S_AL_

I was hoping if someone could tell me on average how long it takes to the embassy to send out the visa after DOS has stated that it has been issued & printed.

More specifically, we were told by DOS that my husband's visa has been approved, issued and printed but we haven't heard anything from the embassy yet and so we want to know how long you think it might normally take for us to get the visa or to hear anything from the embassy?

Any info you can provide is helpful...thank you

Is his passport with the Embassy or with him? Once the visa is issued and printed, the Embassy called the applicant to send their passport if the passport was returned to the applicant at the time of the interview. In the case where the embassy informs you that your visa is ready to be stamped in your passport, it usually takes about a week from the time you send in your passport through american express to the embassy to the travel file being sent back to your local american expressed to be picked up. Your husband should call the embassy the first working day and inquire about his visa especially if his paspsort is not with the embassy already. If his passport is with the embassy, he should call and ask about his visa status. Either way, it is not a bad idea to remind the embassy that you are waiting on your visa. I had received the call from the embassy on a Sunday evening about the visa being ready and that I should mail my passport to them. See if calling them helps since if they have said the visa is printed, it is ready to be stamped in the passport.

What docs will the embassy ask for when AP is complete? Is both medical and police good for one year? What about a new ds230 and more paystubs to show im still working? any thing would be helpful to at least know what things we should be ready to handle once they finally give us teh word our ap is complete

To make your life more difficult, they might ask for a new police certificate at the time AP is completed. I am not sure how long the medical report stays valid for but usually a police certificate expires in 3 months or so.

The CO had told me I should be ready to go in about 2 months. It was right on time. All the information they had taken from me at the time of the interview (like old passports information) must have aided in speeding up the checks. Your husband should hear from the embassy around the two months mark. All the best.

My husband's interview was today at the Islamabad Embassy. Everything went great, the CO was very nice and friendly. She asked basic questions like

1) what does your wife do?

2) what do you want to do in the US?

3) How did we meet?

4) How long I stayed with him in Pakistan?

6) Which other countries has he been to?

7) if he was shia? (my husband had went to Iraq and Iran for ziarat, thats why they asked him)

8) How he feels about our marriage?

9) Who is the co-sponsor?

10) what does he do?

11) Where does he work?

then she asked to see photographs, asked who were our parents and said we make a cute couple.

BUT THEN! She pulls out the green 221G paper...My husband knew then its administrative processing

The CO didn't ask for any additional documents, she said he qualifies for the visa, the case is fine, but it needs to be sent for further investigation. She also said she'll make sure he gets his passport "within two months" and if not he should contact the embassy.

What Im confused about is that, usually when people are put into AP the CO gives no time limit. But here she told my husband 2 months. I don't know if thats a good thing or bad? Im just glad all our paper work was fine and no information was missing, but the AP really broke me...I hope its not too long

I do not know about USCIS but the Consular Officers at the Embassy are trained to understand the local culture and what is acceptable/unacceptable in that culture. If I were a Consular Officer determining your case (and since it is a fiance' visa), I would keep in mind the cultural background of your fiance and suspect possible immigration fraud that perhaps he is trying to force his way through to the US since you are pregnant. I do not know the unseen but a Pakistani male who is being sponsored by his pregnant USC fiancee can raise some major flags and doubts towards the authenticity of this union. I'm in no position to judge/analyze your situation but whatever facts you've mentioned about your case, my advice would be to not mention the pregnancy and if you truly want him to be there with you as soon as possible, I think you should go marry him and file for a CR-1 asap instead of taking a risk with a fiance visa. As far as the duration of the process goes, I know cases where the wife filed to expedite the case on health/humanitarian grounds and that sped up the process but I do not know of any cases from Pakistan where a pregnant fiancee had approached USCIS to speed up the case/background checks.

