biggish data

biometrics appointment

Good Evening all who read this!!!!

My husband got his biometrics appointment letter today..its the day before our wedding reception/party! in milwaukee on April 29th!!!!!

excited thats what we are!

Ak+Tk

Female

India

4/7/2010 21:34

Can Petitioner accompany Fiancée to Interview at Chennai?

Hello!
I went with my fiance to his interview at New Delhi, we had no problems at all....if they said NO, go anyway the worst that could happen is them not allowing him/her if they dont allow in then take the passport and when you have the interview tell them your fiances is sitting outside and here is his passport..proving that hes is there!
BEST OF LUCK

Ak+Tk

Female

India

4/7/2010 10:40

No drinks? Ai!

Tell her to relax. She can read/speak English fluently, yes?

Plenty of people to ask for help/directions.

My POE is also going to be Chicago. Let me know how it goes, ya?

Hey All! So she's here! She came in last Saturday, and I took the week off, so we both kinda dissappeared from the world and spent some time together, which is good!

Her experience was good, as for the POE, pretty straight forward and simple, same basic questions as asked during the interview in Chennai. Customs, way too simple, the Etihad Airways misplaced her baggage so, all she took through customs was her carry on. So, I'm assuming Etihad Airways had Customs done since they dropped the bags off the following night at about 1:30AM, yes, that's 1:30 AM. The airplane food sucked, AUH Airport is pretty boring, Terminal 1, however Terminal 3 was amazing according to her. The Airline food sucked, but which airline actually has good food, right?

Yes, masala is easily found here in Chicago, ,Devon Ave. is all I have to say, lol

Thanks everyone,

Now, on to filing the I-485! and EAD...

kaus&Sanu

Male

India

4/4/2010 18:03

The first thing I do when I step on to an international flight is to ask for a couple of glasses of wine in quick succession.

That knocks me out and I sleep peacefully through the entire flight.

LOL, we dont drink...

But, hey is this normal, she has a fully confirmed flight on Etihad Airways.

EY275 - HYD > AUH on seat 18F
EY151 - AUH > ORD NO SEAT ASSIGNED, SEAT ASSIGNED UPON CHECKIN.

Is that normal? TO not have a seat assigned? This is her first time travelling and she's travelling alone, so I dont want her to get denied boarding cause of overbooking or anything. The Airline keeps saying they'll assign it upon checkin...

kaus&Sanu

Male

India

3/24/2010 19:14

Make a check list of all the things you need to bring with you and check it off as you pack the items that way you wont forget something important. I do that before I travel specially with important documents so I know where i packed them and that they are all packed(generally in carry-on or in my hand)

Thanks Inky, she's already doing that...

kaus&Sanu

Male

India

3/20/2010 5:56

My wife's visa is now in her hands!!! SO EXCITING!!

So, now she is going to be travelling for the first time and she's coming solo.. From HYD to Abu Dhabi (3 hr layover in abu shabi) to Chicago... I've travelled many times, domestically and a few internationally... She is a little nervous, I am too for her.. Any thought's for 1st timers, or tips???

kaus&Sanu

Male

India

3/18/2010 18:21

An Update

I am so sorry you are going through this. Have you thought about filing a lawsuit? I think there is something called "Writ of Mandamus" I'm not sure what it actually does, but I know people have used it against uscis. I would suggest talking to a lawyer...

kaus&Sanu

Male

India

4/6/2010 20:16

We did a court wedding with plans to do a ceremonial wedding later on.. the original plan was to just get a court wedding done so i can have a marriage certificate to give to USCIS to file i130.

It didnt matter that we are both hindus, same caste.. because I have a USA passport, they put us through the 30 day wait with our paperwork plastered on their bulletin board in the courthouse.

its a rule made during the time when no one had airplanes and everyone in india was living in their own little villages everywhere. Young adults from one village would walk over to the other village, meet someone, fall in love. Meanwhile the parents either didn't want their kids marrying someone outside of their village, or the rest of the village will shun them or gossip about it and stuff like that.

