New Delhi K1 process??

[Sawa N Ab 7]

Hi,

Our petition got approved on 9/3/2015. We are hoping next week NVC will have the case number and be shipping out case to the New Delhi Embassy.

I was wondering if anyone could explain the next process because I am kind of confused on what is required so I would be extremely grateful if someone who went through the process recently can explain their experience. I keep reading things on this site but they are from 2012 and I dont know if they are still valid.

Here are my Questions:

Is there a packet 3?

Is packet 4 the same document that they share online?

Do we schedule our appointment or does the embassy?

Do I follow the steps on http://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/in-iv-kvisa.asp#otherinfo?

Are there any hidden steps that I missing that are not listed on the site above?

Please if anyone can share there experience I would be greatly appreciated of it. I know I am starting to over think things but I rather be prepared so he can come here by Christmas.

thanks,

Sara

[Valdfellgar 5]

Hi Sara, it looks like Linny and I are slightly ahead of you in the process and in a similar position. I'll do my best to answer your questions based on our experience.

Firstly, call NVC once a week and find out when your case has been shipped to the Embassy. Once it has give it a few days, if they haven't sent your Fiance his packet in that time then start e-mailing them for an e-mail version of Packet 4. We never got a Packet 3, though I've read some people still might get a Packet 3, I have zero idea why some do and some don't.

Packet 4 is basically the same document you can find online and even the text on this website in the India New Delhi Embassy info. You'll want to grab the PCC to start with, if you haven't already (I know you got the thailand one though.) The process is a bit confusing, but if you fill out the online forms, and do a walk in, you can get the PCC in just a couple days, if you schedule a PCC interview you'll have to wait weeks for it (that's what we did because the process was so confusing).

The Medical Report will take a week after you schedule for the exam. They won't perform all the procedures or even give out all the vaccinations, so don't be surprised if they decide your fiance doesn't need a psychiatric exam. Again, I have zero idea what makes them decide some need a procedure and some don't. Anyway after the exam it'll take a week to get the results. We saw another couple turning in their medical and trying to push for an earlier delivery date. Yeah, they won't give it to you, it takes a week no matter what, so be prepared for that.

The DS-160 and Payment steps go very quickly. Once all those are done you schedule your interview by going online, proceeding through the government's website (the url you go through will be in the packet) and it'll ask you to pick a date for your interview (after you've selected your interview it will then, not before like the website's faq claims, ask you to schedule the biometric appointment.)

That's as far as we are through the process. Currently Linny and I are waiting for her biometric appointment this Monday, and then her interview on October 13th. We're a little nervous, seeing as I'm an aspiring writer who literally only started making any kind of money this year (so I had to included a letter stating why I'd never filed a tax return (no money!)) and we've got my parents co-sponsoring. So we're nervous, but hopeful that since the website is so adamant about co-sponsors everything will be okay. I'll definitely update you with our consular experience, assuming you don't beat us to the punch =)

Hope all the above helps.

[Sawa N Ab 7]

Thanks, you calmed my nerves a lot because it seems we are on track.

Once your ready to schedule your interview, how long does it take? Are there available dates in next two weeks or a month?

Also I am the same boat about co-sponsoring because I just moved back to the states from volunteering and getting my master degree. So hopefully we are all good. If you dont mind, once you have the interview I would love to hear about your experience.

[Valdfellgar 5]

Thanks, you calmed my nerves a lot because it seems we are on track.

Once your ready to schedule your interview, how long does it take? Are there available dates in next two weeks or a month?

Also I am the same boat about co-sponsoring because I just moved back to the states from volunteering and getting my master degree. So hopefully we are all good. If you dont mind, once you have the interview I would love to hear about your experience.

Hi Sara,

Scheduling depends entirely on what slots are available. When you go to schedule the page will load up with a calendar for the next three months, showing you what dates are available. When we finally were ready to schedule all September dates were already booked (a Sept 30th popped back up briefly, I assume someone had to cancel). Currently the only available dates are October 13th and on. So if you're lucky, maybe there'll be one available two weeks from when you're ready to schedule, if not it's gonna be more like 3 weeks.

And sure, once we've had our interview Linny and I were going to post a review, and I'll make sure to copy it here =). Glad to know we're not the only people with virtually no income and the support of our parents trying to do this lol. I'm fairly optimistic since I found a review from another couple a few months back, also virtually no money and parental support(co-sponsors) and they seem to have made it through without a single hitch.

