biggish data

k-1 visa one more question

We did not have many cards and letters and were never asked for any.

However, I would recommend that if you have them, take them. You never know what or how much they want to see so its best to have all the "ammo" you can (as Dakine said).

She won't have to "send" them back after the interview, she can stuff them into her suitcase and bring them along for the ride!

Bernie C

Male

Vietnam

2010-04-15 16:08:00

Photo query

I do recollect reading about an RFE for passport style photos but it was not because of the size, it was because the photo was head shot only and did not meet the specified requirements of the picture part.

We had photos taken in VN and they were off size a little but were accepted. They were the "normal" size for that typw of photo in VN - I dont remember the actual dimensions but similar to the case with paper - a little narrow and a little tall.

Bernie C

Male

Vietnam

2010-04-15 12:21:00

Using Yahoo Messenger for proof of ongoing relationship?

Thanks for all the info, I really appreciate it.

I have only been there to see her in person once a few months ago. I would love to go again before her interview but I don't have enough time off to go now and again to bring her home with me. I would prefer to go and accompany her home on the plane. Do you think only having one visit in person will likely cause a problem even if we have several hours of chat logs every day since we met?

The more the better but I have read many cases in the PI where one visit was successful. That would be a good topic for the regional forum to get feedback specifically from others who have gone through the PI. We were through Ho Chi Minh Consulate in Vietnam which is an extremely difficult consulate.

Best Wishes to you both!

Bernie C

Male

Vietnam

2010-04-15 11:27:00

Using Yahoo Messenger for proof of ongoing relationship?

Hey Dog,

Remember what you sent for the I-129f and what you ned for the interview are a little different.

What you submited for the I129F simply needed to prove that you have met in person within the past two years. Proof of ongoing relationship for purposes of the petition is a minimal thing. Some choose to provide more in frontloading.

Since your application is off to the USCIS now its time to focul on continued and maintained relationship and proof to support it.

Yes - yahoo chat logs are ok (We had hundreds of pages of email and chat logs - but in our case in Vietnam the CO never looked at a single one! - strange but true).

Primary evidence for the interview stage would be boarding passes, passport stamps, photos of the two of you togeteer at different places and times, hotel receipts, restaurant receipts, phone logs, cards, letters, etc. Things that show you continue to maintain your relationship.

As far as the photos being dated, in my opinion it should not be a problem. We used all digital photos. I used MS Power Point, I cut and pasted photos into power point using the software, labeled the photos with who was in them, the date , location, event etc.

I created two "books" for the interview. The 1st had all the "technical" documents required. The 2nd was all proof of relationship.

I had four visits prior to the interview so I separated all our proof of relationship by dates, Jan 09, Apr 09, Sep 09 and Dec 09. In each section I put the photos first, followed by boarding passes, ticket receipts and itinerary, then other types of receipts, then the email and chat logs. I did this for each section. I put an index in the front and tabbed all
the sections to make it easy to find everything.

Save anything and everything that has to do with the two of you. You never know how much or how little the CO will want to see. In our case the CO asked only to see my Sept 09 flight tickets and some pictures. But others have been asked for loads of stuff. You just never know so be prepared.

Good news is that you have lots of time to start planning, gathering and organizing!

You may get some varying feedback as to what is considered primary and secondary evidence. In the end its really what the CO wants to see, but to differentiate I like to think of it in this way - what type of evidence best shows and proves to a CO that we have continued and maintained our relationship. Leaves the door wide open so "save it all".

Best Wishes

Bernie C

Male

Vietnam

2010-04-15 06:25:00

started...nowwhat?

In the mean time - browse through the guides and forums so you have an idea what to expect along your journey.

Bernie C

Male

Vietnam

2010-04-15 12:31:00

Can I apply for a K-1 Visa and a Tourist visa at once?

Hello. Can anybody help me out with this? Since I don't reside in my home country(I'm going tomorrow) so I have to take care of that while I'm there so I need your help asap..