They have the 30 day silliness because kids will sneak off and marry each other in the courthouse in secret. The idea is to post it up for 30 days to hopefully get someone to object. No objections to it then the courts arent held responsible to angry village elders and their canes.

fast forward 60 years later where the wold shrunk down, we have internet, airplanes and stargates (i really wish we had stargates in every state and country to just walk through and see our loved ones on the other side instantly) and India's still using these old rules and just getting in the way of everything.

My parents and my wife's parents were there and they still wouldnt let us do the court wedding without the 30 days wait. I figured whatever and signed it, went home, waited it out and did wedding plans, then came back and did the court wedding.

Baltar

Not Telling

India

10/22/2009 15:49

Silent,

Can you please state the text for notarized statement that I need to provide?

Thanks.

QUOTE (silent @ Jun 11 2008, 02:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeye,

US embassy/consulates used to give out no objection letters earlier, but they have stopped issuing no objection letters anymore. But what you can do is write out a notarized statement claiming how you are eligible to get married outside of your USA jurisdiction, if you have any prior divorce do make sure to attest those too with your notarized copy.

You can make the notarization copy in USA, at any bank for free or shell out $30 at any of US consulates in India.

yeye

Not Telling

6/18/2008 1:43

I have found this link http://www.madaan.com/marriage.html which says that if you get married through religious marriage, you can get the marriage certificate right away i.e. no wait for 30 days. Hopefully, it will be helpful to others.

silent,

thanks for your response.

Is there a way to get no objection letter within USA and what is the procedure? I won't have too much time in India to go to US consulate

I couldn't understand your response regarding "but US consulates have stopped it, however they can help you with notarization for $30 fee I guess."

So the US consulate still give no objection letter and what do they notarize? Can you please elaborate?

yeye

Not Telling

6/11/2008 1:48

Thanks for your replies, but I am still not sure whether I have to stay in India for a month to get marriage certificate. Hope others can also clarify this issue.

I have heard from a lawyer in India that you have to wait for 30 days if you only get court marriage done. But, if you get traditional marriage then you can get the marriage certificate right away.

Also, reading from the posts in VJ it seems that if you are not Hindu then even if you get traditional marriage, then you will have to wait for 30 days.

silent, could you send the link of the case which got denied in Delhi because the USC didn't stay in India for one month.

I hope to get some clarity on this issue from other VJ members.

Thanks

yeye

Not Telling

6/6/2008 15:13

Hello All,

I was reading the posts here and I am confused about how quickly you can get marriage certificate

I am a Hindu and US Citizen. If I go through traditional Hindu marriage, I was under the impression that I could apply and get the marriage certificate within 2-3 days after marriage. I was reading some posts in this forum which say since I am US citizen I will have to apply 30 days in advance and then be able to get the marriage certificate.

Please let me know how long it takes.

Thanks

yeye

Not Telling

6/5/2008 19:37

Using gold jewellery as assets

I'm probably just overthinking this stuff at the last moment. GAH. This AOS is going to be the death of me.

I think you will be fine. I kind of have the same problem, but you are well over the poverty line. Don't worry!

malka e alia

Female

Pakistan

4/12/2010 19:51

QUOTE (yeye @ Jun 5 2008, 07:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

For us, it took about a week to get it. I have heard people getting it done much faster. I'm pretty sure that if you're willing fork up some cash, you'll get it faster. Ca$h is king

desiboy2k4

Not Telling

India

6/5/2008 23:21

Using gold jewellery as assets

Thanks for your input. I'll look into this as a backup.

Nope, no loans/debts.

They also have discretion to look at your future earnings potential in addition to existing assets to determine if you will become a burden by probably utilizing public means tested benefits in future. In your case you seem young and educated here in US previously so they definitely understand you can get a decent job and wont be a burden on the society.

Ready2Kl

Not Telling

India

4/14/2010 10:07

Can Petitioner accompany Fiancée to Interview at Chennai?

As a USC nobody can deny you entry into the Consulate (they only need to see your passport for identity proof). Once you are inside, they might ask you to wait in the waiting area while your fiancee goes to the window for her interview. Let your fiancee take your passport to her interview to show that you are right there if they need you. Just the proof that you are there is good enough most times. Good luck!

