biggish data

Hi, I need some help

thanks for all the info. It's too bad there isn't a quicker way to do things but I'm sure everyone on here is saying that =P well I guess I just have to be patient, and be happy i can freely go to visit.

Um, I can't believe that no one mentioned that Canadians in most professional occupations don't even NEED a visa to work in the US. No waiting period or anything; they just stamp you in at the border for up to three years at a time. Most professional occupations qualify. Almost any BS degree that will actually get you a job seems to work. You have to get a letter from an employer first.

Occupation List Here:
http://www.visapro.c...ion-ListPop.htm

Edited by toma1, 14 March 2010 - 09:44 AM.

toma1

Male

Thailand

2010-03-14 09:43:00

What if a spouse dies before divorce is final?

If former spouse dies while in the process of a divorce proceeding,

This is actually a simple question that has a precise legal answer:

The spouse is not "former" until the divorce is FINAL. So the answer to your question is that the surviving spouse becomes a widow/er and the marriage contract ends. There is no divorce. You will not ever be divorced from that person as you cannot divorce a dead person to whom you are no longer married.

Similarly, if you were in the process of a divorce but reconciled with your spouse and ended the divorce proceeding before it was final you would not have to be married again as you would STILL BE married. However, if the divorce was final and you reconciled, you would have to be remarried.

toma1

Male

Thailand

2010-04-03 13:12:00

the tax implications are the one thing that makes life abroad challenging for a US citizen, especially if one should reside in a country with lower taxes.

I would not dismiss this as a genuine concern, especially if people are considering leaving the US for long periods of time or plan to return to their home countries after a short period. I have personally got stung by the state of California for tax year 2005, the year I returned to the US, and from what I can tell the foreign tax credit does not apply at the state level, so I'm paying about a grand more than I would have if I had been a full year resident of California (and probably more than a full year resident of the UK, though I haven't done the math)

I'm not sure if it's still the case, but DCF in Australia used to be a very quick and easy process, so something for the OP to consider in his decision.

Good advice! I sometimes forget that states have taxes...

That's a huge reason I live in Florida, and one reason I have turned down jobs in California. The salaries in CA are slightly higher, but do not come close to covering the massive cost of living difference (as they do, for example, in NYC), and then they tax the hell out of everyone on the entire tax trifecta: income, property AND sales. I'd also consider Texas and Nevada, but those are probably the only states I would live in in the US. (In addition to Florida, I might also consider Georgia if I had a college aged student due to the incredible tuition benefits these two states offer their high school graduates--college is nearly free for residents.)

Edited by toma1, 05 April 2010 - 11:17 PM.

toma1

Male

Thailand

2010-04-05 23:16:00

Not sure that I'd consider it fatalistic to be prudent when it comes to immigration and take advantage of an opportunity that presents itself.

I think the point of mentioning the tax implications is to show that there are drawbacks to US citizenship as well as benefits. Having that information, if you want to give more weight to a theoretical future immigration situation than an actual and currently existing financial issue, that's between you an your spouse. Each person needs to weigh the variables and make this decision for themselves based on their comfort level.

toma1

Male

Thailand

2010-04-05 10:01:00

"With the way the world is going with immigration these days" seems a bit fatalistic. I'm fairly sure the US will eventually stop automatic citizenship just for being born here, however I can't see them doing the same thing for a spouse.

toma1

Male

Thailand

2010-04-03 09:12:00

There's more to international relationships and life than tax implications, though.

Yes, it should be considered if she's likely to be earning over $86,000 a year but there are other considerations that should be taken into account.

We've discussed the fact that I'll naturalise asap, because my parents are 10 years older than his and will quite possibly need 'emergency' assistance sometime in the next 5-10 years. I don't want to have to worry about getting permission for an extended absence before returning to the UK if required. Equally, it's a lot easier to reside in the EU once we've been married several years, whether in the UK or elsewhere. So if we then need to return to the US because his parents need a hand, it's just a case of getting on a plane (theoretically!) if I get citizenship before we left the US.

