Pakyman

I really have a lot to say about this... imagine a gay person coming to terms with they're God given sexuality in a world that wants to expose you and potentially exterminate you.  Wouldn't you be scared when people find out, it's s a tough climb.  My fiance has been very brave.  He was upfront and truthful and answered every personal question about me correctly.  Keep in mind, I'm listening to everything being said.  The interviewer lacked any compassion, respect or interest in listening to us.  He called our couple convenient... case closed.  I've had a hard time wrapping my mind around this.  What part of any of this would you call convenient?  I don't where any of it was convenient for me.  I traveled twice to Pakistan.  My family and coworkers were convinced I would die.  Then, i realized it's his interview.  All this was all convenient for him.  Love is love.  You don't know how or where or when you're going to find it.  What a lousy way for the embassy to treat the man I love, and how dare just take my money and spit in my face.  What makes this worse is... any subsequent application will now be plagued by this interview.  My fiance was exiled back to a society that can't begin to understand us.  Coming to terms with his life and knowing what he wants and feels... please tell me how any of it was convenient.  I worry about his safety every day.

Look people... the US Embassy in Islamabad is crooked.  If you truly want to get what your paying for, take some good advice from someone who physically experienced it first hand.  If you truly want to get married, don't take ANY chances.

3 minutes ago, Boiler said:

What would a Lawyer have done?

Guaranteed a fair interview... we were never treated right and was never given our reason for denial.  Do you think that was fair?  When you pay good money for something, wouldn't you expect an answer?

9 minutes ago, Pakyman said:

Yah.. that was my thinking.  Look what it got us.  At least, my chances at a fair interview would have been much better.  Which would you rather have... being robbed by an attorney or screwed by an embassy.  Considering all the money we still paid without proper representation, I would have been better off.  16 months our application has been tied up by a system that is suppose to fairly represent and serve the American people.  We still ended up paying a lot of money, and we invested many hours of personal time and effort.  After 10 months waiting for our interview, the whole thing was over in a matter of 10 minutes.  To this day,  we still don't know why the denial.  16 months wasted... look at all the money spent.  Where did it get us... nowhere.  Folks don't be afraid to pay for an attorney when possible.  At least you know somebody has your best interest at heart.  It certainly isn't the embassy... 

You know what an attorney is telling me now... who's going to be there for you to make sure the embassy does what they are suppose to do.  They have a tendency to follow the rules when they know they are being monitored.  Unfortunately for us, we didn't have that safe guard.  Now, if we choose to file the K1 again, instead of traveling for a few years first so we can find a country who may marry us so we can start over with a CR1 that takes longer than a K1, whose's to say we won't get the same denial again.

4 minutes ago, Boiler said:

A Lawyer will guarantee to take your money.

Yah.. that was my thinking.  Look what it got us.  At least, my chances at a fair interview would have been much better.  Which would you rather have... being robbed by an attorney or screwed by an embassy.  Considering all the money we still paid without proper representation, I would have been better off.  16 months our application has been tied up by a system that is suppose to fairly represent and serve the American people.  We still ended up paying a lot of money, and we invested many hours of personal time and effort.  After 10 months waiting for our interview, the whole thing was over in a matter of 10 minutes.  To this day,  we still don't know why the denial.  16 months wasted... look at all the money spent.  Where did it get us... nowhere.  Folks don't be afraid to pay for an attorney when possible.  At least you know somebody has your best interest at heart.  It certainly isn't the embassy... 

37 minutes ago, Boiler said:

It is very rare for the application to be the issue, normally the interview.

 

And nothing a Lawyer can do about the interview.

 

One of the advantages of going the CR1 route.

 

Yes, but an attorney will guarantee fair treatment.  Good luck with the CR1.. Out of 109 countries, Pakistan's passport ranks 106th in the world.  Imagine all the opportunities a gay Pakistani gets with that... only 30 countries that either don't require a visa or will give you one on arrival.  Guess how many of them approve of same sex marriage... 0.  Check it out sometime.  

