The-wait-is-on

My interview was on May 6th in Mumbai at 7.30 a.m. After fingerprinting was done, I was called for an interview by a Maharashtrian guy (since I am a Maharashtrian too, the interview was conducted in Marathi). He asked me- How come I found a person from my community in the US?

When did we meet?

Where did we meet?

Why did we wait so long to get married?

Where was I born? Who lives there now?

Where do I reside currently in India?

Who lives there with me?

For how long have my parents been living there?

After this interview was complete, he gave me back all the documents I had submitted to the VFS with the exception of the medical report and police certificates.

The second interview took place an hour later by an American. She made me swear that all that had been filled-out in the forms was true. Then she asked the following questions;

When did I get married?

How many people were at the wedding?

When did I meet my husband?

What was I doing in the US then?

What was he doing then?

What does he do now?

She also saw the wedding photographs.

She then said my visa was approved and I would get it by mail in a few days. I got my passport delivered the next day itself.

Actually this is a bit worrisome. My packet 4 did not include the DS-156, only the DS 230. Also, it said the I-864 was needed and not the I-134.

I called up VFS before I saw this post because there seemed to me a discrepancy in what was posted online on the consulate website and what was stated in Packet 4, but they told me to go by what was in Packet 4 also get the I-134 and not the I-864.

I think I will have the DS-156 with me too just in case. I will be submitting docs at the VFS on the 23rd.

That's strange!

Our packet 4 checklist includes one more item: two copies of DS-156.

Also, it asked for a bank draft in the India currency that is equivalent of $131, not $380.

And finally, we are only required to present I-134 Affidavit of Support, and not I-864

Since we both are K3 and going through Mumbai consulate, I wonder why our checklists are different. It's a little unsettling. I will have my wife call consulate on Monday to check on the exact requirements.

I hope someone who has recently been through Mumbai consulate can provide us some more information here.

Can you all confirm the documents are correct for K3 visa Packet 3, 4 and interview and Submission location?

Packet Three Submitted at US Consulate Mumbai

1. DS 230 Part I
2. Applicant Statement/Packet 3 Checklist pdf
3. Passport Copy
4. Passport sized Photos

Packet Four submitted at VFS

1. Packet Four Checklist
2. Pay courier Fee of 365 Rs
3. Bank Draft $380 to “The American Consulate General, Mumbai,â€
4. Passport
5. Photos
6. DS Part I and DS Part 2 for applicant
7. Birth Certificate for Applicant
8. Marriage Certificate
9. Relationship - Family Photos(wedding, Parties, vacation), Emails, Letters, Cards, Telephone Records.
10. Police Report (India & Abroad)
11. Affidavit of Support - I-864
12. Federal Tax return (say for last 3 years ) with all W2s
13. Affidavit of Support I-134, Pay stubs for last 2 months, employement letter, Letter from Bank.
14. Sealed Medical Report

Are these the correct doucments required to be submitted to VFS ? and in Original?

Interview

What documents do we need to take to the interview? The interview appointment letter is the only document we have left?

Ok, so don't know where to turn to except VJ forum .

On April 1st, my wife's I-129F form was forwarded to the Mumbai consulate. We got confirmation from both the NVC as well as from the consulate itself (after several call attempts).

Anyways, we found out that the consulate sent packet # 3 through the postal service. Not just that, but they also shortened her address so it would fit in the address field. The packet is most likely lost in mail!!!!!!!

But, don't worry!!! My wife went to the consulate today and was able to pick up the packet from the consulate.

Here's are the questions I have:

1st. Do I need the I-134 or I-864 Affadavit of Support? On some sites (like VJ) it says that we need both forms but on the consulate site, it says that we only need the I-134? I'm confused!!! I'll send both, but which one does my wife send in to the consulate?

2nd. Are there any good guides on how to fill out packet # 3? Does anyone have any previous exprience?

3rd. Does anyone know how long it takes for the Mumbai consulate to turn-around after recieving packet # 3? Someone at the consulate told my wife that it won't be until June before we get Packet # 4, but looking at some of the VJ's time-lines this doesn't seem consistant. Does anyone have knowledge of this?