In short, if you can get dual citizenship, it's more practical than not unless you are absolutely positive that you won't ever want to return to reside in the US.

With the way the world is going with immigration these days, we're taking the opportunity to have flexibility through citizenship while we still can.

There is no issue with him taking UK citizenship as the UK doesn't impose these silly rules on its citizens living abroad.

It's that difficult to get approval for an extended emergency absence? You can get it even after you leave, I think. You don't have to be here to apply. Seems a minor issue for the tax savings, unless you are certain you won't hit the limits.

Edited by toma1, 03 April 2010 - 09:09 AM.

toma1

Male

Thailand

2010-04-03 09:06:00

In general, having dual citizenship only has a minor effect on the citizen's rights and privileges. For example, she wouldn't be able to sit in Parliament in Australia if she also held citizenship in the US.

Oh BS! Once she has US Citizenship, she will forever owe the IRS taxes on her non-exempt worldwide income, even if they move permanently back to OZ.

My advice: If you don't plant to live here, DO NOT have her get US Citizenship. An AUS passport is better for travel, in most cases, than an American one anyway. She'll be exempt everywhere that you are exempt, and where a visa is required, hers will usually cost a lot less.

<Oh, sorry, guess I should have read all the way through, the tax implications have already been beaten to death here....>

Edited by toma1, 03 April 2010 - 12:01 AM.

toma1

Male

Thailand

2010-04-02 23:57:00

New Member!!! Some basic questions need advice

the embassy of EEUU in Lima, Peru denied me twice the tourism visa one the last year(Jul 2008) and in January 2010 , do you think that would be wrong to start right away with my papers or should I wait more time?? Do you think that when they deny me will affect my posible visa k1?

Tourist visa denials have no impact on a K1 visa at all.

Do you think its better and faster the k1 than k3?

K1 is faster only because you have to plan and hold a wedding first before a K3. You can file a K1 NOW. If you DO get married first skip the k3 and file for CR1..

My bf wants to hire a lawyer, do you think that he maybe can do it faster and also better? and someone knows a good lawyer in Atlanta? and how much should I pay him?

I wouldn't. Most people complain that a lawyer slows things down, but if you two don't have the time to work on it due to work or school, then go ahead, I have no idea how much you should pay.

Also at this point. I was working but I stopped and now I m looking for a new job... but do you think that I need ASAP a job before I get start to do the papers k1 or that s only affect for my bf .???

It would--in most cases--only affect him.

Oh btw my bf is an student he ll graduate finally this year do you think that I ll afect to my papers k1?? cause his dad will be the support of advif or should I tell his mom too?? They earn a good money .

It won't matter if the parents sign a document that they are willing to support you for AT LEAST 10 YEARS EVEN IF YOU DIVORCE THEIR SON. Make sure they are going to agree to that before you get started or you are wasting your time.

Edited by toma1, 09 April 2010 - 06:13 PM.

toma1

Male

Thailand

2010-04-09 18:09:00

Would I be hurting our chances if I applied for a K-1 now?

But it's a legally unenforceable document. So there is no risk on the OP's part.

Not sure about I-134, but I-864 is certainly enforceable, and it had been enforced.

toma1

Male

Thailand

2010-04-09 17:52:00

Divorce in Thailand

If one insists on securing a divorce in Thailand, perhaps so. But a US resident married to a Thai, can simply divorce them in the USA. Married is Married and divorced is divorced. Without physically serving papers to the foreign spouse, things are a bit more complicated, so not a do it yourself deal but a family law attorney in the US will know what to do.

Agree, and things might actually go better for you in the US if your spouse is Thai and does not plan to contest the divorce. Things will DEFINITELY go better for you in the US if you had a prenuptial agreement. On the other hand, things will go better for you in Thailand if you have kids.

Also, you should look in the Sawasdee 3 thread. Another guy filed for a K-1 three weeks after his Thai divorce was final and the BKK embassy is giving him a lot of trouble. You might want to give it some time before filing for a K-1.

