Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
Asia: South	I hate the Post Office - other suggestions?	I was talking to my SO last night and with the strike called over fuel prices I wanted to know if the package would be delayed even more!!!! He's claiming the mail system shouldn't be effected but I'm figuring if the package does make it up to Kashmir it will be sitting until next week to be delivered.	catknit	Female	India	6/10/2008 8:38
Asia: South	I hate the Post Office - other suggestions?	Cjindia - ok I'm intrigued - where are these couriers? Are they a forwarder of some sort that I can send a package to here in the US? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.	catknit	Female	India	6/10/2008 8:02
Asia: South	I hate the Post Office - other suggestions?	I'm looking for the best of both worlds - from what I've researched it looks like I have three options for sending packages to India. Option #1 is Fedex which is crazy expensive but I can track the package and request a signature. Option #2 is DHL - less pricy and trackable but a pain to find an outlet here to drop off a package [the closest is like 25 miles away and yeah, I'm in NJ which is all densely populated]. Option #3 I hate because of missing packages but is ok priced - the post office. For the second time, my SO is awaiting a box that appears to have "lost" it's way [totally an aside, but even with all my paperwork meticulous, my postal insurance claims never came thru either]. There are at least 2 letters that haven't made it to me from India - simple letters, not packages, that have been in transit at least 6 weeks. My goal is the occasional [probably every month or so] package, typically about 5 lbs of random stuff. Is there a service out there that I'm missing or should I suck it up and pay thru the nose for Fedex or DHL?	catknit	Female	India	6/9/2008 17:30
Asia: South	Text messages?	I've used T-Mobil to text india and it was $.15/text. I've tried to use Verizon but keep having problems, had them look into it and they claim it's an issue on Airtel's end. My SO had no problems receiving texts when I was with T-Mobil. I want to say Verizon is $.20/text - but I don't know - even with the messages I tried to get thru I was never billed for them.	catknit	Female	India	6/22/2008 15:42
Asia: South	Indira Gandhi International (New Delhi)	I haven't done a search on it lately but indiamike.com has a ton of info about the airport set up, the bus schedule between the terminals, and the left luggage area. That airport was an absolute mess back in March, not sure if the work is done yet, but holy crow - it was a nightmare.	catknit	Female	India	8/7/2008 21:43
Asia: South	Police Certificate	As it turns out, the city is under curfew and people can't go out - at least today, maybe tomorrow, maybe for a while. Living in a strife ridden area isn't too fun it seems.	catknit	Female	India	8/12/2008 6:31
Asia: South	Police Certificate	Ok, so I basked in the happiness of my NOA2 for about 4 hours before starting to freak out about the next part of this. I thought I would ask here in the Asia: South forum because my question is pretty India-centric. A little background - my SO has been living in Srinagar for about the past 18 months. It's where he was born and raised and where he considers his permenant address. Prior to that he was in a handful of major cities across India. I'm wondering what kind of a pain in the backside it will be for him to get a police certificate. The general area has been plagued with strikes, riots, and the like for the last 5-6 weeks. Would it be better for him to request the certifcate now or wait until he receives his packet 3 or does he have to have the packet? Would he be able to request a certificate from afar - he'll be relocating to Delhi next week for work?? As much as I know this won't go super smoothly - I'd love for it to go maybe just a teensy tiny bit smoothly, you know? Any advice would be helpful. Thanks!	catknit	Female	India	8/11/2008 14:54
Asia: South	New Delhi Embassy and VFS	Hi all, I'm so confused! I've looked that the embassy info here on VJ, I've read thru the info on the VFS website, and I've read thru the info on the embassy's website. Once my SO receives packet 3 it appears he has to return immediately a form - DS230 part 1 - this goes to VFS? Who gets the I-134? Additionally I am compiling a binder with proof of an ongoing relationship - is this something he should hand into VFS [at the 10-15 day mark] or something to just take with him to the interview? Also, about the police certificate, will the embassy be sending out a form that needs to be filled? The SO asked aroung today at a couple of stations about getting a certificate and the response was, what did it need to say and who needs to be the signing officer. Any guidance at this point would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!	catknit	Female	India	8/17/2008 14:17
Asia: South	Packet 3 from New Delhi	Hi yeye, Ummm I'm guessing he used his passport because he doesn't have a driver's license. I know he also went back a second time because he screwed up one of the forms and got a second packet and had absolutely no problems getting a second one. I'll ask him tonight what the guy at the counter requested.	catknit	Female	India	8/23/2008 19:26