Thanks

JT

I had the same problem with the Packet 3 being lost in the mail. So, I did go and pick up Packet 3 at the Mumbai consulate. I submitted packet 3 on March 12 and they asked me to come pick up Packet 4 (incase it gets lost again) after 21 days. However, I called the consulate the next week itself and they told me that my interview date was May 6. And asked me to wait for atleast 10 days since they sent packet 4 out before I go back and collect it at the consulate. However, our Packet 4 did not get lost in the mail.

Also, my husband only got the I-134 ready as per the instructions in packet 3.

Hope this helps.

The-wait-is-on, I have a unique situation. I'm a US Citizen and wife is canadian citizen. We have relatives back in India. We got married in India 2 yrs back. Can you please guide me how this K3 process will work out in India? Can we mail packet3 and packet 4 from the US to the US embassy in india by downloading from website? If not can it be picked up and delivered by family in India? Appreciate any suggestion, advice & guidance.

Well, I would suggest mailing packet 3 to your relatives and then requesting them to personally go and drop off packet 3 at the consulate and then either wait for packet 4 to be delivered to them or ask them to collect it after 21 days.

The thing is, when I called up the consulate they suggested that I should come and drop off packet 3 personally since they get a ton of mail and sometimes it tends to get lost, so mailing from the US to the consulate directly would be a little risky. If your relatives stay in Mumbai itself (or whichever consulate city you come under) it will be better for them to personally go drop-off packet 3. They would need your BMB number and a copy of the beneficiary's passport. Again, Packet 3 can be downloaded off the website but the interview letter in packet 4 is not available online so that has to be collected. You can call the consulate with your BMB no. and find out the status of your case, whether Packet 3 has been mailed out (btw, where would Packet 3 and 4 be mailed out if you don't live in India?). Once you know its been mailed out, ask your relatives to drop off Packet-3 at the consulate.

Hope this helps !!!

Ok, so don't know where to turn to except VJ forum .

On April 1st, my wife's I-129F form was forwarded to the Mumbai consulate. We got confirmation from both the NVC as well as from the consulate itself (after several call attempts).

Anyways, we found out that the consulate sent packet # 3 through the postal service. Not just that, but they also shortened her address so it would fit in the address field. The packet is most likely lost in mail!!!!!!!

But, don't worry!!! My wife went to the consulate today and was able to pick up the packet from the consulate.

Here's are the questions I have:

1st. Do I need the I-134 or I-864 Affadavit of Support? On some sites (like VJ) it says that we need both forms but on the consulate site, it says that we only need the I-134? I'm confused!!! I'll send both, but which one does my wife send in to the consulate?

2nd. Are there any good guides on how to fill out packet # 3? Does anyone have any previous exprience?

3rd. Does anyone know how long it takes for the Mumbai consulate to turn-around after recieving packet # 3? Someone at the consulate told my wife that it won't be until June before we get Packet # 4, but looking at some of the VJ's time-lines this doesn't seem consistant. Does anyone have knowledge of this?

Thanks

JT

I had the same problem with the Packet 3 being lost in the mail. So, I did go and pick up Packet 3 at the Mumbai consulate. I submitted packet 3 on March 12 and they asked me to come pick up Packet 4 (incase it gets lost again) after 21 days. However, I called the consulate the next week itself and they told me that my interview date was May 6. And asked me to wait for atleast 10 days since they sent packet 4 out before I go back and collect it at the consulate. However, our Packet 4 did not get lost in the mail.

Also, my husband only got the I-134 ready as per the instructions in packet 3.

Hope this helps.

thanks for the hints. i could alt-print screen and paste 3 batches in a short bond paper. i am now able to reduce the bulk of papers.

used to maximize my skype window and just pressed Print Screen with no Alt then pasted one batch of call/chat history per bond paper.

thanks again. ..

ur welcome

I'm glad and happy to help

Thanks so much for your help. I did get the 'print screen and alt' to work. Its using a lot of paper but its better this way than not at all. Thanks, again !!!

I really need help on this question, regarding what forms are needed to be submitted to VFS for a K-3? Do I only need the DS 230, I and II and the Affidavit of Support? Or are there other documents too? I am getting conflicting list of documents based on the consulate and VFS website.

wow this is useful info, i was already wondering how i should do that.. thanks

Hmm I can't seem to find the stuff online, only purchase info and that wasn't so much since we do mostly skype to skype, gonna check tonight when I'm at home again to see if I can find it in the program itself (using windows but I think it wont be much different to the apple version

Were you able to get skype to skype on Windows? I am unable to copy paste (it selects all but doesn't copy paste). My interview is on May 6th and really need to get these records. Thanks.

