Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
Asia: East and Pacific	Interview Date For Van	Robert, Sound good! Here is the reason why HCMC doesn't have to tell you anything and you MUST know everything Your fiance and you must convince the Gatekeeper (C.O.) that you two are authentics! You watch footballs? You think they would give you their playbooks before the game start? These are some of the many tricks to spot frauds. You have nothing to worry about because it is what it is, isn't it? I also assummed you have sent back to her ALL the letters and cards she WROTE to you and mailed to you here in the States? They want to see those cards you two send to each other! Postage receipts are good too. About the EX, ask her to give you a copy of her License/ID, a copy of her utility bill or cable bill. JUST IN CASE!!!!! Photos: No need to give them tons of photos. The truth is your fiance will need to have the pictures to tell the love story for her Organize the photos in order: Beginning - First Date - First Trip - Second Trip - Engagement - Vacation - Family gathers - Family dinner - Social Events - Recent trips together - Pictures of you send to her where you went for vacation in the US, hers in Vietnam, etc. Normal stuff like that but significant to you and her! I saw folks show up at the consulate with suit case of photo album and still get BLUE and WHITE slips! Think this way: the C.O. only has 10 mins to make his decision to approval or deny your visa. Organize and present your evidence as a marketing sale executive at a Client site meeting Presentation is everything! Good luck! chuck and kim	chuckandkim	Male	Vietnam	2006-09-28 08:00:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Interview Date For Van	Print out your Credit Card statement where it shows you paid for your tickets to VN. Obtain ex-wife's address/phonebills/utility bills as proof of "I am not living with her any longer" Should have evidence to show where your EX is now.	chuckandkim	Male	Vietnam	2006-09-28 06:16:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Interview Date For Van	Robert and Vân, Hope this will be the last trip back for awhile Good luck and get yourself focus on the interview. Come back with the check list of items/docs you plan to bring home with you on this trip so VJ brothers and sisters can double check with you before you leave... Don't want you miss anything! Good luck, chuck and kim	chuckandkim	Male	Vietnam	2006-09-27 06:34:00
Asia: East and Pacific	use cingular fone w/ globe or smart sim card?	The answer from Cingular: "yes it would work and ready to go when you arrive in the philipines" is 100% correct, IF you use Cingular network, in the philipines. BUT, to use another SIM/network, this RAZR will not work. Since Cingular Razr is locked into cingular system. To unlock, you need to be with Cingular for 30-60 days (on contract), then you can call their "INTERNATIONAL SERVICE DEPT" to ask for an UNLOCK code. You need to provide Cingular the serial code in the back of your phone to have this UNLOCK CODE send to you via email. Good luck. remember, the answer from Cingular is 100% true, they will will and ready to use when you arrive in any country, BUT you will be calling and receiving calls through Cingular's network/system and get charged ROAMING	chuckandkim	Male	Vietnam	2006-10-10 06:10:00
Asia: East and Pacific	use cingular fone w/ globe or smart sim card?	Quickest way to test it out is calling your friends on a landline, asking them if they have T-Mobile service, bring their phone over, take their SIM insert in your C139. If it boosts up, your phone is unlock. More extensive search/google actually: Motorola C139 I saw this deal on Slickdeals and Fatwallet last week... Cool deal: $30 pre-paid cellphones, can't beat the price!!! It runs on 850, 1900 bands (also 900 and 1800) Good luck!	chuckandkim	Male	Vietnam	2006-09-06 12:56:00
Asia: East and Pacific	CRIMINAL RECORD	Here is what I did, Kim is from VN, but she lived and studied in Japan for years. When we filed and applied for her K-1 Visa. We requested a PC from JP, listed ONLY her school's address (town/city). Since, as a college student, one tents to move around from apt. to apt. during the one's school years. In your case, If your honey was in Canada for school/work, just put down the work/school address then ask for a PC from that City/Town where he/she studied or worked. Hope that helps! Good luck	chuckandkim	Male	Vietnam	2006-10-16 09:25:00
Asia: East and Pacific	NOA3 received from HCMC	You're almost there!	chuckandkim	Male	Vietnam	2006-10-17 14:12:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Logic Girls interview	AWESOME Congrats!	chuckandkim	Male	Vietnam	2006-10-16 09:18:00
