V+C

Hi VJers,

Good News today!!! After receiving two 221g's (one at interview and one after turning in the info from the first 221g) we received in hand our Visa on 6/14/12. The visa was approved on 6/12/12. We had turned in the info from the last 221g on May 25, 2012 and they did not approve it till almost three weeks later. WE ARE SO HAPPY!! AFTER BEING A PART FOR A LITTLE MORE THAN A YEAR WE WILL FINALLY BE TOGETHER AGAIN!!! I wish everyone success in their visa process and I still can't believe how hard and long of a process this is!! Good Luck to all and best wishes!!

same here, four weeks of AP. I wonder how long we should wait before sending a congressional inquiry?

I just sent an email to my congressman, secretary of state, and my local governor. We turned in our request for evidence on 5/25/12 and haven't heard anything from them. I will let you know if any of these contacts help our case at all. ~ Chrystal

Any updates guys???

My Fiance turned in the 2nd 221g with the info they are requesting to the Mumbai office on 5/25/12. Now we wait and see what they say this time. Hopefully we will hear something in the next couple of weeks. I hope you hear something soon about your case. Good Luck and Hang in there. ~Chrystal

Any updates guys???

My Fiance turned in the 2nd 221g with the info they are requesting to the Mumbai office on 5/25/12. Now we wait and see what they say this time. Hopefully we will hear something in the next couple of weeks. I hope you hear something soon about your case. Good Luck and Hang in there. ~Chrystal

The certified copy is signed by a person nominated by the person or agency asking for it. Typically, the person is referred to as an authorised person. The person who is authorised to sign the certificate will vary between countries. Sometimes a person is authorised by legislation to do so (for example a court clerk, solicitor, or notary public), but this is not always so. In some countries, for example the United Kingdom and South Africa, identity documents can also be certified by authorised Post Office staff[1].

I would call and ask who can certify a copy in India.

iwaiting is a nice ray of sunshine in what can be a frustrating and crazy process!

Chrystal - your story is heartbreaking! Even if you and your former husband were over in the sense of a relationship/marriage and even if you were fighting or whatever, having him pass must have been truly shocking and destablizing, not just to you but to your children as well. Sometimes things just time out incorrectly.

I don't delve much into my former relationship here too frequently but part of the "wreaking-of-fraud" issues we had pertained to timings with my ex. My ex was a controlling, manipulative, abusive man. I could go into to specifics, alas, they would probably be boring to most though some I find down right hilarious now. Anyway, in 2005, I moved out of our common bedroom and went into therapy. Due to a swear of "divorce is not an option", I resigned myself to just live life as a dutiful "roommate"-style wife. With the help of said therapist, I realized I would be miserable living that way and when the ex refused to go to counselling, we separated.

Eventually [2006-7], I moved out, I filed for divorce, all was well in the world! It was during the separation that I met my now husband [red flag for fraud]. My divorce attorney had promised a divorce by the end of the year and that didn't happen [court scheduling was a mess]. I was quoted a new date, didn't work out. I was quoted a new "it WILL be this week, pinky swear" date. It was missed. In the midst of all this, I was ready to move on emotionally/relationship-wise and scheduled a trip to India to meet my now-husband 3 months past the most recent scheduled divorce date thinking it HAS to work out in the next 12 weeks.

When all was said and done, I ended up divorcing my ex on a Thursday morning and was in Delhi 36 hours later [HUGE red flag]. What didn't matter was the fact that I had been separated more than a year [there was no proof as my state had no legal separation option - you're either married or divorced, I stayed with friends for part of the separation so no lease in my name, etc etc etc]. What was PAINFULLY obvious in the paperwork was Date #1 [divorce date] was exactly 1 day different from Date #2 [date of the flight to meet my new bf, now husband].

Explaining this type of situation takes time and well written narratives on how it ended up the way it ended up - but even then a CO whose ears and brain are trained to sniff out fraud may see something else. An easy conclusion for a CO is a vunerable woman [me] has been smooth talked by a coniving man [my husband] during a stress-ridden part of her life. Not only that, add in the cultural aspects that are on the fence anyway [age, divorced, race, religion] and you have a mess. I totally get why we were denied. Frustrating? Sure.

I think what adds to that is under most circumstances, when you are filling out paperwork with the government - you get what is asked for. Renew a driver's license - you get it. Change your voter's ID - you get a new one in the mail. Heck, even your taxes, you fill in the blanks, sign it and a check magically arrives in the mail. These forms look the same, feel same, and even ask some of the same questions - it's easy to fill them out and think "I got this!".

