K1 Expired while Waiting for Normal Processing??

[Lynn n Sam 57]

We are going through the Mumbai Consulate and as of 10/28/11 - are still waiting for some word from Mumbai! We never received packet 3, so we we found out what's required and got the forms ourselves and filled them out. We've sent them electronically and have not received a reply. So we tried sending again, thinking we made some mistake somewhere - still nothing. We've called the consulate to find out how they want packet 3 and the guy who answers tells us you need to send an email to inquire. We have sent a total of 6 emails in the past 3 weeks (they were closed last week due to a move to a new building) and today, their first day to open at the new building, we sent an email and received a "Delivery Status Notification (Failure)" and phone calls today went unanswered. I've contacted NVC, the DOS in Washington, DC and the VFS. The NVC and DOS know nothing -- "contact the consulate". How can the DOS not know what is going on? All of the embassies are under them!! The VFS has at least told us they believe we need to send by courier or in person. (An earlier post by Ami & Chigs stated: "Apparently the way Mumbai does things just goes way over my head... My fiancee was not able to submit Packet 3 to the embassy either at the consulate or the VFS... apparently, email is the *ONLY* way to get packet 3 to them.... ::sigh::" We have no idea at this point!

Now today, my fiance has sent packet 3 via courier and the consulate should receive it tomorrow. He is 9 hours away from this embassy by train and there are no seats available on any train through the end of November for him to deliver in person. No buses from his village go to Mumbai either.

So we want to know - our petition expires January 29, 2012. He still has to get his medical (another 16 hour trip - twice - to the closest panel of physicians) with a 7 day wait for the results and he has to get his PCC from the Passport office and he doesn't have the interview letter yet. Does it ever happen that these petitions expire during what is considered "normal" processing times?? We're very concerned that we're not going to get everything done in time or even wonder if an interview will be given prior to the expiration date!

Has anyone experienced this before? What happens then if it does? Do they grant an extension or something? And finally - does anyone out there know how Mumbai wants to receive packet 3?

Thanks in advance, everyone for your constructive replies!

[Inky 1,111]

Have you tried faxing them to get their attention? Sounds like you have kind of already done everything that i can think of to get a hold of them! Its odd that DOS cant tell you where your case is or what its status is.. they should be able to.

[Lynn n Sam 57]

Have you tried faxing them to get their attention? Sounds like you have kind of already done everything that i can think of to get a hold of them! Its odd that DOS cant tell you where your case is or what its status is.. they should be able to.

No, we haven't tried that yet. Maybe we should. Will have to try tonight or tomorrow possibly as they're closed right now. Thanks!

[SalJoy 11]

You have plenty of time and you are worried for no-real reason. 68 days is a long time. Your fiancee has to plan things little better.

Physical takes 2 days but that doesnt mean 2 consecutive days. I had the same problem. I gave my physical and returned back. I collected the report day before the interview. Hospital will keep his report safe. Also he can request them to send it to his address by courier but that depends if they will do that or not. I dont think it is correct information that you have to wait 7 days for the result. Generally they give it the next day.

PCC from the passport office is again looks like a big deal to get but really it isnt provided there are no negative reports. As a matter of fact, PCC from Mumbai is faster than any other place that i know. it takes 1 day to get the PCC from Mumbai.

I am not sure how you can send Packet 3 to the consulate before receiving the interview letter. I am still confused here.

The consulate the best way send packet 3 is go in-person to VFS office. Generally they ask to send everything in the packet but if you dont have PCC or medical reports then its OK. They are not going to reject you for that. Just hand it over when you for there for the interview.

P.S.: it is really hard to believe there is no way to get to Mumbai from his village except train. Seriously?

Edited November 21, 2011 by SalJoy

[SalJoy 11]

Check this link if it helps:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/222888-mumbai-packet-3-for-k-1-visa-experience/

[Lynn n Sam 57]

You have plenty of time and you are worried for no-real reason. 68 days is a long time. Your fiancee has to plan things little better.

Physical takes 2 days but that doesnt mean 2 consecutive days. I had the same problem. I gave my physical and returned back. I collected the report day before the interview. Hospital will keep his report safe. Also he can request them to send it to his address by courier but that depends if they will do that or not. I dont think it is correct information that you have to wait 7 days for the result. Generally they give it the next day.

PCC from the passport office is again looks like a big deal to get but really it isnt provided there are no negative reports. As a matter of fact, PCC from Mumbai is faster than any other place that i know. it takes 1 day to get the PCC from Mumbai.

I am not sure how you can send Packet 3 to the consulate before receiving the interview letter. I am still confused here.

The consulate the best way send packet 3 is go in-person to VFS office. Generally they ask to send everything in the packet but if you dont have PCC or medical reports then its OK. They are not going to reject you for that. Just hand it over when you for there for the interview.

P.S.: it is really hard to believe there is no way to get to Mumbai from his village except train. Seriously?

Thanks SalJoy, we were wondering if we were worrying unnecessarily or not. It's just with all of the upcoming holiday closures and the fact that they have interviews already scheduled up through December 19th - it didn't seem as if we could get everything done on time. Kolkata is the closet medical for him and we were told it takes approximately 4 -7 days to get the results. Additionally, he isn't getting his PCC via Mumbai. He has to go to the Passport Office in Patna. Not sure how fast they are.

We thought only Packet 4 (medical/ PCC instructions and interview letter), along with all of our supporting documents, goes to the VFS approximately 4 days prior to the interview and Packet 3 (DS-156, DS-230, Applicant Statement) was to be sent to the Mumbai Consulate prior to that so that we could then in turn get Packet 4 - so I'm confused too.

P.S. Well, there's the airport - but quite expensive on our budget! But will be utilized as a very last resort if we must.

[Lynn n Sam 57]

Check this link if it helps:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/222888-mumbai-packet-3-for-k-1-visa-experience/

I actually did read that link yesterday and it helped a little.

Thanks again!

[SalJoy 11]

Thats right. Please read "Packet 3" as "Packet 4" in my previous post.

Not all Passport offices require Interview letter in order to process PCC. Dont wait for the interview letter to come. Apply and request them to expedite.

[Lynn n Sam 57]

Thats right. Please read "Packet 3" as "Packet 4" in my previous post.

Not all Passport offices require Interview letter in order to process PCC. Dont wait for the interview letter to come. Apply and request them to expedite.

He's going tomorrow to the Passport Office with some of our documentation to prove we're going through the interview process. Pray they decide to issue the PCC and don't make him travel the 3.5 hours again one-way if he's denied!

[SalJoy 11]

Where was his passport issued from? Mumbai?

[Lynn n Sam 57]

Where was his passport issued from? Mumbai?

Patna

[SalJoy 11]

Since his passport was issued from Patna and he is going to Patna to get PCC, i think it should be pretty quick. May be one day as they will have all his records. (Speaking of with my experience with Bangalore Passport Office).

Make sure he carries more than enough documents to prove his Identity like Voter ID Card, Driving License, Ration Card, PAN Card etc.