Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	SAWASDEE 2	QUOTE (Kang Lang @ Jun 24 2008, 11:24 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (rin and john @ Jun 24 2008, 06:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Kang Lang @ Jun 23 2008, 11:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (rin and john @ Jun 20 2008, 08:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Kang Lang @ Jun 20 2008, 10:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Kang Lang @ Jun 19 2008, 02:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> i need some help and hope someone who has already filed aos can help. i am gathering the documents for my husband and realized that he doesn't have a copy of the medical. so he got the shots etc and failed to get a copy. has anyone been able to contact bumrungrad after the fact and get a copy? (i still have all the information relevant to his appt. since i made it for him online.) but i am worried about him getting the medical shots again don't think that's wise also cost prohibitive since you cannot use insurance for that. any advice is very much appreciated. Nobody? Are you referring to the entire medical or just the immunization record? We did not receive the medical info (from BNH), but they did give us the immunization record (DS-3025). I would think Bumrumgrad would fax or e-mail you a copy of the immunization records. I agree, I wouldn't want to get the immunizations again. In our case, Rin's immunizations were complete, but the children's were not. We got them at the pediatrician's office and they were 100% covered by insurance (our insurance covers "preventive care" 100% without deductible). The civil surgeon exam (Rin only) can also be turned into my insurance, but I have to do that myself - the CS had to be paid in full at the time of the exam - and the insurance will re-imburse me directly (since my insurance allows one physical per year to check general health). thank you so much rin and john! we have emailed BNH to see what they say. thanks for the tip about turning the civil surgeon fees in, i actually verified that i could use my fsa debit account to pay for the out of pocket costs which is nice since the cost is pretty dear and then submit to my insurance for reimbursement. i was surprised that it's several hundred dollars. i will post what (bnh) replies in case anyone else gets caught in the same boat as us. Kang Lang - Several hundred dollars??? Does that include all new immunizations? Rin had her medical earlier this month (it had been more than one year since her BNH medical). She had a TB skin test, blood test, and general exam (BP, temp, height/weight, and doc listened to her breath). No shots. Total cost was $117.50. The children had their BNH medical last September, so the doctor just filled in the I-693 part 2 (vaccination only) and part 5 - cost was $30/child for him to fill in the form (after we had gone to the pediatrician and obtained their second round of shots as the DS3025 showed their immunizations as being incomplete due to lack of sufficient time interval). John yes, crazy i know they want $185 to just to transcribe the med report from thailand and then the physical is $150 and the tb/hiv test is $350. i wonder if that's california pricing? unfortunately this cs is a wee bit more expensive than the others nearby but the 2 others i called, neither could see him before september! lin Must be one of the "perks" of living in California (along with the inflated salaries, right?) When I called the CS office nearest to my home, they told me to come in between 9 am and 4 pm and let them know it was for immigration physical. Any day, no appointment necessary. The only glitch was that the admin that made sure all the paperwork was completed ended up getting ill (hospitalized) and was out for the week following Rin's visit. No one else in the office (not a small office as four of them are listed as CS) had a clue as to how to do this admin's paperwork. So we had to wait until she returned. I actually felt sorry for her as her boss was taking work to her in the hospital. She got out on a Friday and called me at my house Saturday morning to let me know I could come by and get Rin's paperwork. BTW - the immunization transcribing onto the I-693 was included in Rin's $117.50 (it was $30/child as they did not have an exam). Does your CS actual charge additional for that when you are also having a medical with them? What a crock....	rin and john	Male	Thailand	2008-06-24 15:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	SAWASDEE 2	QUOTE (Kang Lang @ Jun 23 2008, 11:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (rin and john @ Jun 20 2008, 08:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Kang Lang @ Jun 20 2008, 10:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Kang Lang @ Jun 19 2008, 02:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> i need some help and hope someone who has already filed aos can help. i am gathering the documents for my husband and realized that he doesn't have a copy of the medical. so he got the shots etc and failed to get a copy. has anyone been able to contact bumrungrad after the fact and get a copy? (i still have all the information relevant to his appt. since i made it for him online.) but i am worried about him getting the medical shots again don't think that's wise also cost prohibitive since you cannot use insurance for that. any advice is very much appreciated. Nobody? Are you referring to the entire medical or just the immunization record? We did not receive the medical info (from BNH), but they did give us the immunization record (DS-3025). I would think Bumrumgrad would fax or e-mail you a copy of the immunization records. I agree, I wouldn't want to get the immunizations again. In our case, Rin's immunizations were complete, but the children's were not. We got them at the pediatrician's office and they were 100% covered by insurance (our insurance covers "preventive care" 100% without deductible). The civil surgeon exam (Rin only) can also be turned into my insurance, but I have to do that myself - the CS had to be paid in full at the time of the exam - and the insurance will re-imburse me directly (since my insurance allows one physical per year to check general health). thank you so much rin and john! we have emailed BNH to see what they say. thanks for the tip about turning the civil surgeon fees in, i actually verified that i could use my fsa debit account to pay for the out of pocket costs which is nice since the cost is pretty dear and then submit to my insurance for reimbursement. i was surprised that it's several hundred dollars. i will post what (bnh) replies in case anyone else gets caught in the same boat as us. Kang Lang - Several hundred dollars??? Does that include all new immunizations? Rin had her medical earlier this month (it had been more than one year since her BNH medical). She had a TB skin test, blood test, and general exam (BP, temp, height/weight, and doc listened to her breath). No shots. Total cost was $117.50. The children had their BNH medical last September, so the doctor just filled in the I-693 part 2 (vaccination only) and part 5 - cost was $30/child for him to fill in the form (after we had gone to the pediatrician and obtained their second round of shots as the DS3025 showed their immunizations as being incomplete due to lack of sufficient time interval). John	rin and john	Male	Thailand	2008-06-24 08:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	SAWASDEE 2	QUOTE (Kang Lang @ Jun 20 2008, 10:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Kang Lang @ Jun 19 2008, 02:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> i need some help and hope someone who has already filed aos can help. i am gathering the documents for my husband and realized that he doesn't have a copy of the medical. so he got the shots etc and failed to get a copy. has anyone been able to contact bumrungrad after the fact and get a copy? (i still have all the information relevant to his appt. since i made it for him online.) but i am worried about him getting the medical shots again don't think that's wise also cost prohibitive since you cannot use insurance for that. any advice is very much appreciated. Nobody? Are you referring to the entire medical or just the immunization record? We did not receive the medical info (from BNH), but they did give us the immunization record (DS-3025). I would think Bumrumgrad would fax or e-mail you a copy of the immunization records. I agree, I wouldn't want to get the immunizations again. In our case, Rin's immunizations were complete, but the children's were not. We got them at the pediatrician's office and they were 100% covered by insurance (our insurance covers "preventive care" 100% without deductible). The civil surgeon exam (Rin only) can also be turned into my insurance, but I have to do that myself - the CS had to be paid in full at the time of the exam - and the insurance will re-imburse me directly (since my insurance allows one physical per year to check general health).	