VISH
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Posts posted by VISH
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Hi Namrata,
I filed in Delhi, cause you can only file from US Embassy, which is in Delhi. My wife's interview was in Bombay consulate which covers the Gujarat, and her Medicals were done in Surat where she lived........
good luck with you process....
hi vish .read ur dcf story .believe me was very helpful to me. actually i will soon be going to india to file for my husband . i want to file in delhi. i have a ????
can u please tell me where was ur wife interview in delhi embassy or somewhere else ??????????????? and also please tell me where did u get her medicals done and by the way congrats on ur filing success -
Hi guys,
My wife had the interview on 2nd. She's got it...............
She said that her interview was very straight forward. They just asked some basic questions like what do I do? how we've met? When I went to India, etc....
They didn't see the wedding pics, or invitation cards or phone bills, emails etc.......the only worse part was that she had to wait for about couple of hours for her turn after the first interview by Indian person.
She'll be flying on 7th to New York - JFK airport........it's only five more days, I can't wait for it......
I wanted all to thank you for you support. I will still drop by but it might not be as frequently. And please do message me if you have any questions and I'll gladly try to answer it.
One thing that came out of our case is that DCF rocks........and I was able to apply for DCF after staying for about 64 days.....so I'd say it's the best options if you get married in India.
Once again thank you very much all, and good luck to all who are still going thru the process and I hope you'll be united soon with your partner.
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Congratulations..........
two weeks till the interview for my wife.......can't wait anymore...........
WE GOT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE GOT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE GOT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Good great beutifully everlasting LOVE and LUCk to us all
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! That is SUCH wonderful news!!!!!! Sahana, you are next!!
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Hi,
I've seen lot of people mentioning that they've "Submitted Orginal Documents" before the inteview date.
My wife's going to submit the documents soon before her interview date, and I am trying to figure out what are the "Original Documents" we need to submit and what "Photocopies" are accepted?????
I know I know, I almost know the answer to this one...but as the interview dates closes in, my nervousness shoots high.......
just making sure? also should my wife take photocopies of everything already submitted to the interview???
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I think your uncle's income would be more than enough........
take a look at this: Click
I think I am going crazy.here' the thing, my parents file jointly so do they each fill out I-864A or just 1?? if 1 I guess that means I include their combined income. If they each need to file I-864A then do I take the annual income from W-2??
OR
do you guys think my uncles income could be enough so that I can skip my parents altogether??
uncle is a doc so he makes about 2 to 300K a year with 3 dependents.
help please
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Expect a letter stating the Interview date. Prepare your I-864, I think u've already started the thread on this one, so u should be fine. Also your wife should take the proof of communications (email, phone call bills, mailed letters etc...), marriage pics, etc...
Also she needs to start taking care of PCC (police clearance), which sometimes takes 15 days or more. if she doesn't have passport, she'll need that.
Ok I guess that's it...can't think much right now.....it's bit late.....but if you have any questions, send me the message and I'll try to answer it with best of my knowlege.......
good luck....
Hey VISH,I'm from Gujarat as well, near Bardoli, near Surat.
I did same procedure as you did except I did most of the work of transferring my Tourist visa to residency visa and passport inquiry and all the messy details. All of this can be done at "Lal Killa" or Red Fort in Surat.
I filed on Feb 19th and didn't receive any package and when my wife tried to inquire at Mumbai embassy they gave her the letter from package with case number. DSL forms were filled out and mailed next day. I just checked the recently updated visa list for MAY and I didn't see our case # on it. So, hopefully it will be in the first week of June.
In mean time I am trying to prepare the sponsor documents and I am having some minor problems with it. Since you are a step ahead of us please keep us updated on what we can expect next.
Are you in US now, if yes where? Im in NC by the wat.
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This is an excellent post........... I think my first post has quite a bit useful information regarding DCF, though it's a long post, go thru it if you're planning DCF...
the link:
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...p;#entry1592334
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thanks guys......I'll tell her to just relax........
I have another question though, do they always ask the list of people who attended the wedding or it's case by case bases?
What are the supporting documents are usually required as a proof of wedding besides the marriage certificates, pictures, may be invitation card, anything else???