But, this type of situation is very, very different. #1 - you have a holy host of emotions playing into this. In some cases, people haven't seen each other in months or over a year. You are in love [which is a hormonal nightmare]. #2 - you need to look at this like a legal case, something that many people have NEVER done before. Primary evidence? Secondary evidence? Bans and bars???? It is messy and stressful and a mere typo can cause huge issues for months if not for years. #3 - You may not know anyone who has had to wrangle with a consulate or USCIS - so you have no gauge on what's going on. I remember a friend re-upping his H1B and he asked me to be "on call" if he needed anything faxed. I was like "What are you talking about, just go get your visa...". I had NO idea how complex and stressful this whole system was before trying to sponsor my husband.

Anyway, my point to this long rambling post. Your case could go either way. Since you explained that your relationship is out of the ordinary, I would not be surprised in the consulate is taking more time to look at the details. This is not simply a request to hand in a missing W2 or a better copy of a birth certificate. They are probably looking to see if the relationship "makes sense" on paper.

Best case, you get the visa in a week or so. Worst case, you sit in AP for months or years not knowing what in the world in going on. Crappy case, but totally not worst case, is a denial. If that happens, you move on and keep fighting. We'll help you through that!

Thank You Catnip for your help. I really hope for the best decision, but we are going to be together. Like you even if I have to move my family to India. My late husband was very much the same as yours he was bipolar his mood swings were getting worse and he was being very mean to me in front of our children. I decided to separate due to the horrible relationship and for our children to have a safe home environment. I separated from my late husband and then filed for divorce within the first month. My late husband then died due to an epileptic seizure two months from our separation. He had epilepsy.

Catnip I had no idea how hard and complicated this visa process would be. I had never dated anyone from another country before and no one in my family or close friends had married someone that they had to get a visa. I just happen to meet this wonderful Indian man in Oregon where I live we started dating and fell in love. I really was only looking to date him not fall in love, but you know that's how it goes (when you least expect it) boom in love.

Thank You for all your help and I will keep you posted on our progress

Sometimes they need the doc to verify the things. Just provide exactly what they need. Mumbai Consulate is indeed very good, and good to grant the visa once everything is on track. They are pretty fast to process the file. I also got 2nd 221g, and after providing the doc, they reviewed my doc and grant the visa in 4 days.

Good luck and take care!

Iwaiting you are one of the most positive supports for me through this process!! Thank you for your kind words of encouragement

Were you issued 221G at the interview or sent in mail afterwards ? & if it did, how long it took to get it ?

Thanks

We were given a 221g at the interview. We submitted that and then we 7 days after turning in all of that information we received another 221g for totally different information that they wanted. Ugh. Maybe its better to be in AP. I have a feeling that after we send in the requested documentation that we will then be put in AP. Well at least its not a denial right. Good Luck Lub2012

See - there is a light at the end of the tunnel - be warned, it may be a really long and weird tunnel

So, I've been thinking about this a little longer. Did he try for an OPT year? No bites at his skills/cv to offer him work?

I think [and this is purely speculation] that maybe the CO might be saying "well, if they are so in love, why didn't he stay on OPT, see the relationship out and then marry and adjust? What's up with the weird going back to India thing???". Again, speculation.

Also, any "weirdness" pertaining to your relationship [ie he was an adviser to you, a boss to you, on a committee that was overseeing any of your work]?

What the Indian consulates LOVE to see and approve without hesitation is a Desi-Desi love or arranged marriage. The guy should be 2+ years older than the woman. Depending on the consulate, there should be an engagement party or other formal get-together. There should be album after album of those horrendous posed photos that make the Glamour Shots from the malls in the '80s look like Pulitzer Prize winning photos.

If going for the CR1, the groom decked out on a white horse or elephant wins CO brownie points...

Once you start to move away from that norm, there needs to be realistic stories behind how things happened in the relationship. This story needs to make sense to the "average joe" who hears it. It seems like from your other information, it did make sense. But....

There is a little something that is making them hesitate - whether or not it's surmountable, only time will tell.

Was there a discrepancy in his G325? [i think that's the form - with the addresses and such?] It would completely blow if they try to nail him on a misrep for a clerical or interview error....but that's the type of info that they are now requesting.

I wish you the best of luck, it seems like Mumbai doesn't sit on cases too long.

Our story is completely out of the ordinary. The saying "you don't plan on the people you fall in love with". I met my Fiance one month after I separated from my husband and then tragically my husband died while we were separated. During this time I was dealing with two sons dealing with the separation and then their fathers untimely death. During this time my fiancee and I were dating, we were cautious around my sons because of them being sensitive about me being with another man other than their father. My Fiancee had planned on moving back to India before he met me and we did not know how much we were in love until he left. We were both love struck....realized this just days after he left that we could not live without each other. They have my complete story. It's a crazy whirl wind but it is very much true!! He probably would have stayed on OPT if we would have known how strongly we loved each other, but there was so much emotional stuff going on for me I was not sure. He did not know also if I was ready for a serious relationship yet. He just thought that he would go back to India for 6 months and then come back when things in my life were settled. Then after he left we realized we were in love and wanted to spend the rest of our lives together. We realized this to late and we are both kicking ourselves for him going back to India.