rin and john	Male	Thailand	2008-06-20 10:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	SAWASDEE 2	QUOTE (Jessica&Lute @ Jun 17 2008, 11:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (symbiosis @ Jun 18 2008, 05:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (shawndoc @ Jun 17 2008, 03:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> How close is the embassy in Bangkok to a BTS stop? I think Chong Nonsi might be the closest. You can take a taxi/motosai from there. If you take the Skytrain to Ploenchit station and then walk down Wireless Road you'll get to the Embassy. I'm not sure exactly where the entrance for visa services is, but it is probably around a 10 minute walk from the BTS station. Wireless Road is near Ploenchit BTS station. Visa services is on the left (just past a walking bridge) as you are walking down Wireless away from Ploenchit Road. You will pass a site marked US Embassy on the right, this is not visa services. Keep going and it will be on the left (once you are on Wireless, just ask, most everyone will know where it is). Here is a link to the embassies map. http://bangkok.usemb...ov/service.html Visa services are located in the same building as American Citizen Services. Edited by rin and john, 18 June 2008 - 03:14 PM.	rin and john	Male	Thailand	2008-06-18 15:11:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	SAWASDEE 2	QUOTE (sference @ May 30 2008, 09:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (rin and john @ May 30 2008, 08:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (sference @ May 30 2008, 07:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (feyser @ May 30 2008, 02:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (sference @ May 30 2008, 06:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> My wife doesn't seem to have a birth certificate, although she has a Thai passport, Thai ID card, and a translated copy of the house registration (blue book.) I found this on the State Dept. website. I wonder if I'll have any issues with AOS? Thoughts? "The issuance of birth certificates in Thailand began in Bangkok in 1917. Records of birth are often lacking for people born in Bangkok before World War II and for those born in other areas of the country up until the 1970s. Birth Certificates are issued by "Amphur," (geographic subdivision roughly equivalent to a county in the U.S.) district authorities having jurisdiction over the place of birth. There may be a fee for this service. A Thai citizen older than 15 and born in Thailand, whose birth was not registered, must present in its stead a household registration, together with a Thai national identity card ("bat prachachon"), and may also be required to submit additional proof of the claimed relationship." For the K1 visa we used the household registration and Thai national identity card and that is acceptable for K1 applicants as stated above. I assumed it would work for AOS if I gave them Thai and English copies but it did not. USCIS is a different branch of government from the Department of State and I'm assuming that's why it did not work. I don't have any official documentation to prove that though. The U.S. Bangkok Embassy understands Thai documents. Service centers in the U.S. doing AOS deal with all countries and they don't have a clue what a household registration is. I attached a copy of the RFE I received. I thought of another potential problem for you. When you get your medical examination done in Bangkok, make sure the doctor marks the correct approval box on the I-693 supplemental vaccination form. Our doctor checked the wrong box so we got a 2nd RFE and had to find a civil surgeon in the states to redo it. Go here to see the document we had to resubmit. Make copies of all the medical documents if possible because you turn them in at your point of entry and USCIS has been known to not forward them to the right service center which causes delays. I can't remember if the doctor seals them at the hospital or if they are sealed at the interview. BNH hospital reluctantly e-mailed me a copy of the document they messed up on. Hope this helps! Thanks for that info. Looks like the wife is going to be making a trip to Si Sa Ket for the Birth Certificate. She doesn't sound happy about it, but that's how it goes I guess. Better to do it now while she's in Thailand. Rin is also from Si Sa Ket. We originally planned to go get her BC while I was visiting, but instead a family member was able to go to the local amphur and get it for her. The interesting part was that her aunt went and they would not give it to her. They told her that a male family member with the same last name could get it. Her uncle went the next day and was able to get it and mail it to her in Bangkok. So if she still has family in Si Sa Ket, they might be able to save her the trip. John Great. Her mother and father still live in Si Sa Ket. Rasi Salai actually, but I'm sure I could get her to have her father deal with it. I wonder does she have to go to the Amphur where born, or can she go to Muang Si Sa Ket? Feyser is correct; has to be the local amphur. Rin's was actually from sub-district Huai Thap Than, about 40 km south of Rasi Salai. http://www.thailand-...ket/map-big.htm http://www.thailand-.../maps/index.htm John Edited by rin and john, 30 May 2008 - 11:52 AM.	rin and john	Male	Thailand	2008-05-30 11:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	SAWASDEE 2	QUOTE (sference @ May 30 2008, 07:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (feyser @ May 30 2008, 02:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (sference @ May 30 2008, 06:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> My wife doesn't seem to have a birth certificate, although she has a Thai passport, Thai ID card, and a translated copy of the house registration (blue book.) I found this on the State Dept. website. I wonder if I'll have any issues with AOS? Thoughts? "The issuance of birth certificates in Thailand began in Bangkok in 1917. Records of birth are often lacking for people born in Bangkok before World War II and for those born in other areas of the country up until the 1970s. Birth Certificates are issued by "Amphur," (geographic subdivision roughly equivalent to a county in the U.S.) district authorities having jurisdiction over the place of birth. There may be a fee for this service. A Thai citizen older than 15 and born in Thailand, whose birth was not registered, must present in its stead a household registration, together with a Thai national identity card ("bat prachachon"), and may also be required to submit additional proof of the claimed relationship." For the K1 visa we used the household registration and Thai national identity card and that is acceptable for K1 applicants as stated above. I assumed it would work for AOS if I gave them Thai and English copies but it did not. USCIS is a different branch of government from the Department of State and I'm assuming that's why it did not work. I don't have any official documentation to prove that though. The U.S. Bangkok Embassy understands Thai documents. Service centers in the U.S. doing AOS deal with all countries and they don't have a clue what a household registration is. I attached a copy of the RFE I