Asia: South	Packet 3 from New Delhi	Just wanted to let everyone know that in our case [at least] my SO was able to walk up to the embassy's outer counter and pick up his Packet 3 without a prior phone call/email. He had our case number and his ID and the guy at the counter was more than happy to hand over the packet. Our case was received by the embassy on Monday.	catknit	Female	India	8/21/2008 8:32
Asia: South	Indians: How many of you went through AP?	QUOTE (Rohini @ Sep 6 2008, 12:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> How long did it take? What were the reasons? What did it involve? (And are you male or female?) There are a handful of topics around spelling out individuals AP issues but this most recent list shows a couple of members with SOs in India. AP thread Seems like males tend to get AP more than females. There is also an AP in the MENA forum somewhere. I'll see if I can find it.	catknit	Female	India	9/6/2008 16:22
Asia: South	Travel after K1 visa approval	Hi Joanna, You are correct that you'll have 180 days for your fiance to use his visa - so let's say he gets it in March, he'd need to use the visa by September. It's so funny because I'm in the same boat as you sort of. My SO's brother is getting married late May or June of 2009 - we are finally at the interview stage of this whole thing [waiting on the appt] and this is what we decided to do. If he gets the visa before December, he'll come over - we marry quickly, apply for AOS/EAD/AP. He should get his travel papers [AP] in about 2-4 months. This is not a green card but paperwork that will allow him to travel overseas legally. A K1 visa is a one time entry visa ONLY. So once he gets here, until further paperwork is processed, he needs to stay. If he leaves, we'd need to start the process all over again with either a K3 or CR1. If my SO can't make it over before December - he's waiting it out in India and I'll go over for the wedding. For us the timing is working out because we don't have the visa in hand yet and don't expect it before some time in November. In your case, if he gets the visa before March - he'll need to come over and get AP to go back. If it's after March, he can wait it out in India.	catknit	Female	India	9/8/2008 7:39
Asia: South	Indians: Your Experiences with Tourist Visas to the U.S.?	My fiance wasn't able to get a tourist visa about a year ago, the reason was not strong enough ties back to India. Had I done more research I would have broached the paperwork, timings, and itinerary differently. Not sure that would have helped but I would have gone about it smarter. On the other hand, one of my NRI friend's mom easily got a tourist visa. His father was denied because he misunderstood a question and contradicted himself. The question was something to the affect of "Do you have relatives in the US?" and he answered no. When asked who he was going to visit he responded "My sons." My friend's father thought that relatives meant family members other than immediate family [cousins, uncles, aunts etc] - that sons don't count as relatives. He was immediately denied.	catknit	Female	India	9/6/2008 16:36
Asia: South	noa2 approved what next	Hi jpatel, Your petition will makes it's way to the NVC. You can call DOS in a couple of days and get the case id from them. There is a way to even track the petition thru DHL. If you do a quick search there are detailed instructions. Sounds like you have a great handle on the I134 paperwork. You'll also need relationship proof too. Emails, chat logs, phone records, etc etc. Are you going thru Mumbai? They do almost everthing electronically I think. Packet 3 and 4 are on line. Go to the embassy website and look specifically for Packet 3 info. Some others may be along shortly with more info....	catknit	Female	India	10/16/2008 18:02
Asia: South	New Delhi Consulate	Hi Karri! Thanks for the wishes of goodluck. The interview wasn't bad perse but we did get a 221g. Let's see, the CO was ok to talk, asked some typical questions. Our situation was a little difficult for a couple of reasons - we got engaged right after I divorced my ex and that's a typical red flag. I had been separated for awhile and all that but technically we met and started our relationship while I was still married. So there was some explaining to do about that. Also I was there only once - don't think that helped. It was a hard desicion to not go for the interview itself but with the economic scenario I couldn't chance losing my job. The CO said that he just didn't see enough proof of relationship but said that he'd keep the case open and gave a list of info to compile that we can send into VFS. Some of the info he had with him at the time but I truly think the CO was basing his desicion on only what was said; not paperwork available my SO had with him. I think my SO even said that he read the list there and mentioned that he had some of what was being requested with him and the CO said to just bundle everything together and hand it in to VFS. Looks like our case is going to get a second review. I keep flip flopping in my head from - ok, they were convinced enough to not send the case back so there is hope to awwwwwww why didn't we get approved!!!! I could have dealt with namecheck/secuirty ap without much issue. My SO is Muslim - I expect namechecks. But to hear they are questioning our relationship really bothers me. If you look in the consulate section you'll see a post from JBean who also got a 221g. Here's hoping it isn't contagious!	catknit	Female	India	10/17/2008 19:19
