ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIndia VFS inquiry
And this is what I was officially asked to bring to the Calcutta VFS:

--DS230 Part I and II
--Medical Report
--Interview Letter
--3 Passport size pictures
--Passport
--Photocopy of all passport pages.
--Photocopy of marriage certificate
--Photocopy of PCCs.
--Photocopy of Birth certificate.
--Rs. 387 for DHL courier fees.
sachinkyFemaleIndia2011-07-08 08:36:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIndia VFS inquiry
The Calcutta VFS took my medical, a DS230, and a copy of the I-864, passport size pictures, and the courier fee. That's all, I think. The guy at the desk did ask to see a few pictures of us, I showed him a few that was saved on my phone.
sachinkyFemaleIndia2011-07-08 08:25:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNVC case complete and now ?
You will now be getting your interview date via email and your case will be transferred to NWD. It will most likely be a September date. Your wife will need to complete her medical in the meantime.

8-9 months is average for a CR/IR1 case. Dilli is a b!tch of a consulate so prepare accordingly.

Good luck! Hang in there, you're in the last stretch now!

Edited by sachinky, 16 July 2011 - 11:12 AM.

sachinkyFemaleIndia2011-07-16 11:13:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNow Believe that marriage was for immigraion
Wow, I remember you and how outraged you were that he was homeless in Belgium or something? Gosh, that's horrible. There's a special place in hell for people like this.

File for divorce. And pull your I-864. Contact the Embassy immediately.

Good luck and hang in there. Take care of yourself and your baby.
sachinkyFemaleIndia2011-07-14 13:41:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHeart broken, case returned to USA after 2 interviews

You made four red flag points. Items 2, 3 and 4 don't look like a problem to me.


It could be very well be a problem if a combination of factors are NOT the cultural norm for that particular country. Such as the fact that average Moroccan men usually don't marry non-Muslim women older than them. That usually throws up red-flags. Combine that with marrying on the first meeting and you can see what the Consulate is getting at.

A word of advice: Be very careful with the evidence you submit including emails and pictures. You are painting a picture here and you wanna make sure you're using the right colors.

Edited by sachinky, 17 July 2011 - 08:58 PM.

sachinkyFemaleIndia2011-07-17 20:56:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresmarriage in india
Yup, we had a civil ceremony. Took less time than opening a bank account. :) I am not a big fan of big traditional Indian weddings with all the hoopla. Because we belong to different religions, we got married under the Special Marriage Act and the notice of intending marriage has to be served 30 days before the wedding. My dad, my mom and my uncle served as the three witness along with 40 people crammed into our tiny living room.
sachinkyFemaleIndia2011-08-11 14:50:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureswhat is the difference between 'type and print'
Print, capital letters, handwritten.

Type, pretty self-explanatory. Type-writers or computer.

It's ok to mix-and-match, as long as it is legible.
sachinkyFemaleIndia2010-07-19 03:09:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDs230 question 33 (education institutions attended)
I put:

School 1 in Calcutta: 1990-2005
College in NY: 2005-2009
sachinkyFemaleIndia2010-02-16 06:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDs230 question 33 (education institutions attended)
Dunno, maybe you can put it in an explanation sheet?

Edited by sachinky, 08 November 2009 - 11:14 PM.

sachinkyFemaleIndia2009-11-08 23:12:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWhat is the general reason of holding any case in AP????
I filed for the CR-1, we're an interracial-couple, belonging to different religions. We didn't have a traditional Hindu wedding, only a civil marriage. Interview lasted for three minutes and visa was approved without any issues.

Anyone approaching NWD Embassy (especially with a K-1) should do so with caution, that said.

AP is usually additional/administrative processing for name checks and background clearance. As outlined by other posters, this can take a few days, to a few weeks, to a few months. The 'unusual' your case is, the higher the chances of you going into AP. If you're a male beneficiary from certain parts of the world belonging to certain religion, you are almost guaranteed an AP for the sake of US national security.

FYI: EVERY applicant goes through AP. The visa is only issued once the clearance comes from D.C. Usually this happens in less than 24 hours, so mostly we never get to hear about those cases. Some, though, get stuck in the AP black-hole. I would suggest not making any plans or purchasing air tickets till you have the visa firmly in your hands.

