons aside...I will not be able to use DCF while in Pakistan because I've found out that it is basically impossible to get a legal or permanent residency in Pakistan. The only way is if your parents are nationals, and even then it still takes round about two years of living there, so thats not very helpful at all. So I will be getting my mail forwarded and using my parents address (where I currently live....and is my residence, no question about it) to file with.

Basically my question is....will my living with my husband and not filing through DCF cause any problems, now or later? What kinds of problems/questions will the nvc, consulate, or interviewer have that I may have to be ready to answer?

wacko.gif unsure.gif
MumtazG38FemalePakistan2009-01-15 03:08:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 package prep questions
QUOTE (Vibha and Michael @ Jan 22 2009, 12:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (johndecka @ Jan 22 2009, 11:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Vibha and Michael @ Jan 21 2009, 11:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I am assembling the I-130 package and was wondering about a few things.

Do I write on the cover letter that the petition is for the I-130 to obtain a CR1 Visa? No you dont need to.
The I-129 example form shows similar wording to that.

Should I write our names across the top of each form and document included? No u dont have to.

What is the best way to send photographs? you can put passport photos inside the clear Zip lock bag .
I don't want to just put them in there loose.

Thanks, this site has been an enormous help,

Michael and Vibha



Thanks for the quick reply, I should have specified that the photos I am referring to are the proof of a bonafied marriage photos. Wedding, honeymoon, friends, etc.



If I don't want to send in the actual photos themselves can I just send in the photocopies?

Edited by MumtazG38, 22 January 2009 - 12:21 AM.

MumtazG38FemalePakistan2009-01-22 00:20:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAdvice Please
hmmm, IDK....you know with your situation the K1 sounds better, but since you already have the vacation visa then you might as well get married and then file for k3 visa....which still does mean that your bf will essentially still have to go back once his visa that brought him here is up, but personally in my opinion, this is unavoidable unless you want to "get in trouble" like you said. But here's the thing...with the k3 visa your bf can come here on vacation visa or travel visa to see you how much he wants....considering the two of you can afford it that is. Don't just take my word for it though..this is just my advice. There are waaaaayyy more brilliant VJ'ers in this place you need to hear from.....don't worry they'll be here soon. smile.gif

Hang in there k....we all miss our SO's more than we can handle....but believe it or not, we will all get through it. Inshallah, may God help us all.

Edited by MumtazG38, 22 January 2009 - 09:29 PM.

MumtazG38FemalePakistan2009-01-22 21:27:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPreparing my I130 packet...need some ?'s answered.
I don't think you needed to send more.....I'm just a victim of my own personality is all.......so I'm over doing it as usual just to keep myself from freaking out and worrying throughout the long wait for the approval.
MumtazG38FemalePakistan2009-01-23 07:25:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPreparing my I130 packet...need some ?'s answered.
Reposted:


QUOTE (MumtazG38 @ Jan 22 2009, 07:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Besides being above the poverty line, what are the other requirements for the joint-sponsor? Do they HAVE TO be u.s citizens or can they be permanent residents? Does it make a difference that they know the beneficiary, they are not relatives or related in any way but someone that they are related to, their nephew I believe, did know my husband for several years before coming to the U.S. But the joint-sponsor themselves didn't know my husband?

Should I really not even bother with the affidavits??? They are stamped, notarized and even have these certified shiny golden stickers that make them look so official(oh come on, I can't be the only one impressed by this...hehe). They can probably help some in proving that I have an ongoing married relationship with my husband...it can't hurt to send them can it....it won't cause any issues right? What should I do guys.....send...or no send!!!

Also, If I don't want to send in the actual photos themselves as proof can I just send in the photocopies?


QUOTE
Do we still need to provide beneficiary's/relatives birth cert. or passport photocopies? I read in the guides that this is not required any more?


Thank you... unsure.gif
MumtazG38FemalePakistan2009-01-23 02:03:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPreparing my I130 packet...need some ?'s answered.
I believe the fact that all the detailed evidences are necessary even at this stage is at least partially due to the fact that firstly, the USCIS performs a smaller less detailed, yet certainly not irrelevant background check....so providing this information prevents the USCIS from asking for it and in turn dragging the time it takes to finish the USCIS process before your petition is forwarded/sent to the NVC. Secondly, IMHO...this makes the NVC process go a bit smoother in the sense that the NVC already has those evidences you sent to the USCIS, since your case was forwarded....which prevents them from asking for it and in turn causing a delay in the speed of the NVC process. So, essentially....you'd be better off in most cases if you sent as much relevant detailed evidence as you can with your petition, which would save you, most possibly a heck of a lot of time waisted sending and resending evidences...or getting and fulfilling what would be potential RFE's...like I said, IMHO.

Why does the USCIS perform background checks, and what for you may ask? Well, they want to make absolutely sure that firstly, the petitioner is a U.S citizen or permanent resident who is eligible to apply for this type of visa, secondly the petitioner is not liable to be using govt funds or welfare and the likes, and mostly because they want to make absolutely sure that the petitioner and beneficiary definitely have an ongoing relationship, marital or otherwise...depending on the visa being applied for, I assume.

Edited by MumtazG38, 22 January 2009 - 09:14 PM.

MumtazG38FemalePakistan2009-01-22 21:09:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPreparing my I130 packet...need some ?'s answered.
QUOTE (ABENITEZ @ Jan 22 2009, 08:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Ok, I'm confused. Isn't all the detailed proof not necessary until you go through NVC or for interview? I just sent basic stuff like the nikkah, birth certificates and neccessary forms. I don't think you need to send all the real proof now???


