Just received the official USCIS email...

[Twisted K 2]

Greeting Kaushalia,

Have a great trip. Get ready for the marriage. Enjoye everyminute of him.

Best regards,

Mrs. J

The 30 day rule stinks! Can you see if you can give the notice on this trip and have everything ready for the next? I think [could be wrong] that you need to give at least 30 days, not 30 exactly. This way you'll be all set when you return.

Yeah, if there is absolutely no way around it, I already have a copy of my birth certificate, will pick up my passport size photos, will make a copy of my passport and visa before I leave so he can hold on to it until we are ready. Or if, by chance they let us submit a few months in advance, that would be good. But the best would be if we could get married this time, and save me one more trip, not that i mind seeing him, but i have at least 2 other trips planned after marriage, so it would save money. i wonder how many trips i have to make to get to my free frequent flier miles, lol. He is going to the court tomorrow to pick up the paperwork so i can sign whatever i need to. and as long as we both don't have to be there to turn it in, all is well, and none the wiser.

Words cannot express the excitement. He just sent me a picture of the engagement ring he picked up for me yesterday. He did good

[catknit 144]

And you aren't sharing the pic???????

[Twisted K 2]

And you aren't sharing the pic???????

Sorry, my bad, let me see if i can figure this out...

[Twisted K 2]

And you aren't sharing the pic???????

Sorry, my bad, let me see if i can figure this out...

I told him I wanted something unique...

[emt103c 10]

Awwwww congratulations! And I'll bet its higher quality gold there too! Hubby is always telling me about the 24K gold in Pakistan. . .

[ABENITEZ 0]

Can I just ask, your case got to the NVC phase and then it got refused? Why would this happen and does it happen often? I thought USCIS phase was to make sure everything is in order?

[Twisted K 2]

Awwwww congratulations! And I'll bet its higher quality gold there too! Hubby is always telling me about the 24K gold in Pakistan. . .

Thank you EMT

[catknit 144]

It's gorgeous! Very nice job - and only 6 days until you can wear it!

[Twisted K 2]

Can I just ask, your case got to the NVC phase and then it got refused? Why would this happen and does it happen often? I thought USCIS phase was to make sure everything is in order?

It was originally approved in August 4, 2008 (expiring December 4) by USCIS. They sent it to NVC. NVC sent it to the New Delhi Embassy. My fiance had his interview on November 12 where he was given the 221g asking for engagement ceremony information. We never had one, so he sent a letter (per the consulate) and I sent in an affidavit confirming this within 2 days of the 221g (they gave us a year to respond, so they say). They sat on it, and did not look at our file until December 17, and since they did not believe our additional proof, they sent it back to the USA for review stating our case was expired and no longer valid. It went through NVC because they are the one's who are supposed to send it back to the original office, which in my case, was California. From everyone I have talked with, California does not review expired cases, and simply let them expire. However, we cannot do anything until they make their final decision, or else we could run the chance of another denial by USCIS alone. USCIS are the only ones who have the final say. The best scenario would be for them to review and give us a second chance to disprove what the embassy found, but since this is just fiance and not spousal, they rarely give that opportunity. I hope this answered your question. It has been happening a lot lately from New Delhi, I know of at least 3 or 4 cases right here on VJ within the last month. USCIS did not have any problems, I never even received an RFE.

[Twisted K 2]

It's gorgeous! Very nice job - and only 6 days until you can wear it!

Thanks Milo. I think it finally hit me that I will really be married by the end of the year, possibly within the next 6 months.

I am still envious of your idea. Maybe we can all meet up sometime.

[ABENITEZ 0]

Can I just ask, your case got to the NVC phase and then it got refused? Why would this happen and does it happen often? I thought USCIS phase was to make sure everything is in order?

It was originally approved in August 4, 2008 (expiring December 4) by USCIS. They sent it to NVC. NVC sent it to the New Delhi Embassy. My fiance had his interview on November 12 where he was given the 221g asking for engagement ceremony information. We never had one, so he sent a letter (per the consulate) and I sent in an affidavit confirming this within 2 days of the 221g (they gave us a year to respond, so they say). They sat on it, and did not look at our file until December 17, and since they did not believe our additional proof, they sent it back to the USA for review stating our case was expired and no longer valid. It went through NVC because they are the one's who are supposed to send it back to the original office, which in my case, was California. From everyone I have talked with, California does not review expired cases, and simply let them expire. However, we cannot do anything until they make their final decision, or else we could run the chance of another denial by USCIS alone. USCIS are the only ones who have the final say. The best scenario would be for them to review and give us a second chance to disprove what the embassy found, but since this is just fiance and not spousal, they rarely give that opportunity. I hope this answered your question. It has been happening a lot lately from New Delhi, I know of at least 3 or 4 cases right here on VJ within the last month. USCIS did not have any problems, I never even received an RFE.