They can deny you entry into the consulate from the entrance where they let the interview applicants go in. They do at Chennai. The waiting area is through a different entrance. You(USC) would have to go through another entrance from the other side of the building if you want to go into the waiting area but it wont really help much going in from that other entrance since the interview applicant goes in and comes out of a separate entrance. I found just waiting outside this interview entrance more convenient rather than going in from this other entrance from the other side of the building(that leads to the waiting area) and sitting in the waiting area at Chennai.

Ready2Kl

Not Telling

India

4/12/2010 11:08

Can Petitioner accompany Fiancée to Interview at Chennai?

My fiancée called the embassy at Chennai and they said no one but the beneficiary is allowed for the k1 interview. The person was rather impolite and hung up saying NO immediately. I am planning to fly down to Chennai to give support to my fiancée no matter what.
I have heard and read testimonies from Dec 2009 that people have gone in for the interviews together. Is this a new change in rule or it was just misinformation? Can anybody give me advice on this? Thank you.

I went to India for my wife's interview in February. They stopped me outside and they did not let me go in. I had to wait outside till she came back. There is another entrance that is about 1/2 mile away where you can walk and go inside if you want to sit in the waiting area but that is not suggested since your wife will come out of the other entrance and you will miss her. Chennai people were very nice when i talked to them on the phone. OVerall I liked Chennai embassy. I mainly went there to help my wife with the kid when she goes in for the interview but even without me inside the people at the consulate were very helpful and helped my wife with the baby.

Ready2Kl

Not Telling

India

4/8/2010 17:12

no worries...this is the exact letter my husband received from delhi on january 4. he received his visa on february 4 (print date 2/3)

Hi Twisted K,
Thanks for your response. It is encouraging to know that you received a similar reply and got approved.
Did you do anything during that month of waiting? Like any follow-up contact with the embassey.
In your case the petition expiration was not a concern but ours is a K-1 petition with 4 month validity. That's why I am a little concerned.
Thanks.

isitasham

Not Telling

India

4/13/2010 15:38

Thanks Sachinky,
I can understand one week or a month............. but one year sounds excessive/ridiculous. Are they just doing it so the petition expires?
Any thoughts?

isitasham

Not Telling

India

4/13/2010 0:26

az110965 and HeatDeath,
Thanks for your response. I am waiting it out for now but will soon have to start moving things.

isitasham

Not Telling

India

4/12/2010 13:12

Hi All,
Do I need to post this on another forum? I just got one response. I am looking for help any suggestions please.
The reason I am suspicious of the Delhi CO is that last time there was no mention of a second passport. Are they just trying to delay it till the petition expires?

Thanks in advance.

isitasham

Not Telling

India

4/10/2010 20:54

My fiancee had her K-1 interview last week at the New Delhi consulate. I was present at the interview alongside my fiancee. The interview went well.........questions asked were expected and things were going well till the point my fiancee was asked whether this was her second passport. The answer was no as my fiancee had never applied for a passport before the one she currently has. After that point the consular officer started to type a letter. Here are the contents of the letter:

Please bear with us as case is under mandatory Administrative processing.......... you will get your passport and visa as soon as the processing is completed.........if you need your passports before that please contact us........
This letter was typed on a white paper unlike the 221(g) format.
They have'nt asked for any more documents from us.
Ours is a second time refile of K-1 visa for the same fiancee - last year our case was denied for not having sufficient evidence to establish a credible relationship and also that our petition had expired. This time we had everything taken care of over 90 photographs, receipts, emails, cards etc.......etc.

My Questions:

1. What does this mean? Mandatory Admin Processing is a very vague and standard terminology the CO's use.
2. I am suspecting it could be a name check issue as her name is quite a common one. Are my suspcions valid? Does it have to do with security check or is it something else.
3. One of our fears is could we again run into the same issue of petition expiry. Admin processing can sometimes take a long time - what if it takes more than a month? Will the CO extend the petition or are they using this (AP) as an excuse to again let the petition expire? I am very suspicious of New Delhi consulates modus operandi.

