biggish data

[quote name='WeatherEmperor' date='Oct 9 2009, 06:57 PM' post='3389992']
Ronnie,

I want to understand this better. You submitted a timeline with your I-129F petition but you did not have it notarized. Do you think you got the blue slip requesting a timeline, because you did not notarize it?

<CARRICK>

I don't believe so, the first window accepted my updated & notarized timeline but she gave it back after the interview. I think my blue is more about the missing medical results and they just throw the timeline in there too.
...Or maybe they need an updated notary. I had it done in the States before I came here.

I am thinking to get an updated notary at the Consulate for $30, unless anyone know any place outside can do it too. Please advise. Thanks.

Ronnie&Hang

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2009-10-10 13:09:00

QUOTE (wratran @ Oct 8 2009, 08:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

ronnie
can you elaborate on how you arrange the pre screen documents...

one set of orginal and one set of copy....or....orignal then copy right behind.

how did they ask for the docs at the window?...one at a time or the whole set....

Either way is fine. They still look thru it at the collection window to make sure you have all the required doc required. Make sure they are in the order as noted in Package 4. We attached the original in front of the copy with paper clips. Our case is straigght forward so we have only the basic docs (ie, no previous marriage, etc..). We turned in the whole set at the time. They gave all the original back at the end of the interview.

Scott, the widow is standard with a small slot at the bottom. It is like the one at the Info Widow outside the Consulate. I think you can squeeze by with an 1 inch stack, but prepare to disassemble into smaller one if required.

Ronnie&Hang

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2009-10-08 23:29:00

QUOTE (ScottThuy @ Oct 8 2009, 02:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You submitted a notarized timeline of relationship with the initial filing and they requested it on the blue slip as well? Thats pretty arrogant of them.. asking for what they already have... Did they specify that they wanted an updated one or just the generic notarized timeline of relationship request?

They did not indicated they want an updated one. The language in the blue requesting for it is a generic one as already seen it from previous posts: * PETITIONER: In a sworn, notarized statement, pls provide a detailed chronology (timeline) for your relationship.....
May be the blue form it already generic with the timeline request already on it so it's easier to print out and have us submitted it later, eventhough it is already in front of therm.

***Remember, Hang said the interview go really really fast. Most of the thing you want to elaborate or explain, you may not have much time. And they do ask the same question over again. Some are just simple one but may not be when they rapid fired your fiancee with questions.

Ronnie&Hang

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2009-10-08 22:51:00

To answer the timeline question for you:
I turned in a basic timeline since when we first introduced by my best friend up until the time I filed for the petition. It wasn't notarized. I just signed it at the end. I don't think you need to at this stage.
The updated one at the interview was notarized in the States before I came over here...so perhaps they need a more current notary on this revised timeline? I don't know..but I will get a new one too if needed. They offer notary at the Consulate for a fee.

Ronnie&Hang

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2009-10-08 22:31:00

Hello all,
How you all doing? I have been here in VN since 10Sep09 ‘til now for Hang’s interview, and so far it has been very busy for me and her. Hang had her interview this morning at 0930hrs at the Consulate in Saigon. Here a quick update on Hang’s interview: She got a Blue sheet asking for the medical exam results and timeline.

We’ve only got the Interview letter a week before the interview so we were scrambling to get all the rest of things done. The medical exam was longer than I expected. We went in the first day for the exam (x-ray, blood test, full body checkup), but have to come back at 6:30am every day for the next 3 days for sputum (thu*~ dda`m). In fact, Hang has to go to ChoRay Hospital before the interview today to have her last sample taken. We were anxious but the nurse told us we can still go to the interview and submit the medical result later. There are many people that I saw at ChoRay in the situation like us.

Before Hang went in for interview, we knew we would get blue awaiting the medical results, but were surprised when she came out with also a request for the timeline.

Hang said she persuaded the gentlemen at the collection counter to take the timeline. She told him this timeline is the updated version that I sent with my initial I-129 and he took it (Jim, it works for me). However, after her interview, the Han Quoc lady (Korean) who interviewed her gave it back with the blue sheet asking for the timeline. I did expect to get blue for the medical but not the timeline. I was disappointed but not upset, since I know I still have to wait for the medical. I don’t know why they would not take it right there and make us bring it back later though. I thought it may be wise for them to take it and still give us blue for the medical while take their time reviewing our timeline for more details. That would make me happy.