Edited by toma1, 19 April 2010 - 02:40 PM.

toma1

Male

Thailand

2010-04-19 14:39:00

are they in sealed pkgs? basically trying to find out if they could cause me any difficulty in the airport in either sfo or seoul.

They can be however you want them. I would have my secretary at the university send them directly to you.

toma1

Male

Thailand

2010-05-18 19:21:00

just popping by to say for those of you in thailand be safe and for those of you waiting to be reunited with your loved ones i hope that they remain safe and the violence halts soon.

*going to bkk on 9 June for a trip with a friend, a bit nervous but still planning to go. my husband is really worried since he's not going. and insisting that if i go i have to be glued at the hip with my in-laws. now he wants me to go stay with them in ratchaburi.*

Nothing to worry about at this point... and all signs point to a crackdown today. Armored personnel carriers have surrounded the protest area.

Any chance you can fit an extra laptop and cellphone in your carry-on? I'd be happy to pay you $100 (or THB equivalent) at BKK. Still trying to find a way to get it shipped, but its been a nightmare.

toma1

Male

Thailand

2010-05-18 18:34:00

Another good one:

http://www.foodbyphone.com/

But they tend to have big markups--and usually higher delivery charges. ChefsXP sells at menu price. Just pay 60 for delivery to ALL of Bangkok

toma1

Male

Thailand

2010-05-17 01:12:00

Guess it will be dinner at the hotel this evening. Don't care much to venture out!

You don't have to eat hotel food.
This place is still delivering from all over BKK for 60bt.
http://chefsxp.com/

Just ordered my lunch...

toma1

Male

Thailand

2010-05-17 01:00:00

Yes, nice pic but I believe it's all the tires the shirts are burning to try to keep the army out of their space. I saw another pic something similar to that with all the tires burning.
I saw the post about the meeting. You going to go? They are now saying that Americans should cancel all travel plans to Thailand and stay away for now. But I think as long as you are
not going anywhere that there is trouble from the shirts, you will be okay.

That's definitely what it was. Today I can't see individual plumes. The whole area over there is grey.

toma1

Male

Thailand

2010-05-16 19:24:00

Did you forget to attach the pic?

Apparently... fixed now... and this just in:

MESSAGE TO THE AMERICANS IN THAILAND

Town Hall meeting: Tuesday, May 18, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at the S31 Hotel, 545 Sukhumvit 31, Klongtoey-Nua, Wattana, Bangkok, in the large ballroom.
You are invited to attend a Town Hall meeting on Tuesday. Ambassador Eric G. John, along with other officials from the Embassy, will be present to discuss the current situation in Bangkok.
The Town Hall meeting for American citizens only will be held on Tuesday, May 18, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at the S31 Hotel, 545 Sukhumvit 31, Bangkok, in the large ballroom. The S31 Hotel can be reached at 66-2-260-1111, or at www.s31hotel.com.
Bring your passport or other form of U.S. citizenship! You must present proof of U.S. citizenship at the door in order to be allowed in to the Town Hall meeting. You will not be admitted without proof of U.S. citizenship.
Acceptable forms of U.S. citizenship are:
--U.S. passport,
--U.S. birth certificate plus photo identification,
--Consular Report of Birth Abroad plus photo identification, or
--Naturalization Certificate.

This opportunity is intended for American citizens and is an off-the-record meeting intended to inform American citizens about the latest developments in Bangkok.
The American Citizen Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy can be reached by phone at 66-2-205-4049 and by e-mail at ACSBKK@State.gov.

Attached Files

DSC_0062.JPG 647.83KB 12 downloads

Edited by toma1, 16 May 2010 - 10:32 AM.

toma1

Male

Thailand

2010-05-16 10:31:00

Bottom line, when they open Wittayu, and it's safe, people will have their interviews. Until then, probably not gonna happen.

