biggish data

is K-3 worth the money and effort

Go for CR-1. If it wasn't for this site we would have went through K-3 as well, but after reading through and looking through timelines, we decided for CR-1/IR-1 and I will say it has been the best choice.

Also look for which service center your brother will fall into, compare the timelines of service centers, so you will know what to expect with i-130 approval.

trinket

Female

India

2/3/2009 12:51

Waiting is driving me bananas!! What is the longest/shortest time anyone on here has waited for their fiance to get to the USA?

Joe and I have been seperated for a total of 4 years 2 months to be exact before we met again. And it had nothing to do with visa process, our whole visajourney was really smooth but we had to encounter other (financial) problems.

I am not complaining anymore, we are together for good now and this 4 year of seperation made both of us much stronger, made me more level headed and I learnt patience.

I guess I am not good with words and emotions, and I don't want to dwell into the past. It sure was one miserable period of both of our life, but its over now and I am looking forward to the life ahead of us.

trinket

Female

India

2/8/2009 12:40

Unobtainable Birth Certificate

One more thing, I am uncertain if you are talking about just a visitor's visa for your parents or you want to bring them permenantly over to US.

My response was regarding Immigrant visa.

trinket

Female

India

2/6/2009 20:55

Unobtainable Birth Certificate

QUOTE (pter @ Feb 6 2009, 10:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (johndecka @ Feb 6 2009, 10:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (pter @ Feb 6 2009, 09:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hello All,
My parents Birth certificate is not available(only school leaving is available and in which birth date is mentioned). It is Unobtainable. I have got letter relevant from office that, this Birth Certificate is Unobtainable. But i have this letter in our native language.

I have made notary of it in English through lawyer. So, can i use this English notary for I130 petition ?

Please guide me

Thanks
Peter

Yes U can.
why do u need to send ur parents birthcertificate?
It's Not Required

I know it is not required but after i go to USA, i will start process for my parents. and I want to finish all paper work before i go USA. I dont want that my parents will get trouble...in sort, i want to reduce their work.

pter

You just cant start up the process for your parents once you move to US, first off, you will either have to attain 10 year GC or you will have to get the Citizenship, only after that you can apply.

I assume you are going through CR-1 visa, so its a wait for at least 2 to 3 years before you can do that.

PS-- not trying to be judgemental, but why are you in such a hurry of bringing your parents to US

trinket

Female

India

2/6/2009 20:53

What to submit to VFS General Question

Here you can find at this location website.

Gujarat Chambers Building,
Shri Ambika Mills, Ashram Road,
Ahmedabad - 380009 .

trinket

Female

India

2/20/2009 11:34

What to submit to VFS General Question

QUOTE (SankuNiku @ Jan 31 2009, 10:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi,

I hope to help clear up for everyone on what needs to be submitted at VFS for CR-1 and K-3 filers.

Here is what I understand needs to be submitted for both:

1. Copy of Appointment letter
2. Courier Fee of 394 rupees
3. Copy of Passport biographic page
4. 2 Photographs of beneficiary
5. Medical Report

Here is what I understand needs to be submitted for CR-1 that will be sent by NVC in the CR-1 case file:

1. DS-230 Parts 1 and II, II unsigned
2. Birth Certificate original
3. Marriage Certificate original
4. Police Reports- Passport Office and Local Police- Originals of Both
5. Affidavit of Support- I-864 Form
6. Tax return(s)
7. Pay stubs of 2008 (if applicable)
8. Job Letter- Original (if applicable)

Here is what I understand needs to be submitted for K-3 in addition to the above with the exception of DS-230 and the I-864

1. DS-156
2. Affidavit of Support- I-134 Form

On the day of the interview, I understand beneficiary would need the following:

1. Original Passport
2. Original Appointment Letter
3. Proof of Relationship
4. VFS Receipt of everything that's been submitted
5. Photocopies of everything that's been submitted
6. In case of K-3, the K-3 application fee of $131

Please let me know if any of this is incorrect and if I'm missing anything.

Regards,

I don't have much knowledge about k-3 but for CR-1 you don't have to submit your tax returns.

1. DS-230 Parts 1 and II, II unsigned
2. Birth Certificate original (could be photocopy, given you submitted the original at NVC)
3. Marriage Certificate original (could be photocopy, given you submitted the original at NVC)
4. Police Reports- Passport Office and Local Police- Originals of Both (could be photocopy, given you submitted the original at NVC)
5. Affidavit of Support- I-864 Form -- Don't need
6. Tax return(s)--don't need, take it for interview day though
7. Pay stubs of 2008 (if applicable)--don't need, take it for interview day though
8. Job Letter- Original (if applicable)--don't need, take it for interview day though

trinket

Female

India

2/1/2009 10:19

visa approved

Congratulations

trinket

Female

India

2/14/2009 0:17

Got Interview Letter today

Congrats Pattu Rani and best wishes

...........may your parrot king be home soon

trinket

Female

India

2/21/2009 12:02

QUOTE (Nikita2Charles @ Feb 26 2009, 10:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Here's a little Trick

1) Your folks in India needs to have a pc with High Speed internet access( dial up work but will explain later)

2) Get a Magic Jack, send it to them, but best choice if you have somebody going there who could take it in person.