Edited by sachinky, 22 October 2011 - 09:38 AM.

sachinkyFemaleIndia2011-10-22 09:36:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresUS citizen but wife from India
Print it out. Sit down with a big thick green highlighter.

Then come back and clarify your doubts.
sachinkyFemaleIndia2010-12-07 23:21:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresUS citizen but wife from India
Read the CR-1 guides. Thrice.

Edited by sachinky, 07 December 2010 - 10:06 PM.

sachinkyFemaleIndia2010-12-07 22:05:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCivil ceremony weddings in New Delhi? help!!

It's sad but the truth is almost all Indians- except for a very small number of highly intellectual elite-class people- are still very shallow and racist when it comes to choosing a life partner. Having someone who follows traditional Indian culture is important. And even though Indians may not be "white" themselves, the vast majority still consider whites to be superior and blacks inferior. People are considered "beautiful" only if they have fair skin; it's very different from modern American standards. It's difficult to understand just how deep-rooted racism is here unless you've lived in India for a long time. Although I certainly don't subscribe to these views myself, the Embassy is aware that most Indians do and unfortunately will take that into consideration when determining your case.


+1000 to SimranS. :thumbs: Perfect, succinct, I have nothing more to add to this piece.

While I abhor the hoopla surrounding the traditional Indian wedding/Bollywood extravaganza and personally preferred a smaller civil ceremony, in your case it would be visa-suicide to not consider a traditional wedding with all the bells and whistles with members from BOTH parties present. Whether this might or might not be your religious and/or personal preference. The odds are NOT stacked in your favor as has already been explained in detail. With two interviews, a probable Fraud Prevention Unit check, and a subsequent denial, you have an uphill battle to wage.

Edited by sachinky, 22 November 2011 - 08:56 AM.

sachinkyFemaleIndia2011-11-22 08:51:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCivil ceremony weddings in New Delhi? help!!
In our case, there were no witnesses from his side. Just three from my side.

He didn't need a certificate of no objection of the US Embassy either.

I reestablished domicile in India for thirty prior to serving the notice -- I was in the US on a F-1 for four years. The notice has to be served 30 days before the wedding. Mr. Sachinky's signature was required for the notice but not his presence in India.

This was in Calcutta. Hope this helps.

Bear in mind though, CO's don't deny visas just because they are having a bad day. There is usually a reason and getting married will NOT guarantee a visa unless that issue is overcome.

NWD is a high fraud consulate and it is tough to get a visa for K-1 interracial couples because of dishonorable intentions of many beneficiaries.

Edited by sachinky, 20 November 2011 - 04:50 PM.

sachinkyFemaleIndia2011-11-20 16:49:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresInterview Tips for Chennai/ Mumbai/ Delhi/ Calcutta
Yowza! Never send your original naturalization certificate! A photocopy of your US passport is enough to prove citizenship. Call/email the Consulate and ask, I suppose. You could also try getting a hold of USCIS.

Edited by sachinky, 10 September 2011 - 11:39 AM.

sachinkyFemaleIndia2011-09-10 11:39:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresInterview Tips for Chennai/ Mumbai/ Delhi/ Calcutta

How long is the medical exam and passport clearance cert. valid for?

If possible I would like to get this soon just in case we are granted an earlier interview. It's a long shot, but I want to stay prepared on our end.


One year, I believe. But you might want to check with the consulate directly as it can be 6 months (for the PCC) at some places.
sachinkyFemaleIndia2011-09-04 12:24:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresInterview Tips for Chennai/ Mumbai/ Delhi/ Calcutta
It'd be best to check directly with the Consulate itself. I know, when it was my interview, I had called to ask whether the USC petitioner would be allowed inside the Mumbai Consulate, I was told no.
sachinkyFemaleIndia2011-08-31 16:23:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresInterview Tips for Chennai/ Mumbai/ Delhi/ Calcutta
No, they don't need any other proof. I have had surgery before and wasn't asked for extra documentation. They did ask me if I had had any surgeries, I replied yes and showed them the scar.