Here are some links to the guides that may be able to help you. I suggest definitely checking out the last one because it clearly states what types of proofs are needed...also states whether evidences are necessary. (which they are, yes.....even this early on in the process.)

Guide for unmarried/engaged couples who plan on getting married once in the states.
K1 Visa Guide

Guides for married couples.
K3 Visa Guide -- May take upto 2weeks less time then IR1/CR1, but cost's much more. Will not be able to work or get ssn or greencard upon arrival. Will need to apply for this later, increasing the costs --
IR1/CR1 Visa and I-130 Petition Guide -- May take at least 2 weeks longer than K3 visa, but essentially is much cheaper. Beneficiary arrives either with greencard in hand, or receives it semi-automatically once in the states, along with ssn and the likes. --

Hope this helps, smile.gif .
MumtazG38FemalePakistan2009-01-22 20:59:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPreparing my I130 packet...need some ?'s answered.
Besides being above the poverty line, what are the other requirements for the joint-sponsor? Do they HAVE TO be u.s citizens or can they be permanent residents? Does it make a difference that they know the beneficiary, they are not relatives or related in any way but someone that they are related to, their nephew I believe, did know my husband for several years before coming to the U.S. But the joint-sponsor themselves didn't know my husband?

Should I really not even bother with the affidavits??? They are stamped, notarized and even have these certified shiny golden stickers that make them look so official(oh come on, I can't be the only one impressed by this...hehe). They can probably help some in proving that I have an ongoing married relationship with my husband...it can't hurt to send them can it....it won't cause any issues right? What should I do guys.....send...or no send!!!

Also, If I don't want to send in the actual photos themselves as proof can I just send in the photocopies?

Edited by MumtazG38, 22 January 2009 - 07:45 PM.

MumtazG38FemalePakistan2009-01-22 19:41:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPreparing my I130 packet...need some ?'s answered.
Do we still need to provide beneficiary's/relatives birth cert. or passport photocopies? I read in the guides that this is not required any more?
MumtazG38FemalePakistan2009-01-22 06:31:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPreparing my I130 packet...need some ?'s answered.
QUOTE
7. I noticed that the 3 affidavits seem to say that my residence is in Pakistan....this won't be a problem will it. It says my name, then my fathers name and then notes my residence as my husbands.....would this cause a problem since I am putting my residence here in the u.s on the i130 form?

This one is a little borderline... perhaps one of the other denizens would know more than I. Without having seen them and to be on the safe side, if it was me, I'd make sure they match and are the correct address.



QUOTE
8. Only sort of proof I currently have are these affidavits, of people who were witnesses and ADVOCATES of my nikah...civil wedding and wedding ceremony(it states these facts in the affidavit), plus my wedding photo session pictures of us together...I believe I will be sending in 3 of us together, and the nikah naama....which is the marriage certificate translated into English...should I also send in the original, or copy of the original urdu one? I don't have anything else, could I send in the receipt for the money gram my husband sent me for $700.00 a few weeks ago or would that be too suspicious or something?


If you had your marriage certificate translated, then you know the drill. If they gave you one of each at the solemnization of your marriage, then I'd say just send the english version. If you send the urdu copy it could complicate things. Best to let them ask for it, in my humble opinion. Wouldn't hurt to keep asking around about this question to see what the more experienced persons here say about this one. My gut tells me, don't send the urdu copy.



QUOTE
Definitely send the receipt of the money gram for $700.00. Financial support is a good indicator of an ongoing relationship. I'm sending receipts of all the Western Union money transfers I've sent my wife, along with the corresponding bank records showing the amount and date of the withdrawals. Nothing suspicious about a husband supporting his wife in my opinon.




Anyone have any other opinions...what should I do about the affidavits and the marriage certificate? Should I send in the copy of the original urdu one with the translation...or would it be best not to?

Edited by MumtazG38, 21 January 2009 - 09:12 PM.

MumtazG38FemalePakistan2009-01-21 21:10:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionCalling Islamabad Embassy v 3
QUOTE (Waiter @ Sep 11 2009, 02:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hey friends, i live NY and my service center is Vermont, I sent my application to Chicago lock box and today i received NOA from California service center, that my petition is pending with them , and my receipt number starts with WAC***....

is that some kind of mistake or something? please shed some light on this.

Thank you.



Well everything looks like it's in order. VSC is the smaller service center and usually get's quite backed up, so they most likely transferred your case to CSC, which IMO is a very good thing because VSC is quite a bit slower than CSC. Now that you have your NOA1 and receipt number you can log in to the USCIS site and stay updated on your case whenever you like.

I definitely suggest that you guides6ly.gif if you haven't already as they can clarify most any confusion you may have so far with the USCIS part of your immigration process, and any you may have later on. There is a link to the "Guides" at the top of this page (right underneath the VisaJourney.com logo/title), please refer to it at least once to get a general idea of what should be happening with your case at this moment.

Good Luck happy.gif.

Edited by MumtazG38, 11 September 2009 - 08:26 PM.

MumtazG38FemalePakistan2009-09-11 20:23:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionCalling Islamabad Embassy v 3
Anyone know why the heck nvc is taking so long to forward my case to ISL embassy? It's been 6 days now and they still haven't sent the file out yet!!! Is this how long it took for everybody or is it just me the nvc is trying to depress to death? I'm praying they'll forward it by the 7th....making it a whole week of laziness on their part.....otherwise I'm just going to lose it completely (i'm sure you all can tell i'm already on the brink of insanity....what with having posted this same post into three separate threads already huh.gif ).

