ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Asia: East and PacificNoticed something
QUOTE (bryonm4 @ Mar 31 2009, 08:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
If it wasnt' for this site and the support I recived I would already be in Vietnam. My relatives, this board, and the people at work have been so supportive.

Tran's brother that lives in NY lost his job a few months ago he wants to move here and get a job but I tried to tell her if her brother moves in with me that will look suspicous even if he doesnt live with me just by moving to the same town could hurt our case.
so right now I'm one of her familys main source of income most of the money I send Tran goes toward her family to pay bills and buy food the thought of them denying my visa because they think im getting paid off (which they do quit often without any proof) is enough to push me off the deep end. I don't enjoy working 67 hours per week actually I'm working 72 hours up untill the time I leave for my trip then when I come back I will be back down to 67 hours.

It's a known fact that most people give up after a denial I have never given up on anybody in my life and I'm not about to start now. Money does play a big part in this I do know that but it is also possible to get the visa without having allot of money. I keep trying to make excuses to justfy there denial to make sense of all this but thats getting harder and harder when I hear cases that were approved that had the same red flags as mine. Maybe my case was weak since we only had about 10 pictures maybe we should have been kissing in some of them but she is shy about kissing in front of a camera. We had allot of evedence however most of it we didn't have untill the lawyer asked us to start saving it wich was after when we got engaged. Maybe that hurt our case. Will we be able to recover from it I don't know but I'm sure going to try.


Kepp your head on straight and don't give up. None of us would be here if we did. I know sometimes people are very forward on these boards. I know I am. Some people don't discover this board until 1/2 way throught the process.

Do what your lawyer says. Get together as much evidence as possible. Try and get your girl over her shyness for a couple of pictures (we're not saying make a porno).

I was fortunate enough to find VJ before I filed , and have a cople friends that have done the same, so I knew somewhat, what I was getting myself into.

Stay strong, keep the faith, and ever give up if this is what you truly believe in....

Edited by b_weeks, 31 March 2009 - 08:33 PM.

b_weeksMaleVietnam2009-03-31 20:32:00
Asia: East and PacificNoticed something
QUOTE (Haole @ Mar 29 2009, 03:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I know if I were a CO I'd do a double check on someone who just barely meets the minimum poverty guidelines, doesn't have many assets and has a shaky job. Red flags fly even tho they qualify.
Compare to someone who makes well above the guidelines , owns property and has been employed in a established company for years.
They'd be a "shoe in".
Also take a look at the beneficiary. If they don't speak good English and don't have much education. They will have a difficult time getting a decent job and stand a good chance of ending up with the US paying for their "nursing home".
Compare with a bene who speaks excellent English and is a certified nurse and will end up taking care of the above example in a nursing home at $40 an hour. good.gif

You tell me which one is a asset to the our country.
Get's back to! "Money talks and Bullsh!t walks"!!


I really think money has alot to do with the decision, BUT, I also think you have to present a loving, truthful relationship inside a few pages of paper, pictures, and other evidence.

When you submit a cover letter stating "We are going to get married when she goes to the US" just doesn't cut it. You need to be taking the few mintes you have in front of that CO painting a picture not only in what your Fiance says, but how your documents read!!! It's like condensing a "Harlequin Romance Novel" in a couple of paragraphs.

Some people concentrate too much on the forms, or the evidence, or too many pictures, but dont know how to describe their relationship in a way that makes a CO say "That's Love"!!!

This is not intended to insult anyone but for those of you reading this who HAVE NOT filed their papers, or who HAVE NOT had their interview at the embassy, PLEASE put yourself in the CO's shoes, read through your papers and see if it paints the right picture. BETTER YET, give them to someone else that doesn't know about your relationship to read, and see what they say.

PAINT A PICTURE!!!

Edited by b_weeks, 29 March 2009 - 10:30 PM.

b_weeksMaleVietnam2009-03-29 22:29:00
Asia: East and PacificCase Complete (HCM)
Remember... The BIG PICTURE means......


