biggish data

Just FYI dont to Amex gift card do either VISA or Master.
Amex is not widely accepted in India.

Harsh_77

Male

India

8/13/2010 2:08

Wedding Album

That seems like a plan, even was not sure how I should take the pic in album or just some pics.

Harsh_77

Male

India

8/17/2010 10:55

chances of in-law visa

That is not a problem at all, all you have to do is send proof of your husband graudating and show how and who is going to bear the expenses.

Harsh_77

Male

India

9/1/2010 2:11

Police Clearance Certificate

Earlier both police and passport clearance were required, but as per the new guideline now only passport clearance is required.

Harsh_77

Male

India

9/6/2010 2:04

I-30- permanent resident vs citizen

is it true guys that now both the permanent residents and citizens filing for spouses..the processing time is same, around 5 months?

yes at the USCIS stage to have the case adjudicated. However if the family member is overseas then the us citizen's case shoot off immediately while the permanent resident maybe left at the starting line depending on where the visa bulletin dates are.

RICARDO4EVA2

Male

Jamaica

10/4/2010 1:23

Thank you all for the great information! I looked up a couple of things with the info you guys provided and it looks like it's gonna take about 3 months from the time the process starts to get approval for the visa. So I'm going to get started ASAP. I had my fiance ask some questions over there as well and he found out there will be some kind of police inquiry at his home during this process. So there is no guarantee.

Do you guys think I should get a tourist visa before applying for the immigration visa? I don't want things to wind up like they did here and us not have either.

Thanks! Going to do more research now.

Because you aren't married to him yet your only choice is to apply for tourist visa, but once you do get married to him change your tourist visa to Entry visa (that's what I believe the name is). Do remember that you won't be able to apply for DCF at New Delhi's American Embassy if you show your 90 days residency in India as a tourist, you have to show some other kind of visa other than so do make the transition of visa from your side before you apply for DCF.

Best wishes (F)

trinket

Female

India

7/31/2010 14:27

QUOTE (ELW @ Oct 1 2009, 10:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Full name and city is all you need for Western Union, you don't even need the street address.

In India, they will ask for her ID and the code number (Money Transfer Control Number - you will get that when you send the money, and can call up on the phone to give her the code or email it or text it).

that's right.

trinket

Female

India

10/2/2009 9:55

Indian Titles

Indian forms are so confusing !!!

On the very top of the PAN Card application it lists 4 titles: Shri Smt. Kumari M/S

What do these titles mean? I think they apply to your current status in life in relation to marriage or something, but I am not sure.

Shri -- Mr.

Smt. -- Mrs.

Kumari -- Miss

M/S -- Ms (could be married or unmarried woman)

trinket

Female

India

8/13/2010 23:02

I am sorry about my last post, I mixed up posters and didn't realize till I read it again today. Sorry again, what can I say I am dyslexic sometimes.

trinket

Female

India

10/10/2010 8:12

I don't understand why Indian embassy is doing all this. My mum is a greencard holder as she never wanted US citizenship and they won't even issue her an Indian passport, let alone the visa. It is so disappointing.

In your first post you said your mom burnt the Indian passport after getting US citizenship. If your mom still is an Indian citizen then she must be a registered voter back in your Indian home town, if she can contact the autorities there they might be able to issue some informations. Also your mom should have some sort of paperwork for her birth ceritificate, let it be the real birth certificate or 10th pass certificate, she can get her passport basing on the fact that she was born in India.

My mom thinking she will never need the indian passport..burned it after become a U.S citizen.

With what you have said in your first post, you came to US, so you should have your birth certificate, if you are already a US citizen, then you can apply for OCI (overseas Indian citizenship) with that, if you can show you have blood ties with India getting OCI shouldn't be a problem.

trinket

Female

India

10/9/2010 13:21

Keep in mind a few things about PIO and OCI, if you are the only Indian connection for your USC husband then he will have to apply for PIO first before he can apply for OCI.

Also if you guys have been married for less than 1 year then PIO will have to wait, unless your husband is an Indian descent. If he is then he can directly applyl for OCI showing his ties to India.