I need a suggestion:Should we tell during the interview that the traditional wedding was on the same day as the Court Registration date, even if it's not true?? What are the chances that they might inquire more about it? I won't be able to fly back to India to be with my wife during interview, and I'm bit worried that if she'll mention that the Court registration and the Traditional wedding were on different dates than they'll just make it tough for her????
Also in the I-130 Application we mentioned the Court Registration date......
I'm Confused.......am getting more and more paranoid as the days get closer.....
Hey VISH I know where your at Take deep breaths
I know it will work out for you.My opinion on the weddind date thing is same as Carolyn 1st stay calm and keep your wife calm
2nd I don;t understand why the wedding day being diff from court marrige whould be a big deal thats how ours was. I mean ofcourse there going to be diff your have your religous wedding one day (we had a cirtifacte from our gurdwara) and then you go to court after honeymoon and stuff And finialize it I mean it not like america where the ordaned minster does it ALL
Its india Baby! Anyways the other reason is also just in case they do ask around you don't want signed documents biteing you later... LOVE WILL GET US THRU it has to! It's part of it's JOB
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I need a suggestion:
Should we tell during the interview that the traditional wedding was on the same day as the Court Registration date, even if it's not true?? What are the chances that they might inquire more about it? I won't be able to fly back to India to be with my wife during interview, and I'm bit worried that if she'll mention that the Court registration and the Traditional wedding were on different dates than they'll just make it tough for her????
Also in the I-130 Application we mentioned the Court Registration date......
I'm Confused.......am getting more and more paranoid as the days get closer.....
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Oh my god......it's just so hard to imagine the hell you had to go thru, AmanRam. But seems like finally you're done.......so congratulations.......and wish you great, happy and prospouous marriage......
But now I'm so worried. I hope Bombay consulate will go easy on my wife. Also the only proof of relation i have, are wedding pics, honeymoon pics, and Phone call bills. No emails or letters........ Also, our Court marriage and Traditional marriage dates are different. And we're planning not to disclose that fact during interview. we'll just tell them everything happened on the day of the Court marriage, so if they ask for Bill for wedding hall and Vendores/caterers or list of Guests, then there's a good chance it can go very ugly for us.....................
any suggestions/information would be great.......
thanks....
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Wow.......congratulations...by this time, two of you've probably cleared the interviews successfully......let us know how it went......
once again congratulations,
d*mn, I'm waiting for the 2nd may, and it seems like time has stopped for me................
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! YEAH YEAH YEAH!!! :) :)I am SOOOO glad to hear such good news from you!!
We have ours on the 3rd, so hopefully by the end of this week, we will have two India DCF'ers saying: "YES! WE GOT IT!" We are currently in Chennai and Ritesh JUST phoned to say the medical stuff is all done, so one day to relax and then the interview! -
Hi,
As Affidavit of support, I'm going to send following documents to my wife in India:
1) I 864
2) Tax Return for last three years (I think I don't have the W2s for 2005, will it be okay ??)
3) Proof of Job and income letter from my employer
My question is, do I need to also send my bank statement? If so then how much balance in the bank account is sufficient?
Thank You,
VISH
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Hey Amanram, hope that everything will workout for you soon..... also, I did recieve a package from Delhi when I filed, but we didn't send in cause my Immigration agent told us that we'll receive the same package from the consulate in our case from Bombay with the case number. He said that there is no point filing the forms from package 3.5 without the case number because, it'll be very hard to track it. So we waited and in about two weeks after filing we had the case number and the same package. My wife sent it back and then she now has the Interview date too....hopefully above will clear some confusion regarding the package 3.5.
Also I think residency stamp from FRRO and 60 days stay in India is enough to file from Delhi, cause in my case it was only about 64 days or so only........Also case number are assigned by the respective consulates...so for example if it's from Mumbai then you have BOM in front of you number...
Anyway....good luck to everyone and me as well....
and congratulation Amanram on pregnancy......if anyone have any question please don't hesitate to message me....I would surely like to help....hey Sahana sorry i wasn't able to reply soon enought...but it's good to hear that you've already filed. u should have the case number soon...........in couple of weeks hopefully.....