Dont leave out the LITTLE DETAILS. Paint a picture in the story you tell, about how you fell in love, how you feel when you look at her, what you thought when you first saw her come out at the engagement ceremony dressed in an Ao Dai. How you think alike, and practically complete each others sentences.

Dont be afraid to say "My heart races when we kiss". Dont be afraid to include pictures that show you kissing or leaning on each other (NO PORN)...
b_weeksMaleVietnam2009-04-10 00:12:00
Asia: East and PacificIf you have completed a MEDICAL in HCMC
I sent you a PM.

Also, please submit a timeline. It helps others answer questions if they can see your timeline/embassy/case status, etc...
b_weeksMaleVietnam2009-04-10 00:15:00
Asia: East and PacificLong overdue update - Time for Anh's I-751
QUOTE (Matt_Stevens @ Apr 4 2009, 08:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hey gang. My wife's Vietnamese passport expired in 2007, so she really needs to get that taken care of. Tried so many times to get her to do it, but she just ignored me. Now she needs it and will have to rush it. She will likely take the bus to D.C. with a girlfriend and hand it in personally.

I'm not sure I understand what that exemption thing is all about and how it works. huh.gif There was a great deal of information on that website, but no statement as to what the purpose actually is.

By the way, my wife is still listed in the Book for her family in Saigon. She wants to keep it that way.

A bit of confusion is the Biometrics. Will the government send her an appointment date? Or does she have to make it herself (and if so, how)?

One area that worries me is our address. We just moved to a temp apartment. We know we are moving again in September. That is 100% certain. So should we just go ahead and use the current address and then change it when we move? I'm assuming yes, of course, but just want to get other opinions.

Our evidence is now all that strong, to be honest. I've lost all the envelopes sent to use from friends in the last move. We don't own a home and Anh does not drive, so there is no joint car thing going on here. I'm hoping the other evidence will be strong enough. I'm probably worrying for nothing, as I did in the past.


The visa exemption certificate is for people who are spouses or children of a VN citizen (including americans). This is a 5 year visa exemption that goes in your passport, so you won't need to apply for a visa. It costs $20. We did it for our baby that was born in the US so my wife and baby could go visit her family for the first time. Quick and easy.
b_weeksMaleVietnam2009-04-05 22:06:00
Asia: East and PacificTime for an UPDATE...
Thanks for the comments and support. That is one thing I could always rely on in VJ.

Things are going well. We are going back to Vietnam for TET 2010. My wife and baby have already been back to Vietnam. The stayed for 2 months visiting family. My wife mother and sisters spoiled our daughter to death....

I t will be an interesting trip. My first TET, and I bought a ticket for my mother to go with us. This will be her first trip to Vietnam, and first time meeting my wifes family. She has never been to a country quite like Vietnam...
b_weeksMaleVietnam2009-10-06 22:59:00
Asia: East and PacificTime for an UPDATE...
Yes there is LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL...

There is alot of great advice on VJ. The best advice I can give is:

SAVE EVERYTHING (evidence for your journey)

Make sure your Fiance knows EVERYTHING he/she can about you for the interview.

We got LUCKY.... The approval process (fast), interview at HCMC in vietnamese (no english), all in just over 4 months.
b_weeksMaleVietnam2009-10-02 00:23:00
Asia: East and PacificTime for an UPDATE...
Oh Yeah....

Here is a couple shots of our little girl.

Lisa
b_weeksMaleVietnam2009-10-01 23:46:00
Asia: East and PacificTime for an UPDATE...
Helllo VJ!!!!!

I know it's been a while since my last post, so I thought I would give an update. Alot has happened. Those of you not familiar with my case, let me give you a very brief timeline

    December 2006 - Introduced to Trang by her sister
    December 15, 2007 - Travelled to VN for 6 weeks to get engaged and fiance became pregnant
    January 23, 2008 - Filed K1 paperwork
    January 25, 2008 - NOA1, rec'd about 2 weeks later
    March 12, 2008 - rec'd NOA2
    May 30, 2008 - Interview at HCMC, fiance is about 5 months pregnant - PINK SLIP
    June 8, 2008 - Entered the USA
b_weeksMaleVietnam2009-10-01 23:39:00
Asia: East and PacificNew to America the do's and donts
Speaking from experience here. I would venture to say that if you are not VK or connected somehow to a Vietnamese community, then the first couple months could be rough.