If you have already planned to move to Dubai permanently and reside there when you get married, you do not have a case to file through Direct Consular Filing since you will not fit the criteria. I have seen cases being delayed and in one case it was even rejected since the wife (US citizen) was settled in Pakistan and had no plan/job/assets in the US and hence nothing to go back to so the Consular Office politely refused the case and said that the purpose of issuing an immigrant visa (in this case Green card or PR) is to help unite the US citizen or Green card holder with their family and since she is living with her spouse, there is no need for a visa. I understand your situation but in cases like yours, it does not make much sense for the CO to issue a visa or even accept a case. You can try filing if you want to waste your money. Like Belinda63 said, even if you are somehow successful at getting your wife a green card while she resides with you in Dubai, she might lose it and you'd have to refile for her once/if you move back to the USA.

Hello VJrs:

I am being transferred by my company to Dubai and will be working there permenanly. I am also planning to marry in Dubai. However, what is the procedure of applying and having my wifey a US citizen... as per my understanding, I apply for I-130 at the Dubai consulate and she gets approved there.

However, when she gets her green card, does she have to go back n forth to US every 6 months to maintain her status...or is there any other option available to waive the 6 months or entering US within a year to maintain the green card. It will be hard and expensive for us to go back and forth to the US, just to maintain her gc...

Secondly, I assume that she wont be a US citizen, unless she lives continious for 3 yrs in the US..?

Just want to let know that the company i am working is not a US company...

Please help and guide me.... thanks

My husband and I got our affidavit of support signed and everything is okay. But now I am just curious as to what to expect in regards to the couples' interview? I have no idea what we are going into and I get performance anxiety over the slightest things lol, I'm a nerve ball. Anyway, is it just random stuff like what color our toothbrushes are, what was made for dinner the previous night, and how we met kind of stuff or what?

Thanks!

Read information provided here: http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/index.php?cnty=Pakistan&cty=&dfilter=5

Also if you both know each other well, it shouldn't be a problem but do speak the truth about everything. Chances are you both won't be interviewed together and you and your spouse might be questioned separately. All the best.

It is good to know we aren't the only couple going through this I too like spicy food while my husband who can occasionally enjoy some spicy food prefers lightly spiced dishes. I have over time learnt to cook two different dishes for one dinner because honestly, I want to enjoy my food which is why I do not mind taking out extra time to cook. His preference is American food but I like Pakistani dishes so when I'm using spices, I keep him in mind and sometimes take some ingredients out and add them to a separate pot which is for myself. On other occasions, I wait to cook my own dishes when he is not around so I could just eat what I like. It takes a lot of effort to adjust your taste-buds to the food you didn't eat all your life. I say, stick to your food...let him enjoy his dishes and you enjoy yours.

My spouse does not have a lastname. He is asking if in USA we are allowed to take the husband's first name? He has only his first name and his father's name at the end. Would I have to take his dad's name? Also, is it necessary to change my lastname before I file or can I do that later on into the process?

No you do not need to change your nor you should. Keep your name as it will only complicate things in your case. I was the beneficiary but I did not change my name because I'm happy and proud of it. Keep you name please.

Ameena if you pay the bills online, it should not take longer than about a week or so for your case to be completed at NVC. The Embassy in Islamabad is pretty quick at issuing interview dates. When our case was expedited through USCIS, we had also approached NVC to expedite it but they refused it and said if we file the documents correctly and as soon as we can, NVC will complete the file and send it through. My case was sent to the embassy around August and I had my interview date for the first week of October. All the best to you and again, really happy things are moving along for your case.

MASHALLAH n THANKS TO ALLAH That our NOA2 Is finally here!!!! IM SOOO RELIEVED!!!! now onto the hard work Maybe we will celebrate our first anniversary together after all!!!! INSHALLAH

Congratulations Really happy for you

IF he really is sorry and can recognize how unacceptable his behavior was he will agree to getting into an anger management program where you live. If you are going to give him another chance PLEASE insist that he do this! He may truly want to change but old habits die hard. He would be a very rare person if he was able to just suddenly stop this pattern of behavior on his own that has probably always been there. With professional help and a lot of effort on his part change is possible. He owes you this if you are willing to give him another chance.