I've been calling the ISL embassy like a mad women for a week now.....and they're ALWAYS BUSY!!!!!!!! Not once have I been able to talk to anyone out of the 500 times I've called!! I'm just so frustrated!!! How am I supposed to request an earlier interview date if NO ONE CARES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've emailed them daily at PAKIVINFO@state.gov(the email that they say to use for quicker service - NOT!) for the passed 6 days and have gotten nothing from them as of yet, honestly now.....a single reply of an email(which they claim is supposed to be faster service)can't be that difficult!!! I requested them to reschedule for an earlier date is all.....they could at least have the courtesy and decency to simply reply with a yes or no for GOD'S SAKE!

I wish I could calm down....and it could be my hormones driving me up the wall like this for all any of us know.....but damn I'm just so depressed with the whole "no progress" I've been having with our case for the past few weeks. It feels like I'm already in AP....and dealing with the oh so dead DOS......I shouldn't have to feel like that so soon.....it's not fair! We haven't even had our interview yet.....

Sorry....totally venting....sad.gif
MumtazG38FemalePakistan2009-09-06 15:20:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionCalling Islamabad Embassy v 3
That's completely fair w4a, I completely get your point.....my own sister had her first baby in Pakistan (Lahore) and everything went very pleasently, but that's 1 out of 4 you know.....I just can't get my mind to over look the bad experiences that I did have you know...it's not always like that.....but I just don't know how to forget what I experienced. Trust me, I'm trying my best to over look it and just go to an even better hospital (sialkot has a limited selection of good hospitals....I've checked most of them out)....but the fear just won't let me think straight enough to completely re-assure myself. sad.gif
MumtazG38FemalePakistan2009-09-04 11:22:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionCalling Islamabad Embassy v 3
QUOTE (ABENITEZ @ Sep 3 2009, 10:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Just out of curiosity, are the conditions really bad in Pakistani hospitals for women giving birth??? Good luck and Allah Hafiz.



Well, there are really nice private hospitals here too.....but I've been to 3 deliveries (husbands sister-in-law, and both of husbands sisters) and had been appointed as birthing partner each time....sorta unwillingly (okay...totally unwillingly, but I just don't know how to say no to my mother in law...lol...she scares me...) so I was able to see and experience quite a bit. And to tell you the honest truth....I don't know how pakistani women can do it....they must have tremendous will power and ability to suppress their fears because throughout the entire delivery (each one).....their was NO DOCTOR present untill a bit before the birth and a little after....for taking vitals and signing the paperwork and whatnot. Only the "sisters", (not necessarily nurses....just mid-wives I guess you could say). I know you're a guy and all....but just imagine trying to maintain your calm so you can deliver a baby (excruciating pain and being unable to properly breathe) and being told again and again to "shuttup and stop whining, it's not that big a deal...and it happens like a hundred times a day...and you're being a baby, and no you don't need an epidural...no spinal...not even a tylenol because..well, we went through the same thing and we werent big spoiled babies like you" Then having them ignore you as you are panting for breath and heaving badly so they can turn around (and leave your girly parts just all open for the world to see) to tell you're birthing partner the story of how when she was in labour how she could barely feel it...in fact she gave birth to her baby on a swing in a park and didnt no one notice she was so quiet.....blah blah.

And that went on throughout the entire delivery for my younger sister in law. My older sister in law was told to sit and wait in the waiting room for 2 hours AFTER her water broke infront of the nursing staff. After wards she was told she had not dialated enough for them to give her a room....as all were currently occupied ( we even told them we'd pay upto 3 times as much for a room...any room, but they said no because apparently some lady(liar) said she was some politicians sister!!!, so she got the last room). Eventually my sister in law went into late labor and was ready to have the baby right there in the lobby when they decided to put a stretcher in some nasty store room and had her deliver there. She has some very serious complications during and after the birth and the baby had a broken foot....

And the 3rd one......I was so disgusted when I saw her(my husbands bhabhi - sister in law) husband hand the doctor a wad of cash and then pretend to call some guy named something Rehman...apparently he is some really important govt official or something and without even checking vitals or whether the women is even due today.....they did as she asked them and went straight for a c-section because she just didn't want to deal with the fuss of labor apparently.

I don't know if this is considered "bad enough conditions"......but NO WAY can I risk it! No way I ever will.
MumtazG38FemalePakistan2009-09-03 23:20:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionCalling Islamabad Embassy v 3
QUOTE (waiting4approval @ Sep 3 2009, 09:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hope for the best, prepare for the worst


That's pretty much how I'm handling it...hoping for the best, but am totally prepared for the worst. Ya Ali Madad!

just wanted to know how many people(male) have gotten AP and how many have gotten lucky....it's just that everyone I've talked to off of VJ that went through ISL hasn't experienced AP....in fact they have no idea what that is.....all they know is visa approved and visa mailed right away. That's 5-6 people I know...and I'm not even going to include the people they know and tell me about.lol.

I'm always praying we get lucky and Allah Tallah has mercy on us and my situation..as a expecting mother and a wife.......I cannot make the decision of which is more important to me and Allah knows.....Ya Allah Khair. Ya Hakeem!

Edited by MumtazG38, 03 September 2009 - 09:55 PM.

MumtazG38FemalePakistan2009-09-03 21:50:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionCalling Islamabad Embassy v 3
I'm curious.....would anyone know what the chances of male ap are according to the people on this thread? I'm just trying to get my hopes up that NOT EVERY MALE gets AP w/ ISL embassy........I'm praying my husband doesn't....interview is on October 16th, unless the embassy follows my request for an earlier date....I will be their with him inshallah.........anyone know what our chances are??? (plz dont depress me further) LOL!!!!!
MumtazG38FemalePakistan2009-09-03 21:09:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionSomething wrong with USCIS N-400 form download on website?

