ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 Petitioning
Petitioning at some consulates can be a little more difficult than other consulates. Some consulates are just super hard to get through. Each consulate has their staff trained to look for things that may be indicative of potential fraud by the beneficiary.

In no way am I judging you about your story, but the Consular Officer will - it needs to have rhyme and reason, it needs to make sense from a third party's point of view and you need to handle any petition and additional proof as a legal case. Just showing up to an interview and saying "but we LOVE each other" won't result in a visa. Especially from a country like Pakistan. Unfortunately it is a T country [I think that's the phrase. It's Monday morning and I'm rather slow on Monday mornings]. Petitioners from T countries get extra scrutiny based on ties to terrorism found within their nation.

Many South Asian countries are also considered high fraud countries. In these cases, the consular officers are looking for immigration fraud [trying to gain immigration benefits fraudulently mainly through bogus relationships]. Anything that isn't "typical" for that culture's traditional family/relationship values may be questioned. Things like mixed race marriages, mixed faith marriages, older brides, divorces, blended families [step-kids] all add to extra scrutiny from the consulate. This is where you need to take an unbiased look at your relationship and see how it fits with what is typical for a "normal" marriage in Pakistan. Anything that deviates from that norm may need to be addressed in some fashion as it will most likely be brought up in an interview.

It's great that you found both a man and a faith that make you happy. Many people have successfully gone through this process. I just want you to be as prepared as you can from the start as it IS a bumpy road. Best of luck!
catknitFemaleIndia2012-01-30 08:25:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 Petitioning
You do not need to change your passport id photo....pushbrk was reiterating the rules for a passport photo.

Down the road, after you marry, if you change your name and get a new passport you will be able to have that photo in hijab.

The photos used in your petition and at the interview must easily identify you and your spouse. If you wear a niqab or have photos at strange angles where it would be very hard to identify you - that will make your case harder to pass through...

I'd do a lot of research to make sure you don't have any red flags with respect to your relationships. Did you convert prior to meeting you fiance? In some consulates changing/adopting religions can be regarded as a reason to look harder into the relationship.

Also, Pakistan has a history of looooooooong AP periods. Search this site to see about this. You may have a long wait after interviewing....
catknitFemaleIndia2012-01-29 22:11:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 Petitioning
Why can't you also take pictures after the marriage? Could you schedule the nikah, etc to be closer to the beginning of the trip and make sure you have documented a lot after the actual marriage???

You are right to assume that a CO may think twice if you try to argue that a MARRIED couple couldn't touch, weren't allowed to be in private together, etc.

They will completely get that you two didn't meet without a chaperone if only filing for a fiance visa as that is completely customary for muslim engagements in Pakistan. But, if you file as spouses and you can't show somewhat personal/intimate [not sexual but not posed for formal family portraits as the ONLY photo] photos it could be a hard sell.
catknitFemaleIndia2012-01-29 20:56:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureshelp..what to do with our situation?
If he's licensed have him look at a company like concerta [I think that's the name] - onsite doctor's offices for large manufacturers. They are always hiring plus he doesn't need to worry about "normal" office issues like managing staff, insurance issues, overhead, rent, purchasing, etc.

Doctors in this type of set up get paid by the hour [usually looking to meet a 5-6 patients per hour]. In our neck of the woods it can be $125 - $150/hour. He would only need to work about 10 hours a week to meet the guidelines...
catknitFemaleIndia2012-05-21 16:29:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMeeting Fiance soon

*Disclaimer: I'm not 100% sure about this so don't panic yet* I've heard that this type of arrangement with your aunt doesn't look too good.


I agree with Amy. It could look strange that the beneficiary's extended family is going to be the co-sponsor as well as taking care of the petitioners personal needs [living arrangements, etc]. One needs to be careful that relationships can't be construed as business arrangements. And, please, in no way am I saying that's what's going on here - it's all about how things appear on paper and how a CO with just a few minutes of review will see it!

