Springflower
12-19 10:25 AM
Hi,
I got 2 year EAD from NSC in August 2008.
Wanted to apply for Advance Parole (second time).
Is NSC issuing 2 year AP's ?
Wondering if any body got Advance Parole for 2 years from NSC.
Also, I appreciate if any one can share their experince about INFOPASS to get Advance Parole in case of emergency
(if one did not apply for AP & need to travel urgently).
Thenk you for your help!
I got 2 year EAD from NSC in August 2008.
Wanted to apply for Advance Parole (second time).
Is NSC issuing 2 year AP's ?
Wondering if any body got Advance Parole for 2 years from NSC.
Also, I appreciate if any one can share their experince about INFOPASS to get Advance Parole in case of emergency
(if one did not apply for AP & need to travel urgently).
Thenk you for your help!
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mpadapa
06-23 02:57 PM
Called Rep. Lamar Smiths office, They took down the bill numbers and my message. They did mentioned that the bill is in the Jud committee and I need to call the Jud Committee chair, but I did mention that Rep. Lamar Smith's support would be key to solving the backlog issue in the EB GC process.
insbaby
09-13 01:02 PM
What kind of person r u ...This guy received a denial notice for I-485 and u r using this attitude and language.. If you cannot help please do not post such offensive messages , especially towards people who are in need of advice and help.
Could you please translate what that means?
Could you please translate what that means?
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hindu_king
10-06 10:11 AM
Maybe it was the same woman - I went to DC embassy last year for passport renewal and the lady officer was rude and reckless. she started talking to me in hindi/hurdu, without any regard to whether or not i understood her language. I said stop - talk in english and she fumed at me! i told her i couldnt understand whatever language she was speaking but she refused to speak in english. i somehow gave my papers to her and she processed it. it was like dealing with some foreign embassy.
more...
bharat2008
08-09 09:49 AM
Hi all,
This discussion is very valuble for people like me deciding between living in Canada as PR vs H1B USA .We all know that salaries in USA are slightly better than Canada .But now the exchange rate is almost equal.
Salary:
Can a person with family(2 kids) survive in Canada with CAD 50,000 / year salary in a place like Toronto.? I heard in Canada you pay 13 % tax on anything you buy .Does 50 % of your income goes in taxes ?
HealthCare:
Also is the government sponsored health care good compared to USA .I mean do you have any wait to see specialists.Is healthcare comparable to USA .
Immigration:
In USA anyone can get a Greencard regardless of their qualifications and it depends how early you enter the GC queue.But looks like in Canada they value your educations and other qualifications.Can IT professionals (non-managers) apply for Canada PR without a job or canadian education?
Canadian Citizenship:
Many people want to get Canadian citizenship and return to USA with TN Visa .In future ,could USA put restrictions on this .?
Please share your thoughts .
Thankyou
This discussion is very valuble for people like me deciding between living in Canada as PR vs H1B USA .We all know that salaries in USA are slightly better than Canada .But now the exchange rate is almost equal.
Salary:
Can a person with family(2 kids) survive in Canada with CAD 50,000 / year salary in a place like Toronto.? I heard in Canada you pay 13 % tax on anything you buy .Does 50 % of your income goes in taxes ?
HealthCare:
Also is the government sponsored health care good compared to USA .I mean do you have any wait to see specialists.Is healthcare comparable to USA .
Immigration:
In USA anyone can get a Greencard regardless of their qualifications and it depends how early you enter the GC queue.But looks like in Canada they value your educations and other qualifications.Can IT professionals (non-managers) apply for Canada PR without a job or canadian education?
Canadian Citizenship:
Many people want to get Canadian citizenship and return to USA with TN Visa .In future ,could USA put restrictions on this .?
Please share your thoughts .
Thankyou
deba
08-20 11:25 PM
I did the same thing for my PIO card from Houton consulate. Included the $20 fee and received my PIO card within a week by FedEx.
more...