Asia: East and Pacific	what if sent all evidence in i-29	HI Green/Tran I don't know how others did, I send a complete second copy of the I-129F package which I sent to the Service Center. Of course, my wife would have the ORIGINAL of all the documents (Birth Certificate, Divorce Decreed and stuff) at her interview. Only sent in the copied. So the answer is YES, you need a complete package for her interview and MORE. Remember, you don't stop collecting and documenting your relationship just because you filed her I-129F. Hope that helps...	chuckandkim	Male	Vietnam	2006-10-20 13:15:00
Asia: East and Pacific	printing chat logs	Think "BIG PICTURE".... how do you best represent your "on-going" relationship at the interview where you will have 5-10 minutes to prove it. by printing ALL your chat-log, realistically, how would anyone have enough time to go through them? Think big picture... they want to see your on-going communication, as any normal relationship and lovers would.... Give them a full package of handwriten letters, postmails, emails, chat-logs, gift reciepts, photos of you and her in many places, photos of you send to her showing where you live, where you work, photos of her doing thing with you and her family. Phoe bills, credit card bills where you buy gift and airline tickets to see her. You have to be able to show her your ON-GOING relationship and communication. I dont know how other did, but that's what I did and It worked. Just don't get hang up on the ONE type of evidence, you need ALL of them... Good luck	chuckandkim	Male	Vietnam	2006-10-23 09:24:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Household Registration Book (Ho Khau) unchanged since moving	Ah, her folks still own that home? In that case, as Tony mentioned above, your Ho Khau matches your ID Card, and everything is still in legal order, you should not worry about it. Her "dia chi thuong tru" can be different from her "dang ky Ho Khau". The "other book" Tony mentioned could be the "So Tam Tru/Tam Vang". Keep it simple: put down both home address. Listed the one she stays as "mailing address". Since, in reality, her parents own those two homes, technically, she can be living and staying in both homes. No issue here in my book. Can always check with the Consulate to be sure. Explain the situation. The key here is: she is registered at the first home (ho khau), and live at the second home (tam tru). Good luck....	chuckandkim	Male	Vietnam	2006-10-24 06:15:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Household Registration Book (Ho Khau) unchanged since moving	I don't know the answer to this, but normally when you moved and bought a new home in VN, you should also get a new HO KHAU. If not, how could they buy that new home (1991-Present)? Are you sure they don't have it at all, or just never got the new one from the Police Office... They should have it on record somehow. Trust me, the POLICE wouldn't issue Motobike Registration Card or ID Card to her family if they didn't have HO KHAU. So they must have them somewhere. Check back with her local police... You may end up spending some "coffee" money on the police to get it done ASAP. Good luck	chuckandkim	Male	Vietnam	2006-10-23 09:18:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Robert & Van's Interview.	Congratulations!	chuckandkim	Male	Vietnam	2006-10-23 07:00:00
Asia: East and Pacific	HCMC Denied and Sent Case back to NVC	I gotcha, sit back and wait for the "notice of intent to deny" letter then... because since June 2006 when they called HCMC, the USC and his fiancee found out they "SENT" it back... no sure when exactly, just said "we returned it to the States". This will give my guy 2 or 3 more months before the "NOID" letter arrives Thank you again Don... Kimi, I am not sure my guy and his girl can get married just yet, it may complicate their case even more. Gotta find out where the heck the file is right now before they can make the next move.	chuckandkim	Male	Vietnam	2006-10-24 13:27:00
Asia: East and Pacific	HCMC Denied and Sent Case back to NVC	OH MY GOODNESS, that is unbelievable and yet it is true... I will let my guy know about his options. As of right now, I believe he needs to first find out where his file and we can proceed from there, don't you agree?	chuckandkim	Male	Vietnam	2006-10-24 12:30:00
Asia: East and Pacific	HCMC Denied and Sent Case back to NVC	Martindart, USC called NVC and NSC yesterday, they have no idea where the file was sent to. If I read your post correctly, Nebraska Service Center should have USC's file, and it will take 7 months for them to notify USC? In that case, USC will have to wait until January 2007 before he receives the Notice "intend to deny", since USC found out in June 2006 his case was sent back to the US. If you have any advice where should USC go next, please PM me or just post it here... thank you	chuckandkim	Male	Vietnam	2006-10-24 10:02:00