I'd be curious to see what others, especially with more knowledge of how Manilla works, would say.
catknitFemaleIndia2012-06-15 08:24:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 Visa Denied!! 221g(a)(6)(c)(1)
"Is your mother-in-law is your aunty in the relationship?"

Did you marry a cousin? Or a sister-cousin? Cause that can be another whole hot mess where it may be seen that your family is just trying to get as many family members over as possible as quickly as possible....
catknitFemaleIndia2012-06-26 15:23:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 Visa Denied!! 221g(a)(6)(c)(1)
Some follow-up questions lonely135-

When you came in '94 was the visa and/or subsequent citizenship made possible by your first marriage? In other words, did your 1st wife sponsor you?

I take it your current wife is 11 years younger than you? Did you know your current wife prior to coming to the US originally or while in your first marriage?

It's good to hear it wasn't a weekend marriage :thumbs: . The COs do see things like that a lot and are rightly suspicious.
catknitFemaleIndia2012-06-26 15:20:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 Visa Denied!! 221g(a)(6)(c)(1)
If you can prove that you are in a legitimate relationship with paperwork when responding to the NOIR/NOID - then yes, she will be able to get the visa.

What's the back story on your ex though? Something got the CO thinking. There is absolutely no issue living in the same state or for that matter the same town as your ex [many divorced parents I know try to stay in the same school district...].

Are you desi also? Did you immigrate to the US at some point? Are there some "red flags" like significant age difference, significant class/caste difference, etc, etc, etc?

Did you go over on a Friday and meet her for the first time then marry on Saturday, fly home on Sunday, and file on Monday? That kind of thing makes COs suspicious too.
catknitFemaleIndia2012-06-24 20:19:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-485
Lawyer up! Honestly, you have so, so, so much going on with this - this is beyond the scope of a typical DIY scenario.

immigrate2us website is another avenue too, more people with more difficult cases.
catknitFemaleIndia2012-12-09 22:59:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 visa refusal under 221(G)
DOS takes inquiries only by phone, unfortunately. I know it's a hassle from India to get a call in at the right time but as mentioned earlier on this thread, unlike USCIS, DOS seems to pick up quickly and doesn't put you on hold for long. I'd definitely see if you could get your USC spouse to try calling for you...
catknitFemaleIndia2012-12-07 10:31:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 visa refusal under 221(G)
amjadasn - I'd recommend you spend some time on the following topic as Islamabad handles things differently than Mumbai.

Islamabad 221(g) tracker

I'm glad to see some progress is being made with the 221(g)s out of Mumbai. As to the comments that paperwork has been received and is just sitting waiting to be dealt with - this is spot on. I mentioned in at least one thread about the 221(g)s, especially when there has been a handful of holidays recently, you can see a slow down in the response time. I'd easily add a week to the "regular" turn around time. pgupta - I'd expect your visa to have a 2 week turnaround typically but due to Diwali and Thanksgiving, I'd bet they are still playing catch up with a case backlog. Payal Sharma, someone is going to actually sit down and look through your additional information. The actual act of getting yours resolved may take longer [needing someone to do the reading as opposed to someone checking the lamination of a passport as found in pgupta's case].

The 60 day window is a goal they strive for but it is not set in stone. With further research you'll see that the vast majority are cleared out that quickly but come day 60 if you just happen to be a case that is still waiting for an answer, you'll STILL need to wait regardless.

Best of luck to you all!
catknitFemaleIndia2012-12-07 10:07:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 visa refusal under 221(G)

"pgupta" your's is easy, get the new passport and submit it, you should be fine.
"swehun" you are in AP, need to wait it out the processing of it.

"payal" it looks like they are not believing that both of you have on-going relationship of married couples.
You need to prove that by providing all of the stuff that they have asked you and any additional information that you see will help you in proving your on-going relationship with your hubby.
The proofs need to cover timelines from your marriage to the interview.
They have kept your pictures, please be aware that they can visit your home/work and inquire about you/your marriage....
How your husband got his citizenship? Do you guys have red flags in your case or any past life?

