ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsAUGUST I-129F FILERS UNDER CSC
QUOTE (mox @ Jan 26 2008, 11:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Melrose Plant @ Jan 26 2008, 09:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Geico @ Jan 26 2008, 10:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Another august filer approved.
Congratulations Melrose Plant!!! kicking.gif good.gif


Thank you very much, I was quite shocked. I think that's the trick. Don't go online for a while. (Had no choice--no internet service where I am working out of town)

Heh! Well the real trick is to get your file on someone's desk. Don't suppose you'd want to share your secret? laughing.gif


I am going to be very forthcoming about my actions. I don't know whether any of this made any difference, you can draw your own conclusions.

Two weeks ago, I talked with my lawyer, and he said it's been long enough that he encouraged me to get congressional involvement. I then called my State Representative, who is somewhere between an acquaintance and a friend. He gave me a contact with my U.S. Senator. I called the Senator's office, and made a request for an inquiry. The staff person was very bureaucratic with me, took my name, my finacee's name, and our case number. She said she would email USCIS because they weren't answering their phones lately. I was a little disappointed, but was polite and said thank you for your help.

Then my lawyer had a meeting with USCIS at the local office in Des Moines, and he found out that our case was OK, that there was nothing amiss, but that I would have to wait at least another month or two for approval. This meeting was on Jan. 18.

After that, I was pi$$ed. I called the Senator's office back and asked them what they had found. They told me exactly the same story, that I would have to wait. I voiced my dissatisfaction with USCIS, that I had paid triple the filing fee and gotten worse service. But in the end, I said that was fine, I understood there was a backlog, and I was willing to wait my turn for approval. But I made a request that when approval came, that CSC send the file in a timely fashion to NVC, just like the VSC people get. The second time I called the staff were a lot more friendly and seemed more willing to help me.

In the meantime, we have gotten approval, 9 days after the initial congressional inquiry. I honestly don't know if our number was up anyway. The real truth will be told when we see how long it takes for NVC to get our file. I will be continuing to talk with my Senator's office.

That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
Melrose PlantMaleVietnam2008-01-27 00:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsAUGUST I-129F FILERS UNDER CSC
QUOTE (Geico @ Jan 26 2008, 10:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Another august filer approved.
Congratulations Melrose Plant!!! kicking.gif good.gif


Thank you very much, I was quite shocked. I think that's the trick. Don't go online for a while. (Had no choice--no internet service where I am working out of town)
Melrose PlantMaleVietnam2008-01-27 00:08:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsAUGUST I-129F FILERS UNDER CSC
Yes, I'm an August filer. Yes, I hope we can get our approval in January. But........I don't think it's going to happen. sad.gif
Melrose PlantMaleVietnam2008-01-20 18:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsAUGUST I-129F FILERS UNDER CSC
QUOTE (Geico @ Jan 9 2008, 10:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (bengalilover @ Jan 9 2008, 10:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Have any other August fillers receieve NOA2 in 2008? I see we are not very active, compared June and July fillers.


Please, If Someone, who filed in August at CSC,has gotten an approval, try to fill the timeline. We are anxious to know and begin to congratulate and make the happy dance kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif

God bless everyone


Believe me, you guys/gals will be the 3d to know when I get my approval! (Behind my sweetie and my parents)
Melrose PlantMaleVietnam2008-01-13 13:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsAUGUST I-129F FILERS UNDER CSC
I sure hope they start kicking it in the tail pretty soon, because we have acquaintances who got approved last week, and they filed 8 days AFTER us in August. Naturally, they are at the VSC. It really stinks when you have to try and explain why that is to a crying fiancee 8000 miles away. It's getting so that every time we talk about immigration at all, it just ruins a perfectly good conversation because both of us get depressed about it.

And let's not even get into the acquaintances who somehow managed to go from filing to interview in 3 1/2 months, even though they filed 6 weeks after us. I wouldn't even care that much if only I could provide an explanation. But I can't. I don't think there IS one. Once we get that NOA2, I think everyone's mood will improve. At least there will be something to talk about then. Sorry to complain.
Melrose PlantMaleVietnam2008-01-05 19:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsAUGUST I-129F FILERS UNDER CSC
I am sorry to hear that many August filers had long delays getting NOA1. I sent the petition off on Aug 16 and I got NOA1 Aug 24. I don't quite know how I got so lucky. However, not so lucky as a select few September filers, I believe at the Vermont Center, who seemed to go from zero to NOA2 in about a month, and are now already into Packet 3 and such. What's up with that?
Melrose PlantMaleVietnam2007-12-04 23:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsATTENTION JULY FILERS!
QUOTE (haroldmarichelle @ Dec 22 2007, 06:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Weekend and I can't check the status. I'm glad im getting my hair cut today otherwise i'll pull all it out from waiting.

