biggish data

Chennai Consulate - Visa approved

Congrats! If you can, please post questions they asked and a review to help those of us in line next

Also, was the CO aware that you were there with your fiance?

BlueTrap

Male

India

5/13/2010 3:31

Where to register marriage

Thank you very much for the replies. Much appreciated.

IndigoLove

Not Telling

India

10/15/2010 13:57

Where to register marriage

I am an American. My husband is an Indian citizen. We are beginning the visa process but do I need to register our marriage in the US? If so, where do I do this? Our marriage has been registered with the courts in India. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!

IndigoLove

Not Telling

India

10/13/2010 13:08

Ok, let's see if my wee brain is processing this. I could also enter India under an Entry Visa and then apply for the PIO while in India, correct? The having to return in 6 months and blah blah blah obviously isn't an option.

IndigoLove

Not Telling

India

1/4/2011 22:19

Ah I think I got it. PIO wouldn't be a bad option, although I understand I can also apply for one after entering India on an entry visa.

IndigoLove

Not Telling

India

1/4/2011 22:07

All of this stuff can get a little confusing/overwhelming. We've been married 1 1/2 years, so we're covered for the PIO. In reading the entry visa info, its a little unclear to me. The maximum length of the visa I can get is 5 years, but then it says no stay can be over 6 months. Am I misreading this? I'm going to check further in the PIO. How long is the processing time and do I use it instead of a visa or do I still have to obtain some kind of visa? Oh blah, I'm just confusing myself.

IndigoLove

Not Telling

India

1/4/2011 22:01

Well, I am born American. My husband is Indian, so I don't think the PIO applies in my situation, correct?

IndigoLove

Not Telling

India

1/4/2011 21:39

Thank you so much. If anyone else can think of anything I need to know, please holler! Much appreciated.

IndigoLove

Not Telling

India

1/4/2011 21:18

The more you think you have life figured out, the more it'll show you that you don't. We had planned to file for my Indian husband's visa while I resided in the USA. We have now changed our plans and I plan to go to India, indefinitely, to live with him, enjoy our marriage, and eventually file for DCF before we move back here after a year or two. My question is this, if someone on the forum has experience and can offer me some guidance. What type of visa do I need to properly enter India as the spouse of an Indian citizen without immediate plans of returning? At this point I am not going to need a work visa, so would it be the "Entry (x) Visa" that I need?

This won't be my first trip to India, and I'm excited at this prospect. I just want to be sure all the bases are covered. Any help would be appreciated.

IndigoLove

Not Telling

India

1/4/2011 15:02

I have flied both PIA and Emirates to Karachi.

PIA sucked!! There was this really bad smell on all my flights, the air hostesses are quite rude, the seats are tight, there is barely any space between seats. Only good thing is that it's a direct flight but everything including the customer service sucked.

Emirates is much better in comparison. The food is better, the air hostesses are nicer, it's much more comfortable, there is lots of in flight entertainment and the seats are more comfortable than the PIA one. Only downside is, it stops in Dubai for two to three hours but those two to three hours go really fast as there is a lot to at the Abu Dhabi airport.

I am flying to Karachi in December and this time taking Etihad as the flight was cheaper than Emirates at Orbitz.com American sites usually don't offer tickets for PIA so you need to buy directly from their site or a travel agent if you want to fly PIA.

Yes, you know I had heard from my sister everything you are saying about PIA and the same about Emirates so I guess everyone has had similar experiences. I know from my own experiences with traveling that I surely need comfort especially for a lengthy flight such as this. I saw one site that did offer PIA tickets, I forget the name but it was some kind of consolidator website. I do not want to fly PIA. Is Abu Dhabi airport a nice one? I have never been there what kind of things are there to do there?

Edited by Combined Hearts, 27 October 2010 - 08:43 PM.

DulceCorazon

Not Telling

10/27/2010 20:42

well I havenot travlled in Eithad but its been recently rated as five star airline ,i have heard its better than emirates but i dont know which one will be cheaper ,also dont know much about buying pIA ticket online .all I know is some time agents are cheaper for Pakistan as they ready to leave some of thier commision

Thanks. I will have him look into that for me then.