Disabled pdf viewer, restarted. Nothing. I can't even view it on my newly updated adobe reader. It gives that error the op mentioned. Was doing the same on my windows. I'm using mac osx snow leopard. This is ridiculous!  Can someone send me their own download of it?


Edited by MumtazG38, 02 August 2013 - 12:01 AM.

MumtazG38FemalePakistan2013-08-02 00:01:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI-751 Removing of Conditions questions about instructions???

Read the instructions again! finger print cards are for if you are OUTSIDE of the country. Oh, ok, gotcha! I though the 1. and 2. were other than the Exception, as it looks like the exception was talking about the above paragraph on GREENCARDS. :bonk:

I-751 has a biometrics appointment. You go to the local ASC center to get your finger prints taken when you get your biometrics appointment. Ah, I see. Thank goodness for that!

You cant mail cash to pay! it has to be personal check or money order from a US bank account! I was never going to mail cash! I was talking about money orders, since the m/o I used for our I-130 I had gotten from the post office, I was wondering if I could do the same this time around? I certainly was not about to send cash. How would I go about getting a money order from my bank...I'll have to call and ask I guess

If you are a spouse you are NOT a dependant you are a spouse!. Good news!

If you are filling out your own ROC forms you just sign it your name! if the USC or someone doing the forms for you is filling out the ROC forms he/she would sign section #8. I realize that, what I am asking though is since I am initially filling out my husbands file would I need to place my signature in part 8 also, even though I already signed part 7 for spouse.


MumtazG38FemalePakistan2011-07-06 19:41:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI-751 Removing of Conditions questions about instructions???
REQUEST TO MOVE THIS TOPIC TO THE ROC THREAD?? MODS?? Sorry I posted in the wrong thread! Please move this topic. Thank you!
MumtazG38FemalePakistan2011-07-06 18:05:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI-751 Removing of Conditions questions about instructions???
Okay, while I was re-reading the I-751 instructions again I just noticed on the top right corner of the second page that they want fingerprint cards from the us embassy for myself and my husband as I am his dependent? Form FD-258 it says...where and how would I get these, how long would it take and what do I do to get them??? I've never heard of this requirement before and I guess I obviously missed it :bonk: when I read the instructions the first time, anyone know what I'm supposed to do now as I have only till Aug 27th to file?

Also what do they mean when it says:
The check or money order must be drawn on a bank or other financial institution located in the united states and must be payable in US currency. How/where would a money order be drawn on my bank account when I would be paying cash for it? Also, should the money order be made from my husbands name or my own? Does a money order even ask for that info?

Also, on the bottom of the I-751 form on Part 8, should I put my name and signature there? It asks for "Signature of person preparing form, if other than above"? I have already signed on Part 7, where it asks for signature of spouse? So would I need to sign part 8 also?

Thanks in advance.
:help: :bonk:
MumtazG38FemalePakistan2011-07-06 17:19:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionWhat is the current fee for filing the I-751 form?
Can anyone tell me what the current fee is? I am mailing my husbands I-751 packet on Aug 27th so am in a bit of a hurry to get it all sorted just right!

Thanks in advance!
MumtazG38FemalePakistan2011-07-06 16:34:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsEveryone going through Administrative Processing in ISLAMABAD

A facebook group has been created "Protest against Canadian High Commission in Islamabad"...
I would encourage everyone to join this group and discuss all your matters there, and then we should make a plan to approach top Government officials and news channels and start complaining about the stupid system...

Let your voice be heard...


Would you care to explain...???
MumtazG38FemalePakistan2011-01-19 05:08:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsEveryone going through Administrative Processing in ISLAMABAD
Ramadan Mubarak to Everyone! :thumbs:
MumtazG38FemalePakistan2010-08-11 08:18:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsEveryone going through Administrative Processing in ISLAMABAD

I heard for islamabad embassy you have to get ur medical done 2 weeks prior to ur interview date, Is that true? I know u all got medical for what was ur interview date?
One more thing about police character certificate, Is PCC valid for 3months, 6months or twelve months? How old ur PCC will be at time of ur interview?

My spouse need to get Medical and may need a new PCC, our interview date is 7/16/10. Any suggestion


You should call and schedule the Medical nearest to 2 weeks before your interview date. Some places are walk in, and some are appointment based, this is mentioned in your letter along with the locations nearest you. Either way, you should call and ask to avoid several useless trips. My husbands was 3 months each time, we got it made 3 times total and each time was the same...valid for 3 months. It should say the date it is valid until on or around the stamp somewhere on the PCC itself. Have a look. If not, it's best to be safe so go for 3 and even if the interviewer doesn't ask for it at least you will be guilt free and safe. But, the interviewer did ask us, and several other people on this thread also. In our case they put it in an RFE letter. So instead of mailing it, since our interview was near we called the ISL and asked if we should mail it or bring it along and they said bring it along. That is what the RFE actually meant.
MumtazG38FemalePakistan2010-07-28 18:21:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsEveryone going through Administrative Processing in ISLAMABAD

Hey, Hope all is well. I need to know from people who are already in the US if their SSN arrived as schedule or did you visited the SSN office?


Hi Faisal Bhai,
Hope your doing well and enjoying the U.S :).

I waited a month and some, and eventually had to send my husband back to the SSO to apply for his SSN, apparently it had never been applied for despite the fact that we had selected for it to be applied and mailed to us. This is fairly common. It is best to simply wait 2 weeks to a month, then go to the SSO and give your name and ID (passport is best)and ask whether your SSN has been applied for. They will be able to tell you by that time whether it has or has not. If, by that time USCIS has not sent an application in your name (it can take a while for the application date etc. to get entered into the SSO's computers apparently) then you may apply right then and there.

