KozmicBlues

On 12/12/2017 at 6:10 PM, SinghM said:

Good.at least you got an answer. I emailed usdocs all i got back  was that case has already been escalated and is still in the process of being reviewed. We will contact you as soon as we receive a response. 

also when did your fiance receive letter from New Delhi embassy in india..i meant time frame being from NVc to Embassy

Hey...just wanted to give you an update. The embassy finally got back to us and scheduled his interview for yesterday. He went to new delhi embassy and the interview went great. It's just in administrative processing right now due to his pending medical results, but the officer assured him that they will contact him to drop off his passport once the medical report is received by the embassy after Jan 6th.

Seems like they made an exception for us to go to New Delhi since our case was originally received by them, but all future K1's are definitely being handled only at Mumbai. 

19 hours ago, SMcNally said:

Hi,

We're in the process of applying for a K-1 visa. We got the first NOA on 11^th September. Our case has been sent to the California Service Centre. We are expecting the petition to get approved mid March 2018 (assuming everything goes well and we get no RFEs). I'm based in Bangalore at the moment.

 

While I am clear about the broader process of how things work once we get the second NOA, I'm not completely sure on the specifics. I'd like to get prepared as much as I can with the paperwork beforehand, so that things don't get delayed due to an oversight on our part.

 

Here is how I understand it. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

1) The case gets forwarded to the NVC. The NVC does its own processing. Correct. They assign a case number and forward it to the embassy.

2) The NVC forwards the case to the embassy, which in India would be Mumbai, and they get in touch with me. Correct. Effective this month all K1 cases are now handled by Mumbai only, no longer process in New Delhi. 

3) The embassy sends me some forms to fill out. I courier the forms back to them. Once they finish processing that, then I am ready for the final processing i.e. the interview. For Delhi, this is not correct. They send a notification, yes, but there is nothing to fill out and send back. They sent my fiance a 'packet' which was basically just a letter advising a petition has been filed on his behalf by me and provided the next steps/instructions. It also included a copy of the I-129F that I filled out and sent with the petition. 

The instructions received by mail looked exactly like this: https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Supplemental/NWD - New Delhi.pdf 

4) I get my PCC. Correct. 

5) I schedule the two interviews and fill out the DS-160, and make the payment. If I remember correctly, you have to complete the DS-160 and make the visa fee payment before you can schedule an interview. Your first step before completing this should be to create a profile on UStraveldocs.com/in site. The site won't let you schedule an appointment without the DS-160 confirmation and the fee payment receipt. 

6) I schedule the medical check-up which should be at least 7 days before the interview. Correct. After you schedule the visa appointments you can book the medical. They require the appointment confirmation page at the medical. It has to be at least 7 days in advance so they have enough time to process the report. Depending on the embassy, the medical office may send the results directly to the embassy or you may have to pick them up and take them with you to the interview. 

7) Go to the interview. Correct. 

 

If the above is correct, I have a few questions:

 

A) When the NVC is processing the application do they contact my fiancée (the petitioner) to submit any more forms or do we just wait for them to forward the case to the embassy? At this juncture, do we have to submit or fill out anything? The NVC will send the US petitioner a letter with the NVC case number just notifying them that the case has been forwarded to the embassy. At this stage, nothing was required to submit or fill out. Make sure you have your fiance send you a copy of all the notifications received, when we contacted UStraveldocs for help they always asked for various copies of letters - either from the NVC or the one received from the embassy. 

 

B) Mumbai is the only embassy in India where K1 visas are processed, right? When the embassy contacts me, do they contact me electronically or via snail mail? There is a possibility that there will be no one at home to collect my mail. Do I contact the embassy first or just wait for them? What is Packet 3 and Packet 4? I've read a lot of forums posts referring to them. Correct, as of Dec 1st Mumbai is now the only embassy to handle K1. I know this for sure since ours was pending at New Delhi during the change and it caused a huge hassle for us. For New Delhi, Packet 3/Packet 4 was basically the same thing...the letter that gets sent by the embassy with the instructions that I linked above. You don't need to contact the embassy unless it goes a long time without hearing something. Technically once you have your NVC case number and it shows ready on the CEAC website then you can begin the process of filling out the DS-160 and scheduling interviews. 