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One more question, should my wife even mention that there's a difference in the Registered Marriage date and the traditional marriage date???? I don't want her to get her Visa rejected because of false information or something like this??? cause there's three weeks difference between the Registered marriage and the traditional marriage???
Thanks for the reply. I've used the date from the Registered Marriage all along....so I guess that saves lot of headaches.....Good to hear!
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Thanks for the reply. I've used the date from the Registered Marriage all along....so I guess that saves lot of headaches.....
Now one stupid question, how do I make my time line appear like you've guys done?????
Hi Guys, I am in Dilemma.......We registered marriage on the same day as our engagement. and then we had our traditional marriage after 3 weeks later........When my wife will go for interview, what date should see mentioned? Both or just the one when we had registered marriage????Also, My wife's aunt (mother's sister) is in USA. will it be ok for her to mentioned that she has relatives in USA? will that effect her Interview adversely???
Sorry, my wife has just sent in the package 3.....and I'm already very nervous???? BTW how long it takes usually to get the package 4 after the sending in the package 3.
Which date have you already used on the forms? The date of the legal wedding (which is when you legally registered it) should be the date you have been using all along and should be the date used at the interview. If you have ever used the other date on any forms, please let us know here and maybe someone will have advice on what to do.
It's no problem that your wife has relatives legally living in the US. There is no reason to bring it up, but if for some reason it is asked, just tell the truth.
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Hi Guys, I am in Dilemma.......We registered marriage on the same day as our engagement. and then we had our traditional marriage after 3 weeks later........When my wife will go for interview, what date should see mentioned? Both or just the one when we had registered marriage????
Also, My wife's aunt (mother's sister) is in USA. will it be ok for her to mentioned that she has relatives in USA? will that effect her Interview adversely???
Sorry, my wife has just sent in the package 3.....and I'm already very nervous???? BTW how long it takes usually to get the package 4 after the sending in the package 3.
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You should definitely get the case number. My wife got it in about 2 weeks after filing in Delhi.....
Thanks Carolyn,Yeah, we got everything ready just waiting for the packet 3.5 to come so we can say we're ready Ummmm are your sure about the case number I think you have to have one VISH did DCF and in his thread he says he got a letter two/three weeks after submitting the I-130 with the packet 3.5 and case number.. Wonder how VISH is coming along?
Anyways good luck let me know if you hear anything or move forward in this.
Hi! We just got the 'official' Consular letter from Chennai today with our case number - it was sent on February 13th!! Sooo, if I were you I would definitely schedule an Info-Pass meeting with the USCIS office in Delhi, or at least contact them again via email, telephone, etc. It must have been about 8 weeks now, and that does seem a little bit long considering that our packet was processed, sent to Chennai and they had created our case number and mailed it out within a week.
Be polite, but definitely persistent - at least once a week contact them - DO SOMETHING!
Good Luck and keep us posted!!
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This basically confirms with my post, as I also had to convert my Visitor's visa to Entry visa for DCF in Delhi............
Hello Book keeper,You might want to read this, this is what my husband wrote to the Chicago consulate of India, enquiring about which visa to get if he would like to go for DCF, and this is their answer.
From: Chicago <chicago@travisaoutsourcing.comDate: Thu, Feb 21, 2008 at 12:59 PM
Subject: Re: Travisa Outsourcing (India) - Feedback from: XYZ - Other
To: xyz@gmail.com
You need to apply for an Entry Visa. Attach a copy of your wife's Indian passport (the photo page, and visa in the U.S. if she has it), as well as a copy of marriage certificate. Also if you have any children, they will also need Entry visas.
Thanks,
Erin Ralston
Travisa Outsourcing - Chicago
Tel: 312-346-2367
Fax: 312-346-2930
XYZ@gmail.com wrote:
Travisa Feedback
The following comments were submitted by Joe at 02/21/2008 8:58am EST.
