ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Asia: East and PacificDFC confusion in Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam
Yes, it does work, at least 4 years ago it did....

I filed downtown on 9th floor of Dutchbank building (Maximart on second floor) Tall Grey building on Le Loi

Submitted paperwork Sept. 4th, 2004

4 forms sent back n forth, over two months time

December 30, 2004 Interview @ Consulate, Jan 2, 2005 (Visa Pickup)

4 months total

Note: Back then, required one year local employment and one year proof of local residence (from VNs Police)

Good Luck :-)
patricksNot TellingVietnam2009-05-13 18:00:00
Asia: East and PacificTourist visa- For Mom from Vietnam to visit
Oh, and one more thing....

Make sure you deliver that boy before February 7th!

It's still year of the "Pig"

Lucky Baby smile.gif
patricksNot TellingVietnam2008-01-12 20:59:00
Asia: East and PacificTourist visa- For Mom from Vietnam to visit
Thanks ThuyCannon, wow a boy!

Our baby Girl's VNs name "Thuy Ngan"

Regarding Medical Insurance for overseas visitors to USA:

http://www.travelins...ahigh.htm?32701

After paying premium for X amount of time. Then, you'd have to pay the medical provider before the insurance will reimburse you....
patricksNot TellingVietnam2008-01-12 20:20:00
Asia: East and PacificTourist visa- For Mom from Vietnam to visit
One more Thing:

We ordered SBTV (Sai Gon Broadcasting TV network) through local cable company.....It's a great "temporary" $15/mo investment

My wife's mom doesn't care about the political overtunes, but she likes the afternoon VNs language soap operas while Thuy and I go to work smile.gif

just something to consider
patricksNot TellingVietnam2008-01-12 11:00:00
Asia: East and PacificTourist visa- For Mom from Vietnam to visit
congrats...

We had baby girl in August , Thuy's mom came here last November from VN.....Thuy is very happy and her mom is a great help.

Plus, I used frequent Flier miles to bring "Ba Ngoai" here smile.gif

Have a good delivery......
patricksNot TellingVietnam2008-01-12 10:50:00
Asia: East and PacificPlaces to stay HCM
I like An An Hotel

Bui Vien Street, it even has a elevator, that works.......most of the time :-)

http://www.tripadvis..._Minh_City.html

patricksNot TellingVietnam2009-10-25 21:13:00
Asia: East and PacificPlaces to stay HCM
Gosh, it's been six months since I looked at this site, it hasn't changed a bit :-)

Actually, I (we) stay at both: hotel for few days and my wife's house the last few days before departure....."The Hybrid Approach"


patricksNot TellingVietnam2009-10-24 23:08:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionInterviews
I snuck in to the interview area (opposite the American Citizens Services) with my wife during her interview. I was the only white person in the area. My wife went to the window, she dropped her papers and I went to help her pick them up. I went back to my seat and then the consulte called me to the window and asked why I was there and this area wasn't for Americans. I said sorry and I politely left the consulate and waited across the street.

My wife got the pink slip (CR1 Visa)
HCMC Vietnam
patricksNot TellingVietnam2006-05-20 21:52:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionCR-1 Interview Success
Yes!

Welcome to America, just make sure you drive on the right side of the road

Keep in touch, your comments are ALWAYS welcome on the VJ site!

P
patricksNot TellingVietnam2006-06-05 21:12:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion1-134 Affidavit of Support
I made peanuts in SE too:
I got married in VN and still had a sponsor to be safe.
Your situation:
You need to do research on the Aff. of Support requirements, and do you have official proper verification for those assests (be safe than sorry)
Finally, the most difficult thing for me, was adjusting back to normal/ boring western world. It's easier with your girl in tow.
Good Luck

ps: no gov't coup here; just "W" :(
patricksNot TellingVietnam2006-09-21 07:38:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 January Filers
January 2008, N400 form for Naturalization submitted

8 months later, near Washington DC

Today, my wife was sworn in.....

Note, wife passed test yesterday, then today my wife waited 4 hours! because the USCIS folks lost her certificate (paperwork)....

It's all over now! yea :-)
patricksNot TellingVietnam2008-09-25 20:51:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 January Filers
01/21/2008 Filled out N-400 paperwork

02/22/2008 Biometric Fingerprints taken

Stay tuned................
patricksNot TellingVietnam2008-02-25 22:28:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 January Filers
Follow up........
Luckily, I found the checklist before mailing:

In addition to $675 check and signed application (N-400), I enclosed the following:

2 recent passport photos, with name and A# on back
Photocopy of my US passport photo page
Copy of both sides of 10 year Green Card
Copy of marriage Certificate
Copy of our daughter's birth certificate (don't have an official tax receipt?)