received. I thought of another potential problem for you. When you get your medical examination done in Bangkok, make sure the doctor marks the correct approval box on the I-693 supplemental vaccination form. Our doctor checked the wrong box so we got a 2nd RFE and had to find a civil surgeon in the states to redo it. Go here to see the document we had to resubmit. Make copies of all the medical documents if possible because you turn them in at your point of entry and USCIS has been known to not forward them to the right service center which causes delays. I can't remember if the doctor seals them at the hospital or if they are sealed at the interview. BNH hospital reluctantly e-mailed me a copy of the document they messed up on. Hope this helps! Thanks for that info. Looks like the wife is going to be making a trip to Si Sa Ket for the Birth Certificate. She doesn't sound happy about it, but that's how it goes I guess. Better to do it now while she's in Thailand. Rin is also from Si Sa Ket. We originally planned to go get her BC while I was visiting, but instead a family member was able to go to the local amphur and get it for her. The interesting part was that her aunt went and they would not give it to her. They told her that a male family member with the same last name could get it. Her uncle went the next day and was able to get it and mail it to her in Bangkok. So if she still has family in Si Sa Ket, they might be able to save her the trip. John	rin and john	Male	Thailand	2008-05-30 08:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	SAWASDEE 2	The embassy requirement and the USCIS requirement are different with regards to a birth certificate. For the embassy interview, Rin got by with her Thai ID card and tabian baan. She has since obtained her BC, so that shouldn't be an issue for us; here is what the CFR covering the DHS (part of USCIS) says (Title 8, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), 103.2.b.2): "(2) Submitting secondary evidence and affidavits —(i) General. The non-existence or other unavailability of required evidence creates a presumption of ineligibility. If a required document, such as a birth or marriage certificate, does not exist or cannot be obtained, an applicant or petitioner must demonstrate this and submit secondary evidence, such as church or school records, pertinent to the facts at issue. If secondary evidence also does not exist or cannot be obtained, the applicant or petitioner must demonstrate the unavailability of both the required document and relevant secondary evidence, and submit two or more affidavits, sworn to or affirmed by persons who are not parties to the petition who have direct personal knowledge of the event and circumstances. Secondary evidence must overcome the unavailability of primary evidence, and affidavits must overcome the unavailability of both primary and secondary evidence." http://ecfr.gpoacces...-....1.2&idno=8 I am sure someone from Thailand has had the same issue before and made it through AOS without a BC; would be interesting to hear what evidence they presented. John QUOTE (heiko @ May 29 2008, 07:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (sference @ May 29 2008, 06:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (feyser @ May 29 2008, 12:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hello all, I like to post this reminder in the forum every once in awhile because it created a big headache for us. Before heading to the U.S., be sure you go to the fiance's amphur of birth and get an official birth certificate. You'll need it to adjust status. Also, if your fiance has had any name changes, get those official documents and have them all translated too. I had a very good translation experience with Anuchit Piewkham at info@thaienglish.com. Good luck on your journeys! My wife doesn't seem to have a birth certificate, although she has a Thai passport, Thai ID card, and a translated copy of the house registration (blue book.) I found this on the State Dept. website. I wonder if I'll have any issues with AOS? Thoughts? "The issuance of birth certificates in Thailand began in Bangkok in 1917. Records of birth are often lacking for people born in Bangkok before World War II and for those born in other areas of the country up until the 1970s. Birth Certificates are issued by "Amphur," (geographic subdivision roughly equivalent to a county in the U.S.) district authorities having jurisdiction over the place of birth. There may be a fee for this service. A Thai citizen older than 15 and born in Thailand, whose birth was not registered, must present in its stead a household registration, together with a Thai national identity card ("bat prachachon"), and may also be required to submit additional proof of the claimed relationship." I am in exactly the same predicament. My fiancee went to ubon to get her birth certificate and they told her it was lost but gave her instead some type of affidavit. It was apparently good enough to get her K1 visa but I am worried about it sufficing for AOS. I won't get a chance to look at it until I am in BK next week. Cheers, H Edited by rin and john, 29 May 2008 - 10:05 PM.	rin and john	Male	Thailand	2008-05-29 22:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	SAWASDEE 2	QUOTE (George-Joom @ May 23 2008, 11:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hello Everyone! Thanks for the great info. We are just sitting back reading and waiting...checking this forum and the USCIS site for any news. Our NOA1 is March 31 nad touched April 23. We hope to hear something in June. But I have a little question...Does anyone know of a web site that I can purchase western movies with Thai sub titles? I saw one once but didn't book mark it and now I can't find it and I don't remember how I stumbled upon it in the first place. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again I agree with Statman78; all of ours have been from Thailand. I did see one in the US, but was expensive. Try here: www.ethaicd.com Good luck on your journey! John	rin and john	Male	Thailand	2008-05-24 08:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	SAWASDEE 2	QUOTE (JandD @ May 14 2008, 05:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hello Thai-peeps... I am still unsure about the DS230 part I... After looking on the VJ guide to the US embassy in Bangkok, for items sent back to the consulate, it mentions the DS230 part I, but says to send it unsigned. Yet, elsewhere I have seen posts that say YES, you do sign page 2 of the DS230 to send back to the consulate. Which one is it? thank you We sent Rin's signed. Part 2 is supposed to be signed and witnessed at the embassy. Signed or unsigned, they will correct it at the interview (I saw another instance where a fiancee was at the embassy with the DS230 part 2 already signed - They had her sign it a second time). I wouldn't worry too much about it. John	rin and john	Male	Thailand	2008-05-14 20:21:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	SAWASDEE 2	OK, that was not formatted right! Tried to format it and get it to post better, but I couldn't get it right. So tried to do it with attachments. Hope it works! John  BKK_data.rtf   105.24KB   9 downloads Edited by rin and john, 13 May 2008 - 04:22 PM.	rin and john	Male	Thailand	2008-05-13 16:21:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	SAWASDEE 2	I have seen lots of questions recently concerning the amount of time it is taking the Bangkok Embassy to schedule appointments. Just out of curiousity (and boredom), I took a quick look at the data on their current schedule (downloaded the data from http://bangkok.usemb...edule050708.pdf then manipulated it in an excel spreadsheet). Based on the data: a) It would appear that 13 to 14 interviews per day is an average number. (When I looked at the schedule a year ago at the time Rin's packet 3 was submitted, they were scheduling 16 to 18 interviews per day). Beyond May, they do not have any "7:30" interviews scheduled. c) Substantial "open time" remains in June and July. So either they have substantially reduced the interview slots per day (holidays, vacations, etc); or they hold spots for tourist