Here are the questions they asked Hang:

How did we know each other? Who introduce us?
How did Hang know my best friend?
When is the first time we made contact? By what (Phone)
When is the first time I came back to see Hang?
How many time your fiancé came back to see you?
When are all the dates/trips your fiancé came back, from when to when. (she did not show my passport when she told the interviewer I am here now and they did not question more on this, I guess all the emails and personal appearance at the Info Window also validated this)
When is our engagement? Where?
What is your fiancé birthday?
What year did your fiancé immigrate to the US? 1980
How did your fiancé immigrate to the US? She said “Vuot Bien” (Boat People)
Where your fiancé working for now? How long have your fiancé been with this job?
What is your fiancé work consisted of? Describe.
What undergrad and grad schools did your fiancé graduate and what year? What degrees? Major in what?
Is the residence your fiancé am living in now in the US a house or an apartment?
Is your fiancé name on the mortgage?
What is the address of your fiancé residence?
Why does your fiancé not living with his parents?
Have your fiancé ever been marry before? No
Have you ever been to the US? No
Do you have any relatives in the US? No

One interesting question she asked Hang:
Your fiancé is working for the government, why can he make these many trips back to see you?
She told her that I have to work lots of unpaid overtime on day-offs, holidays, and weekends to accumulate comp time for my trips. I did complete all my projects before these trips, plus I also have a very understanding supervisor.

Near the end, the lady asked to see our pictures of engagement and travel together, including some pictures of us with the family and asked Hang who's who in one of the picture.

The date for our resubmission of requested documents is 05November 2009. But hopefully we can turn in earlier, as soon as the medical results are ok and available. Thanks all!!!

Ronnie&Hang

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2009-10-08 12:00:00

HCM interview items

QUOTE (ScottThuy @ Oct 13 2009, 06:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (toddandhien @ Oct 13 2009, 07:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Part II is not in the list of docs and is not required. I did not even fill it out since it was not a requested item. We had no issues at the consulate. They are looking for EXACTLY what is on the list in the order they specify.

Will there be any problems if the items are attached with ACCO fasteners in the specific order from Pkt 4 when they are submitted at the window? Will they require that they be seperated and submitted individually?
Has anyone submitted the documents attached together?

Scott, it should not be an issue if you attached them as long as it is in order and fit the slot at the window. Break it into smaller packages if you feel it it too thick, but keep them in order when submit.

Ronnie&Hang

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2009-10-14 03:37:00

HCM interview items

QUOTE (b_weeks @ Oct 12 2009, 08:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

As for Question #13:

9 times out of 10, the Address and Phone WILL match the Household Registration. Sometimes there are instances where the fiance is not living in the house.

Just put the address where your fiance currently lives.

Correct, fill out the address where the beneficiary currently resides, not the one in Ho Khau.
Also, part II of the DS230 is not needed at the interview. I filled it out for Hang and they gave it back.

Ronnie&Hang

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2009-10-13 10:31:00

precaution going to HCM

Don't sweat too much about it. You will see some people wear the mask, most don't.
You will fill out a health questionares and turn it in before going through immigration.
This is where they installed the thermo cameras to check for high temperature passengers.

I had to take the top portion and go to Y Te Phuong (Local Health Office) to register just in case, but I don't think they required that any longer.
This is the same when I travelled to Macau/Hongkong last week, but just filled out the questionare.

If you are feeling good, you should be fine, just have some precautions.
Here are some good reads below:

Prevent Swine Flu - Good Advice
The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1 N 1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1 N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.

L?i xâm nh?p duy nh?t là qua hai l? m?i và mi?ng/h?ng. ??i di?n v?i c?n d?ch toàn c?u nh? hi?n nay, th?t khó mà tránh không ti?p xúc v?i vi trùng H1 N1 d?u cho chúng ta có c?n th?n ??n ?âu ?i n?a. V?n n?n ? ?ây không ph?i là s? ti?p xúc v?i vi trùng H1 N1 mà là s? sinh sôi n?y n? c?a nó.