Good luck, and well wishes. :)
MumtazG38FemalePakistan2010-07-28 18:14:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsEveryone going through Administrative Processing in ISLAMABAD
Well, when we went for interview they did ask us for the new PCC. But, before the interview in the interview letter they sent us they mentioned that we would need to bring a new PCC as the old PCC was only good for 3 months and by the time of interview it will have expired. Just to be safe, call and ask embassy again...another person and see what answer you get. If it's different, I suggest you simply be on the safe side and get another one. IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE ON THE SAFE SIDE WHEN IT COMES TO INTERVIEW! Don't try to save money now of all times.....because if you are not MORE THAN WELL PREPARED for an interview at ISL then you are VERY VERY VERYYYY likely to fail unless god has mercy on you. And if not, second interviews can even take as long as 3-6 more months to schedule! Don't risk it, just be safe! That is my suggestion. :)
MumtazG38FemalePakistan2010-07-28 18:09:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsEveryone going through Administrative Processing in ISLAMABAD

Salaamz long lost friendssssssss sup kia haal hay sub ka? mumtazg38 i m gonna become a father soon ..hope its a daughter :) newayz good to see u here i m wondring where brother feisal is...neways guys good luck yo ...god bless u all peace.


Awwwwww!! Mubarak Mubarak! And inshallah may you have a healthy, happy and beautiful baby! Babies are sooooo much fun....for the first few years of their lives you're the ONLY thing that matters to them and they are simply so dependent on your love....like when you walk into the room or when they see you how happy they get! It's the best feeling in the world to know how important you are to them...and how badly they want and need you! Of course, they do eventually grow up and grow out of this stage....especially by 10-13 years lol. Then your just embarrassing. ;). But I think that usually wears off around 18-20'ish. (It did for me ;p). Just enjoy each moment as it comes!

:D

So sorry for the INCREDIBLY late reply.....I've just been too darn busy for anything since I came back to NY. I think Faris Ali (the baby) has been going through some majour growth spurts lately...he's been good though. In fact, incredibly good mahshallah se. I NEVER knew having a baby could be this simple....but it still is time consuming even with the most well behaved babies. I am very diligent about Faris eating no cereals, rice and other grain-based things and I also do not like the idea of feeding him Gerber and other baby food brands. I mean...when did this happen that baby foods became a food group of colorful boxed, jarred or canned store bought foods with strange labels and unpronounceable ingredients otherwise known has sugar(fructose,dextrose,maltose and other stuff ending in "ose"), empty carbs and as for the juices and baby foods first solids....just a ton of water, loads of chemicals to hold the stuff together to stay well mixed and look pretty...colors, flavors and additives and just a tiny bit of the actual fruit or vegetable mentioned on the label! When did baby food...become junk food. I can't even put my finger on when baby food went from mothers milk and wholesome homemade mashed solid foods to....an entire brand (or many brands) of canned, jarred and boxed junk foods that we can't confirm or deny are actually "good" for the baby. I wouldn't eat the branded pureed vegetables if I was on a diet(it's tastes way too sweet and way too different from the actual vegetable/fruit)...so why on earth should I feed it to my baby!

With all that said.....one of the main reasons I haven't had alot of time lately...and non whatsoever for VJ is that I make my own baby food for Faris and as simple as it sounds...it's very time consuming. Especially since he seems to be EATING A LOT lately. MAHSHALLAH! I have to first purchase fresh organic ingredients, then I wash them in a solution that kills harmful pesticides and chemicals that most soft skin fruits/veggies get sprayed on them to keep them fresher longer.This can take a fairly long time with the amount of food I make at a time. Then I cut up, steam and puree...I make mixed batches, separate batches, and juices and shakes....so repeated several times. This process takes a HUGE CHUNK of time out of my day, as I do this daily for freshness. Other than that, just baby stuff most parents will understand.

We are also going through the home-buying procesas at the moment. We are talking to realtors/brokers as we speak daily to find the best fit. We are also looking at places ourselves....we are also gathering documents and stuff we need for the pre-approval process for the mortgage and all sorts of other stuff. And since my husband works 12 hours a day, and the commute is about 1 and a half ours each to work and back....The word "WE" in this topic is being used very very loosely! lol. It's mainly me doing all of the work, but that's fine as my husband is always so busy.

Okay....no more excuses. Gotta go back and finish reading the rest of the posts on this thread.....I still haven't finished catching up yet. :(

I realize I've neglected the spreadsheet quite a bit.....it's just gotten very difficult to keep tending to it with my busy schedule! Anyone looking to volunteer to help tend to the spreadsheet and keep it up-to-date? Anyone??? :)
MumtazG38FemalePakistan2010-07-28 17:44:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsEveryone going through Administrative Processing in ISLAMABAD
Thats GREAT news Tara....so any idea when POE is gonna be? INSHALLAH SOON! I'm sure both of you are ready for the reunion more then anything!!! :dance:
MumtazG38FemalePakistan2010-04-25 20:22:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsEveryone going through Administrative Processing in ISLAMABAD
Thats GREAT NEWS TARA!!!!!!! I'm so happy for you!!!!!! YAYYYYY....this is absolutely the best news in such a long time for me!!! Allah ka shuker hai finally all of our prayers have been listened to! ALHUMDOLILAH!!!!!!!!!!


I'm so excited for you................MUBARAK HO!!!!!!!!!!!

INSHALLAH THE VISA ARRIVES SOON AND YOUR HUSBAND GETS HERE SOON!!!!!!!!!!AMEEN!!

:D :D :D :D :D :dance: :dance: :D :dance: :thumbs:

Edited by MumtazG38, 25 April 2010 - 02:09 AM.

