Cousular officer '' Where is your Fiance''.

[robby1981 0]

I was thinking same thing. It is always possible that the conof perused the application and found something they felt required both the petitioner and applicant to be present.

No problem about that all , but dont you think the should at least give us an early date instead of waiting 8 months just to do another interview. Agree ?

[aussiewench 9]

I was thinking same thing. It is always possible that the conof perused the application and found something they felt required both the petitioner and applicant to be present.

No problem about that all , but dont you think the should at least give us an early date instead of waiting 8 months just to do another interview. Agree ?

Oh I agree. That time frame for the next interview is ridiculous. Is there any way you can make a trip there to plead your case.

Edited October 27, 2006 by aussiewench

[sheraz 0]

I was thinking same thing. It is always possible that the conof perused the application and found something they felt required both the petitioner and applicant to be present.

No problem about that all , but dont you think the should at least give us an early date instead of waiting 8 months just to do another interview. Agree ?

Oh I agree. That time frame for the next interview is ridiculous. Is there any way you can make a trip there to plead your case.

8 mths for the next interview. Thats ridiculous. You can get married, apply for K3 and be issued K3 date in that time frame.

You should call the embassy. But I dont know how much leverage that will get you.

[TucsonBill 0]

Please keep us posted on this, I REALLY want to see how this story pans out!!!

What a crazy messed-up process this is!

I've generally been pretty conservative in my beliefs when it comes to our immigration laws, I've always believed things should be done the legal way, but stories like this!?!?!? When you try to follow the rules, do things the RIGHT way ... and stuff like this happens... it really gripes my butt! (Not to mention the problems one has just trying to get correct information about thier case!).

Bill

[robby1981 0]

Wells folks my fiancee ask me not to give up as yet ,the rage i was in it was a sure cancling that visa an move back home , not before i call the embassy an ask to speak with that , jarhead cumbucket call consular officer an tell her like it is .

Any ways fiancee ask me to chill out , so i fax a letter to two senator an ask that it be addresses in urgency , i call to follow up an one senator office was very helpful..

I will keep you all posted on how this played out , will be very intresting ..

[ucla_cutie26 0]

Best of luck as you deal with all of this, keep up posted to let us know what happens, and just think about how much you love your fiance!

[TBoneTX 45,309]

Unbelievable.......I can't believe that ! Too much power in the hand of the

CO , how can he make up his own rules like that ?

I wonder if it happened to anyone else and what can be done quickly to

change this nonsense.

Who knows any of us may be next to experience this insanity !

I'm bumping this thread, because I was so glad to find it and because I haven't found an answer on VJ.

My fiancee went to her April 29 interview loaded with "proof of validity of the relationship." The consul's interview immediately before was with some clown who would have scored a Perfect "10" on the Poppycock Scale. My fiancee heard all of it and told me that it sounded like a confessional with a priest or (more likely) a very bad telenovela.

Short story is that the consul (who, in fairness, was probably zoned out, but who should have taken a 15-minute break to collect himself) asked her VERY few questions, did not look at ANY of her (voluminous) proof-of-relationship material, and handed her a sheet saying that more "proof" was required, along with MY presence, for a "marriage interview."

FAQ #8 on the U.S. Consulate/Guayaquil's website specifically states that "only the applicant is allowed in the interview."

The consul suggested September as a realistic re-interview month. I spent $12 for 8 worthless minutes to talk with some appointment-setter who could not speak understandable English and tried to feed me the line that "the earliest appointment is in November; the consulate sets only one of this kind of appointment per day, and there are many." After I demanded to speak to her supervisor, she came back on and said "Call tomorrow -- appointments are opening up in May & June." I was NOT pleased.

The call the next day went better (albeit after 35 minutes on hold). I got June 30, the earliest that my job will allow.

The unanswered question is WHY the information on the consulate's own website can be so specifically contradicted, and HOW they can get away with this "bait & switch" to the financial and workplace detriment of the U.S. citizen? I had just traveled to Ecuador in March (my THIRD visit, in case "proof of validity of relationship" is in question). Answers, please?