Thanks..!

Edi

Not sure how helpful it is but below is some basic info on obtaining Police Certificates from the countries you mentioned.

As far as documents from your side - for the initial I129F petition, he will only need a G325a (biographic background form) completed and signed by you and a letter of intent to marry signed by you, and passport style photos. Your birth certificate is not required until the interview stage of the process.

MACEDONIA
Instructions
Relevant Document - "Uverenie o nekaznuvanost"

Local residents apply to: local Police Station
Overseas apliants apply to the nearest Macedonian consulate in person

You may provide written authorization for someone to act on your behalf in Macedonia

CZECH REPUBLIC
Instructions
Relevant document - "Vypris z rejstriku trestu"

Local applicants apply to the Central registry of Criminal Records in Prague
Overseas Applicants should apply to the nearest Czech embassy

Applicants should provide:
1. Two photograph Identification
2. Entry visa for non-residents

Bernie C

Male

Vietnam

2010-04-16 07:33:00

request for evidence

well the one thing I did notice after the packet was sent was that I forgot to sign my permission to marry and she signed both of them, I asked the lawyer and she said it shouldnt be a big deal, and maybe it is, I hope its something that simple, but who knows. I just sent bank statements showing that I can financially support our situation. Well I guess I need to learn patience,but that I doubt will ever happen, Ill keep ya posted.

Thanks again!

I'm with ya there Steve - but if I learned one thing through this process it was patience. Doesn't mean I didn't pull the last of my hairs out but I had to deal with it some how :rofl:

Hopefully it is just something minor that can be fixed in a jiff and sent back.

Just an FYI - when you get to the interview stage, that is when you'll need the I-134 (affadavit of support) and bank statements, employment letter, etc..that shows you can support the beneficiary.

Look forward to an update and hope all goes well.

Bernie C

Male

Vietnam

2010-04-15 12:03:00

picture and interview question

Contact any friends and family that attending the wedding. I am sure others took photos and you can ask them to send to you. Like the others have said also, no DVD at the interview so take the DVD and make screen shots or take to a photo shop and ask them to make pictures form the video (many places in the US can do this - not sure what services are available where you are). Complile every piece of evidence you can. In the future - NO MORE RUNNING FROM THE CAMERA!!!

Bernie C

Male

Vietnam

2010-01-20 08:45:00

applying for CR_1 enough evidence

Yes what Scott says is true. The petition is the easy part, as long as you provide the requested information and proof you shaould not have too much problem with the petition. When dealing with HCM it gets difficult at the consulate. A lot of us that have been through HCM are pretty strong believers that frontloading is very helpful. However this is only an opinion. When it comes for interview time be prepared to provide as much as possible. Keep us posted and we wish you the best!

Bernie C

Male

Vietnam

2010-01-21 16:58:00

applying for CR_1 enough evidence

Hi would like some opinons before i apply for CR-1. i just got married this january. I met my wife during a trip to Vietnam in april 2008, at the time we were just friends. after my trip we communicated with each other basically everyday until the time of our wedding. in the time between our 1st meeting to our wedding, i did not go back to Vietnam to visit. i have all the chat logs, phone records, receipts of me sending gifts, pictures, plane stubs and visa stamps. Is this enough evidence for the I-130 to be approved?

Other CR1's will help with their experience, we were K1 so not so much experience with you case. However we do know that HCM is very tough on all. The more visit and proof of relationship you can provide is better for your case. It may be beneficial to try your best and be patient and make another visit if possible before. I know others will follow with their CR1 experience so hand in there and see what others have done and our Best Wishes are with you!!

Bernie C

Male

Vietnam

2010-01-21 08:27:00

ds 230 document problem or not

Oh ok. No, there is no need to write that info onto your documents. She will take the birth certificate, police report and other documents with her to the interview and give them to the CO as they request them. Just make sure they are all organized properly and easy for her to find and turn in when they ask. A few of the docs will be taken before the interview, the rest at the time of interview. Should be spelled out in the packet three and four instructions pretty well. Best Wishes to you both!