Please want to ask personal advice, please email me.


Deep2009 has nailed it!

Payal - you need to gather anything you can: chats, phone records, travel records, if your husband has started to add you to accounts, insurances, etc. Just having a wedding and putting everything else on hold until visa is in hand can look suspicious, especially in India.

Once they have the additional information, it will take time for a decision to be made (up to 3 months is pretty typical from what can be researched here on vj). Please keep in mind that the consulates also close frequently this time of year due to holidays [both Indian and US]. You need to approach this from a facts-based stance and not an emotional stance. Waxing away in a cover letter about how much you miss your husband and how much you love your husband without showing concrete examples of how you have been starting to inter-mingle your lives won't get you far.
catknitFemaleIndia2012-11-27 10:56:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureshow to Obtain PCC from India?
Does he need to request them in person and also pick them up in person - or can he travel to the cities, make the requests, and have them couried/mailed?

This police cert thing is maddening!
catknitFemaleIndia2008-08-18 15:12:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureshow to Obtain PCC from India?
Too late to edit...but can the PCC be requested by mail/fax/phone??? Anything other than in person? Due to various jobs/school he's resided in a couple of cities more than 6 months since the age of 16 and I think there may be an issue in having him literally go from city to city to get the certs.
catknitFemaleIndia2008-08-18 14:52:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureshow to Obtain PCC from India?
Anyone have any experience up in J&K? (I'm doing a K1) Right now my SO is estimating months to get the PCC. He enquired yesterday but it appears that the people he spoke with were not sure what he needed. We are still awaiting Packet 3 from the Embassy in New Delhi. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
catknitFemaleIndia2008-08-18 14:33:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMailing documents to India, what courier to use?
Federal Express to a major metro like Delhi - 3 days. Up to Kashmir was a week.
catknitFemaleIndia2008-11-06 17:47:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWhati is VFS? India
VFS will be handling your paperwork, the courier to send out the passport, and handles some scheduling issues.

India does the exact same thing here in the US - they use a firm called Travisa...


catknitFemaleIndia2009-06-01 10:56:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFiling for the Second time - So please provide any Help/input
I think you've received some great advice here!

Marc Ellis also has a blog that tracks different issues/happenings with the service centers and with immigration in general. I think he had written about the short flurry of re-affirmations that came out of VSC in June of this year. That may be a good place to do some research.

With the information you've gotten, you may also think of a game plan going forward - even something as conventional as a checklist of what you feel should be done on this trip coming up. You want to make your next filing as water-tight as possible.
catknitFemaleIndia2009-10-26 11:02:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFiling for the Second time - So please provide any Help/input
A little knowledge on CO’s part could be a dangerous thing……..

Very true - on one of my recent trips to the consulate I heard a CO grilling a woman on why she wasn't still wearing the bangles from the wedding - that it was the CO's knowledge that bangles are worn for the first year and here it was however many months later and the woman had arrived bare armed. I'll give the interveiwee credit for keeping her cool, explaining that she had kept them on for a month but for reasons X, Y, Z she had opted to not be bangled to the hilt everyday.

In the CO's defense, I will say that a LOT of the women I'd see waiting to interveiw were typically in very flashy - wedding festivity type attire and bangled up [whether they wore them everyday - I don't know].

The COs are working off the "typical" and "normal" - middle of the bell curve type mentality; they want to see what would fit a textbook case [Family A meets with Family B and they decide on the marriage - there are 2 + trips, one for the engagement party, the castes match, maybe the astrology matches, the educations match - blah, blah, blah - OR it's a love marriage based on something tangible and easily recognizable, met at uni, met at work, went over to see grandma/grandpa and met at a party]. Given the absolute range of traditions and cultures in India NO ONE can know everything. If the CO thought she fit a Punjabi profile and then the answers didn't match up...well, the denial can be the result. I know it hurts - trust me, been there. And it seems so completely unfair - because you know how you feel, what your plans are, and you just hit a huge wall. But, there are steps forward and the CR1 may be the way to go.