3) From this point you can start to improvise, you can get a Cordless phone, watch the voltage rating in the back, so when the phone is in India you can use a 220V converter with whatever output voltage the phone is.

4) Plug up the Magic Jack to your computer USB, the driver and software is built into the Magic Jack so there's no software or driver to download.
With a dial up connection it does work but voice quality is inconsistent, sometimes it's good at time it's worse than a voice chat.

With Broadband connection you can speak to the other person like they are next door, so even if you are in India, your area code is still local, so calling your folks is only a local call away.
I like the fact it's only $20 a year, not those companies with the monthly payments, so by comparaison in 4-5 months you have already match any of the competitors out there. Also I guess you can add the montlhly internet access in INDIA

Hmmmm, Just my personal opinion, I don't work for Magic Jack nor am i making a free endorsement for them

Thanks about magic jack, but there a few reasons why I cant use it. I don't have a big family but there are 4 people I almost keep in touch, my dad, my bro, one of my cousin sis and my best friend. Except my dad none of the others have computer with them.

Bro is a trainee for merchant navy, so he is usually in his ship. Cousin sis is studying her Meds, so no computer there either. Best friend has a job where she usually roams around all over India. Left is my dad, I come from a tiny little town of Port Blair, only BSNL provides broadband, but to get broadband over there its a hassle of 6 months..............so basically I am hoping to get Unlimitedindiacalling.com once my current noble.com's calling time expires.

Edited by trinket, 26 February 2009 - 11:43 AM.

trinket

Female

India

2/26/2009 11:41

Here is the thing with Noble.com calling cards. I buy the $20 ones and if I am calling Metro or big cities I get around 5:40 hours or so, but if I call smaller cities in India the time reduces to 2:40 hours.

I belong to a smaller city so that's where I call most of the time. I guess that Unlimitedindiacalling.com is a good option.

Thanks guys!

trinket

Female

India

2/23/2009 10:55

QUOTE (queuedup @ Feb 22 2009, 09:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree, it looks like you have to switch your VOIP service, and then pay for the calls to India.

Currently I don't have any VOIP services, I use Noble.com calling cards. So given that I don't have any VOIP can I get this new one and get those 500 minutes

I have never used VOIP, so not sure how things work with it. Don't want to get into something which says 14.99 per month and then I end up paying $50 for it.

trinket

Female

India

2/22/2009 11:45

I was doing some searches and came across this site. Wondering if anyone used it out here or do they think if its worth it.

For me, it just looks too good to be true, so well.

trinket

Female

India

2/22/2009 0:07

Does NOA2 (for I-130)depend on beneficiary country?

Lol I just read my post and I did a big mistake. I meant to say that there is NO first come first serve policy with USCIS. Some people wait for 10 months some goes through within a month with the same service center

trinket

Female

India

2/27/2009 15:04

Does NOA2 (for I-130)depend on beneficiary country?

QUOTE (champi @ Feb 27 2009, 12:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hey Guyz,
I've been browsing these forums for last few days. I notice that majority of the NOA2 for I-130 takes quite long for countries like India, China, compared to countries like Canada or South American countries. Is this a known behavior? Why? Every time I read someone getting approved in 2-3 months, I get excited and then I look at the person's country (usually turns out to be Canada or one of the South American countries) and I wonder if it was quicker only because they're closer to US (I know it's a silly observation). It kills me to think that I may have to wait a year or longer, like some of you brave people have been doing. I hope that's not the case with recent VSC speed ups I've been reading about...

No offense to anyone anyone here.....just trying to figure out the process and timings.....

No, NOA-2 actually depends upon service center. I think you should better accept the fact that there is first come first serve basis with USCIS. I am not sure how they pull files up but its more of a random thing.

There have been many VJ people from India who got faster approval. This is past years spreadsheet link you might want to study it and see how NOA-2 isn't country specific.

Though a couple of countries automatically gets faster approval because of internal conflict within that specific country, such as Cuba, Iraq, Iran.

trinket

Female

India

2/27/2009 14:08

VISA APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations

trinket

Female

India

2/27/2009 11:39

VFS Stars and Stripes Lounge?