Wow, that is just heart breaking, how sad for u. Plus now u cant even marry him when u go visit. I cannot believe our immigration system is so screwed up! Well, its a beautiful ring and u must be on cloud 9 going to visit ur man after such a long time.... Good luck

[Twisted K 2]

Can I just ask, your case got to the NVC phase and then it got refused? Why would this happen and does it happen often? I thought USCIS phase was to make sure everything is in order?

It was originally approved in August 4, 2008 (expiring December 4) by USCIS. They sent it to NVC. NVC sent it to the New Delhi Embassy. My fiance had his interview on November 12 where he was given the 221g asking for engagement ceremony information. We never had one, so he sent a letter (per the consulate) and I sent in an affidavit confirming this within 2 days of the 221g (they gave us a year to respond, so they say). They sat on it, and did not look at our file until December 17, and since they did not believe our additional proof, they sent it back to the USA for review stating our case was expired and no longer valid. It went through NVC because they are the one's who are supposed to send it back to the original office, which in my case, was California. From everyone I have talked with, California does not review expired cases, and simply let them expire. However, we cannot do anything until they make their final decision, or else we could run the chance of another denial by USCIS alone. USCIS are the only ones who have the final say. The best scenario would be for them to review and give us a second chance to disprove what the embassy found, but since this is just fiance and not spousal, they rarely give that opportunity. I hope this answered your question. It has been happening a lot lately from New Delhi, I know of at least 3 or 4 cases right here on VJ within the last month. USCIS did not have any problems, I never even received an RFE.

Wow, that is just heart breaking, how sad for u. Plus now u cant even marry him when u go visit. I cannot believe our immigration system is so screwed up! Well, its a beautiful ring and u must be on cloud 9 going to visit ur man after such a long time.... Good luck

Thank you so much. I was in tears for a long time after I found out. I couldn't eat nor sleep. But now we are trying to dust ourselves off and go on. I do get depressed about it every now and then, especially since I thought we would be married on March 7. Now that they have thrown the little glitch in our plans. They cannot stop us nor our determination. He is just as stubborn (I think more so) as I am, so we will not give up. Please keep us in your prayers.

[Twisted K 2]

Received this in my email box today. Does it follow the same time schedule as the other petitions in order of review?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

*** DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL ***

The last processing action taken on your case

Receipt Number: WAC**********

Application Type: I129F , PETITION FOR FIANCE(E)

Current Status: This case has been received from the State Department with a request we review it.

On February 4, 2009, a USCIS office received this case from the State Department with a request that we review it. We will notify you when we complete our review, or if we need something from you.

If you move while this case is pending, please use our Change of Address online tool to update your case with your new address. You can also receive automatic e-mail updates as we process your case. To receive e-mail updates, follow the link below to register. If you have questions or concerns about your application or the case status results listed above, or if you have not received a decision from USCIS within the current processing time listed*, please contact USCIS Customer Service at (800) 375-5283.

*Current processing times can be found on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov under Case Status and Processing Dates.

*** Please do not respond to this e-mail message.

Sincerely,

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank God I am seeing my baby next week!!

I-797C hard copy received today.

[SK007 0]

Its so sad. =( I'm just curious what did you submit at VFS? Did you get a chance to submit all the secondary and primary evidence at VFS? You know sometimes they make their decision even before the actual interview based on those things.

I guess Delhi embassy gives lot of preference to engagement ceremony. Okay so this time when you see your honey then have an engagement ceremony. Take lot of pics with his family members and other guests. And make a list of people who attended the ceremony. If you take lot of pics with his family then it will help you too. =)

And don't forget the engagement receipts.

Btw do you remember the questions they asked your fiance?

Just an advice.

I also have my interview scheduled for 23rd March which is only 3 weeks away. Lets see what happens. I have heard about lot of rejections from Delhi embassy. =(

All the best. =)

Can I just ask, your case got to the NVC phase and then it got refused? Why would this happen and does it happen often? I thought USCIS phase was to make sure everything is in order?

