Notification to book K1 Interview - Mumbai Consulate

[A_R 191]

15 hours ago, ash1234 said:

Each embassy is different, some send both Packet 3 and 4 but Mumbai only sends one packet, Packet 4 to the beneficiary. 

 

13 hours ago, IndiaAnnie said:

You can find an example Packet 4 PDF at bottom of this page for Mumbai: https://in.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/

 

It also includes a full copy of the I-129f application, all parties personal information, etc. So don't let it get into anyone's hands!!!

Thanks for the understanding. It definitely helps in the confusion here.

[A_R 191]

Any idea whether having a Hindu religious marriage/ceremony after visa interview /approval - but prior to entering the US - is a problem? 

I understand you have to do a legal marriage in US after entering but will a religious ceremony cause any issues?

 

[Amit&Julie 180]

5 hours ago, A_R said:

Any idea whether having a Hindu religious marriage/ceremony after visa interview /approval - but prior to entering the US - is a problem? 

I understand you have to do a legal marriage in US after entering but will a religious ceremony cause any issues?

 

From what I understand, in India a Hindu religious marriage is considered by the Indian government (and thus also US government) as a legal marriage also. Just search “Hindi marriage act” in these forums and you’ll see. People have been denied K1s for Hindu marriages, so you could also be denied entry as well. 

 

I would strongly advise against it. You’re so close now, don’t shoot yourself in the foot.

[Amit&Julie 180]

5 hours ago, A_R said:

Any idea whether having a Hindu religious marriage/ceremony after visa interview /approval - but prior to entering the US - is a problem? 

I understand you have to do a legal marriage in US after entering but will a religious ceremony cause any issues?

 

And it could even cause problems AFTER point of entry. Say in your Adjustment of Status or later, the US government finds out you got married legally in India before entering on a K1. That might be considered misrepresentation and you could be denied. It could create BIG problems.

[A_R 191]

39 minutes ago, Amit&Julie said:

From what I understand, in India a Hindu religious marriage is considered by the Indian government (and thus also US government) as a legal marriage also. Just search “Hindi marriage act” in these forums and you’ll see. People have been denied K1s for Hindu marriages, so you could also be denied entry as well. 

 

I would strongly advise against it. You’re so close now, don’t shoot yourself in the foot.

 

36 minutes ago, Amit&Julie said:

And it could even cause problems AFTER point of entry. Say in your Adjustment of Status or later, the US government finds out you got married legally in India before entering on a K1. That might be considered misrepresentation and you could be denied. It could create BIG problems.

@Amit&Julie Thanks so much, that is what I thought  - was just confirming my apprehension. I agree it's not at all a risk worth taking. You can't even come back to India until you get your travel authorization right? 

 

Many congratulations to you on getting your approval :-) . When do you plan to go ?

[Amit&Julie 180]

1 hour ago, A_R said:

 

@Amit&Julie Thanks so much, that is what I thought  - was just confirming my apprehension. I agree it's not at all a risk worth taking. You can't even come back to India until you get your travel authorization right? 

 

Many congratulations to you on getting your approval :-) . When do you plan to go ?

Exactly, and it can take several months to obtain Advance Parole that will let you leave and re-enter the US. Better safe than sorry. Do keep us posted, and best wishes going forward.  

 

Thank you! Amit is coming at the end of May, and we're getting married June 9. We're very excited! 

[A_R 191]

18 hours ago, Amit&Julie said:

Exactly, and it can take several months to obtain Advance Parole that will let you leave and re-enter the US. Better safe than sorry. Do keep us posted, and best wishes going forward.  

 

Thank you! Amit is coming at the end of May, and we're getting married June 9. We're very excited! 

@Amit&Julie  Congrats all the best !!! Will keep posted and asking questions if you don't mind. 

[Amit&Julie 180]

6 hours ago, A_R said:

@Amit&Julie  Congrats all the best !!! Will keep posted and asking questions if you don't mind. 

Sure. Others on here have helped me a lot so I want to pay it forward.  