I'd still talk with Marc Ellis - this is definitely a perception issue of your relationship [in the context of Indian culture] and not some random Indian bureacratic mishap [which is where I think Murthy may have the upper hand being on the ground here].



catknitFemaleIndia2009-10-24 10:18:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFiling for the Second time - So please provide any Help/input
QUOTE (isitasham @ Oct 24 2009, 08:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
It has been confirmed that the New Delhi Consulate has sent back our K-1 case to NVC/USCIS. So now we are in a dilemma whether to wait for USCIS's decision or should we go ahead and get married and start the CR-1 process. I am leaving for india next week. I am trying to be objective and here are some questions concerns I have:

Given the odds that the USCIS will decide in our favor are what? May be 50/50? The time that it is going to take to go through the whole gambit – probably 5-6 months? So I am leaning towards going the CR-1 route but my concerns are as follows:
1. I had thought that we had plenty of evidence when we filed the K-1 and was quite confident, but obviously, that didn’t work out. There are several factors that could be playing against us such as (a) Age difference of 16 years. (cool.gif She (my fiancée) is a widow from a very traditional background in a small town in north India where as I have been living in the US for over 20 years but originally from the same native state as hers in India © Her 14 year old daughter is not wanting to come to the US (therefore, she could say in the interview that she is not willing. In fact, during the K-1 interview the CO had asked my fiancée that is the daughter willing and she replied “NO”). (d) I have been divorced now for 8 years and this could also be playing against me.
2. So given the things that are against us, what is the likelihood that we will run into the same issues as we did with the K-1 process and get denied for CR-1. Does the marriage make our case any stronger or these things will surface again in the CO’s mind.
3. My fiancée is also concerned (a valid concern) that if we are denied again after marriage then what -- she has to survive in that very traditional culture of a small town – a big risk for her.
4. To add to all this is the fact that we both do not want to have a ceremonious wedding – we are thinking of having only immediate family and some close friends in a temple setting. It will be a hindu ritualistic wedding and will be registered after wards.
5. Our major challenge is how to overcome or dispel this notion from the CO’s mind that this is not a “marriage of convenience” or a fraud but this is what the situation really is and we really love each other and care for each other.
6. Some of the things I have in mind are having sworn affidavits from friends (invitees), the priest, lots of pictures, add in the local newspaper etc.
7. So given all the above what should we do to ensure that this time around we make this a very strong case even though we have all the above limitations. I would appreciate any suggestions/comments any thing at this point.


1) Age difference can be a factor, no doubt about it. For a place like India, having the man older shouldn't be a red flag - the 16 years may have raised an eyebrow but it isn't unheard of in India at all.

Traditional background can be a strength or weakness to a case - two traditional people engaged makes "sense". A mixed couple in that sense may send up a red flag.

The 14 year old not wanting to move with her mother when a father is not in the picture may have been the biggest red flag from what you mentioned. No one can be a psychic and figure out what the COs were thinking but I could see the questions become, "Well, what happens to the fatherless daughter? How typical would this be in a "normal" Indian family". Is she in a competitive school or convent school where there is a huge advantage to her staying in India? If that's the case, I'd bring it up in whatever new petition you file.

The time span from your divorce would strengthen the case in my mind [one of the things that can be a red flag is a naturalized USC divorcing once obtaining citizenship and then petitioning for their "real love" from home almost immediately - you have 8 years behind you, it's more than obvious you are not doing that
scam].

2) CR1's hold more weight - you've committed to the marriage at that point. If there was nothing glaringly wrong with your original petition, chances are the service center will look at the returned petition and your current petition and pass it on thru. That should alleviate any issues with relationship "bona fides". If you ended up with a reaffirmed K1 - they can NOT return it based on the concept of non-legitimate relationship. Some attorneys abide by the same theory with a CR1 filled after a denied K1 - the service center is now on record a 2nd time stating the relationship holds water.