Asia: East and Pacific	HCMC Denied and Sent Case back to NVC	Mike, Thanks for the offer brother... I'll be in contact with you soon. Just try to get more information from my guy before we can be effectively helping this poor soul.... Bugsly, I will have my friend to contact his original SC. Since NVC has no information regarding his case at this point... He just called me... Edited by chuckandkim, 23 October 2006 - 02:11 PM.	chuckandkim	Male	Vietnam	2006-10-23 14:10:00
Asia: East and Pacific	HCMC Denied and Sent Case back to NVC	Thank you Kevin&Loan... I will let the USC know ASAP. I think they may have closed his case already. Based on what he said to me today, his cased was returned to the States in June 2006. He just contacted me today. I told him about VJ but he has no internet access. Crazy! Some people are much less fortunate than we are... Again, thank you so much Kevin, i'll let him know....	chuckandkim	Male	Vietnam	2006-10-23 12:58:00
Asia: East and Pacific	HCMC Denied and Sent Case back to NVC	I'm trying to figure out how to help a friend whose case was denied by HCMC. Best to come here for your expert advice based on personal experience. - USC and VNC grow up together in the same neighborhood in Saigon. No relations. - USC family left for the US in 1975 - USC and VNC were too young to remember much of each other - 2002 USC parents and VNC's introduce them to each other - 2002 USC and VNC were engaged in front of both parents and families - End of 2002, interviewed - Green slipped: VNC and USC used their nick names for communication (mails/postmails) - HCMC questioned if the VNC's nickname isn't someone else which USC tried to date/marry. - AR for over two years - HCMC returned/denied petition to NVC in June 2006 - USC still hasn't received any notice from NVC about his case's returning. What should be the next step for the USC? I have no idea. Calling NVC? Phone number if you have. I'm writing here what I got from the USC. Note: USC has no access to internet and somewhat internet/computer challenge, Professional Lanscaper! Any help would be greatly appreciated. USC may need a good lawyer to sort this out, Yes No? Suggestion are welcome 100% Thanks, chuck and kim	chuckandkim	Male	Vietnam	2006-10-23 11:53:00
Asia: East and Pacific	A few worrisome things re evidence	Green/Tran, You're on the right track. Again, think as your Interview Officer: hmmm, i'm wondering what did they write to each other in those mails whose envelopes are here on my desk... I did send back ALL of Kim's letters, postcards, holiday cards in my final package of evidence for the interview. You need to show a complete picture of your relationship, and those letters are part of it. Hope this helps!	chuckandkim	Male	Vietnam	2006-10-25 09:38:00
Asia: East and Pacific	A few worrisome things re evidence	sealedkiss and Tony, You guys are awesome and very detail with your evidence. I love it when people see the "Big Picture" where HCMC not only looks at phone bills or handwriten letters Tony has addressed your concern very well. Anything you can show that you BOUGHT the prepaid Verizon phone: your credit card statement where it shows you paid for that phone, I doubt it if you need to go that far. Internet Chat Log: great to have, no need to print EVERYDAY chat-log, give them a sample (two or three days each month) Photos: Put them all in an album and note the date/location/event to tell the interview officer your STORY (remember, your fiance will have about 5-10 mins to make a great impression and convincing story presented for them to make the decision, if not, doubt sets in, AR and AP will occur). Lack of pictures will be countered with FOUR (4) visits. No worry here. About gift: I think it's your call. Tackiness is something I would avoid, again, think of 5-10 minutes rule! You bring what best show your case and relavent to your relationship. If you are questioning the evidence right now, I think you may already have the answer... My vote: bring what makes you comfortable. Handwriten notes/letters: I personally and highly recommend you and her to crank up the pens and pencils... write to each other once or twice a month. Do not EVER forget anniversaries, special holidays (christmas, easter, TET, Trung Thu, Valentines etc.). How many times we hear they actually read the CARDS, Letters that lovers wrote to each other? A lot! Remember the 10 mins rule! Only have 5-10 mins to make the decision to issue PINK slip or not!!! By the way, when sending mails/notes