Visa refused after submitting documnets requsted for 221g

[mp2002 0]

Hi All,

I applied for K1 visa for my fiance. She is in Delhi and I am a US Citizen. End of Nov, 2012 my fiance had her visa appointment and she was refused and given a white 221g paper with request to submit listed documents. This included,

* Notarized statement from both of us indicating how we met and why we decided to get engaged.

* Engagement attendee list, with address and phone number.

* Notarized copy of my passport.

* Notarized statement from her parents on their views regarding the engagement.

* Emails, phone, and gift/cards that we exchanged.

* Photos from before, during, and after engagement.

* And Voter ID card with list of last 5 year beneficiary.

In December 2012 we submitted all of the above documents to the consulate. Day after submitting the documents the visa status was showing as administrative processing. Today when I checked the status is showing as refused. Since we have not received an official letter from them yet, it is hard for me to tell any reasons why. But I wanted to find out next steps that can be taken to get the visa approved.

Thank you.

[catknit 144]

You will need to wait and see what the refusal letter shows as the reason for the refusal. An educated guess [and JUST a guess] is that the letter will mention 221(g) and the validity of the relationship. Additionally, it may state that the case has expired. I'm basing this on the fact that they gave you the "laundry list" 221(g) form that is typically used when a CO is not convinced that the relationship is bona fide. Again, just a guess. Once you get the letter [or more accurately, your fiancee gets the letter] it will give you more clarity.

The letter will further explain that the case will be sent back to the USCIS service center that adjudicated the case originally - either Vermont or California.

What you can do at this point is get in contact with the immigration liaisons associated with your Congressperson and/or Senators. You will be asked to fill out a form granting permission to speak to DOS or USCIS about your case. Good immigration liaisons will get you some information but please be warned that no one will come out and give you a blow-by-blow reason as to why you were refused. Figuring that out will take a mix of looking at your own case with CO's eyes and what information you do get from the letter and the immigration liaison.

Again, assuming it's relationship issues, you want to see if there is anything about your case that could be seen as a "red flag". These include anything that doesn't conform to typical Indian traditions - older women, divorces, children out of wedlock, mixed religions. Also on the list are lifestyle/match mismatches - a PhD marrying a high school drop out would raise questions or an MD marrying a rickshawalla. The method of meeting and number/frequency of visits: you met online in a chat room and then spent 5 days together and filed immediately after that - this could be seen as a red flag. Finally, another big red flag is the USC having an immigration past - an example would be someone who immigrated to the US through a marriage, got US citizenship, divorced, and is now trying to sponsor his new love. Sadly, a CO can deny on a "hunch". Maybe nothing I listed pertains to you but for whatever reason the CO thought - huh, just doesn't feel right. S/he would still need to document that something was "amiss" but there is a bit of subjectivity in this process. There is so, so, so much fraud that comes out of India, the COs are looking at cases with a fine-tooth comb mentality.

Depending on a lot of factors, this specific case may not be the way to get your fiancee here. In your shoes [and I've been there], I'd start researching the CR1 as an option once you know what is going on with this case. There is a chance, a small one though, that she could still get the visa from this case. But, start doing homework on how to cover the bases missed with this first case and what next steps you want to take in case this case is closed [expired at CSC, left to "die" at VSC].

[mp2002 0]

catknit, thank you for a quick response.

I will wait for the response letter to come through and post the reason.

[baron555 934]

Hi All,

I applied for K1 visa for my fiance. She is in Delhi and I am a US Citizen. End of Nov, 2012 my fiance had her visa appointment and she was refused and given a white 221g paper with request to submit listed documents. This included,

* Notarized statement from both of us indicating how we met and why we decided to get engaged.

* Engagement attendee list, with address and phone number.

* Notarized copy of my passport.

* Notarized statement from her parents on their views regarding the engagement.

* Emails, phone, and gift/cards that we exchanged.

* Photos from before, during, and after engagement.

* And Voter ID card with list of last 5 year beneficiary.

In December 2012 we submitted all of the above documents to the consulate. Day after submitting the documents the visa status was showing as administrative processing. Today when I checked the status is showing as refused. Since we have not received an official letter from them yet, it is hard for me to tell any reasons why. But I wanted to find out next steps that can be taken to get the visa approved.