EkAurAaya
04-10 05:38 PM
long story short - the grief of the anti-immigrant is... i can no longer view what's happening behind the scenes :(:( i was happy to keep quite and watch whats going on... but now i have to create commotion and risk being banned :(:(
About me: i m not a "donor" but I've donated in the past... and I've no problems with IV having donor only updates/discussions, because i know the simple fact - what the core and donors do, will in no way harm my interest :)
I don't participate in the effort as much... then i don't have any right to bark at ones who are doing it for me...
About me: i m not a "donor" but I've donated in the past... and I've no problems with IV having donor only updates/discussions, because i know the simple fact - what the core and donors do, will in no way harm my interest :)
I don't participate in the effort as much... then i don't have any right to bark at ones who are doing it for me...
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angelfire76
02-14 09:05 PM
For any effort towards making this happen. This will be a huge benefit for those of us who missed the July 2007 lottery. The only AC21 rejection that I've personally known is of a guy who quit after getting his EAD and started a business: consulting business to be PC. Made himself the "Chief Architect" and CIS said that his job description does not in anyway match his PERM application.
more...
JazzByTheBay
09-25 10:13 AM
to be effective....
jazz
I second that. Ranga, from NJ had an idea about making a documentary to project the whole issue
jazz
I second that. Ranga, from NJ had an idea about making a documentary to project the whole issue
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bluekayal
03-17 10:54 AM
SEC. 405. STUDENT VISAS.
(a) In General- Section 101(a)(15)(F) (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(F)) is amended--
(1) in clause (i)--
(A) by striking `he has no intention of abandoning, who is' and inserting the following: `except in the case of an alien described in clause (iv), the alien has no intention of abandoning, who is--
`(I)';
(B) by striking `consistent with section 214(l)' and inserting `(except for a graduate program described in clause (iv)) consistent with section 214(m)';
(C) by striking the comma at the end and inserting the following: `; or
`(II) engaged in temporary employment for optional practical training related to the alien's area of study, which practical training shall be authorized for a period or periods of up to 24 months;';
(2) in clause (ii)--
(A) by inserting `or (iv)' after `clause (i)'; and
(B) by striking `, and' and inserting a semicolon;
(3) in clause (iii), by adding `and' at the end; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
`(iv) an alien described in clause (i) who has been accepted and plans to attend an accredited graduate program in mathematics, engineering, technology, or the sciences in the United States for the purpose of obtaining an advanced degree.'.
(b) Admission of Nonimmigrants- Section 214(b) (8 U.S.C. 1184(b)) is amended by striking `subparagraph (L) or (V)' and inserting `subparagraph (F)(iv), (L), or (V)'.
(c) Requirements for F-4 Visa- Section 214(m) (8 U.S.C. 1184(m)) is amended--
(1) by inserting before paragraph (1) the following:
`(m) Nonimmigrant Elementary, Secondary, and Post-Secondary School Students- '; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
`(3) A visa issued to an alien under section 101(a)(15)(F)(iv) shall be valid--
`(A) during the intended period of study in a graduate program described in such section;
`(B) for an additional period, not to exceed 1 year after the completion of the graduate program, if the alien is actively pursuing an offer of employment related to the knowledge and skills obtained through the graduate program; and
`(C) for the additional period necessary for the adjudication of any application for labor certification, employment-based immigrant petition, and application under section 245(a)(2) to adjust such alien's status to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence, if such application for labor certification or employment-based immigrant petition has been filed not later than 1 year after the completion of the graduate program.'.
(d) Off Campus Work Authorization for Foreign Students-
(1) IN GENERAL- Aliens admitted as nonimmigrant students described in section 101(a)(15)(F) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(F)) may be employed in an off-campus position unrelated to the alien's field of study if--
(A) the alien has enrolled full time at the educational institution and is maintaining good academic standing;
(B) the employer provides the educational institution and the Secretary of Labor with an attestation that the employer--
(i) has spent at least 21 days recruiting United States citizens to fill the position; and
(ii) will pay the alien and other similarly situated workers at a rate equal to not less than the greater of--
(I) the actual wage level for the occupation at the place of employment; or
(II) the prevailing wage level for the occupation in the area of employment; and
(C) the alien will not be employed more than--
(i) 20 hours per week during the academic term; or
(ii) 40 hours per week during vacation periods and between academic terms.