DulceCorazon

Not Telling

10/16/2010 13:09

Hello. Thanks for replying. If I take PIA is that a decent flight? Also, is there much turbulence? I heard PIA has really bad turbulence in comparison with other airlines. Also, is it cheaper to book directly through PIA via their website or to get the ticket from Karachi aiport via my fiance?

well dpends which state are you cimong from in most cases emirates is best and PIA comes no 2 but personal experience i will prefer Emiratea and yes you can bring gifts for any one provided they are not forbidden itmes

Have you ever taken Etihad?

DulceCorazon

Not Telling

10/16/2010 11:10

Any idea which airlines are most economical? Also, do you think that they will allow you to bring gifts for pets on the plane?

DulceCorazon

Not Telling

10/15/2010 19:54

Decent Places to Stay in Karachi?

BEACH luxury hotel..Excellent location, good privacy and decent price.

Do you know if there are any places to rent an apartment for 30 days?

DulceCorazon

Not Telling

11/4/2010 14:51

Decent Places to Stay in Karachi?

Where to stay on the wedding night?

DulceCorazon

Not Telling

10/27/2010 21:39

Decent Places to Stay in Karachi?

Hi everyone! I need advice. My fiance wants us to stay away from his family so we can be alone for 30 days after the marriage. Where is the best place to stay? Like is it best to just get an apartment for 30 days or to stay at the guest house? Which area is the safest for tourists in Karachi?

Edited by Combined Hearts, 27 October 2010 - 09:37 PM.

DulceCorazon

Not Telling

10/27/2010 21:34

Airline Consolidators?

We ended up buying them cheaper directly through the airlines. We saved about $800 that way with a voucher given to us from a family member.

DulceCorazon

Not Telling

12/6/2010 13:36

Airline Consolidators?

We bought tickets from Expedia, Kayak and makemytrip.com and they are all reputable.

Thanks all of you who responded.

DulceCorazon

Not Telling

10/19/2010 20:37

Airline Consolidators?

I am looking for an airline ticket consolidator that is reputable. Anyone have any knowledge over this?

DulceCorazon

Not Telling

10/19/2010 8:24

Don't want my kids issued Indian Entry Visas.... HELP

Unfortunately the new rules do say that as children of a person of Indian origin, they have to get entry visas (not tourist visas). As the minor children on an OCI card holder they are also eligible to become OCI card holders themselves. Their father could apply at the Home Ministry for their OCI cards or PIO cards after reaching India. It doesn't matter what visa they go on.

THanks to everyone responding. I know type of visa really does not matter if he decides to abduct our kids, however, if he does, they will be able to put more charges against him in the us because there were specific court orders stating he was to get tourist visas, no pio, or Oci cards for our kids. I have a hearing Monday for contempt charges so we'll see what happens. But thank you to everyone that responded.

Not Telling

10/26/2010 7:31

Don't want my kids issued Indian Entry Visas.... HELP

My x husband is of indian origin, but a naturalized US citizen. I am not of Indian origin and a born US citizen with no passport. My children are suppose to travel to India in November, but I have not signed for their visas. I want my children to be given Tourist Visas NOT Entry Visas, but their father is saying that since he is of Indian origin, they HAVE to be issued Entry visas.

1. Is this true?
2. What are the differences and benefits between Entry Visas and Tourist Visas?
3. Can you get an OCI card if you have a tourist visa?

I need this information ASAP because I will be going to court in a few days.

Not Telling

10/19/2010 18:20

CR-1 interview HELP ( I - 130, immigration interview)

Opps. That was typo. I got married twice one in JUNE and JANUARY (November was typo)

VJ-fan

Male

India

3/6/2011 1:16

plane ticket to india

Hello,
I have used Make my trip and they are efficient. But I like a consolidator that I use It is a at times cheaper then elsewhere and they will work with you.

The person I have worked with is through ASAp Tickets and her name is Jess

When and if you want to call her tell her Gerry Rae Bousaida - Chakrabarty worked with her while she was in India.