[Sawa N Ab 7]

Well we are hoping to schedule our interview for late November and be ready to schedule by the second week of October so it seems that is possible at the moment, which makes me so happy!

thanks for responding so quickly too, you really have calmed my nerves that we are on the right track,

Sara

[Valdfellgar 5]

Well we are hoping to schedule our interview for late November and be ready to schedule by the second week of October so it seems that is possible at the moment, which makes me so happy!

thanks for responding so quickly too, you really have calmed my nerves that we are on the right track,

Sara

No problem, I'm really glad I could help. We've been going through much the same stress since we decided to get engaged and apply for a K-1 Visa last year shortly before I left India. It's been a very stressful time, knowing the process is complicated, confusing, and difficult for interracial couples. So I'm really glad I could be of some help to people in a similar position.

I think I've seen you say it elsewhere, but be prepared to be out there for the interview with him. I've read enough posts during these last few months to ascertain that it becomes exceedingly difficult, next to impossible, for an interracial couple to receive an approval without the presence of the petitioner. But, I've also read enough to come to an understanding that if the petitioner is there, the chances of getting turned down seem to drop significantly.

If there's anything else I can do (besides giving an account of the interview, which I will =) ) just let me know. These last few months have been so stressful, so I imagine I have a pretty good idea of what you two are going through too.

[Sawa N Ab 7]

You read the comments about the controversial person at the embassy, too! I just don't get it because I never imagined race being an issue before I started reading this website. Also I lived with his parents for a couple of months so I hear that will be controversial and also we are a bunch of religions to throw in the pot. So this should be a fun interview and I putting faith that these questions do not be brought up because I am not able to make it to the interview. I can't afford it so I am planning on a lot of letters from our families on both sides to help bridge that gap of our cultural togetherness. Do you think I should address race in this letters directly and I kind wish I could be at the interview just so I can say "he is brown, I never noticed but I think I will still marry him anyway." (Sorry had to bring some jokes into this)

After living in India, do you worry about waiting on the mail system to deliver the documents. I am so worried that everything going to get lost and take forever.

[Valdfellgar 5]

You read the comments about the controversial person at the embassy, too! I just don't get it because I never imagined race being an issue before I started reading this website. Also I lived with his parents for a couple of months so I hear that will be controversial and also we are a bunch of religions to throw in the pot. So this should be a fun interview and I putting faith that these questions do not be brought up because I am not able to make it to the interview. I can't afford it so I am planning on a lot of letters from our families on both sides to help bridge that gap of our cultural togetherness. Do you think I should address race in this letters directly and I kind wish I could be at the interview just so I can say "he is brown, I never noticed but I think I will still marry him anyway." (Sorry had to bring some jokes into this)

After living in India, do you worry about waiting on the mail system to deliver the documents. I am so worried that everything going to get lost and take forever.

What controversial person at the Embassy? I might've read it, but I've read a loooot of different comments/cases so I'm not sure which person you're referring to. What's the story? Got a link?

Anyway, We've got it a little easier on the religious front. My Fiancee, she's of Mizo decent and they're primarily Christian, so our lack of engagement party shouldn't prove a problem, I am worried her minority status might be something that could be unfairly used against her, but I sort of doubt it. As for your religion troubles, if he's part Christian, play that up, focus on that. Christians tend not to have big fancy engagements, if any real ceremony at all (We didn't anyway) so that shouldn't be all that shocking.

I also don't think your living together is going to be all that negative actually. You've lived together for, it sounds like over two years! That's great! If you can provide evidence of that (photos, documents that prove you rented the places together) that'll be a huge boon and, perhaps, negate the need for your presence.

As for letters I have no idea how much they will help. Depending on what you say about race, as long as it isn't phrased to be confrontational, might help. But as above you might already be set since you lived together for sometime, where as my fiance and me met online and didn't meet in person until last year *after knowing each other for two years online) I honestly can't say for sure though how much letters will help. I think you're in a better position than we are though, and while my presence is almost assuredly required, yours may not be from simply the sheer amount of time you've lived together.

As for the documents oh, after our experience I'm of no doubt they'll get lost. We didn't receive our Packet 4 for over two weeks after the NVC sent our case to the Embassy. That's why I recommend hounding them in e-mail about it. Use your (it's either the receipt number or the case number) to check the status online. Once you know for sure that it's reached the Embassy hound them in E-mail to send you/your fiance an electronic e-mail copy of the packet. You could get away with starting the PCC and Medical and DS-160 without a packet, as long as you know your petitioner arrived at the Embassy, but both the Hospital and Passport Office might wish to see the letter, and that's where it might get a little tricky.