I don't think it's going to happen for a long time. I'm in Ratchada about 100m from the, now defunct, Thai Cultural Center MRT station. I can see all kinds of fires burning in the southern horizon. (See attached pic of the view of that area from my balcony. I took this photo a few minutes ago.)

And now this from the State Department:

"US citizens should defer all travel to Bangkok and defer all non-essential travel to the rest of Thailand," a statement said.

"The Department of State has authorized the departure of all non-emergency US government personnel and eligible family members from Bangkok," the statement added.

That means only the Marines are left in the Embassy. Defer ALL TRAVEL, means even ESSENTIAL travel. This is the most severe warning that the Department of State can issue, with the exception of complete closure and removal of the Marines from the embassy. They aren't planning for a grand reopening any time soon, I'm afraid. Sorry guys.

toma1

Male

Thailand

2010-05-16 04:46:00

BTW, son was released from the hospital in Surin day before yesterday, for a 4 day stay and all the medical attention he received, it only cost 9,000 baht. Amazing, why does it have to cost so much here in the US??

Much higher medical salaries and malpractice insurance premiums.

Anyone here at VJ in BKK, be careful!!

Nothing happening in my neighborhood. (Ratchada)

Edited by toma1, 15 May 2010 - 11:02 AM.

toma1

Male

Thailand

2010-05-15 10:57:00

Also, getting a police certificate will probably be impossible. The police station is right in the middle of the mess.

And they are probably in no mood...

toma1

Male

Thailand

2010-05-15 10:52:00

Ah, come on, guys!! They live off our tax dollars and the money we pay to have the visas processed. I say put them to work. Just send in the Marines to guard the embassy!!!

That's only part of the issue. The government is preparing to cut off the utilities in the protest area. That includes the US, UK and Dutch embassies.

toma1

Male

Thailand

2010-05-15 09:45:00

Wow, it's gotten so quiet in this thread!! Maybe the fighting in BKK is making everyone take a break?? Let's hope the embassy opens Monday and starts processing visas again. This is just causing
delays for everyone.

I don't think it's gonna happen. That area is a complete mess right now.

toma1

Male

Thailand

2010-05-15 08:13:00

I have no idea. I would think it shouldn't matter which company you send it through, but I've never bothered to use Fedex or DHL to send anything to Thailand.

I don't have time to wait for regular post.

Does Joanna know anyone heading back over there soon?

We thought about that... she had a friend that was going to come over, but she ran into some immigration problem and cant leave the US for the time being.

toma1

Male

Thailand

2010-05-12 20:56:00

I don't know if they were aware or not. You know how the customs declaration forms is usually barely legible by the time it gets there. But I always declare what I send. For that one it was:

Description Qty Value Total Value
mobile phone 3 $350 $1050

No one cared. Not here or in Thailand. It's just the luck of the draw. How else would a 30,000 baht package of electronics be fine while a 4000 baht pair of shoes were dinged? To be honest, I expected at least one of the phones to go missing. I don't know about x-ray machines or not. I doubt Husby would either, but I can ask.

It was sent via regular post? Yeah, you ARE lucky they didn't disappear.

I wonder if Fedex/DHL is more or less likely to be a problem?

toma1

Male

Thailand

2010-05-12 20:36:00

Hey toma1. This could be way off base but for some reason I have the impression they X-ray or scan all packages even if it list just documents. I think they have the ability to look/check if they are really interested. I think I have seen packages arrive with a label that says contents x-rayed.

Sure, they do, but if the box was large and contained a lot of different things, they might not be noticed. I'm just wondering if the reason they weren't taxed may be because they didn't know the box contained iPhones. If she mailed a dozen items and wrote "personal effects" that might be the case. If she mailed three iphones and wrote "three iphones" it's something else entirely.

I've got horrible jetlag. Went to bed a 3:30, woke up at 6.

Edited by toma1, 12 May 2010 - 06:21 PM.

toma1

Male

Thailand

2010-05-12 18:18:00

Nice map, but that's assuming nothing spills over if they try to run them out. Hopefully it won't affect the embassy but I would think in BKK it is not like the US where you can maybe just shut down electricity to one specific block or half block. happen.