Edited by trinket, 10 October 2010 - 03:36 PM.

trinket

Female

India

10/10/2010 15:34

When I was staying in India, it was VERY hard to change a visa, in fact, the tourist visa stamp in the passport had big letters CHANGE OF PURPOSE NOT ALLOWED. However, if you can change to an Entry visa after your marriage, you could try for Direct Consular Filing. Whoohoo! Otherwise, a 6-month tourist visa will be enough to get married, return here, and file for CR1 visa. Good luck! :thumbs:

ELW

Female

India

7/31/2010 23:13

Full name and city is all you need for Western Union, you don't even need the street address.

ELW

Female

India

10/1/2009 22:44

Safest, fastest and cheapest way we found is through Western Union Money Transfer "Money in Minutes". Just cost $10 for amounts up to $500 ($15 up to $1000, I think). They are omnipresent both here in USA and in India. Can even send it online at home (I've done that several times.) My husband has sent dozens of monetary gifts to friends and relatives in various places (including villages) in India and they always pick it up immediately, with no problem at all.

Note on bank transfer: I was living in India working at a non-profit and whenever anyone tried bank transfers to donate to us (US and other countries to India), it was ALWAYS a headache. It took a month to get the money! The bank people would say the funds had to be "cleared" like when checks are sent by mail.

ELW

Female

India

10/1/2009 20:15

Wedding Album

Just take out a few sample photos (5-10) to show them, that is sufficient. :yes:

They are too busy to go through a huge album, especially when it won't fit through the window!

ELW

Female

India

8/16/2010 16:34

Indian Titles

Shri = Mr.
Smt = Mrs
Kumari = Miss

M/S - not sure!

Whhops Trinket, you beat me again! Haha looks like we are going to the same topics at the same time and giving the same answers! :rofl:

Edited by ELW, 13 August 2010 - 11:17 PM.

ELW

Female

India

8/13/2010 23:16

to all pakistanis

I am so sorry that happened to you. :crying:

But may I say that there are so many reasons for things not to work out, it's not as if its due to different cultures, though it may be a partial cause sometimes. So many other things are involved - personalities, habits, tendencies. Maybe you two can work it out...sending prayers for you and your small son. (F)

ELW

Female

India

10/1/2010 8:45

Interesting info, thanks! :thumbs:

Looks like they should do the PIO card for now. OCI card can be done later when one doesn't plan on traveling for awhile. Looks like the OCI card is cheaper if upgrading from an existing PIO card.

ELW

Female

India

10/10/2010 20:23

A PIO (Person of Indian Origin) card has to be renewed every 15 years; better to get OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) card, which is permanent for one's entire lifetime! Here's the comparison chart along with links how to get one from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India:

OCI vs PIO Card

Edited by ELW, 10 October 2010 - 12:56 PM.

ELW

Female

India

10/10/2010 12:54

Typical Indian parents

I can relate. My parents are pretty cool and didnt really give a ###### about my grades, but my cousins had to go through that with their parents.

Nina~

Female

8/10/2010 15:55

Thank you for all your input!!!

Nina~

Female

10/2/2009 10:53

Thank you for your replies guys. I do not know her bank a/c and I am really not comfortable in asking her for the info. I thought about the prepaid Amex/visa cards, but I am worried about it falling into the wrong hands. So I am really leaning towards Western Union. I just need her name & address for Western Union right?

Nina~

Female

10/1/2009 21:58

A very dear childhood friend of mine is getting married in India. I want to send her a one-time monetary gift. What is the cheapest and safest way to send her the money?

I appreciate all your help.

Nina~

Female

10/1/2009 9:29

pakistan worst air crash kills 152 on air bus in islamabad

I am glad to see that no one here was personally affected. What a terrible wreck. My prayers go out to all of the families affected by this crash. (F)

BigSigh

Female

Peru

7/28/2010 21:28

Wedding Album

Hi,

Slot at the interview window is very small just to pass documents. Regarding wedding pictures I would recommend to take pictures of different ceremony(5-7 each) and make into one album like an 8x10 size.. Sometimes officer don't even ask to see the pictures..

Bani :star:

Bani

Female

India

8/17/2010 8:18

Indian Titles

Why are there 3 titles for women !!! Sheesh, this is so crazy.

Anyhow thanks for the help guys

Because they are special... :yes:

Edited by Bani, 18 August 2010 - 08:40 AM.