I would have sent this via your email but could not.
Here is her info:
Jess, Travel Agent
International Travel Network, Corp.
1100 Grundy Lane # 110A
San Bruno, CA 94066
direct phone: 1-877-751-4940
phone: 800-677-2943 ext # 22 677

Fax: 800-842-0661

Feel free to contact me regarding your travel arrangements from 8AM-4PM Pacific Time

Edited by lilyofthevalley, 11 November 2010 - 10:16 AM.

lilyofthevalley

Not Telling

India

11/11/2010 10:12

duplicate topics have been merged.

charles!

Male

Brazil

10/1/2010 12:26

moved from mena regional to Asia: South regional as pakistan is in that regional section.

charles!

Male

Brazil

10/1/2010 9:26

NVC says certified docs received

NVC 'civil docs requirements' are
either
--original or
--certified copy
plus
photo copy

any 'lazy casefile reviewer' is just that - lazy. they ticked the 'wrong box'.

if you sent in original, and they marked 'certified copy'
it really will be ok - as YOU have 'passed' the 'civil documents review' portion for the DS-230 during final review.

Darnell

Male

China

9/12/2010 10:49

NVC says certified docs received

could be a 'lazy casefile reviewer', as well.

don't sweat this.

you need to do VFS intake? prepare the copies, soonish.

Darnell

Male

China

9/11/2010 22:19

pakistan worst air crash kills 152 on air bus in islamabad

hi vjers sad news yestarday 28 jul 2010 An Airbus SAS jetliner crashed into a rain-soaked hillside at Islamabad, killing all 152 aboard in the deadliest air disaster within Pakistan.Airblue flight ED202 left Karachi at 7:30 a.m. for Benazir Bhutto International Airport, which serves Islamabad and the adjacent city of Rawalpindi, this is the privately held Karachi-based carrier. There were 146 passengers and six crew members on board when the plane went down in Pakistan’s first crash in four years.Monsoon rains at Islamabad, the capital, brought low clouds that covered the ridges of the heavily wooded Margalla Hills, at the city’s edge. The A321 airliner hit a rocky ridge at 9:45 a.m. and tumbled into a ravine about 6 kilometers (3.5 miles) from the offices of President house The crash site, near the Faisal Mosque, Pakistan’s largest, is accessible only by narrow hiking trails and rescuers explored the woods for several hours to determine that no one aboard had survived. The airline’s black box was found in the hills this evening, GEO television reported, The Margalla Hills rise alongside Islamabad’s most elite neighborhoods, about 10 kilometers from Bhutto International Airport in Rawalpindi. “The area is very difficult to get to by car or by foot,” Muhammad Rashid, a spokesman for the Edhi Rescue Service, said by phone from Islamabad.

Two Americans were among the victims, a US embassy spokesman said, but gave no further details.

The aircraft had no technical fault, Airblue’s Ahmed told reporters in Karachi. “The weather was bad but not below parameters,” he said. The pilot had 35 years and 25,000 flying hours of experience, he said.and pilot is a previous employee of pakistan international airline and he is international pilot

Airblue, Pakistan’s second-biggest carrier by market share, began flying in 2004, after private airlines were given licenses to compete against Pakistan International Airline Corp., the national flag carrier. Its owners include its chairman, Tariq Chaudhry, and CEO Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, a former Pakistan Airline chief executive. Ahmed declined to say whether others own shares.

The aircraft was built in 2000 and was leased to Airblue in 2006, according to an e-mailed statement from Toulouse, France- based Airbus. It had made about 13,500 flights and was fitted with engines made by International Aero Engines, a venture backed by United Technology Corp.’s Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce Group Plc, Japanese Aero Engine Corp. and MTU Aero Engines Holding AG.

The country has a category 1 safety rating from the U.S.’s Federal Aviation Administration, meaning it meets international standards.

i have no words to say this is very very sad news for me

Most news indicated that Airblue outright owned the gonzo A-321 rather than leasing it from SAS.

Saddle Bronc

Male

7/28/2010 21:04

10-crore LPD desalination-plant opens in Chennai

http://www.bbc.co.uk...h-asia-10819040

Innovative India water plant opens in Madras
By Swaminathan Natarajan
BBC Tamil
2010/07/30 11:26 ET

The plant could provide a template for solving India's water problems

A desalination plant which begins operating in Madras on Saturday will provide some of the cheapest drinking water in India, backers say.