Thank you.

Just my opinion and not knowing the requirements of your country/Embassy but that seems like a lot of information and I wonder what you submitted for them to ask for so much.....it seems that you didn't do enough to prove your relationship.

If your visa is denied know that you will have to jump through extra hoops next time since this cause/action will be on your record. Maybe get married and file for CR-1?

[catknit 144]

That list is pretty much SOP for Delhi when they give AP for more relationship evidence. Many of us over the years have had that exact list of information requested. That's why I'm guessing the letter will state relationship validity as the reason behind refusing the visa.

[mp2002 0]

That list is pretty much SOP for Delhi when they give AP for more relationship evidence. Many of us over the years have had that exact list of information requested. That's why I'm guessing the letter will state relationship validity as the reason behind refusing the visa.

How long does it take for them to update the status on https://ceac.state.gov. The reason I ask is because the message it shows with refusal is "Please see the letter you received at your interview for more information."

My fiance's visa interview was on Nov. 21, could it be that they are updating status of the interview now.

Thank you.

[catknit 144]

That's a great question mp - sadly, I can't help you out with it as the status website is new and I haven't seen a lot of information about.

They could be generating the refusal letter at this point. That letter would be sent out to your fiance.

Inquiring with your congressperson or senators may give you some additional details prior to the receipt of the refusal letter by your fiance.

I know a lot of vj participants in the Islamabad AP tracker in the 221g subforum have been using that site for updates. Maybe head over to that topic and see if anyone there has some info?

[Darnell 8,480]

please call DoS Hotline and ask for casefile status...

[mp2002 0]

please call DoS Hotline and ask for casefile status...

How or where can I find the DoS hotline number?

[Arinlars 19]

Are notarized letters needed for every country? and voter id? so confused!

[mp2002 0]

Today's status change shows Returned to NVC.

Does this mean it's been denied?

[mp2002 0]

Currently the status shows as Returned to NVC and fiance has Just received this in her email. What does this mean?

Dear Applicant,

Your document(s) have been collected from the US Embassy/Consulate.

The passport number being returned is A12345678.

You have chosen to have your documents delivered to the following location:

Delhi, S - 1 American Plaza, NewDelhi, 110019

If you have any issues or concerns, please contact us at www.ustraveldocs.com/in.

[Darnell 8,480]

Dos Hotline # in my profile, left panel.

Click the girls, scroll down a bit.

Good Luck !

[mp2002 0]

Hi,

Visa petition I applied for my fiancee has been refused under INA 212(a)(5)(A); of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) for an invalid petition.

Current status: The cesc site shows status as Returned to NVC. After calling NVC couple of times, the manager called me back saying that they have received the application back and it is currently under Administrative Processing at NVC.

Short Background: I am a US Citizen. In Dec. 2011 I went to a wedding and met my fiancee's uncle and cousins and later we were introduced. We talked to each other over phone for 1 1/2 month before I decided to go meet her in India. In Mar. 2012 I went to India to meet her and got engaged. After returning, I filed for her visa in May. It was approved in US and the application was sent to US consulate in New Delhi. My fiancee had her interview in Nov. and was given a 221g form. We submitted all the requested notarized documents with proof of relationship(phone records, chat records, records of gift sent). On Jan. 2, 2013 the status showed to be refused and my fiancee received the letter of refusal on Jan. 15, 2013 of refusal under INA 212(a)(5)(A).

Possible Red flags: The only possible red flag is that my fiancee had tried applying for visitors visa 3 times just before meeting me. She was asked regrading that during her interview. Also, during her interview she was asked few other questions which were bit odd.

My fiancee and I are very upset, angry and sad. So far I have asked our local Congressman's office to investigate what could be the reasons for refusal. Is there anything else I can do to get them to approve the application? What should be my next step?

Also, what does administrative processing means once the application has been returned to NVC and how long does this take for them to complete and respond to me.

Thank you for your kind help.

[Penguin_ie 6,002]

** two topics on the same issue merged ****