SankuNiku

My wife will be in the country 2 years next March. I want to file to remove her conditions and am preparing the I-751 and gathering evidence of relationship.

As her passport had her father's name as her middle name instead of mine (Nidhishri Babubhai Patel), this is exactly what was written on her Green Card, Social Security Card, Our bank account, Drivers license, etc.

I've been advised that this might make the USCIS question why she still carries her fathers middle name instead of mine, and that I should try to get her name on all of these documents changed. Do I need to go through all of this before filing to remove the condition?

Any insight would be appreciated

Sanket

Congrats CJ, great to see u there as well.

Hey everyone. Wanted to let u know that wifes visa was approved. Importantly, that the cr-1 was processed on our k-3 date so the "flip" was a complete success. Wife's cr1 was approved, i wish the best for waithatter, siyaram, yash_ash and any other looking to get cr1 processed.on their k3 date. Will provide more details on wofes interview experience in comimg days.

Regards,

Sanket

Friends,

I'm flying out tonight, and will arrive the eve of my wifes interview. I believe I have done as much as I can at this point, so I look forward to providing good news.

I will be off VJ for a couple of days but look to provide an update as soon as possible.

Good Luck to All and I hope it all works out

Sanket

Hi,

Responding to a couple of q's I've gotten about what I did to "flip" the interview.

Just to be clear, I have not truly "flipped" or "switched" anything. I apologize for carrying forward these words, but they're just so catchy. I think we're all just obsessed with flipping things! As far as I know, as of today, the K-3 interview is still officially on its scheduled date and the CR-1 date is on its scheduled date and it should remain so.

From my understanding, the Consulate is required to process the CR-1 visa on the K-3 interview date if they receive the CR-1 file prior to the K-3 appointment and if its requested by us on the day of the K-3 interview.

When you speak to the Consulate, you should approach them not as you trying to ask them to flip or switch the K-3 and CR-1 interview, but that you plan to appear for the K-3 interview but if the CR-1 file gets there before that, you asking them if a CR-1 can be issued or processed.

Though the end result is the same, the way the question is asked is very different. The first request makes it look like they need to go out of their way to accommodate us as they're not required to do it, which they probably not willing to do. How often are you willing to go out of your way for a stranger on your job? The second request does not require them to go out of their way at all and is in fact more of a requirement of them which is why they're more receptive to it.

It's working out for me yes, but I'm in no position to guarantee that what I said will work. I hope you understand that I can't be more specific in what I asked them. But I feel I've given enough so that all of you can find in your own words a way to convey the message.

I hope this helps and I hope we all get through this together. The key is you need to get the CR-1 file out there asap and we need to speak in their language.

My wife told me about this service VFS provides for around 250 rupees.

Instead of waiting on line at the Consulate, VFS provides its own lounge for you to wait at. Then around the interview time, they provide bus service directly to the Consulate and my wife would not have to wait on line.

Has anybody used this service? What did you think about it? Wife and I were thinking of getting her signed up. Thanks.

For anyone who wants to know what was happening with the attempt to flip the K-3 interview with CR-1, here's an update.

I received e-mail reconfirmation that the CR-1 can be processed this Thursday, our scheduled K-3 date. I will be printing out this e-mail to give it to my wife for Thursday.

I also called the Mumbai Consulate on the phone and the person also confirmed that they received the file. She added that we need to bring both interview letters (K-3 and CR-1) and make sure to inform the desk about the CR-1 file being there as soon as my wife gets in.

So from now, all we focus on is the interview. Thanks for everyone's support.

Thanks everyone! It feels great seeing the end coming near to this year long process. I can't wait to share the news next week.

Thanks for everyone's help. I was able to get through to Mumbai about half an hour ago. The operator told me to request that they issue CR-1 on our K-3 date through e-mail. She just confirmed that its possible to do this, and that the CR-1 case has arrived there (I guess she means the electronic version).

Anyway, I still have an e-mail in with the Consulate asking them what steps we need to take in the case the CR-1 file arrives and is processed on our K-3 date. So waiting for response from them.

