Jack & Anne

Package Sent - Aug 2
Package Received - Aug 4 
SMS with Case No (Starting with IOE) - Aug 6 
Waiting for the hard copy NOA1 and the online access code for USCIS account...  

Hello Mike! Saga indeed. And thank you! I've made sure to convey the lesson I've learned to new filers. 

11th June 2021 - ISSUED!! ❤️  

Hello Mike! Saga indeed. And thank you! I've made sure to convey the lesson I've learned to new filers. 

11th June 2021 - ISSUED!! ❤️  

My fiancé had prepared the I-129f petition and send it in. I didn't ask to see the final copy. Now that I have seen it after this 221g fiasco there are a few things I would like to add here:-
 
1) My Fiancé had not really submitted proof of relationship like the DoS needs. He submitted only 2 photographs together, our US and India entry stamps on our passport, Flight tickets to India and US along with the boarding passes, Letter of Intent to marry and 1 page statement about our relationship from me and fiancé. How we met and how our relationship progressed to wanting to get married is written in this statement as clearly as possible. BUT I agree with the CO now that our file lacked proof of relationship - there was no copy of email, WhatsApp, call, letters at all, not even loads of pictures of us together. My fiancé did not submit these - his thought process was hung up on the fact that we spend quite some time in person so online communication wasn't important. Big mistake. 
 
2) BUT I had all the proof of relationship on my 221g with me in a folder during the interview. The CO did not ask once to see it. I was waiting for the CO to ask me to handover the documents but instead the CO turned his mike off, went away from the counter, came back with 221g, gave it to me and closed the counter, muted our mikes. So anyone in a similar boat I would say - don't freeze like I did on the spot and maybe try to push the documents on the CO. Walking away like that is one regret that I am going to have to live with. 

Yes this document is a part of it. But Pakcet 4 is more of an invite from the Consulate informing you that your case is ready for interview so please book an appointment. 

Explained that in our cover letter - K1 visa because it is the fastest a couple can be together and we don't want a long distance marriage. My parents are cool with all this, have photos together with family that I am submitting with 221g. 

I am not sure about that. The document from NVC says that USCIS has approved the petition and the NVC is forwarding the same to the US Consulate in Mumbai. Petitioner received NVC letter via email. I (beneficiary) received a hard copy after a long time by post. Copy pasting the main message of the letter received from NVC:-
 
"The National Visa Center (NVC) received your fiancé (e)’s/spouse’s approved I-129F petition from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). NVC will now forward the petition to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in Mumbai (Bombay), India. Please note that the transfer process can take several weeks. The U.S. Embassy or Consulate will contact your fiancé (e)/spouse when they are ready to process his or her petition.
 
Next steps:
Go to our website http://nvc.state.gov/k1 to learn how to apply for a K visa and prepare for the visa interview."

They will not give the interview date. You have to schedule it. But you can see slots only after the visa fees has been paid. 

We emailed them (UStraveldocs) twice and got our Packet 4 attached as a reply in our case comments.

Reply from them about the clarification regarding K1 visa and the 221g I received which talks of before and after marriage:-
 
Greetings from the U.S. Consulate General Mumbai.

Thank you for your email. The interviewing officer screens the documents submitted and makes the decision. You need to follow instructions in the letter issued to you and submit any and all documents you can, as we cannot comment or verify individual documents at this point. If for any reason you are unable to provide any of the requested documents, please make sure to give a written justification for the same.

We will get in touch with you in case we need any additional information.

We hope you find this information useful.

Sincerely,

Consular Information Unit
U.S. Consulate General, Mumbai

I am not sure about that. The document from NVC says that USCIS has approved the petition and the NVC is forwarding the same to the US Consulate in Mumbai. Petitioner received NVC letter via email. I (beneficiary) received a hard copy after a long time by post. Copy pasting the main message of the letter received from NVC:-
 
"The National Visa Center (NVC) received your fiancé (e)’s/spouse’s approved I-129F petition from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). NVC will now forward the petition to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in Mumbai (Bombay), India. Please note that the transfer process can take several weeks. The U.S. Embassy or Consulate will contact your fiancé (e)/spouse when they are ready to process his or her petition.
 
Next steps:
Go to our website http://nvc.state.gov/k1 to learn how to apply for a K visa and prepare for the visa interview."

Sorry whatever I said, comes in the hardcopy packet 4 to your address in India. Below is what came to my email:-
 
Dear XXX,

Thank you for your inquiry. Our office already dispatched the appointment instructions letter (packet 4) on Feb 25, 2020, on your registered postal address. The same is appended below for your reference, kindly follow the instructions mentioned in the letter for timely processing of your case.

Sincerely,

Consular Information Unit
U.S. Consulate General, Mumbai
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



U.S. Consulate General
C-49,G-Block,Bandra Kurla Complex
Bandra (East), Mumbai 400051India


Date: 27 Feb 2020
Name
Address

Dear XXX:

Your fiancé(e) visa case is now ready for final processing. Starting December 1, 2017 all K visa applicants will be interviewed at the U.S. Consulate General Mumbai. Please note that an I-129F petition approved by USCIS is valid for four months from the date of approval. Please carefully follow the interview preparation steps below.

Step 1: Read the Appointment Instructions for K Visa Applicants (Packet 4) available to download on our website at https://in.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/.