3) Legit concern on her part - my [limited] knowledge is that a CR1 can't expire; if there are issues it will go back to be readjudicated but it will take time. As long as you are legally married and there are no other issues lurking in the closet - eventually you should be able to prove your case. It may be a long hard road though.

4) Should be fine given your circumstances - 2nd marriage for both parties involved. If you were 20 somethings from upper class families, the CO may be concerned if you didn't hold a Bollywood extravaganza whistling.gif .

5)This will be paramount to address in your CR1 application - kaushalia has successful experience with this...hopefully she'll chime in.

6)All good ideas but don't neglect even old school relationship proof - weekly letters or cards - they can hold weight too.

I would suggest taking a phone consult with a reputable attorney - give him/her the whole story and see what they say. I'd suggest Marc Ellis [a member here] as well as the Murthy Group [they have satelite offices in India - I found the Murthy Group not as well versed on family immigration issues but very experienced with India-centric issues - if you can only take one go with Marc Ellis - he was top notch and well versed in the ins and outs of returned petitions and family immigration issues. I'm just curious if the issues with your case are just very India-centric and that's why I'm mentioning Murthy].
catknitFemaleIndia2009-10-24 09:22:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPotential Fellowship/grad program and a proposal
Thanks so much for all the quick responses!

Obviously, we dont want to do anything that could be misconstrued down the road if possible - oh, for example, fraud. That's why we're trying to find out as much as possible as well as try to make the best decisions based on what we know.

The only thing that minutely concerns me at this point would be the last fellowship he applied to - strangely, here's hoping he doesn't get it. At least this year!

I'll still be anticipating what these attorneys say too.

Thanks!
catknitFemaleIndia2008-03-23 23:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPotential Fellowship/grad program and a proposal
I'm so excited to have found this forum!

I'm not 100% sure what to do and I'm hoping for some feedback.

Let me start out by saying I've contacted 3 immigration attorneys and only one office got back to me stating their only immigration attorney left. I can't begin to tell you how often I've been checking my messages and email to see if the other two have responded!

I tried a couple of searches and didn't see this addressed.

Where to begin - the good news - he proposed and I said yes and I so excited!

The part we are trying to figure out - my fiance's career [Hospital Admin] isn't exactly transferable from India to the US. But it's his calling. Even though he has two graduate degrees from good Indian schools, he knows that if he wants to continue his career here at the same level he needs a grad degree from a US university or a fellowship. He has applied to numerous programs [pre-prosal]. He should be getting word on interviews for fellowships [more of a long shot] and grad admits [definately a possibility] soon [next 1-2 months]. [Just to clarify - I am going to one of his sponsors for grad school here in the US - this was decided a while ago, pre-proposal.] At least with respect to the grad programs, we think we have all the funding, test score info, [fingers crossed] admit info needed to hopefully get an F1 visa. If a fellowship came thru, the school/teaching med center would help with a possible J1 [or so we've been told].

During my trip to see him in February it happened...the big question and the big answer. So now I guess we could go for a K1 instead?

Could we marry on an F1 or J1? Or, is that not even an option? Are there benefits to one over the other? Of course we'd love to be together as soon as possible, just like everyone here I'm sure - so we'd like to start which ever visa we can. But we'd also like to do what makes sense and we're totally confused.

Any advice would appreciated.
catknitFemaleIndia2008-03-23 19:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCopy of Divorce Decree/Name Change
Hi Again!

Quick question, when filing the 129F packet - does the copy of my divorce decree/name change need to be the official copy with the raised seal or can it be just a photocopy?

Also, my decree contains my name change - they aren't separate documents. Will this be an issue?

Thanks so much.
catknitFemaleIndia2008-03-27 09:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTransit Visas
Hello again!

