Hi,

First the complement! :- ) I have to say I am very impressed with the Forum, and all the nice people that help make it great! I have been searching for a site this for awhile but no luck till today. I am a few weeks away from my interview and I had a few questions.

My story:
I am US Citizen
Married to Wife in India
Filed i130 Aug, i129 November
Received i129call interview late June
Currently in india for last 4 months, and will take wife to VISA interview

Few Questions:

1) When do you receive the passport after VISA has been approved? When I called the consulate they said that you can pick it up after 5PM same day. Can anyone confirm this?

2) i134 Question: I am currently in India right now, so I do not know have access to getting the affidavit sworn for i134. Here is what it says in the form "If you are outside the United States, the affidavit must be sworn to or notice affirmed before a U.S.consular or immigration officer." I had asked the mumbai consulate and they said its not necessary, however, in the form it seems its a must. Can any one provide feedback? If I need to get this done where would I get this done? I live in Gujarat. Confused as heck on this one.

3) What is the charge for i129f? It says $100, so with the rupee rate fluctioning, I do not know how much to get the DD.

4) For proof of relationship I will have marriage photos, and lots of general photos since I am in India. We spoke via messenger (99% talked, less chat) so will not have much more then photos. Will that work or do i need more. Considering that I have stayed for 4 months in India and am waiting to take with me, what more proof do you need :- )

I have a business that allows me to work remotely. Thank you in advance for all your help!!!

Shah123

After the Consulate interview, you have the option of picking up passport (with visa stamp) either the same day in the evening or next day (it might vary by Consulate - I know that Chennai Consulate only makes the passport available the next working day; whereas someone from Mumbai Consulate picked it up the same day, I believe). Otherwise, they send it by courier. My husband had his interview on Friday and he received the passport via courier the next Tuesday.

I don't know what to advise you about notarizing the I-134. Since most of us did it in USA it wasn't necessary to notarize it. I would say even if the Mumbai Consulate says it isn't necessary, go there anyway in person (with your USA passport, of course), and get a Consular Officer to notarize it. Better safe than sorry! (I don't know if a gazetted officer could do it, they are a pain to get ahold of anyway.)

As for the visa charge, the usual advise is to check the Consulate website a few days before the interview for current rate in rupees, and then get the DD.

As for relationship proof, besides photos (photos with the date stamp would be ideal) bring things like your ticket stubs and itinerary, visa extensions, encasement statements (of traveler's checks), ATM statements, hotel bills, statements from friends in India on stamp paper saying you are living there, etc. Anything that shows your name and address in India. Proof that you were in the same place as your fiancee will be sufficient.

I live in Gujarat, so the train ride is a good 8hrs. Can I go to the consular's office the same day or do I need to go beforehand. I am going to call the VFS office today on this as well. Any tips on this of where to find a consular is appreciated.