Asia: South	New Delhi Consulate	Nope - Packet 3 and packet 4 are different. Packet 3 is just a single form [forget which right now] to determine who is coming in for the interview and a checklist. If you have your case number from NVC, you can walk up to the outside counter and get it right away. Packet 4 contains your appointment letter, medical info, and VFS info. You will only receive Packet 4 after you've returned Packet 3. The packet 4 stuff and all other info goes to VFS no earlier than 15 days but no later than 10 days prior to your interview date. Once we have our interview - in about 3 weeks - I'd be happy to share more info! Good luck.	catknit	Female	India	9/27/2008 12:34
Asia: South	No engagement ceremony, but was asked for receipts and guest lists	Hi kaushalia, I am currently going thru a 221(g) ordeal with the New Delhi consulate; our first 221(g) was for additional relationship information [engagement guest list info, pics, phone records, chat, email, notarized permission from both sets of parents agreeing to the marraige, affidavit explaining our relationship, etc] - we got a response within 2-3 weeks. If you call the embassy's IV line and speak with someone they will also quote the 2-4 week time line. Unfortunately, in our case, we got a second 221(g) for different information - I think we'll have the paperwork in tomorrow or Tuesday and we're anticipating another 2-4 weeks for a second answer. If you do some searches here on the New Delhi embassy and 221(g) you'll see that requesting engagement pics/guests lists happens occasionally and most people have no issues and get the visa shortly after handing in the additional support paperwork. PM if you want to talk!	catknit	Female	India	12/7/2008 21:18
Asia: South	New NVC process	Yes - I know this is an old thread but does anyone know if this also pertains to K1s? Technically a K1 is considered non-immigrant and we have nothing to pay at the NVC level....so should I be on the look out for this or no?	catknit	Female	India	8/14/2008 13:29
Asia: South	Any problem in entering India & leaving USA ??	If you haven't already bought the tickets and really are concerned about the connection in the EU, cough up the extra $$$ for a non-stop to India. There are non-stops from JFK, EWR, and Chicago.... You can also call the airlines involved and ask what they say about the intermediate stops - they are typically well versed in what is needed at specific air ports.	catknit	Female	India	2/10/2009 19:04
Asia: South	Engagement ceremony proof	I believe there was a tread a couple of months back where the CO in Mumbai was looking for receipts on catering for the upcoming wedding...I couldn't find it with just a quick look. If I can, I'll post the link. It appears, especially recently, that all the consulates in India may ask for just about anything at any time. They will typically give you a shot at providing the information after the interview with a 221g if you don't have it with you at the time. I know of some K1 applicants that had engagement ceremony info requested where the couple didn't have a ceremony and they still received the visa. I think in many cases the entire relationship is looked at, not just whether or not a specific "item" needs to be crossed off the list. There are those of us who didn't have the ceremony and have gotten denials. There was also a member on vj last year out of Hyderabad [I think] who had an engagement ceremony where the CO thought it was actually a marriage and was denied. My point - a lot of things can be taken an awful lot of ways! Just do what you can and tell your story - but be thorough!!!!	catknit	Female	India	2/13/2009 22:27
Asia: South	PIO Card	My limited understanding with the OCI is that at some point your husband would have had to been an Indian passport holder??? This is the verbage from the Ministry of Home Affairs - A foreign national, who was eligible to become citizen of India on 26.01.1950 or was a citizen of India on or at anytime after 26.01.1950 or belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15.08.1947 and his/her children and grand children, provided his/her country of citizenship allows dual citizenship in some form or other under the local laws, is eligible for registration as Overseas Citizen of India (OCI). Minor children of such person are also eligible for OCI. However, if the applicant had ever been a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh, he/she will not be eligible for OCI. To me that reads that they had to have been an Indian citizen [or eligible for Indian citizenship via birth/family lineage] prior to requesting the OCI - not a citizen of elsewhere looking for status. It's been my understanding that for a non-Indian-origin spouse [someone who can't claim thru their own parents/grandparents a link back to India] the only option is the PIO. Plus, my SO knows I'm only using him for the PIO card anyway .	catknit	Female	India	3/14/2009 14:17