Please provide any suggesions as to what we should do - just wait and see or contact the CO, congressman, state dept.?

isitasham

Not Telling

India

4/8/2010 21:40

Investing in India with repatriated monies

The biggest risk I see is damage done to your property by outsider, if you don't have relatives living near by or someone who you trust isn't taking care of the property.

I am not just taking about the physical damage but also your tenants taking over your property over the time of years. So make sure you have foolproof lease agreements and all the other legal aspects are taken care of.

Hi Trinket,
Good point. That definitely is a risk...........from what I have heard though things are a little better than what they used to be in favor of the land lord and the key is how and to who you lease the property.
Thanks for the input.

isitasham

Not Telling

India

4/18/2010 20:02

Investing in India with repatriated monies

This may seem an off-topic subject but is specific to India so I am taking the liberty of posting in this forum.

I am looking for opinions, ideas, and suggestions on the following invesment opportunities in India:

since the return on investment (real-estate, savings, CD's etc.)here in the US are far lower compared to what one could expect by investing in india, does it make sense to invest e.g. in real-estate in india with money earned/borrowed here in the US.
Here is a scenario:
I take a home equity loan for $200,000 at a nominal interest rate of 5%. Repatriate this money to india and purchase real-estate for say 90 lacs. I can expect to double my money in probably five years (i.e. 20% annual return on investment) for this real-estate. Taking off the 5% interest I end up with a net 15% annual return. I can't get similar return in the US.

So what are the risks or things that I may be missing by doing so? Any opinions or suggestions please.

isitasham

Not Telling

India

4/18/2010 4:39

Romantic Bollywood movies...with english subtitles

I recently saw Veer...it was a good love story...I believe it was a copy of Troy no??

Iqha

Female

India

4/27/2010 16:27

Marriage Certificate for Bangladesh

Hello VJers,

I have immigrant petitions at NVC pending for my in-laws. I received an RFE that I need to submit a "marriage certificate" for both my in-laws and for myself. I was adamant that I had sent these docs to NVC and assumed it was a false RFE. The case was even escalated for review. I called again and it was brought to my attention that there are 2 separate docs. One is the NikahNama (detailed marriage contract in legal size paper outlining names, addresses, witnesses, dower info, special conditions along with the appropriage signatures, government seal, notary etc etc) and the other is the marriage certificate. I believe what I have is the NikahNama. Whats funny is that this is what I used all these years when I petitioned my wife to come to the U.S. along with numerous times used for her applying for her green card (she came via K3), social security, citizenship, drivers license etc. etc. I always assumed that what we had (the NikaNama) WAS in fact the so-called marriage certificate.

I'm guessing the marriage certificate must be some kind of new requirement because I never got one when my wife and I were married in Bangladesh 7 years ago. I guess its very similar to a birth certificate without all the detail of the NikahNama. All I had was the NikaNama along with the english translation all these years and that served the purpose for all immigration, legal and government matters.

What I'm baffled also is why didn't USCIS request this information before sending the case files over to NVC? Wouldn't a lot of time and anguish be saved had USCIS told us about this in the first place? And why is a so called marriage certificate required now when the NikahNama (marriage contract) was perfectly fine in the past? I don't get it.

My question is, how do I obtain the marriage certificate from the Marriage Registrar since my wife and I are both in the U.S. Can my in-laws obtain it for us from the Marriage Registrar? Has anyone else had similar experiences? Suggestions on how to obtain it? We are stuck now and are very concerned. Please advise. Thank you.

I don't know if you get his after so many months.My sister has filed 3 petitions for her siblings.Now NVC wants her to send 'exact duplicate' copies of the original nikahnama.The thing is,she got married 26 years ago in Pakistan.The original nikahnama itself is in bad shape.I can't really decipher where the nikah was registered and who was the registrar.
We can send the original nikahnama to NVC,no problem,but why send 3 copies.Why can't NVC save the original for all the petitions,present and future ones?

How did you go around this?Did you send notarized photocopies?
Please share.Thanks.

