My Cr1 Visa Journey

[hyperme86 0]

I was a constant follower of VJ and I think this is a wonderful website.So here i share my visa journey and some of the hurdles I went through during this time.Our entire process took us around 40 weeks.

My husband filed my I 130 soon after our marriage in the US.It took 4 months and 20 days for the I 130 approval.It was a really nail biting period because you see all these posts about I130"s getting approved after 9 months etc.But Iv noticed that they usually take about 5 months on an average and if its more than that there should be something wrong somewhere,some document missing etc.

After our 130 approval we received the choice of agent form and I assigned my husband as my agent.Which means that all future documents and other requirements would be done by my husband on my behalf which is a wise thing to do because it would take ages if I had to send a document from india to the US.This way it would be faster and it was.For the ds 3032 there is a facility to either fax the document or scan and send it.I filled in the document and scanned it to my husband who sent the scanned copy by email to the NVC.So that helped it to be faster.If you have any questions regaring anythin at all,CALL THE NVC!!!!!..They are the best to solve your issues.Do not mail and wait for a reply but call.They are really sweet and give you the right way to go further.Next thing when you get any queries about paying fees or sending documents SEND IT RIGHT AWAY!!!!I had a similar situation where we were waiting for our final documents to be processed and to get a final interview date when I got a mail saying they neede my original documents And I panicked for the fact that I was in India and I had all the original documents and it would take me sometime to send it to the NVC in the USA.Best thing to do send it! lol..NO WAY OUT..Choose fedex.They reach in 2 business days.AWESOME!!!.Mine reached in 2 days and they sent me an interview date as soon as they reviewed my original documents.

I had an interview date 1 month away so that gave me ample time to prepare.

Interview preparation.

First thing was my medical tests in chennai.Arrived in chennai the previous day.I had to go at around 11.30 for the tests.At the reception they give you a small form which you need to fill up and then they send you upstairs to the first floor.

Tests they did-Blood tests for vdrl and hiv I guess.

Checked my height and weight.

Had a complete physical done by a physician.She asked me questions like when where how what and bla bla.Asked me if I had taken vaccinations and I had taken only hepatitis b course and didnt have a vaccination record for the rest DO NOT WORRY.Just take the vaccinations they ask for .I had to take MMR,FLU SHOT and tdap.

And finally a chest xray to check if I had Tuberculosis.(NOTE):They dont do a mantoux test unless you are less than 7 years of age.

I was done by 3pm the same day and was asked to collect the reports the next day at 4pm.The next day i collected my reports in a sealed envelope and my x ray a huge one in a sealed cover.(DO NOT OPEN ANYTHIN).Just take it the way it is.Its really annoyin because the xray wwas soo huge.So that was my medical I was tensed for no reason.

Next was the actual interview preparation.

We realy didnt do anythin major in terms of preparation.There is a saying that "once you climb a mountain it looks like a hill" so I may seem a little too cool about the situation but honestly I was soooper tensed and more than me was my poor husband who was dying without me:(..lol..Anyways so back to the interview preparation.

1.My hussband and me would skype with some of the common questions in VJ and beleive me thats all that they asked me.

2.Next I got a lot of pictures developed like our marriage,receptions,honeymoon etc in three differnt albums,small oness which fits in about 20 pictures each.

3.Had got my pssport size pictures too.

4.Had all my husbands documents like tax returns and w2 forms for the last 3 years and plus the most recent tax form very very important.

5.Originals if you have already given it up its ok, but if not just keep copies of those with you.

6.Passport clearance certificate from the passport office original valid for only one year att the day of the interview not on the day your case was approved remember.

7.Police clearance certificate which was a nightmare for me coz I got it done on the last min..PHEW!!! But mumbai counsellate didnt ask for it but pleaaaaaseee KEEEP IT WITH YOU HANDY..you never know.

8.Other documents whatever was mentioned in your interview letter.

9.ANythin on ths planet that shows the relationship between the two of you. I had taken emails and chats.I just had two greeting cards so took those.Took all the lovey dovey ones:)and I had lotsa them .Just take around 30 best emails.

10.Wedding cards,honeymoon boarding passes,honeymoon package deals etc.Just keep them all.

The next important step was if you have an interview with the mumbai counsellate you need to send in all the documents (including medical-optional you can send it or take it on the interview day.I had sent it)to them by VFS atleast 4 business days before your interview date that meanss it needs to reach 4 days before hand so send it atleast 6-8 days before.Very very important.This gives them ample time to go through your case no no issues later.

List of documents- see other vj posts.

Interview day Big day:)

My appointment was at 7.30 am and so I reached the counsellate at 6.30 am.Eat a light breakfast like biscuits or bananas gives you good energy for around 4-5 hours.Yeah so by 7am there were two separate queues lined up in front of the counsellate.One long queue for the other visas and one small one for the immigrant visas.I stood in the immigrant one.One officer checks the interview letter and the starts sending ppl in bunches of 10.Once you enter the counsellate you have to go to a counter where they give you your token no which you use till the end.they send you to the seating arrea and you will see a number of counters in front of you.Around 10 I guess.You will have two rounds of interviews.One with an indian officer and the other with an american one.