2 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Normal practice anywhere, K1's are returned to die, standard practice and a Lawyer should have known that.

Problem was.. we were honest and we put our faith in the US to be fair.  We could've gotten just as good an interview from a Pakistani. The embassy refused to provide reason for denial and still won't give it up now.  We didn't have an attorney.. until afterwards.  Our application was reviewed by two experts who said it was perfectly fine.  You're right, an attorney does know that.  That's why it's best to make sure you have one if you expect fair and adequate judgement in a K1 filing in Islamabad.  

8 hours ago, opendoor said:

Off-course YES! in fact several years ago (2016) i know this guy, he was approved.

 

The fact is very few would share this.

The reason why I ask is because there is strong belief our denial was made in prejudice.  I have tried to request our file. DENIED!  We have had a House of Representatives member's office and an attorney both investigating our case.  Fred Upton's office filed an inquiry in Washington DC to understand why we couldn't know our reason for denial.  They flat out told her in the case of K1 visas, the embassy has the right to do whatever they want and USCIS does NOT have to investigate it.. even though USCIS provided the first yes.  In fact, when they mail you your final letter of denial (16 months after we filed and still don't have), they don't even have to mention why.  Bottom line... even though the FOIA grants me the rights to my records, I been told I'll never get them.  We feel the US Embassy in Islamabad acted shamelessly with us, and they don't even have the (nerve) to stand tall about their reason why.  We want every same sex couple coming through their doors to know potentially how cowardous and judgemental they act.  Knowing no one else has ever mentioned their experiences, we still can't assume we were the first same sex couple... but they sure made us feel that way.  

On 9/23/2019 at 6:47 AM, Yazan said:

Sorry to hear about the denial.

I have few questions to ask, Is your fiance White American? Also, Does your whole family supports you being gay? You talked about sister reception ceremony, what do you mean by that?

 

Hi Yazan,

This is Cary... I'm not sure if my fiance answered the rest of your question here.  After being a part of his life for more than a year, I was welcomed to be a part of his sister's wedding ceremony.  During her reception, I was included in many of her family photos.  This happened days before our interview.

Well, I got an idea about your Nadra issued birth certificate it's like a degree both English and Urdu are on one page right! So I must say over here or suggest you that please have a translation separate version before hand to get rid of any kind of trouble. As its cost me just 250/- Rs which is not a big deal.. I'm not sure that they will understand a mixed certificate  what you've, So you better get one. For me, there are few retired officers used to sit on infront of expo center, Karachi and before sui gas building,civic center at hassan square. There are many shops in the same line and some persons are sitting with type writers outside shops, they would do that for you, attestation and stamps from legal persons and hand it over to you within half and hour hardly.

I hope you get some idea about it. But mine original birth certificate was from municipality corporation in Urdu.

Hi, 

Well the whole process was easy in the embassy, Me and my fiance travel by green line train from Karachi to Islamabad, reached there at night stayed in the hotel and left the hotel in early morning around 6 am for embassy, since we both were new to the city. In order to not face any difficulties we thought it would be best to pick Uber taxi service and leaved our cell phones in the hotel's room safe box. we had small old phone which I was carrying in case for emergency to call my home, seriously I was worried for the consequence of being gay at embassy. We exactly reached to the shuttle station at 7 and waited in the line, they have a nice facility over their for cell phone deposits at shuttle station, they took 1000/- Rs for each person to travel in their own shuttle bus. The bus dropped us at US embassy and then I was asked to show my ds-160 letter and passport there at outside counter. then they asked who is with me, I told them its my fiance they let us go without any single question as they respect there citizen,. Inside we waited for our token number to be called at the counter for bio-metric verification than we again waited for 2nd counter to submit things like fiance sponsor ship income , taxes , his birth certificate my police verification certificate, my birth certificate and its translation version in English and medical sealed envelope. after that they let me signed a document stating that I never get married before oath or something, than we again waited to another series of some counter. that's the last full and final interview we waited than I saw totally three counters there was counter 8 , 7 and 6. on counter 8 & 7 there were two males and counter 6 was empty and I didn't see any female there. 