Bernie C

Male

Vietnam

2010-01-22 16:50:00

ds 230 document problem or not

The name and info for your spouse is in section 14 of the DS230. I pulled the form up and do see any instructions to put this information in the upper right hand corner of the page. Was that something additional in your specific packet three instructions? I think your cover page should be sufficient for additional information including the case number.

Bernie C

Male

Vietnam

2010-01-22 15:58:00

VISA HAS BEEN ISSED!!!!!!!!

Congratulations!!!! Best Wishes for your new life together!

Bernie C

Male

Vietnam

2010-01-26 09:20:00

Time allowed BTW Visa and landing?

Generally sixe months for CR or IR visas but the visa will have an expiration date printed on it.

I agree but be careful and look to see what is on the visa stamp. The typical "rule" (it there is such a thing haha) is 6 months. We were K1 and when we received the visa and looked at the stamp it was 5 months! But now worry in our case, we came a week after issue!

Just be sure to check the actual dates printed on the visa!

Bernie C

Male

Vietnam

2010-01-27 10:04:00

What happens once in the U.S?

I am sure you will get quite a variety of responses to this question. Here is our experience.

Entered the US through Detroit POE. I accompanied by Fiancee in the "visitors" line. We were K1 and she is from Vietnam. When our turn came we both walked to the counter together. I handed the officer both our passports and the "brown package" from the consulate. He opened the package and browsed through it. We were asked only one question and it was kind of silly. The officer asked if she was immigrating today! (well of course the answer was yes). After that he completed and attached the I94 and stamped the passport and we were on our way. The only other thing he said was "You know you have 90 days to get married, right?" And we said yes. He said welcome to the US.

When we got to Customs, the Officer there asked a few questions. Where did we meet, when are we getting married. We answered those questions and were on our way home!

For us it was very simple and the officers were very polite. No secondary processing or problems.

Hope you have a good experience too!!!!!!!!!!!!

oops - oh yes, they checked fingerprints on one hand and took her picture too.

Bernie C

Male

Vietnam

2010-01-29 12:55:00

Visa on Hand

Congrats and Best Wishes!!!

Bernie C

Male

Vietnam

2010-02-02 08:37:00

I think you should be fine. I could not afford to fly my family or friends to VN for our ceremony or parties but I had tons of pictures with her family, grandma, mother, father, brothers, aunts, uncles and friends. For us, I felt it was most important to show that I was accepted by her family. We had a traditional picture day and actually had a traditional Vietnamese wedding too (even though we were K-1, We did not register the wedding in VN).

Lots of people have done it in different ways. One thing that kind of sucks is that is seems to depend on the CO as to what they want to see.

Just provide as much as you can and prepare well for the interview. I would not include any negative things in the timeline! Focus on your relationship with your wife and her family and provide all the proofs you can that show that!

In the event they ask something about your family, just be prepared to answer but dont offer any "free" information that they dont request there.

Bernie C

Male

Vietnam

2010-02-08 08:31:00

@Scott: Thanks for the link
@Bernie: What a useful timeline. I think if we write the time-line like yours, it's easier for CO to follow than writing an essay. I thought of writing an essay, but now I change my mind... . Thanks again
Ah, Can I get it notarized at the bank instead of notary public? Is it possible for me to send the time-line with IV Package? (of course I have to request them to put it in my files for CO to review it later) or I have to send it separately?

Anyplace that provides notary services should be able to notarize it.
Packet 4 documents are hand carried to the interview, not sent prior to (at least for K-1 that is true).

Bernie C

Male

Vietnam

2010-02-06 11:53:00

Thanks Bernie, That's wonderful if you can send me your time-line as example. After I create my time-line, get it notarized then just hang on to it until the interview?