My fiance and I are thinking of vacationing this autumn in Mexico and there are no direct flights from India. He'll need to have a US layover. I've seen a lot of discussion on the tourist visas but what about the C visas for layovers? Should he be prepared with all our K1 stuff for border agents even with a continuing flight? I take it he would need to go thru all the steps of immigration to go from one international flight to another?

Thanks!
catknitFemaleIndia2008-04-09 14:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFiance Visa denied for a silly reason
Ugh - I'm so sorry to hear about the denial. Yes, in India you would have had to follow the special marriage act for your marriage to be legal and on the books. But it looks like the CO has you marked as married - even though technically you aren't in the eyes of the Indian government. I would totally get an attorney involved at this point. I wouldn't be surprised if getting married [again, according to the US, and, for the first time according to India] would make the most sense - and then filing for the K3.

Keep in mind you need to register your intent to marry 30 days ahead of time to make it legal in India [I want to say at your local FRRO office, and you'll need witnesses....].
catknitFemaleIndia2008-04-10 14:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresName check during K1 process
I'm talking to the fiance on the phone and I'm giving him the cliff notes version of timelines - reading out the flowchart off this site and I say - "Oh and they run a name check at some point, you know like the FBI and Homeland Security." So here's the thing, the SO has a common muslim name [first and family] and he drops this on me casually- "There are known terrorists with my name".

Now a hundred and one different scenarios are playing out in my head - including languishing in paperwork limbo for eons waiting for who knows what. I guess my question is when does this typically happen - pre or post interview? I've read about the dreaded AP - and the waits associated with it.

Of course, I'm prepared to just hunker down and wait all of this out but I'd love some insight on what I could be looking at?

Oh and lets say, by some miracle, it all goes smoothly and in a timely manner - I'd be willing to bet dollars to donuts his name appears on no-fly lists. How is that handled abroad? Are no-fly lists a TSA/US thing only?
catknitFemaleIndia2008-04-15 13:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPassport Expiration Date and influence on K1
AP does occur - My understanding is that the Delhi embassy is/was considered a high fraud post. Additionally, my SO is from Kashmir, he's Muslim, male, in his thirties, somewhat common Muslim name....I'm sure you get the picture. I don't think it's as present as seen in ME/NA.

Maybe we'll be pleasantly surprised and dodge that bullet - however we are trying to stay realistic.
catknitFemaleIndia2008-07-15 14:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPassport Expiration Date and influence on K1
Let's just say hypothetically he goes to have his passport renewed tomorrow - and magically my NOA2 shows up [if we follow the typical time line we should be seeing it later this month] - I know we would then need to wait to go thru NVC and on to the embassy; but, hopefully that won't take the projected 6+ months he'd need to renew his passport.

Can we file for extensions somehow? Push back the interview?

The other thought is that we are assuming [I know, bad] that he will get stuck at some point in name checks and will most likely get some AP/AR. His passport is expiring next June [just confirmed with him on the phone]. Part of me just wants to say let it ride and renew it while he's on AP if it gets to be that long - otherwise hope and pray he can be here by December.

I know all of this is conjecture and assumptions but I'd like to advise him to the most sensible thing to do. There are so many variables with all this stuff - all cases have such subtle nuances.

I don't know - I just want to do what makes the most sense.
catknitFemaleIndia2008-07-15 13:15:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPassport Expiration Date and influence on K1
Thanks for the replies - hmmmm, guess it's time to work out a plan of action.

I'm curious why the airlines would care about the expiration date on someone who's coming to stay though? I know it's their policy - not questioning that. Just curious.
catknitFemaleIndia2008-07-15 12:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPassport Expiration Date and influence on K1
I was speaking to my SO last night and he said, just in passing, oh my passport expires in the spring - could that dely when I can get there?, etc etc etc. [This last part happens to be very India specific because their paperwork nightmares are legendary - it will take anywhere from 6-8 months to have his passport renewed.]