While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1 N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N 95 or Tamiflu):

Trong khi b?n còn kh?e m?nh và không có tri?u ch?ng b? nhi?m trùng H1 N1và n?u b?n mu?n ng?n ng?a s? sinh sôi n?y n? c?a nó, cùng các tr? ch?ng tr?m tr?ng và các s? nhi?m khu?n phái sinh khác, b?n có th? áp d?ng m?t s? bi?n pháp r?t ??n gi?n sau ?ây, không ???c nêu rõ ràng trong các thông t? y-h?c chính th?c [thay vì chú tr?ng ??n vi?c tàng tr? thu?c N 95 ho?c Tamiflu]

1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).

1. Th??ng xuyên r?a tay (???c nói ??n rõ ràng trong các thông t? y-h?c chính th?c)

2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).

2. Nguyên t?c “Không-R?-Tay-Vào-M?t”. T? ch? m?i ý mu?n ??ng vào b?t c? ph?n nào trên m?t (tr? tr??ng h?p b?n mu?n ?n, r?a ho?c tát m?t).

3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). *H1 N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation.

3. Xúc h?ng hai (2) l?n m?i ngày b?ng n??c ?m v?i mu?i [dùng Listerine n?u b?n không tin mu?i] . Vi trùng H1 N1 c?n 2 t?i 3 ngày t? khi xâm nh?p vào h?ng/m?i ?? sinh sôi n?y n? và có tri?u ch?ng tác h?i. Ch? c?n xúc h?ng ?? ?? n?n ng?a s? sinh sôi n?y n? c?a nó.

In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.

Nói cách khác, xúc h?ng b?ng n??c mu?i có cùng tác d?ng ??i v?i ng??i kh?e m?nh nh? Tamiflu ??i v?i ng??i nhi?m b?nh. Xin ch? coi th??ng cách th?c ng?a b?nh ??n gi?n, r? ti?n mà h?u hi?u này.

4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water.* Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.*

4. T??ng t? nh? ?i?u 3, “Chùi l? m?i t?i thi?u m?t l?n m?i ngày b?ng n??c mu?i ?m.” Không ph?i ai c?ng rành Jala Neti ho?c Sutra Neti [các th? Yoga r?t công hi?u cho vi?c t?y s?ch l? m?i], nh?ng “X? m?i th?t m?nh m?i ngày m?t l?n, cùng chùi hai l? m?i b?ng que bông gòng ch?m n??c mu?i ?m là m?t cách r?t h?u hi?u làm gi?m thi?u s? l??ng vi trùng.”

5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits). *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.

5. *T?ng c??ng h? th?ng mi?n nhi?m b?ng th?c ?n giàu vitamin C (các lo?i trái cây h? cam quit).* N?u b?n c?n thêm thu?c viên Vitamin C, thì nh? là nó ph?i có k?m ?? giúp cho vi?c tiêu hóa)

6. *Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can.

6. *U?ng t?i ?a n??c ?m mà b?n có th? u?ng (trà, càfé, v.v.)

*Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.

*U?ng n??c ?m có cùng công hi?u nh? vi?c xúc h?ng, nh?ng v? h??ng ??i ngh?ch. Nó cu?n các vi trùng ?ang sinh s?n trong h?ng vào bao t?, n?i mà chúng không th? s?ng sót, sinh s?n ho?c gây b?t c? tác h?i nào.

Ronnie&Hang

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2009-10-28 14:56:00

DO we need hardcopy of appointment letter?

The Consulate will email an interview date for you when you email and request for it, including Package 4 info, but not the appointment letter. That was my experience.

Ronnie&Hang

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2009-11-01 15:03:00

Cant rush the system

QUOTE (ScottThuy @ Nov 2 2009, 06:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I explained in my email why I was sending it via email and so soon... they understand that based on what they said in the portion of the email I did not post...

Ronnie, Did you guys ever get the pkt 4... We are planning to go to the medical together because after last week she is not excited about being around doctors any time soon, she was affraid to go to Cho Ray alone before all that happened... The first time I took her to HCMC she was attacked and 3 girls tried to rob her while she was holding my hand walking... so needless to say she thinks something worst will happen if she is in HCMC alone...
They sure dont make things easy for those at the other end of the country.

They quit answering the phone# there a long time ago. So her calling them is not an option... I am limited to emailing with the 1 week response times or her faxing, or spending 125 bucks for her to fly down there alone which she dreads doing... One can only wonder how long it will take for pkt 3 to arrive if it ever arrives...