We received a 2nd 221g from New Delhi [years ago] requesting my entire job history from the age of 16, each boss' info, the company names/addresses/phones - the whole kit and caboodle as they say. Also, they requested a list of all his relatives in the US and their complete work histories including companies/addresses/phones. We believe they were digging to see if I ever worked with any of his family [who are all in India, mind you, but the rest of our case as presented looked a little too fraudy].

Here's the deal - regardless of what laundry list or flaming hoop they throw in front of you, just do it. Don't waste mental and emotional energy on this, just get EXACTLY what is requested and send it in.

Something has them digger deeper - maybe certain things look too convenient or text-book-fraudy. Who knows. But, you won't get any answers or go forward in your case without answering what they ask.

Thanks for the reply Catnip. I just read your timeline and your story is amazing. You guys went through a lot!! I am sorry for what you went through and I am happy that you guys are now together.

I would suggest calling the US Department of State (DOS) they get updated by the consulate. Their number is (202) 663-1225. They were able to look mine up and tell me what the 221g said before my Fiance received it from the consulate. Good Luck

Sorry I just realized you had called the DOS. Erase my statement. I am so sorry and I feel your frustration, we are on our 2nd 221g.

My fiancee had her interview for K1 visa on May 9th at new delhi consulate. At the end of a succesfull interview, She was told by CO, " Congrats, your visa has been approved" and they kept her passport along with some other paperwork. She was not given any kind of receipt or 221G whatsoever. upon asking when i will get my passport back, She was told, You will get your passport back in 5 to 6 days and was handed over a blue pamplet which says " Welcome to America". It has been almost two weeks & we have not received the passport yet. Every time I check her passport on VFS website, it displays the same message: " Your passport in under process at US embassy/Consulate". On the top of that, when I called DOS, VO says, your case has been put under admin processing and they have not made a decesion yet. I do not understand this, why would they tell her,she is approved for visa at the interview and DOS says "they have not made a decision yet". Any comments, suggestions guys? How long will it take to get passport back and above all, what is the impact on outcome of all this?

I would suggest calling the US Department of State (DOS) they get updated by the consulate. Their number is (202) 663-1225. They were able to look mine up and tell me what the 221g said before my Fiance received it from the consulate. Good Luck

Hi VJers,

I was hoping to give you good news, but instead we got another 221g. We received our first 221g and submitted all of the documents that they requested. Then they send us a 2nd 221g for something totally different. This is what the 2nd 221g says:

As per the U.S Consulate, for further consideration will be given to your visa application after you obtain and present the documents listed below:

Submit job offer letter from beneficiary from University of Oregon, exact details of when move from Michigan to Oregon took place, correspondence from University of Oregon to beneficiary regarding his job. Submit complete academic records from beneficiary's F1 PhD program.

You must submit the above documents to the VFS office.

This information has nothing to do with our relationship or income? Why do they need this? This is so frustrating. My Fiance went to school in Michigan, and then moved to Oregon to work at the University. We sent them pay check stubs from the University of Oregon, his W2's, his University of Oregon staff ID card. We sent them addresses of where he lived in Oregon with rental agreement. How can they ask for this stuff also what is the purpose in needing all of this information to approve a Fiance Visa. I am just so frustrated right now.

Any advice or explanation from anyone on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you, Chrystal

And how did the interview go?

Hi Arashsidhu,

My Fiance said that interview went really well and that they were very nice. The interviewer just said that she could not give him a visa with his passport being in the shape it was and that he needed to get a new passport and submit it to VFS. She said that he did not need to interview again, just turn in the document to VFS.

I agree with what Iwaiting said. Apply for a re-issue under tatkal, so that he gets it real quick.

Thank You Divs

If PSK is available in his area, then he can apply for re-issue passport, and it will take less than 72 hours to get in hand. Sometimes it may take little longer. I got my reissued passport in 48 hours ( Delivered at my home ).

In case, if there is no PSK in his area, then it may take few days, but better to visit passport office to expedite the request for reissue. It is easy!

P.S. - Apply for re-issue passport under Tatkal.

Thank You Iwaiting I will let my Fiance know. Thank God you can understand what I am trying to say

Hi VJers,

My Fiance had his interview on 4/27/12 and he was told that he needed a new passport because his current passport has a tear on the corner. Does anyone know how long it takes to get a new passport in India? Thank you

Congratulations and good luck!

Thank You Sachinky My Fiance is working on getting a new passport now. Hopefully we will turn everything in and they will give us our Visa!!