I completely agree. Dependent women are easy target for abuse. From your writing Sad Woman you seem like a nice likable person. He might be apologizing to you just to make you stay (it is a rather common behavior with abusive men), perhaps he might wait till you guys are married and then all hell will get lose (I really hope and pray that doesn't happen) but you have to safe and think about yourself before anyone else. At this point its only verbal abuse. This could easily turn into physical abuse and even if it comes to that at some point in your relationship, he'd use the same tactic he used just now, apologize and get you back. Don't be fooled, be very very cautious. Also if you want to see if he has really changed, make him angry and see how he acts then. I do hope things change and work out for you both but the way you've described it, it only gets worse unless they get professional help. Do not accept the abuse in any form. Be assertive and bold. You have a whole life ahead of you and it would hurt us all much to see you or anyone like you suffer. Be strong and cautious. Do not tolerate him an inch because it starts off as slow mild abuse and turns into chronic physical and emotional abuse.

I am a US Citizen with a wife in Pakistan. I applied for my taxes as "Married Jointly" and I provided her passport copy notarized from Pakistan and her birth certificated notarized in Pakistan. I got a letter from IRS that they need copies of those documents to be notarized in the US or a country that is part of the Hague Convention (Apostille needed). Could anyone give me a suggestion on what I should do. My I-130 was approved on Jan 24th and not sure at what time my wife will be here in the US. Any suggestions will be highly appreciated. Thanks

I had gone to the consulate in Karachi and had the copy of my passport notarized by the consular officer there. They charge a fee. At the consulate, they had checked our marriage certificate and that my passport had my husband's name (as my husband), she asked me when we got married etc. and then stamped and signed the copy of my passport and the W-7 form I had filled and she made me sign it too in front of them. I sent in that notarized copy of my passport to my husband along with the signed w-7 form and he applied for the ITIN here. Don't worry about the copy of the birth certificate. Just send in the copy of her passport notarized by the US government office (either the embassy or a consulate near her).

hello, i got engaged recently. my fiance is a US citizen and i am from Karachi , Pakistan. Just wanted to know that if i apply for k-1 visa... will my interview be held in my town , Karachi or will it be in Islamabad?

Apparently the US Consulate in Karachi will be interviewing cases of K-1 (finace) visas as per the information provided by the consulate's website. But before you jump the gun and worry about the interview, embrace yourself for the USCIS process. You might need to fill in some forms and send them to your fiance if you plan to apply for a Fiance' visa.

Bushra AP stands for Administrative Process. FBI checks, Travel History checks etc. All these checks made by the State Department and USCIS and are in some cases mandatory before they issue a visa. That 6 months period you spent after the interview was because of AP.

myunus1 - I'm a female and I had my interview back in October 2008. I was placed on AP and they had returned my passport with me. I received my visa in late December 2008. At the time of the interview, the Consular Officer told me it wouldn't take longer than 2 months given my case but cases vary. It depends on several factors. I'd suggest if you don't hear any news in the next 2 months or so, you as the US citizen can call the state department and inquire about your case. You can also call USCIS for more information. This is normal so don't panic.

Can anyone share with us any tips and advice to keep from getting AP in Islamabad embassy? I'm sure some of it will be due to things other than our control but I wondered if you could help us with the things we CAN control...

thanks in advance

There are several reasons people are placed on AP. I think for most applicants especially those who haven't spent a long time at USCIS usually go through AP. In my experience, even though I had traveled internationally on many occasions and the embassy noted down all my previous passport numbers, I too was placed on AP, it lasted about 2 months but I was surprised that happened. While on our part we can provide all the documents and information they ask for, you never know what they have already decided. Men in particular are placed on AP usually longer than women applicants. So go prepared, hand in all necessary documents and pray for the best.

My wife's interview was yesterday, and now we are having this very same issue. The interviewer said they need an URDU divorce certificate from Union Council even though she had the original bilingual Union council certificate at the interview. So, we will get this URDU document from the Union Council without a problem.

Now my concern is that on the blue slip they are also requesting a English Certificate from the family court??? But the officer only mentioned the Union Council Certificate as the document we're missing. So, do we need an English Divorce Doc from the Family Court ? Does anyone have any concrete information?

My wife's divorce was also through talaq, so do we really have to go through the hassle of approaching the family court.... this could take months. I'm thinking I should try the route supermom82 took above.

Any feedback would be helpful. Thanks.