Sample_Timeline_of_Relationship.rtf 61.29KB 10 downloads
Here is the sample timeline. This was for fiancee so you'd have to modify it a bit for spouse/wife.

I did something a little different. I updated my timeline until two weeks before the interview then had it notarized and scaned and emailed it to the consulate requesting that they put it into my file for review by the consular officer. I received a reply that they had done this. At the interview the CO didnt even ask for the original notarized timeline. For me it worked well. However I did take the original notarized timeline and a copy with me to VN for her to take into the interview. It is advised to always have origianals and copies with you of everything.

I included more detail than some recommended but we all have to decide what we thinl is best for us, it is our case. Like I said, we had no problems with this and it all worked out well.

What you include and what you say is really up to you. Just make sure you establish the facts, dates, places and things.

I've got to run - take care!

HCMC Timelines

Hey Brother Scott - Hope you have a great weekend!!!!!

Bernie C

Male

Vietnam

2010-02-05 17:31:00

Oh I plan on taking other evidence to my interview. Was just saying what was sent in with I130.

Sorry, didnt mean to imply anything there, appreciate you helping our new friend. I'm just trying to cover some more bases. Best Wishes and Good Luck to you too "sdw"!

Bernie C

Male

Vietnam

2010-02-05 15:23:00

No problem, feel free to ask anything else you need.

I sent in affidavits from friends with my I130, and it approved fine. If anything else is requested they will lwt you know.

One thing you must consider when going through HCMC Consulate is that their is a higher degree of burden placed on the applicants to provide proof of bonifide relationship (does not matter K-1, CR-1 etc...)

You will want all the proofs you can gather. What they will ask for varies greatly from case to case so you want to be prepared for anything.

Pictures from your visits, wedding, with friends and family.... boarding passes, passport stamps, any receipts you can find, receipts from wedding, emails, chat logs, phone records, You just never know how much they will ask for.

In our case they only asked for and looked at some boarding passes and some pictures.

Also - you will want a timeline of relationship. This is not stated in the consulate information but it is a requirement at HCMC. Create a timeline from the time you met to the current time - take it all the way up to just before the interview (and have it notarized). You should include the dates and places you were together. There is some debate on how personal to get (I sent 5 pages). I can send you a copy of what I sent as an example. Everyone does it a little different.

I'll leave the CR-1 specific replies to others with better knowledge.

Good Luck and Welcome!

Bernie C

Male

Vietnam

2010-02-05 15:12:00

I received the PM below from Ken but we were K-1, his questions are CR-1 specific. Can some of the family please help him out. I advised him to post in the VN Portal in the future so more can see the questions.

Thanks Everyone - Bernie

My name is Ken and I'm filing CR1 for my wife in Vietnam. I just joined VJ for a few weeks and glad to know you. (I'm Vietnamese ). Could you please answer me a few questions?
1. In form DS-3032 (Choice of Address and Agent): Who was appointed? Your wife came to a service agent in VN to do it?
2. Should we really need petitioner's birth certificate on the interviewing day? (US Passport and Naturalization Cert can be substituted?)
3. Could you please tell me how you did all the paper work? Or show me how you did it?

I'm planning to follow instructions that I read in this forum (DS-3032 will be sent to me and I will pay all the fees). Any suggestions from you will be helpful. I'll be grateful for your help..Thanks a million.
PS- Ah, I also added your YIM. Mine is kenneth_d_n
Thanks again

--------------------

Story Begin:

12/31/2007 Met my wife thru a friend of mine (1st trip)
04/30/2008 Back to US
09/01/2008 another trip to VN (2nd trip)
09/18/2008 Our Wedding
10/15/2008 Back to US
05/24/2009 Welcome new member to our family (my little daughter)
09/02/2009 Trip to VN again (3rd trip)
10/20/2009 Consulate for CRBA and passport for the baby
11/25/2009 Back to US again
12/10/2009 Received CRBA certificate and baby's US passport in VN
01/12/2010 Got CRBA Cert and passport in the mail box (was sent to me by my wife)
01/14/2010 Applied baby's SSN
01/28/2010 Received baby's SSN