Bani

Female

India

8/18/2010 8:40

I've given all your answers to my previous posts much thought. I can't stand going through another year of the kind of hell I've been through this year alone and things only keep getting worse. So I have decided to pack up and go to India. But I'm not sure how long I'm going for. I don't want to get married the same week I get there. I want to relax a little, spend time with my fiance and then get married. This will make the 6 month tourist visa validity a tight squeeze to work into. So I'm thinking about moving there for at least a year, possibly a lot longer. I've searched online and at official Indian websites but I'm still confused about some things. First off....how the hell do you immigrate to India. There doesn't seem to be any visa paperwork for that so right now I'm considering an employment visa though I know that's a stretch. Is there any kind of marriage visa or immigration process for people who want to become citizens of India?

Also, I need to know more about this going over and getting married thing without having to be there 31 days first. Just in case I do have to get married quickly because I'm not sure I can work my plane ticket and other factors in my life around getting there well in advance of whatever date the astrologer sets for us. I know his parents can arrange everything but what do I need to do/have/take. What's my part in this besides showing up and participating so that I can get the legal certificate to be able to bring my husband back if I come back. Any pointers, tips, advice from people who have been there and done that is appreciated. Thank you in advance.

hey dear, I seriously doubt that you were talking to me... but thought I would try to help you out... There is a site called Married to India.... http://www.marriedtoindia.com/

join this site... tell them I sent you... also you can come on my facebook and find all the ppl... I know atleast 5 couples that have moved to India some stay 365 days a year others travel back and forth... I think actually talking with some of these Women would help you out... I can tell you what I would do.. but since I have not and am not going through it I just thought it might help you to talk to someone who actually has...

as far as information about getting married.. I can only tell you what I did and what was best for me.. I converted my religion when I went to India so that now I am a hindu <I even changed my name to Ishita>... after that we had a religious ceremony <the priest was from Arya Samaj you can find info about it here ---> http://weddings.ilov...aj-wedding.html > ... I took with me to India:
*Divorce Papers
*Driver's License
*SSC
*Birth Certificate
*Passport <of course>
*A certified letter from my parents stating they had no objections of me marring my Hubby <sounds stupid but it was actually that only thing that was requested before they would register the marriage>

I actually have a whole slew of info.. if you really want to know you can PM me and I will send it to you

wishing you the best

Amit-N-Melody

Female

India

7/29/2010 0:37

to all pakistanis

Did he not give you a reason why he left?
How are you hanging in there? (F)

LilyLight

Female

10/1/2010 8:51

Contacting U.S. Embassy/Consular Section in Islamabad

Hi,

I have been unable to contact the Consular section in Islamabad despite many tries between 12:30-3:30 Pakistan time for several days. Is there any other means or times to contact them? They are not responding to my mails either. Appreciate sharing your experiences.

salaam dear brother yasar i m going to tell some methode to get hold on embassy phone...

when u dial embassy number and when it connected then directly dial 221 till the live person talk to u. :rofl:

ok

Thank

ARMANI KHAN

ARMANI KHAN

Male

Pakistan

5/2/2010 0:01

The easiest way to live in India is to arrive with the tourist visa and marry - as long as it's in the 6 month window you should be fine. You can then convert your visa to an X visa [it used to be you need to do this in Delhi at MHA - there were no other offices that can do it - do the research - used to be any agents who claim you can do it elsewhere or by paying off local officials for a resident permit were NOT agents to deal with - Also, some people have gotten lost in a maze of red tape and have tried to get the X visa at other Indian consulates in South Asia - some succeed, some don't]. That will you give the legal right to reside in India provided you register with the local immigration office.

This visa [the X visa] will only allow you to live there - no work, no school, no bank account, no land.

To be able to get a PIO card as a non-Indian spouse of an Indian national, you can only apply after your 1st year anniversary. A PIO card is, for lack of a better term, the Indian equivalent to a green card. The 1 year rule is pretty hard and fast from what I've heard/read.

A work visa may be a viable option if you have an employer willing to sponsor you - last year around this time the Indian consulate in DC had a bug up their back side about "handsomely paid" positions - they would only give a work visa to those with positions paying more than $80,000 USD/year or some such number. Even with the Indian economy growing like wildfire, those types of positions most people can't just walk into. A possible other option may be a student visa. However, a LOT of schools in India seem to like traditionally aged students from what I've seen. So going for a BS in biology at say 45 may be seen as a little weird and may not happen.