visas, emergencies, expedites, etc. Also, when I sorted the data by BNK number, no particular trend stood out (i.e. earlier BNK numbers did not correspond - or even trend - towards earlier interview dates). Would be interesting to know what formula/criteria they use for setting their interview schedule. It would definitely help future applicants plan their travel to Thailand to attend their SO's interview. John Date 7:00 7:30 8:00 9:00 Grand Total 5/1/2008 4 5 7 16 5/2/2008 1 5 7 13 5/6/2008 4 3 3 1 11 5/7/2008 4 8 4 16 5/8/2008 4 5 4 13 5/9/2008 4 5 4 13 5/12/2008 6 3 4 13 5/13/2008 5 5 3 13 5/14/2008 5 5 4 14 5/15/2008 5 4 4 13 5/16/2008 6 4 8 18 5/20/2008 4 6 10 5/21/2008 1 2 3 5/22/2008 4 5 1 10 5/23/2008 4 2 1 7 5/27/2008 5 5 5 15 5/28/2008 3 7 6 16 5/29/2008 4 4 6 14 6/2/2008 4 4 6/3/2008 4 4 6/4/2008 4 4 6/5/2008 8 8 6/6/2008 4 4 6/9/2008 5 5 6/10/2008 4 4 6/11/2008 4 4 6/12/2008 3 3 6/13/2008 6 6 6/16/2008 5 3 8 6/17/2008 7 8 15 6/18/2008 6 5 11 6/19/2008 4 4 6/20/2008 4 4 6/23/2008 3 3 6/24/2008 3 3 6/25/2008 3 3 6/26/2008 2 1 3 6/30/2008 5 5 7/1/2008 6 3 9 7/2/2008 4 2 6 7/3/2008 5 3 8 7/7/2008 4 4 8 7/8/2008 4 3 7 7/9/2008 6 3 9 7/10/2008 4 3 7 7/11/2008 5 6 11 7/14/2008 6 5 11 7/15/2008 4 3 7 7/16/2008 5 6 11 7/17/2008 7 4 11 7/18/2008 4 5 9 7/21/2008 3 3 7/22/2008 3 3 7/23/2008 3 3 7/24/2008 3 3 7/28/2008 3 3 7/29/2008 4 4 7/30/2008 7 7 7/31/2008 3 3 Grand Total 203 83 189 1 476	rin and john	Male	Thailand	2008-05-13 15:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	SAWASDEE 2	QUOTE (Thai family @ May 11 2008, 12:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Greetings to all fellow Thai VJers, Does anyone know if sensitive documents can be sent directly to the Bangkok Embassy in support of a pending case, provided the case number is clearly identified? Our daughter-in-law's snail mail gets opened before she receives it. They told her in Hua Hin that there were no P.O. boxes available. We're hesitant to send the I-134s to an insecure address, as we've already been victims of identity theft, and definitely don't want to risk a repeat of that scenario. I'm hoping they'll accept the I-134s and supporting documents directly from my son and us. Everything that possibly can be will be e-mailed to our DIL. If our son is eventually able to hand carry documents and be present for her interview, that would be great. At this point that is an unknown factor. Any suggestions? Is it possible to send a package to Hua Hin by DHL and have them call her when it arrives so she can pick it up from them? Does the embassy give good information when you phone them? We're concerned about her eventually getting her appointment letter, too. We're even hesitant to mail original copies of proof of ongoing relationship, for fear they'll never reach her and be forever lost. Our son had trouble getting some of his mail while he was a student in Thailand - specifically, replacement credit and ATM cards. Fortunately his bank was quite helpful. Has anyone else had this problem in Thailand? We would send everything to her family down south, but that is not very practical, as it's a long distance to travel. Getting closer - and hope all of you are too! The kids are excited even though they have several more months to go before they can be reunited. Thanks in advance. Thankful to be a Mom to a very special Thai daughter I don't know about DHL, but Fedex can do it. I'd check their websites or just call them. Another option would be a place of business. I spent a few weeks in Bangkok last year and had a friend send docs to me at the hotel (Marriott). No problem receiving them there. So if your DIL has a place of business or a friend with a business address, that might also be an option. I do not believe the embassy will accept docs related to a case and try to "match" them up with the other documents received when your DIL goes for her interview. Best of luck! John	rin and john	Male	Thailand	2008-05-11 15:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	SAWASDEE 2	QUOTE (littleasianman7 @ May 7 2008, 02:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (rin and john @ May 7 2008, 09:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (littleasianman7 @ May 7 2008, 03:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Also, this is weird but i was checking out the updated interview schedule and they have our BNK listed TWICE with the interview listed consecutively one after another. Could this be a typo? That's weird/annoying haha. Does she have a child? They listed Rin's four times on the schedule; once for her, three for the children. Hey no she doesn't. Hmmm...thought in a previous post you indicated she had a child. http://www.visajourn...h...ic=82772= Even if the child is not coming to the US, the embassy may have her listed for an interview if she was listed on the 129F. We clearly indicated last April that only Rin would be getting her visa and the children would "follow-to-join". Rin's BNK number was still on the interview list four times last April. When we went to the embassy, they asked if the children were with us, told them no that they would "follow-to-join". No problem. The downside was that they took up three slots that went "unfilled" that day. John	rin and john	Male	Thailand	2008-05-07 18:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	SAWASDEE 2	QUOTE (littleasianman7 @ May 7 2008, 03:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Also, this is weird but i was checking out the updated interview schedule and they have our BNK listed TWICE with the interview listed consecutively one after another. Could this be a typo? That's weird/annoying haha. Does she have a child? They listed Rin's four times on the schedule; once for her, three for the children.	rin and john	Male	Thailand	2008-05-07 08:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	SAWASDEE 2	QUOTE (shawndoc @ Apr 11 2008, 09:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> One question I have about the packet 3. I was hoping to have her send in the packet 3 checklist as soon as the embassy shows it has been mailed to get a jumpstart on things seeing as there's been many people where the packet 3 took weeks to arrive or never arrived at all. However the "checklist" on the Embassy website is very poor quality. Has anyone mailed in the checklist from the website? Any problems? I used the one from the embassy's website for Rin last March and it was fine. From what I remember, the one in the packet 3 that arrived later was not any better. John Edited by rin and john, 11 April 2008 - 10:00 PM.	rin and john	Male	Thailand	2008-04-11 21:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	SAWASDEE 2	QUOTE (Ting Tong Farang @ Apr 6 2008, 11:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (beazalbob69 @ Apr 6 2008, 09:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Strange my girls case number is listed 3 times in a row on their appointment list wonder why? She have children? Or would children be assigned a seperate case #? I'm reaching here............ That was the case with Rin. The children had the same case number. Even though her children were "follow to join", the embassy had appointments for them last April when Rin went for her interview. When we got there we told them the children would interview later. Not a problem. John Edited by rin and john, 07 April 2008 - 08:36 AM.	rin and john	Male	Thailand	2008-04-07 08:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	SAWASDEE 2	Tried to edit my post, but it didn't work. Wanted to add: Rin did her medical at BNH. No hassles at all. Went without an appointment and was in and out in two hours. Even had a nice lounge with TV, newspapers, coffee, snacks, etc close by for me to wait! Same thing when the children went in September. Rin did get hassled when she went to get passports for the children. Whenever someone found out she was going to the US, they immediately had some reason not to help her, but for a little money, problem went away. She had to go to the local amphur to get a document saying she had sole custody of the children. It was 3:15 and the guy said she would have to come back in the morning since the office closed at 4:00 and he didn't want to miss his bus. However, he could take a taxi if she would pay for it. How much? 250 thb! Of course, you can cross Bangkok 3 times for that much. Twenty minutes later, she had the form. Guess he still caught the bus. Same when she went to get the passports. Hmm, she needed an official marriage certificate. A copy wasn't good enough. Nor her passport with my last name in it that they had issued 9 months earlier. But would you like to buy a small piece of memorabilia to honor the king? How much? 350 thb! She didn't want to take the children out of school another day, so 350 thb later, passports processed. Had to also go get BC's for children. All different amphur offices. One was 10 baht, the second 15 baht, and the last one 25 baht. The last was actually 15 baht, but after she had it in her hand and mentioned that it was for a visa to the US, the clerk asked for 10 baht more - the actual fee for a BC used to get a visa! Rin laughed, gave her 10 more baht and was on her way. She was glad I was not with her (yeah, it's just 10 baht, but I probably would have argued on principle). Good luck to all!	rin and john	Male	Thailand	2008-03-13 07:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	SAWASDEE 2	QUOTE (SqdnGuns @ Mar 13 2008, 12:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I forwarded the e-mail from the embassy to my fiancee "Ou", she printed it out and then called the hospital back to let them know what the embassy had to say. Their response was basically, "Oh......." Ou asked them if they could do her physical as planned today but they said the Dr leaves at 1100. Ou said why should she be delayed when it was their mistake to begin with??...............Well, they had her come back and she just called me, had all the bloodwork done, X-ray's, etc....just waiting for the seal of approval from the Dr. From the way it sounds, the medical is a breeze, she has only been there for an hour and a half. Ou also said that she met a young lady who has her interview on the 17th, who would that be, anyone Teerak here? I asked her if she got her number so she could call her after the interview to find out how it went and what the questions were, DOH, she didn't even think of that. I'll post more info as I get it. Rin did her medical at BNH. No hassles at all. Went without an appointment and was in and out in two hours. Even had a nice lounge with TV, newspapers, coffee, snacks, etc close by for me to wait! Same thing when the children went in September. Edited by rin and john, 13 March 2008 - 07:12 AM.	rin and john	Male	Thailand	2008-03-13 07:11:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	SAWASDEE 2	QUOTE (SqdnGuns @ Mar 11 2008, 02:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I am trying to find a decent hotel for my fiancee to stay at when she goes to BKK tomorrow, she has her physical on the 14th. I sure as hell don't want her staying at Dynasty or any other hotel on Soi 3. Any suggestions that are clear of the illicit side of BKK and close to Bumrungrad Hospital? I would also like to be able to pay via CC online if that is possible, that will surprise her so she will have more spending money at MBK. Thanks!! I would suggest staying near Central World/Pratunam area. Options would include: Courtyard by Marriott (just opened late last year - close to the Grand Hyatt) Plaza Athenee (on Wireless Road) Arnoma (across the street from Central World - adjacent to BigC) Grand Diamond Suites (next to Pratunam Fashion Mall) All of these are within a 40 to 50 thb taxi ride to Bumrumgrad (or within walking distance of the skytrain). My sales agent from Hong Kong stays at the Pathumwan (sp?) Princess Hotel which is adjacent to MBK. She likes it and says they have a great breakfast. Best of luck! John Edited by rin and john, 11 March 2008 - 08:57 AM.	rin and john	Male	Thailand	2008-03-11 08:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	SAWASDEE 2	QUOTE (marryme @ Mar 7 2008, 07:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> WOW 2 months interview date.. I was hoping mines would be sometimes in April.. Hope they are processing the Interview dates from the BNK number and not from the date they received the packet 3 back .. any hows still hoping to get an April Interview date for my girl.. I am so anxious to find out what her interview date will be.. unfortunately I just came back from a trip to visit her and won't be able to make it to the interview with her.. It seems so close yet so far away.. sighhhhhh... You might not be far off. When Rin and I were going thru the process last year, her packet 3 was sent back on 3/13. Based on others packet 3 to interview time, I was estimating an interview in late May. However, when I contacted the embassy after not receiving a packet 4 after two weeks, they had her scheduled for April 17th! I asked about it and was told that the priority for scheduling appts was based on how long the petition had been open. They didn't clarify if it was from I-129f filing or NVC receipt (the day the State dept gets involved) but Rin's interview was definitely "quicker" than others during that time. Similarly, when we did the K4 for Rin's children, we sent the packet 3 info in and got interview dates 12 days later. Their petitions/BNK numbers would have been the same as Rin's so they were put in the next available slots.	rin and john	Male	Thailand	2008-03-09 09:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	SAWASDEE 2	Interview schedule appears on the embassy website; links to a PDF file. http://bangkok.usemb...pointments.html It used to be sorted by Case ID (BNK number). It appears now to be completely random... John Edited by rin and john, 06 March 2008 - 05:24 PM.	rin and john	Male	Thailand	2008-03-06 17:21:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	SAWASDEE 2	QUOTE (huge316 @ Mar 5 2008, 06:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Can anyone tell me what is sent to my fiancee in packet 3... most importantly I am trying to figure out what documents she needs to fill out an mail back and which ones must go with her to the interview... she should be getting her packet 3 really soon as our NOA2 was on Feb 22nd. Also is anything in Thai or is it all in English? I am going out there for the interview with her and I just want to find out what I will need to mail her and what I can just bring along with me when I go there. Also, anyone have any clue as to how long the wait time is for an interview at this point? We're hoping for a late May wedding over here in the states, but I don't know if that's gonna be realistic or not. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Steve Go to this link for the US Embassy in Bangkok. It has the packet 3 instructions and forms. It tells what has to be sent back before an interview is scheduled. It also includes instructions in Thai. http://bangkok.usemb...structions.html Address is: U.S. Embassy Bangkok, Consular Section Attention: Immigrant Visa Unit 95 Wireless Road Bangkok 10330 Thailand Make sure she includes "Immigrant Visa Unit" as part of the address when she sends the info to the embassy. Hope it helps and goodluck! John Edited by rin and john, 05 March 2008 - 07:40 PM.	rin and john	Male	Thailand	2008-03-05 19:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	SAWASDEE 2	QUOTE (Texas Farang @ Jan 14 2008, 06:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> TRANSIT VISA - JAPAN? Hopefully all goes well at the interview and we head to the states a few days after that. I need some help resolving a question, as I've seen reference to the need for obtaining a Transit Visa for those connecting in Tokyo. As a U.S. citizen I've never had to obtain one, but what about a Thai citizen traveling on a Fiance Visa? Will we need to go to the Japanese Embassy in Bangkok to obtain a Transit Visa after we've received the Fiance Visa? Thanks Rin and I flew direct to LAX on Thai Airways, so cannot directly comment on transit visas for Japan (but since you never actually enter Japan when connecting in NRT, my gut feeling is you don't need one). However, on my trip last Christmas to visit Rin, I missed my connection in NRT. Had to spend Christmas