The plan to cut power and water has been postponed indefinitely.

toma1

Male

Thailand

2010-05-12 13:38:00

Good luck, Richard.

Thank you, Rob.

Tom (a1), I asked Husby. He said it's pretty up to the person at the main post office. The iPhones, he didn't get dinged on. But when he ordered shoes, he paid 500 baht on top 4,000 baht for the shoes themselves. It's not much, but perhaps you can get a rough estimate.

Thanks. Did you list the iPhones listed as being iPhones on the export documentation that you filled out before you mailed them? I'm just wondering if the PO was aware of what was in the box.

toma1

Male

Thailand

2010-05-12 13:35:00

This is one of her arguments. She says the "people" at the Embassy will be familiar with Thai traditions and realize that just because she is wearing a white Western style wedding dress, they will know this is not a wedding.

Thanks for your input toma1.

Sorry, I know nothing about Thai import laws or restrictions. I wish I could help. Do you have someone in the USA that can try to contact FedEx or DHL first thing Monday morning, USA time? Do you think that will help?

I can call their Thai office, but in general, they can tell you what the duties are, but cannot advise you about how to avoid them.

BTW: I was being facetious about the cultural sensitivity of the US government... I would be concerned, same as you.

Edited by toma1, 09 May 2010 - 07:28 PM.

toma1

Male

Thailand

2010-05-09 19:26:00

Does anyone here know about shipping items TO Thailand--specifically with regard to import duties?

I'm in Bangkok for the next few months and my office bought me a new laptop that I need to use while I'm here. (Unfortunately, Apple wasn't checking my departure schedule when shipping out the new MacBook Pros.) Shipping costs are not an issue, but I am concerned about import duties. Technically, they shouldn't apply, as the item is not being imported permanently, but I'm not sure. Any ideas? A friend was going to bring it with her when she came over in a week, but she ended up having to cancel her trip due to some immigration issue.

toma1

Male

Thailand

2010-05-09 18:56:00

We went to BNH today and Nok had her medical exam done. The paper we got in the mail from the embassy said the cost was 2100 Baht. Our bill was 2910 Baht. Nok just got the exam and no vaccinations or anything. We actually have to go back next week b/c she brought her vaccination records and they never asked for them. When they said she was done and she could go pay for it, she told them they didn't ask her about her vaccinations and then showed them her records. By then the doctor already left for the day and now we have to go back next week to show the doctor the vaccination records. We are not sure if she has all the vaccinations necessary anyways, so we thought we might as well get them done while we were there. They said okay and said she needs 3 shots. Once we found out they were around 3000 baht we said that we would go to a Thai hospital and come back with the records. So we asked exactly which shots she needs. They said they didn't know because the shots are different for her age and stuff like that. Then I thought wait, you don't know but just a minute ago you were going to sell us 3 shots for 3000 Baht. I guess they know the shots if we get them done there.

Well, I just wanted to share the 2900 Baht cost with you all and see if that is right. The receipt just says Medical Packages 2910 Baht. Was very displeased with BNH except for the beautiful interior and comfortability.

aitian

Male

Thailand

2007-06-02 08:58:00

I went to add some pages to my passport a couple months ago at the American Citizens Services section in Bangkok. Outside the entrance there was a really long line of people waiting to get inside for which I was allowed to walk around since I was just going to the ACS part. When my fiance and I go to our interview next month, are we going to have to wait outside in this long line? If so, how early should we get there for a 1pm appointment time?

Thanks

aitian

Male

Thailand

2007-06-01 09:48:00

How often do people not get to pick up their visas the next day? The problem is that Nok's interview is on a Thursday right after July 4th, so if it isn't ready the next day on Friday we will have to wait until the following weekend since she wants to leave on a weekend so her whole family can see her off at the airport. Do they have people pick up their visas on Saturdays at the embassy?