My uncle had to get both documents, one from the union council and the other from the family court. He went through the immigration process in 2010 and even though he was adjusting status in the US, he had to get these two documents from Pakistan in order to establish the proof. Sorry as it might seem a painstaking process but as far as I know, there is no way around it. And personally I'd suggest you provide all the documents they have asked for because say you send in the union council one and they take their time to process that and then they send you another request to submit the one from the family court... that will not only waste your time but add to the torture. So try getting all the documents and send them all in. they should have informed you at NVC what was needed but I'm sorry for the trouble.

My wife filing g-325a she is US citizen(Neutralized) her birth country is INDIA, on this form they are asking for birth country and city should she write INDIA or leave it blank ?

brother your wife is a Naturalized citizen so of course she would need to write the correct information like her city and country of birth. Also do not leave any section blank. For Example: Question about Children.... but you do not have children, do not leave those sections blank but instead write N/A in each box. Type just that N/A for sections that do not apply to you. Please use common sense and read the instructions of each form you're filling carefully.

i am sorry friend but to be honest we really thinkin in a term of fact rather den thinkin emotionally...but its not only the k1 sumbitted more instead of cr1 ppl prefer cr1 rather den k1 bcoz it save u money aswell... so if you think in a fact now cr1 submitted more im just sayin approve both rather den just approving k1...

thats it ...

On a CR-1 visa, the beneficiary receives the green card right after the port of entry. It doesn't require any extra paper work, the kind you'd need for a K-1 once you come to the US and get married. I believe that is one of the reasons USCIS takes longer to approve an I-130 petition for CR-1. I would remind you that many many many people end up going through extra scrutiny because they are applying for Pakistan. Blame the fraudulent marriages and terrorists... names get flagged because of the law and order situation. It is not your fault that a CR-1 takes longer but it is better like pushbrk said to not get too emotional because this is going to be a long journey and you both need to hang on, be strong and wait it out.

Adzy you could get in trouble for polygamy since the nikah (which those who do not know) is the registered marriage in Pakistan. Once your divorce is finalized in the US, go back to Pakistan and redo the Nikah (for paperwork). It isn't a big deal since I had to re-register mine too after getting married in Europe. My spouse came to Pakistan and we signed the papers. In your case, you'd have to have a new date on the Nikah since the proof has to be established that this marriage did not take place while you were married in the US. This is the only way you can apply for your spouse or else you'd raise flags and your wife will have trouble getting a visa.

Finalize your divorce and get a divorce decree.

Go to Pakistan and redo the nikah

Come back and file for a CR-1 visa

Do not try any 'shortcuts' or your wife in Pakistan will suffer the consequences.

i would like to know

i married a US citizen Her name is Emily Smalling

when we got married she converted to islam

so her new Muslim name is Ameena

on the Nikah Nama known as Marriage certificate

its says Ameena Daughter of James Smalling

and we also got Certificate for New Muslim but the question is in Urdu and the answer is english that her preivous name Emily Smalling

New muslim Name Ameena

so will it cause problem?

Need Your help

I have explained this issue to your wife. It was a mistake on your part (the groom's part, who is also responsible for filling information on the nikah nama) to write her new name when she had not changed her legal name. In my note to her I've explained that she doesn't need to change her legal name and if USCIS is confused and sends her an RFE then in that case she should send in a copy of her conversion certificate along with a note explaining the problem. Names and date of birth are important so they should match the name stated on her Passport, SSC and other legal documents. I'm sure she used her legal name (Emily) to file the I-130 petition in the US. Like I told her, it can be confusing for USCIS so she should be prepared to explain this to them.

As for your other post regarding the marriage certificate, I want to know what documents you submitted with the I-130 petition? Primarily to establish proof you need to send your marriage certificate along with a translation since the original is in Urdu. For NVC, you should send in your original birth certificate since it is already in English and doesn't need to be translated. As for a translation for your marriage certificate, contact your qazi as he could refer you to someone who will translate it, and then get it stamped, signed and also receive a seal from Qazi's office who would verify the translation. I still don't know what did you do about the marriage document you submitted with the I-130 petition

Thanks for the reply guys. Also, the Police Certificate is just a template with her information filled in and it is handwritten and not type written. Do you think I should send in this police certificate and include a letter? If so, what should I write.

