F1 denied now IR1

[Purohit 0]

Hello everyone. First of all thanks to all of you for your invaluable suggestions/advices. I spend hours every day on VJ but only reading posts and never posted anything before. It's my first post here, so please disregard any mistakes. My husband is going to have his interview In Delhi Consulate and you can see my timeline in my profile.I have few questions regarding his interview. So here's our story and sorry if it's too long or missing necessary details or giving unnecessary details...

Ours is a Love cum Arrange marriage. My husband and I met through a common friend (On my hubby's Birthday party). We met almost 10 years ago in 2001. I fell into love at first sight which I did not disclose to him for two years. After exactly two years in 2003 somehow we got to talk again. We became friends and then started dating. My parents got to know about it and were totally against it(Just like a Bollywood movie), But his parents never had any issues with our friendship or marriage. (BTW my father and his father had been friends for more than 30 years). My hubby (my boyfriend at that time) proposed me in 2004. Despite of all family problems, we talked every single day and met regularly in college or private tutions etc.

I came to USA 6 years ago with my family (Petitioned by my father) without knowing about our relationship's future, but we kept our relationship alive just like before. We talked every single day. My family did not talk to me for 3 years and were still against our relationship. During this time,(July 2007) my BF applied and got denied for F1 visa. Finally in Oct 2007 my parents gave their consent to our marriage due to my sickness (I was in depression)and we got married in Feb 2008. We had only one day's difference between our ring Ceremony and wedding. We had no intent of getting married during his F1 visa status. After getting married in 2008 I waited for my Citizenship which I got in Dec 2010 and applied for his Visa in Jan 2011. Finally he has his interview in October 2011 in Delhi and I am worried about the possible questions that could arise regarding his student visa being denied and now IR1 being applied. Here are few positive and negative points as per my understanding but I am looking for more negative points that I might be missing. I hope someone here on VJ can help me preparing for possible questions in our interview...

1. His student Visa got denied in 2007 and we got married in 2008 - difference of 7 months only. - (Negative), But we had a love relationship long before that, So it wasn't like we got into a relationship for him to get to US.(Positive), But they might think that we were engaged before he applied for F1 and was trying to find a quick way to get to US rather than going through long immigration process (negative), But we did not have any intent to do so and moreover my parents were against Love Marriage at that time and we never had any plans of getting married without my parents consent (Positive) but how do I prove this to them?

2. I stayed for only 15 days after my marriage because I was a student at that time (Negative) but I went to India 3 times after my wedding and will be there on his interview (At least I think so)

3. I left my job in 2009 to stay with him and went to India for little less than 6 months.

4. I have changed my last name to his last name. (Positive)

Please advise me of the possible questions/ issues that could arise during his interview, if any.

Thank You so much!!!!

Purohit

[Navyk 78]

Hello everyone. First of all thanks to all of you for your invaluable suggestions/advices. I spend hours every day on VJ but only reading posts and never posted anything before. It's my first post here, so please disregard any mistakes. My husband is going to have his interview In Delhi Consulate and you can see my timeline in my profile.I have few questions regarding his interview. So here's our story and sorry if it's too long or missing necessary details or giving unnecessary details...

Ours is a Love cum Arrange marriage. My husband and I met through a common friend (On my hubby's Birthday party). We met almost 10 years ago in 2001. I fell into love at first sight which I did not disclose to him for two years. After exactly two years in 2003 somehow we got to talk again. We became friends and then started dating. My parents got to know about it and were totally against it(Just like a Bollywood movie), But his parents never had any issues with our friendship or marriage. (BTW my father and his father had been friends for more than 30 years). My hubby (my boyfriend at that time) proposed me in 2004. Despite of all family problems, we talked every single day and met regularly in college or private tutions etc.