Jurisdiction: Chicago
Hello consulate officer,
I am a US citizen, living in Indiana. And I am looking for guidance. I am married to an Indian woman and I would like to go and stay in India for around 8 to 9 months. Is there any provision that I can apply for a residential visa since I am married to an Indian? My main concern is to apply for immigration visa to USA for my wife, and for that purpose I can't take visitor's visa. As per US embassy in Delhi is concern, it specifically asks for any other visa, like business or residential visa, other than tourist visa, for a Direct Consular filling. For applying I need to be in India for at least 6 months and not with a tourist visa. Hope you can show me a direction of what I should file for and what all are the requirements for that. Thank you for giving me your time --XYZ
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two weeks after filing in Delhi, my wife recieved package 3 I think, which also conatained the letter with the case number. This package was sent from Mumbai Consular. She sent back form to Mumbai, and now waiting for the package 4 I think, which will have the Interview date.
I think you should also take wedding photos as well. In my case, since I din't have OCI, I had to get the Residency stamp from FRRO. so I think your list seems to be fine....
The lady who interview us in New delhi told us that it'll be about 3-4 months for my wife to get the visa from the day of filing I-130. My agent suggested about 4-5 months. So I'm not sure how long she'll have to wait. But I hope she'll get it soon...
any way best of luck Sahana, hope it'll work out for you.
Did you get a case number by any chance?Wanted to confirm with you:
when filing for I-130 what documents did you take along?
My list:
I-130
G-325 (Mine & Spouse) (4 copies each)
Marriage Certificate
My Passport + OCI Passport (proof of residenct in India)
My job letter (in India)
Wedding Invitation Card
Spouse Birth Certificate
Please confirm
Immigration guys of mine is stating that it will take around 60days from the day I file for I-130... what is your guys saying..
ps: I am from Gujarat as well.. Ahmedabad to be exact!
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No I didn't provide any other evidence of residency. The only thing was the residency stamp by FRRO, that states that I have a permission to stay in India for more than six months. I'd say make sure to take the wedding photos, one invitation card as a proof if it was a traditional wedding and make sure you have your paper work in order and I think you should be fine. Also I would recommend that you stay in India for at least two months before you try. So Good luck, hope everything will work out for you.....
And please wish us luck that my wife get thru rest of the Visa process early and smoothly....:-)
Thanks for your reply, Vish.Did you provide any other evidence to prove your long term residence. The US Embassy website asks for additional evidence as below. Since I will be staying with my parents and do not plan to take up a job, I was wondering if you have any suggestions for other forms of evidence.
>>>
Evidence of Residence
Proof of such residency will include a U.S. passport with an appropriate long-term, valid Indian visa and a Registration Report and Residential Permit issued by the Foreigner’s Regional Registration Office (FRRO) of the Government of India. Additional evidence should include, but is not limited to, on-going employment in India, taxes paid in India, rent/property receipts, and utility receipts in India.
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Thanks!
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I think for that I had to get him few passport size photos, and my passport. I think he wrote a letter stating that I live in some place in India and requesting to change the status of my visa so that I can stay more than six months. Now I'm not sure about the exact proceedure....but If you hire any agent in India and tell him that you need to get the residency stamp from FRRO, he/she should know how to do that. I think it's a very common proceedure.
Thank you very much for sharing this information.If possible, can you please elaborate how did you or your agent go about doing the following you say?
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Now to prove my residency I had to change my 10 year Visitor's visa to 5 yesar "Entry" Visa on which then I can get the Residency stamp which will allow me to stay for more than six months in India. This process was done by my agent thru FRRO (I think).
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Many thanks!
Hi All,I went to India in mid Nov and came back in 1st week of February in that time, I've got married to a beautiful girl and was able to file I-130 in New Delhi. By the way is this process called DCF?? Anyway so when I was in India I had so much confusion regarding the rules and regulations for filing from New Delhi that I thought I should post this so that it might be helpful to others. Here goes my story:
I went to India on 10 years visitor's visa. I got married in the third week of december, and soon after I started to explore my options regarding how to file for my wife. I hired an agent who helped us prepare the I-130. I asked him about New Delhi and he said that it's been about an year may be more since last he had sent a couple to New Delhi to file it. And since than the rules has changed and it requires at least about 6 months of stay for the US citizen to prove the residency of India. Being and IT Professional I decided to do some research online. And I thought the first place to look for the information was the website for US Embassy in New Delhi. I read thru the requirements and nowhere, I meant nowhere it mentions that US Citizen has to stay for atleast 6 months or even a 3 months to prove the residency, and that bring up my hope. I showed that to my agent and he suggested that if I was willing to spend money and travel to New Delhi than it's worth shot. BTW I am originally from Surat, Gujarat.