Now, it's ready to be sent off, or is it?
patricksNot TellingVietnam2008-01-21 22:30:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 January Filers
Add my wife to the list: 01/21/2008

Simple form with a Check, no photos.......
patricksNot TellingVietnam2008-01-21 21:28:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionJust received I-797, Notice of Action
Valid for 1 year
Can work and travel abroad
Will get a future biometrics appt.
Can follow status of case online

FYI :)
patricksNot TellingVietnam2006-12-16 11:00:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussionafter the biometrics
What's the normal wait for the "10 year Green Card".

My wife did her Biometrics in Mid-January 2007, two months ago.

We did it in Northern Virginia, near DC
patricksNot TellingVietnam2007-03-31 13:13:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionMy wife received 10 year GC today :)
She arrived USA (LAX Airport) 2/27/05 with CR-1

Submitted I-751 (remove conditions) 11/27/06, exactly 3 months prior to 2nd anniversary of arrival.
(received letter for 1 year extension afterward)

Biometrics Appointment for fingerprint 01/17/07 (Northern Virginia)

Received 10 year GC today 07/31/07 (Vermont Office)

Therefore, Total time lapsed:
8 months after removal request, or
5 months after 2 year Green Card had expired

Good luck, I hope that helps?

P
patricksNot TellingVietnam2007-07-31 19:11:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDeploying overseas, please help
With all due respect Keith,

Bringing Xiang to the States without you for 18 months isn't a good idea for her. (Unless she's been here before and understands our culture?)

Good Luck

After bringing my Vietnamese wife to America 15 months ago, NOW I'm finally confident about her living alone without me because I know she can pay the bills online, drives, shops, cooks, works full-time, understands safety & the social differences, most importantly, she's independent and wouldn't impose on other people to meet her needs.
patricksNot TellingVietnam2006-05-25 18:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
Hello my Thai Expat friends:

What happen to the www dot stickmanbangkok dot com site? It's down........

It's very interesting to keep up with Thai happenings while I'm now stuck in boring America.

Mai Pen Rai Krop
patricksNot TellingVietnam2006-11-05 17:33:00
VietnamVietnamese Passport Renewal
If it was up to me, I would say yes,.....if you slip me a 50,000vnd note on the side :- )

You'll need to ask the Washington DC VNs Embassy that question

Good Luck,
patricksNot TellingVietnam2008-01-04 18:48:00
VietnamVietnamese Passport Renewal
Yes, you need to send the original.

They'll put a stamp with "Expired" on the first page and return it with the new one (at the same time)

I've sent my passport via post numerous times throughout the years and I've had no problems. Use certified mail that requires a return receipt that someone has actually signed & received the package at the embassy.

Yes, she'll be without a passport for approx. 2 months; my wife had a driver's license for identification.
patricksNot TellingVietnam2007-12-31 18:00:00
VietnamVietnamese Passport Renewal
Yes, my wife had a new 5 year Vietnamese passport issued (renewed) from the VNs Embassy in Washington DC:

1.) All the forms can be downloaded from the Washington DC, VNs Embassy web site. (don't need to go there)
2.) Fee is $50, certified Check
3.) It took a long time.......about 2 months :-(
patricksNot TellingVietnam2007-12-29 11:15:00
VietnamVietnam VisaJourney Members
Matt,

Aren't you moving to North Carolina too?


Just Curious....


Good Luck, once you get that 1st year out of the way and she finally settles in, it's much easier. Again, I found the visa process eaiser than my wife's initial adjustment to the U.S..

Once my wife got her drivers license after 5 months, it was much easier also......

Good Luck
patricksNot TellingVietnam2006-09-01 14:55:00
VietnamVietnam VisaJourney Members
Nathan,

Will Miss Anh be able to get a visa to "visit" Canada?

Just curious?

GOOD LUCK
patricksNot TellingVietnam2006-04-19 22:01:00
VietnamVietnam VisaJourney Members
I agree with Dalegg:

I taught English for 5 years in Vietnam and your written skill is very good and you'll have no problem adjusting to the USA, now start learning how to drive. You can take practice multi-choice tests on the internet to prepare. Seperately, I went to the interviewing side of the consulate ( vs. the air conditioned office for ACS, American Citizen Services) during my wife's visa interview. You could....."cut it with a knife" .....I had NEVER heard so many Vietnamese people being so Q u i e t.........interesting (Note, the consulate staff finally kicked me out of the HOT interview section after about 30 minutes, my white face just didn't fit in....go figure?)
patricksNot TellingVietnam2006-03-30 18:57:00
VietnamVietnam VisaJourney Members
STL-HCMC
Are you getting married in VN? I filed a CR1 from VN and it only took 4 months for everything. Mind you, I had to prove I had been living and working in VN for that previous year, BEFORE filing. (Plus, my wife got her SS# within 2 weeks of arrival in the USA) Sounds like you're sincere and you have a lot evidence; you'll be fine.............My wife is from Can Tho also!
patricksNot TellingVietnam2006-03-29 22:04:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMarried one year
Akdiver,

Actually, I'm jealous :) that you have all those resources to travel extensively, house etc. It must be nice and it makes things easier. I was teaching English in VN when we met, married and she got CR1 visa. We arrived in America with $4000 in my account, no car, nothing..........