It was rough for us. My wife cried alot. She missed her family and friends, especially her little sisters. Even though I setup her family with DSL, bought her a laptop, cell phone. She chatted with her family almost every day. Plus she was PREGNANT, which probably didn't help matters much.

It helps if you can et her involved in a Vietnamese community, or VN friends. I was fortunate enough to have a close friend who is VN, who also brought his fiance from Vietnam very much the same way I did.

Be understanding. Compasionate. It's not easy walking away from someting you've known or done all your life, and moving to a strange country with different values, beliefs, traditions, rules, etc....

Enroll them in ESL, College, work. Something to occupy their time. The worst thing yo can do is let them sit at home with mothing to do.
b_weeksMaleVietnam2009-10-06 23:30:00
Asia: East and PacificBringing the Fiancee Home
Also, make sure she keeps her I-94. You will need it for AOS.
b_weeksMaleVietnam2009-10-06 23:44:00
Asia: East and PacificOpen Enrollment at Work
They are correct. MARRIAGE is considered a life changing event.

Once you get married, most insurance companies allow a 30 day period to add a spouse because of a life changing event like marriage. You will need to go to your HR dept, and ask for whatever form they use, and you will probably have to fax a copy of your marriage certificate.


b_weeksMaleVietnam2009-10-06 23:02:00
Asia: East and PacificTime Line, Relative List, Letter of Intent
The other reason for front loading the petition before you send it to the USCIS is this.

The CO at the consulate cannot deny your petition based soley on information already approved by the USCIS. If they do, you do have grounds for an appeal.

We did not provide a timeline in our intial filing, but DID provide one at the interview.

That being said, if you provided the information and it was approved by the USCIS, and your fiance DOES NOT KNOW the information at the time of the interview ( like where you work, what you do, how much you make, if you have clidren, brothers, sisters, etc) then your fiance CAN be denied.
b_weeksMaleVietnam2009-10-06 23:42:00
Asia: East and PacificDetails of Timeline
There are many varied opinions. Put in the timeline what you think should be there. Whether it contains more personal information or not, is up to you. Different CO's look for different things (which I disagree with)

Don't forget, you can also include some personal information in your cover leter as well.

WRATRAN asked: How will the CO have enough time to review the timeline if we submitted at the interview?

Well, the person collecting the documents and sorting them in the consulatre is also reading and making notes for the CO. The CO also has a couple of minutes to review the important info. They also ask alot of the same questions every time, so they browse through most of the documents in the interview. If they see something that stands out, they address that issue until they are satisfied with the answer or give you a blue slip to request more info.

I actually provided 3 timelines for my wifes interview. One in English, one in VN (provided by lawyer) and a detailed timeline of my trips to Vietnam. We also overwhelmed them with evidence. I knew we needed to keep everything, so we had about 5000 pages of chat logs. I killed a couple of trees....
b_weeksMaleVietnam2009-10-07 17:31:00
Asia: East and PacificVietnam Regional Forum
I agree. There is some GREAT vietnam specific posts that do not apply to others. I think it just adds to the confusion for those NON VN folks.

Many of us that have been through the interviews and are willing to share the VAST amount of information we have gathered through our experience. It is a shame for those posts to get buried in the confusion.

I have also asked thay my post titled HCMC - Evidence You Should Have be PINNED at the top of this forum.
b_weeksMaleVietnam2009-10-06 23:09:00
Asia: East and PacificPlane ticket to VietNam
I bought tickets for February 2010 from Louisville to HCMC RT for $1035.