The person on counter 8 was looks like angry young man to me and I was so praying that my token number should not come to that his counter, another person on counter 7 was very nice time giving to a lady who was alone there , this one seems to be very friendly for me, But than I was called on counter 8 as I expected , He greet me good morning and asked my passport , asked me where you from (City), date of birth, than How did I met my fiance , I told him we met on facebook in 2017, over there he was good until I told him that, he was not thinking that I met him on facebook because my fiance was with me there, than I was asked that How did I found him on facebook, I explained him that he send me a request through a mutual friend after 3 months friendship he flew to me in march 2018 and engaged with me. we filled in May 2018 K-1 and now he again returned in march 2019 and with me , He already told my fiance to sit in the seat because its my interview.  He than said to me don't you think your fiance is just your parents age, on that I replied him politely that no My father was much older than he is, since it was true my father born in 1943 and mother 1963, where my fiance born in 1967. that blew him off and after some typing thing on his computer he said well I'm sending your application back to NVC and your interview is over. I asked but why he sending it back, He was answer less and said again your interview is over, I asked my fiance to step in , my fiance said we have tons of proofs with this time his trip to Pakistan in our hands affidavits with our parents , my sister reception ceremony he attended and so on but the CO said no its over for today. 

It was just like a first death to me over there at the counter, having clean record of medical and through out life, having Master degree , qualified and a teacher in past doing M.Phil research etc how could he denied me for not any thing but he found us inconvenient just because of age difference. or being gay. I didn't get that. After that we get back Karachi and again filled in April for US B1-B2 visa , which was a stupid idea of me they consider that in context with our K-1 and denied, my next plan was to go in Canada , because my fiance home is at some hours drive from Michigan to Toronto. but They also found out I applied to USA earlier and didn't spoke about it in my online application, so they blocked me for 5 years.

Now as you asked about our next plan so Here is our thoughts now , We are getting married in a third gay friendly country where we obtain marriage certificate and come back apply CR-1 for USA.

I also want  to ask a question too from which city your fiance is ? and are you guys are girls? my fiance bet me that you guys are girls but I didn't believe on him, because I think you guys are male. please stay in touch after your interview, It will be good for us if you guys got approved so we could hope for us too.

We wish you guys 100 % best of luck with good spirits to cover your interview and safely get through it.

Please feel free to discuss any question.

Hi, Meekmil, 

I'm replying you on behalf of my fiance, who lives in USA, I actually went in the medical exam in Karachi, the most recognized hospital i.e Agha khan, so in my case nobody said anything to me and the doctor just asked me is your medical is for K-1. that's  it. You don't need to be worry every thing will be fine, I went to Islamabad with my fiance hand in hand. no problem inside the embassy but the final interviewer was very rude on us.

I hope you will go through in your interview successful, feel free to ask question. 

Good evening Meek... has your interview then actually happened?  

I would like to ask... has there EVER been an Islamabad same sex K1 or CR1 approval?  If you were denied, please speak up.  Did you try again?  Were you ever successful?  I want to know if going though either process even worth a same sex couple's time in Islamabad.  What do others here in this forum know and suggest?  

11 minutes ago, steveblue said:

What does "side-loading" the petition mean? How do I do that?

You can't do that until your marriage already.  You can't marry during the decision process.  During their application, NVC goes through a process of uploading additional documents and this wait time is longer.

P.S. My fiance just told me he praying for your success.

21 minutes ago, Kastrs said:

The people performing the interview are USC

 

I would say an interview in English makes a difference in cases where the petitioner is American/does not speak Urdu as it demonstrates that you and your petitioner can clearly communicate with each other

My interview itself was offered by one of two Americans visually seen by people sitting and waiting for their turn.