I'm glad my sweety and I have lotz of patients. This waiting game can drive relationship close to breaking point.

Wish you all a happy holiday...

PATIENTS, PATIENTS, PATIENTS.... Our time will come! innocent.gif


Sorry, I just can't help myself. You mean "patience." Now, if the both of you are doctors, I am sure you have lots of patients. biggrin.gif

Now that I met my sweetie, I seems to have lots of friends all around the world, and I correct a lot of English, but mostly that spoken by Americans, embarrassingly.

We are trying to have patience also. It is not easy around the holidays, it's pretty lonely.
Melrose PlantMaleVietnam2007-12-24 10:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsAugust and September Filers - NOA2 to NVC
I just found out 2 days ago that not only was our case received by NVC, it's already gone to Vietnam, and we've got a Ho Chi Minh number. When I found our that Igor&Elina was approved the day before us, and then got to NVC so fast, I thought, "#######, we're at the bottom of the crate. Probably another month, then." A phone call to NVC on the 4th (the day they actually received our case) confirmed this worry, as they told me they hadn't received the case yet, call back in a few days. However, it didn't work out like that, thank goodness. Maybe they're just filling up crates at a tremendous clip!

It's the height of irony that I believe our case will move much faster now that it's on its way to Vietnam (NOTHING moves fast in Vietnam).

By the way, congratulations, Igor& Elina. I hope things move faster in Russia than they do in Vietnam.

Edited by Melrose Plant, 09 February 2008 - 08:11 PM.

Melrose PlantMaleVietnam2008-02-09 20:09:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsTWO?!?!
I know, we had the same problem with CSC, and the worst part is, there is NOTHING you can do about it. I thought it was because of the backlog from them raising the filing fees last year, but I see it is still going on today. They should give a few more states to Vermont to even things out a bit.
Melrose PlantMaleVietnam2008-04-21 11:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsOCTOBER FILERS
Just be thankful you live in a state where you get to file at VSC. I'm an August filer, I have a very straightforward case, and I was just told today that I will have to wait another month or two at CSC. So hang in there! You'll be before us, I'm sure.
Melrose PlantMaleVietnam2008-01-18 18:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsOctober interview
Holy #######! I hope you don't have to buy a plane ticket and take off work that fast! Good luck!

I can't pass up the opportunity to say "I love you AND the horse you came in on" to the consulate at HCMC for allowing us and our loved ones to plan for anything.
Melrose PlantMaleVietnam2008-09-17 17:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWaiting for a NOA2 from CSC for your I-129F?
By the way, I received my email at 12:30 in the morning, so that would be 10:30 p.m. at CSC. However, I'm sure that's the automated system working overtime. But then, a real person DOES have to input that information. Anyway, I thought it was odd I received the notice at that hour. Don't give up hope! Approval may come in the middle of the night, apparently.
Melrose PlantMaleVietnam2008-01-27 08:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWaiting for a NOA2 from CSC for your I-129F?
Add one to the approved list! I have been working out of town and haven't had internet access. While I was talking to Mai Anh this evening, she wanted to look a word up in her dictionary. I took that opportunity to check my email. Well, wouldn't you know? There was the email from CRIS. I just couldn't believe it..............
Melrose PlantMaleVietnam2008-01-26 23:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWaiting for a NOA2 from CSC for your I-129F?
QUOTE (StillThePrettiest @ Jan 20 2008, 01:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
oh, that's such a shame sad.gif

is there any wiggle room? I know you'd like to go to get her, but can she come on her own? that could save you time and money... and if she spoke to her employers, could she maybe change her leaving dates? (I don't know how business works there either, but it can't hurt to ask, surely? wink.gif )


Hehe, I don't want to say too much on a public forum, but let me explain this as best I can. You've got to understand that in VN, a good deal of the capitalist economy is, well, not on the books.

My fiancee is an advertising exec. She sells and services mainly billboard advertising. This job involves a somewhat broader range of responsibilities than a similar position would in the U.S. or Western Europe. For example, she has to actually hire and supervise the actual carpenters who build the sign itself. Can you imagine? Anyway, the jist of it is, somehow, when she gets a contract with a client, she actually invests her own personal money in that contract. That's a little weird to us, but that's how business is done over there. The catch is that she needs to be around at the end of the contract to collect her money. Otherwise, that money goes to giam doc ngu (stupid director). Yes, there's a little secrecy involved here. It's a growing economy under a communist regime.