This will be my first TET.
b_weeksMaleVietnam2009-10-06 07:08:00
Asia: East and PacificBooking Ticket for Vietnamese SO
Are you buying it from Dakao Travel? (good prices)

Just tell whoever you are buying it from:

Family Name: ????
First Name: ????
Middle Name: As it appears on passport whether it be fullname or initial
b_weeksMaleVietnam2009-10-09 18:33:00
Asia: East and PacificPictures
We had various pics like the others printed 4 to a page with captions, but we also had about 200 actual 3x5 prints at the interview.

They flipped through them til the CO saw pictues of our Dam Hoi, Trang and I going around from table to table with her mom and dad, toasting with everyone. We had about 350 guests.
b_weeksMaleVietnam2009-10-09 19:04:00
Asia: East and PacificJust a little bright spot in the HCMC world
QUOTE (Dai_Tx @ Aug 9 2009, 03:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Sometimes you just gotta ask yourself, "Is the juice worth the squeeze?"


This is just TOO EASY.....


Didn't anyone tell you? THE ORANGES ARE SOOO MUCH SWEETER IN VIETNAM...

Sorry, I couldn't resist tongue.gif

Edited by b_weeks, 09 October 2009 - 08:17 PM.

b_weeksMaleVietnam2009-10-09 20:12:00
Asia: East and PacificSending money
QUOTE (JimVaPhuong @ Oct 10 2009, 02:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (b_weeks @ Oct 9 2009, 09:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Well, if you are comfortable in the relationship, and feel it is genuine. What will sending her 1 or 2 hunder hurt? I dont know where she is from or what kind of lifestyle she is used to.

For me, it was a no brainer. I knew my fiance at the time didn't have much. She worked alot with her parents. So sending her a little here and there so she could go out and buy something nice for herself, make her feel better.

This whole process not only stresses you, but also stresses your fiance. I looked at it as "If I can do anything to take away some of her worries or stress, I will."

Not sure how much she is talking about, but I think sending 100 or 200 isn't hurting anything.


I don't think it's the money that's the point. Vietnamese girls don't generally ask their fiance for money unless they really need it, and it's something that would normally be his responsibility to pay for. For example, if she's making arrangements for your engagement ceremony then she might ask you to send some money to pay for the ao dai or book the restaurant, etc. Asking her fiance to send money so she can buy clothes would be like an American asking a friend to go out and buy them a birthday present - many would consider it sort of rude or presumptuous, or taking advantage of someone's good will.

On the other hand, she has an American fiance. Her friends are going to expect to see some changes in her social status. Nice clothes, bobbles, and other gifts tell the people she knows that she definitely belongs to someone important. Even relatively meager earnings in the US would be considered wealth by Vietnamese standards. I've had several Vietnamese friends remind me that I should be making sure that Phuong has a visibly better lifestyle now that we're engaged. They tell me that she won't ask me to do this (and she never has) but her self respect and standing in the community will depend on it.

Consequently, I've made sure that everyone knows Phuong and her kids are being taken care of since we became formally engaged. She's had her home painted, her driveway paved, and an assortment of new clothes. She even had a western style toilet installed (this was for MY benefit blush.gif ). She also has a new laptop, and a DSL hookup in her home. She usually has friends or other family members over for dinner because she's always got good food, and enough to share. Today, she went out to buy a new stove because rodents had chewed up the hoses in her old stove. Phuong never asked me for any of this, but I made sure she got it, and she makes it very clear to me how much she appreciates it.

Would the consulate think I was "buying" a fiancee? Maybe. But these things are honestly costing me less than a date every Friday night, and it's made an enormous difference in the quality of her life. I haven't decided yet whether she'll bring the Western Union receipts to the interview. I'll ask Marc what he thinks next time I talk to him.

In Carrick's case, his fiancee's request might just be a gentle nudge that she's getting some pressure from her friends.



QUOTE (ScottThuy @ Oct 10 2009, 10:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (JimVaPhuong @ Oct 10 2009, 02:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (b_weeks @ Oct 9 2009, 09:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Well, if you are comfortable in the relationship, and feel it is genuine. What will sending her 1 or 2 hunder hurt? I dont know where she is from or what kind of lifestyle she is used to.