 

C) Are the results of the medical checkup given to me to take to the interview? Seems like the medical checkup can in done in Chennai, Mumbai or Hyderabad. Since I am based in Bangalore, does this mean I have to stay in Mumbai for at least 7 days (medical + interview)? Depends on the place/embassy, I think. For my fiance, they are sending the results directly to the embassy but his required sputum testing so I'm not sure if that's the reason they are sending it directly. The medical office you go to for the exam should be able to tell you if they send the results directly or not. 

 

D) Regarding vaccinations, I got the Tdap and MMR shots as a kid. So, what further vaccinations did you get to get your K1 visa? Is it worth getting some of these vaccinations done now? I have no proof of my previous vaccinations. I can't remember all of the ones they required my fiance to get, but it was 3 or 4 at least. Check with the medical place first to see if they will accept your record of getting them before you do. They did the vaccinations on the same day as the medical exam so it wasn't any hassle for my fiance. 

 

E) On the traveldocs website, it says the PCC is valid for a year? So, can I get my PCC for India now and save some time? Has anybody done this i.e. get the PCC months in advance? Do I need multiple copies of the PCC? When my fiance got his PCC, they did ask him what the reason for getting the PCC was. I know he took the support for the K1 case, but he can't remember if they actually asked for the proof or not. So I think you should be able to get it ahead of time but I wouldn't recommend more than a couple of months in advance since things can always happen. 

 

F) Also, I have to get PCCs from 3 other countries, two of which require me to show a “Photocopy of document from relevant consulate/immigration authority/government bodies or other requester to establish that the certificate is required by such authority.” When in the K1 process am I officially notified that I need a PCC? I think the PCCs are what is going to take some time and the sooner I can apply for them the better.

I think you technically will not be notified officially until you receive that letter from the embassy with the instructions. You could try providing the instructions I linked above, but they might not accept that if it doesn't specifically say that the embassy has a visa application for you. Maybe the letter from NVC to your fiance (US petitioner) could work too. 

 

G) The I-134, Affidavit of Support can be filled in my someone other than my fiancée, right? She's going back to university and is not employed as a result. Can I have multiple I-134s? Well, it has to be filled out by your fiancee no matter what, even if she doesn't meet the income requirements. If you are going to have a co-sponsor then yes you can have multiple I-134s. You would just have theirs in addition to your fiancee's. I don't think they even asked my fiance for the I-134 yesterday at his interview, but I'll double check with him. 

 

Thank you,

Siddharth

Hi...me and my fiance are currently going through the K1 process in India. His embassy interview was just yesterday at New Delhi, but it is in AP due to pending medical results (he was required to go for sputum testing which takes 8 weeks for processing). I did my best to answer all of your points, but keep in mind these are just my observations based on our recent experience with New Delhi embassy. We found out that Mumbai is now the only embassy handling K1 visas, so the process may be a bit different with Mumbai. 

13 hours ago, AdeelNaz said:

@KozmicBluesplease keep me updated with your process and how long did it take to get you NOA2 ?

We got our NOA2 in about 4 months. Filed in March and received NOA2 in late July. As long as the sputum is negative then we should be fine to proceed and get the visa issued so long as the approval is granted at the interview. If the sputum is positive then treatment for TB is required which is 6+ months before the visa process can be continued. 

My fiance tested positive on the chest x-ray during his medical last month. He had positive TB many years back when he was a kid that was fully treated, but I guess it will always show up on an x-ray? He was sent for sputum testing which takes 8 weeks for processing (in India at least, not sure if the times are country specific or not). We are about 3 weeks away from when the final results are scheduled to be in then we can proceed with the embassy interview.

Even with him telling them about the past instance here he was fully treated, they still required the sputum testing. So I would definitely recommend bringing any and all records/paperwork you have regarding the test results, but chances are they will still require the sputum testing no matter what. 