Aitan,

They are not open on Saturday. If you look at "immigration timelines" in VJ, choose "View all visas (advanced view)" under "visa display options", you will get a list of timelines. Go to the bottom of the page, choose "Thailand" as the country and change the "# of rows" to a larger number (50 to 100), then go back to the top and click the down arrow next to "interview" in the header column, you will have a list sorted by interview date. Visa in hand date is in the column next to that. A quick scan shows about 80 to 90% get their visa the next day. Based on those stats, I booked Rin's flight for the day after her interview. Got her visa at 3pm the next day (their standard pickup time now), and headed straight to the airport! I did, however, make sure the flight could be changed if there would have been any problems. Thai Airways allowed changes on the date, but we could not have switched airlines (ticket only valid on Thai).

Goodluck on the interview!

John

Thanks so much for the detailed answer. We are planning on flying Thai anyway since they allow us to bring our little yorkies with us in cabin. I didn't know about them letting us change on the day of the flight. I think we'll try that then.

Thanks so much!!!

aitian

Male

Thailand

2007-05-30 12:57:00

How often do people not get to pick up their visas the next day? The problem is that Nok's interview is on a Thursday right after July 4th, so if it isn't ready the next day on Friday we will have to wait until the following weekend since she wants to leave on a weekend so her whole family can see her off at the airport. Do they have people pick up their visas on Saturdays at the embassy?

aitian

Male

Thailand

2007-05-29 23:57:00

Our interview date was posted on the website today. Wasn't as soon as we had hoped, but it sure is nice to be able to know when we will be going back to the US.

aitian

Male

Thailand

2007-05-29 23:49:00

I tried searching this on the forum but can't find an answer.

Do we need to pay the visa fee before they schedule our interview or do we just have to pay it before we go to the interview? We just don't want to be sitting on our butts waiting for weeks for our interview time to find out we had to pay it at the post before being schedule.

aitian

Male

Thailand

2007-05-26 04:50:00

aitian,

Interesting, and it confirms what I wrote in my post.

So you're saying - indirectly - that your fiancee was previously 'married Thai-style' to some guy?

Yodrak

Attached is the 3rd page of the checklist I received in my packet 3 that mentions "verification of unmarried status." It can be found under the "other" section.

I think we may have to head up to her hometown to get one of those letters real quick. Maybe they will let her mother get it for her and save us the trip up there.

Okay, I get what your saying. With the use of 'register', the embassy probably only wants this from people who have had marriages that have not registered them or have kids which would make the embassy think that the person may have been married before.

Nok has never been married either way but I think we may get the paper from her hometown just in case it is needed. Since this is a new form of the checklist, maybe they plan on requiring this now. I just want to be safe when it comes to any documents the interviewer may want.

aitian

Male

Thailand

2007-05-23 22:49:00

Attached is the 3rd page of the checklist I received in my packet 3 that mentions "verification of unmarried status." It can be found under the "other" section.

I think we may have to head up to her hometown to get one of those letters real quick. Maybe they will let her mother get it for her and save us the trip up there.

Attached Files

packet_3_scan.jpg 196.47KB 24 downloads

Edited by aitian, 23 May 2007 - 12:46 PM.

aitian

Male

Thailand

2007-05-23 12:41:00

Hey all!

I received the Packet 3 in the mail yesterday (by the way I got lucky with sending in early as my package sent to the embassy was received the same day my packet 3 was posted from the embassy, pretty cool).

I have a question that has been touched on here but I am a little more confused after reading the instructions and checklist sent by the embassy. Members have stated that the "verification of unmarried status" is usually only for those that have been married before, but the exact wording on the checklist states, "Verification of Unmarried Status for K-1s and spouse visas if you did not register a previous marriage." From this wording, I am reading that they want this verification from fiances and spouses that have never been married before. Is this just bad wording by the embassy or does my fiance (never been married) need this verification now?

aitian

Male

Thailand

2007-05-23 07:08:00

I would like to apologize to everyone on the Sawasdee thread. I should not have flooded this current page with a childish argument. This was the first time I have ever felt I was being personally attacked on a forum and could not stop myself from responding. I know I hate it when others turn a thread into a personal argument. I will not make anymore posts that are not conducive to this forum.