13 minutes ago, Kastrs said:

not entirely true, I side-loaded my petition while at the NVC, and the information I sent was reviewed 

as for presenting additional at the interview, that is the time they do not want to see anything additional unless asked

I am telling you what my same-sex K1 interview experience was like.  I never was given any opportunity to add anything at the NVC level even after several discussions.  They tell you, the K1s move quick at this point because all the are doing is entering info and sending your app right back out.  

Language preference is totally optional... my Pakistani fiance speaks excellent English and chose it for his interview.  Once you go in, you will give given a number that will pop-up on a TV monitor.  First window is general questions and fingerprints for you fiance.  Second time your number pops up, they will ask for document including birth certificates and you financial records.  Make sure you have your ISL# ready.  All these people at this point were Pakistani.  You then are seated until number flashes again.  This will be your fiance's interview.  You need to appear together, they will acknowledge you and ask to sit down.  The interview takes place, and you receive your decision.  We had a ton of stuff collected for the interview including consistent communications with dated video chat pics.  They based their decision on our initial app and refused to consider anything that happened in the 10 months following our submission.  What I am trying to say.. what's done is done.  Grab you documents you know they are requesting now, and hope for the best.

On 5/3/2019 at 10:15 PM, steveblue said:

Hi, I’m looking for people who actually have experience dealing with this issue. Not for conjecture. I appreciate everyone’s interest but conjecture is not very helpful.

Hi Steve,

One thing you need to know, the consulate will only consider what was presented in your original application nothing more.  They don't care about anything that has happened since then.  I had signed affidavits from both families testifying my relationship was real ready for the interview, and they totally scrubbed their nose.  Have all your question's answers ready and the short list of requested documents on hand.  I went for our interview, and it didn't make any difference.  They will already be prepared to make the decision their going to make.  

Good luck

Cary & Basit

As of today.. there are 12 other K1 requests, all with dates similar to mine on visajourney all showing NVC receive dates except mine.  I called the center this morning... nothing. 😔

3 hours ago, Greenbaum said:

Here you go.

 

Company Letterhead]

 

Date: [Date of issuing employment verification letter]

To Whom It May Concern:

 

Dear Sir/Madam,

This is to certify that Mr./Miss. [First Name] [Last Name] is an employee at [Company Name] and is working as a [Designation] since [Date]. [His/Her] current gross salary is USD [xx,000] ([salary in words]) per annum.

 

If you have any questions regarding Mr./Miss [First Name]'s employment, please contact our office at [Office HR Phone Number].

 

Sincerely,

 

 

[Signature of person issuing this letter] 

[Manager HR] or [Designation]

AWESOME!!

Mr Greenbaum..

I saw in one of your responses a detailed list of items needed for a consulate interview.  I am hoping you can help me... I am typing up my employment letter for my boss' signature today, and I wanted to use an example I believe you have provided somewhere else previously.  I thought I had it saved and can't find it.  Would you be so kind to provide it again?  Thanks!

On 10/12/2018 at 3:30 PM, VickeySis said:

We had K1 visa process at Islamabad embassy. I am unable to update my timeline but here is our information. Hope it helps anyone.

 

k1 approved 08/23/18

NVC assigned case number 09/10/18

NVC stated in transit to Islamabad 09/14/18

Islamabad confirmed receipt 09/17/18 we then filled out DS 160 paid fee, CEAC status READY we scheduled medical and interview K1 does not wait for a packet 3 with Islamabad

 

Medical Exam 09/24/18

scheduled interview for 10/02/18

Interview 10/02/18 APPROVED

 

CEAC  status application received from 10/03/18-10/10/18

CEAC status in administrative processing 10/11/18

CEAC status ISSUED now waiting for call to pick up passport

Thank you much  for this information...  its actual timing is so helpful for me right now.  I have been trying to plan ahead and now can estimate my own timeline.  Congratulation!

On 8/13/2018 at 12:35 PM, ABK said:

This is useful for people from Karachi. 

Instructions for USA Immigration Medical Examination Services- revised January 2018.pdf

Hi ABK... hope all is well. I would like to ask if you had to provide blood test results from the last 6 months during your 2nd doctor's visit?  Thanks