USCIS

01/25/2010 I-130 Sent
02/03/2010 I-130 NOA1 hard copy received in mail
xx/xx/2010 NOA2 hard copy received in mail

NVC

xx/xx/2010 : Case Number Assigned
xx/xx/2010 : E-Mails Given to NVC Operator
xx/xx/2010 : Received DS-3032 and AOS Bill
xx/xx/2010 : DS-3032 Sent by E-Mail
xx/xx/2010 : Pay AOS Bill Online
xx/xx/2010 : AOS and Documents Sent
xx/xx/2010 : AOS Accepted
xx/xx/2010 : Receive IV Bill
xx/xx/2010 : Pay IV Bill
xx/xx/2010 : Return Completed DS-230 and Documents
xx/xx/2010 : Log-In Failed
xx/xx/2010 : Case Completed at NVC
xx/xx/2010 : Interview Date Assigned

EMBASSY

xx/xx/2010 : Medical Exam
xx/xx/2010 : Interview Date
xx/xx/2010 : Visa Received

Bernie C

Male

Vietnam

2010-02-05 14:31:00

Should I type my I-130 in Vietnamese

Tuan,

We used all standard english characters to fill in Doan's G325A and had no problems (name , address, etc...).

For example for the street adress we filled in 04, 7C Street, Phuoc Long Ward (we did not fill it in using Vietnamese words or any additional hyphens or "widgets".

We have the Viet Key loaded to use but did not use it on any forms - just standard "Roman" characters.

Bernie

Bernie C

Male

Vietnam

2010-02-08 07:30:00

G-325A

Tuan - If you do essay style it is more difficult to highlight dates and events.

Many of us feel it is better to do a "chronology" type format. Then you can list dates followed by events, places and some descriptions. This way the CO can look down through and its easy to follow.

Bernie C

Male

Vietnam

2010-02-08 08:15:00

How thick was your application?

Tuan, we filed K-1 so our up front forms were a little different. However there is much debate about frontloading (providing more info with the initial petition) vs. using the minimum and providing more details at the interview.

I'd advise in your case here to rely more specifically on feedback from other VN filers. HCMC is a much tougher consulate than most and the others here who have gone through will share their experience with you.

When you get to interview stage you will want to have lots of proof of bonifide relationship and supporting documents, pictures, receipts, boarding passes, photos from engagement ceremony, wedding etc..

Also you will want to create a timeline of relationship. This is very important in HCMC. In the consular documents you will see no requirement for this but it is necessary.

Do some searching and reading and ask any questions you need.

Bernie C

Male

Vietnam

2010-02-08 07:45:00

Interview Date

Thats Great News Robert! We wish you and Mai the very best and will keep you in our thoughts and prayers too.

Bernie C

Male

Vietnam

2010-02-10 07:28:00

Original Divorce papers

Original Decrees reside at the Courthouse forever and ever. You may never have the Original.

Original Certified Copies are issued when you are divorced and or request a new one (for a nominal fee) (This would be the copy with the seal affixed to it) If I remember correct I was charged a whopping 25 cents for the "Original Certified Copies" I requested.

Photocopies of certified copies are typically accepted at the petition stage and at the interview level they typically want to see the Original Certified Copy (the one with the gold seal affixed).

Its easy to get confused about "copies". An Original Certified Copy is in fact a photo copy provided by the courthouse but in addition it is "certified" by affixing the gold seal and stamping the official impression onto it.

Bernie C

Male

Vietnam

2010-02-24 12:14:00

RFE ON MY BIRTHDAY!

1st - HAPPY BIRTHDAY

2nd - Do a review of the packet you sent. Maybe you will find something that was missing or where an error was made. Other than that, you'll have to sit tight and see what the RFE is. A review may reveal something that was overlooked.