(2) DISQUALIFICATION- If the Secretary of Labor determines that an employer has provided an attestation under paragraph (1)(B) that is materially false or has failed to pay wages in accordance with the attestation, the employer, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, shall be disqualified from employing an alien student under paragraph (1).
(e) Adjustment of Status- Section 245(a) (8 U.S.C. 1255(a)) is amended to read as follows:
`(a) Authorization-
`(1) IN GENERAL- The status of an alien, who was inspected and admitted or paroled into the United States, or who has an approved petition for classification under subparagraph (A)(iii), (A)(iv), (B)(ii), or (B)(iii) of section 204(a)(1), may be adjusted by the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General, under such regulations as the Secretary or the Attorney General may prescribe, to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence if--
`(A) the alien makes an application for such adjustment;
`(B) the alien is eligible to receive an immigrant visa;
`(C) the alien is admissible to the United States for permanent residence; and
`(D) an immigrant visa is immediately available to the alien at the time the application is filed.
`(2) STUDENT VISAS- Notwithstanding the requirement under paragraph (1)(C), an alien may file an application for adjustment of status under this section if--
`(A) the alien has been issued a visa or otherwise provided nonimmigrant status under section 101(a)(15)(F)(iv), or would have qualified for such nonimmigrant status if section 101(a)(15)(F)(iv) had been enacted before such alien's graduation;
`(B) the alien has earned an advanced degree in the sciences, technology, engineering, or mathematics;
`(C) the alien is the beneficiary of a petition filed under subparagraph (E) or (F) of section 204(a)(1); and
`(D) a fee of $1,000 is remitted to the Secretary on behalf of the alien.
`(3) LIMITATION- An application for adjustment of status filed under this section may not be approved until an immigrant visa number becomes available.'.
(f) Use of Fees-
(1) JOB TRAINING; SCHOLARSHIPS- Section 286(s)(1) (8 U.S.C. 1356(s)(1)) is amended by inserting `and 80 percent of the fees collected under section 245(a)(2)(D)' before the period at the end.
(2) FRAUD PREVENTION AND DETECTION- Section 286(v)(1) (8 U.S.C.
1356(v)(1)) is amended by inserting `and 20 percent of the fees collected under section 245(a)(2)(D)' before the period at the end.
(a) In General- Section 101(a)(15)(F) (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(F)) is amended--
(1) in clause (i)--
(A) by striking `he has no intention of abandoning, who is' and inserting the following: `except in the case of an alien described in clause (iv), the alien has no intention of abandoning, who is--
`(I)';
(B) by striking `consistent with section 214(l)' and inserting `(except for a graduate program described in clause (iv)) consistent with section 214(m)';
(C) by striking the comma at the end and inserting the following: `; or
`(II) engaged in temporary employment for optional practical training related to the alien's area of study, which practical training shall be authorized for a period or periods of up to 24 months;';
(2) in clause (ii)--
(A) by inserting `or (iv)' after `clause (i)'; and
(B) by striking `, and' and inserting a semicolon;
(3) in clause (iii), by adding `and' at the end; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
`(iv) an alien described in clause (i) who has been accepted and plans to attend an accredited graduate program in mathematics, engineering, technology, or the sciences in the United States for the purpose of obtaining an advanced degree.'.
(b) Admission of Nonimmigrants- Section 214(b) (8 U.S.C. 1184(b)) is amended by striking `subparagraph (L) or (V)' and inserting `subparagraph (F)(iv), (L), or (V)'.
