ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Asia: East and PacificPlaces to stay HCM
QUOTE (jeromebinh @ Oct 24 2009, 11:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I am with you Scott, I let Binh handle the money, this way they don't try to cheat me when I pay for things. This morning she went to work and I stayed in the hotel for another hour or so when I went to leave, I could not find my wallet anywhere. I think it is better this way, they are used to dealing with people and getting better prices. And they feel it is our money and they do not want to be cheated as badly as we don't want to get cheated. Jerome

She got cheated with me sitting there in Vung Tau... 200 USd for dinner for 3... I have her handle the $ but make sure she does not get screwed over.. like I said she isnt used to handling money
ScottThuyMaleVietnam2009-10-24 23:01:00
Asia: East and PacificPlaces to stay HCM
QUOTE (JimVaPhuong @ Oct 24 2009, 12:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (ScottThuy @ Oct 24 2009, 07:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Do we get that same special rate that you get if we say you sent us? he he he...


Geez! I could answer that question if I had any clue what rate we actually pay! I just hand Phuong my wallet, and she gives Men whatever she thinks is fair. In total, I think we're probably paying more than most guests, but we're getting more than just a room. Men drops what he's doing when we're in town, and is our guide in HCM. He knows the best restaurants and interesting places to go, and makes sure the cab drivers don't rip us off. He meets us at the airport, and takes us back to the airport when we leave. He also goes to the market to make sure our mini fridge is well stocked with Pepsi Lite! He even handles the cameras when we're doing tourist stuff. smile.gif

The room is technically 'free' for us. We're giving Men a tip for all the assistance he gives us, but Phuong makes sure it's enough to compensate for the room as well.

I knew it was free from conversations earlier in the year, that is what I was pokin at... good.gif I am the same way with $ there.... I like the idea of having the wife manage the money and distribute the $. Thuy isnt used to it yet as her mother has always been the one to do it, so she is learning.
In HCMC I have been staying at the same hotel for years after the university had me stay at the Rex the first time, I decided I would find somewhere more our style... and price... They charged the University 160 per night for my room at the Rex... more than 4 times what it is worth...

ScottThuyMaleVietnam2009-10-24 12:48:00
Asia: East and PacificPlaces to stay HCM
QUOTE (JimVaPhuong @ Oct 24 2009, 09:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Linda and Dai_tx, please stop baiting Jerome. Several people (including me) have posted in this thread that they also choose to stay in a hotel, even though they are welcome at their in-laws home, and that they have good reasons for making that choice. Whether this is an acceptable choice according to the "cultural norms" is for their family in VN to decide. If their family doesn't have a problem with it, then you shouldn't either. To carry on like you are makes it appear like you are just trying to pick a fight. Please let it rest.

If it makes you feel any better, I'll stay at my future mother-in-law's home next time I go to VN. Of course, the hotel is lot closer to Phuong's house than her mother's home on the coast. blush.gif

Back on topic, I can recommend the Tam My hotel in the Tan Phu district (not too far from the airport). I'd say it's a high 2 star. It's new (only finished this year), so it's very clean. No breakfast, but you can get a banh mi and ca phe at the street market at the end of the block. Tell Men (the owner) that Anh Jim sent you. He'll definitely try to make you comfortable.

Khach San Tam My
19 Doc Lap
P. Tan Thanh
Q. Tan Phu
(08)38 107176

Jim,
Do we get that same special rate that you get if we say you sent us? he he he...
I have to say when it comes to staying at a hotel, my staying at the hotel is doing Thuy's family a favor... I can snore really loud if I am really tired or was drinking... She recorded it on her phone one night and played it for her mother... scared the cr@p out of her... so if I slept at the family house, it is likely I would keep everyone else awake all night... they may not like me as much in the morning.
Its also not convenient to stay at the family home if I have meetings or lectures in the city.. the home is not close to Ha Noi where I am teaching.
ScottThuyMaleVietnam2009-10-24 09:05:00
Asia: East and PacificPlaces to stay HCM
This is hilarious! All of a sudden folks coming out of the woodwork... hmmmm went through HCMC 2 years ago but feels the need to jump into this discussion out of the blue and only this one...
mui ca...... eb0dfafc.gif
ScottThuyMaleVietnam2009-10-24 08:46:00
Asia: East and PacificPlaces to stay HCM
eb0dfafc.gif

ScottThuyMaleVietnam2009-10-24 08:17:00
Asia: East and PacificPlaces to stay HCM
QUOTE (Mr Vong NC @ Oct 23 2009, 10:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I am first tim post to this place I cant believe some guy say things like this. You sure her family dont want nobody see you at the family house? I know some woman dont want US guy to know they have a man at home. You know husband from before wait for you to make everything ok for him to come living in the US..
I always stay at my wife family house. No problem. Something wrong when the family dont want you there.

