irnmtn25

HELP!

I just received a notice from the USCIS today that my 129F case was sent back to them from the State Department, and they were asked to review it. Does anyone have any clue what this might mean? My fiance went through the Consulate interview in Mumbai back in December 2009 and was issued a 221(g). They told my fiance we were trying to be fraudlent in trying for a visa for him, when we weren't. I wrote a few letters, involved two Congressmen's offices, and no luck. I had pretty much given up on it. Then....this.

Is there still hope?

Yes! I am really happy for you two! It's about time! Now, you can pray for me! Maybe if the Embassy has solved your case, they will get to mine! Congratulations!

Thanks. I am the USC. I tried a Congressional Inquiry right after the interview, but I think it was too early. I am considering involving one of my Senators. They said that we didn't have enough evidence of a bona fide relationship, even though we had pictures, letters, tickets and other materials from where we met, etc. We even sent them 4 letters after they gave my fiance the 221(g) letter in December....still nothing...

Yes, many times....on both the DOS and Consulate questions!

My fiance had his interview with the Mumbai Consulate on December 21, 2009. As of today, almost 4 months later, we are still in AP and waiting for an answer to our case. We have submitted more evidence of a relationship as they requested, but nothing. Is there anyone else who is waiting in AP with the Consulate with the same, or similar, story? Anyone who has received a visa after from the Consulate after a situation like this...and have any suggestions for those of us who are waiting? Any suggestions on how to speed up the process...please post!

Good luck, Star!

I am right there with you! I sent the Consular Officer a letter on our case, so hopefully, Mumbai Consulate will come through for both of us soon! This wait has certainly been too long!!! Keep your head up, girl!!! We'll get through this!

You are not alone. My fiance and I are going through something similar with the Mumbai consulate. No yelling at the interview, but my fiance was asked questions be several people, and each time he answered them satisfactorily, they sent in another person to derail him. They eventually gave him a 221 (g) notice, and we are in AP since December 21, 2009. I have contacted my local Congressman, sending letters to my Senators now, and I call the DOS visa office about once a week. It is really awful because I do love my fiance, am not committing any visa fraud (as was suggested during the interview) and I want to be with him....and he loves me too. We are trying really hard not to give up, but it is hard when you try and try and don't hear any news other than AP when you call or ask questions. I would advise the original poster not to give up and keep pressuring the Consulate. They have to make a decision eventually, and if they don't, then you have the right to re-file. I am right there with you. I wish I could go to India right now and straighten this out, but I know I dont have the money to do that....and I am sure you don't either. Hang in there....

I called the State department's visa office to ask them about if I have to do anything regarding the expiration of the USCIS' I-797 NOA approval notice, which expires Feb. 8. They said that the approval notice is automatically extended until a final decision is made about the visa. (I figured that, but wanted to make sure.) But, I did ask if there was an update to the visa status--nothing. However, the lady put me on hold for a minute....before she did she was really jovial and friendly...and after the hold period....came back and was fast and curt to get off the phone...just telling me to contact the Consulate to plead my case (which I had asked her who to contact as a US citizen if I wanted to plead my side of the case). It just seems odd how all that happened, and I am wondering, like the above poster, if there is something else going on besides the bona fide relationship thing. Maybe a background check or something....came back funny? There's a flag on the record? This is the second time that I have been put on hold at the State department....kinda odd. I am sure I am reading too much into it....but I have this feeling...intuition I guess?

Yeah, we have submitted that evidence already. But, I can try emailing the immigrant and non-immigrant visa units....and there is an email address for the Consular General. I figure that it can't hurt....

I would love to contact the Embassy directly. The problem is who do you contact? The Consular General? The Immigrant Visa Unit? There is no 'direct' person to contact, only general e-mail addresses....

My fiance had two letters, photos from our meeting last July, 3 letters of intent (1 each signed by us...and 1 signed jointly), phone records....plus all of the financial information (tax returns, employment letters, pay stubs). I told him that we needed more evidence, but he wouldn't listen to me....

PS...The USCIS approved our petition in 56 days...less than 2 months...and it went straight through the NVC to the Embassy within days. It just seems odd to me that it would stop at the Embassy-level. If there was something wrong, shouldn't have been caught before now?