For me, it was a no brainer. I knew my fiance at the time didn't have much. She worked alot with her parents. So sending her a little here and there so she could go out and buy something nice for herself, make her feel better.

This whole process not only stresses you, but also stresses your fiance. I looked at it as "If I can do anything to take away some of her worries or stress, I will."

Not sure how much she is talking about, but I think sending 100 or 200 isn't hurting anything.


I don't think it's the money that's the point. Vietnamese girls don't generally ask their fiance for money unless they really need it, and it's something that would normally be his responsibility to pay for. For example, if she's making arrangements for your engagement ceremony then she might ask you to send some money to pay for the ao dai or book the restaurant, etc. Asking her fiance to send money so she can buy clothes would be like an American asking a friend to go out and buy them a birthday present - many would consider it sort of rude or presumptuous, or taking advantage of someone's good will.

On the other hand, she has an American fiance. Her friends are going to expect to see some changes in her social status. Nice clothes, bobbles, and other gifts tell the people she knows that she definitely belongs to someone important. Even relatively meager earnings in the US would be considered wealth by Vietnamese standards. I've had several Vietnamese friends remind me that I should be making sure that Phuong has a visibly better lifestyle now that we're engaged. They tell me that she won't ask me to do this (and she never has) but her self respect and standing in the community will depend on it.

Consequently, I've made sure that everyone knows Phuong and her kids are being taken care of since we became formally engaged. She's had her home painted, her driveway paved, and an assortment of new clothes. She even had a western style toilet installed (this was for MY benefit blush.gif ). She also has a new laptop, and a DSL hookup in her home. She usually has friends or other family members over for dinner because she's always got good food, and enough to share. Today, she went out to buy a new stove because rodents had chewed up the hoses in her old stove. Phuong never asked me for any of this, but I made sure she got it, and she makes it very clear to me how much she appreciates it.

Would the consulate think I was "buying" a fiancee? Maybe. But these things are honestly costing me less than a date every Friday night, and it's made an enormous difference in the quality of her life. I haven't decided yet whether she'll bring the Western Union receipts to the interview. I'll ask Marc what he thinks next time I talk to him.

In Carrick's case, his fiancee's request might just be a gentle nudge that she's getting some pressure from her friends.

I am right there with you on this Jim... I have done similar things for Thuy and she has always said "I dont need any money from you I have a salary" I send money anyway when I know an issue needs to be addressed that she may put off or should not have to pay for... An example was her motorbike... it was a piece of junk.. not safe IMO.... He mother was worried and the next week I had her father go buy her a new one... it addressed several things... her family knows I am concerned for her safety and want to take care of her even when so far away. Her friends see that she is living a lifestyle above that of her coworkers and neighbors and as a result she gets less pressure from men trying to talk to her...
It all boils down to the lifestyle we expect for our loved ones.. And that lifestyle spreads far beyond the SO.... the family and friends are impacted in some way and thier quality of life is also improved to some degree.
Clothes in VN are so inexpensive that a couple hundred bucks would go a very long way... I cant get much for my son here in the US for a couple hundred bucks. I actually have asked Thuy to buy new clothes there to save some money when she gets here and so she can enjoy picking the clothes out with her friends and family.


I agree with both of you, and I was the same way.

I sent her money to have western style oilet, the shower made taller (I am 6'1"), a new motorbike (again I am 6'1" and about 180lbs), and a bedroom converted into a big closet so her family would have a family room. We also re-painted the inside of her house.

I also agree that there are certain expectations from friends and family now that she is married to an american (the second dauther to be married to an american). Also her bewing the oldest daughter, there are some responsibilities that come along with being married to her. The family now calls me "Anh Hai" or the "eldest son"
b_weeksMaleVietnam2009-10-10 10:26:00
Asia: East and PacificSending money
Well, if you are comfortable in the relationship, and feel it is genuine. What will sending her 1 or 2 hunder hurt? I dont know where she is from or what kind of lifestyle she is used to.

For me, it was a no brainer. I knew my fiance at the time didn't have much. She worked alot with her parents. So sending her a little here and there so she could go out and buy something nice for herself, make her feel better.