to each other, I prefer to send via Postal Service or FedEx, just to make sure your letters get that POSTSTAMP. Why? Handwriten letters are harder to write, it takes time and effort than emails/chats, and traceable to your ZIP code if they need to match it up (your location = letter origin) I hope this helps and dont' worry about asking too many questions... I did! love, chuck and kim	chuckandkim	Male	Vietnam	2006-10-25 06:29:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Hi, New Here	Like??? Make a list and read the Guides/FAQ	chuckandkim	Male	Vietnam	2006-10-25 11:03:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Hi, New Here	Keep your questions coming. There aren't stupid questions on VisaJourney! AMEN!!! Welcome to VJ	chuckandkim	Male	Vietnam	2006-10-24 10:05:00
Asia: East and Pacific	vietnam	I've been following a few cases on this board, noticing lately HCMC has been asking for A LOT more proof from individuals who has previously married. The way I see it is: if you divorced or your honey had a previous marriage, you need to show them EVERY possible proof to discount ANY doubt which you and your EX may be still together. How do you do that? 1. Divorce decreed 2. Proof of SEPARATE living arragement 3. Utility bills 4. Cable bills 5. Phone bills 6. Ex's Marriage Certificate 7. Your county court's Single Status Certificate (showing that you haven't been married to ANYONE since the past 5,10,20 years etc.) 8. LAST: YOU CAN'T GIVE THEM WHAT YOU DON'T HAVE. You will comply to their demands on proofs and evidence upto the point where their demand become impossible and unreasonable, then it's time to get a lawyer to sort through the legal options for you. For more details, you should PM mikee1972, he is going through K-1 and making some progress on his fiance's AP in HCMC. Good luck!	chuckandkim	Male	Vietnam	2006-10-13 06:46:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Poor student living in Vietnam	Move your post to Vietnam section of the forum. PM STL_HCMC, he lived and worked in HCMC for a few years, they just returned to the States with his fiance. Welcome to VJ! "MOST applications using a co-sponsor were denied" WHY????: The key word here is MOST not ALL. Each case is reviewed individually, there is no magic formular for approval or denial of Visa. Also, it is NOT the official rule/law by the States Department or USCIS to deny applicant whose sponsor does not meet the income guideline but wish to use co-sponsor instead. Therefore, I would say: read up on the FAQ and Guides then post questions. The bottom line is "how do I prove and convince the Consulate Officer in Ho Chi Minh City that my relationship with this vietnamese girl is REAL and we do intend to get married once she and I arrive/return to the States" with that in mind, you can collect evidence and how to best represent your story to the Consulate Officer, who ultimately will decide your girl's Visa approval or denial. Good luck and you are in good hand here on Visa Journey. Chuck and Kim	chuckandkim	Male	Vietnam	2006-10-26 06:25:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Visa Issue more on Thursday, Myth?	conspiracy theory! I believe we tried to figure this out before, what is the pattern where HCMC issues PINK/GREEN/BLUE/WHITE slips.... I think we gave up on that long time ago! At least I did! This also comes to a new rumor where HCMC already made up their mind on your case prior the interview which is just a formal meet and greet. I am more leaning toward this "unchecked fact". It only makes sense for the Consulate to study your case before hand, to understand your situation and therefore, they will make better decision when they meet you. Either to confirm their "expectation" of your fiance or "disproof" their belief of your case when they meet your fiancee at the interview. I believe the BLUE is a standard issue slip nowadays. There is NO perfect formulary how to beat this round of K-1 Visa process. Just remember, you can not give them what you do not have, tell them what you didn't do, or make them believe when they already written up the BLUE slip. Just come back with more evidences and fight hard! Edited by chuckandkim, 30 October 2006 - 08:24 AM.	chuckandkim	Male	Vietnam	2006-10-30 08:23:00
Asia: East and Pacific	VN name spellings	Tony and Andrew: ?oàn = OK vietnamese name Doàn = never heard of this one H??ng = OK vietnamese name H??n = WRONG D and ? are distinguishable in vietnamese writing which created by the French. When dealing with USCIS and DHS, it is OK to use just D to represent both D and ?. No worry! BTW, I can't stop laughing when you say "double dd". You're one lucky man! (j/k) Edited by chuckandkim, 30 October 2006 - 08:16 AM.	chuckandkim	Male	Vietnam	2006-10-30 08:16:00