Just now, SinghM said:

Good.at least you got an answer. I emailed usdocs all i got back  was that case has already been escalated and is still in the process of being reviewed. We will contact you as soon as we receive a response. 

also when did your fiance receive letter from New Delhi embassy in india..i meant time frame being from NVc to Embassy

Argh, sounds like the responses we got on other inquiries too. He received the letter back in August from the embassy. We've been waiting for so many things since then. First delays with his passport, now delays with his medical. So hopefully they can get this sorted and let him interview in Delhi. Our petition also expired last month, but they assured us just to proceed with scheduling an interview "as only a consulate officer can extend the petition approval at the interview" or something along those lines. I swear I've never experienced something as frustrating as this process! 

10 minutes ago, SinghM said:

did you get any reply.

yes, but so far only them asking for more information. First it was copy of the NVC letter and now its the copy of letter received from New Delhi embassy. Fiance will scan it first thing this morning when he wakes up and send it over to them. I'll let you know what they reply with.

Reading the (few) updates in this thread got me thinking about how you can never possibly predict the future. I was one of the first to get my NOA2 approvals, yet here I am one of the last to finish the K1 process. Just goes to show that no matter what, things can always change and there is no point in stressing ourselves out over things we can't control!!

As for me and the future hubby, we have 3 1/2 weeks until his medical results (sputum testing) will be in and then his interview is currently scheduled for the 19th of January. They threw another wrench in our plan by changing the K1 process in India so now all applicants have to interview at Mumbai instead of Delhi or Mumbai. We're waiting to hear back on if they can grant him an exception to complete the process in Delhi (where he lives) instead of having to hassle with the additional travel/cost of going to Mumbai. But an exception is very unlikely considering how difficult they love to make this process for people. 

The waiting is so hard, but honestly I think was for the best that things got delayed. I was stressed out of my mind trying to plan and pay for a wedding in January. So now we will elope in the mountains instead and then plan a big reception for later in the year. It has also given him more time to spend with his brother and parents. We're just trying to make the best of a difficult situation... so far, so good.  

On 12/6/2017 at 6:20 AM, AfricanQ said:

Very sad day for me and my fiance. So this was given to him at ghana embassy after his interview. 

Questions:

1. Does ur fiance mother knows about the relationship?

2. What are her sisters and brothers names?

3.Where and what does do for a living?

4. When was the last time he was him.

 

The officer left, came back and give him the white form and return some of the documents. He got my fiance telephone number and took his figueer prints.

 

OMG...I am so so so sorry. Did he say if the officer gave him an idea of what went wrong? Were there any obvious red flags that you think could've given them reason to doubt anything? Ugh!!! Such heartbreaking news.

2 hours ago, SinghM said:

Thx for the info. I was trying to schedule too but the system kept changing post to Mumbai.

but on US website it says This change applies to all K visa petitions received at the National Visa Center on or after December 1, 2017.  Ours was before dec 1 and We also have  case number starting NWD which is delhi.

are they transferring all k cases regardless even if they were issue before dec1.??

 

Ah, good point!! I'm going to submit an inquiry on UStraveldocs and ask because it would be 1000x easier for us if his interview was in Delhi. When I called, the rep said all existing cases would be transferred to Mumbai. But now this message you found is making me question this. 

32 minutes ago, Amit&Julie said:

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU so much for this info, @KozmicBlues. My fiance lives in Delhi and I've been thinking the whole time that he will have to go through that Embassy. So much for that.  Too bad he'll have to travel for that and we'll have to deal with the stress of being in an unfamiliar city on top of everything else. Mumbai it is, then.

 

On the bright side, I've always wanted to walk Marine Drive at sunset...

 

 

you're welcome! It was super frustrating for us also as my fiance originally had his embassy appt scheduled last month, but we had to cancel it since he was required to go for sputum testing which takes 8 weeks to get the results.  So annoying that they changed the process during the middle of our waiting period, but nothing about this process has been easy or simple so it just seems fitting! haha. My fiance lives in Delhi also...15 minutes from the US embassy in Delhi so we thought the interview would be the most simple part after dealing with a bunch of delays. Go figure!!! lol 

All the best to you and your fiance.  