Scott..after I went to the Window to get the Pkg 4, they said to come back one wk before the interview, few days later we got it in the mail. Hang never received Pkg 3, eventhough they emailed and said they've already sent it to her address. I checked the mailing address and it was corrected but it was not there. I waited a few days and had Hang submitted the two forms at the Window.
We found out our interview date from email when we were in Hanoi, a couple weeks before we actually received Pkg4 and appoint. letter in the maibox.

Good luck and have a fun trip going back. I know how you feel about now, try to get things together as much as possible before you're there. ChoRay can be a little rowdy, but you guys will be fine.

Ronnie&Hang

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2009-11-02 10:27:00

Cant rush the system

What is required to get the physical done? We will be scheduling a physical for the time I am there.. hopefully on Monday 11/30... or Tuesday 12/1... what if she does not have pkt 3 by then? Do we have to take pkt 3 with us to the medical?
[/quote]

You do not need to take Pkg 3 or 4 to the medical, but you do need the appointment letter, visa photos, passport and $100usd for the medical. Remember if you have to go pick up at the window, they won't give Pkg4 one wk before the interview.

Ronnie&Hang

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2009-11-02 02:37:00

Vacination for package 4

For the interview, 1 shot is good to go. That won't delay your visa approval. Additional shots can be done in the States.
Hang is still in VN for the next few more months so I will remind her to go get the 2nd shot too in December, take only 15min for 60,000vnd (I think that's what it costs).

Ronnie&Hang

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2009-11-02 16:49:00

we got ViSa

[/quote]

Glad she didn't get "delayed"!

...my husband did!

And I knew it would happen too! He missed his connecting flight after the POE. He was able to get on a re-routed flight though and will be landing within the next few hours...

[/quote]

Happy reunion, Linda !!! Trust me, you will be busy for awhile

Ronnie&Hang

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2009-11-01 15:19:00

we got ViSa

That's awesome news..Congrat to both of you!!!

Ronnie&Hang

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2009-10-29 10:12:00

I129F Extension

QUOTE (Kevin and Tuyen @ Nov 3 2009, 06:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

K1s can chime in, but I believe that the Consulate will extend your petition for you if it expires while they are processing it.

That's correct!!!

Ronnie&Hang

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2009-11-03 11:07:00

QUOTE (ScottThuy @ Nov 10 2009, 02:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

2 weeks and i will be there again... I have come to accept the fact that nothing can be rushed and it will be some time next year that she will get the visa... It usually takes a day to get the Cho Ray results... med one day results the next... We were going to do the med when I am there but decided to plan for her to take a few extra days when she goes for the interview and get it done a few days prior to the day... that will give her some extra time shopping in Sai Gon

Nicely plan!!! Give it an ample time to take care of stuffs in Saigon. I know how it feel, 2 weeks seems like months to wait for the day to board that plane to Hanoi. Have fun, the wealther should be good now going forward to Tet, with less afternoon rains...
I am looking for tix to fly back in Jan, so the excitement begins again

Ronnie&Hang

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2009-11-10 17:42:00

QUOTE (ScottThuy @ Nov 10 2009, 02:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Ronnie&Hang @ Nov 10 2009, 04:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (wratran @ Nov 10 2009, 01:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

RONNIE:
that's exactly what her receipt look like...So it the correct format

no name and no case number...It does look official. It has the consulate logo on it.

Hehe..I hope so...because my blue didn't have the item "unpaid visa fee" on it..
Don't worry, prepare for the interview...and have fun in VN!!!

Ronnie,
What happened at the resubmission last week?

Scott, Hang came back to submit the timeline, waited for almost 4 hours, they wouldn't take the timeline w/o the medical results, so more waiting...
I don't know when the medical results are available from ChoRay.
I have Hang going to another Doctor and performed the same medical checkups and tests, and she has a clean bill of health. All the results came back in one day!!!
So, thanks for that. We are happy and it is just a matter of waiting...
I hope Hang will get the visa by Jan10 when I come back again.

You are going back soon, huh! Hope you get everything in order and the scheduling in SG will all work out for you and Thuy!!