Yes that is standard template. they are lazy as you probably know and they don't only not do they work for what they get paid for, any extra work is a burden on them too so don't bother. Just add a letter stating you had noticed the typo after you brought the papers to the US and that they police made that error. If NVC would want a new PC, they'll inform you soon. You can also state that the beneficiary will bring along another PC at the time of the interview. Hopefully NVC wouldn't cause any trouble. The reason I suggested a letter of explanation is because I know how much of a hassle it is to get a PC in Pakistan. Bribes and all, a huge pain. So unless its easy for you to get a new one, just add a letter of explanation and let them know your wife will bring along another certificate to the embassy. All the best!

Yeah but not stressful as it was exciting lol I just wanted to peek out and see what was going on but my husband kept sending in his cousin to be sure that I was ok and not afraid lol...yeah hes going to go take care of the translation in a couple of days...All it was was a matter of the person doing the paperwork didnt add correctly but like I said our names are spelled correct, my bday his bday our parents names are all correct... but i think the worse part is just the waiting... with all the talk of delays it scares me...but hopefully we will all see some progress..very soon..n thanks for your reply

and btw..we have some wonderful pics of all his fam with the mehndi and the nikah...and the valima not to mention some wonderful days with mom and dad and his sister and her family on outings in karachi...beautiful place!!!

Yeah talk about excitement, I was nervous but who doesn't love the wedding, clothes and food If you are the petitioner, the more evidence goes from your part the better

BTW I'm from karachi too and its nice to meet you here I hope this would be a smooth journey for you both. Visa Journey will help you stay sane

Hello everyone,

My DS 230 package is all ready to go out. I just looked at my wifes police certificate and there is a problem. Her ID card number on the certificate is incorrect. Her ID number is xxxxxx681 but on the police certificate it is incorrectly listed as xxxxxx618. The "1" and the "8" numbers are reversed. All the other numbers are correct it is just that those two numbers are in reverse order. I do not know what to do. I have my package all ready to go out. The Police department made this mistake. How can I rectify this situation? I do not want to receive an RFE for this or have her have trouble at the embassy.

Please help me out!

In my limited understanding, the Police Station messes up documents routinely so what you can do is perhaps write a letter along with the Police Certificate and state that it was typo made by the police station who issued the certificate and send that in with the form. Note that the police certificate expires in 3 months so by the time she is scheduled for an interview, I'd advice that you ask her to get another certificate made and take it to the embassy at the time of her interview and hand that in too. I had one sent in with the DS-230 and then one more for the interview and when I reached US and caught a glimpse of my file at immigration, I saw that new PC on top of all the documents. Its not something that could get her in trouble but its better to not take any risks and make her life easy. I hope this helps.

Yeah, we are working on the new one now...everything else is correct on the documents bdays, fathers name etc...actually when we married it ws just a few days since my birthday so we didnt' notice that and the person putting the info together didnt either...lol I was in a tiny room by myself so I couldnt tell them all the info myself we married in the masjid...

I can imagine the whole process of Nikah is so stressful and the families including the bride and groom are freaked out. perhaps the problem can just be fixed by writing down the right age on all 3 originals and then get a translation of that. keep us posted on your progress. also for I-130 when you file it, make sure to send in some wedding photos too and affidavits from family/friends to further establish proof of a bona fide marriage. the more stuff you send the better.

All the best.

so my wife's case was completed with NVC and interview has been scheduled with islamabad embassy on march 15th.

im trying to book her plane tickets ahead of time, i have heard from a few people that they take you passport on the day of the interview and send it back to your house with the visa?

is this true? and if it is when will she get her passport and visa documents from embassy?

thanks in advance.

Bad idea to book tickets ahead. I (a female) went in for my interview in October and I was put on AP and they had returned my passport to me. I heard from the embassy after 2 (two) months and at that point they asked me to send in my passport which I did through courier and then once it was stamped they sent it back through courier. If you have tons of money and can risk losing an airline ticket then feel free to book a flight now but if you want to make sure you don't lose your money, wait till she gets her interview done. It can go many ways so wait and then once she is done with her interview and depending on the outcome of it, you can go ahead and make travel plans.