(c) Requirements for F-4 Visa- Section 214(m) (8 U.S.C. 1184(m)) is amended--
(1) by inserting before paragraph (1) the following:
`(m) Nonimmigrant Elementary, Secondary, and Post-Secondary School Students- '; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
`(3) A visa issued to an alien under section 101(a)(15)(F)(iv) shall be valid--
`(A) during the intended period of study in a graduate program described in such section;
`(B) for an additional period, not to exceed 1 year after the completion of the graduate program, if the alien is actively pursuing an offer of employment related to the knowledge and skills obtained through the graduate program; and
`(C) for the additional period necessary for the adjudication of any application for labor certification, employment-based immigrant petition, and application under section 245(a)(2) to adjust such alien's status to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence, if such application for labor certification or employment-based immigrant petition has been filed not later than 1 year after the completion of the graduate program.'.
(d) Off Campus Work Authorization for Foreign Students-
(1) IN GENERAL- Aliens admitted as nonimmigrant students described in section 101(a)(15)(F) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(F)) may be employed in an off-campus position unrelated to the alien's field of study if--
(A) the alien has enrolled full time at the educational institution and is maintaining good academic standing;
(B) the employer provides the educational institution and the Secretary of Labor with an attestation that the employer--
(i) has spent at least 21 days recruiting United States citizens to fill the position; and
(ii) will pay the alien and other similarly situated workers at a rate equal to not less than the greater of--
(I) the actual wage level for the occupation at the place of employment; or
(II) the prevailing wage level for the occupation in the area of employment; and
(C) the alien will not be employed more than--
(i) 20 hours per week during the academic term; or
(ii) 40 hours per week during vacation periods and between academic terms.
(2) DISQUALIFICATION- If the Secretary of Labor determines that an employer has provided an attestation under paragraph (1)(B) that is materially false or has failed to pay wages in accordance with the attestation, the employer, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, shall be disqualified from employing an alien student under paragraph (1).
(e) Adjustment of Status- Section 245(a) (8 U.S.C. 1255(a)) is amended to read as follows:
`(a) Authorization-
`(1) IN GENERAL- The status of an alien, who was inspected and admitted or paroled into the United States, or who has an approved petition for classification under subparagraph (A)(iii), (A)(iv), (B)(ii), or (B)(iii) of section 204(a)(1), may be adjusted by the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General, under such regulations as the Secretary or the Attorney General may prescribe, to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence if--
`(A) the alien makes an application for such adjustment;
`(B) the alien is eligible to receive an immigrant visa;
`(C) the alien is admissible to the United States for permanent residence; and
`(D) an immigrant visa is immediately available to the alien at the time the application is filed.
`(2) STUDENT VISAS- Notwithstanding the requirement under paragraph (1)(C), an alien may file an application for adjustment of status under this section if--
`(A) the alien has been issued a visa or otherwise provided nonimmigrant status under section 101(a)(15)(F)(iv), or would have qualified for such nonimmigrant status if section 101(a)(15)(F)(iv) had been enacted before such alien's graduation;
`(B) the alien has earned an advanced degree in the sciences, technology, engineering, or mathematics;
`(C) the alien is the beneficiary of a petition filed under subparagraph (E) or (F) of section 204(a)(1); and
`(D) a fee of $1,000 is remitted to the Secretary on behalf of the alien.
`(3) LIMITATION- An application for adjustment of status filed under this section may not be approved until an immigrant visa number becomes available.'.
(f) Use of Fees-
(1) JOB TRAINING; SCHOLARSHIPS- Section 286(s)(1) (8 U.S.C. 1356(s)(1)) is amended by inserting `and 80 percent of the fees collected under section 245(a)(2)(D)' before the period at the end.
(2) FRAUD PREVENTION AND DETECTION- Section 286(v)(1) (8 U.S.C.
1356(v)(1)) is amended by inserting `and 20 percent of the fees collected under section 245(a)(2)(D)' before the period at the end.
more...
qualified_trash
04-10 09:19 AM
I am both surprised and grateful to see the response. I am open for any positions which require expertise in programming, design, research and analysis in Securities industry. I have PM-ed most of the folks here who offered help.