Eve in a hotel near the airport. Not sure if that happened what they would do with someone who didn't have a visa or an exemption. I looked at Japan's Thai embassy website. It has a section in english that discusses transit visa's for non-Thai nationals. I am guessing the section for Thai Nationals is here: http://www.th.emb-ja...r/visaindex.htm However, not sure what it says! Anyone read Thai? I can ask Rin this evening at home if no one responds before then. I'd be interested in the answer as someday we may transit in Narita. John	rin and john	Male	Thailand	2008-01-14 10:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	SAWASDEE 2	The same thing happened at the beginning of 2007 (http://www.visajourn...ndpost&p=653434). It was related to the re-opening of the Cambodian embassy and finishing all open Cambodian interviews being conducted in Bangkok by the end of February. If you do a search on the immigration timelines and sort by Thailand, you will see no interviews done for Thai fiancees/spouses in Feb 2007. Not sure why it would happen again this year. I looked at the Bangkok embassy website and didn't see any reference to the delay. Agree with ThaiStyleUSA, it would be interesting to know the reason. Wish all of you the best of luck on your upcoming interviews and reunions! John	rin and john	Male	Thailand	2008-01-10 10:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	SAWASDEE 2	QUOTE (feyser @ Dec 1 2007, 06:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hello, I just filed for AOS and got an RFE asking for my wife's Thai birth certificate. What document did you send in for a birth certificate? My wife said the household registration is her birth certificate and all we have is a copy of that. Anyone else had this problem? Thanks! Rin used her housebook (tabian baan) and Thai ID for proof of citizenship and birthdate for her interview. For AOS, a birth certificate is required or some sort of documentation saying it is unavailable. Rin did not have her BC when she came here in April, but got it while we were in Bangkok during Sept/Oct. To get a Thai BC, you have to go to the Amphur's office in the city/province she was born. Rin actually had a relative go get her BC at it was several hours from Bangkok. Her aunt attempted to get it but could not. Her uncle was able to obtain it the following day (had to be a family member, blood related, same last name?). John	rin and john	Male	Thailand	2007-12-01 21:56:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	SAWASDEE 2	QUOTE (MarkNAam @ Nov 28 2007, 07:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Sawadees Khap! AAm and I had our AOS interview today...and it was successful. I think our timeline from initial K1 petition -> AOS approval was about 18 months. Just thought I'd post our good news and wish continued good luck to EVERYONE going through Thailand! Looks like interviews are coming up for a lot a people! Peace to all, Mark-N-AAm If memory serves me well, I believe that the Thai post has a one day delivery option for only a few baht more. I seem to recall Rin used it to get it there faster (and also assumed it would get a little extra attention by Thai post). John Oops! Sorry, I meant to reply to the post about sending Packet 3 back to the embassy, but clicked the wrong reply box! Edited by rin and john, 29 November 2007 - 11:40 AM.	rin and john	Male	Thailand	2007-11-29 11:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	SAWASDEE 2	For all of those waiting on Packet 3 - Rin's packet 3 took almost three weeks to arrive at her home (near Bangkok) and the packet 4 never arrived. Once I was confident that the embassy had her case from NVC, we returned the necessary docs to get the interview scheduled. Then I followed up with e-mails every few days. Eventually they replied with her interview schedule. So if you are sure the packet 3 has been sent, then I suggest sending them the following (from the embassy review section) What forms should be send back to the Consulate? DS-230 Part I (unsigned) 2 passport photos Copy of passport Checklist *Must be mailed to the IVU* U.S. Embassy Bangkok, Consular Section Attention: Immigrant Visa Unit 95 Wireless Road Bangkok 10330 Thailand John	rin and john	Male	Thailand	2007-11-27 13:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	SAWASDEE 2	We also paid 3600 thb for Rin's children this week. When Rin had her interview in April it was 3800. The US Embassy fixes an exchange rate and uses it for several months. Whenever the currency moves, they readjust (although never to the actual level since it is more like 34 thb per usd now). The children had their K4 interview today. Got to the Embassy at 7 am for their appointment, turned in their paperwork then waited for three and a half hours. The interviewer (a younger American lady) only asked one question (she asked Rin if the children were her natural-born children - although the birth certificates clearly indicated it). They were approved and we can pickup their visas on Thursday. So all is set for them to return to the US with us on the 12th!	rin and john	Male	Thailand	2007-10-02 05:08:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	SAWASDEE 2	Well, sometimes the Embassy in Bangkok can be very fast! Rin just called me (I am in Taiwan, rejoining her tomorrow in Bangkok). She had mailed the packet 3 for the children last Thursday via express mail (received on Friday). Rin received a phone call from the embassy this morning (Wednesday) telling her their appointment is October 2nd! Will be a busy few days to get medical exam, pay visa fee, etc, before Tuesday, but at least they will have their visa and be able to return to the US with Rin and I on the 12th!	rin and john	Male	Thailand	2007-09-26 01:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	SAWASDEE 2	Ah, "This is Thailand!" Rin and I travelled to Bangkok last weekend to begin the K4 process for her children. Of course the first order of business was to get a passport for her son and renew her daughters' passports. Rin went on Monday to find out what is needed, they told her she would need a letter from the local amphur stating that she has been solely responsible for there upbringing. She went to the amphur with her ex-sister-in-law who was to be a witness that her brother's whereabouts are unknown and that he has not been involved with raising the children. The official at the amphur told her "well, it's 3:15 and the bus to my home leaves at 4:00, so if I stay I will miss the bus and have to take a taxi. Very expensive this time of day". When Rin asked how long the form would take, he added "about 1/2 hour", but if she came back in the morning that it would take 2-3 hours as there is always a long line. He said he would take care of it now if she would cover his taxi home. When asked how much....500 baht ($15 usd). Ok not alot in terms of USD, but you can pretty much cross Bangkok twice for 500 baht. She paid the 500 baht and got service with a smile; left with the appropriate document in hand. On Tuesday, she went with the children to get their passports made, however when she showed her ID with a foreign last name, the lady said she needed proof that we were married (if she had shown her old Thai ID with her maiden name it would not have been an issue as she had gotten the girls passports before!). Rin had a copy of the marriage certificate, but not the original. Rin protested that the children would miss another day of school. The lady said she needed a certified copy of our marriage certificate. As Rin turned to leave, the conversation went: Lady - "Befroe you leave, would you like to buy (something - I don't remember what) in honor of the King's 80th birthday?" Rin - "How much is it?" Lady - "Only 350 baht" Rin - "Um, OK." Lady - "Can you wait one minute, please" The lady left for a few minutes, then came back to the window very pleasant and said she would process the passports so long as Rin returned with the necessary paper from the Amphur on Thursday when she came to pick them up! So Wednesday it was to the Bangrak amphur for the marriage certificate (no problems here!), then to two other amphurs for the children's birth certificates. The first one was 15 baht ($0.45 usd) for the BC's. The second amphur's office also told her 15 baht, but when she said she was applying for US visas, they charged her an additional 10 baht (after she had the BC in hand so it was no different than the others). So after 860 baht of greasing the wheels, about 1,000 baht of taxi/bus fares, and three days, we were able to submit their packet 3's to the embassy on Thursday. Now just waiting for the appointments!	