[Sawa N Ab 7]

After I posted this comment, I went and read the reviews of the New Delhi Embassy, which kicked my anxiety into high gear again. I am going to have so much evidence that hopefully these people feel the love.

Also how is living in India going for you? I read that you moved there to help your fiance with this process so I am hoping that your transition is going well.

[Valdfellgar 5]

After I posted this comment, I went and read the reviews of the New Delhi Embassy, which kicked my anxiety into high gear again. I am going to have so much evidence that hopefully these people feel the love.

Also how is living in India going for you? I read that you moved there to help your fiance with this process so I am hoping that your transition is going well.

lol I know what you mean, every so often I get pangs of anxiety thinking about the interview in just a few weeks. I try to keep it on the down low since Linny gets stressed by me getting stressed lol. But I figure by rereading success stories, and failures, I can get a pretty good handle on how that day will play out.

And India is going okay for me. This is only the second time I've been here. I was first here in Late Oct/Early Nov last year when it was cooler. Man the food did NOT agree with me, I was sick most of those three weeks and Linny felt just awful (still realized a day before I was to head back that we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together though.) This trip has been better so far. Food kicked my ### again, but this time I was here longer than three weeks and I've mostly adjusted to the food (also eating a lot of KFC to avoid the spices I can't handle lol). The quality of living is really different from what I'm used to, but I'd go through hell and back for her (and technically have during all the times the humidity spiked.)

I'll have stayed here for a solid two months by the time this process is over (assuming it goes smoothly) so I think I'll have had my fill of India for awhile lol. Sides we have cats I haven't seen in a month now who I miss dearly, cutest little guys and Linny helped picked one of them out. I'm dying for her to meet Susu (the little black ball of love) she picked out in the first place.

Currently I'm staying with her and her sister (rest of her family lives in Mizoram) and her family loves me (Linny's Dad and Her second sister have never met me, but really like the sound of me.)

[Sawa N Ab 7]

Woah!! I just realized that they are from the same area, the seven sisters! Abhishek is from Assam, which is right above Mizoram. I lived there for two months and it is amazing! You really should try to make a trip out there it is beautiful but I do know the borders areas are a little bit more scarier than Assam so I understand why you might not like to. I think North East India was the favorite part of my trip but I see have to make it to Mumbai and Bangalore. I found people of who are from the North East to be so friendly and welcoming! We are both lucky to have extremely welcoming Indian families.

New Delhi is interesting because if you have the money of an upper class it is great place to live but living like a local is interesting but you will miss the prices once you get back to the states. After traveling for three years in Asia, I was used to upset stomachs and spicy food. My favorite part about moving to New Delhi was that there was a Mcdonalds, I always feel at home with their fries and chicken nuggets.

The person was the one who went to get the phone but I thinking that is an age judgement issue hopefully.

[Sawa N Ab 7]

In my letters, I am going to stress the fact that we are open-minded and that we are excited about celebrating each ceremony. My parents will come to our court house wedding once he arrive, we are planning a las vegas wedding for 2017 so that his parents can come, and a few months after that we will celebrate in Guwahati with our Indian ceremony. It fun to think about all the great traditions we get to celebrate because of our multi-cultural relationship. I know you want to leave quickly but you have some great holidays coming in Delhi soon during October and November. Get ready for the fireworks! I am so sad that I missing them and that Ab is celebrating them alone. That is one of the hardest parts is that Abhishek is living in Delhi so he can get all these documents done and doesn't have to travel so far but I wish he was with his family in the North East!

[Valdfellgar 5]

Woah!! I just realized that they are from the same area, the seven sisters! Abhishek is from Assam, which is right above Mizoram. I lived there for two months and it is amazing! You really should try to make a trip out there it is beautiful but I do know the borders areas are a little bit more scarier than Assam so I understand why you might not like to. I think North East India was the favorite part of my trip but I see have to make it to Mumbai and Bangalore. I found people of who are from the North East to be so friendly and welcoming! We are both lucky to have extremely welcoming Indian families.

New Delhi is interesting because if you have the money of an upper class it is great place to live but living like a local is interesting but you will miss the prices once you get back to the states. After traveling for three years in Asia, I was used to upset stomachs and spicy food. My favorite part about moving to New Delhi was that there was a Mcdonalds, I always feel at home with their fries and chicken nuggets.

The person was the one who went to get the phone but I thinking that is an age judgement issue hopefully.