Seems everything is on track. Mumbai Consulate is indeed good, and very quick to review the doc when submitted thru VFS.

Thank You Iwaiting

I am so excited to have my fiance back with me very soon

Hi all,

The 221g said from what my Fiance told me to turn in a new passport to the VFS office along with some other documentation that we already had in our huge pile of paperwork. The lady that interviewed him said that he needed to turn his new passport in with the paperwork listed. Everything on the list we have except of course for a new passport. My Fiancee is traveling to his town to get a new passport and they said that they could get him a new one in a few days. The questions he was asked were basic relationship questions. I am widowed with two kids. One thing he did not know was my kids teachers name. They asked about wedding plans. My Fiancee said that they were really nice.

My fiance will try and get his passport as soon as possible to turn it in with the other documentation they requested.

~Chrsytal

Hi fellow VJ members,

The interview went well, but we got a 221g saying that my Fiance needs a new passport. They said the one he had was old and it had a little tear on the corner. They told him that when he gets the new passport he needs to turn it in with the documents that he had previously turned into them at the VFS office. They said they would then process it from their and he did not need to interview again. Does this mean he was approved or does this mean they are still deciding? A little confused...

What about K1 and India?

LOL you got me there Boiler (K1 & India) also in common.

I know Boiler addressed this but I don't get this. Somehow when the question of the USC moving is posed, it is always damned near impossible. House, mortgage, kids, wonderful job, retirement etc are cited and yet, apparently, the beneficiary has no binding ties. He or she is capable of moving across oceans but it is unreasonable to expect his/her spouse to do the same. Do these conversations not take place before marriage? Especially in red-flag cases where denial is a very likely outcome, especially on the first try? "It is impossible for me to leave, but the US government must issue a visa to my intended despite murky circumstances! How can they not? We are in love! Love, I say!"

I know Mr. Sachinky and I talked at length about possibly living in India since I am the only child of my parents. We eventually went with the CR-1 since I had been in the US for four years (on a F-1 visa) and there wouldn't be any issues regarding transitions. If denied, Mr. Sachinky would've moved to Calcutta and we would've made a go of our life there. Perhaps, we would've have given the DCF a try in the future. Perhaps not. Anyway, V&C, your case doesn't seem similar to the OP's (the circumstances and evolution, at least, but perhaps, you too, have an age difference and therefore are relating your situation to the OPs?) and this discussion is rather off-topic as it has no bearing on the original thread.

The only thing that is similar in our case is that we are both an interracial couple.

Would that not be part of your thought processes when getting involved in such a relationship.

I knew nothing about visa's.....We started dating and did not plan on falling in love. I had no idea of this long process of getting a visa to be with the person you love. Call me ignorant I don't care....I did not look for a long distance relationship....I did not seek out someone in a different country. I met my Fiancee here in the US 35 miles away from me and had no idea how this would go. Fell in love and that is it.

I moved when I was well past my 20's, it can be done!

I know it can be done, but it is difficult and a long process in it self. Not easy

No one has told the OP that she cannot be with her loved one. She is free to move to India tomorrow if she so desires. It is what we would've done if my CR-1 visa wasn't successful. We, as a country, are very open and non-discriminatory when it comes to handing out visas.

In response Mrs. Sachinky:

Some of us have great jobs, with retirement, a house, kids, family.....We can not just on a whim go okay I will move to India then. Maybe if I was in my early twenty's and not established in life I could just do that. Not saying that I would not go and live with him in India, but we have been apart for long enough and if I need to move to India it will be a long process also. Yes it is very sad that it is not so easy to get a visa to be with your loved one. Also it is great to give honest advice, but stating the obvious holes in her case does not help. She knows just like I and you about where the holes are in our cases that we could have more evidence. She was hoping that what they had would be enough and she was disappointed and upset that they denied him his visa and how they treated him. I would feel the same.

Wow, I just have to say you have got to be the most negative person I have seen in a long time. Every time you post it is to always say something negative, or to belittle everyone on this forum. You can say whatever you like or think, however your opinions or thoughts don't matter to me, at the end of the day Harsh and I know who we are and what our feelings are for each regardless of much time we have spent together in person. We have known each other for over 2 years. And what does it matter if I have a child from a previous relationship? You know it amazes me that people can be so narrow minded. Of course we knew it would be tough and the age difference would come into play here, what I am shock at is how they treated Harsh. My god people treat their dogs better then he was treated. Its people like you that have to run at the mouth all the time and always have to put in your two cents that makes others not want to post on forums. Maybe you should to not be a negative Nelly all the time and try to be supportive of others struggles. My mom always says if you don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all. Some good advice maybe you should try it!!

Well said Amy!!! Please don't kick people when they are down. How horrible each one of us would feel if we were told we could not be with our loved ones....