Ronnie&Hang

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2009-11-10 17:18:00

QUOTE (wratran @ Nov 10 2009, 01:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

RONNIE:
that's exactly what her receipt look like...So it the correct format

no name and no case number...It does look official. It has the consulate logo on it.

Hehe..I hope so...because my blue didn't have the item "unpaid visa fee" on it..
Don't worry, prepare for the interview...and have fun in VN!!!

Ronnie&Hang

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2009-11-10 16:24:00

[/quote]

It's quite normal. The "visa application fee receipt", only has the receipt #, date of payment, amount ($131), received by (person at the counter).
It does NOT included fiance name of case#.
It comes with 2 copies. I think they gave a copy back after the interview.
I made a photo copy of it before the interview, just in case.

Good luck on you guys upcoming interview in Saigon!!!
[/quote]

Here is a scanned copy of the visa fee receipt...

Ronnie&Hang

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2009-11-10 16:17:00

QUOTE (wratran @ Nov 9 2009, 06:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My SO just paid her visa fee at the HCM consulate. The receipt doesnt show her name or the case number.

Is this normal?

It's quite normal. The "visa application fee receipt", only has the receipt #, date of payment, amount ($131), received by (person at the counter).
It does NOT included fiance name of case#.
It comes with 2 copies. I think they gave a copy back after the interview.
I made a photo copy of it before the interview, just in case.

Good luck on you guys upcoming interview in Saigon!!!

Edited by Ronnie&Hang, 10 November 2009 - 04:05 PM.

Ronnie&Hang

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2009-11-10 16:04:00

WE GOT PINK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111

Congrats, Linh!!! Well done...

Ronnie&Hang

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2009-11-17 20:13:00

Visa Appointment Date!

Good luck to you guys, hope you guys get an early Xmas present !!!

Ronnie&Hang

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2009-11-18 12:34:00

Packet 3

Good to hear your good news..hang in there!!!

Ronnie&Hang

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2009-11-23 16:29:00

Conditions Removed

Congrats to Linh on her way to US Citizenship...

Ronnie&Hang

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2009-11-23 20:29:00

NVC case completed.

A couple more weeks will be enough but another month is even better. Again congrats..now prepare, organize, and make copy of all the docs included in the interview package for her.

Ronnie&Hang

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2009-11-29 15:37:00

NVC case completed.

Hey Jason,
The average time is approximately 2-3 months. In my case it took almost 11 wks. If you leave on 12/5/09 for 9 wks, that put you around 02/06/2010 when you will leave VN. That can be quite close to your interview date...
However, every case can vary a bit. And with some big holidays coming up, the Consulate do celebrate both Vnese and American holidays. Do give it some slag time just in case...good luck!!!

Ronnie&Hang

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2009-11-29 14:54:00

WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR S.O?

I just came back last month. Even with an understanding boss, I'm still catching up at work for that 2 months away..so the earliest I can be with her again is mid Jan, staying for a month. Will travel back to Hanoi to be with the family for Tet and having our wedding banquet, with my parents also coming back...keep hoping she will have her visa by then and can fly back with me...I promised her last Valentines (09) we will go to Napa for wine tasting this coming Valentines, but I guess we will celebrate Tet/Valentines Day in VN instead..may be I will see you there H&P.

Ronnie&Hang

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2009-11-24 00:06:00

Blue Slip, Timeline Requested

Like Jim said, if you have any other evidences like pictures, trips taken together..etc you may have after the interview that you feel will help, then try to turn it in at the submission date on 12/23/09. Most likely and in most cases I heard, including mine, Ha will not have to be interviewed again at resubmission. But be prepared just in case..

You can also turn it in early at the Window. Most of the time they will only accept the required docs. And if you don't have all the required docs, they will advise you to wait for the resubmission date or come back when all the docs are ready. Since you only have the timeline item, it is up to you to go the Window or wait until 12/23. Enjoy your time in VN...

Ronnie&Hang

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2009-11-26 14:36:00

Blue Slip, Timeline Requested

Hello Dan,
Now that a day after the interview, hope you feel much better..know how it feel.
Enjoy your time with Ha and prepare to update your timeline. Remember to address all the engagement, wedding, honeymoon issues they asked Ha during the interview...best of luck to you!!!

Ronnie&Hang

Male

Vietnam (no flag)

2009-11-25 23:30:00