I do plan to go out there eventually, specifically when we head back to Mizoram to have a post-wedding ceremony for her extended family. The current plan is much like your own, a simple courtroom wedding when she first gets here to save money and hell, just because it'll be so short notice. Once we have own our money (We'll be starting an anime review website together next year, and I'll be converting many of my screenplays into novels, plus freelance writing work, etc.) we'll have a ceremony in the U.S. for our immediate families and then to Mizoram for the extended family service. So it'll be awhile but I'll definitely get out there.

And yeah, her family is fairly supportive, her oldest sister especially, and her other sister and father both approve of me. It helps that they had some family drama over the past couple years that've softened their stances on things like this. I think without that drama her father might've pushed back at least a bit, now he's just happy Linny has me.

KFC is my home away from home personally Linny is very excited to try all the junk food in the U.S. lol I'm supposed to take her around to Burger King, KFC, Taco Bell, etc. within her first few weeks lol.

And oh, are you referring to the incident where they went to get the woman's phone from her father who was waiting outside and called everyone in their contacts to determine legitimacy? It might've been an age thing. Honestly in a lot of the self-reports for poor Embassy interviews it can be difficult to know what went wrong, since self-reports tend to omit the details that act as red flags. And since India is high-fraud I wouldn't be surprised if amongst legit couples having trouble there really are just fraudulent cases posing as real couples even here. Also, any poor reports are most likely going to be extreme cases, as you'll notice the majority of review reports come in at 4-5 stars. While being an Interracial couple does make things more difficult, I don't think it automatically ensures a poor experience.

In my letters, I am going to stress the fact that we are open-minded and that we are excited about celebrating each ceremony. My parents will come to our court house wedding once he arrive, we are planning a las vegas wedding for 2017 so that his parents can come, and a few months after that we will celebrate in Guwahati with our Indian ceremony. It fun to think about all the great traditions we get to celebrate because of our multi-cultural relationship. I know you want to leave quickly but you have some great holidays coming in Delhi soon during October and November. Get ready for the fireworks! I am so sad that I missing them and that Ab is celebrating them alone. That is one of the hardest parts is that Abhishek is living in Delhi so he can get all these documents done and doesn't have to travel so far but I wish he was with his family in the North East!

I think that's good stuff to mention in your letter and will probably help convince the CO of your intentions.

I don't think I'll be here for November if all goes well. Our Interview is scheduled for the 13th, and, assuming it's an approval, we'll have the Visa in hand by the 20th. Only thing keeping us around will be a couple last vaccines Linny wanted to get so she doesn't have to get them in the U.S. during the AOS. So we're looking at leaving for the U.S. on the 26th. But I'll look forward to the holidays hitting before then =)

And yeah, going through this process alone can be difficult and nerve-wracking. But tell him to hang in there and the end isn't too far away. =)

Edited September 26, 2015 by Valdfellgar

[Sawa N Ab 7]

Hi,

It almost time for your interview, ya'll must be getting excited! I remembered that you had issues with your getting your packet and I was wondering what the email address is for the embassy because I remember you suggested to try to get them to send the packet through email.

Thanks for your help and really glad that ya'll are a few weeks ahead of us so I can get advice from you.

[Valdfellgar 5]

Hi,

It almost time for your interview, ya'll must be getting excited! I remembered that you had issues with your getting your packet and I was wondering what the email address is for the embassy because I remember you suggested to try to get them to send the packet through email.

Thanks for your help and really glad that ya'll are a few weeks ahead of us so I can get advice from you.

Hi Sara,

We are getting excited! Also a little nervous thanks to recent incidents like Bunny&Ninja, but seeing as we're a much simpler case we're feeling fairly confident =). We also run an anime blog, so we've been keeping ourselves busy with that so we don't over think the interview too much. But yep! One week to go!

As for the packet it hadn't arrived after a week of waiting, and from what I understand online it should only take a few days for the packet to reach you. Also, with the holidays rolling around you of course don't want to sit, waiting, for weeks to begin preparing and scheduling the interview. I e-mailed support@ustraveldocs.com and received a quick auto reply, asking me to clarify which Embassy we were filing at. After a few days they hadn't gotten back to me, so I tried the India specific one (which actually went worse as they didn't even dignify my e-mail with a response!) I finally sent a follow up to ustraveldocs and received an almost immediate response containing the packet itself. The actual, physical copy, arrived, I think, about a full week after we got the e-mail copy. So it is definitely worth hounding them once you're sure the Embassy has received your documents from NVC. (You can check here to find out whether the Embassy has your documents yet or not: https://ceac.state.gov/ceacstattracker/status.aspx )

I hope that helps! Linny and I will try to give you a heads up about what the interview will be like once we've had ours next week.