Thanks. You should get an April interview! Good luck.

Good work, great to know. Hopefully will put a lot of vj'er at ease

Hey Everyone,

I hope that many of you scheduled by NVC for March CR-1 interviews know that your cases have been sent. You might be having a hard time finding shipments on the DHL website sent yesterday. If we use the traditional method of "EXP XX YYY 2009A" to look for shipments through Reference numbers, you may find that only 5 shipments were sent yesterday.

Here's what you need to do. Instead of EXP.... , enter "MAR 2009A" for reference number. You will see many shipments that were not seen through the previous method.

It looks like NVC sent the CR-1 case files for March as a huge shipment to each respective Consulate, and used a different reference number.

I was initially discouraged as the NVC told me the case was sent yesterday but I could not initially find the shipment and felt that they sent the shipment only today. I was finally able to find my shipment through this method and feel better.

Try it out. I hope it helps everyone track their sent cases better.

There is no definitive answer to both q's.

I just get the interview letter today, so for me it was about a week. I think most of the VJ'ers have been getting the letters today and yesterday.

As far as how long they hold the files, according the NVC operators and supervisors I've spoken to they have no real clue when files get sent, as its a different department that's in charge of handling the sending of cases. They only know if a file was sent after the fact. Our files were held about a week. I think last month the files were held for two days. So it all varies.

Hey Everyone,

I hope that many of you scheduled by NVC for March CR-1 interviews know that your cases have been sent. You might be having a hard time finding shipments on the DHL website sent yesterday. If we use the traditional method of "EXP XX YYY 2009A" to look for shipments through Reference numbers, you may find that only 5 shipments were sent yesterday.

Here's what you need to do. Instead of EXP.... , enter "MAR 2009A" for reference number. You will see many shipments that were not seen through the previous method.

It looks like NVC sent the CR-1 case files for March as a huge shipment to each respective Consulate, and used a different reference number.

I was initially discouraged as the NVC told me the case was sent yesterday but I could not initially find the shipment and felt that they sent the shipment only today. I was finally able to find my shipment through this method and feel better.

Try it out. I hope it helps everyone track their sent cases better.

Kewl, Thanks! Approximatley how long does NVC hold your file after they schedule interview date? And how long does it take to get interview letter in mail from NVC?

Hey Everyone,

I hope that many of you scheduled by NVC for March CR-1 interviews know that your cases have been sent. You might be having a hard time finding shipments on the DHL website sent yesterday. If we use the traditional method of "EXP XX YYY 2009A" to look for shipments through Reference numbers, you may find that only 5 shipments were sent yesterday.

Here's what you need to do. Instead of EXP.... , enter "MAR 2009A" for reference number. You will see many shipments that were not seen through the previous method.

It looks like NVC sent the CR-1 case files for March as a huge shipment to each respective Consulate, and used a different reference number.

I was initially discouraged as the NVC told me the case was sent yesterday but I could not initially find the shipment and felt that they sent the shipment only today. I was finally able to find my shipment through this method and feel better.

Try it out. I hope it helps everyone track their sent cases better.

Just got ours today.

Thanks for sharing Siyaram. It's interesting to see the nonuniformity of what's collected by VFS. Everyone just needs to be ready with everything is the lesson.

All,

Below is our VFS experience.

The lady at the office was nice. My wife got there around 11:30 AM and was done in approximately 30 minutes. This is what she had to submit:

- Courier fee of Rs. 394

- 2 photocopies of passport (we had all the pages copied but they only took some - I think biographic pages)

- 2 copies of interview letter

- 2 2x2 photos

- 2 copies of DS-156 (we already had photos sticked on DS-156 form)

- Birth certificate (original and copy)

- Marriage certificate (original and copy)

- PCC (local) - original and copy

- PCC (passport office) - original and copy

- I-134

- I-134 supporting documents (we had naturalization certificate, copy of passport, tax transcripts, W2 forms, employment and bank letters)

- DS-230 Part I and II

- Medical Report (she did not take x-ray)

After the above was done, the lady at VFS stamped our original interview letter. Then, she put a sticked at the back of the passport with a barcode and number on it. She also gave us 2 receipts - 1 for paying the fee and other for submission of documents.