Sincerely,
Josh

aitian

Male

Thailand

2007-05-13 07:35:00

It says right on the embassy's website : Immigrant documents sent to the U.S. Embassy for a case which is not pending at the Embassy will be destroyed. The Embassy does not have storage facilities for these documents.

Please do not send any of these documents to the Embassy unless instructed to do so. The downloadable documents below are provided solely for those who have cases pending with the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok and need an additional copy of a document or did not receive the Packet 3 documents by mail.

Important Note:
Receipt of an I-797 Notice of Approval from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) does not indicate that the case is pending with the U.S. Embassy. It takes 2-6 weeks on average for approved cases to arrive at the Embassy. If the applicant or petitioner has not received notice from the Embassy after 6 weeks from receipt of the I-797, you may send an email regarding the status.

You say the embassy "should" receive, but you don't know for sure when they'll receive it and how long it will take to process it, so why send out these documents when you may (probably?) have to send them again?

A lot of your posts on VJ are about getting around the normal, painfully slow immigration process and yes, it sucks and we all sympathize, but it's just something that you have to live with. Stop trying to speed things up because it just won't work and may ultimately backfire on you at some point in the process and then you'll both really be stuck.

Hey all!

We are going to send in our packet 3 stuff before receiving the packet (probably mid this week) since the embassy should receive our case early this week. I know everything to include except for where to send it. Is there a special address to send packet 3 checklist and extras or a special heading/notification on the envelope?

Basically, who do we address it too and where?

Thanks!!!

I don't understand your post. It costs 32 Baht to send it EMS to the embassy. It left Thursday via DHL and therefore should be received by Wednesday easy. From this information if I send it on Thursday and it will arrive on Friday. I don't think you are familiar enough with the process. We already have a case number (you can get yours from NVC). It is gamble because there is no downside. The worst is I will have to resend it. Big deal!!! The upside is we cut two weeks out of the process. Your situation may not be dire but ours is. Two weeks earlier could be a year in a nicer apartment for us, closer to campus.

I'm really surprised at your response since is our duty to make it the shortest time possible. Do you pay as much taxes as the government wants you to or do you try to minimize your taxes as much as possible? It is the same philosophy. Why more when it can be less. Rules are meant to be bent to the max.

Luckily a more helpful member has already given me all the information that I need in a pm. Thanks to that member.

In a perfect world it will arrive on Wed. without delay; however, do you know exactly how long it takes for the embassy to open it, "process" it (i.e., record it in their system of tracking 129F apps), and send out packet 3? Since you don't, why send out packet 3 when it could arrive before they've had a chance to do this and risk having your paperwork thrown out? You say it's "our duty" to make it the shortest time possible. I don't know about a "duty", but we all certainly want it go shorter. Don't you think we all would've done exactly what you're planning to do if there was evidence, on this forum and elsewhere, that it actually worked??

By the way, my situation isn't dire as my husband already has his green card. I've already been through a large part of the whole immigration process and let me tell you, it's not at all like taxes - 99% of the time you go on USCIS time and that's what the most aggravating. Keep it up with the friendly posts; you'll make a lot of friends on these forums.

I really don't understand you. I did not make a non-friendly post. YOU DID! I simply asked a question and you jumped down my throat about it.

Matt is simply right in saying what I am saying. All I will lose is some worthless documents. I can always resend it if they do get destroyed. I don't know why you are making a big deal of this. And I didn't say your situation was dire, I said mine is. That is why I am trying to cut the time down all the time. I'm sorry you don't agree with me trying to shorten my time here in Thailand but you don't have to attack me over it. This is supposed to be a site of support and assistance.

Edited by aitian, 13 May 2007 - 07:22 AM.

aitian

Male

Thailand

2007-05-13 07:22:00