Mus24

Male

4/13/2010 11:48

PCC Problem - Ahmedabad India

hi
well im applying for PCC in chandigarh passport office... wot u think they ask for ? and how long does they take ? i have already got a police clearence from distric police office

Iml3g3nd

Male

India

6/8/2009 21:01

Romantic Bollywood movies...with english subtitles

I've been enjoying VJ for the past two months... Thought I'd chime in with a suggestion or two...
Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam

deepdawg

Male

India

2/25/2010 17:27

Decent Hotel close to U.S. Embassy in Islamabad

Hello All,

Any decent hotel to stay while in Islamabad for the interview? The hotel must not be very far from the embassy. Also, it must not be very expensive. Appreciate your recommendations/comments.

Regards,

yasar

Not Telling

Pakistan

4/2/2010 13:00

PCC Problem - Ahmedabad India

QUOTE (LateComer @ Jun 1 2009, 12:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hello friends.......

anyone in the same boat as I am or any advice.........

I have paid my IV Bill online and my wife went to get the PCC from passport office. She had to go through the local District office to get the paper before she can get the PCC from passport office.

Passport office is now asking for a checklist document from NVC that states the requirement of the PCC........

How do I get this checklist....... should I call NVC operator or just wait for the checklist???

Thanks in advance

When they say checklist it's not same as the one that you get in paket 3. They are actually asking for RFE. PCC from Passport office is not required to be subemitted to NVC, they know that Ahmedabad people ask for inverveiw letter to issue passport office PCC. You can submit your IV package with PCC from DSP's office and say in your cover letter that PCC from Passport office will be shown during intverview.

psp312

Not Telling

India

6/1/2009 13:38

The biggest tip you can give is to hang on to your passport and boarding pass and visa like your life depends on it (in fact it does). Many new comers will present everything to the people checking in the flights or immigration officers and will forget to get back their boarding passes or passport. Be very careful about that.
Also Last time I went to India, the immigration officer purposely dropped my connection flight boarding pass and pretended like he didn't notice. I pointed it out and then he gave it back to me without even making eye contact. So be very careful with your travel documents.

Edited by jjcentral, 07 April 2010 - 10:23 AM.

jjcentral

Not Telling

India

4/7/2010 10:21

Using gold jewellery as assets

You are over the definitely over the 2009 Poverty Guidelines for the visa, but not that far. So I would suggest get all the resources you can and include more liquid assets. Being the economy now, having few thousands in the bank is a big deal. So you are good. Make sure you know if there are any credit/loan that exist too. Good Luck.

jjcentral

Not Telling

India

4/7/2010 15:13

Can Petitioner accompany Fiancée to Interview at Chennai?

Yes, I am going to give her my passport to take it as a proof of my presence. In fact I have traveled across the globe 3 times in the past 6 months, so I don't think the consulate would question our relationship :yes:

jjcentral

Not Telling

India

4/15/2010 14:57

Can Petitioner accompany Fiancée to Interview at Chennai?

Thanks everyone who answered my question, I contacted the embassy and here is the new updated rule this year.
1. Petitioner Fiance(e) is not allowed to accompany the beneficiary for the interview.
2. Can use the waiting room while the interview is taking place.
3. The waiting room is on the other side of the interview so no point trying to sit there without phone.

jjcentral

Not Telling

India

4/12/2010 10:05

Can Petitioner accompany Fiancée to Interview at Chennai?

My fiancée called the embassy at Chennai and they said no one but the beneficiary is allowed for the k1 interview. The person was rather impolite and hung up saying NO immediately. I am planning to fly down to Chennai to give support to my fiancée no matter what.
I have heard and read testimonies from Dec 2009 that people have gone in for the interviews together. Is this a new change in rule or it was just misinformation? Can anybody give me advice on this? Thank you.

jjcentral

Not Telling

India

4/7/2010 10:15

hay every 1;i just got the noa2 on mar23.and also tha case#from nvc for islamabad.when my fiance gonna get packet from embassy?can any one pl give me the email add for islamabad embassy for visa section.or how i can follow the latest?

you should get an email before receiving the packet 3.5 in mail. Give 2-3 weeks for case to be transferred to ISL and processed for packet 3.5 request.

one more question...
police certs original sent in with 3.5 packet.. does fiancee need to get another original and bring to interview also?

not sure about this one...i am also wondering but i would hope the embassy should have the original and so no need for another one unless a lot of time has passed since you sent it in with packet 3.5.

two quick questions and i hope i can get an answer here cuz embassy is not responding at all

sending in packet 3.5 today to Islamabad Embassy for K-1 visa.