Just because he does not stay there does not mean that he is in a sham relationship... Go easy on the guy he is stressed from being in AP....
ScottThuyMaleVietnam2009-10-23 21:24:00
Asia: East and PacificPlaces to stay HCM
QUOTE (lindal24 @ Oct 23 2009, 05:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (JimVaPhuong @ Oct 23 2009, 02:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I wouldn't be too hard on him. Phuong and I do the same thing. The home she lives in is her own home - not her parent's home. It has one bedroom, and she lives there with her two teenage kids. In the ward she lives in, foreigners are not permitted to stay in private homes without the permission of the local police, which she says is difficult to get, but she's willing to do it if I want to stay in her home. No matter how accommodating VN people are, it breaks my heart to see her kids sleeping on a straw mat over a concrete floor just so I can sleep in the bedroom. Besides, I want my visits to be a vacation for Phuong and her family as well as for me. I always insist on getting a junior suite at a nice hotel on the Perfume River. The staff there knows me well now, and they treat Phuong and I like royalty, which she really enjoys. smile.gif


Not true...all she has to do is register you with the local authorities so they don't think you're a robber or anything...all "visitors" must do this--if you stay at a hotel, the reason they take your passport is so they can register your stay with the local authorities.

Although there's a bed in my husband's room, he frequently sleeps on the concrete floor. He, my grandmother, and others do this because they're used to it and feel that sleeping on a bed is more uncomfortable--the accomodating part in giving up one's room/bed is that you're not used to sleeping on a hard surface....

Does Phuong's kids sleep with her in the same bed?? blink.gif

But it is nice of you to give Phuong and her family a "vacation" during your vacation...people like feeling special! smile.gif

Depending upon where one stays and the attitude of the local police, one could end up in jail along with the SO if the local guidelines are not followed... It is actually illegal for a foreigner to stay in the same room/home as a VN woman without proper documentation from the police... It would really suck to stay in a hotel or home with ones fiance and the both end up in jail for alleged prostitution charges... Many hotels will not allow a USC and a female VNC to share a room due to the laws in place... they actually require a marriage cert to allow the room to be shared.

Thuy prefers to stay in a hotel for the same reason that Jim provides.. its like a vacation for her... AC .... a big bed... a buffet in the morning (not great food though)... Every time I have stayed there with her we have made sure that we know someone that works at the hotel to avoid any legal problems... we have been stayig in the same hotel in HCMC so many times now that they treat us like Husband and Wife...
I would prefer to stay with her family but she actually wants the holiday treatment..... she deserves it in my book...

This all said... be sure that the hotel understands the situation when booking the room.... in any city in VN. The law is the law and many are not aware of it until they are calling for help to get out of a bad situation.... They are less strict in the south and in major cities but the law covers the entire country. Its great to get a good referal from others here for this very reason...
ScottThuyMaleVietnam2009-10-23 17:09:00
Asia: East and PacificPlaces to stay HCM
Damn! I'm jealous! 3 months!!!!
ScottThuyMaleVietnam2009-10-22 18:01:00
Asia: East and PacificInterview documents
QUOTE (vietazn @ Oct 27 2009, 02:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Can binders and expanding file folders to hold documents be brought into the interview?

Yes,
I did alot of research on this topic and thought I was all set with everything bound in the order they requested with ACCO fasteners... I was wrong... Dont use large fasteners unless you are grouping evidence of bonafide relationship together or photos... Use one of those expanding file folders with tabs indicating wht is what and then as the items are requested they will be there in the order in the folders, use paperclips for loose pages and staple only when needed... that way its ready to pull out and give the lady at the window item by item. They have no problem allowing you to bring the folders and binders in, they may have an issue with the documents, that need to be seperate on thier end, bound together when you give them through the window....
ScottThuyMaleVietnam2009-10-27 14:25:00
Asia: East and PacificChild Quit Claim Paper
QUOTE (Mike n Huong @ Oct 28 2009, 09:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Does anyone know if she would need her ex to sign a paper like this for her to bring her son here on vacation and then he must return?