MumtazG38FemalePakistan2010-04-25 02:06:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsEveryone going through Administrative Processing in ISLAMABAD
Because of my uncles heart-attack I have only been to see my husband for about 2 and a half weeks when I went to NY...Since I've been back (03/31) I have been here...and because of our financial situation and the baby...and my uncle being so ill I may have to stay here even longer. It is the worst kind of feeling...Allah helped us stay together through the thickest and the thinnest of our lives in Pakistan....and now that we are finally here in U.S. it has become almost impossible for us to stay together....I miss my husband every single day...every moment of every single day!!! I wish he could have been here for Faris Ali's birth...and I wish we were together now...not so apart!! Inshallah Allah will help us work things out.....financially and otherwise!! Please pray for us!

It is simply the strangest feeling to finally have everything we wished for and dreamed of....to be in the U.S...Haseeb get a job...get his commercial license(well.. commercial permit so far)and inshallah to be moving onto bigger and better things soon....but to be so far from eachother as it all happens. Being separated now is worse than being separated before we came to the U.S....because this was supposed to be it you know....the beginning of our lives and the ends of our depressing pasts! I'm sure Tara knows exactly how I feel....my mother is also the only person working to feed the entire household...which includes myself, the baby my father and my grandmother.....I have been looking for work for a while now....something flexible...but I also can't pull myself away from my baby....im just not ready yet. But I just can't watch my mom struggle like she does...it hurts. I want to help. Right now...my life is twisting and turning in ways I didn't ever think it would....but inshallah things are also getting better as the baby and I aren't with Haseeb right now...so that makes it easier for him to save money up and make sure we can be ready to move back when the time finally comes without a fear in the world financially....especially once the limo thing kicks in...its NY....so thats definitely one of the most profitable jobs Haseeb could be doing. Just pray for us...inshallah we will be together soon.

Tara your always in my prayers honey!!! Allah IS listening sweety!!! All in good time inshallah!
MumtazG38FemalePakistan2010-04-24 01:40:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsEveryone going through Administrative Processing in ISLAMABAD
SPREADSHEET UPDATED!about time too...


Huge belated Mubarak to Tara and Zaheer bhai for their new little Farishti!!!! Always remember Tara sweety....daughters are one of the biggest blessings from Allah as they bring rehmat into our lives....and it is eternal! You are very lucky!! Inshallah Allah has big plans for you and your beautiful family!!!! INSHALLAH!!!!!!!! Bohut bohut mubarak on Stevie Zainab.....I'm sure you're just loving every moment of having her with you....inshallah Zaheer bhai will be able to enjoy her the same very very soon! Ameen!!!!!

Wellmux I hope you are doing much better!!! Please take care and I am praying for your health and well-being! You really gave Pat one hell of a scare...I feel for her as my uncle(who has been the only good father-figure in my life)had two heart attacks one immediately after the other before he took himself to the hospital....and he is unfortunately in the worst condition I've ever seen him! Sometimes he still talks about eating fried foods and junk foods and what not(which got him in this mess in the first place)...he doesn't understand what it did to me...and all of us seeing him become so weak....from being the strongest man I'd ever known! I say this from bitter experience...please take care of yourself and focus on eating well and resting...and doing exactly what the doctor says...if not for your own sake (it does get hard) then please for Pat's sake.....:) I wish you well and the best of health INSHALLAH! AMEEN!!!
MumtazG38FemalePakistan2010-04-24 01:24:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsEveryone going through Administrative Processing in ISLAMABAD

OMG OMG AMEX CALLEDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD to pick up passport mashaALllah tabark ALlah

:dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:

LOL i cant eveen type riwght

MOMMMOOO


That is simply WONDERFUL USMOMO!!! Hey, I don't see you on the AP list? Shall I add you? If so, please let me know date of interview, gend of beneficiary, embassy, call from embassy, and visa in hand....kindly let me know.

CONGRATS!!!! :D
MumtazG38FemalePakistan2010-03-19 11:44:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsEveryone going through Administrative Processing in ISLAMABAD
So sorry I've been missing for so long guys!! How's the spreadsheet....hshah08, have you been tending to it..lol. I would go and check myself but the computer I'm borrowing right now has some issue with google spreadsheets and it simply won't let me see a thing. I'm in NY right now, and computer/internet usge is scarce right now as we are in the middle of finding ne apartment/moving process!

Hope no one is angry with me. Will be back home on the 31st though...hopefully then I'll be able to fulfill my spreadsheet responsibilities better.

Sorry. Hope everyone's well and ap's are being finished and visa's received. Talk to you all later inshallah soon.
Please forgive me hshah for leaving all of the responsibility on you for this time. Will be back to normal soon I promise. :D

Oh and btw, I am loving the VJ makeover...it is very nice...not to mention convenient. :)
MumtazG38FemalePakistan2010-03-19 11:19:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsEveryone going through Administrative Processing in ISLAMABAD

I am beginning to wonder about something. Should I email them some information regarding my domicile? Because the papers I sent to Zaheer won't reach Pakistan until the 11th and then it had to go through customs, so I dont know how long it wll take. I have tried faxing the embassy. But it is 1am here, 11am there in Pakistan and it seems the embassy's fax is not on yet because it says "No Answer" when I fax them. Any how. Zaheer asked the girl "Can I email you the documents?" and she said "No, your wife has to send them to you and you have to send them to us via American Express or SpeedEx office." but. I am not so sure if I should take her response seriously, as she didn't even know that the embassy had been trying to contact Zaheer. And on top of that, I have read several of you all VJer's posts and it seems it is an ongoing occurance that they say "Embassy has been trying to call....." but really they haven't. So, do you think I should go ahead and fax them the exit stamp page of my passport proving when I left pakistan, along with my recently re-issued driver's license and social security card bearing the dates of my receipt and also address of domicile here in USA? Please tell me what you think, guys? I know that they have requested info from some of you and you have been able to email them. So help me out please. For those of you who responded with the requested info, how long did it take you afterwards to get your visas? Take care all and Allah Hafiz.
~Tara