Thanks.
sent you a PM. better to join a company that is in growth mode........ and I can help. send me a PM
Thanks.
sent you a PM. better to join a company that is in growth mode........ and I can help. send me a PM
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senthil1
05-30 07:47 PM
Because of unlimited H1b entire bill may be voted down if taken for consideration. It will be big surprise if any bill passes with unlimited H1b or GC in any category.
I don't understand the risk you are mentioning. How unlimited H1B is going to cause problem in eliminating retrogression in EB catagories?
I don't understand the risk you are mentioning. How unlimited H1B is going to cause problem in eliminating retrogression in EB catagories?
more...
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Almond
07-05 10:53 AM
This is pathetic and hysterical at the same time. I cannot believe this. :D
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PD073102VA
03-19 07:32 PM
PD, I don't agree with the phrasing of the new Labor Cert clause. That is not how I read Frist's bill. Did you make up the new labor cert clause yourself?
Yes, by removing "or" from (I), adding "or" at (II), and adding (III). I think this is how it would read. How do you think it should read?
Yes, by removing "or" from (I), adding "or" at (II), and adding (III). I think this is how it would read. How do you think it should read?
more...
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RDWilson2
03-28 09:05 AM
If you read the postings in this thread itself you would be surprised to see that some consider this as controversial. You are not writing your life off just because you married a H1B visa holder. It also happens that majority of H4 holdes are woman and hence unable to express their views. - a perfect case of lack of visibility.
What makes it intuitively obvious that an H-4 visa holder cannot express their views just because they are a woman?
H-4 visa holders can seek a change of visa. If you want to work, do so instead of relying on the H-1 status of the spouse. If you want your wife/husband/dependent to be able to work, why not seek a change of visa status for them? Or is this just too much of an effort?
What makes it intuitively obvious that an H-4 visa holder cannot express their views just because they are a woman?
H-4 visa holders can seek a change of visa. If you want to work, do so instead of relying on the H-1 status of the spouse. If you want your wife/husband/dependent to be able to work, why not seek a change of visa status for them? Or is this just too much of an effort?
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bigboy007
02-11 01:35 PM
Also we have seen lot of traffic coming to our site why cant we use that also as some "Contributing" scheme like allowing some commercial notes. Some ppl might laugh at me but atleast our every click might be generating 1Cent to our cause.
more...
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paskal
09-29 04:47 PM
then why are visas about to be wasted yet again this year?
after...they said all numbers were exhausted on July 2?
i think it's not quite that simple.
there is no doubt that lack of numbers is a key key issue. but letting uscis off the hook when they have failed to process 269,000 Green Card numbers since 1994 is not kosher. that is >20% of the backlog right there.
my straightforward NIW application based on national interest service not exceptional ability (which may be more subjective) will take almost a year to process. wow....!
uscis also takes the narrowest interpretations of any law- even when it clearly conflicts with the law's intent- then it takes a lawsuit to budge them- speaking from personal experience and the loss of 4 years in PD in an India line...believe me this is not an agency i feel like defending.
just my 2c.
after...they said all numbers were exhausted on July 2?
i think it's not quite that simple.
there is no doubt that lack of numbers is a key key issue. but letting uscis off the hook when they have failed to process 269,000 Green Card numbers since 1994 is not kosher. that is >20% of the backlog right there.
my straightforward NIW application based on national interest service not exceptional ability (which may be more subjective) will take almost a year to process. wow....!
uscis also takes the narrowest interpretations of any law- even when it clearly conflicts with the law's intent- then it takes a lawsuit to budge them- speaking from personal experience and the loss of 4 years in PD in an India line...believe me this is not an agency i feel like defending.
just my 2c.
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PrayForEveryone
07-24 11:32 AM
Does anyone know the process of how USCIS updates 485 application, once 140 gets approved after 485 is filed (considering one files 485 with 140 pending receipt)?
Do we have to do anything in order to update USCIS regarding 140/485 once 140 is approved?
Any help is appreciated
Thanks!
Do we have to do anything in order to update USCIS regarding 140/485 once 140 is approved?