Now to prove my residency I had to change my 10 year Visitor's visa to 5 yesar "Entry" Visa on which then I can get the Residency stamp which will allow me to stay for more than six months in India. This process was done by my agent thru FRRO (I think). He said, with this we'll be able to prove our residency. We finished our I-130 paper work and in 3rd week of Jan 08, My wife and I went to US Embassy in New Delhi.
We took the train at 9pm in Surat and reached Delhi next morning. We went to the hotel stayed for the day and tried so hard to relax, because thought of rejection was still in the back of our mind. At that time I was in India for only about two months and few days. The only hope was that the US Embassy's New Delhi web site doesn't mention the 90 days or 180 days requirement anywhere. I also took the print copy of the Residency requirements also as an back up just if they mention about 90 days requirement.
Next day morning, we reached the Embassy at around 10 am. We went to the guard and I told him why were there and showed my US passport. He told us to enter their office (I forgot the name of the office). Anyway we went thru the security and then were taken along a walkway towards as seemed to be the back of the building. We entered one door. There was a security guard as well, he took us to another door inside where we were told to sit. There was only one other couple as well who was there to apply for I-130 I think, though I didn't ask. We waited for about 30 minutes. In a meanwhile I show couple of papers stating the residency requirement on the wall in that waiting area. One of them was exactly same as the one that I printed from online. Another one was also similar but it mentioned that "The Indian residency is usually not proven unless the person has stayed in India for at least 90 days". Even though there was a word "usually" in that sentence, I got really worried about my chances. But since my wife was there as well I acted cool, you know how Men's ego work.
After about 30 minutes, a lady came and asked other coupe to go with her in the room inside. In about 15 minutes they came out and left. They seemed happy so I think they were successful in their purpose. Then were asked to go inside the other room. It was the same lady. She was very polite. Once in her office, she asked for all the required documents. She asked couple of basic questions like when was our wedding, how many people attended it. etc. Then she asked me since how long I was in India, and for a moment I was silent. My worst fear seemed to be becoming true. Then something happened, I told her about more than 2 months. She looked at me, and asked me more than 2 months or less than 3 months. I thought uh oh...this is not good. so I said very politely, and I quote, "hmm...I think more than 2 months but less than 3 months". Then she asked me the date on which I entered India and counted the exact days, the number came out to be about 65/66 days. Then without any expression she asked me where we came from, and I told her that we came from Surat, Gujarat. She asked me how? and I said we took overnight train from Surat and took us about 12-13 hours to get to Delhi. And then she asked us to keep the wedding photos ready, and stepped outside as someone was calling for her. She came back, marked all the details regarding our location, name, etc... with red pen on I-130, probably just making sure that everything was filled correctly.
Then she told us that we need to pay the fee outside at the cashier's window, once she'll get the proof of the payment, the application will be approved and move to Mumbai consulate. I remain calmed even though I knew that our trip to Delhi was a success, from inside I felt like dancing. She then gave us package 3.5, and told us that the earlier we send this forms to VFS office the earlier she's get the interview date. and then We were escorted back to the cashier where we paid the fees and then we got out of the Embassy. We were just excited and thrilled with enjoyment with our success. But I still had confusion regarding package 3.5 cause according to our agent, were not supposed to get anything but the receipt of our payment from the Embassy.
Once back to Surat, I asked my agent regarding 3.5 and he had no idea. But luckily two days later I had to go to Ahmedabad to attend my friend's wedding, so I've decided to goto VFS office in Ahmedabad and ask them about it. Staff at VFS office were very polite as well, and the lady working their told us that package 3.5 was the old process and I should be getting the package from Mumbai Consulate instead. And I think that lady was right because my wife received the package from Mumbai Consulate which contained everything that was in package 3.5 and additional letter which had our case number on it. My agent called this form DSL forms for some reason, I don't know. Does this mean that I successfully filed I-130 from New Delhi??