It certainly won't hurt to go for it! In fact, if I were in your situation....I'd have done it the same day I called and talked to that pathetic operator who couldn't perform her own job properly. So go ahead I say....rest is upto you. :)

Good luck. :D
MumtazG38FemalePakistan2010-03-08 04:43:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsEveryone going through Administrative Processing in ISLAMABAD
Please AAA9 and fasi could you please tell what your visa categories are(k1,k3,Ir1 etc) and also whether male or female...and interview dates and embassy call dates that either ap ended or visa stamped...whichever is recent. I would like to add you to the spreadsheet, if you don't mind that is?

Edited by MumtazG38, 27 February 2010 - 02:14 AM.

MumtazG38FemalePakistan2010-02-27 02:10:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsEveryone going through Administrative Processing in ISLAMABAD
They DO schedule interviews during the first two weeks of the month. hshah is completely correct. She is not talking about the date of a persons interview though. She means that they appoint interviews in the first two weeks of the month to people who's cases have just closed and been transferred to the embassy. Once the cases are transferred, interviews must be given in the order that the embassy received the cases. The embassies only give out interviews during the first two weeks of the month in which the cases were sent to the embassy. If for example, your case wast sent after the first two weeks of Feb...like February 22nd for example...then your case would sit there and simply wait until the next month to be given a interview date, usually in the next month afterwards. Meaning, you would be informed by the embassy of your interview date somewhere between March 01 - March 15. Then you would most likely receive an interview date in the next month accordingly. Meaning the month of April. Early or late depends "usually" on how early they gave you the interview info in March. Although, if your case was on time for the first two weeks of Feb, for example Feb 3rd....then you would most probably get scheduled and you may receive a interview date for March.

Scheduled means : The date they tell you when your interview will be.
Interview or interview date means : The date your interview is on.

Hope that clears that up. :)

Edited by MumtazG38, 26 February 2010 - 09:35 AM.

MumtazG38FemalePakistan2010-02-26 09:31:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsEveryone going through Administrative Processing in ISLAMABAD

UPDATE YOUR SPREADSHEET!!!! VISA IN HAND!!!! He got the call and picked it up today After only 4 months!



Done. And so many deep CONGRATULATIONS and MUBARAKS to you and your husband! :D You've been very patient and........it seems to have paid off! :D :thumbs: :dance:

Edited by MumtazG38, 23 February 2010 - 12:05 PM.

MumtazG38FemalePakistan2010-02-23 12:05:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsEveryone going through Administrative Processing in ISLAMABAD

hi friends

my wife called to DOS and they said that ur still under AP and this time we don;t need anything from u.
can my wife contact wd her senator abt AP or not bz we r very depressed abt. the AP is the painful process in the whole case.

Thanks.



You never mentioned how your second interview went? How did it go? What did they ask...what did they say?
MumtazG38FemalePakistan2010-02-19 13:05:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsEveryone going through Administrative Processing in ISLAMABAD

I wanted to mention one thing here.... My husband told me tht 2 of other couples who were thr also got NO AP. It made me think tht we dunt have all those people on VJ who r getting out with NO AP. Our track sheet list only couple of cases with no ap right. Only our track sheet made me sure tht we will be on ap too.. which lead me to alternative plans to challenge AP and go to Pakistan for rukhsati.... I would have not cared otherwise even if we were in ap since all tht matters to me now is to be with my husband. And I was actually very very excited to go to pakistan in a month and see my husband and live with him. But Allah knows better.

So yeh the point is the actual percentage of NO APs is not quite as low as our AP track list shows. Since we dunt have all those people over VJ who goes to the interview. So those who have interviews coming. Stay hope ful and keep praying hard.


Also one more thing I wanted to mention. It no doubt Allah only who made this happen. I was thinking about how me and my husband have gone through the same frustrating experiences tht u guys goes through during AP.
My nikkah was in august 2008 but my uncle didnt let me apply until Feb 2009. Those 7 months were hard that I spent helplessly. He didnt let me get the mail sent to me by uscis. He use to take all the mails tht i had my name on and I never got my mail. So I didnt know wht was going on until I figured out tht I could track it online. Then the lawyer sent affidavit of financial support papers to be filled in once the case was on next step. But my uncle kept a hold on them and denied tht he had those papers. He spread the wrong news tht the case is already in isb embassyh. I inquired with them but had no records of our case. Things were getting worst, not to mention, since my uncle had to be a co sponsor with me. another 4 months gone in waist after the approval from USCIS.
The next bad thing was... my lawyer sucked (my uncle's personal lawyer)..... His assistant kept sending wrong forms to NVC based on her wrong assumptions. It happened three times tht NVC asked for missing documents and i was unable to figure out which those missing docs were since I never saw the ones tht lawyer was sending them. (She assumed tht me and my uncle were living on different addresses and sent two different I 864s from me and my uncle and an I 864 A from his wife). NVC only needed one I 864 from me and I 864 A from my uncle and thts it. Our case was forwarded to ISB and we were asked to bring the missing docs at the interview. My lawyer's assistant denied tht she was making mistake anywhere and insisted tht NVC is going nuts... I have been like what the hell. She handed me all the docs in my hand for the first time cuz I had to send those to my husband. Tht was the time I figured out where the problem was... and Ofcourse I had to create a scene at their reception desk and in her office afterwards. This was in January. all this fuss with lawyer and NVC took another 5 months.