Any help is appreciated
Thanks!
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Macaca
09-14 03:21 PM
What keeps
so many people back is
simply
unwillingness to pay the price,
to make the exertion,
the effort to sacrifice
their ease and comfort
Orison Swett Marden
so many people back is
simply
unwillingness to pay the price,
to make the exertion,
the effort to sacrifice
their ease and comfort
Orison Swett Marden
migboy
07-24 10:33 AM
140 reached NSC on July 11.
Receipt date is July 17, attorney says they got it today, July 24.
So for those at NSC who filed within a day or two of me, mght be better to hold off for a couple of days before filing 485 with the colored sheet which will probably add some delays in the mailroom
Receipt date is July 17, attorney says they got it today, July 24.
So for those at NSC who filed within a day or two of me, mght be better to hold off for a couple of days before filing 485 with the colored sheet which will probably add some delays in the mailroom
485Mbe4001
08-21 07:30 PM
An article of getting PIO card from India :)
www.outlookindia.com | The Papers Are In Order (http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?261306)
I am a Person of Indian Origin. I have a slate-grey passport-like document issued by the Indian government that says so. But I�m not really. I was not born or brought up here, and I do not have a single direct ancestor who, as far as I know, ever lived in India. I have become the proud possessor of a Persons of Indian Origin card because I am married to an Indian citizen.
I had lived in India, on and off, for ten years�and had been married to an Indian citizen for even longer.
Two men were seated at the edge of the sofa, looking more nervous than me. Shireen was questioning them.
Previously, my visas were renewed every six months. We now wanted to stay in India indefinitely and make our home in Delhi. I would have preferred dual citizenship�but that wasn�t, and still isn�t, available. PIO would be second best. But the actual card was not easy to come by. It involved a total of 17 visits to three separate ministries and five different offices. It took up at least four full days of my life. I was interviewed twice, the second time at home with my wife, Shireen. The first time was at the offices of the Foreigners Division, Ministry of Home Affairs, in an unventilated, very public room brimming with non-Indians from every continent. I reached the head of the queue after two hours of eavesdropping on other people�s immigration problems. I was asked, among other more prosaic questions, to explain why I had married an Indian woman (�Love,� I said, monosyllabically), and then, with a leer and a twinkle, whether I had had many Indian girlfriends. �N-no�, I stuttered. My hesitant response did not reflect either uncertainty or mendacity on my part, but my surprise and my growing irritation with the questioner. The interview ended abruptly. He wrote �Refer for further enquiry� on my residence permit and said I would receive a home visit. �We need to be sure that marriages to Indian citizens are genuine.�
Several weeks later, one Friday afternoon around 5 pm, I received a phone call as I was pottering around the streets of central Delhi.
�He wanted a bribe, you idiot,� my friend said. �You�ll never get your card now; he�d have been happy with Rs 100.�
The investigators from the Home Ministry would be at my home at 5.30. As I rushed home, images of Mr and Mrs, a television programme of my UK childhood, flashed through my mind. A gormless husband would be placed in a soundproof booth, while his bright-as-a-button wife would stand on the stage. She would be asked semi-intimate questions about their life together: what was the first present she gave him when they were ? What colour nightclothes was she wearing yesterday? And so on. The husband was then released from the booth, and would invariably get the answers wrong, to his embarrassment and everyone else�s amusement. It was gentle viewing�a mild celebration of female omniscience and male autism. But now I was going to take part in a real-life version of Mr and Mrs, and my precious PIO card, and perhaps my right to stay in India, would depend on it. And, suddenly I could not, for the life of me, remember the colour of Shireen�s toothbrush, or the name of her favourite Hindi movie, or her shoe size. Fifteen years of marriage had been erased from my memory. I was sweating with nerves by the time I reached home.
Two men were seated on the edge of the sofa, looking even more nervous than me, untouched glasses of water in front of them. Shireen was questioning them about their professional qualifications�which were not very extensive. I gave her a self-conscious kiss on the cheek and sat down. At that point, our children burst in, a dancing duet of carefree excitement.