Asia: East and Pacific	GOT PACKET 3 TODAY NAME SPELLED WRONG	I agree with Tony... in your correspondence, make sure you stick with her "LEGAL" name. Unless you two have nicknames for each other, then again, you must be sure the Consulate understand that! Bích H?nh and Bích Hân are Totally two different names, meanings and everything... Must have it fix, or they will accusing you and her for stealing someone else's ID and case. My guy got denied because of this: in their letter, they use their nicknames, they didn't like that, thinking he tries to sponsor someone else to get the K-1 Visa. Just an FYI!	chuckandkim	Male	Vietnam	2006-10-30 08:09:00
Asia: East and Pacific	dam hoi	YO! drink up Dzo!!!! Nh?u! ?n ?i! U?ng ?i!!! Yeah, YO!!!! Drink Up!	chuckandkim	Male	Vietnam	2006-10-30 23:26:00
Asia: East and Pacific	dam hoi	I can only give you what is considered Propers to vietnamese people. The exception is always expected in this type of marriage, in your case, having a Dam Hoi can only help your case for more evidence of the relationship. I am not talking about being poor or what not, what is being expected of us, when we are married or engaged to a vietnamese woman. In your case, her mother doesn't care, or doesn't expect to have her daughter to have an engagement ceremony, it's good and bad. Good because of your statement of being "dirt poor", no expense needed. Bad news, HCMC Consulate Officer is not your typical american who believes the american's style of engagement is "Would you marry me, here is the ring" and BAM you two are now engaged. The Consulate Office expects to see an actual Engagement ceremony in most case, in my opinion. Therefore, by giving them the "dirt poor" reason will cause more attention from them during your visa process, they may get tough on your Affidavit of Support evidence and more. I am not sure I understand the following statement: "and all the other facters such as she was labled a cold blood for leaveing her first husband and her family being so far a way "... As far as whether or not if it is as big of a deal as everyone has been saying, IT IS A BIG DEAL if you do not have at least a small ceremony and reception. If you search, you will find folks actually being asked about the ceremony and the reception, how many people were there, what kind of foods were served, who were there? Why don't you have an engagement? Why didn't his parents come back for the engagement? Just avoid these questions simply having an engagement, you can't go back for an engagement is something I am not sure it will be deemed as "good reason" in HCMC's typical case. I hope things work out for you. Yes, it is big deal to have the engagement.	chuckandkim	Male	Vietnam	2006-10-30 11:08:00
Asia: East and Pacific	dam hoi	Here is what I understand the true meaning of Dam Hoi. This is NOT your typical american's "engagement" party. There are so much much works and thoughts put into this ceremony. I'm speaking based on my understanding and the expectation of my families here: Dam Hoi is where my family (the big clan: uncles, aunts, grandparents, nieces, nephews, relatives etc.) meet and greet Kim's family (her clan) for the "FIRST" time. I am not just engaged to Kim, but her family, and vice versa. This is the time where both families would OFFICIALLY accept both of us into the BIG FAMILY, as new member of the House of NGUYEN/LE/TRAN (whatever your wife's family name may be). Before the engagement date was even set and announced to the "clans", my family and Kim's had the "unofficial" meetings and long distance phone calls just to break the ice, discussing the requirement and to define and decide what is "the proper things" to do for Kim and I at our engagement. Long long process! At that time, family's pride runs very high, I don't know why, but if my parents or hers speak the wrong words or say the wrong thing, it could trigger a sense of "disrespectful" to each "clans". Thank God, that didn't happen, but my parents and Kim's were very aware of it! So, I don't know if I can fully explain and stretch how important Dam Hoi is to the vietnamese, but it is MORE important then Dam Cuoi (wedding). Once your girl has the Dam Hoi, it is a sign for all the boys in the "village" to stay away from her, she won't be hanging out with other single boys, the parents of these single boys should stop thinking or coming over to her parents to ask for marrying her for their boys. It's a protection and promise between the two families which their social network and communities highly value and also extremely critical of it if something goes wrong! For the level of expense and budget... wait, that's not the question