No pity, I have a go-getter wife like yours, she works for the US Gov't Mon-Fri and now she's taking her nail tech exam to make more $$$ on the weekends doing nails and networking. She's learned everything quickly with few problems, I'm damn lucky and it scares me to think of when we first arrived.
Now, it costs $250+k for a cheap 2 BR Condo then a baby in 2007/08.


Enjoy your travels and let your wife be as successful as she wants to be! ........America is an easy country to be successful when you've been surviving in places like USSR and Vietnam, where it's much more difficult.

Good Luck :)
patricksNot TellingVietnam2006-09-14 22:45:00
Asia: East and PacificGot my passport back from Vietnamese Embassy
This beach photo shoot MIGHT be the first of many expectations cast upon you by her immediate family and opinion leaders (aunts, uncles & family close friends). Good luck and enjoy the ride. Keep us posted.......
patricksNot TellingVietnam2006-03-29 21:12:00
Asia: East and PacificGot my passport back from Vietnamese Embassy
I agree:

I paid 3 million Dong (over $200) for a 5 hour studio shot in 20 different outfits. I went drinking the night before so I would have the patience to wait so long. What was interesting, is watching all the other women dress up, getting their hair done, change outfits, etc. (It's quite a production) It makes time go faster. I will say.....The photos are GREAT! It's actually the one thing (other than my actual lovely wife) that I brought back from Vietnam that the local Americans like. They've never seen such interesting wedding photos.
patricksNot TellingVietnam2006-03-29 15:59:00
Asia: East and PacificGot my passport back from Vietnamese Embassy
My 2 cents:
Firstly don't panic. Have you met her family in person yet? Basically, you have 3 trump cards: Their daughter loves you and she won't be happy without you (you control daughter's happiness #1), You are her vehichle to get a green card to the USA (Daughter's future success for WHOLE family #2) sounds terrible, I know. You are a smart good looking guy (you can charm them a little #3). Go to her house, and explain that you love their daughter, you're NOT wealthy, you want a simple ceremony and that you want to focus on her future in America and how she'll be able to help the family in the future. Short term sacrifice for long-term gain. That's called "losing face", BUT everyone will know today what the reality of the situation is and NOT play this game of expecting you to pay for EVERYTHING and when you can't pay for something ( The "S_ _ _" will then hit the fan in the future)
Lose face today or else you be putting your head in the toilet a lot more, trust me. Finally, if they can't get over her not marrying a wealthy man then you'll have to resort to plan "B". They probably won't be happy at first, so it'll be a good test to see how strong your relationship really is.....(Welcome to Vietnam!)
patricksNot TellingVietnam2006-03-29 12:13:00
Asia: East and PacificGot my passport back from Vietnamese Embassy
Matt:

Oh yea, I forgot about the wedding photos and we borrowed her sisters earings and necklace just for the photos to show the Consulate. Regarding "saving face", I personally think it's over-rated!.....................(I'm NOT politically correct in VN because I was told many lies so someone else could save face at my expense, different subject)....... It's like buying a Lexus car that looks good, but you can't afford the monthly payments. (looks good on the surface but it's not reality). I basically took control of the sitaution: my wife and I disagreed sometimes, her family didn't agree 100%, BUT we're better off today and it was an easier adjustment to the USA financially. Now, my wife is the most popular person in her family. (Today, she has FACE!) No, I'm not bitter with VN or a VN "basher", I just see it for what it is................(good and bad)
patricksNot TellingVietnam2006-03-28 22:19:00
Asia: East and PacificGot my passport back from Vietnamese Embassy
Matt,
My persoanl experience in 2004:
I explained to my wife (girlfriend at that time) and her family that I prefer to get a basic engagement ring ($300) , simple wedding ceremony at her house in the countryside (vs HCMC) I provided transport from HCMC for my friends, etc. Therefore, we had enough money for the visa expenses (bribes, certificates, doctor's appts, shots, etc) and to prepare for our new life in America. What's more important, the ring, OR your future in America. Yes, my wife's friends and her family members (uncles and aunts) said negative things (sometimes normal in Vietnam) BUT the day we went to America together at the Tan Son Nhut Airport, they ALL (100%) were happy for future success. Her whole family changed when they saw that US Visa stamped in her passport.
That's my personal experience..............If she or her family can't accept a basic ring THEN, you may want to take second look? Wait till your wife gets to America, I always have to say to my wife "why did you buy that?" She loves Old Navy, Gap, Supermarkets, etc...I never had that problem in VN?
patricksNot TellingVietnam2006-03-28 21:30:00
Asia: East and PacificEngagement Ceremony?
Hey Mike:

Those are great pictures, congratulations! It definitely shows her parents accept and approve of you, That's very positive. "Ba Noi", grandma, even showed up for the occasion. I would definitely show them! They're not wedding photos (There's no HOT Saigon Beer with Big Ice Cubes) Really, it doesn't look like a wedding (# of people, names on the wall, gifts, etc) Get copies of the photos and put small labels on the bottom. That's what I did, so the interviewer would have a written narration of the photos while they read them.

Good Luck
patricksNot TellingVietnam2006-04-03 22:54:00
Asia: East and PacificVietnamese Translation
The Vietnamese People:

The love to gossip, they love to get into other people's business, they love to offer unsoliciated advice, they just LOVE to TALK.........................My point, have your lady go down to these offices and start asking questions and then people will tell her what to do, where to go, etc.
People (strangers) always gave my wife advice through the whole process.
patricksNot TellingVietnam2006-04-02 20:28:00
Asia: East and Pacificincome or tax
I lived 5 years in VN and I didn't file federal taxes for 5 years! Therefore, I had to go back ( sent to an accountant) and file 3 years of back taxes for amounts BELOW the proverty level. Then I had to get co-sponsor "Aff of Support" with a retired VN Vet on a fixed income: We passed!
My opionion: As long as you don't have a criminal record (red flags), no outstanding divorce problems, and just fill out the EXACT paperwork requirements, you'll be OK! If you're a legitimate couple and you have nothing to hide, you'll be ok!
( I don't know about students with no work history, I agree with yellow 123's fiancee's response?)
patricksNot TellingVietnam2006-03-31 08:47:00
Asia: East and PacificThe K-1 and HCMC
Regarding HCMC Consulate Officers as I understand it from the people I met while living, networking and successfully going through the stressful process in HCMC.

The native English Speaking American C.O.s come from the TOP Universities, they've gone through a difficult interviewing process to attain their job and then they must bid for the HCMC assignment among the State Dept. offerings ( they could be sent to "Ten Buck Two" ? ) Finally, they must pass a rigorous 1 year Vietnamese language immersion course taught in Arlington, VA. Plus I've met local VNs nationals who worked at the HCMC Consulate and it's like working for "Blue Chip" company in America, it's a lifetime job that has high status in Vietnamese society. The facts as I understand them.......................
patricksNot TellingVietnam2006-04-09 21:07:00
Asia: East and PacificSomehow the Dam Hoi for 30 is now for 50
A perfect example of Vietnamese planning......Bring a credit card (You can get cash advances in HCMC if necessary) and "go with the flow".

"Khong Sao Dau" which literally means "No Star Where", which means "No Problem"
patricksNot TellingVietnam2006-04-16 20:18:00
Asia: East and PacificSomehow the Dam Hoi for 30 is now for 50
It's not a plan; it's reality!

It's based on my personal experience and experience of others. Let's see what happens, we're all supporting you..............( Mind you, 30 to 50 isn't a good sign?)
patricksNot TellingVietnam2006-04-14 19:22:00
Asia: East and PacificSomehow the Dam Hoi for 30 is now for 50
Dam Hoi: Family members only (maybe VERY close friends and neighbors) Formal Discussion between family elders from both parties to arrange details of future Dam Cuoi.

Dam Cuoi: The above people, plus co-workers, classmates, close friends and since you're a foreigner, they'll probably invite a few extra people for good measure.

Matt, don't forget to bring the credit card, you're along for the ride, enjoy it dude and keep us posted.
patricksNot TellingVietnam2006-04-14 18:49:00
Asia: East and Pacificyellow123 Interview Rally
Yes, I had to get an affidavit of support. The Fiancee visa can ONLY be filed from the USA; therefore, I filed a CR1 ( I was living in VN at the time) and actually it's a lot better because I could directly help her fill out the paperwork, and more importantly, my wife had her "green card" and "SS#" within 1 month of arrival in the USA.

However, before you can directly file the CR1 in HCMC, you must go to the Dept. of Homeland Security on the 9th floor Le Loi street and prove that you had been living and working in VN the prior year. Once my paperwork was sent to the (Dept. of State) US Consulate, then everything went very smoothly, I was quite surprised.
patricksNot TellingVietnam2006-04-15 17:48:00