�What are these children?� asked the chief investigator.
�They�re ours.� Shireen responded with a slight chill in her voice.
�Children of both of you? They are very old.�
�Yes, both of us. They�re twelve and eleven.�
�How do you have children if you are just married?� I had not prepared for this baffling line of questioning�and was later reprimanded for just sitting there with my mouth open. Shireen, meanwhile, delivered a crushing blow.
�Ridiculous (sotto voce).... This is all totally ridiculous (out loud).... We�ve been married for fifteen years.�
I nodded eagerly.
The two men looked at each other, aghast, and then started scrabbling through the cardboard file they had brought with them. It became clear that they normally interviewed newly-married couples.
�Can we see your marriage certificate?� I showed it to them and was asked for a copy. I printed out a copy of the certificate, which was downloaded on my computer. They then got up and left�abruptly ending my brief cameo on Mr and Mrs�having promised a decision within two weeks.
The following evening, a Saturday, our cook, Pan Singh, said one of the men who had come yesterday was at the gate, asking for a lifafa, the Hindi word for envelope. I asked him to invite the man in. Pan Singh returned, a little sheepish, saying the man refused to come in, but just wanted a lifafa�with our marriage certificate. And so, slightly puzzled, I printed out another copy.
Later, I told a friend this story. �He wanted a bribe, you idiot. A lifafa is what you put the bribe in. You�ll never get your PIO card now, and he�d have been perfectly happy with 100 rupees.�
Three weeks later I went to the Foreigners� Regional Registration Office to hear the good news, and the bad. �Your application for a PIO has successfully passed the enquiry stage,� the official informed me without looking up. �But unfortunately, Mr Miller, all your documentation has gone astray and you will need to resubmit.� I looked heavenwards and brought my hand down rather heavily on the table. �I�m sorry. We�re not computerised yet, and some of our agents are a little careless.� It may have been my imagination, but I�m sure I detected the trace of a wink in her left eye. �Probably best to apply next time you�re in London,� she told me cheerfully. I walked away presuming, but unable to prove, that my papers had been deliberately lost.
I took her advice. Three weeks after putting in my application to the Indian High Commission in London (no interview necessary), I had my precious PIO card�together with a 15-year visa, the right to buy property in India, and, to my amusement, the ability to join the diplomats� queue at immigration at Delhi airport. This is of no practical use, because I still have to wait just as long for my luggage, but I do get childishly gleeful as I saunter past the first-class passengers.
www.outlookindia.com | The Papers Are In Order (http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?261306)
I am a Person of Indian Origin. I have a slate-grey passport-like document issued by the Indian government that says so. But I�m not really. I was not born or brought up here, and I do not have a single direct ancestor who, as far as I know, ever lived in India. I have become the proud possessor of a Persons of Indian Origin card because I am married to an Indian citizen.
I had lived in India, on and off, for ten years�and had been married to an Indian citizen for even longer.
Two men were seated at the edge of the sofa, looking more nervous than me. Shireen was questioning them.
Previously, my visas were renewed every six months. We now wanted to stay in India indefinitely and make our home in Delhi. I would have preferred dual citizenship�but that wasn�t, and still isn�t, available. PIO would be second best. But the actual card was not easy to come by. It involved a total of 17 visits to three separate ministries and five different offices. It took up at least four full days of my life. I was interviewed twice, the second time at home with my wife, Shireen. The first time was at the offices of the Foreigners Division, Ministry of Home Affairs, in an unventilated, very public room brimming with non-Indians from every continent. I reached the head of the queue after two hours of eavesdropping on other people�s immigration problems. I was asked, among other more prosaic questions, to explain why I had married an Indian woman (�Love,� I said, monosyllabically), and then, with a leer and a twinkle, whether I had had many Indian girlfriends. �N-no�, I stuttered. My hesitant response did not reflect either uncertainty or mendacity on my part, but my surprise and my growing irritation with the questioner. The interview ended abruptly. He wrote �Refer for further enquiry� on my residence permit and said I would receive a home visit. �We need to be sure that marriages to Indian citizens are genuine.�
Several weeks later, one Friday afternoon around 5 pm, I received a phone call as I was pottering around the streets of central Delhi.
