DCF in New Delhi. #FAIL

[kb9 6]

Hi Everyone. Long time lurker here, who finally took the plunge (as a VJ'er and a USCIS applicant). My USC wife and I (Indian citizen) got married 4 months ago and have been residing in Bangalore, India ever since. My wife is in India on a PIO card. She also got her FRRO registration done a few weeks ago. Armed with all the knowledge from VJ and all forms in hand--we made a trip to Delhi last week, quite confident of filing our I-130 at the US Embassy.

We got there at 9 AM, and were ushered into the waiting area within 10 mins. After another 10 min wait we were escorted to the USCIS office. And we were called up to the window by 9.30 AM. The Indian-origin lady officer asked for my wife's I-130 form and G-325A form. She confirmed that we got married in December 2011, and that my wife and I have been residing in Bangalore since then. She inquired about my wife's current location of employment (where she started working in mid-March). She then asked to see the employment letter, which we provided her. She asked my wife if there was an employment contract that was signed. Since my wife didn't have a contract (the company is a start up)--the officer went away for 3 minutes and came back and said we don't qualify for filing I-130 in Delhi.

We tried in vain to convince her that we have genuine proof of my wife's residency with the lease agreement, the FRRO document, and Indian bank documents. But she wasn't satisfied by any of these-- saying that "anyone can get these letters". From my extensive research and reading (and re-reading) VJ posts about filing I-130 in Delhi, I knew ongoing employment wasn't explicitly listed as a key criteria and neither was duration of stay (though most people recommend 90 days). The FRRO document was listed as the primary proof of residency. But such are the ways of the mysterious USCIS! The officer was firm, but polite. She encouraged us to apply to the Chicago lockbox-- and told us we wouldn't have any problems since our documents look in order.

I gather we were turned down because my wife had only lived in India for 3 months post-marriage. And the fact that there was no binding contract with her employer probably made the officer assume she would apply and fly away the next day!

We were a tad disappointed, but managed to enjoy a good holiday in Delhi. And prepared ourselves to join the rest of the world in line by applying to the Chicago lockbox. Here begins our journey!

[Inky 1,110]

The interviewer is kind of strange, saying someone could easily fake the PIO card and FRRO documents ... someone could also really easily fake a work contract. lol

Some DCF locations require 6 months of residency with proof to qualify. I'm thinking that is more the reason than the " possible fake documents and no work contract "

[kb9 6]

The interviewer is kind of strange, saying someone could easily fake the PIO card and FRRO documents ... someone could also really easily fake a work contract. lol

Some DCF locations require 6 months of residency with proof to qualify. I'm thinking that is more the reason than the " possible fake documents and no work contract "

I agree. The work contract is probably the easiest document to fake. I'm guessing it was the short duration of residency that put them off. But the embassy clearly stated on their email to me that "The length of stay is not the criteria to prove the residency requirements."