By looking at the past, she assumed that this whole process would take 5 or 6 months from start to finish. So naturally, she didn't invest a lot of money in pursuing these contracts in the past few months, figuring that she wouldn't be around to collect. In other words, she sent clients away. Now, we see that we figured wrong, and so there's the lost money, and there's nothing to be done about that now. Oh, well.

I just feel fortunate that she does earn a good living, because most people on this forum who have Vietnamese fiancees are sending money every month to their sweeties because they are making maybe $120 per month if they're lucky, so they can't afford things like internet in their homes, or they can't afford to buy a computer.

P.S. She constantly argues with her boss, and I am pretty sure he hates her, but there is no one else in that company who can consistently bring in the contracts like she can! I wish I could tell off my boss like that!
Melrose PlantMaleVietnam2008-01-20 15:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWaiting for a NOA2 from CSC for your I-129F?
This unexpected and unprecedented delay has caused strain on our relationship. It seems I can't cheer her up all the way, no matter how hard I try. On the other hand, she seems resigned to waiting, and has made her peace with that. I feel very lucky, as other couples I know have fought about this pretty hard, and some of them have had relatively fast cases at the VSC! One thing I do know, once we get that NOA2, all of those feelings change instantly. I have seen it in other couples.

The thing about this delay I never thought of before is that it's going to cost us thousands of dollars. Originally, we'd hoped for a December or January interview, and then we revised that to February or March. Any of those dates would have been fine. That's the slow season for construction (my job). Now it looks like May or June might be closer to the mark. That is prime time to be working for me. I'll probably have to quit a job to be able to go to VN at that time to bring her to the U.S. Not good for the pocketbook. Furthermore, Mai Anh has made decisions with her job based on reasonable expectations which will cost her thousands of dollars. That's a little more complicated than my job. I still don't fully understand how business works in VN.

How are we supposed to plan our lives when things are so unpredictable? Maybe I should send USCIS a bill for our lost income. Haha. I know that would be an exercise in futility, but it's a delicious thought!
Melrose PlantMaleVietnam2008-01-20 13:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWaiting for a NOA2 from CSC for your I-129F?
I have some more news to add. My lawyer had a meeting with the USCIS this morning (Des Moines office), and, although there is nothing wrong with our case, it's not lost or anything, I should expect to wait another month or two for approval. There was no explanation given, only that there is a high caseload right now, same ol', same ol'. I wish I could have gone to that meeting.

There is only one thing left to be done, other than waiting meekly, and that is to get my senator involved. I'm not sure it will do any good, but that's the only thing anyone can think of. I hope y'all won't think less of me if I decide to do that. If I do, I will drive home the point that it is patently unfair that just because one lives in a state which must use CSC, there is an extra month built in to the process because of the way they ship approved petitions to NVC, and there is no justifiable reason for that. I will be talking with some people this weekend.

I don't mind waiting that much (OK, I do), but when that son-of-a-buck gets approved, I want that thing at NVC in a fews days, just like the Vermont folks get! OK, I'm done now. I feel much better. Good luck to all.
Melrose PlantMaleVietnam2008-01-18 18:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWaiting for a NOA2 from CSC for your I-129F?
Well folks, it's my 40th birthday today. I'd hoped (not too hard, though) for a nice birthday present, but I guess it didn't come.

I do have a bit of dark humor, though. As I was standing in the express line at the grocery store, I noticed a guy who chose the regular line next to me, which just a few minutes prior had a large order being checked out. That man was on his way out the door, and I still had one person in front of me. You can guess my thoughts. "That is the Vermont line, and this is the California line, I guess." I kept my thoughts to myself, however, as I'm sure that analogy would be lost on anyone in that store. Thought y'all might find that humorous, though.

In other bad news today, I was in negotiations for a house today, a house that my love has only seen pictures of, but I still consult her for advice on these matters. Negotiations on price bogged down however, and I walked away from the table. I hope I made the right decision.

Plus, I froze my butt off today at work. It's snowing. OK, I'm really pushing the relevance to this thread now. I hope y'all had a nice day. I'll stop now. Life is good.
Melrose PlantMaleVietnam2008-01-16 19:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWaiting for a NOA2 from CSC for your I-129F?
QUOTE (DongDong @ Jan 13 2008, 12:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thank you, STP, for the list again good.gif

The Chinese website is running pretty much true to VJ. The ratio is about the same...There were eight VSC'ers, August /September NOA1 dates and two CSC'ers with July NOA1 dates, posting approvals this last week that we could see.