For some reason I thought I had seen something that said a beneficiary needs to have at least 6 months time still left on their passport. Then again, I've been reading so much stuff about a variety of things pertaining to visa and passports and general immigration stuff I may have confused this.

Obviously, if this 6 month rule is true, we'll work out a game plan but I'm having trouble finding where I thought I may have seen it.

Is this ringing any bells to anyone else?

Thanks!
catknitFemaleIndia2008-07-15 08:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresLetters from Family in support of Relationship
Oh if only my life were that simple...no one's met him [well, other than me obviously]. Via chatting/webcam/phone - yes, he's met the parents. But - in the flesh - just me. Not too suprisingly, no one wanted to go to India with me on my first trip. And getting a tourist visa to the US isn't super easy in India. Eventually, we're hoping to convince my parents to go over for a visit.

I'm thinking of using my sister, my dad, and 2 close friends. All know the ins and outs of our relationship.

Should I use the affidavit form like found on the AOS guide or would a notarized letter suffice?
catknitFemaleIndia2008-08-14 10:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresLetters from Family in support of Relationship
After reading about some of things happening at the New Delhi consulate and the fact that we didn't have an engagement ceremony [which is pretty traditional in India] I'm trying to head off all potential problems before hand.

Additionally, we've only met once. Unfortunately I have a somewhat typical job that only affords a little time a year for vacation time and have used it on my first visit. I'm not sure I will be able to be at the interview.

I'd rather not deal with the CO thinking we don't have a bona fide relationship - I have approximately 10 people [family and friends] who are willing to write letters detailing and recogonizing our relationship. If this will save us time and heartache, I'd like to do it.
catknitFemaleIndia2008-08-14 09:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresLetters from Family in support of Relationship
Here's my latest conundrum - To help shore up our case at the interveiw I'm requesting that each of my immediate family members write a letter showing they are aware/approve of my relationship.

I was thinking something along the lines of:

I, (fam member's name), (relationship) to Milo75, would like to show my support of the K1 visa for Milo75's SO. Milo75 and Milo75's SO have a true and legitimate relationship and will fulfill all terms of the visa once issued.

Signed and notarized....

I don't know - short and to the point seems to make the most sense to me but maybe they should wax away poetic about our relationship? There is no engagement ceremony to list [like a time/date/location]. We're a little unorthodox - no big confab with my family about permission to marry. This seems maybe too barebones??

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
catknitFemaleIndia2008-08-14 09:22:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresIndians/ Religious Engagement / Wedding
Here's a link from earlier this summer - one of the vj community went into a K1 interveiw with engagement ceromony proof and his fiancee was berated for bringing in wedding pics. It's a bit of a saga but totally shows what can happen:

Kshatriya Link

It can just be a very very very sticky situation - that's why a lot of members here shy away from including pics of anything that could be construed as a wedding and not just an engagement. And in a place that has been historically high fraud and has many different religious groups with many different rituals and traditions that may be construed as actual weddings - the consulates' officials seem to side more on the conservative side that a wedding may have happened.
catknitFemaleIndia2008-09-06 18:11:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 Questions and India
Dilbert -

I did the same thing as Mark - I didn't use an attorney either and we just got our NOA2 this week. Looks like we are on our way...

A couple things I did was fill out what I could on both the I129 and G325A and emailed them to my SO. He filled out the rest and signed where needed. He then mailed his signed copies to me. I think the G325A has a place to write the beneficiary's name/address in the local language if applicable? So he did that too...

Make sure you go step by step thru the forms as outlined here and ask if some questions come up.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions!
catknitFemaleIndia2008-08-13 16:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 Questions and India
I'm doing a K1 for my Indian Fiance too -

#1 - Fastest way? That's the rumor. Of course there are an absolute ton of variables but typically a K1 is faster. Keep in mind that once your fiance is here, he/she will need to get AP and EAD to travel internationally and work respectively. It takes time for those approvals to occur.