DS-230 is not listed in Packet 4 forms to be submitted. We took Part I based on SankuNiku's post above. The lady mentioned that she needed Part II and she was able to print it in her office and fill it out for us quickly. She mentioned that if some document is not available, it can be taken during the interview.

Hope this helps.

Hi,

Was interested in knowing anyones experiences with Affidavit of Support at the interview.

I have an annual salary that exceeds the poverty line so that's the only information I've entered into the I-134 and I-864 and nothing else i.e. bank balance, investments, etc. Has anyone at the interview ever been asked to provide more financial support information even if their income is above the poverty line, or been asked for additional affidavit of support sponsors?

Any insight is appreciated.

Thanks YuandDan,

Now that I know the file has left the NVC, I am 99% confident that the Mumbai Consulate will get the CR-1 file before the K-3 date. I am going to contact the Consulate to reconfirm that they will process the CR-1 on the K-3 date. There is no need for me to reschedule, especially given that our CR-1 is scheduled for the following week itself.

The reason I asked this question is that I want to make sure that the Consulate can not cancel the K-3 appointment at this point, given that we already submitted our documents and paid the courier fees.

I am aware of a VJ'er whose K-3 was apparently cancelled without his request because he asked the Consulate to switch his CR-1 visa appointment with the earlier K-3 appointment.

Now I understand I may be overthinking this, as my situation is different than his, and he had not submitted anything to the Consulate yet. But does submitting the documents and fees "solidify" the K-3 interview date?

Any clarity would be appreciated.

Contact consulate and ask about postponing the K-3 interview.

Moving this to consulate/embassy forum.

We are looking to obtain a CR-1 visa on our scheduled K-3 date. Wife submitted documents, which is required for Mumbai Consulate. We are pretty sure that the CR-1 file will arrive in time and the Consulate confirmed that they will process CR-1 if the file arrives. Is there any possibility that the Consulate could cancel the K-3 interview at this point?

Has anybody called the Mumbai Consulate? Anyone know the best time to reach them?

I know that e-mailing them is better but I believe I need to speak to a person to discuss the matter of processing the CR-1 on our K-3 date if it arrives there in time.

I tried a few times to call them but I always get busy signal. Any insight is appreciated.

I sent the original I-134 but copies of the supporting docs. I found it interesting that VFS did not take the I-134 but whoever is giving in documents should have it ready to be submitted in case they ask.

Hey Everyone,

Wife went to VFS today to submit docs and fees for the K-3 interview. She got there around 2 PM and they immediately took her in. Looks like most of the immigrant visa applicants come in early to submit their docs.

She provided the following to the VFS officers:

394 cash for the courier fee

Copy of Appointment Letter

Copy of Passport

Birth Certificate original and copy

Gujarate Gazette copy (Her name was changed after her birth, so this is the official evidence of the name change)

Marriage Certificate original and copy

Local Police certificate original

Passport Police certificate original

4 2x2 photos

2 DS-156 forms

1 DS-230 Part 1

Medical report sealed envelope

To our surprise they did not take any of the Affidavit of Support items, including the I-134 despite wife insisting they take it. They did not take the sealed x ray either despite our insistence. They did not take anything else. We were fortunate to have taken extra photos, as we only expected them to take 2 photos. I guess the 2 photos does not include additional 2 photos needed for the DS-156 forms.

After she submitted the documents and cash, the VFS officer stamped the original appointment letter with "Mumbai" and wrote in a number, which he explained will be the number my wife will be called by on the day of the interview. They stuck a label on her passport, not exactly sure why but she was instructed not to write anything on it. She was given two receipts, one for paying the courier fee and one to confirm all the documents were submitted.