Interesting to know that. On the Vietnamese language website, there seems to be an disproportional number of VSC filers, who are moving somewhat faster than CSC filers. This is causing a slight amount of tension lately, but we are working it out. I feel we are so lucky, we can understand each other very well (both linguistically and personally), and don't get into a full-blown argument over this, as other couples have had the misfortune of doing.

I can't give you such specific numbers, unfortunately. Hang in there, everybody! Like the song says, "Our day will come!"
Melrose PlantMaleVietnam2008-01-13 13:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsBank statement
What the petitioner has sum total in the bank is of little or no importance, provided that his or her income is at least 125% of the poverty line. It might be good to show bank records and paycheck stubs and that sort of thing to show where the income came from, but total savings doesn't really matter.
Melrose PlantMaleVietnam2009-02-03 10:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsCall me a Pessimist..
QUOTE (Amazon @ Feb 1 2009, 11:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
devil.gif I see so many people extremely happy and overly delighted with the NOA2 / K1 Approval, and Congrats star_smile.gif to all those who have been approved kicking.gif . However, it seems to be, a bit early to be getting excited, Yes the long wait is over, for the most part, but there is still so much more to this whole process, that I find I am still stressing out. Yes fine the K1 is approved, but there is still MORE paper work to be filed, more waiting, a Medical and blood test that you have to pass, and an interview and yet more paper work. ranting33va.gif

I don't want to burst anyones bubble, trust me, I would love to be overjoyed with my approval, but all I can think about is what can go wrong with the rest of the process crying.gif

Am I the only one that feels this way ? blush.gif

Even looked at as a whole, it really ain't all that bad from here on out. The paperwork seems like there's a lot, but there really isn't that much in the grand scheme of things. The only thing that I really thought was bad was the not throwing away of ANYTHING. It was such a relief to be able to BURN all those chat logs, emails, phone records, receipts, plane ticket stubs, and all that stuff.

Just sit down and fill out the stuff as you get it. It's not that big of a deal. Good luck! And congratulations on your NOA2!
Melrose PlantMaleVietnam2009-02-03 10:43:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIs it fair for the Jun - Dec CSC filers to be by-passed?
I see nothing's changed in the past year. I remember feeling the same way a year ago. It's just the nature of the game, I guess. I know this doesn't make anyone feel better when you're on the wrong side of approval, but it will come eventually, and then you'll pretty quickly forget all about those lucky VSC people who, through no fault of their own, butted in front of you in line.
Melrose PlantMaleVietnam2009-02-08 09:39:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI have a question about my wife's interview on may 9th, 2008
May 9th, that's the same day as my fiancee's interview, only half a world away! Good luck on the interview!
Melrose PlantMaleVietnam2008-04-17 22:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNecessary to go Back a Third time?
Thanks all, for your replies. I feel much better now. It's so difficult, even if money were not an issue, to plan trips to Asia. I basically have to quit my job and hope there's another when I come back. Or hope I'm laid off anyway, but that's difficult to predict. Thanks again.
Melrose PlantMaleVietnam2007-11-21 06:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNecessary to go Back a Third time?
QUOTE (JenT @ Nov 20 2007, 04:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Is she your wife, or is she your fiancee?

She is my fiancee in the eyes of the law.
Melrose PlantMaleVietnam2007-11-20 17:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNecessary to go Back a Third time?
Hello, I am new here, though I am not new to the K-1 process. We've been waiting 3 months now since we filed our 129F. Boy, I wish I'd got on the ball and got all this stuff in sooner. Anyway, it sure looks like now it takes much longer than it did a year ago, and since my wife (oops, not supposed to call her that) is in Vietnam, which has one of the LONGEST turnaround times of any country, it's going to be, say, maybe 8-10 months since I last saw her when she goes for her interview.

We've discussed this at length (we talk every day), and we've decided we need to save our money and not have me come until she's able to come to the U.S. with me. However, now I am worried that the people at the Consulate will say that we don't have a strong enough continuing relationship, or something like that, because it's been so long since we met in person.

Is there anything to that? Should I go back a third time, say in March (an expense which would be a real burden)?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

James
Melrose PlantMaleVietnam2007-11-20 17:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI'm not sure about this
QUOTE (mox @ Jan 11 2008, 05:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
If you're interested in looking for a foreign wife, head on over to some of the regional forums on this site and ask how people met their fiance's and wives. You'll get a lot of good advice about which dating websites are total scams and which ones are good. Heck maybe even someone will offer to set you up with a relative or friend. smile.gif

Anyway, my $0.02. Best of luck to you and welcome!