I am just wondering, because if it is not needed then this might be sufficient. If it is needed then I question his intentions.

Even with the letter it will be very difficultfor him to come to visit... they look at it from the perspective that he is coming to stay and you must prove otherwise...
ScottThuyMaleVietnam2009-10-28 20:45:00
Asia: East and PacificChild Quit Claim Paper
QUOTE (Mike n Huong @ Oct 28 2009, 10:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hello my VJ family,

My wife's ex has finally signed a quit claim for her son so he can come to the US to live with his mother and I. I will be petitioning for my step-son. I have attached the paper that he signed with all personal info crossed out. Does anyone know if his statement saying "he ageed to allow his son to go abroad together with his mother" will be accepted. We are extremely excited that he is finally allowing him to come live with us but want to make sure his statement is accpetable for her son to move here.

Thanks,
Mike



Edited by ScottThuy, 28 October 2009 - 02:14 PM.

ScottThuyMaleVietnam2009-10-28 14:12:00
Asia: East and PacificChild Quit Claim Paper
QUOTE (Mike n Huong @ Oct 28 2009, 10:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hello my VJ family,

My wife's ex has finally signed a quit claim for her son so he can come to the US to live with his mother and I. I will be petitioning for my step-son. I have attached the paper that he signed with all personal info crossed out. Does anyone know if his statement saying "he ageed to allow his son to go abroad together with his mother" will be accepted. We are extremely excited that he is finally allowing him to come live with us but want to make sure his statement is accpetable for her son to move here.

Thanks,
Mike

mike,
I am in the same situation trying to get him to sign a letter. Any words of wisdom that may help us to convince him it's the right thing to do?
ScottThuyMaleVietnam2009-10-28 13:20:00
Asia: East and PacificIs bank letter needed for I-134 in Vietnam?
QUOTE (wratran @ Oct 20 2009, 05:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
here is the clip from the I-134 instruction sheet....

A. Statement from an officer of the bank or other financial
institutions where you have deposits, identifying the
following details regarding your account:

As the sponsor, you must show you have sufficient income
or financial resources to assure that the alien you are
sponsoring will not become a public charge while in the
United States.

Evidence should consist of copies of any of the
documents listed below that applies to your situation.
Failure to provide evidence of sufficient income or
financial resources may result in the denial of the alien's
application for a visa or his or her removal from the United
States.

You must submit in duplicate evidence of income
and resources, as appropriate:

1. Date account opened;
Supporting Evidence
2. Total amount deposited for the past year; and
3. Present balance.

That is from USCIS, The HCMC consulate has a higher expectation since it would be very easy for someone to shuffle money into and account that was payment for the fraud. and we are dealing with a high fraud consulate.. I have yet to see anyone post saying they got a blue slip for no bank letter, but there have been blue slips for tax returns or tax transcripts or w-2's... Funny how tax records are not mentioned in that section unless one is self employed but they require them from anyone...
ScottThuyMaleVietnam2009-10-20 16:59:00
Asia: East and PacificIs bank letter needed for I-134 in Vietnam?
tax transcripts and 1040's for past 3 years along with last years w-2, 1099's .... recent pay stubs from months prior to interview and thats all that is really needed... a bank letter is not a big deal IMO... You can take a copy of your recent bank statement to show activity but there is really no need... As long as you have documentation showing that you make the required amount of money (income).. thats all that is needed for the I-134
ScottThuyMaleVietnam2009-10-20 12:37:00
Asia: East and Pacificprecaution going to HCM
I agree Roger.. She could have prevented the infection by some basic hygene practices.. starting with .. don't kiss an infected person on the mouth.. If one washes thier hands regularly.. carry that antibacterial hand wash everywhere and use it regularly, then the odds of being infected are slim...
Dont get close to anyone that even looks sick... start taking vitamins now to build up your immune system... if you have one of those masks.. and can wear it on the plane.. I would wear it when I could especially when I slept on the plane.. and try to sleep on the plane as much as you can.. too many people stay awake and then thier systems become weak due to the missed sleep... better a little extra sleep than not enough...