Visa issues and the like are getting tighter and tougher in India all the time. You used to be able to visit for up to 180 days, border hop, and return the next day. Now, if you stay on a tourist visa more than 90 days, you must leave India for 60 days before you can re-enter. I guess that means you could border hop at day 89? Not too sure I would want to try that too many times though. If your fiance is having issues with his visa to get here I'd recommend not trying anything too fancy with India's rules - you do not want to be barred from there if that's the only place you two can live currently.

Also, you may be asked to go to your local US embassy there to get a sworn statement that you can legally marry. Chances are you can do that ahead of time through a local/county/state official here stateside - use that at the US embassy to get the embassy statement.

catknit

Female

India

7/29/2010 19:20

Case completed in second week on month-New Delhi

Probably November - most likely the October list is on their website already. DOS will have this information as soon as the interview is set. You can try calling them.

catknit

Female

India

9/14/2010 19:00

chances of in-law visa

My husband and I are thinking about sponsoring his parents for a vistor visa. He is graduating in Dec and would really like his parents to be part of it, as he is their only child.
so what are chances of getting a visitor visa for them? they only want to be here for max 2-3 weeks as my father in law has no one to take care of his business and farms back home.
has anyone had success in obtaining a visitor visa for the parents? any suggestions?

neel06

Female

India

9/1/2010 1:36

I-30- permanent resident vs citizen

is it true guys that now both the permanent residents and citizens filing for spouses..the processing time is same, around 5 months?

neel06

Female

India

10/4/2010 0:58

I have emailed them but have not gotten any response from them.

neel06

Female

India

10/6/2010 17:17

ya..i know i can travel but i am thinking ahead. i want to be able to visit india after 3 yrs as well.

indian laws are sometimes ridiculious...
this law has only affected common men... sadly the terriorist will enter by any means. this law has and will continue to cause more corruption and illegal means. i have already started to hear stories of people paying huge sumns in india and obtaining new passports so they can surrender something to the consulate.

My mom has her passport details... so i can obtain a renuciation certificate but don't know how i will obtain a surrender certificate

neel06

Female

India

10/5/2010 12:28

hello friends,

I am still out of the loop about the whole surrender certificate and renunciation certificate to obtain visa to india.
I still have a 2 yr visa to india but would like to know what the process is... do i need both the surrender and renuciation certificate or will one work?
Also, I came to the U.S when i was very young and travelled on my mom's passport. My mom thinking she will never need the indian passport..burned it after become a U.S citizen.
what are my options? will i ever get an india visa? my husband whose entire family is in india is panicked that I will never be able to visit.

neel06

Female

India

10/5/2010 12:02

Thank you so much everyone for your replies.

My husband will do the POI card as there are not requirements of sending the original US Passport.
He is coming in dec so i guess PIO will come easily before that.
After that there is no prob in going somewhere from India and then again coming back to India.

The OCI can be done later also when there is enough time.

someone said that they need your US passport to do the OCI application - this is not entirely true. when i applied in march, the application process was thru mail. they then assign you a case # (you'll have to check on the website as to the status and all of that) a few days later. it took a month-6 weeks to have my OCI card and sticker ready. THEN you have to present your US passport for them to put the sticker and the card in. So you can apply, go to India, come back and just go to the consulate, give your passport in and they process within the same day (assuming you live somewhere close to a Indian embassy). if not, you can still do it, just give your passport to them via fedex after you get back from India. make sure you check their website for the latest info; during the whole surrender certificate fiasco over the summer, they kept changing details on their website at least once an hour! was the biggest scam that i've seen perpetuated and just utterly ridiculous...

hobokenworkingman

Male

India

10/11/2010 9:03

Case completed in second week on month-New Delhi

I think 2nd week of Nov........i hope u got earlier.

good luck

Er Neal

Male

India

9/18/2010 5:52

A PIO (Person of Indian Origin) card has to be renewed every 15 years; better to get OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) card, which is permanent for one's entire lifetime! Here's the comparison chart along with links how to get one from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India:

OCI vs PIO Card

Er Neal

Male

India

10/10/2010 14:43