I have NO idea why ANYONE would EVER want to look for a foreign spouse on purpose, sitting here comfortably in front of a computer in the U.S. WHAT a freaking NIGHTMARE this whole immigration process is! Having said that, if I could go back, I would NEVER change my life in a way that would have prevented me from meeting my sweetie. It's just that there are so many untruths out there about foreign women (and men). Foreign spouses are not somehow "better" than Americans, they are just different. If there's one thing I've learned when I've traveled to Vietnam, it's that people all over the world are just people. Moms all over the world love their children, brothers care for their brothers, and all of us shed tears about much the same things. Also, people all over the world do bad things to each other sometimes.

I spoke these words (I'm paraphrasing in this post) to 100-some people at my engagement ceremony in Vietnamese. I'm sure I brought a tear or two to some eyes, especially my future mother-in-law's. But it's the truth. People are just people. So please, don't go looking for a foreign spouse just because they are foreign. I think you will disappointed.

If anyone would like to flame me, I am pretty thick-skinned. I'm a construction worker, after all. laughing.gif
Melrose PlantMaleVietnam2008-01-11 19:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow much time is it taking after your receipt number?
Yes, I know how you're feeling. We too had to wait a long time for our case to get through CSC. Unfortunately, waiting is the easy part. Good luck.
Melrose PlantMaleVietnam2008-12-02 19:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresfiling in the philippines
Why couldn't you send it by FedEx? Or DHL? And why would the address change just because you send it from outside the U.S.? Why am I answering your questions with more questions?
Melrose PlantMaleVietnam2008-12-02 19:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCurrent K1 filers-How soon will you get married / Previous filers-what would you do differently?
I'm sure there are almost as many correct answers to this question as there are filers. Some couples might very well benefit from waiting almost the full 90 days, while others might want to get the AOS started as soon as possible. I don't think there is a right answer for everybody.
Melrose PlantMaleVietnam2009-02-07 11:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCryptic message online regarding my case status
QUOTE (pushbrk @ Feb 19 2009, 10:41 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The requirement for a name on mailbox primarily applies to apartments or other multiple unit mailbox arrangements. Many new housing developments use grouped mailboxes. Unless the USPS knows you live at an address, they are forbidden to deliver mail there. In many cases of lone mailboxes though, they simply ignore this rule. If you regularly receive mail at the address used on the petition, then only a mistake would cause mail to be returned to USCIS as undeliverable. I'd double check your copies of the petition and cover letter for potential errors.

I just can't help but smiling at the niceties of small town life. When I was in this same situation, I was working out-of-town quite a bit. I happened to catch my postman somewhere along his route. I explained to him that I was expecting important documents, but I was going to be away. He thought a bit and said, "I'll just take it to your parents' house, OK?"

Even so, when I lived in an apartment for a while, I, along with all the other tenants, had the name affixed to the mailbox in one form or another.
Melrose PlantMaleVietnam2009-02-19 18:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresIs it possible to keep the K-1 process a secret from my parents while I'm living with them?
I also dreaded the thought of telling my dad about Mai. I thought Mom would be more understanding, but I think they were both really suspicious of the whole thing until I went over there and met her in person. Then I suggested that they and my sister and her husband come over for our wedding 5 months later. That was a great idea for the families to meet. Now they love her as their own daughter.

OK, so I have Ward and June as parents. But I understand your angst.
Melrose PlantMaleVietnam2009-02-01 00:02:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureslost original certificate of divorce
QUOTE (jokalu @ Apr 26 2009, 04:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Anh map @ Apr 26 2009, 04:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
You need a copy of the divorce decree with an official court seal or stamp. A photocopy is not the same.

He will need to request another certified copy from the court where his divorce was granted.



Thanks, i knew this would be happen crying.gif , it take to much time to get certified copy from the court?

The answer to your question depends SO MUCH on where he got divorced. In my case, we filed in a very small town where my ex-wife did a lot of court appointed work (she's a lawyer). When I went in to get a certified copy of our decree, the clerk of court gave me about half a dozen certified copies while I waited (about five minutes), and didn't even charge me for them. On the other hand, if your fiance is unlucky enough to have got divorced in say, Orange County, California, they don't exactly give those certified copies away. And you'll have to wait a LOT longer than five minutes for them. But, getting an additional certified copy is not the difficult in any case. Good luck!
Melrose PlantMaleVietnam2009-04-26 17:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow an Individual with a K-1 Status Can Be Assigned a Social Security Number (SSN)
QUOTE (cassi9879 @ Jan 25 2009, 09:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
It's my undertanding that Benny can't get a SSN now until he receives his green card. They say his I-94 can't be expired (it did in December).