However verbal declaration of chicken pox is not good enough. I still had to take the shot even though I suffered from chicken pox in fifth grade. I did offer to show the doctor the ugly pock marks on my back as proof.
sachinkyFemaleIndia2011-08-26 14:24:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresInterview Tips for Chennai/ Mumbai/ Delhi/ Calcutta
You will need your passport to enter the Consulate for identification purposes. At least for Bombay. Take two forms of ID, especially if you plan on picking up your passport directly instead of having it couriered. The passport will be with them, and if you want to pick it up in person, plan on showing another form of ID (or a photocopy of the passport) to get into the VFS office.
sachinkyFemaleIndia2011-08-23 07:58:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresInterview Tips for Chennai/ Mumbai/ Delhi/ Calcutta
I'm a behen. :P

And you're welcome.
sachinkyFemaleIndia2011-08-21 21:46:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresInterview Tips for Chennai/ Mumbai/ Delhi/ Calcutta
Addressing the topic, as a four-time interviewer, I'd say, the three most important things are:

1) Treat the interview as a conversation, keep it light, casual and maintain eye contact at all times.

2) Don't be nervous. Easier said than done, I know, my knees were shaking.

3) Frankly, this is my opinion, based on my experience -- they are not interested in answers, they are gauging body language and tone-inflection. In almost all cases, a decision has already been made prior to the beneficiary even making an appearance.

Edited by sachinky, 21 August 2011 - 08:53 PM.

sachinkyFemaleIndia2011-08-21 20:52:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresInterview Tips for Chennai/ Mumbai/ Delhi/ Calcutta
Yes, of course, what you say is true. It all depends on a case-to-case basis.
sachinkyFemaleIndia2011-08-21 20:48:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresInterview Tips for Chennai/ Mumbai/ Delhi/ Calcutta

Hi,
My wife went to VFS and they did not accept photos. Howver, my question they accepted phone calls and skype history, yet they did not accept the itenary when I visited to India in summer. VFS did not even take the hotel reciept nor the join financial statements. Any ideas?
Also our situation is that we had registered marriage and a big ring ceremony. What if the CO asks for vidhi photos? What should we tell them? Any ideas would be much appreciated.
Thanks.


If VFS did not accept some items, feel free to carry it to the consulate. Not a big deal.
sachinkyFemaleIndia2011-08-21 20:44:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresInterview Tips for Chennai/ Mumbai/ Delhi/ Calcutta

Somehow I thought so. I saw that a lot of questions were asked i) where there were divorces involved or ii) there is age gap or iii) where there was bare minimum required evidence sent in I-130/ DS-230 or iv) CO smelled/ felt what was submitted not sufficient (specially on income front).

Thanks a lot for your quick response.

I am not sure whether the big albums are worth taking or should she take a couple of pictures from weddig, reception & honeymoon trip.... Of course the Itineraries, telephone call lists, 401K beneficiary nominations, joint lease papers, along with I-130, DS-230, I864 copies.... What do you think!


I took two albums. They weren't terribly big or heavy. One was the wedding album and had the professional pictures. I chose mostly the ones that had us posing with other people or family members. The other one was casual snap-shots from college with friends.

Frankly, I'd err on the side of caution. I took every damn thing I could think of and probably went over-board but even though nothing was asked for, the big bag of evidence gave me the confidence I needed not to collapse to my knees that morning. Also, I sat in the consulate for three hours and watched a TON of people getting grilled. That was NOT fun.
sachinkyFemaleIndia2011-08-21 20:40:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresInterview Tips for Chennai/ Mumbai/ Delhi/ Calcutta
Nothing. I was not asked to provide a single scrap of evidence despite the fact that I carried nearly 10lbs of paperwork.

Edited by sachinky, 21 August 2011 - 01:58 PM.

sachinkyFemaleIndia2011-08-21 13:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresInterview Tips for Chennai/ Mumbai/ Delhi/ Calcutta
http://www.visajourn... cr-1 interview

This is the link to my interview review @ Mumbai.

This is the link to my interview/evidence packet that I took with me.

http://www.visajourn..._1#entry3884717

Hope this is helpful! Good luck to all those waiting for their loved ones.
sachinkyFemaleIndia2011-08-21 10:37:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR-1 Interview Review
I've said it before but I'll say it again! Many congratulations and best wishes for a wonderful life together! :)
sachinkyFemaleIndia2010-08-13 10:48:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHow many times you've been married cause for concern???
The Consulate HAS been known to interview the USC petitioner before, via phone-calls so I would make sure that all the parties involved are clear on all the details.
sachinkyFemaleIndia2011-12-20 16:01:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHow many times you've been married cause for concern???