I am not sure about zip lock bags, they also confiscated belts from men, so I guess basically they don't allow any sharp objects.

As per rule USC should be allowed to the consulate because that technically is US land, but my USC husband wasn't allowed. The day of my interview I had 5 more CR-1 applicants and none of their USC spouse were allowed either. We did email consulate before the interview to get the permission and they did give us the permission but on the day of the interview they just didn't let my husband get in.

So be prepared, just make sure if you are going with your SO, to give her your Passport, so she can show that during the interview that you are waiting for her right outside.

trinket

Female

India

2/24/2009 19:57

VFS Stars and Stripes Lounge?

Ok here is the deal with the lounge. Firstly you will have to be there by 6:30 or so, and they dont let you in by 6:45 or so. Once you are inside, you are being searched and also you can deposit your things that time to them. Once that is done you are then taken to the snack room. Just gives 2 types of sandwhich and coffee, I swear you won't even be able to finish one of your sandwhich before they start calling names to get on the bus for the 7:30 am interview.

Its good if you have things like mobile phones and other electronic stuff, you can keep it with them, but otherwise its waste really.

Another thing, please don't take any zip folders, try plastic sea through folders or paper bags. They confisticate any zip bags/folders.

Edited by trinket, 24 February 2009 - 11:36 AM.

trinket

Female

India

2/24/2009 11:35

K1 Visa at Mumbai APPROVED !!!!!

Congratulations

trinket

Female

India

3/2/2009 11:39

Tax clearance

Do you mean tax clearance from India? No its not required. Everything is covered with your PCC, so there won't be any custom problem for you at the airport.

trinket

Female

India

3/2/2009 11:38

Visa Approved!!!

Congratulations

trinket

Female

India

2/26/2009 0:34

consulate in hyderabad

Déjà vu

trinket

Female

India

3/7/2009 19:32

Interview Experience at Mumabi Embassy

Congratulations

trinket

Female

India

3/11/2009 12:02

PIO Card

QUOTE (milo75 @ Mar 14 2009, 02:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

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

Yes that is my understanding also. So I guess my husband will only be eligible for PIO.

But whenever we do have kids, I think they might be eligible for OCI and it would be wonderful.

trinket

Female

India

3/14/2009 20:12

PIO Card

I am more interested in OCI than PIO. Can my husband apply for OCI?

trinket

Female

India

3/14/2009 12:14

Hotels near Mumbai consulate

QUOTE (queuedup @ Mar 17 2009, 09:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (pter @ Mar 16 2009, 03:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

H Friend.....hotel near Mumbai consulate will be there but it is costly...but i suggest u can stay towards Andheri, at tht location airport is there, so u can get good hotel with cheaper rate also....

i give u some name: Kohinoor Continental
le grnde
grand maratha
leela
grand hayat

see...how and wht u like ?

i am living near the same hotels in mumbai..so, telling u

my interview is on 13th April 2009

regards,
peter

Thanks. How far is the embassy from Andheri?? I just want to make sure my wife has a way to get to the interview that early in the morning.

Mumbai train system in the morning is really a breeze, I think by taxi Andheri is around 1.5 hours away from US consulate, but if you take train at 6 in the morning, you will reach Mahalakshmi train station within 15 minutes and a taxi from there to consulate is only a matter of 10 minutes maximum.

We lived with a friend and we used train during the morning hours, and they usually are very spacious during that time.

trinket

Female

India

3/17/2009 9:47

Appointment letter

QUOTE (champi @ Mar 20 2009, 11:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Why do they ask for a blank DS-230 part I and II?

QUOTE (queuedup @ Mar 20 2009, 12:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Peter and Trinket - My wife did receive an interview package from the Mumbai consulate. Here are the contents:

1.interview letter, with the Mumbai Consulate letter head (The information is the same as the NVC appointment letter)
2. 2008 Povery lines
3. List of Approved Physicians
4. List of the Photograph instructions
5. Locations of the VFS offices that deal with the Mumbai Consulate
6. Checklist of documents to bring the interview (The same as the K-3 document checklist)
7. A blank DS-230 part I and II

Everything listed above can be downloaded from the Mumbai consulate website.
It just the interview letter that has the Consulate letterhead that is important in the package.

Thanks for the heads up on this package being sent out.

Que

Champi,
That package actually is sent to any beneficiary going through IV visa. People going through F4 have to submit all of the asked stuff at VFS, this doesn't imply to people going through CR-1 but basically its the package they sent out.

You might ask your spouse to take print out of the filled out DS-230 (same one you sent at NVC) and just go to VFS with it.

trinket

Female

India

3/20/2009 13:20

Appointment letter

It is better to get the appointment letter from Mumbai consulate, even if you didn't get it by post you can always go to Mumbai consulate, stand in line for several hours

and get a copy of the appointment letter.