We printed out a log of all our skype calls, along with both profiles, just so they could see who was making the calls to whom. I think it was 70+ pages.

If anything, it just adds to more proof that you are together in a relationship. Who else would spend that much time talking to each other!

I have been trying to print the skype call history we have, but copy-paste doesn't seem to work. How did you print out the skype log? Our interview is on May 6, so am trying to get everything ready for it.

Thanks.

I have searched this forum for answers, but am still a little confused because of the conflicting info available on the consulate website and the VFS website.

My K-3 visa interview is coming up in May in Mumbai and I am in the process of getting paperwork ready for the interview. My packet 4 states that along with medical report, passport and other material I also need to submit the DS-230 Part I and II. However on the Mumbai consulate link for K-3 visa, it lists the DS-156 and the DS-3052 to be submitted.

http://mumbai.usconsulate.gov/k_visas.html#amc3

On the VFS site, documents to submit for K-3 lists DS-156 and DS-156K.

https://www.vfs-usa.co.in/ApplnForms/ImmVisasWestEast.aspx

I called up the VFS Mumbai number, and I was told to just go by what is stated in Packet-4.

I just wanted to know what documents were submitted to the VFS by those who recently had their visa interviews? Also, is it better to submit the medical reports to VFS too, or should I just schedule my medical exam closer to the interview date and submit all other documents to VFS?

Thanks in advance for all your help. This is such a wonderful website and I am so thankful to all of you for making this immigration journey so much better and bearable.

I downloaded packet 3 off the mumbai consulate website and submitted it at the consulate information counter. Paket 3 contains biographic forms and a list of documents that you need to get ready for the interview. Hope this helps.

hey ,

Dont worrry... good you got stuff readfy.. VALIDITY IS 6 months... Best of Luck

God Bless

Jigi

Thanks so much for all your help. I was just wondering how current they need it.

Btw, I agree, Goa is beautiful, most people fall in love with it with just one visit.

If you were out of status less than 180 days you should not need a waiver for that, however, the denial of entry--depending on what type--could need a waiver.

Were you turned down for a visa, or turned down at a POE? If just turned down for the visa, no problems.

Thanks so much for your help. I was turned down for the visa not POE. And I really hope being out-of-status for less than 160 days does not cause a problem.

I hope someone can help me out on this. I was out-of-status on an F-1 visa for over three months from September 15-2006-December 31-2006. I left the US when I found out that I was out-of-status after consulting a lawyer who asked me to leave immediately. I left on Jan 1, 2007. I then tried to re-enter on an F-1 visa again in Feb 2007, but was denied, reason given: possible immigrant.

I got married to my fiance, a US citizen in July 2007 and applied for the K-3 visa. We were approved and my interview is scheduled for May 6, 2008. I just wanted to know if my overstay would cause problems and would I need a waiver.

Thanks.

My K-3 interview has been scheduled for May 6th in Mumbai. I live in Goa and as such I was told it would take longer to get a PCC from the Passport office as well as the local police station, which is why I applied for both in February, once I got to know my petition was approved. However, the turnaround time was 10 days and I got both the clearance certificates on Feb 22. Will this work for my interview or would there be a problem since it would be over two months since the date on the PCC?

Thanks for all the help.

I'm not sure about Mumbai since my husband is going through Delhi, but here's some info which may be helpful.

Once NVC actually gets your paperwork from the service center, they turn it around in about 2 days and send it to the appropriate consulate. Once received at the Consulate, they will mail the beneficiary the Packet 3. Check the Mumbai Consulate website (someone posted some links a while back, or check the embassy info link) to see what Packet 3 contains and what you need to send back. The documents can be sent back via VFS office, or at least at Delhi to trigger getting an appointment in the situation where you don't receive Packet 3, you can go to the Consulate and drop off the DS-230 and tick list (but please confirm this is true for Mumbai, too), and submit other stuff to VFS at least 10-15 working days prior to the scheduled interview.

Hope that helps somewhat, though it doesn't deal with Mumbai.

Thanks for your reply. I think if Delhi allows it then am sure Mumbai would allow Packet-3 to be dropped off at VFS too. Thanks.

who else on here are approved this month..we got our noa2 last feb 7 email,and feb 11 hardcopy...