Hope this helps

Thanks alot. Can you tell me if you send orignal I-134 and supporting docs to your wife or copy?

Thanks!

Hi, any of the Mumbai CR-1 filers. Have any of you received any confirmation that your cases have left the NVC for Mumbai?

My wife was given two originals of the passport office PCC. For the local police PCC she was only given one copy. The only way the local police would give another original PCC was if my wife went through another inquiry, which she did.

Hi Rakesh and Shree,

I think you should try to get another original of the police PCC. We had the same dilemma as our CR-1 case is still in the USA. Fortunately wife was able to get originals of everything. When you say you have a certified copy of the PCC, was it certified by the police officer, or was it notarized? I am surprised they did not accept it but I understand it's totally at the discretion of the officer.

Hope it helps

Sanket

So, our family friend stopped by VFS to pay the courier fees of Rs. 394. they accepted it, stamped the copy of passport, issued a receipt and took in the copy of the NVC letter showing that all required docs have been already submitted.

very simple. We will take the medical report and relationship evidence in the interview.

Hey my K3 visa interview scheduled on 26th Feb like most of us I too chose CR1 route AOS and IV Packege reached NVC on 9th feb meanwhile I submitted K3 documents At VFS they refused to accept certified copy of PCC from local SP original which I submitted in NVC My worry is if My case does not complete in another week what should I do cancel K3 INERVIEW OR ASK FOR ANOTHER ORIGINAL COPY OF pcc AND take K3 advise is greatly appreciated

Hey Everyone,

Wife went to VFS today to submit docs and fees for the K-3 interview. She got there around 2 PM and they immediately took her in. Looks like most of the immigrant visa applicants come in early to submit their docs.

She provided the following to the VFS officers:

394 cash for the courier fee

Copy of Appointment Letter

Copy of Passport

Birth Certificate original and copy

Gujarate Gazette copy (Her name was changed after her birth, so this is the official evidence of the name change)

Marriage Certificate original and copy

Local Police certificate original

Passport Police certificate original

4 2x2 photos

2 DS-156 forms

1 DS-230 Part 1

Medical report sealed envelope

To our surprise they did not take any of the Affidavit of Support items, including the I-134 despite wife insisting they take it. They did not take the sealed x ray either despite our insistence. They did not take anything else. We were fortunate to have taken extra photos, as we only expected them to take 2 photos. I guess the 2 photos does not include additional 2 photos needed for the DS-156 forms.

After she submitted the documents and cash, the VFS officer stamped the original appointment letter with "Mumbai" and wrote in a number, which he explained will be the number my wife will be called by on the day of the interview. They stuck a label on her passport, not exactly sure why but she was instructed not to write anything on it. She was given two receipts, one for paying the courier fee and one to confirm all the documents were submitted.

Hope this helps

The NVC uses DHL to ship their packages. Once you confirm the date that the I-130 was sent, you can go on the DHL website to approximately track your case. There are forums here talking about it but I'll sum it up below.

1. Go to: http://track.dhl-usa.com/TrackByRef.asp?nav=TrackByRef

2. In Reference, enter the info as follows:

EXP DD MMM YYYYA

EXP is constant

DD is the date before the day the NVC said they shipped the case.

MMM is the three letters representing the month the NVC shipped the case

YYYY is the year the NVC shipped the case

A is constant

For example, if the NVC says they shipped the case on February 12 2009, this would be entered as "EXP 11 FEB 2009A"

3. Date range for shipment - From: Enter the date of the day NVC said they sent the case

4. Date range for shipment - To: Enter todays date

5. Keep the rest of the fields blank

7. Once you enter the info, press "Track"

8. After a while you will see a list of all of the packages that left the NVC today. You need to search for the specific consulate, in your case Lima?

9. When you find the shipment the corresponds to your consulate, you will see the tracking number that you can record.

10. You can then track the shipment from the NVC to your specific Consulate

Congrats....good to see the CR-1's picking up interview dates!! Keep em coming!