I heard if you eat at really clean restaurants like "The Big Grill" ----> RALPHS good.gif thats a really safe practice for westerners...
ScottThuyMaleVietnam2009-10-31 13:35:00
Asia: East and Pacificprecaution going to HCM
good info jim.. I had problems if I took the recomended amount but if I took less I was good to go...
ScottThuyMaleVietnam2009-10-28 20:58:00
Asia: East and Pacificprecaution going to HCM
QUOTE (wratran @ Oct 28 2009, 03:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
the mouthwash and vitamin tips are very good. I did not know about that.

2 more items i need to take on the trip.

Awsome tips...This is very helpful for everyone with upcoming interivew date
Thanks

Walgreens has a generic version of airbourne which is a good vitamin supplement... dont take too much as the citric acid will do a # on your stomach
ScottThuyMaleVietnam2009-10-28 16:12:00
Asia: East and PacificDO we need hardcopy of appointment letter?
QUOTE (toddandhien @ Oct 30 2009, 07:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (cavoi xanh1 @ Oct 30 2009, 12:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (toddandhien @ Oct 30 2009, 09:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
For CR-1/IR-1, you can print the e-mail appointment letter and take that for your medical. K visas have to wait for an appointment letter in the mail or directly picked up at the consulate.



Thanks Todd (or Hien) innocent.gif How come the difference? Is it because the Consulate doesn't email the appointment letter when they schedule? and NVC emails it?

You got it. The Consulate deals only in snail mail for communication with the applicant.

Todd

They say the Ds230 and DS2001 can be emailed so they do work by email to some degree...
ScottThuyMaleVietnam2009-10-30 18:29:00
Asia: East and PacificCant rush the system

Todd, Having been through AP already it may be a good thing for us when it comes time to get interviewed... As many have said in the past.. most of the time they have some form of decision made before the interview based on the paperwork submitted and research/investigation they have conducted up to that point... Most of the people that I see that have gone through AP @ NVC are approved or denied at the interview and the majority are approved... I am with you on the beaurocracy aspect of it...
I will email them later this week to see if pkt 3 is sent.. then I can resend the forms.... a week later I can see if they got them and ask about the interview date so we can get the medical out of the way when I am there.. If not she will have to make an extra trip to HCMC or spend a longer time there when she goes for the interview to get the medical done a few days before... The later may be the best way to go, since her mother will be with her, if we cant get it done when I am there...
ScottThuyMaleVietnam2009-11-02 11:15:00
Asia: East and PacificCant rush the system
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...


ScottThuyMaleVietnam2009-11-02 08:15:00
Asia: East and PacificCant rush the system
I got out of AP at NVC on the 23rd... HCMC got the electronic version of the file on 10/24... The DHL system shows a package left on the 23rd and was signed for on the 26th.. as of today Nov 1, I was told by the consulate that they do not have the physical folder and are refusing to accept the completed DS230 and DS 2001...

"Thank you for your inquiry. Please be informed that we received the electronic file for the beneficiary on October 24. It usually takes one to two weeks for us to receive the physical file. However, it takes approximately 8 weeks for us to process the case and update the information in our system due to the large volume of visa petitions we receive monthly. We will send an Instruction Package (packet 3) to the beneficiary at the earliest opportunity.



At this stage of the process, we are unable to take any actions for this case (such as update DS-230 part 1). We only take actions for the beneficiary’s case after we officially receive the physical file."

OK given what we all know here based on how long it takes fellow filers to get from one step to the other.. I understand where the 8 weeks comes from.. 8 weeks from the time they get the pt 3 response until interview date.. and the 1-2 weeks is how long it can take to get pkt 3...

Amazing.. as soon as I knew they had the file I sent the forms and now I am at the point that I know they have the file, they deny it and refuse to accept the forms.. I know how long it takes for the pkt 3 to get delivered.. Jim knows first hand... I can only wonder what I should do to get the forms submitted.. wait weeks for the pkt 3 or resend later this week?