This whole process not only stresses you, but also stresses your fiance. I looked at it as "If I can do anything to take away some of her worries or stress, I will."

Not sure how much she is talking about, but I think sending 100 or 200 isn't hurting anything.
b_weeksMaleVietnam2009-10-09 23:52:00
Asia: East and PacificSending money
I sent money to my Fiance when she was in Vietnam. I was paying for her english classes and internet. Also bought her a motorbike.

I went to a local VN market here in town to send the money. Much cheaper than Western Union. They gave me receipts everytime. They charge $3 for every $100 sent. I actually used the receipts as evidence for our ongoing relationship and her interview at the consulate.

Nthing says love like MONEY tongue.gif tongue.gif tongue.gif LOL
b_weeksMaleVietnam2009-10-07 22:55:00
Asia: East and PacificHandling your emotions when the questioning gets personal
The CO lso has a very short amount of time to try and make an informaed decision based on the evidence, paperwork, and interview. So they're going to have to ask DIRECT questions.
b_weeksMaleVietnam2009-10-10 16:39:00
Asia: East and PacificMy fiance is back to Vietnam until the end of October 09
Good luck Jim... Hang in there.
b_weeksMaleVietnam2009-10-10 21:16:00
Asia: East and PacificMy fiance is back to Vietnam until the end of October 09
Have a fun time.

Where does the hydrofoil take you?
b_weeksMaleVietnam2009-10-09 18:30:00
Asia: East and Pacifick1 visa question?
Ken, you're on the right track. SAVE EVERYTHING. If you speak on the phone with her, save your phone bills. If you chat on the internet, make sure that whatever software you are using is configured to archive your chat sessions, so you have a complete record of them.

If you send email, keep the ones you send and the ones she sends. If you send regular mail, make sure to keep the envelopes they were sent in as well as the letters.

Keep ALL RECEIPTS where it pertains to your relationship. Even your hotel receipts when you go to Vietnam.

When you have your engagement ceremony (Le Dinh Hon or Dam Hoi) (which the Consulate is going to want evidence of), save all receipts for everything you buy for that. Food, Rental car, Dresses, Ring, Photographer, Entertainment, etc...

Take many pictures of you and her together at different locations. Make sure you are not wearing the same clothes in the pictures (you would be suprised what people do).
b_weeksMaleVietnam2009-10-10 22:25:00
Asia: East and PacificIR-1 CR-1 FILERS in HCMC
QUOTE (kevinbui86 @ Sep 30 2009, 09:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
take a couple of vaccination shots at Cho Ray or you will have to take it at your P.O.E. its about $70 at the P.O.E compared to about $200,000 to 300,000 vnd in vietnam


What shots are they requiring at the POE???
b_weeksMaleVietnam2009-10-10 21:59:00
Asia: East and PacificAnyones Fiance from Kien Giang Province????
What part of Rach Gia? Rach Soi? My wife is asking.
b_weeksMaleVietnam2009-10-10 23:01:00
Asia: East and PacificAnyones Fiance from Kien Giang Province????
It's not new, they have been in business for 30 years.

We are going back for TET. Let me know if you need anything delivered to his family (nothing big)
b_weeksMaleVietnam2009-10-10 22:39:00
Asia: East and PacificAnyones Fiance from Kien Giang Province????
QUOTE (lindal24 @ Oct 10 2009, 11:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My step-dad is from Rach Gia...I went there in Jan 2008 to visit his children and their family. I helped my step-dad file a petition for his youngest son...It'll be at least another 2 or 3 years though...

How'd you meet your wife...Rach Gia is WAYYYY out there... tongue.gif


I became friends with a former co-worker and his wife who used to live in the same building I do. They used to invite me over for dinner and we watched their wedding video. I saw this girl on the video, and asked who she was. My friends wife said "That's my older sister".

They introduced us. Her and I video chatted on the internet for a little over a year almost every day.