Best Wishes

Bernie C

Male

Vietnam

2010-04-02 07:18:00

Bank Statements

The most recent 6 months is what I took.

Bernie C

Male

Vietnam

2010-04-09 15:06:00

Paper size for G 325 Bio info

Just check to make sure everything is there! If you are using 8-1/2 x 11 or A4 its fine.

In the US I print everything on 8-1/2 x 11.
When in Vietnam we printed everything on A4 (the slightly narrower and longer paper).

Our packets had mixed - some of each size - its a normal occurance and should not be a problem.

Bernie C

Male

Vietnam

2010-04-12 06:34:00

I-864

Nope Nope Nope

Go to USCIS.gov website and then click on FORMS on the top of the page, scroll down until you find the I-864 and you can download the form and instructions. You can save the form on the pc of you dont finish it all at once and print it when its done.

Bernie C

Male

Vietnam

2010-04-13 11:53:00

Curious...

DS-230 is Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration

I think you may mean DS-3032 for your other question. That is a designation of agent if you so chose to use one. It is not required.

Sorry - how and when you file DS-230 is dependant on what type of visa process you are in.

Whats your situation?

Bernie C

Male

Vietnam

2010-04-13 12:12:00

Curious...

DS-230 is Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration

I think you may mean DS-3032 for your other question. That is a designation of agent if you so chose to use one. It is not required.

Bernie C

Male

Vietnam

2010-04-13 12:08:00

G-325A FORM QUESTIONS!

For the USC
You have no "A" alien registration number - you are a US Citizen
Same for the bottom - your name - you have no "A" number

This form is submitted in connection with "Other" then write in I-130 Petition for Alien Relative

I believe its the same for your wife - not sure about the "A" number in a case where she may have been issued one previously for some reason.

Hold out for some better advice on that one!

Bernie C

Male

Vietnam

2010-04-13 10:29:00

vaccines

My fiancee (oops - my wife now) had only one vaccination prior to entering the US. We called the local health department here in Erie, PA and they are doing the rest for FREE :thumbs:

She had half done a month ago and is going tomorrow for the rest :crying:

(she hates needles and shots so much)

If you have to pay it would be totally dependant on what ones, how many, where you get them done.

Bernie C

Male

Vietnam

2010-04-14 13:55:00

Two I-864 questions

Put "0" in 10 ©. Read very carefully.

10 © is listed under persons NOT sponsered in this affidavit.

That should get you back to 2.

For address - her current address where she is residing in her home country.

The example form you are looking at here on VJ is for the filing of AOS after entry into the US (for example from a K-1 or K-3 visa).

Bernie C

Male

Vietnam

2010-04-15 13:08:00

G-325A Question

As long as your marrige is legally recognized BY the US then you are golden. Check married. I assume you have some document that shows your union together is legal and accepted.

If the marriage is not legally recognized, then you either need to get married again legally or file I129f :blink:

Bernie C

Male

Vietnam

2010-04-19 12:13:00

X ray and package

The x-ray is your for your records. It is advisable to keep it. It is a bit cumbersome but most I know of hand carry it so it doesn't get damaged (thats what we did).

We were K-1 so I am not sure about the package. If you are refering to the sealed package from the consulte, in the case of a K-1, it is given to the CBP at POE and is not returned.

Not sure how it works for CR-1 and if they give you anything back.

Bernie C

Male

Vietnam

2010-04-19 10:19:00

New & Very Confused

Being that you are in no hurry you ahve great advantages. Lots of time to research your options and prepare for when you do want to make the journey.

One great option in your case may be to file DCF and IR-1 when the time is right.

You'd have to meet the requirements for IR-1 (how long you have been married).

Read through the DCF guide here in VJ. As "Canadian_Wife" mentioned you'd have to establish "domile" in the US also.

Best Wishes and Happy Reading! It's great that you are together and have "options"!

Bernie C

Male

Vietnam

2010-04-22 07:56:00