So the point of telling u all this is... Allah test people sooner or later in a specific situation. I had to go through a lot of stress before the case was sent to ISB.
I was very sure the interview stage is also not gona be trouble free. Me and hubs realized thr were still some loopholes during the interview, like Embassy had my husband's wrong police certificate in their records... this was the one tht NVC refused because of a clerical mistake. My Lawyer actually sent in the wrong PCC again... even though my husband had the right one ready at the interview... but they didnt look at it..... So Yeah....

1 and a half year I spent like tht and I couldnt blv tht it was over when my husband told me NO AP. Your cases might be smooth ones before the AP stage... Mine was not... and Alhamdulillah I got out without AP.


Please stay Thankful to Allah... I had only spent most of this time thinking tht Allah has own reasons. So please hang in thr..... Allah might have his own best reasons to test you during AP... stay Thankful to him any and every way.




WOW! Your uncle....and my dad!!! They could very well be the same person, the way they acted about the visa process towards us! My dad was exactly the same about taking all the mail I got and hiding, burning or shredding it. I had to be very vigilant about making sure to sneak out and grab the mail and only take the nvc/uscis things and leave everything else where it was so he wouldn't notice. Then I had to hide everything in a hiding place in my bedroom (under the bed frame where the thin fabric is, there's a hole I can stuff things into and it's really difficult to know its there unless....well...you already know its there.lol. Then the mailing of documents! I reveled in anything I could do online or send through email like the ds3032 since it meant I didn't have to sneak a trip out of the house in the freezing cold February snow and sleet (not having a drivers license...or a car)and walk to the post office which is hells far away! Then mail the stuff out. I would have to be extra careful of return receipts and the likes. Usually...I just took the tracking number and declined return receipts from the fear of my father finding out that I was trying to call my husband to U.S. Everything was made harder by a hundred times by the fact that my father kept trying to get my husband arrested on all sorts of false charges, a new and loopy false charge every 3 days....and when that wouldn't work he would simply have some lame hitman or someone to chase him down and try and get him. Luckily for my husband.....well, he just kept getting lucky....thats all. ALLAH was looking over him!!!Thank goodness for that too... Then when it came time for the i864a and i864 I felt completely hopeless and destroyed for the longest time imaginable. Until finally my mother saw my pain and suffering and decided to go against my father...and secretly mail me it and it was almost near impossible for her to send me a copy of her taxes since my dad was keeping such a dangerously close eye on her. He made sure that we never talked for too long...or were left alone for more than 15 minutes at a time. After a while, in which several months were wasted with me not being able to contact uscis or nvc on time and wasting so much valuable time sneaking around and hiding everything. I decided to just give up on staying locked up and miserable in the u.s and got my husband to buy me a ticket and left for Pakistan....which was made even more difficult by my father making full sure I wasn't about to do exactly what I was doing at the time...going to my husband if he couldnt come here. But I managed, w/ no help from anyone....and yes I'm still bitter and resentful to my entire family for letting and watching me be put through all this!

Once I came to Paki, things finally lightened up on me. I had complete and total freedom and managed to contact NVC and whenever we needed. And things took a speed pill after that and were racing along. Then of course my dad tried to act as if he was all forgiving and loving and wanted me to come back so he could help me and my husband...he was all on our side now! Yeah RIGHT!! He just wanted me to get their in MI long enough that he could throttle me and make absolutely sure I wouldn't be able to call my husband(whom my father has a ridiculous grudge to the death against...that makes no sense to anyone but himself).

Several hurdles....so many hardships...so much pain and so much loss later....ALLAH ka Lakho shuker....MOLA KA LAKH SHUKER! We are here...and we are together. And now with my family fighting for me against my father...my mother, my aunt and uncle my cousins(the ones that are in the u.s with us)on my side and against my father.....now I am being treated well by my family....and even living within my parents house pretty happily(this is a place I thought I would never be allowed to step foot in ever again according to my father). It's still not a hundred percent yet though....my dad and brother(in paki) are still making well sure that no one from the family ever has contact w/ my husband! But all the same....at least he's here and inshallah my son and I will be with him soon enough!!!

ALLAH really does put us through all these hardships, never to punish but only to teach...and to help "grow us up" so to speak. It's all progress....blissful progress after the initial bad times...excruciatingly horrible times in my case. I am just so thankful to ALLAH that our AP lasted for only 29 days. I swear I barely noticed it. It may as well have been NO AP for all I knew of it to be completely honest! We both had troubled past's in our marriages....but ALLAH let us see the fruits of our patience, willpower and most importantly of all the power of love in the end!!!

Edited by MumtazG38, 19 February 2010 - 02:22 AM.

MumtazG38FemalePakistan2010-02-19 02:18:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsEveryone going through Administrative Processing in ISLAMABAD
Mahshallah hshah! And MUBARAK!!! Sounds like you didn't get AP! Since the CO did not explain anything or talk to you about it...or sounds like he didn't even mention AP. And you also didn't get the green paper explaining AP it only seems likely that you have not gotten AP.For which I congratulate you with enthusiasm!!!!!!!!!!

WOOHOOOOO!!! See everyone.....more and more reason to not let yourselves get depressed about this AP....especially those who are still waiting on interviews!

It may take 2 weeks.....it may take a month...it may even take the 1 week the CO said....but there is really no absolute way to tell to be honest. Hopeful's took so long because their case is initially in a neighboring country...so it would take longer to be mailed there. Either way you look at it though....it could go either way...but thank ALLAH for no AP!

:D
MumtazG38FemalePakistan2010-02-17 08:03:00