Anyway, My wife filled out a form from this package and sent it to Mumbai Consulate. Does anyone know what are the next steps? Will she now get the interview date or is there any other process that she'll have to get thru?
I think New Delhi was just the first step towards her getting the VISA to US. I hope that the rest of the process go smoothly as well.
I posted this thread because I think, there's so much confusion regarding filing I-130 from New Delhi, and I thought this post might be helpful.
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Thank you for your inputs..
Here is my background:
-Got my citizenship through Naturalization process in 2006
-Applied for OCI card in America in 2007
-Came to India in June 2007
-Started a job in India with one of finest corporates
-Married in December 2007
-Currently planning to apply for my spouse.
My question:
-Is their a walk-in interview?
-How long does the process takes from going to New Delhi Embassy and submitting the application till getting approved visa stamp on passport?
-What is after procedure after visa??
-will take the application in the just one visit - - I work fulltime can only afford a day off to go to delhi....
-we are planning to go to London in March, and are putting his visa application in a week... What do you suggest, apply for US or UK first?
Thanx for your feedback
No Prob I will answer what I can
Yes, there is a walk in interveiw. Bring all proofes of residency A filled out i-130 & G325 for you and you spouse Marrige certifacate Supporting papers of Marrige i.e affidavites joint bank accounts etc. Be sure to bring lots of good wedding pics orignals I remember someone being reject because they did not do that.
How long does the process take From then to Visa approved/interveiw I don;t know I am waiting on that myself I submitted Dec 20 and don;t have a case # yet
If you are planning to go to london in March I would apply for that with the U.K embassy if it is Possible, wich if you are a U.K citizan also? as you may not get your U.S visa by then if your are yet to apply.
P.s whats a OCI Card
I am surprised you have not received the case number yet, if their is a walk in interview shouldnt they be giving you the number right ahead...
Anyways, OCI Card is basically like a dual citizenship for India.. I do not have to register with police if I stay here for more than 3months, I can work, own property in India...
here is some more information from their website:
http://www.mha.nic.in/oci/intro.pdf
Do you have idea along how long this whole mess will take?
Hi all, I think I was successfully able to file I-130 at New Delhi after staying for about 2 months in India. please see the link below regarding what I've done. I hope everything goes smoothly for my wife back in India........
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=111181
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Actually a couple weeks into her stay here we will be getting married. We tried the K1 fiance visa route, didn't work out. So we're getting married and want to apply for DCF.
Ok I was just recently able to file I-130 from New Delhi. I filed after about couple of months of stay in India. I've posted my story in this forum. Look for the topic called: "I filed I-130 in New Delhi for my wife
"
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Hi All,
I went to India in mid Nov and came back in 1st week of February in that time, I've got married to a beautiful girl and was able to file I-130 in New Delhi. By the way is this process called DCF?? Anyway so when I was in India I had so much confusion regarding the rules and regulations for filing from New Delhi that I thought I should post this so that it might be helpful to others. Here goes my story:
I went to India on 10 years visitor's visa. I got married in the third week of december, and soon after I started to explore my options regarding how to file for my wife. I hired an agent who helped us prepare the I-130. I asked him about New Delhi and he said that it's been about an year may be more since last he had sent a couple to New Delhi to file it. And since than the rules has changed and it requires at least about 6 months of stay for the US citizen to prove the residency of India. Being and IT Professional I decided to do some research online. And I thought the first place to look for the information was the website for US Embassy in New Delhi. I read thru the requirements and nowhere, I meant nowhere it mentions that US Citizen has to stay for atleast 6 months or even a 3 months to prove the residency, and that bring up my hope. I showed that to my agent and he suggested that if I was willing to spend money and travel to New Delhi than it's worth shot. BTW I am originally from Surat, Gujarat.
Now to prove my residency I had to change my 10 year Visitor's visa to 5 yesar "Entry" Visa on which then I can get the Residency stamp which will allow me to stay for more than six months in India. This process was done by my agent thru FRRO (I think). He said, with this we'll be able to prove our residency. We finished our I-130 paper work and in 3rd week of Jan 08, My wife and I went to US Embassy in New Delhi.