rin and john	Male	Thailand	2007-09-22 03:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	SAWASDEE 2	Hey everyone, I have 2 questions. 1. I'm curious how you filled out the immunizations part on DS3025. How on earth is someone from Isan supposed to find non-existent medical records of shots? 2. How long did it take to get your police certificate? Thank you! Feyser, 1. You don't fill in the DS3025, the doctor does. When Rin went to BNH, they did all the paperwork and gave her three shots (as Kang Lang indicated, they will give whatever is age appropriate). She had to go back two weeks later for another one. 2. Rin went to the police department on Ploenchit Road and filled in forms. We went back ten days later and picked up the report, so it must vary a little based on other replies. Good luck!	rin and john	Male	Thailand	2007-08-06 10:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	SAWASDEE 2	I went to add some pages to my passport a couple months ago at the American Citizens Services section in Bangkok. Outside the entrance there was a really long line of people waiting to get inside for which I was allowed to walk around since I was just going to the ACS part. When my fiance and I go to our interview next month, are we going to have to wait outside in this long line? If so, how early should we get there for a 1pm appointment time? Thanks Aitan, No, that is a different line (perhaps visitor visas). Go inside (can either go through the ACS entry or doors to the left of the long line) and go to window 5. If anyone is at 4 or 6, can go there also. They will sort through you paperwork, give you back anything they don't need, then tell you to have a seat. We waited almost two hours for them to call Rin's name. Don't be alarmed if people who arrive after you (or even have appointments after you) get called before you do. This happened to us. Review of the paperwork takes different amounts of time. The few that got called up quickly (less than 30 minutes) had obvious deficiencies which were explained to them (loud enough for us to hear sitting in the waiting area). Goodluck! John	rin and john	Male	Thailand	2007-06-01 11:22:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	SAWASDEE 2	How often do people not get to pick up their visas the next day? The problem is that Nok's interview is on a Thursday right after July 4th, so if it isn't ready the next day on Friday we will have to wait until the following weekend since she wants to leave on a weekend so her whole family can see her off at the airport. Do they have people pick up their visas on Saturdays at the embassy? Aitan, They are not open on Saturday. If you look at "immigration timelines" in VJ, choose "View all visas (advanced view)" under "visa display options", you will get a list of timelines. Go to the bottom of the page, choose "Thailand" as the country and change the "# of rows" to a larger number (50 to 100), then go back to the top and click the down arrow next to "interview" in the header column, you will have a list sorted by interview date. Visa in hand date is in the column next to that. A quick scan shows about 80 to 90% get their visa the next day. Based on those stats, I booked Rin's flight for the day after her interview. Got her visa at 3pm the next day (their standard pickup time now), and headed straight to the airport! I did, however, make sure the flight could be changed if there would have been any problems. Thai Airways allowed changes on the date, but we could not have switched airlines (ticket only valid on Thai). Goodluck on the interview! John	rin and john	Male	Thailand	2007-05-30 08:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	SAWASDEE 2	I tried searching this on the forum but can't find an answer. Do we need to pay the visa fee before they schedule our interview or do we just have to pay it before we go to the interview? We just don't want to be sitting on our butts waiting for weeks for our interview time to find out we had to pay it at the post before being schedule. You just need to pay it before you go to the interview, not before it's scheduled. We got Rin's a week before (don't wait until the last day!). Make sure you have the receipt when you go to window 5. John	rin and john	Male	Thailand	2007-05-26 08:15:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	SAWASDEE 2	Wow you are getting sooooo close now. I am very happy for you. I will be leaving to Thailand on Sunday and will be sending my package to CSC on Wednesday. My journey will be starting. Hope things go quickly for you now. gosh thanks!! i am getting giddier and more impatient it's weird when i was just waiting for uscis to process i wasn't this crazy but the closer we get the more impatient i become! i hope we have an interview in the next 2 months! i hear that you don't get a notice about interview for about 6 weeks but who knows maybe i'll get lucky we didnt' do too badly w/ the packet 3 it was only 3 weeks. good luck with your journey and enjoy your visit to thailand!!!! does anyone know what packet 4 docs are? i couldn't find anything on the embassy website? (any help is appreciated) Kang Lang, Rin never did receive a packet 4. Here is the e-mail string of my correspondences with them requesting the packet 4 be re-sent and their response. I would start contacting them next week. I used info from Tucsonbill's packet 4 posts in this thread to put the information in the correct order. Didn't seem that important as the lady at the window sorted through all of it anyway. Hope this helps! John, Thank you sooooo much, the good news is that he got each of those forms in the packet 3 mailing and has already completed his medical exam! so looks like we are all set to just hurry up and wait for notice of interview. Maybe BKK is eliminating packet 4 and consolidating. Here is hoping we get our interview maybe around his birthday and we can spend it together. I have not seen him since Dec. 2005. Kang Lang, Wow! A year and a half! I was able to go to Thailand five times last year (mostly work related) and it was still difficult waiting. Hope your interview comes soon. Here is the link to Bill's post on packet 4. It does list the documents required and the order (and it at least gave me peace of mind that I had everything I needed)! Best of luck! John http://www.visajourn...mp;#entry617349	rin and john	Male	Thailand	2007-05-22 09:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	SAWASDEE 2	Finally after almost a year after we first sent in our AOS, we recieved our NOA I-797C, our interview date! I have seen many other applicants do this in 5 to 6 months. I believe ours was delayed (almost a year) due to our change of address. My thanks goes out to this thread and all who support it for helping us do this on our own. We will be bringing my wifes sister here to help her with the birth of our new baby girl, due in October and to attend Florida Atlantic University. She will come on a student visa and the University here will help with all the arrangements. Again thanks and be patient to all those waiting for their loved ones. Oh, by the way, DONT USE TOLLTHAI for overseas phonecards!!!!!! after giving my debit card information to them to buy $50 worth of time, close to $1,400 was taken from my account! I had to get a new card number and wait 2 months for the bank to release the funds back into my account! Thanks for the feedback on Tollthai. I haven't had any problems, but will continue to check my statement. Any advise on another phonecard for Thailand?	