Asia: South	Still under AP!!!!! Got excited for nothing...	Because she isn't your biological child - they won't be requesting a DNA test, it would proove nothing. Have you legally adopted her? Court papers showing that may have some significant pull if they are questioning your relationship. But, since you haven't received paperwork requesting anything specifically - it's hard to guess what exactly they want. Have you tried having your wife email the embassy explaining that DOS has a notation requesting this additional information and you need guidance on what to do next? One thing that helped us try to get a real answer from the embassy was to send a detailed message via email, ingnore the autoresponse and then wait for the "real" response which will probably say something vague [like you're in AP and the time line is up in the air]. Reply directly to the vague response asking your questions again. For us, about a third of the time, doing this got us better information and not just the vague "Our records indicate your case is currently under AP...blah blah blah". And if they do fess up in an email that something is needed you now have a hard copy correspondence that can be taken to VFS with the newly requested info...	catknit	Female	India	3/20/2009 7:52
Asia: South	Still under AP!!!!! Got excited for nothing...	Having been on the receiving end of 2 221(g)s - it can happen but the second request came back with the passport...I find it odd that they didn't have the request for additional information in with your passport. I would load them up with everything possible. Would it be possible for your wife to come back and speak with the consulate if it came to that??? Sad but true - a DNA test may be requested - I wouldn't be surprised since it's Delhi.	catknit	Female	India	3/19/2009 20:07
Asia: South	Little Aditya's here!	Warmest congrats and the happiest of futures...	catknit	Female	India	3/27/2009 14:14
Asia: South	Question as with MARM's thread for Indian citizens	Since the New Delhi consulate has lovingly made us file again [yeah, still bitter]... We are completely avoiding the K1 and getting married then filing CR1. As to whether from stateside or as DCF has yet to be decided....	catknit	Female	India	3/27/2009 14:12
Asia: South	Getting married in India...	Kaushalia - That's so exciting! I'm so happy for you and glad that you decided to go ahead and get married. Can't wait for pics! How soon will you be leaving?	catknit	Female	India	4/2/2009 16:36
Asia: South	Getting married in India...	QUOTE (kaushalia @ Mar 31 2009, 09:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> The original petition was denied for lack of bona fide relationship evidence, which is why we want to overload with the i-130, no excuses this time . Yeah, he is a wedding planning machine, I don't know how he is doing it all, but I just talked to him, and he is going to the temple near his house. He already arranged for his family to come into town. One of my sisters were going to come to the wedding when we were getting married in September, but since we bumped it up 4 months, she doesn't think she will be able to. One of the reasons for the bump also was because tickets are so much cheaper now. I could not believe the prices for April and May. I have promised my mom that when he gets here, we will have the wedding we have always planned. Since my family is unable to attend, that is my main reason for having their affidavits. It will be a small intimate wedding ceremony so nothing elaborate, maybe we will have a bigger party afterwards. It is just hard to want to have the big celebration when it is with people that I barely know, besides his family and friends that I have met on previous trips. Thanks for all the input Keep them coming!! Good luck Sara on your upcoming nuptuals. It just blows my mind that you have had to endure this difficult wait I am still a firm believer we will all be with our loved ones soon. Nothing is going to stop us. Small? Intimate? Wedding in India??? You sure about that? J/K - I'm sure he's doing a great job getting everything together so quickly. I bet it's tough on him since May is a very popular month for weddings. I know the airfare is super tempting right now.... Keep in mind, at least from my research, that the embassy in New Delhi loves tradition so I would make sure a good bit of what is expected with rituals, etc is included.	catknit	Female	India	3/31/2009 21:00
Asia: South	Getting married in India...	Ok - me again! May???????? Wow - is he a wedding planning machine? I agree with Sara - any chance of having some guests from your side? I don't think it will be a huge deal if not because I'd be willing to bet you'll do something stateside once he's here?	catknit	Female	India	3/31/2009 20:02
Asia: South	Getting married in India...	Sounds like a plan! Find out about any and every type of insurance you can add him to - health and life specifically. You may be able to add him to credit cards to show other financial ties.	catknit	Female	India	3/31/2009 19:52