24 minutes ago, Bluepanda92 said:

Is this just for India or do people in the UK have to travel there as well for the k1 interview

This is talking about India only. 

**Update** I just got off the phone with US Travel docs India and the representative confirmed that effective yesterday all K1 cases/interviews are handled by Mumbai only. She said that the cases will be sent over to Mumbai automatically and everyone was notified (not sure the latter part is true as we didn't receive any notification).

Hope this helps anyone with pending K1 visa at New Delhi. 

FYI everyone, we just found out that sadly from now on only Mumbai will be performing K1 interviews. We have been trying to book at Delhi, but there have not been any available appointments for Dec/Jan. Also the interview post had been automatically changed to Mumbai on his traveldocs info page. We finally figured out through a note on the USTravelDocs website when going through the appointment steps that all K1 interviews will take place at Mumbai.

So frustrating as now my fiance will have to figure out travel arrangements from Delhi to Mumbai for his interview then back to Delhi before *fingers crossed* coming to the U.S.!

There was a note in red on the page to schedule our interview, but I didn't take a screenshot then and now when I go back it won't allow me to get to it since my fiance's interview is already scheduled. If anyone sees this message or official note of this anywhere elsewhere please share!!

Update: My fiance finished his Sputum testing last week. I felt so bad for him... he had to go three days in a row after the medical and give the samples. His throat was so sore from coughing that he could barely talk. Now he's been sick and hardly has a voice. That in addition to the awful pollution situation in Delhi right now has taken a toll on him. But at least the testing is over and now we just wait until the 5th of January when the results come in. I've never waited so much in my life!

I feel so depressed having to spend another holiday season without him. I kept telling myself all year, "at least he will be here for the holiday's this year!" Every other day I have breakdown and feel so upset that this has taken so long, but there's nothing we can do to change it which is actually the most frustrating part. We have been apart from each other for like 4 years so I know two more months is nothing in comparison to that, but right now it feels like forever!!  

I officially cancelled the wedding venue which was planned on Jan. 27th and instead we are going to just get married at the court when he finally gets here. Then maybe we'll have the ceremony later next year. Blah. I went from being so excited about everything to barely getting by each day. I hope it gets easier....damn you holiday season. 

On 8/12/2017 at 11:23 AM, awakingbrooklyn said:

thanks for all the feedback. I got a response from the embassy via email rather quickly (same day) and they told me "not to worry" that the consulate officer can extend the date of the i-129f approval during the interview visit. Although it was reassuring to hear that I still emailed them again to clarify exactly what the situation was again, and again they said "it is not a problem, do not be concerned."

 

It is still unnerving to have no official document stating that, but I assume since the interview was scheduled more than a month before the expiration date we should be ok. Time will tell, I guess.

 

 

Hi...We need to extend our petition due to my fiance requiring additional medical testing. Can you advise which email you contacted to get help? Was it IVND@state.gov?

Hi everyone. My fiance had his medical this week and unfortunately, he has to go through sputum testing which will take 8 weeks for the results to come back. Our I-129F petition approval has an expiration date of November 24th so we will definitely pass that date. The medical office told him they would contact the embassy about his appointment, but will they automatically extend the petition approval? I really don't want to take any chances so I was going to have him contact the embassy directly to request an extension. Can someone help me out with how to contact the New Delhi embassy? Do we contact them through US Travel Docs (support-india@ustraveldocs.com). Or do they have a direct email address for the embassy? 

Also, if anyone has experience with going through the sputum testing in New Delhi please share how it went - did they automatically re-schedule your embassy interview or did you have to re-schedule after you received the results and were cleared?

1 hour ago, pajobra said:

Oh hun I am sooo sorry to hear this. HUGS We here will be with you when you need someone to vent to. 