We took the train at 9pm in Surat and reached Delhi next morning. We went to the hotel stayed for the day and tried so hard to relax, because thought of rejection was still in the back of our mind. At that time I was in India for only about two months and few days. The only hope was that the US Embassy's New Delhi web site doesn't mention the 90 days or 180 days requirement anywhere. I also took the print copy of the Residency requirements also as an back up just if they mention about 90 days requirement.
Next day morning, we reached the Embassy at around 10 am. We went to the guard and I told him why were there and showed my US passport. He told us to enter their office (I forgot the name of the office). Anyway we went thru the security and then were taken along a walkway towards as seemed to be the back of the building. We entered one door. There was a security guard as well, he took us to another door inside where we were told to sit. There was only one other couple as well who was there to apply for I-130 I think, though I didn't ask. We waited for about 30 minutes. In a meanwhile I show couple of papers stating the residency requirement on the wall in that waiting area. One of them was exactly same as the one that I printed from online. Another one was also similar but it mentioned that "The Indian residency is usually not proven unless the person has stayed in India for at least 90 days". Even though there was a word "usually" in that sentence, I got really worried about my chances. But since my wife was there as well I acted cool, you know how Men's ego work.
After about 30 minutes, a lady came and asked other coupe to go with her in the room inside. In about 15 minutes they came out and left. They seemed happy so I think they were successful in their purpose. Then were asked to go inside the other room. It was the same lady. She was very polite. Once in her office, she asked for all the required documents. She asked couple of basic questions like when was our wedding, how many people attended it. etc. Then she asked me since how long I was in India, and for a moment I was silent. My worst fear seemed to be becoming true. Then something happened, I told her about more than 2 months. She looked at me, and asked me more than 2 months or less than 3 months. I thought uh oh...this is not good. so I said very politely, and I quote, "hmm...I think more than 2 months but less than 3 months". Then she asked me the date on which I entered India and counted the exact days, the number came out to be about 65/66 days. Then without any expression she asked me where we came from, and I told her that we came from Surat, Gujarat. She asked me how? and I said we took overnight train from Surat and took us about 12-13 hours to get to Delhi. And then she asked us to keep the wedding photos ready, and stepped outside as someone was calling for her. She came back, marked all the details regarding our location, name, etc... with red pen on I-130, probably just making sure that everything was filled correctly.
Then she told us that we need to pay the fee outside at the cashier's window, once she'll get the proof of the payment, the application will be approved and move to Mumbai consulate. I remain calmed even though I knew that our trip to Delhi was a success, from inside I felt like dancing. She then gave us package 3.5, and told us that the earlier we send this forms to VFS office the earlier she's get the interview date. and then We were escorted back to the cashier where we paid the fees and then we got out of the Embassy. We were just excited and thrilled with enjoyment with our success. But I still had confusion regarding package 3.5 cause according to our agent, were not supposed to get anything but the receipt of our payment from the Embassy.
Once back to Surat, I asked my agent regarding 3.5 and he had no idea. But luckily two days later I had to go to Ahmedabad to attend my friend's wedding, so I've decided to goto VFS office in Ahmedabad and ask them about it. Staff at VFS office were very polite as well, and the lady working their told us that package 3.5 was the old process and I should be getting the package from Mumbai Consulate instead. And I think that lady was right because my wife received the package from Mumbai Consulate which contained everything that was in package 3.5 and additional letter which had our case number on it. My agent called this form DSL forms for some reason, I don't know. Does this mean that I successfully filed I-130 from New Delhi??
Anyway, My wife filled out a form from this package and sent it to Mumbai Consulate. Does anyone know what are the next steps? Will she now get the interview date or is there any other process that she'll have to get thru?
I think New Delhi was just the first step towards her getting the VISA to US. I hope that the rest of the process go smoothly as well.
I posted this thread because I think, there's so much confusion regarding filing I-130 from New Delhi, and I thought this post might be helpful.
My Wife Passed the interview
in Direct Consular Filing (DCF) General Discussion
Posted
I think it's worth trying after 60 days...make sure he goes on entry visa and not on visitor's visa..... so he can get the residency stamp from polics commisioner's office. and 60 days are counted from the day he enters India....
if you have any questions please message me.....
good luck...