[DanielParul 50]

I don't know if this will help but worth a try... Daniel and I both were present for my interview and in Delhi the petitioner is not allowed. We just had a feeling that he needed to be there with me. At the interview, the CO asked for a list of 20 invitees to the engagement party. we did not hv an engagement party so he gave me a 221g. We were on, Daniel's insisting, able to submit the docs back to them for review. After we came back home. Daniel called DOS and complained about the whole situation. We were told by the DOS that it is a good thing that he called and gave them his feedback as it helps in keeping a check on the Consulates. That call to the DOS was made on March 04th and guess what I got my visa on March 06th... Daniel also called the Consulate to collect the visa and kept getting hung up on. Then he played the US Citizen card and complained to an American (not Indian this time) and we were able to collect the visa on the same day...

The point being, if ayone can question their decision, its the Petitioner, they have to answer to them. The Consulates do not have to answer to the beneficiaries and can put any absurd conditions to deny/delay the visa....

Edited May 16, 2008 by DanielParul

[TBoneTX 45,309]

I don't know if this will help but worth a try... [...]

The point being, if ayone can question their decision, its the Petitioner, they have to answer to them. The Consulates do not have to answer to the beneficiaries and can put any absurd conditions to deny/delay the visa....

This is good to know, but EVERYONE is still trying to tell me to be subservient, because these consulates are their own little "fiefdoms" where they can do what they want... and they do control issuance of the visa, after all!

JUST this morning came this response to my Congressman's inquiry:

> Dear Mr. Lampson:

> Thank you for your e-mail of April 30, 2008, concerning the K1 visa application of [fiancee]. Your constituent, Mr. [petitioner], is interested.

>

> On April 29, 2008 Ms. [fiancee] was found ineligible to receive an immigrant visa under Section 221 (g) of the Immigration and Nationality act because she had failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove that a bona fide relationship existed between her and Mr. [petitioner]. Based on the lack of evidence, the Consular Officer suggested that Ms. [fiancee] consider permitting us to conduct a joint interview. Ms. [fiancee] received a letter with instructions on how to schedule a joint interview. The joint interview process requires both, the petitioner and the beneficiary to be present at this Consulate.

>

> As there is a wide variety of evidence that could establish the bona fides of the relationship, we can only make suggestions about what Ms. [fiancee] should or could present at the time of her joint interview. The burden of proof rests with the couple to establish Ms. [fiancee]'s entitlement to the visa.

>

> Please be assured that we will give Ms. [fiancee] every consideration consistent with immigration law. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any other questions.

>

> Sincerely,

> Chief, Consular Section

---

The CO "suggested that Ms. [fiancee] consider permitting us to conduct a joint interview"??! He TOLD her that my presence was required. What weaselly bureaucratic pap. It is also untrue that she "failed to provide" sufficient evidence -- the CO failed to look at it, because he was wearied from the Twilight-Zone interview just before.

1. What are your thoughts on this? (Everyone please chime in.)

2. Parul, what was the number or agency within the DOS that was of help?

It should also be noted that the CO gave her two pages that were only in Spanish, which helps ME (with negligible Spanish skills) a whole lot, doesn't it?

Edited May 16, 2008 by TBoneTX

[DanielParul 50]

Hey TBoneTX

DOS number is 202-663-1225.. dial 1 and 0 to speak to an agent and explain your situation... doesn't harm in getting their feedback and if they can help, why not?? All the best to both of you

[Nutty 2]

It seems rather extreme the Consular Officer would deny you on the basis of you not being present at the interview. All of us petitioners have to work here in the US. It's hard to get time off from work or lose money just to go to interview overseas. We all have to be financially stable, working, to establish good Affidavit of Support for our spouses. So in essence the consulate officer's request CREATES HARDSHIP on the petitioner.

DEFINATELY COMPLAIN TO YOUR STATE SENATORS ABOUT THIS.

