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| New Delhi, India |  Review on September 13, 2011: |
singhb
Rating:  | Review Topic: General Review
I am writing this because I owe a large part of my success in my Visa Journey to this website. I am the petitioner to my fiancé who interviewed in New Delhi on September 12, 2011.
I attribute my success, in large part, to the adequate research and a cohesive presentation. I would highly advise anyone trying to get a K1 Visa to conduct an extensive research, both generally on K1 Visa process as well as their specific embassy. Once you understand the process and the documentation requirements, I would recommend that you put together a very clean file(s) that focus on the different aspects of the petition. For example, I submitted five files that I titled “Packet Three/Four Forms”, “Proof of Relationship”, “Proof of Trips to see the fiancé”, “Letter from related parties”, “Misc. Forms”. Each of them had a table of contents and each item that was in the packet was appropriately tabbed 1, 2, 3 etc.
The most important aspects of the documentation are the completeness of the required forms (such as I-134) and your overall presentation style. Pay close attention to the detail in the instructions form. For example, I-134 must be accompanied by an employer letter, pay stubs, bank letter, and it must be notarized by a U.S, not international, notary. I used table of contents in the front of the file that listed very clearly what each of the files contained.
It is very important to understand that the relationship related information is very critical and needs the most attention. You want to make sure that the packet is comprehensive and spans across all of the aspects of a typical relationship. An example would be a packet that shows phone records (mine were backed by bank statements) SMS records, emails, post mails (that show the dates and receipts and are backed by your bank statements). Pictures must not be concentrated in one time period, should be arranged in a chronological order, and must reflect a typical couple’s behavior. I ensured that our pictures included both of us in different dresses and different locations. Pay attention to the details in the pictures. Smile! Hug! Cuddle! Put on her makeup while somebody takes the picture. The engagement pictures do not have to be in the hundreds but should include the parents, and both of you. Once again, don’t forget to smile. It is your engagement for Pete’s sake.
I would also advise that once must get letters from parents (no matter how stubborn they are or even if they do not support the marriage) of both parties. I don’t care if you have to buy them. This instills further confidence in the officer’s judgment.
Finally, leave little room for any excuses. For example, get a birth certificate instead of a “no-show” to avoid any questions. I understand that getting a BC is tough in India if you don’t have one, but it is not impossible and definitely worth the effort. We bent backwards to get a birth certificate but I was not settling for a “no-show.” I made it very clear to my fiancé.
Also, practice the questions you may be asked. I asked my fiancé to write down the evolution of our relationship and be able to verbally summarize it in less than 60 seconds. I made here remember the name of everybody in my immediate family and the dates related to when I came to the U.S, my DOB, what I do for a living etc. The questions are pretty simple to answer but the rehearsal is still important.
At last – the most important step: YOU MUST SUBMIT THESE DOCUMENTS TO THE VFS CENTER SO THE COUNSLATE CAN REVIEW THEM BEFORE HAND. This is very very important. You can have the best file in the world but if the consulate didn’t see it you will be refused the visa. And please do not expect them to see your file during the 10 minutes of your interview and get comfortable. That isn’t possible.
Don’t overlook this step. Good luck!
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #8298