�He wanted a bribe, you idiot,� my friend said. �You�ll never get your card now; he�d have been happy with Rs 100.�
The investigators from the Home Ministry would be at my home at 5.30. As I rushed home, images of Mr and Mrs, a television programme of my UK childhood, flashed through my mind. A gormless husband would be placed in a soundproof booth, while his bright-as-a-button wife would stand on the stage. She would be asked semi-intimate questions about their life together: what was the first present she gave him when they were ? What colour nightclothes was she wearing yesterday? And so on. The husband was then released from the booth, and would invariably get the answers wrong, to his embarrassment and everyone else�s amusement. It was gentle viewing�a mild celebration of female omniscience and male autism. But now I was going to take part in a real-life version of Mr and Mrs, and my precious PIO card, and perhaps my right to stay in India, would depend on it. And, suddenly I could not, for the life of me, remember the colour of Shireen�s toothbrush, or the name of her favourite Hindi movie, or her shoe size. Fifteen years of marriage had been erased from my memory. I was sweating with nerves by the time I reached home.
Two men were seated on the edge of the sofa, looking even more nervous than me, untouched glasses of water in front of them. Shireen was questioning them about their professional qualifications�which were not very extensive. I gave her a self-conscious kiss on the cheek and sat down. At that point, our children burst in, a dancing duet of carefree excitement.
�What are these children?� asked the chief investigator.
�They�re ours.� Shireen responded with a slight chill in her voice.
�Children of both of you? They are very old.�
�Yes, both of us. They�re twelve and eleven.�
�How do you have children if you are just married?� I had not prepared for this baffling line of questioning�and was later reprimanded for just sitting there with my mouth open. Shireen, meanwhile, delivered a crushing blow.
�Ridiculous (sotto voce).... This is all totally ridiculous (out loud).... We�ve been married for fifteen years.�
I nodded eagerly.
The two men looked at each other, aghast, and then started scrabbling through the cardboard file they had brought with them. It became clear that they normally interviewed newly-married couples.
�Can we see your marriage certificate?� I showed it to them and was asked for a copy. I printed out a copy of the certificate, which was downloaded on my computer. They then got up and left�abruptly ending my brief cameo on Mr and Mrs�having promised a decision within two weeks.
The following evening, a Saturday, our cook, Pan Singh, said one of the men who had come yesterday was at the gate, asking for a lifafa, the Hindi word for envelope. I asked him to invite the man in. Pan Singh returned, a little sheepish, saying the man refused to come in, but just wanted a lifafa�with our marriage certificate. And so, slightly puzzled, I printed out another copy.
Later, I told a friend this story. �He wanted a bribe, you idiot. A lifafa is what you put the bribe in. You�ll never get your PIO card now, and he�d have been perfectly happy with 100 rupees.�
Three weeks later I went to the Foreigners� Regional Registration Office to hear the good news, and the bad. �Your application for a PIO has successfully passed the enquiry stage,� the official informed me without looking up. �But unfortunately, Mr Miller, all your documentation has gone astray and you will need to resubmit.� I looked heavenwards and brought my hand down rather heavily on the table. �I�m sorry. We�re not computerised yet, and some of our agents are a little careless.� It may have been my imagination, but I�m sure I detected the trace of a wink in her left eye. �Probably best to apply next time you�re in London,� she told me cheerfully. I walked away presuming, but unable to prove, that my papers had been deliberately lost.
I took her advice. Three weeks after putting in my application to the Indian High Commission in London (no interview necessary), I had my precious PIO card�together with a 15-year visa, the right to buy property in India, and, to my amusement, the ability to join the diplomats� queue at immigration at Delhi airport. This is of no practical use, because I still have to wait just as long for my luggage, but I do get childishly gleeful as I saunter past the first-class passengers.
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