rin and john	Male	Thailand	2007-05-21 15:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	SAWASDEE 2	Wow you are getting sooooo close now. I am very happy for you. I will be leaving to Thailand on Sunday and will be sending my package to CSC on Wednesday. My journey will be starting. Hope things go quickly for you now. gosh thanks!! i am getting giddier and more impatient it's weird when i was just waiting for uscis to process i wasn't this crazy but the closer we get the more impatient i become! i hope we have an interview in the next 2 months! i hear that you don't get a notice about interview for about 6 weeks but who knows maybe i'll get lucky we didnt' do too badly w/ the packet 3 it was only 3 weeks. good luck with your journey and enjoy your visit to thailand!!!! does anyone know what packet 4 docs are? i couldn't find anything on the embassy website? (any help is appreciated) Kang Lang, Rin never did receive a packet 4. Here is the e-mail string of my correspondences with them requesting the packet 4 be re-sent and their response. I would start contacting them next week. I used info from Tucsonbill's packet 4 posts in this thread to put the information in the correct order. Didn't seem that important as the lady at the window sorted through all of it anyway. Hope this helps! "Dear Sir, Though the applicant did not receive the mailed Packet 4, the applicant can come to the Embassy for the visa interview on 17-APR-2007 at 07:30 am. This email can be printed out as reference to enter the Embassy on that day. We still conduct the visa interviews on 17-APR-2007. In the mailed Packet 4, there are forms included that can be obtained through these links; DS-230 Part II; http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/81807.pdf Medical Examination forms, in case the applicant did not have them yet; DS2053 Medical Examination for Immgrant or Refugee Applicant DS3024 Chest X-Ray and Classification Worksheet DS3025 Vaccination Documentation Worksheet DS3026 Medical History and Physical Examination Worksheet Regards, Correspondence Unit -----Original Message----- From: Bangkok Visa(Bangkok) Sent: Wednesday, April 04, 2007 12:06 PM To: Bangkok Auto Replies (Not for Public Use) Subject: FW: 4th inquiry BNK2007XXXXXXXXX ------------------------------------------- From: Sent: Wednesday, April 04, 2007 1:05:52 AM To: Bangkok Visa(Bangkok) Subject: Re: 4th inquiry BNK2007XXXXXXXXX Auto forwarded by a Rule Dear Sir/Madam, We have not yet received the packet 4 sent on March 27th. Can it be re-sent (or else picked up at the Embassy)? Additionally, noted today that Songkran holiday will now be the 13th to the 17th. Will this impact the appointment schedule? Best regards, John ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bangkok Auto Replies \(Not for Public Use\)" [visasbkk2@state.gov] Sent: 03/27/2007 10:52 PM To: Subject: RE: 4th inquiry BNK2007XXXXXX Dear Sir/ Madam, The IV Unit in Bangkok has received the returned Packet 3 of the applicant on March 14, 2007. The interview appointment has already been scheduled for the applicant on 17-APR-2007 at 07:30 am. We mailed the Packet 4 which is an interview appointment letter to this address yesterday (March 27, 2007). (address deleted) Regards, Correspondence Unit -----Original Message----- From: Bangkok Visa(Bangkok) Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2007 10:28 AM To: Bangkok Auto Replies (Not for Public Use) Subject: FW: 4th inquiry BNK2007XXXXXX ------------------------------------------- From: Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2007 11:27:46 PM To: Bangkok Visa(Bangkok) Subject: 4th inquiry BNK2007XXXXXX Auto forwarded by a Rule Dear Sir/Madam, Concerning K-3 Visa petition Case number BNK2007XXXXXX Petitioner: Applicant: Please notify me at xxxxxxxxxx whether the Embassy has received our Packet 3 checklist (mailed via thai post on 3/13/07) and if an interview date has been scheduled. Also please advise if packet 4 has been sent to the applicant. It has been two weeks since it was returned to the Embassy and I am concerned that it may have been lost in the Thai post. Thank you for your kind assistance. Best regards, John"	rin and john	Male	Thailand	2007-05-21 15:16:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	IR-1 / CR-1 / K3	QUOTE (beentheredonethat @ Feb 4 2008, 11:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> This is my first post after having lurked and read as much as I could find. I am just a little confused as to why you would file for a K3 if you have already filed your I-130 for a IR-1/CR-1?? Maybe this is obvious and I am certain I am missing something important. Thanks in advance for any advice. Been The answer as to which one is better for you is "it depends". In general, the advise given so far is correct. But in my situation, the K3 made more sense. Looking at the "immigration timelines" above, a typical CR-1/IR-1 through Bangkok has been anywhere from 305 to 327 days (only three in the past two years - one DCF at 88 days). The K3's without an RFE have been 160 to 190 days. So Rin and I went with the K3 as it was 3 to 4 months faster in being together. Also, we had no intention of Rin working once she arrived in the USA, so the EAD/GC timing was not an issue for us. We married in October 2006, she arrived in the USA in April 2007. Since her K-3 visa is valid until April 2009, we are waiting until August/September 2008 to file AOS. Her GC will not be issued until after October 2008 and will be a 10 year GC and not require lifting of conditions as we will have celebrated our 2nd anniversary. The impact of this will be it will delay by a year the filing for naturalization (since we could have filed for her GC a year earlier), and it will require her to have another medical exam (my insurance will cover the cost of the exam). The questions to ask yourself; 1. What is the additional time apart worth to you and your SO? 2. How important is having a GC? This will impact your SO's ability to get a SSN, to work, to get a DL, etc. Best of luck! John	rin and john	Male	Thailand	2008-02-08 09:41:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	CR-1 or K-3 HELP! please	If you have lived in Thailand for more than six months, go with DCF. Contact DHS Bangkok at the e-mail address below. From embassy web site at http://bangkok.usemb...sa-process.html "1. THE FIRST STEP - THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY The process of applying for all categories of immigrant visas begins with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In most cases, this consists of filing a petition with the DHS office having jurisdiction over the petitioner's place of residence in the United States. The petitioner should contact the appropriate DHS office using the Government Pages of the local telephone directory or by going to the USCIS website. If the petitioner resides in the United States, the processing time varies depending on the service center where the petition is pending. In a limited number of cases, if the petitioner can demonstrate current residence in Thailand for at least six months, the petition may be filed with the DHS office in Bangkok. The general inquiry email box for DHS Bangkok is BKKCIS.Inquiries@dhs.gov. Many DHS forms are available at: http://uscis.gov/gra...sfee/index.htm"	rin and john	Male	Thailand	2008-04-29 08:22:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	When I filed for my husband visa we were shy a few mo. of being married 2 yrs.	QUOTE (Muhammad n Maryam @ May 23 2009, 08:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Good Morning everyone ! Maybe my question is silly, but I was told I have a IR1. Which in my understanding is for people that has been married 2 yrs or more. Our anniversary date is 1-23-07 , when I filed for his visa we were shy of being married by 2 months. And when I left Pakistain we had been married for a year & 5 months. Does the IR-1 still apply to us ? Thanks for you guy's help !! The visa is not as important as the date permanent residency is granted. If the GC is issued after the second wedding anniversary (which yours will be) then it will be a 10-yr GC. If it is issued prior to the second wedding anniversary, then the individual is granted conditional permanent residency and receives a 2-yr GC and must remove conditions on the permanent residency.	rin and john	Male	Thailand	2009-05-23 11:12:00