here in my opinion. The question is: why do we want to have this engagement. who is it for: the consulate or my families? I say: I want to marry my wife and do ALL the right things for they are culturally acceptable and expected. I do the Dam Hoi for ME and her, not for the Consulate to look at my photos at the interview. That's the bottom line. I careless what the consulate say or criticize my engagement photos. It is what it is, I can't recreate the moment at my engagement to the level of satisfaction that the consulate deems to be acceptable. With that in mind, I would have a DAM HOI that fit my needs. Ask your fiancee how many members of her family her FATHER and MOTHER would like to invite!!!! This is NOT your call, consider this is also her family's chance to SHOW-OFF you and her (as 3AD mentions - social status is a big deal there). With that in mind, you will find Dam Hoi is less overwhelming than it actually is, let her family run the show, it is their show after all. Let the "elders" speak and provide the wisdoms we do not have, no matter how old you may be, this is old school cultures and traditions from the back-country, traced back many centuries, I admit, it was fascinating and interesting event for me. Back to the question of how much how big Dam Hoi should be: Bring the basic jewelries: diamond ring, matching set of necklace, bracelets, earings, "RED ENVELOPE" (contains cash) in the RED boxes. Don't worry, her family will first "accept" your gift and who the whole families how much you give them for her (old school's tradition), THEN to be generous and showing to your family that they (her family) are also generous and "wealthy", in return, they will give you ALL your gift and MORE gift to you. But at that moment, the gifts are returned to BOTH of you and the extra gifts from her parents are the "sending" gift for their daughter. At that point, both families (yours and hers) are equally respected and fulfilled the "MISSION", nobody loses face! GREAT happy party is await! Let's eat and drink until we can't feel our legs! We had 80 people at our engagement party, plenty of foods and drinks. I can't imagine anyone would spend more than a couple grands for this type of event, any more than that is just a waste and crossing the line into "showing off" land which could cause "envy and unneccessary jealousy" among the families and guests at the party, then they will talk "craps" about your girl and stuff. That's just how we are, the vietnamese. Do it graciously and grace is returned. Humbleness should not be translated into "cheap". Good luck and I say: do the DAM HOI.	chuckandkim	Male	Vietnam	2006-10-30 08:03:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Justin	good move! Congrats...	chuckandkim	Male	Vietnam	2006-10-27 11:50:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Justin	Justin, Where are you brother? Would you share your experience at HCMC with us? We miss you here... chuck and kim	chuckandkim	Male	Vietnam	2006-09-10 06:46:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Justin	PINK rocks!!!! Congrats Justin	chuckandkim	Male	Vietnam	2006-08-16 07:58:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Yeah Man!	YO!!! Rock on Martindart so happy to see this post today... happy for you and your honey...	chuckandkim	Male	Vietnam	2006-10-31 09:55:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Questions for recent Vietnam travelers	Most vietnamese travel agency will include the Visa fees in their heavily discounted airfares. I just booked my tickets to VN: $1,200 visa included. (somewhere $20-$50) cheers, c & k	chuckandkim	Male	Vietnam	2006-09-22 06:22:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Vietnam Consulate wants DS-230	Martindart, check out this post from Tony&AnhThu, they have actualy printout of Pack 3 and 4 Pack 3 and 4	chuckandkim	Male	Vietnam	2006-11-06 07:34:00
Asia: East and Pacific	NVC Received	Yes and Yes!	chuckandkim	Male	Vietnam	2006-11-06 13:56:00
Asia: East and Pacific	E-form for DS-156	Just in case some of us miss this news: from Nov 1st 2006, all DS-156 form must be filled via http://evisaforms.state.gov Credit goes to fruto123 I am not sure if this one is accross the board... all Consulate/Embassy will require and apply this new rule????	chuckandkim	Male	Vietnam	2006-11-06 14:53:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Little more Packet 3/4 explaination	You call it what you will, but I believe they determine everything off of your original I-129F submission. I actually a firm believer of "submitting ALL evidence which tell your love story" up-front!!!! Lurker got it right! Send them everything they ask and more.	chuckandkim	Male	Vietnam	2006-11-06 13:55:00