pbgirl

I think you might have a problem with not having any wedding pictures, religious ceremnony etc. The majority of people who go through India are expected to provide these picture proofs at the interview.

That being said, I am sure there are people who may have gone the court marriage route and still gotten a visa (and hopefully they respond).

As for your cermony itself, even if you have it after the K3 is approved, it won't matter since that is the spousal visa (vs. the K1 fiancee visa).

I think this is a great question. I would really encourage him to take ESL classes during his time waiting for the visa. That will help tremendously when he arrives. And make sure it is not just reading and writing but also conversation skills. American english is a lot different than the type of British english they teach and speak. Tell him to start a subscribtion to the local English paper and read up.

I don't blame you for being wary of the free work. But i would also say that having him learn some basic IT skills won't hurt. Good luck!

Something else I noticed is that when you call from the US I think they are more apt to pick up the phone because of the phone ring and perhaps what shows up on the ID. I was always able to get through while my husband never had his call answered and we would both call during the allocated hours for visas.

Excellent news! Enjoy your long awaited reunion.

As an aside, if you wait for his arrival at your two year wedding anniversary, would you get a CR1 and not have to do AOS? Didn't think so but thought I would throw it out there (since he's on K3 right?)

So I purchased cell phones that had rebates attached to them (bad move #1). But you couldn't submit the rebates until 6 months after the start of your service (bad vibe #1). So this was Jan of 07 and I submiited the rebates in July of 07. I kept calling to find the status of the rebates and was pushed off as "few more weeks). Then suddenly in December, the call center had this info:

Notice regarding rebates sponsored by InPhonic, Inc.

On November 8, 2007, INPC, Inc. (formerly InPhonic, Inc.) filed a voluntary petition for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The filings were made in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.

If you ordered a wireless device from INPC or one of INPC's affiliates before November 8, 2007 and your order included rebates with a submission address of White Bear Lake, MN, you will be receiving communication(s) pursuant to the procedures of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court regarding any approved rebate claims.

For more information regarding INPC's reorganization, please visit http://www.inphonic.com/reorg.

Great, so this was in Nov. I have yet to receive any communication. Does this pretty much mean I am out of the rebates they owe me? Or are they going to restructure and have the money to pay people? Can someone translate?

Humm...good question. The wait has certainly grown longer, even with the introduction of the K3.

It was early 90s when my cousin petitioned for his wife (New Delhi embassy) and she had her interview 6 months later and was in the US a month after that. Back then I don't think there was any such thing as a CR1 visa so she received her permanent green card in a total span of 6 months. If you were take the same case today, I think it would easily take 12-15 months to process. And then you'd still have to deal with removing of conditions 2 years later.

I think the "loophole" that a lot of people started taking was using the K1 even though they were already married because it was quicker than waiting for the CR1 greencard.

I think with it being an Indian cultural norm, admitting to an arranged marriage is not something counted against you. I would answer truthfully. You can say you were introduced through family and then decided to get married.

I've used a company called WQN for years and it is very reliable. You get a local phone number to call and then just directly dial your phone number in India. They're very accomdating when you have one bad calls or get disconnected. Plus great deals where the rate works itself out to about 5.7c per minute.

SOmeone told me about comwave (comwave.net maybe?).

ELW, I looked into that freecall.com website and emailed them asking questions but no one ever got back to me so I never bothered to do it. So it's reliable and good service? I'll have to look into that.

That's great news. You've done a great job writing up your experience. Enjoy your start together!

Insane! I haven't heard that at all. I think its something people don't take as literally.

Very interesting thread! I'd have to agree that those online applications are the most frustrating! The worst part is when they have you answer 70 questions about "if a customer did x, what would you do?" or "pick the 5 traits that describe you". #######. I get so irritated. Like why are you wasting our time on these when you may not even bother to call us! And temp agencies are of no use, they require you have have 6 months of working experience. Once again, catch 22. WHere are you going to get that experience when no one will give you a chance? Reminds me of my first jobs out of college, the frustration!!

Thanks for all the advice. So don't worry about my maiden name/married name bit? Good.

And as for the mortgage/ownership, I was thinking to use it for the "proof of marriage" when the removing of conditions starts. I notice a lot of people on here adding their husbands/wives and wondered how to go about it. Reading this advice, it sounds like I don't really need to, and I think I'll use other items as proof.

I purchased our house before my husband was in the US and could have his name on the mortgage papers and other paperwork.

What exactly am I supposed to do to change the deed of the house so that both our names are on it? (Plus I changed to my married name and want to change my name on it in general anyway). I called the mortgage company and they told me something about a quit claim deed.

Has anyone done this? What were the exact steps you went through? Is this through my county?

TIA

Congrats and good luck! Start of the new year right!

Happy Diwali to everyone! May the festival of lights bring light to your hearts and hope for those still waiting to be with their loved ones.

Great! Have a Happy Diwali!

I'm just amazed overall at what technology can do modern day. First finding the Titanic.....

Those of you that have been waiting for so long to be together, your strength is really admirable.

i think it's a good idea just for the fact kids have daylight to go to school in and back home.

Honestly, growing up, I always thought that was the whole reason.

Although its dark when they get home if they do after school stuff.....

Does anybody know what exactly happens when you fill out the form to report the $?

It is US Dollars.

And that counts for the family. So you each can't take $10,000 independent if you are traveling together.

Although if you take more out of the country, you aren't fined for that. You just have to sign a form, with your SS# admitting to removing more than 10,000 US currency.

Has anyone ever had that happen to them?

That must have been hard to admit..."I fell asleep at the wheel and endangered everyone on the board and the community of houses we were flying over".

Wow Jas, what a lousy situation. But you've got a good attitude and it sounds like you'll have the papers in hand. Now it will be up to the CO to quickly review the papers and print the visa before your departure date.

Not to add more to your plate....but I know Dilwali is coming up. What is the Consulate's schedule like? The people I work with in our company's Pune office say they are on holiday starting on the 6th.

Best of luck! Keep us updated on how it goes.

Namaste and Sat Sri Akal! Have fun.

Sidestep.com is another good one. It pulls in webfares from all the major airlines.