Also, contact the Office of the Inspector General and explain that you are working here in USA and can not get time off to fly over there to meet in interview. However, you are more than willing to appear on telephone conference if they wish to interview you.

[TBoneTX 45,309]

Hey TBoneTX

DOS number is 202-663-1225.. dial 1 and 0 to speak to an agent and explain your situation... doesn't harm in getting their feedback and if they can help, why not?? All the best to both of you

I will try this, Parul -- thanks!

[TBoneTX 45,309]

It seems rather extreme the Consular Officer would deny you on the basis of you not being present at the interview. All of us petitioners have to work here in the US. It's hard to get time off from work or lose money just to go to interview overseas. We all have to be financially stable, working, to establish good Affidavit of Support for our spouses. So in essence the consulate officer's request CREATES HARDSHIP on the petitioner.

DEFINATELY COMPLAIN TO YOUR STATE SENATORS ABOUT THIS.

Also, contact the Office of the Inspector General and explain that you are working here in USA and can not get time off to fly over there to meet in interview. However, you are more than willing to appear on telephone conference if they wish to interview you.

This is 100% correct, but it didn't matter... and, the nonrefundable plane ticket is already bought.

I tried writing the "immigrant visa" unit at the consulate to ask why I was expected to appear, and they simply replied that the "marriage interview" is something that the consulate offers when a first interview isn't successful.

I still consider it "bait & switch," though. And, hardship is accurate -- this trip either comes from what would have been our furniture budget, or (worse) from our AOS budget. However, the consulate can claim that not springing for the extra trip would have made the rest of it moot, because they wouldn't issue the visa if I didn't show up. (New question that just came to mind: Is this not extortion, or blackmail, if this technique is performed in the world-at-large?)

[mamalou 0]

I would suggest contacting your state senator now. Go to their website, download the privacy form, fill out your case information, and fax to their office. Call to follow up and get the name/email/direct phone of the person assigned to your case. There is no reason for you two to have to wait an additional 8 months for a "joint" interview when many consulates don't even allow fiances to enter the consulate. Best of luck - don't give up.

Can you tell me how do i find this privacy form or can you help to post a link , i have never taught this would happen , i am so down right now ..

I'm so sorry about your story, heres how u can find this privacy form, look first your senator into your browser www.united states senator for ......(name of your state, where you belong) then click the link. You can send email there, once they respond to u they will give you release form or privacy form to fill out. You can call the senators office too provided in his website. Take it easy, things will be alright for u guys. Love will keep u together in due time.

[Arlington 5]

It seems rather extreme the Consular Officer would deny you on the basis of you not being present at the interview. All of us petitioners have to work here in the US. It's hard to get time off from work or lose money just to go to interview overseas. We all have to be financially stable, working, to establish good Affidavit of Support for our spouses. So in essence the consulate officer's request CREATES HARDSHIP on the petitioner.

DEFINATELY COMPLAIN TO YOUR STATE SENATORS ABOUT THIS.

Also, contact the Office of the Inspector General and explain that you are working here in USA and can not get time off to fly over there to meet in interview. However, you are more than willing to appear on telephone conference if they wish to interview you.

This is 100% correct, but it didn't matter... and, the nonrefundable plane ticket is already bought.

I tried writing the "immigrant visa" unit at the consulate to ask why I was expected to appear, and they simply replied that the "marriage interview" is something that the consulate offers when a first interview isn't successful.

I still consider it "bait & switch," though. And, hardship is accurate -- this trip either comes from what would have been our furniture budget, or (worse) from our AOS budget. However, the consulate can claim that not springing for the extra trip would have made the rest of it moot, because they wouldn't issue the visa if I didn't show up. (New question that just came to mind: Is this not extortion, or blackmail, if this technique is performed in the world-at-large?)

With respect to the non-refundable plane ticket, . . . CALL THE AIRLINE!!! They will accommodate you. Better yet write a nice letter and explain that you've been a long-time customer, etc. and that this was beyond your control. I had no problem getting a voucher for a similar situation.