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?
ScottThuyMaleVietnam2009-11-01 20:50:00
Asia: East and PacificVacination for package 4
local health dept should do it free...
ScottThuyMaleVietnam2009-11-02 18:07:00
Asia: East and PacificVisa
not sure how to go about that... I am having Thuy email them in vietnamese to ask for me to see if the price is the same.. he he he...
ScottThuyMaleVietnam2009-11-03 11:20:00
Asia: East and PacificVisa
I emailed them and they told me 85$ for a 1 month single entry... #######?
ScottThuyMaleVietnam2009-11-03 07:41:00
Asia: East and Pacificwe got ViSa
flight leaves in a couple of hours...
ScottThuyMaleVietnam2009-10-29 22:03:00
Asia: East and PacificBonafide Relationship
QUOTE (toddandhien @ Nov 3 2009, 06:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (bryonm4 @ Nov 3 2009, 12:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My wife and I have had a joint bank account in Vietnam since Feb of 2009 we also have a connecting account between wellsfargo and vietnam income bank where I can transfer her money from my computer. She also has access to my credit cards and pin numbers I couldn't get her name on the title to my house yet until she moves here. I would not have done if for a K1 that looks really bad like you are trying to manufacture evedence because you have a weak case.

For a K1 you only have to prove intent to marry not closeness of relationship. The consulate might not always follow that logic but as you can see here by case law you can appeal it very successfully.

http://www.uscis.gov...errFrameset.jsp

Section 214(d) of the Act states that CIS shall approve the Form I-129F when a petitioner submits evidence to establish that he/she and the beneficiary have met within the two-year period preceding the filing of the Form 1129F, have a bonafide intention to marry and are legally able and willing to marry within 90 days of the beneficiary's arrival in the United States. The Department of State's interview of the beneficiary raised questions regarding the level of intimacy between the petitioner and the beneficiary at the time of the latter's consular interview. However, the approval of a Form I-129F does not depend on the level of closeness between the two parties, and the AAO finds the director to have erred in imposing it. While § 214(d) of the Act requires the petitioner to establish that he and the beneficiary have a bonafide intention to marry, this language is not synonymous with a requirement that the petitioner establish the closeness of their relationship. The AAO has found nothing in the record to indicate the petitioner and beneficiary do not intend to marry within 90 days of the beneficiary's arrival in the United States.

The difficulty is rarely in getting your petition approved by USCIS. It is getting the HCM Consulate to approve the visa. Two totally different hurdles. I believe that for the Consulate, you need to worry about both the real AND perceived closeness of the relationship.

USCIS is a hurdle whereas HCMC is a pole vault... we just dont know how high the bar is...
ScottThuyMaleVietnam2009-11-03 19:26:00
Asia: East and PacificBonafide Relationship
QUOTE (JimVaPhuong @ Nov 2 2009, 12:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (VudoMenudo @ Nov 1 2009, 08:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hello,

Thank you for your help. I am not sure if Wachovia will allow me to create a joint bank account with Thuy while she is still living in VN. Perhaps when I visit her again in a couple of months, I can ask her if she would like to create a joint bank account with me in VN. In any case, does anybody here who filed for K-1 have any experience with using joint bank accounts as evidence of bonafide relationship? I heard the HCMC consulate is tough to deal with and may look at this type of activity as fraudulent.


You're going to get different opinions on this, so ultimately you're going to have to make up your own mind. In my opinion, the CO expects to see financial ties between the petitioner and the beneficiary if they are married, but not if they are engaged. It's possible it could even backfire, and the CO might presume the beneficiary is a gold digger. This is not so common in Vietnam, but it's a huge problem in the former Soviet states. Personally, I would leave the financial evidence out.