So I went to Vietnam for 6 weeks, got engaged, and the rest can be found in my timeline. Ultimately it took just over 4 MONTHS and she was her in the US with me.

If you were there in January 2008, then you were there the same time I was. Ask your step dad if he knows Ao Dai Moi restaraunt on Ly Tu Trong street. That is my wifes family restaraunt.

Edited by b_weeks, 10 October 2009 - 10:32 PM.

b_weeksMaleVietnam2009-10-10 22:32:00
Asia: East and PacificAnyones Fiance from Kien Giang Province????
Anyones Fiance from Kien Giang Province?

My wife is from Rach Gia. Just trying to see if there are others from the area.
b_weeksMaleVietnam2009-10-10 17:57:00
Asia: East and Pacificplease help me
QUOTE (jeromebinh @ Sep 18 2009, 11:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
They are all right you have to file for the K1 and it is not easy. Also you need to get to work NOW. No matter that you have a baby together they will not let you bring them over here if you can not prove that you can support them. You can get a co signer but I would make sure that you can afford them. Read the posts in this forum it will help, and good luck HCMC is not a good place to file for a K1 visa but just pray and it should all work out for you.
Jerome


US Consulate in HCMC does not accept SPONSORS for K1 or K3 visas. Everything else is correct. Find a job ASAP. It is not going to be fast.

Click the GUIDES link at the top of the page, and and look at the K1 flowchart and process. GOOD LUCK
b_weeksMaleVietnam2009-10-10 22:13:00
Asia: East and PacificForm I-134
Everything ScottThuy said. PLUS bring your taxreturns for the last 3 years as well. It is better to be safe than sorry.

I have heard of people getting blue slip for one or the other.
b_weeksMaleVietnam2009-10-11 22:13:00
Asia: East and PacificOriginal birth certificate of petitioner (Vietnam)
Fpr PETITIONER - Certified copy and a photocopy will suffice.
b_weeksMaleVietnam2009-10-11 22:16:00
Asia: East and PacificInterview Update
No I doubt that is why they got the blue slip.

The timeline that the CO wants to see is a timeline of your ENTIRE RELATIONSHIP from the BEGINNING
b_weeksMaleVietnam2009-10-10 00:08:00
Asia: East and PacificHCM medical
I may be wrong, but I recall seeing a post a long time ago regarding a girl that went to IOM for her medical.

A male worker at the facility took her phone number off her paperwork, and started to make harassing phone calls to her.
b_weeksMaleVietnam2009-10-10 16:33:00
Asia: East and PacificHCM medical
I asked my wife. She went to Cho Ray. She had heard alot of bad things about IOM, so she didn't want to go there.

As far as NOTABLE PLACES, you might try a riverboat cruise. Go check out BINH THAN market (It's HUGE).

We also went to AN DONG waterpark, it's pretty lame compared to waterparks in the US but it was nice to cool off.
b_weeksMaleVietnam2009-10-09 18:28:00
Asia: East and PacificUpdate after trip to VN and AP
QUOTE (fred n Dao Honey @ Oct 12 2009, 11:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (fred n Dao Honey @ Oct 12 2009, 10:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Dau Que @ Oct 10 2009, 12:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (fred n Dao Honey @ Oct 8 2009, 03:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Just some notes. I will post my entire Consulate experiance after the Visa is in hand.

I made several visits to the Consulate 9/30, 10/1, 10/2. Yesturday the Consulate called Dao to get a Blue Paper RFE for obtaining updated medical. The medical info expired at six months. We are hoping this is all they will need and a Visa will be issued. We are still in AP 10 months since January 17,2009. At this time I am holding my mouth shut.

As I stated I will eventually post my entire experiance. Anyone that is in VN or making a trip to VN soon and has a need to get inside, contact me, we can talk on phone or chat yahoo. I will post my info for all to review at a later time but, at this time I know they read this site.

In addition, When I was there I invited every american I saw inside and outside the Consulate to join VJ. There must have been about 30 people I met having problems. We only have strength in numbers and knowledge.

Pizza at the THE BIG GRILL was great. Thanks Ralph and Hahn.