It's two former spouses, not three, but I guess that's just a number.


I meant his two former spouses and your former spouse.

Load up on the evidence, especially if you are going through NWD. I would get affidavits from both sets of parents.
sachinkyFemaleIndia2011-12-20 12:41:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHow many times you've been married cause for concern???

Until YOU know the totality of the circumstances, (prior petitions etc.) it will be impossible to predict how the partial set of circumstances you provided would impact the ultimate decision.


Absolutely agree with Pushbrk. YOU need to know every tiny detail because with a total of three former spouses in the picture, you can be rest assured that there will be questions about it.
sachinkyFemaleIndia2011-12-20 11:04:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHow many times you've been married cause for concern???
Is he of Indian origin? How did you two meet? Do you belong to the same religion? What consulate will you be going through?
sachinkyFemaleIndia2011-12-20 11:01:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI feel like my husband is being fooled by uscis
The expedite is due to the health of the USC child not the petitioner's deployment/military status.
sachinkyFemaleIndia2012-01-28 11:38:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureshusband mailing forms to me
Speed Post takes about 2-3 weeks.
sachinkyFemaleIndia2012-03-26 18:05:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureshusband mailing forms to me
I used Fedex and/or DHL to send documents to the US. I mailed the DS230 straight to NVC rather than rerouting them through Mr. Sachinky.

Airmail is okay for less important documents. Those take about 15-20 days.
sachinkyFemaleIndia2012-03-25 09:45:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMy CR-1 visa interview is next week I NEED HELP!!!
If you wish to do things the right way, which, given your choice of words and desperation to remain in the US, (for example, "take a chance") you have no desire to do so -- you would cancel your interview based on the fact that your current marriage is no longer viable, divorce your current wife, MEET your "girlfriend" (I am sorry, I can't help but laugh when a grown man calls a woman he has never met and spoken to online for a month or so his "girlfriend" and claims to be so in love) and then, if things work out, possibly proceed with another petition.

Like a previous poster, I, and I am certain I can speak for many others in legitimate relationships, have no wish to help you commit immigration fraud.
sachinkyFemaleIndia2012-04-06 22:10:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMy CR-1 visa interview is next week I NEED HELP!!!

.and why not take the chance instead of starting all over again..


Yeah, material misrepresentation and a lifetime ban from the US is not a "chance" I'd take lightly.
Posted Image

Edited by sachinky, 06 April 2012 - 06:40 PM.

sachinkyFemaleIndia2012-04-06 18:39:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMy CR-1 visa interview is next week I NEED HELP!!!
If you are successful in getting the visa -- which, for Nigeria, is a long shot, anyway, remember you will be committing material misrepresentation: claiming that all is hunky dory in your marriage when your wife has indicated that she has no inclination of continuing to be in a legal relationship with you -- you're going to go to the US, file for divorce, have to file ROC which is going to be a hard-sell that you entered the marriage in good faith when you will have no evidence of financial co-mingling and co-habitation or even giving it a shot, marry ANOTHER USC and file again. Can you see this going well?

Because I sure can't. Posted Image

But hey, what do I know? Maybe someone else will come along and tell you what you want to hear.

Edited by sachinky, 06 April 2012 - 06:37 PM.

sachinkyFemaleIndia2012-04-06 18:35:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMy CR-1 visa interview is next week I NEED HELP!!!
If this marriage has no chance of survival, why bother moving all the way across the Atlantic, in the first place? That's no fun.
sachinkyFemaleIndia2012-04-06 18:23:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1/IR1 to bring her from India
(South) Calcutta, West Bengal.
sachinkyFemaleIndia2012-04-12 20:50:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1/IR1 to bring her from India
Mr. Sachinky wasn't present in India for the notice period either. He signed the papers in the US and I signed my bit in my living room in my PJs.

It took about 3-4 days to get our marriage certificate. My mom paid someone 500/- and they gave us 8 copies of it. Looks like a minty green large sheet of paper with all the information typed out in it (that was filled in during the wedding). The header is titled "Special Marriage Act."
sachinkyFemaleIndia2012-04-12 07:37:00