Hi everyone,

I am in need of some advice/suggestions....

My fiance had his K-1 interview on 12/21/09. He was not given a visa, but instead, given a 221(g) paper asking for additional evidence of a bona fide relationship. We supplied the embassy with two more letters that he found from me to him, but we have heard no response yet. I have also contacted my local Congressman, and am seriously considering my local Senators as well. I am wondering--and this is where I need the suggestions--should I also contact the Consular General at the Embassy? The reason why I say this is because my fiance told me that in the interview, the 3 people (besides the consular officer) who asked him questions asked nothing about him...and all about me. He answered everything correctly, but the interviewers ensinuated that was trying to commit visa fraud...even though I was not there to defend myself from the accusation! One thing I am learning about the Embassy is that there is no way for the American citizen to plead a case...and the channels for doing so are not well defined.

Any advice on how to proceed next are greatly appreciated. I am sure we can all benefit from any ideas or opinions on this one!

Glad to hear this news, Star. We are waiting for the Mumbai Embassy to decide on the case too...maybe your case, and mine, will be next to each other on the CO's desk! You never know. LOL

Good luck to you!

That's it. Gotta keep the hope up...and hope that everything turns out positive.

Star--How are things with your case? I called the DoS on mine yesterday, and we have gone from "Pending" to "Under Review" after we submitted some more evidence. I hope they will decide soon....and good luck to you! Keep me posted...and I'll do the same!

I just had the same thing happen to my fiance in Mumbai, India. I would love to hear some advice on what to do next! I am right there with you, David T!

Sounds to me like they are increasing the fees on visas which take the least amount of time to process. Also, it sounds like this is a method to try and curb immigration....even if it is being done legally. My fiance's interview is tomorrow...I am nervous as all get out....and now I am fearing how bad that AOS fee is going to be come the early 1/2 of 2010. Ugh! If they increase the AOS fee a lot, it will kill the pocketbook! Crazy.

Question:

Do you need a copy, or even originals, of police certificates from the country where you are immigrating from (outside of the US) as part of filing for the AOS/I-485? My fiance wants to know so that he can know what number of certificates to bring over with him should he get his visa.

Thanks!

On the I-134, question #10, where it asks if the sponsor has filed a petition, or applied for a visa, on behalf of someone before, do they mean has the sponsor done that previous to the current time or do they mean that the sponsor should also still list their current petition/fiance in this space? I am a bit confused....and want to make sure I get it right!

Thanks for your help!

put in your current fiancee's name and any other previous sponsorships (if applicable)

Thanks!

On the I-134, question #10, where it asks if the sponsor has filed a petition, or applied for a visa, on behalf of someone before, do they mean has the sponsor done that previous to the current time or do they mean that the sponsor should also still list their current petition/fiance in this space? I am a bit confused....and want to make sure I get it right!

Thanks for your help!

I have two questions, and I would be most grateful for any help/advice you can give:

It says on the packet 3 checklist that you have to get a police certificate from both the local police office, and the local passport office where the passport was issued. How many police certificates do you need to have? Is it 2 (one from each agency) or 1 (meaning that both agencies sign the same certificate)?

Thanks in advance for your help!

I was wondering:

If I make above the 125% poverty line income for sponsorship, do I still have to furnish the embassy with information about my bank account, life insurance information, mortgage information, etc. ? If I don't, how I should fill in those parts of the form requesting that information? Your help is most appreciated in advance! Thanks!

Called NVC today and they received my petition yesterday, October 14.... Here's to hoping for a fast process through the NVC! Good luck to everyone who just got approved. Yay!

Question: Once you get your petition approved by the USCIS and it is sent to the NVC, does the NVC send you something in writing to let you know they received it?

Hi! I filed my petition on August 14, and I got APPROVED today (October 9)!!! Thank you Vermont Service Center and thanks Visa Journey pals for making the wait bearable!!!

For the one person that said Igor's list shows someone who filed in August has been processed--that is quite encouraging! I filed on August 11...received by USCIS on August 14 at the Vermont Service Center. It is really encouraging to see an August app being considered....hope this means there will be more Augusts soon! Congrats to all the June's and July's!!! This process is really agonizing....but I know all good things come to those who wait...but I wish the wait would speed up! LOL