They say that the plant will supply 1,000 litres of drinking water for just over $1 and could well be a "template" for other coastal Indian cities.

The company behind the plant says that it is the biggest in South Asia.

It will provide 100 million litres of water a day to the city by filtering sea water under high pressure.

In comparison, the government-run water board supplies about 650 million litres of water to the city's seven million residents.

(Note: the number seems way out-of-date; more reasonable estimate would be double that)

Competitively priced

"We are using the advanced reverse osmosis technology. We are purifying the water by filtering it under high pressure. Unlike other desalination plants we are not boiling the water and as a result we are saving a lot of energy," Natarajan Ganesan, Joint General Manager of the Chennai Water Desalination company told the BBC.

India's monsoon is notoriously erratic
Mr Ganesan said that because the plant used "energy recovering technology", electricity consumption was reduced - making water produced there arguably the most competitively priced in India.

"It can be competitive even when compared to supplying water from natural sources like lakes. One has to spend lot of money on transport water from lakes," he said.

The plant will process 237 million litres of sea water per day.

An initial treatment will remove solids present in the water, before it is passed through a membrane under high pressure.

The plant - which cost $140m - is the joint venture between an Indian company IVRCL and Befessa of Spain. It is built under the "deboot" system - design, build, own, operate and transfer.

The government-run Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) will buy the purified water for the next 25 years.

"We have agreed to buy the water from them at 48.66 rupees for 1,000 litres - meaning that it costs us just over one dollar for 1,000 litres," CMWSSB Managing Director Shiv Das Meena said.

"The water is purified and demineralised. This takes away salt, lime and other particles. The purified water meets the government standards. It tastes just like ordinary water and above all it is cheap," he said.

Chennai has been suffering from a chronic water shortage for decades. Its water needs are primarily met by lakes situated around the city. But these lakes depend on the erratic north-east monsoon.

On an average year, the monsoon brings about 100cm (39in) of rainfall, but most of this arrives over a short period - resulting in a massive run-off into the sea.

Another desalination plant with similar capability is expected to be commissioned by 2012

Saddle Bronc

Male

7/30/2010 11:42

Can you do a K-1 if you perform a nikah not registered through a court?

That's a very very bad idea. Applying for a K1 after a nikah has taken place (whether or not it's registered) is totally against the rules. If you get caught or if they suspect you're already married during your K1 interview they'll reject you and force you to withdraw your petition. This happened to someone in India just for having a "marriage" ceremony that wasn't recognised by Indian law...

...and almost happened to us as well. I had asked Joe Uncle (Joshua Daniel) if an unregistered wedding could be done, and I could then file a K-1 and register the wedding in US (Joe Uncle HAS seen the reverse--people doing a civil marriage with later Christian one--many times), and he nixed it saying "no, we must be transparent with the law".

Saddle Bronc

Male

9/15/2010 11:54

Can you do a K-1 if you perform a nikah not registered through a court?

That could be a red-flag. Better to just have a fancy engagement-party in a hotel (with the word "Engagement" or "Betrothal" in prominent display).

Saddle Bronc

Male

9/9/2010 10:35

visa journey helped me put together my husbands visa and it did get him here to the US. the reason am voicing out to the pakistanis is that he walked out on me, yes left and took his bags and walked out, we have been together for 6 years, married, and our son is turning 3 years old soon. i am wondering why someone would do something like this? is it because i am not muslim and not pakistani? just venting.

We were fighting alot,i guess i was mean to him, also i didnt feel like he knew what he was doing here in america, had only been here 7 months and he didnt really get up to plan his life out here and i got so frustrated and got angry when i got home and how i was treating him. but all i wanted was for him to work hard for us his family and his son, he went to his uncles, said we were too different

green card is still conditional, still waiting for him to respond to me, does not call does not answer emails. no real answer about wanting to be with his son - just said i will do a father role.

This triad does not add-up--a conditional (2-yr) GC is issued if the marriage (by the time of GC issuance) has endured less than 2 years by issuance--which is well-exceeded by the 5+-years difference between the time of marriage and the time that Pakistani-citizen parent has been in the US--and a 10-year GC issued if marriage over 2 years.

Saddle Bronc

Male

10/2/2010 8:43