Hi,

I was under the impression the K3 applicant must carry along all the paperwork with him/her for the interview at the consulate. By paperwork, I mean ALL the required documents like the DS-156, I-134, Photos, Proof of relationship, and so on and everything else.

HOWEVER, the Visa Facilitation Service (VFS) in Chennai asked my wife to submit all the documents to THEM!!! Is that how it is supposed to work??

What should we do now? Kindly please help!! We are dangerously close to the deadline!!!



Thanks.

Sorry for reposting this in another forum, we desperately need some help.

Yes this is true. Here is a link with the announcement for Chennai: http://chennai.usconsulate.gov/prind060504a.html

And here is the pertinent information from that link.

The new system will allow immigrant visa applicants to turn in required documents at three convenient VFS locations in Jalandhar, Chandigarh and New Delhi prior to the date of their visa interview. Beginning May 1, 2006, immigrant visa applicants must appear at the U.S. Embassy only on the day of their interview. In addition, the new VFS agreement will expedite immigrant visa processing procedures on the day of an applicant’s interview.

Under the new system, all immigrant visa applicants scheduled for interview on or after May 1, 2006, should submit their completed Packet-4, “Information for Immigrant Visa Applicants,” documents at their nearest VFS office (list of offices given below). The documents along with a photocopy of each applicant’s passport must be submitted at a VFS office no earlier than 15 working days and no less than 10 days prior to the scheduled interview date. VFS will provide a receipt for all documents left at its offices and place a bar code sticker on the original passport. The fee for this service is Rs. 337/- for each applicant.

And the most important part of this is the paperwork must be turned in to the VFS office NO EARLIER than 15 working days AND NO LESS than 10 working days and don't forget the holidays.

Although to my understanding if not everything is complete such as the medical that can be turned in at the interview. In Mumbai, my fiance took everything with him - evidence of relationship, etc., but I think they did not take everything - only the "official" paperwork - DS-156, medical, etc. He took everything else to the interview.

Lori

Thanks, Lori. Unfortunately we did not know about this and top of that, this package from the consulate was sent only 11 days before the interview and we are left scrambling at the last minute.

Thank you for your kind help.

I can totally relate. We received an e-mail from Mumbai on Nov 27 stating his interview was scheduled for December 18th. That sounds like quite a bit of time, but was actually only 5 days before everything was due. He got everything completed though, but boy did he have to scramble to get it done.

I wish this was something that was noted to people more when they send out Packet 3 - but I guess that would make too much sense!

Good Luck!!

Lori

I was also wondering whether they would take all paperwork at the VFS and wondering if my fiance still needed copies of everything he gives there. Sounds like they pick out the most important docs and the rest is returned, to be taken in person to the interview. The fast interview dates given are all the more reason to have all paperwork ready by the time the file gets to Chennai from the NVC. I'm nearly done, only bank letter & signed I-134 to go! (And our case hasn't even arrived at the NVC yet!)

I just spoke with my fiancé about this - someone else had asked me what the VFS office takes. It is only the forms that are completed, DS-156. DS-156k, etc., medical report, PCCs. They did not want to see any evidence of relationship stuff.

I don't know if copies are still needed, but I told him to make copies (and I assume he did).

I don't know how fast interview dates are normally given. I specifically e-mailed Mumbai about ours when the December schedule came out. I thought we should have had an appointment scheduled and it wasn't. When they scheduled it and e-mailed both of us with the date, he only had 5 days to get things completed (like his medical) and turned in at VFS. He scrambled a bit, but got everything done. Thank goodness we were organized about this and downloaded packet 4 from their web-site prior.

Good Luck!

Lori

We went the K1 one route, My fiancee at the time had to download the forms from the chennai website and bring the forms with her at the interview. I email the chennai consulate and they did sent a packet but by then we had already fill out all the forms, things have change now but one thing I recalled The chennai consulate replies very promply to emails, in case of any doubts or question please email them.

Very important to include your case number on the email.