That can't be right. What is "right" seems to be so dependent on how the guy (or gal) at the SS office interprets the regs. Someone above suggested that you get married first to avoid hassles later with a name change. That method didn't work too well for us. I won't tell the whole story now, but I can tell you that you probably will have to wait for Benny's EAD card, but shouldn't have to wait for the Green Card to get a SSN. That's what my wife had to do. She still hasn't got the Green Card yet, but received her SS card several weeks ago.
Melrose PlantMaleVietnam2009-01-25 10:40:00
Asia: East and Pacificcultural differences
Yes, I find that my wife will not admit to feeling bad, and I basically have to call her a liar to get her to admit she is sick (which happened a lot these last 3 months, the first 3 of her pregnancy).

Anybody have any trouble with Vietnamese women wanting to cook (and therefore wanting you to eat) WAY TOO MUCH food? My wife is mad at me because I finally decided that I am not going to eat enough for 3 or 4 people every single night. Plus, it'll make us fat in the end. I had the warning signs when I was in Vietnam: After a short while there, I dreaded every meal because I would be expected to eat almost to the point of pain.

Is it just her, or have others experienced this as well?

Edited by Melrose Plant, 04 September 2008 - 08:42 PM.

Melrose PlantMaleVietnam2008-09-04 20:42:00
Asia: East and PacificWhat's it like after getting the first "No!" at the interview?
So sorry to hear this news. I hope whatever evidence you submit will change the CO's mind. Good luck to you both.
Melrose PlantMaleVietnam2008-09-22 05:59:00
Asia: East and PacificI-130 Approved
Congratulations! Step 1 complete.
Melrose PlantMaleVietnam2009-01-02 09:42:00
Asia: East and PacificVietnam getaway...
QUOTE (Dai_VN @ Dec 31 2008, 10:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Vung Tau is about 2-3 hour car drive from HCMC, it's not quite up to par as Nha Trang but it's closer to HCMC and they got decent beaches. It's a beach catered to locals more as appose to Nha where it's more catered to westerners. There are quite a bit of things to check out there in Vung Tau. Also if you want to travel further and spend little bit more money my wife recommends going to Da Nang, I haven't been there but my wife says she has and it's supposedly much cleaner than Nha Trang. Have fun on your Mini Vacation!

I'd go to Vung Tau using those ancient Russian jet boat thingies. It's cheap, fun, and you get there in about an hour and a half in airplane-like comfort, rather than 2 or 3 hours in Vietnam traffic. If memory serves me correctly, I believe you can catch a boat right there in Sector 1, right downtown. Phuong ought to know, anyway.

Hue is very nice. Hoi An is much more touristy. We stopped in Da Nang to go to some Cham museum there and to eat. Looked like a shithole to me, but what do I know?
Melrose PlantMaleVietnam2009-01-01 12:23:00
Asia: East and Pacifictop this
I wonder why she wasn't granted a student visa? Inability to pay for the college is my guess.

There are many people in Vietnam who labor under the delusion that the streets here are paved with gold. It is very difficult to convince them that they are not. I personally like to blame T.V. biggrin.gif
Melrose PlantMaleVietnam2009-01-02 16:46:00
Asia: East and Pacificclaiming kids on tax return
I happen to know a fellow who had this same problem, only ALL his kids are USCs. Most of them were born at home and neither of them bothered to do the proper paperwork for a birth certificate. The answer to your question is, in this day and age you've GOT to have those Social Security Numbers. When we were growing up, you didn't have to, but now you've got to have one for a newborn baby if you want to claim him.

Upon further thought, if you can't get SSNs for the kids by April 15th, you could either file for an extension OR amend the return after the fact. Usual disclaimer: I am not really a qualified tax adviser, and certainly not for your particular state (for the state return) in any case.

Edited by Melrose Plant, 02 January 2009 - 09:50 AM.

Melrose PlantMaleVietnam2009-01-02 09:47:00
Asia: East and PacificHow young is too young?
I don't think your age gap is all that much compared to a lot of people.
Melrose PlantMaleVietnam2009-01-01 12:33:00