I would be super careful with any type of religious ceremony. If you have one - do not mention it, do not send pictures of, did not breathe a word of it while going thru this whole process. Because the marriage laws in India are so funky, just a religious ceremony that isn't registered can still, in the eyes of the consulate, be considered a completely legitimate wedding. You will be denied if the CO thinks you got married and told to re-apply for either a K3 or other marriage based visa. Look thru the Asia South forum for some stories on this - even engagement ceremonies/ring ceremonies [which are not marriages from most religious points of view] can lead to problems at the interview stage.

That being said all the Indian consulates are known for being tough - historically they were considered high fraud. You are going to want to have all your ducks in a row, if you will.

#2 - Not sure if it's popular but there are a few of us here trying to do it. All my NRI friends thought I was nuts, thinking it would be harder than marriage based. I don't know if that's true or not.

#3 - Check the guidelines - they are great with giving you the specifics. Yes - what you mentioned is roughly what you need. The G325A needs to be filled out I think 4xs per person. The photos need to be standard passport pics. Search some of the threads for ideas on what to collect and how to assemble your package.
catknitFemaleIndia2008-08-12 17:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 Interview and 221(g) in Mumbai
Amit,

I would recommend gathering what ever you can at this point and get it back into VFS. You are correct in stating that what they are asking for is unreasonable but maybe you have some options gathered? Potential halls and correspondences from them? Anything? Did you have an engagement ceremony? Can you include all of that?

I'm guessing the requests are coded in the 221(g) to fill out the forms - I wonder if he used one for a K3 or CR1 instead of the K1's list. My first 221(g) had requests identical to others on vj asking for the engagement ceremony info, etc. Same text exactly and in the same order - identical.

I'm now in the midst of my second 221(g) from New Delhi - I think we covered what was needed in the first. I had my church write a letter stating that I had been in touch with the clergy over the last year discussing premartial counseling and wedding planning. Do you have anything at least discussed with some sort of clergy or municipal office? Could they write up something for you?

I firmly believe the consulates/Embassy in India have their own protocols and rules - the hoops you need to jump thru are amazingly insane.

Good luck - just get them what you can; statements from friends, family, coworkers, your landlord [if you've told them you have a fiancee coming over shortly] - all of those can help too if they are questioning the bonafides [just make sure they are notarized].
catknitFemaleIndia2008-12-11 20:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresJust curious
Please spend a little time looking at what has happened to petitioners going thru the Indian Consulates.

There may be an arguement to front load the petition with as much relationship evidence as possible. If you look in the Administrative Processing forum, you'll see current cases thru New Delhi that are having issues currently with proof of relationship issues. Additionally, there have recently been issues in Mumbai Consulate - COs looking for receipts of receptions that haven't even occured yet [you may want to search in the embassy forum - I stink at adding links otherwise I would].

Finally, one of the members who went thru Chennai [I believe] had a CO that believed his engagement ceremony was in fact a wedding even though it was only an engagement without the specific rituals needed to make it a wedding - their K1 was denied claiming it was a wedding.....

All of the Indian consulates are tough - but many people get thru too.

Please know that any recorded media like cds or dvds or electronic files are not accepted by either USCIS or the Consulates.

Something I wished I had the opportunity to do was attend the interview - I would highly highly highly recommend this!


catknitFemaleIndia2009-01-01 18:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTypical start up time for new House of Rep office?
Wait - I lie innocent.gif

I think the senior senator is the one who actually sent some status requests - the other was a senator for evvvvvvvvver, retired, and then came back. Total time in the senate is tons more than the one helping me but it wasn't consecutive time - his "rebirth" was after Helper Senator was in office.

Politics - so confusing!
catknitFemaleIndia2009-01-07 18:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTypical start up time for new House of Rep office?
I wish I could but he's the one not returning any calls, emails, faxes - I've been in contact more than 10 times in 3 months with no response.
catknitFemaleIndia2009-01-07 18:25:00