[Amit&Julie 180]

On 4/25/2018 at 4:59 PM, mcromer said:

Sigh, I thought that might be the case. I guess we'll just buy the soonest visa-in-hand flight! He's in Pune, so not impossibly far!

So if you look at recent reviews of the Mumbai consulate, apparently somebody with a CR-1 visa was able to request that they get the passport quicker than usual so they could fly to USA with their spouse and got their passport in 2-3 days. They also reported that somebody else also requested the passport be expedited and got it Mumbai the same day. You might read through those reviews and send some PMs.

 

I learned something new today.  

[mcromer 26]

On 5/2/2018 at 1:46 PM, Amit&Julie said:

So if you look at recent reviews of the Mumbai consulate, apparently somebody with a CR-1 visa was able to request that they get the passport quicker than usual so they could fly to USA with their spouse and got their passport in 2-3 days. They also reported that somebody else also requested the passport be expedited and got it Mumbai the same day. You might read through those reviews and send some PMs.

 

I learned something new today.  

Amit and Julie tell me this is true!! Oh how that would put me over the moon! I'll hunt them down and see what we can do

[Amit&Julie 180]

10 hours ago, mcromer said:

Amit and Julie tell me this is true!! Oh how that would put me over the moon! I'll hunt them down and see what we can do

Good luck! Let us know what you find.  

[mcromer 26]

Looking like we will just ask post- interview, as none of the Travel Docs people are any help in this, just the standard script (sometimes 5-7 business days, sometimes 10 business days, we seem to get a different answer every time!). Desperately hoping he'll get it day of... I wonder if travel insurance would cover us if we bought a flight, then had to cancel because of the visa? That way we dont have to pay day-of prices?

 

 

[IndiaAnnie 163]

9 minutes ago, mcromer said:

Looking like we will just ask post- interview, as none of the Travel Docs people are any help in this, just the standard script (sometimes 5-7 business days, sometimes 10 business days, we seem to get a different answer every time!). Desperately hoping he'll get it day of... I wonder if travel insurance would cover us if we bought a flight, then had to cancel because of the visa? That way we dont have to pay day-of prices?

 

 

Personally, getting ready to pay a second round of change fees after interview +3wks and counting of administrative processing. Once he's approved you'll have a week until receipt (call it a 10% chance of same day) and prices are pretty steady 2wks out from purchase. I would consider waiting until visa is in issued status before you purchase with a 14-day advance. Not trying to come across as negative but I was that dreamer and super planner when we went into this, still awaiting visa, and that's my honest feedback at this point. Travel insurance will not cover this scenario but you can pay for a full price refundable and no change ticket (but in our case that was 3x cost of this one WITH change fees)!!! 🙄

 

Its such a frustrating process and I hope that it works out perfectly for you!!!

[mcromer 26]

2 minutes ago, IndiaAnnie said:

Personally, getting ready to pay a second round of change fees after interview +3wks and counting of administrative processing. Once he's approved you'll have a week until receipt (call it a 10% chance of same day) and prices are pretty steady 2wks out from purchase. I would consider waiting until visa is in issued status before you purchase with a 14-day advance. Not trying to come across as negative but I was that dreamer and super planner when we went into this, still awaiting visa, and that's my honest feedback at this point. Travel insurance will not cover this scenario but you can pay for a full price refundable and no change ticket (but in our case that was 3x cost of this one WITH change fees)!!! 🙄

 

Its such a frustrating process and I hope that it works out perfectly for you!!!

Our wedding is on May 20, his appointment is the 11th... just praying he can make it to the church on time!

[mcromer 26]

4 hours ago, mcromer said:

Our wedding is on May 20, his appointment is the 11th... just praying he can make it to the church on time!

Actually, speaking of appointment... Does anyone know how intensely they ask you about the i-134 info? I am a student full time, but my parents have cosigned for us as well and they are able to support us and look good on paper. Is V going to have to defend this a lot? I submitted a letter explaining my situation, and my parents submitted a note saying they're willing to support us... How is this approached in the interview?

 

@Amit&Julie et al?

Edited May 10, 2018 by mcromer