Thanks! I'm actually surprisingly calm and a bit relieved in a sense. Now at least I know what we are dealing with and have a better idea of when he will get here. Also, this was the first time he let this process get him upset and disappointed. So I have no choice but to stay strong since he has been my rock through this whole process. I know we'll get through it and it will all be worth it once we are finally living together in the same place.

18 hours ago, KozmicBlues said:

T-minus 11 hours until my fiance's medical appointment. I'm so nervous I can't even focus at work!!! And forget me being able to sleep tonight while he's off to the appointment! Please everyone pray for us that his results comes back fine and he doesn't have to go through additional sputum testing!! He had TB like 10 years ago when he was 17, but doesn't have any medical records since it was in his tiny hometown where he got the treatment. God, I just hope it will be fine!! The thought of the process being delayed 2 more months and postponing the incredible wedding I've been planning breaks my heart! 

Welp, sadly my worries and fears were correct. His chest x-ray didn't come back 100% clean and they scheduled him for sputum testing. It will take 8 weeks for the results to come back. My heart is broken.  I'm staying strong for him because I feel so bad that he has to go through all of this. I will postpone the wedding and most importantly, figure out a way to cope with the fact that it's going to be at least another three months until I get to see him. 

T-minus 11 hours until my fiance's medical appointment. I'm so nervous I can't even focus at work!!! And forget me being able to sleep tonight while he's off to the appointment! Please everyone pray for us that his results comes back fine and he doesn't have to go through additional sputum testing!! He had TB like 10 years ago when he was 17, but doesn't have any medical records since it was in his tiny hometown where he got the treatment. God, I just hope it will be fine!! The thought of the process being delayed 2 more months and postponing the incredible wedding I've been planning breaks my heart! 

Almost brings happy tears to my eyes reading all of the POE posts on here!!! I'm so happy for everyone.  The only thing that gets me through each day is imagining the moment I see him walk up to me at the airport after all of this waiting and being apart. We were FINALLY able to schedule his embassy interview for Nov. 14th. So god willing, as long as everything goes fine at his Medical this Thursday, then we should have his visa approved in just a couple of weeks. 

2 hours ago, Noonymoon said:

Ohhh man. Thanks so much for responding!! My fiancee has not had his medical yet. I was under the impression that we needed the appointment letter in order to schedule the medical. The MAX hospital will not let us schedule til we have that.  

 

Thanks for explaining what is going on with the interview appointments. 

 

Best of luck to your fiance  in the medical. It'll be fine I'm sure!!!  You are almost there!!!!!!!!! Keep me up to date and let me know if you need any help!!!! 

Oh, I see. He scheduled with Max Med Centre and they didn't require him to have an appointment to schedule. He may need to show them the letter he was sent from the embassy, but we planned on booking an appointment already so by the time he went to his medical he would've had an appointment letter to show just in case. The whole process has been so frustrating. It took him a long time to get his passport due to a bunch of delays (some on his part also) so that's why we are so close to our petition approval expiring. If November doesn't open up in the next few days then he will contact the embassy to ask them to extend the petition, just in case. 

Best wishes to you also!! Hopefully we can both book the appointments soon!! It was nice to at least know it wasn't just us having trouble. I had moments of panic where I thought, "oh no, is something wrong with his account and they've prevented just him from scheduling!?" I swear this process brings out the paranoia in the most calm people!! haha.  

Hi. We are experiencing the same issue. They opened VAC appointments for New Delhi in Nov/Dec, but they haven't opened the actual embassy interview appointments. That's why you are getting the error message. It will let you schedule the 1st VAC appointment, but there are no appointments available yet for the interview in Nov/Dec. We are hoping that on the 1st they will open November appointments. My fiance has his medical appointment on the 2nd and our I-129F approval expires on Nov 24th so I can relate to your anxiety about not being able to schedule an appointment. We've contacted US Travel Docs but so far have not gotten an answer back. I guess all we can do is keep waiting and checking the site. 

Have you already had your medical (or your fiance if you are the US petitioner)? My fiance has his on Thursday in Delhi and I'm so nervous!!