I came to USA 6 years ago with my family (Petitioned by my father) without knowing about our relationship's future, but we kept our relationship alive just like before. We talked every single day. My family did not talk to me for 3 years and were still against our relationship. During this time,(July 2007) my BF applied and got denied for F1 visa. Finally in Oct 2007 my parents gave their consent to our marriage due to my sickness (I was in depression)and we got married in Feb 2008. We had only one day's difference between our ring Ceremony and wedding. We had no intent of getting married during his F1 visa status. After getting married in 2008 I waited for my Citizenship which I got in Dec 2010 and applied for his Visa in Jan 2011. Finally he has his interview in October 2011 in Delhi and I am worried about the possible questions that could arise regarding his student visa being denied and now IR1 being applied. Here are few positive and negative points as per my understanding but I am looking for more negative points that I might be missing. I hope someone here on VJ can help me preparing for possible questions in our interview...

1. His student Visa got denied in 2007 and we got married in 2008 - difference of 7 months only. - (Negative), But we had a love relationship long before that, So it wasn't like we got into a relationship for him to get to US.(Positive), But they might think that we were engaged before he applied for F1 and was trying to find a quick way to get to US rather than going through long immigration process (negative), But we did not have any intent to do so and moreover my parents were against Love Marriage at that time and we never had any plans of getting married without my parents consent (Positive) but how do I prove this to them?

2. I stayed for only 15 days after my marriage because I was a student at that time (Negative) but I went to India 3 times after my wedding and will be there on his interview (At least I think so)

3. I left my job in 2009 to stay with him and went to India for little less than 6 months.

4. I have changed my last name to his last name. (Positive)

Please advise me of the possible questions/ issues that could arise during his interview, if any.

Thank You so much!!!!

Purohit

Denial of a student visa is not a big issue and staying for 15 days after marraige is also not a big issue.

Let your husband tell the CO that you are there outside at the consulate, which is a big plus. Changing your last name to his is also a big plus.

For CR1 continued relationship matters and you have that quite well. Take all the aditional evidences like inter-mixing of finances, a few eamails fro different times, log of telephone calls, itineraries or copy of your passport that has your trip stamps or boarding passes, ...

CO will try to ask if your husband was somehow trying to go to US. Let him maintain the fact that he wanted to study in US but was denied - that's all. And that yours is a love cum arranged marraige. Let him not say that he wanted to study in US to be close with you....

Other than this question, I don't think the CO will have anything negative to ask. There are other threads "Interview tips for Chennai/ Mumbai/ Delhi/ Calcutta", where you can find some other questions. All the best with the interview.

[Purohit 0]

Hello NavyK

Thanks a lot for your reply. I have all the evidences that you mentioned above.My parents like and love my hubby more than me and I also have our pics with each other's Parents on various ocassions/ parties to prove it. Student visa was my biggest concern and you have already answered questions regarding this concern.

Thanks again and good luck in getting ur interview date.

Purohit

[Deep2009 18]

I agree with the post earlier

"CO will try to ask if your husband was somehow trying to go to US. Let him maintain the fact that he wanted to study in US but was denied - that's all. NOTHING ELSE HERE (that's it)

And that yours is a love cum arranged marriage. Let him not say that he wanted to study in US to be close with you (NEVER SAY THIS....)"

SECOND BIG THING - He is going to Delhi Embassy..... PLEASE give everything to VFS office about 10 days before.... ALL of the supporting documents. It has happened to me... She went to VFS office to submitt documents and was told that we need this and this and take all of the documents to interview (big mistake on our part we have listened to VFS)

CO did not even look at the documents she has and was give 221g to submit all the documents to VFS (even though she was carrying everything with her)... They will only look at the documents if they were submitted through VFS.....PLEASE SUBMIT ALL THE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS TO VFS.