Marc Ellis is a very knowledgable Attorney. If we had to do over, We would start with him. He knows the process.

Good luck to all
Fred


You made this post because you know the CO might read this forum and your entry will somewhat create an impression to them that you're in VN with your loved one and that you care enough to spend time over there. Most people pass with pink never bother to post/share their experience so others can learn or even care to come in to say thanks.

In other thought, a plug for any specific attorney is lame, regardless of the reason. Just my thoughts. Why? sound like that attorney is shaking hands with the CO to fail people so he can make $$.

Dear,
b_weeks

I believe you are wrong, there are several people that are still here long after getting visas.

Have no doubt the HCMC Consulate CO knows I was there banging on the windows inside for 3 days. I Talked to a Supervisor.

I have had good Attorneys and bad Attorneys. I believe this one is good. He is the second one I hired for advise on a K-1 Visa. Commenting of my "lame" act and accusations of Mr Ellis's integrity is an insult and you should oppologise. You don't know me. You don't know Mr Ellis. You don't know our integrity level. I am sure Mr Ellis could get more positive than negative comments from VJ members than I could ever give him.

You Assume.

Good luck, PS. As my son says, "don't be hatin!"
Fred

To all,

My oppologies to b_weeks the comments above were not for you. I cut and pasted the wrong name. My comments above are for Dau Que.

Fred

No problem. I was about ready to go off, because I do know Mr. Ellis. He was our lawyer through the ENTIRE PROCESS.

No biggie. We all make mistakes. tongue.gif tongue.gif tongue.gif
b_weeksMaleVietnam2009-10-12 22:22:00
Asia: East and PacificUpdate after trip to VN and AP
QUOTE (Dau Que @ Oct 10 2009, 12:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (fred n Dao Honey @ Oct 8 2009, 03:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Just some notes. I will post my entire Consulate experiance after the Visa is in hand.

I made several visits to the Consulate 9/30, 10/1, 10/2. Yesturday the Consulate called Dao to get a Blue Paper RFE for obtaining updated medical. The medical info expired at six months. We are hoping this is all they will need and a Visa will be issued. We are still in AP 10 months since January 17,2009. At this time I am holding my mouth shut.

As I stated I will eventually post my entire experiance. Anyone that is in VN or making a trip to VN soon and has a need to get inside, contact me, we can talk on phone or chat yahoo. I will post my info for all to review at a later time but, at this time I know they read this site.

In addition, When I was there I invited every american I saw inside and outside the Consulate to join VJ. There must have been about 30 people I met having problems. We only have strength in numbers and knowledge.

Pizza at the THE BIG GRILL was great. Thanks Ralph and Hahn.

Marc Ellis is a very knowledgable Attorney. If we had to do over, We would start with him. He knows the process.

Good luck to all
Fred


You made this post because you know the CO might read this forum and your entry will somewhat create an impression to them that you're in VN with your loved one and that you care enough to spend time over there. Most people pass with pink never bother to post/share their experience so others can learn or even care to come in to say thanks.

In other thought, a plug for any specific attorney is lame, regardless of the reason. Just my thoughts. Why? sound like that attorney is shaking hands with the CO to fail people so he can make $$.


Actually, it is VERY WELL KNOWN that M.E is not very well liked by workers at the US Consulate. He knows the laws, knows the process, and makes sure that when his clients are involved, that the Consulate follows those rules.

From a personal friend of mine, I will say this: "A friends fiance went to the consulate for her interview. The worker looked at the papers and said "You should be careful who you get to represent you". The client told this to the his lawyer, and the lawyer refunded a part of his fee to the friend."

It's not a plug for an attorney. M.E doesn't shake hands with the CO to make money. He has a very high client approval percentage. I only know of 1 couple who had a bad experience with M.E. and still got pink.
b_weeksMaleVietnam2009-10-10 16:27:00
Asia: East and PacificUpdate after trip to VN and AP
Keep your hopes up. It will all work out for you soon.
b_weeksMaleVietnam2009-10-09 18:36:00