We received our NOA2 on Feb 16. Hope the rest of the process goes by pretty quickly now.

congratulations , but i have a question which one do you want to follow 130 or 129f because you have to choose one i m wrong? if they send both of them maybe it will be a problem, pls can you ask about this ,

once again, congratulations ...thanks

We received our NOA2 hardcopies for both the I-130 as well as the I-129F and they haven't cancelled our I-129 F. However, they have given instructions on what needs to be done incase we decide to drop the I-129F and continue with the I-130.

Thanks.

I am sorry if this is just a repeated question, but I am just trying to get a clear idea on what happens once the K-3 petition is approved. We received an email about the approval, but still have to receive the NOA2 hard copy.

My question is, once packet 3 is received and filled out, can it be mailed to the Mumbai consulate or does one have to personally submit the documents at the consulate?

Also, can the packet-3 forms be downloaded from the site, or should we wait for the packet to be received by us. I live in Goa and the postal mail is terrible, so was wondering if I could save time and just send off the documents once I know that the Mumbai consulate has received my petition.

Thanks.

We got some great news today via email that our I-129f and our I-130 were approved on Feb 12. We are so excited, now hopefully the process will pick up speed a little.

I can relax the restriction in your case if you want. PM me the dates.

Thanks so much for your help. I have sent you the dates. Please let me know once the dates have been added.

Thanks.

Try adding them now .

Thanks a ton. I already added the dates. Works great now.

I can relax the restriction in your case if you want. PM me the dates.

Thanks so much for your help. I have sent you the dates. Please let me know once the dates have been added.

Thanks.

The code requires the I-129f filing date to be after the I130 filin date. This is based on the fact that the I-129f form says you have to provide proof of having filed an I130 previously (submit a copy of an I130 NOA for example). To do this you would have to file after the I130 to have already received the I130 NOA. If this is wrong let me know.

What you have mentioned is true in almost all cases. However, recently because of the change in filing fees for the I-130 and the I-129F, some of the K-3 visa petitioners called up USCIS to clarify how the change in fees would affect those filing the I-130 before July 30th and the I-129F after July 30th. We were told (I know of two other petitioners atleast) to send both the petitions together with a cover letter explaining the reason as to why they were being sent together. Which is why, the date for sending both our petitions (the I-130 and the I-129F) out is July 16, 2007.

Hello,

We have filed for the K-3 visa and I have been trying to update my personal timeline with the I-130 NOA1 receipt date, but for some reason, once I fill the field out and submit it, it says there has been a date problem and highlights my I-129F date and the NOA1 receipt date for my I-130 in red.

Is this because, the dates for the I-130 and the I-129F being sent out are the same? USCIS had asked K-3 visa applicants to send both the I-130 and the I-129F together before the July 30th change in fees deadline.

Thanks.

I just spoke to a few people at USCIS regarding my questions about fees and direct filing.

The customer service rep who first answered was basically clueless. She was not aware of the direct filing changes. After about 10 minutes of her trying to get the information, she transferred me to an officer. The officer was a lot more knowledgeable and provided some concrete advice.

First off, she said to send the I-130 and I-129F together. I had not yet asked her about that before she suggested it. She said that the California Service Center has been really slow at sending out NOAs. Consequently, if I don't send my I-129F at the same time, I will be waiting forever for the NOA1 receipt.

She said that this would also avoid any problems with the changing fees. If I send the I-130 now and then I-129F after July 30 , it could cause major delays while they figure out what and how to charge me. I was told to pay the current $190 for the I-130 and $170 for the I-129F.

She suggested I simply put both packets in one envelope and send them to the Texas Service Center with an additional explanation in the cover letter. They will forward both to California SC. She claims that due to all the changes and known delays in California, the various service centers are being pretty flexible these days.

I think that is everything.

Peace,

CG

Thanks so much for that info !!! Will send ours to Vermont.

If it were me, I'd put them in the same envelope with separate cover letters. Fasten each package together separately with the I-130 on the top and each cover letter referring to the other petition. The I-129F petition for spouse requires evidence of filing the I-130. In this case the evidence is the petitions in the same envelope.

This is pretty much what I am thinking of doing. I figure the worst case scenario is that they return the I-129F.

True that. Thanks. Shall do the same.