Additional documents sent what next

[MBA2012 3]

Hello Everyone,

I am glad to have found this forum. My wife had her first interview on 12/22/2011 where they asked for additional document to show proof of marriage. After they received the documents they called and scheduled another interview for 2/13/2011. After this interview they asked for us to show proof that i was in Pakistan when the marriage took place. I went ahead and sent them my passport with entry and exit stamps along with my flight itinerary. I called they DOS last week and they said that my wife's file was opened March 6, 2012. They kept all of the original documents along with her passport. Can anyone tell me how long it will take?

[sulhaq 60]

Could you please give a little more information (redacting any personal info. of course).

What "proof" of marriage did they ask you to submit? Do you mean proof of marriage or proof of bona-fide relationship? Proof of marriage is a registered marriage certificate. Proof of bona-fide relationship is something entirely different.

Did you not submit any of your marriage ceremony pictures with your application? Was it a big function or a small event? I'm just confused why they would ask you to prove you were present in Pakistan, unless you really did not submit any visual evidence that you were there.

[MBA2012 3]

Sulhaq

After the first interview they asked for us to submit proof of marriage even though my wife took our marriage certificate along with pictures. We provided them with phone records, emails, and personal letter to show our correspondence between one another for the last year. We had a small function just her immediate family and my mine, therefore we only took a handful of pictures. A month later she was called in for a second interview which lasted for 2 1/2 hours. They kept saying that they do believe that we got married but that we never had a valima. My wife told them that we are not lying and after the interview they asked for more pictures along with proof that i was there. Now when we call they say its in process and to call back in two weeks. It has been over a month since her last interview and we not sure what is going on.

[sulhaq 60]

Sulhaq

After the first interview they asked for us to submit proof of marriage even though my wife took our marriage certificate along with pictures. We provided them with phone records, emails, and personal letter to show our correspondence between one another for the last year. We had a small function just her immediate family and my mine, therefore we only took a handful of pictures. A month later she was called in for a second interview which lasted for 2 1/2 hours. They kept saying that they do believe that we got married but that we never had a valima. My wife told them that we are not lying and after the interview they asked for more pictures along with proof that i was there. Now when we call they say its in process and to call back in two weeks. It has been over a month since her last interview and we not sure what is going on.

These are two giant red flags for Pakistani marriages. When they see you didn't have a traditional marriage ceremony with mehndi/mayon/shaadi/valima and all the necessary pictures they get really suspicious. I'm no expert and this is by no means professional advice, but it appears that you are now going through immigration fraud processing. This can take anywhere from weeks to months. There is no set time period. Your best bet now is to wait it out and call the embassy when their "alotted" time for processing expires. You can look at this timeframe on the Islamabad embassy website (I forgot how long it was).

While you wait, might I suggest you gather as many proofs of bona-fide relationship as possible, as they might ask for more. Also, have an real solid explanation ready about why you didn't have the traditional pakistani wedding.

Good luck.

[MBA2012 3]

These are two giant red flags for Pakistani marriages. When they see you didn't have a traditional marriage ceremony with mehndi/mayon/shaadi/valima and all the necessary pictures they get really suspicious. I'm no expert and this is by no means professional advice, but it appears that you are now going through immigration fraud processing. This can take anywhere from weeks to months. There is no set time period. Your best bet now is to wait it out and call the embassy when their "alotted" time for processing expires. You can look at this timeframe on the Islamabad embassy website (I forgot how long it was).

While you wait, might I suggest you gather as many proofs of bona-fide relationship as possible, as they might ask for more. Also, have an real solid explanation ready about why you didn't have the traditional pakistani wedding.

Good luck.

Thanks for the reply. We have provided them with everything that we have. Accompanying the documents was also an explanation on why the marriage was conducted on a small level. During her second interview she gave them a list of all her immediate family members, we have no additional proof to provide to them. At the end of this school semester I am going to Pakistan. Is there anything I can do there in person to expedite the process?