Step 2: Obtain your police clearance certificate from the regional passport office.

Step 3: Complete your medical examination with an approved panel physician. A list of panel physicians is available at https://in.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/.

Step 4: Complete Form DS-160 online at https://ceac.state.gov/ceac and print the confirmation letter. You are required to select MUMBAI as the location where you will apply for this visa.

Step 5: Go to http://www.ustraveldocs.com/in. Create a user account, select your passport/visa pick-up location, and pay your nonimmigrant K visa fee online.

Step 6: Use the same website to schedule two appointments: one appointment for biometric fingerprint and photo collection at the Visa Application Center (VAC) and one appointment at the Consulate.

Step 7: Before your interview, read carefully the pamphlet available on the State Department's website at http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/general/IMBRA.html for to learn about your rights and protections, as well as resources available to you, if help is needed when you come to the United States.

Our call centers are open 8:00 am to 8:00 pm Monday through Friday and 9:00 am to 6:00 pm on Sunday. From within India, please dial 91-120-4844644 or 91-40-4625-8222. From the United States, please call 1-703-520-2239. You may also send your inquiries via email to support-india@ustraveldocs.com.   
Sincerely,



(Vice) Consul, Immigrant Visa Unit
Case Number: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Name (P) : XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Preference Category: K1 - IND
Traveling Applicants: XXXXXXXXXXX

Do not worry things will be good. Your case do not have any red flag. You deserve a approval and I hope you will get it soon. 

I mean yes timeline is different for everyone. Many times I saw they give decision quickly and if they find couples relationship strong depending upon on documents then approval rate is really good. I believe documents 221g is better then normal 221g of AP because they are asking for proofs and they will give you visa if you will provide them accordingly. One more question I have for you, so your fiance in US is male or female? 
 
Sometimes they scrutinize people more if woman fiance is older than man. 

They give these kind of reply only. Just go ahead and submit proofs. It's looks like they are giving same 221g for fiance and spouse visa now a days. 

Your case is strong. Just provide them the proofs you have for your relationship according to 221g. 

My fiancé had prepared the I-129f petition and send it in. I didn't ask to see the final copy. Now that I have seen it after this 221g fiasco there are a few things I would like to add here:-
 
1) My Fiancé had not really submitted proof of relationship like the DoS needs. He submitted only 2 photographs together, our US and India entry stamps on our passport, Flight tickets to India and US along with the boarding passes, Letter of Intent to marry and 1 page statement about our relationship from me and fiancé. How we met and how our relationship progressed to wanting to get married is written in this statement as clearly as possible. BUT I agree with the CO now that our file lacked proof of relationship - there was no copy of email, WhatsApp, call, letters at all, not even loads of pictures of us together. My fiancé did not submit these - his thought process was hung up on the fact that we spend quite some time in person so online communication wasn't important. Big mistake. 
 
2) BUT I had all the proof of relationship on my 221g with me in a folder during the interview. The CO did not ask once to see it. I was waiting for the CO to ask me to handover the documents but instead the CO turned his mike off, went away from the counter, came back with 221g, gave it to me and closed the counter, muted our mikes. So anyone in a similar boat I would say - don't freeze like I did on the spot and maybe try to push the documents on the CO. Walking away like that is one regret that I am going to have to live with. 

The British pronunciation of Aluminium may be the most romantic in the English language) Anyway, the best of luck to you. I hope everything works out. You just got unlucky in the draw of the consular officer that day.

Don't think I gave too much detail. I am a private person and was uncomfortable enough answering questions about my relationship with all other visa applicants hanging onto every word I said behind me anyway. I did get flustered halfway through the brief Q and A with the CO. The visa applicant lady in the next counter had her kid with her. The kid came over to my counter because lady was busy talking to her CO. My CO stopped me from saying something and he went like "Is that your KID?". I looked around and saw a little girl playing next to me. The CO asked me to ask her to go. I lost my composure for sure after this. 

through visajourney.com forum? Maybe that's why he found it weird if it was this one? Because there wouldn't be much reason other than looking for people going through the same situations as you to be here would be my thought? Regardless, it doesn't matter... your case sounds strong, you've met a few times and if it's back to 2016 that you've been talking... pfff... I wouldn't even worry! Just send in everything they requested and you'll get through, I'm sure. This whole process is made to weed out "fake" couples... it's the same as in universities, the first class is always the hardest, to weed out people. A couple that can't handle a little heat doesn't want to be together enough! I promise it's no different in other countries. I had to show LOADS of evidence in Spain as well for me to get a visa through my fiance to stay here. Don't let it stress you!!!!! Keep going!!

You submit original documents and more evidences although it will be a big packet.because some hope to see more evidences.You will have your visa soon.Good Luck  

No.    Not at all.   “Notarized” just means someone’s ID  and signature is verified by someone who is a notary.   It doesn’t authenticate any claims/bonafides at all about a relationship.

The form you posted seems more appropriate for a CR1 case.  For K1, they would not need evidence of before and after photos/communications from your "wedding", I-864 is not relevant, and co-mingling of finances is not expected.
 
Submit what you can, with a photocopy the notarized statement from your fiance.  Also, add a fresh signed and notarized statement from each of you that you are engaged to each other and intend to marry within 90 days of arriving to the US with a K1 visa.