1) with the packet 3.5 submission for birth certificate did u send in the original or a copy of the original with translation?

2) fees for filling... pay at the time of submission or pay at the interview and how much? becuase this is not stated anywhere
even on their website anymore

1) send in original certificate with translation

2) fees will be due at interview/medical

Approved

Male

Pakistan

4/11/2010 23:52

salaam everybody,
for those that have sent back their 3.5 packet. Did you just sent back the forms required with the 2 passport sized photos or did you also include the extra documents mentioned in kabhatti's post such as birth certs and police certs?
I just want to get an idea of when exactly these extra docs are collected .. at the initial reply to 3.5 packet or taken in person during interview.
Please let me know.

basically what was sent back when your fiancee/fiance first replied to 3.5 packet material? I know of the forms but not sure of the extra documents.

i got a similar email to the one posted by kbhatti... you have to send in all documents as specified by him as a response to packet 3.5.

only the affidavit of support(I-134) is optional for packet 3.5

Approved

Male

Pakistan

3/23/2010 1:28

hi all,
hope you have a smooth and fast visa journey
I filed for K-1 Visa I-129F in January 22nd @ california center..
They cashed my check on Jan 25th which gave me my receipt number. Didn't get a NOA1 so i called them about a month later and they sent a print out of NOA1.
That's about it so far. Also I'm originally from Afghanistan and my fiancee is also Afghani living currently in Islamabad for 16+ years i believe.

For other Pakistani filers that have gone through the process please read my thread here http://www.visajourn...h...242908&st=0
I have an explanation of my current situation which basically summarized leads to me sending a few emails and chat logs and in a few of those my fiancee mentions me as her husband and i have used the "wife" word
as well. Now we are muslim and i know the stance on this and we didn't even Nekah while I was there.. just an engagement party and she will come to live with my mom for a few months
til we actually do a full wedding and nekah before she moves in with me. But we love each other and I've knonw her for 2 years now (she's a distant relative). I was wondering on how
strict Islamabad is if they read something like this in our evidence. WE HAVE NEVER BEEN MARRIED in Afghanistan, Pakistan, or anywhere else for that matter.
The mentions have been along the lines of honey, baby or my hotty hubby or what not.. something like this. I sent pictures of my trip to Islamabad for two weeks and our
engagement party as well. She says not to worry and they are not that strict on questioning on such matters and if they do she'll explain that we are very close
spiritually and lovey dovey and it's common among Afghans/Muslims to refer to "namzad" aka fiance/fiancee as wife/husband within the family circles etc.
Please take a look and comment on what you think based on personal experience or having other friends/relatives that might have had similiar situations.
Inshallah i'm hoping they don't sit there and read all the logs/emails (i sent quite a lot and the chat logs are sized in 6 font because they were so many double sided prints as well)
or even if they do they don't make a big deal. If they do my fiancee and i will prepare to show evidence of our wedding plannings here in cali and
invite cards/hall reservation and etc to plan a full wedding here.

From what i understand, you only used it in very few places, and you sent in a ton of logs/emails... They might not notice your reference..If they do, you will probably get an RFE to explain things...I will wait the usual 3 months period before getting too worried and contacting CSC.

But dont submit these chats again at Islamabad. Pictures are usually sufficient but if you do submit emails etc make sure you clean them up. Good Luck!

Edited by Approved, 01 March 2010 - 09:25 PM.

Approved

Male

Pakistan

3/1/2010 21:25

I guess there aren't too many Islamabad filers for this time period. Any one who is going through the ISL embassy or expects to do so is welcome to join this thread...Wonder how i can edit the title?

Approved

Male

Pakistan

2/23/2010 1:00