Good point Jim.. or even worse they could assume the two are already married and thus ineligible for K-1...
ScottThuyMaleVietnam2009-11-02 08:17:00
Asia: East and PacificVisa fee receipt
Given that she lives in HaNoi its not that simple... The Medical can only be done in HCMC and if the medical is scheduled in advance there should be no problems doing it a few days before the interview... Others have been able to go to the interview without them.. they just got a blue slip as a result... They still wont say they have the file yet.. they have had it for two weeks now... I expect the only way we will know an interview is scheduled is by my calling DoS...
ScottThuyMaleVietnam2009-11-10 20:06:00
Asia: East and PacificVisa fee receipt
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
ScottThuyMaleVietnam2009-11-10 17:31:00
Asia: East and PacificVisa fee receipt
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?
ScottThuyMaleVietnam2009-11-10 17:09:00
Asia: East and PacificVisa fee receipt
That is what I read as well Linda. 131 to Citibank and they give a receipt that must be taken to the interview.
ScottThuyMaleVietnam2009-11-10 10:53:00
Asia: East and PacificSlow to get an interview in HCM...
I would trade in a second... They held us up @ NVC for a month in AP and then the file was lost in transit to HCMC for almost a month... they just got it and I fired off the pkt 3 response.. so We are expecting Jan 17 or so... And we were expecting an early Dec since we got our NOA2 almost 2 months ago.. hopefully I will know in the next week or so when the interview will be...
ScottThuyMaleVietnam2009-11-16 18:55:00
Asia: East and PacificSlow to get an interview in HCM...
Wasn't bashing... I only get a few days a year off and they are not paid days because I am self employed... My best friends wife works for the VA and gets 2 months a year off paid... I have a whole lot of envy at times for those that get all that time off paid...
ScottThuyMaleVietnam2009-11-09 19:06:00
Asia: East and PacificSlow to get an interview in HCM...
Man.. you have vacation time like you work for the Government
ScottThuyMaleVietnam2009-11-09 15:02:00
Asia: East and PacificSlow to get an interview in HCM...
QUOTE (lindal24 @ Nov 9 2009, 02:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Goodluck finding cheap airfare & requesting time off... smile.gif

My sister purchased her tickets to Vietnam for 12/19/09 for ~$1,400 a ticket!! tongue.gif sad.gif (from Houston)

Requesting time off... rofl.gif aren't you self employed Jim?
ScottThuyMaleVietnam2009-11-09 14:27:00
Asia: East and PacificSlow to get an interview in HCM...
Great news guys!!!!! kicking.gif
ScottThuyMaleVietnam2009-11-09 14:25:00
Asia: East and PacificSlow to get an interview in HCM...
QUOTE (ScottThuy @ Nov 9 2009, 12:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Just got off the phone with DoS.. it appears that HCMC is dragging thier feet in a major way.. They have had my case based on DHL records since 10/26.. but they have not entered the fact that they have it, into the system.. so until that happens I cant send DS230 etc... I asked her about your case and Dougs.. She said for you guys to call her and she can tell you what is in the system to avoid the time lag on emails from the consulate... 202-663-1225.. then press1, 5, and then 0... that will get you through to her or another CSR that has access to the same computer system that HCMC uses... She can see if pkt 4 was sent, pkt 3 was sent and even see if the interview has been scheduled and what date... a 3 or 4 minute call can give you a little peace of mind, but I am of the same mindset that you are in that they are dragging the feet at the moment.. possibly to lighten the load during the holidays...

Great news!!! it worked for Doug as he just called them.. they have an interview in 24 days... you are next Jim!!! good.gif
ScottThuyMaleVietnam2009-11-09 12:51:00
Asia: East and PacificSlow to get an interview in HCM...
Just got off the phone with DoS.. it appears that HCMC is dragging thier feet in a major way.. They have had my case based on DHL records since 10/26.. but they have not entered the fact that they have it, into the system.. so until that happens I cant send DS230 etc... I asked her about your case and Dougs.. She said for you guys to call her and she can tell you what is in the system to avoid the time lag on emails from the consulate... 202-663-1225.. then press1, 5, and then 0... that will get you through to her or another CSR that has access to the same computer system that HCMC uses... She can see if pkt 4 was sent, pkt 3 was sent and even see if the interview has been scheduled and what date... a 3 or 4 minute call can give you a little peace of mind, but I am of the same mindset that you are in that they are dragging the feet at the moment.. possibly to lighten the load during the holidays...
ScottThuyMaleVietnam2009-11-09 12:08:00
Asia: East and PacificVisa Appointment Date!
I agree Jim.. its not a matter of if.. its just When our family will be together...
ScottThuyMaleVietnam2009-11-21 08:17:00
Asia: East and Pacificvisa pickup
Since K-1 is technically a non-immigrant visa, it should not be a requirement... At this point she only has a 90 day visa to visit and possibly marry. CR-1 is a different story...
ScottThuyMaleVietnam2009-11-19 16:05:00