From my side, I called the Chandigarh/Jalandhar office

a. Here is the list -

b. DS230, Part I and II.

c. Interview Letter.

d. Marriage Certificate. (Photocopy)

e. Police certificates. (Photocopy)

f. Birth certificates. (Photocopy)

g. Rs. 387/- DHL courier fees.

h. Medical Report. (We can give to VFS or take it to the embassy BUT I will take it to VFS, if they accept it, give it them the sealed report)

i. 2 US Passport size pictures.

j. Photocopy of EVERY page of the your passport

k. - Show them original passport, they will put some sticker on it.

VFS New Delhi. They just asked for:

- Photocopy of biographic pages of Passport

- Original Passport

- 1 Photograph

- Letter of Appointment

- Cash

Hello NavyK

Thanks a lot for your reply. I have all the evidences that you mentioned above.My parents like and love my hubby more than me and I also have our pics with each other's Parents on various ocassions/ parties to prove it. Student visa was my biggest concern and you have already answered questions regarding this concern.

Thanks again and good luck in getting ur interview date.

Purohit

[Deep2009 18]

I agree with the post earlier

"CO will try to ask if your husband was somehow trying to go to US. Let him maintain the fact that he wanted to study in US but was denied - that's all. NOTHING ELSE HERE (that's it)

And that yours is a love cum arranged marriage. Let him not say that he wanted to study in US to be close with you (NEVER SAY THIS....)"

SECOND BIG THING - He is going to Delhi Embassy..... PLEASE give everything to VFS office about 10 days before.... ALL of the supporting documents. It has happened to me... She went to VFS office to submitt documents and was told that we need this and this and take all of the documents to interview (big mistake on our part we have listened to VFS)

CO did not even look at the documents she has and was give 221g to submit all the documents to VFS (even though she was carrying everything with her)... They will only look at the documents if they were submitted through VFS.....PLEASE SUBMIT ALL THE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS TO VFS.

The following is the list of documents that is required to be submitted to VFS.

b]Chandigarh/Jalandhar/Delhi office[/b]

a. Here is the list -

b. DS230, Part I and II (donot sign PART 2 of the DS230).

c. Interview Letter.

d. Marriage Certificate. (Photocopy)

e. Police certificates. (Photocopy)

f. Birth certificates. (Photocopy)

g. Rs. 387/- DHL courier fees.

h. Medical Report. (We can give to VFS or take it to the embassy BUT I will take it to VFS, if they accept it, give it them the sealed report)

i. 2 US Passport size pictures.

j. Photocopy of EVERY page of the your passport

k. - Show them original passport, they will put some sticker on it.

*******************************

Take one extra photocopy of the documents with you when visiting VFS. In addition to above mentioned documents, please submit all the supporting documents/wedding pictures/chatlog/phone bills/pictures from different locations/honeymoon bills/greeting cards and/or anything that applies to your case

KEEP copy of documents submitted to NVC too, just in case

*******************************

Please email if you need additional help...

[Purohit 0]

Hi Deep,

I called VFS and was told that we do not need to submit anything and can carry all documents to Interview but the lady I spoke to did not seem sure about whatever information she was providing me, so we were still going to submit basic documents as Copy of passport, appointment letter etc (Regardless of my phone conversation with VFS). But now that you have mentioned what you have gone through, I will have my husband go to VFS 10 days before interview and submit all the supporting evidence not just copies of passport.

Also, I do have copies of each and every document that we submitted to USCIS or NVC and will keep in mind to take it to Embassy.

Thanks a lot for sharing your experience and for your suggestions.

Purohit

[Purohit 0]

Deep,

I forgot to ask, Did your wife tell the CO that she went to VFS with all supporting docs but VFS didn't accept it?

How come VFS accepted the documents second time when Co gave a 221g to your wife?

Also if VFS says the same thing to my husband that they do not accept supporting docs, what should he say to them?

Thanks

[Deep2009 18]

No, we did not tell the CO about it... it does not matter, they have business agreement with them...

- you need to be forceful to submit all the papers with them first time and

- every time you go there, you will be submitting the fees again....

Second time..... they did not have a choice, they have to accept it..