Indian Officer :

Asked me for my passport and interview letter,passport clearance certificate original one,asked me questions like who is calling me to the US,What does my husband do?,what is my date of birth,whats my mothers maiden name(i donno y she asked that),If I had relatives in the US in my case I have my brother so she smiled and asked if my brother was the one who arranged it for us.:)She was a nice officer she smiled and asked me to sit down and wit till i was called by the american officer.Oh yeah she took my fingerprints too.

American Officer:

Was really warm and nice.She smiled at me and asked me to take the oath andd then took my fingerprints and asked me again what my husband was doin? when did I visit US last and looked at my wedding pictures which my husband had sent to the NVC along with the other documents after the I 130 was approved.She looked at them and smiled and returned it back to me.Then she said "ok maam you will receive your passport and visa by courier in a few days" and thats it it was done..I had a huge smile on my face and I thanked her and the indian laaddy sitting next to her and left.

Now started the actual tension .I had my tickets booked after 10 days and my visa was still under process at the counsellate so I had to reschedule my tickets.I received it after 15 days.So dont panic if you dont get it in a few days..They take time to process it.Also kepp tracking your passport status on the vfs website..its amzing.

So I finally got my Passport and my visa in a grey envelope by courier and you should be careful in opening it coz you should only open the grey plastic cover and take out your passport and not disturb the yellow cover coz that shouldnt be opened and must be given at the port of entry.I took out my passport carefully and checked all my particulars and I noticed that my case number had an additional 01 at the end of it .Which is my biggest concern.I will have to figure out that.As far as I read on other vj posts It says its fine.I hope its fine too.Keeping fingers crossed and praying till I get a reply from the counsellate.I dont want to reschedule my tickets again:(...

So if everything good I fly next week to my wonderful husband who has been eagerly waiting for me..I just missed him too much.Our biggest support system was our families who have been a big time positive influence and above alll the BIGGESt , GOD!!!!He has been with us through our difficult times.Overall it has been a tough time on us but the process does take time.Just remember be honest when you answer.Do not lie.You dont need to coz if you are genuine nothing can go wrong ,Above all pray pray pray to God.and be nice to your husband/wife:)

So this was our experience .I hope I have covered all the points and especially with places wher I had questions all the time.If any queries go ahead and put it up..Lets see if either me or anybody else can come to help:)All the best.!

[X Factor 1,112]

Wow quite a detailed post. Thanks for sharing. And congratulations

[John and Ann 10]

Congratulations and thanks for writing a nice review!

[jkelly07 120]

congratulations, thanks for sharing,

[indiana_sweetie 120]

Congratulations and thanks for the detailed post!

[marybraun 1]

thanks for sharing!

[kpatel 3]

Did you send a police clearance certificate to NVC? I am from Ahmedabad, Gujarat (India) and the district police office and passport office ask for some letter which I would be getting from NVC (I suppose), then and then only they can take my request for issuing a police clearance certificate. Now my passport is older than 6 months so I assume I will need a police clearance certificate from both the places (passport office and district police office). I am still waiting for my I-130 approval; however, I wanted to be prepared with all the documents for the NVC stage. Here the district police office takes around 10 days and passport office will give on the same day, then I send those to my husband (USA) which would take few more days before he sends to NCV. This is the biggest confusion and concernt that I have, I feel it would delay my NVC process. Please help!!

Edited July 9, 2012 by Krutika Patel

[Deep2009 18]

Congratulations and good luck for the future together.

[hyperme86 0]

No you don't get any document from the NVC for passport or police clearance certificate.You have to go to the police comissioner's oFfice.it will take around 15 days to get it.apply for it and keep it with you.in my case I had a cerificate from the passport office much before hand but I got the certificate from the police oonly 5 days before the interview.so get your paspassport clearance certificate and send it to the NVC once your I130 is approved and once they ask for the next set of documents.you are in a good position coz your I130 is still pending approval so you have the time to get both the certificates.

No you don't get any document from the NVC for passport or police clearance certificate.You have to go to the police comissioner's oFfice.it will take around 15 days to get it.apply for it and keep it with you.in my case I had a cerificate from the passport office much before hand but I got the certificate from the police oonly 5 days before the interview.so get your paspassport clearance certificate and send it to the NVC once your I130 is approved and once they ask for the next set of documents.you are in a good position coz your I130 is still pending approval so you have the time to get both the certificates.

[Memphis 26]

Awesome! Congrats!

[rade2rising 205]

gr8 review

[TimeTravel 78]

I noticed that my case number had an additional 01 at the end of it .Which is my biggest concern.I will have to figure out that.As far as I read on other vj posts It says its fine.I hope its fine too.Keeping fingers crossed and praying till I get a reply from the counsellate.I dont want to reschedule my tickets again:(...

Congratulations! May Lord bless you both!

Dont be concerned about additional 01 at the end of your case number. I also had the same in my visa! Had no problem at all. It is normal! Be assured, everything is perfectly fine, and you guys are ready to fly!

[praying 0]

hi,

Its a vey nice write up. Can you please mention when was ur visa interview?..as in which month?

It will be great if u can even update ur timeline

[bsd058 296]

Good review! Congrats!!

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to India regional forum; OP's writeup is specific to India.