Asia: South	And moving on to Plan C...	The paperwork is straight forward and from what I've seen many many people have no problems and get the PIO in just a couple weeks...but those who have issues have ISSUES - I guess it's sort of like this process.	catknit	Female	India	4/9/2009 8:53
Asia: South	And moving on to Plan C...	The PIO is a fickle, fickle beast - I have read NIGHTMARE stories on trying to get it in Delhi from the Home Ministry offices...it appears the quickest and easiest is at the non-Indian's local embassy. The 1 year thing is NOT written stone - it's one of those on a whim things that seems to be the standard protocol for Indian officials. There is a LOT of PIO info on indiamike.com - great site for odds and ends about travel and living in India.	catknit	Female	India	4/9/2009 7:33
Asia: South	And moving on to Plan C...	I'm actually going to explore one church related group that does rural health and outreach. I was hoping for $500/month which is well below typical expat expectations but probably on par with [if not higher than] Indian standards in charity work. And, of course, there is the visa issue. Why is it always the darn visas that get in the way????????	catknit	Female	India	4/8/2009 22:15
Asia: South	And moving on to Plan C...	Maybe - maybe not - and given you still have the residency requirement couldn't you figure something bigger in the 90 days [if that's what you want]? You have OCI? I think the entry stamp in your passport will establish your residency date. And you won't need a visa to work... How long could your project last in India? I think the embassy looks for certain traditions to be kept but a 500 person reception isn't a must have. I, unfortunately, need to marry under the special marriage act first and I don't want to run into money issues. I can only work under an E visa since we haven't married and I can't get a PIO yet... We're sooooooooo stuck right now. I have no patience either Edited by milo75, 08 April 2009 - 05:28 PM.	catknit	Female	India	4/8/2009 17:25
Asia: South	And moving on to Plan C...	DCF has many benefits and after our denial it seems like the safest option...plus you'd be waiting out your time together and that has it's perks too.	catknit	Female	India	4/8/2009 17:01
Asia: South	And moving on to Plan C...	Plan C is filing DCF - which had been part of Plan B but now we are looking at it from a slightly different angle...	catknit	Female	India	4/8/2009 14:12
Asia: South	And moving on to Plan C...	I know this is a complete shot in the dark here but... If anyone has any contact information for finding positions in India - specifically Delhi - I could really use the help. Please pm me and I can give you info about my work experience/education/industry...and nope, I'm not in IT which is making my life hell trying to find something. I'm already using all the major job search websites [both US and India based], I've been networking within my industry to try and maybe swing a 6 month to 2 year assignment...nothing yet. Obviously if I go this route it would need to be an employer who can sponsor an E visa - but our plan B just imploded and we need to figure a way forward...	catknit	Female	India	4/8/2009 11:33
Asia: South	Another 221g from New Delhi, K-1	Congrats!!!! I'm so happy for you!!!!	catknit	Female	India	4/8/2009 7:24
Asia: South	Another 221g from New Delhi, K-1	Just to add to the support here...be thorough and get that info back into VFS. You should be fine.	catknit	Female	India	3/24/2009 15:35
Asia: South	What should I pack...	Hey Sara! Thanks for the list... I think we're going to be in Kashmir/Srinagar/Ladakh for 2-3 weeks - so not super concerned up there. I'll call it camping!!! K was sweet enough to take me to a couple of groceries and a spice market to see what was available. The only spice I know I'm taking so far is ground allspice. It's the cosmetics that are bugging me the most - that and, ummm, female products... I'm not shampoo loyal and read that there is a brand Himlaya or something is really good. Tried toothpaste and was ok with it. I do touch up the roots/hair every 8-ish weeks - I'm thinking of maybe 5-6 boxes of dye? I use a lot of moisturizer like curel or lubriderm - I know I can totally get used to something similar I'm just curious if there is anything I should without a doubt buy here and take over. Also OTC meds and vitamins - does anyone have a preference and why? I'm playing pack, store, toss, or sell as I go thru my apartment.	catknit	Female	India	5/2/2009 20:28
Asia: South	What should I pack...	This is especially for the NRIs/former expats here - what should I pack for my relocation to Delhi...The thought right now is I will be there about a year. Is there anything here that I can't easily get there or whose brand here is more comfortable [I know saying better would be totally subjective but maybe cosmetic type stuff that's different enough that packing a stock pile here would make more sense]? I'm not sending over any boxes/cartons/crates, so it needs to fit in 2 regular suitcases.	catknit	Female	India	5/2/2009 20:03