You will need to show them your Passport and give them your NVC case number.

The thing is I have seen at least VFS Mumbai giving hard time to beneficiary's about not having letter from Mumbai consulate, and they actually made a couple of them run to Mumbai consulate and get the interview letter. So if you want to be on the safe side just get a copy from Mumbai consulate.

Rules definitely has changed from the time I gave my interview, so this might not be an issue at all now.

trinket

Female

India

3/17/2009 9:44

Still under AP!!!!! Got excited for nothing...

Do apply for your daughter's passport. Did they also ask for DNA test at New Delhi consulate?

Even if they didn't, may be having a DNA test will help a lot proving a legtimate relationship. According to your siggy your wife stayed in India for 3 months. Try to gather as much of proof as possible and load them to VFS. Try to get affidavits from friends who met your wife, may be affidavits relatives if possible.

I doubt you will receive another 221g, may be call up or email consulate and see if they are going to issue another 221g or not, if there is no response then submit all the proofs you can at VFS asap.

Best wishes.

trinket

Female

India

3/19/2009 19:06

MEdical Is done

Best of luck for the interview

trinket

Female

India

3/23/2009 10:42

Good News .... Visa Issued

lol this is an old topic

trinket

Female

India

3/22/2009 19:32

Good News .... Visa Issued

Congratulations

trinket

Female

India

8/12/2008 1:52

News from Kathmandu

Congratulations

Hope you have a wonderful life ahead

When is Govi planning to come over to US?

trinket

Female

India

3/24/2009 10:16

PIO- Person of Indian origin
OIC--Overseas Indian citizenship

These are kind of like green card of India, since you have Indian roots you are eligible for these. I am really not sure how much your Indian residency would be a problem. Make sure you have all the other bonafide relationship proofs, as much as possible.

I had arya samaj wedding and never registered it, Indian CO gave me a hard time but when the time came for real interview, American CO didn't even question it.

You don't state which path you would be going through, if you are going through CR-1 and NVC doesn't object anything about your marriage certificate then it shouldn't be a problem at consulate stage.

trinket

Female

India

3/23/2009 14:42

QUOTE (Pistons_09 @ Mar 23 2009, 10:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (trinket @ Mar 23 2009, 11:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If you had a religious ceremony and then filed for marriage certificate then its not a problem. People always do religious ceremony and then file for marriage registration certificate because it is much faster that way.

So, the fact that I was "shown" as a resident of the hometown, when I'm clearly not, won't raise eyebrows?

Thanks for your replies! This website is a godsend

Oh yes, that is a problem but do you have something like IOC or PIO with you? Which would prove your ties to India.

trinket

Female

India

3/23/2009 10:41

QUOTE (Pistons_09 @ Mar 23 2009, 05:48 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (trinket @ Mar 22 2009, 08:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

According to Indian civil marriage law, at least 1 of the party, either bride or groom has to live in a city for 30 days thus obtaining residency before filing for civil wedding ceremony.

You did say that it is your wife's grandfather's place, so even if the question arises, she can show that she has tie to that specific city. And since the requirement is only of 1 month, it wouldn't be a matter, even if you guys don't have any proof of when she came to that city, you can always make a notarized affidavit from grandfather stating that she lived with him for a month prior to the wedding.

Also she won't have to get any PCC from that specific district because the requirement was for only 1 month.

About the case you read, if I my memory serves I think you read about laurarajesh case. They didn't have a civil wedding, they had a proxy marriage of what I know and CO had many other objections to that case. I am not really sure about their update but do think they are still under AP.

Actually it was my grandfather's hometown (I am a US citizen). And I was not in India for 30 days. However, it was not a court marriage. (We had a religious ceremony and then filed for the certificate following)

trinket

Female

India

3/23/2009 10:09

trinket

Female

India

3/22/2009 19:22

CR1 Visa approved!!!!

Congratulations

trinket

Female

India

3/30/2009 9:36

Visa in Hand

Congratulations

trinket

Female

India

3/27/2009 22:22

Finally AP over Visa in hand

Wow, this is the longest AP I have seen. Best of luck for your life ahead

-You can try kayak and see price differences between different sites.

-You just buy the online ticket, and you will get a confirmation of it in your email, all your fiance has to do is take print out of it. Also make sure to talk to customer service for ticket confirmation. You will get the details with the email you get from whichever ticketing site you buy it from.

-No, you don't have to be there at the airport. You don't even have to meet up with any immigration officers, your fiance will be screened at custom, you aren't even allowed in those places unless you are flying with him, so don't worry about taking time off from work.

Best wishes again

trinket

Female

India

3/28/2009 11:47