It was originally approved in August 4, 2008 (expiring December 4) by USCIS. They sent it to NVC. NVC sent it to the New Delhi Embassy. My fiance had his interview on November 12 where he was given the 221g asking for engagement ceremony information. We never had one, so he sent a letter (per the consulate) and I sent in an affidavit confirming this within 2 days of the 221g (they gave us a year to respond, so they say). They sat on it, and did not look at our file until December 17, and since they did not believe our additional proof, they sent it back to the USA for review stating our case was expired and no longer valid. It went through NVC because they are the one's who are supposed to send it back to the original office, which in my case, was California. From everyone I have talked with, California does not review expired cases, and simply let them expire. However, we cannot do anything until they make their final decision, or else we could run the chance of another denial by USCIS alone. USCIS are the only ones who have the final say. The best scenario would be for them to review and give us a second chance to disprove what the embassy found, but since this is just fiance and not spousal, they rarely give that opportunity. I hope this answered your question. It has been happening a lot lately from New Delhi, I know of at least 3 or 4 cases right here on VJ within the last month. USCIS did not have any problems, I never even received an RFE.

Edited March 4, 2009 by Sam And Karri

[Twisted K 2]

We still didn't do the engagement ceremony, since we are now planning for marriage. However, we have kept every last one of our receipts, including engagement rings. At the VFS we submitted over a year's worth of phone records of us talking to each other multiple times every day, emails, chats, cards, and letters. I do now, however, have over 200 pictures from this trip, including pictures with his parents, which I did not have last time (long story, they live about 22 hours by train away). We agree that they already had a decision made before the interview. The consular even told him he passed the interview, and to submit the additional documents and he could have his visa. Hindsight, I would have been there for the interview, and not taken no for an answer. If I can remember, they asked how we met, if our families agreed to us, where he works, where I work, when will we get married, where will we marry. Sorry, it has been several months now, when I talk to him today, I will ask. We had a couple of other things working against us, as in, the only time we met was when I was there for business in 2007, and I didn't go at all in 2008. If I had known about VJ before his interview, and subsequent 221g, I would have #1 Been there for the interview, #2 Mentioned the no engagement ceremony in my cover letter to the USCIS, #3 Not hired an attorney, or at least looked for one who dealt with all aspects of immigration, mine is an immigration lawyer, but has only had rejections for spousal and children. Had no idea what to do in our case for K1 rejection.

Good luck, and have faith everything will be fine. I am seeing a TON of approvals coming out of India now, so that give us all hope

I emailed the infamous Mr. Ellis who told me yesterday to either re-file a K1, or go for the spousal with a very strong case. I would be more willing to re-do the K1 if we would have went for the engagement ceremony. They also asked for voter's id, so I hope you have yours, including the voters list. Which still baffles me as to why they wanted, but they did. We have gotten past the blaming of the COs they were just trying to do their job, no matter how much we disagree with them.

Sorry for the long reply. If you have more questions, or I can be of assistance, please let me know.

Its so sad. =( I'm just curious what did you submit at VFS? Did you get a chance to submit all the secondary and primary evidence at VFS? You know sometimes they make their decision even before the actual interview based on those things.

I guess Delhi embassy gives lot of preference to engagement ceremony. Okay so this time when you see your honey then have an engagement ceremony. Take lot of pics with his family members and other guests. And make a list of people who attended the ceremony. If you take lot of pics with his family then it will help you too. =)

And don't forget the engagement receipts.

Btw do you remember the questions they asked your fiance?

Just an advice.

I also have my interview scheduled for 23rd March which is only 3 weeks away. Lets see what happens. I have heard about lot of rejections from Delhi embassy. =(

All the best. =)

Can I just ask, your case got to the NVC phase and then it got refused? Why would this happen and does it happen often? I thought USCIS phase was to make sure everything is in order?

It was originally approved in August 4, 2008 (expiring December 4) by USCIS. They sent it to NVC. NVC sent it to the New Delhi Embassy. My fiance had his interview on November 12 where he was given the 221g asking for engagement ceremony information. We never had one, so he sent a letter (per the consulate) and I sent in an affidavit confirming this within 2 days of the 221g (they gave us a year to respond, so they say). They sat on it, and did not look at our file until December 17, and since they did not believe our additional proof, they sent it back to the USA for review stating our case was expired and no longer valid. It went through NVC because they are the one's who are supposed to send it back to the original office, which in my case, was California. From everyone I have talked with, California does not review expired cases, and simply let them expire. However, we cannot do anything until they make their final decision, or else we could run the chance of another denial by USCIS alone. USCIS are the only ones who have the final say. The best scenario would be for them to review and give us a second chance to disprove what the embassy found, but since this is just fiance and not spousal, they rarely give that opportunity. I hope this answered your question. It has been happening a lot lately from New Delhi, I know of at least 3 or 4 cases right here on VJ within the last month. USCIS did not have any problems, I never even received an RFE.