- this time, they were not taking any extra supporting documents but she told them, I am not talking it back, either they take it or recycle it.

ONE MORE THING -if you are there, take your US passport with you while visiting Delhi, you may be lucky to be there at the immigration area...I think someone else was there earlier with the CR1 visa interview. They can not stop you from entering US Embassy OR VFS offices

Deep,

I forgot to ask, Did your wife tell the CO that she went to VFS with all supporting docs but VFS didn't accept it?

How come VFS accepted the documents second time when Co gave a 221g to your wife?

Also if VFS says the same thing to my husband that they do not accept supporting docs, what should he say to them?

Thanks

Edited September 2, 2011 by Deep2009

[Harsh_77 718]

From your long narrative.... I think you guys are ok and there is nothing to worry about.

F1 Denial should not be problem, but if asked answer everything honestly and you guys would be ok.

[Purohit 0]

I won't be there until a day before interview, So my hubby will have to do it all by himself and will try his best to submit all the docs. But just in case they do not accept it

Can an email from VFS saying that they do not accept the documents help?

Also, how long did it take your wife to get visa after submitting docs to VFS?

Thanks

[Purohit 0]

From your long narrative.... I think you guys are ok and there is nothing to worry about.

F1 Denial should not be problem, but if asked answer everything honestly and you guys would be ok.

I know it was long, didn't want to miss anything that could possibly arise any questions.

Thanks!!

[Deep2009 18]

I won't be there until a day before interview, So my hubby will have to do it all by himself and will try his best to submit all the docs. But just in case they do not accept it

Can an email from VFS saying that they do not accept the documents help?

Also, how long did it take your wife to get visa after submitting docs to VFS?

Thanks

After the second submission, she got visa in 26 days.

FORGOT ONE THING - You need to create a wedding guest list (submit it to the VFS too)

** First, include his side guests (full name, address, phone, how related)

** Second, your side guests (full name, address, phone, how related)

If possible, have 4 different sections and label them -

1. His side of guests ONLY immediate family memebers

2. His side of guests NOT including immediate family members.

3. Her side of guests ONLY immediate family memebers

4. Her side of guests NOT including immediate family members.

Edited September 2, 2011 by Deep2009

[Purohit 0]

After the second submission, she got visa in 26 days.

FORGOT ONE THING - You need to create a wedding guest list (submit it to the VFS too)

** First, include his side guests (full name, address, phone, how related)

** Second, your side guests (full name, address, phone, how related)

If possible, have 4 different sections and label them -

1. His side of guests ONLY immediate family memebers

2. His side of guests NOT including immediate family members.

3. Her side of guests ONLY immediate family memebers

4. Her side of guests NOT including immediate family members.

Wow! This seems like a perfect long weekend project as we had 1000- 1100 people at our wedding.

But we will surely do this as per your instructions.

Thanks again! You people are amazing!

[Harsh_77 718]

Wow! This seems like a perfect long weekend project as we had 1000- 1100 people at our wedding.

But we will surely do this as per your instructions.

Thanks again! You people are amazing!

For CR1 you have an option either to submit it to VFS or to take it with you in person.

I had taken and submitted all my documents to VFS in advance so I did not had to carry them in person on day of interview.

VFS has a check list of what all documents you are submitting and they would give your hubby back copy of the check list what all documents they have accpeted.

[Team Erra 0]

When my fiance's visa petition went into admin review, at the interview they were unsatisfied at the photo copies of our photos, so be sure to bring real photos with your documentation. I think another mistake we made was not turning everything in, including more evidence (even though NVC forwarded it!) to VFS in advance. I would highly highly encourage it because in our experience, they were not impressed with what he had on hand, they want to review it before the interview.

Also, please be sure to have on hand who came to the wedding and as many photos of them or the guest book as possible, as this was needed for our administrative review. If you can have it before the interview and VFS the better off you'll be!