Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
Asia: East and Pacific	can you speak to a co about your case if you go too HCMC?	QUOTE (WideAwakeInTheUSA @ Jul 24 2008, 07:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Dude, we ran the gauntlet of marriage in Viet Nam. In the end we got it done, but what a trip! I had to submit to a brain mapping on a machine similiar to this: I kept thinking "I'm not sitting in a chair, with electrodes hooked to my head, in a former enemies country"! The version shown above is much nicer than the one they had. My Wife had already done hers before I got there and she knew I would have to do one. She didn't tell me it was coming! It was a smart move on her part. When I walked in the room I knew what it was because I have a friend who works with them. He hooked me up to one in 2005 to show me how it worked. This is the wave of the future. It is an EXTREMELY reliable lie detector. And you passed? How reliable can it be? Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles Wedding 2008-4-26	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-07-25 01:09:00
Asia: East and Pacific	can you speak to a co about your case if you go too HCMC?	Rodney Your blue slip is your ticket to see a Consulate Officer. You need to make an appointment to discus that once you know the dates you'll be there. You can call or email for it. Don't be upset if they try to put you off, just stay postive and insist on it while remaining polite. If you can talk to an CO about making the appointment, it should go easier. The Vietnamese staff is to handle the routine calls, etc which are mostly from Vietnamese. The Consulate's job is to help US Citizens in Vietnam. They know that. Good Luck Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles Wedding 2008-4-26	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-07-25 01:06:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Visa in hand	This is good to hear! Best of luck on your life together!! Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles Wedding 2008-4-26	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-07-25 00:32:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Renew K1 Visa	According to the HCMC Consulate;" Please note that although a K-1 visa petition is valid for a period of four months, a consular officer can revalidate the petition provided the officer concludes that the American citizen sponsor and the applicant remain legally free to marry and that they continue to intend to marry each other within three months of the alien’s admission into the U.S." So it is possible. They know that sometimes things don't work out as planned, people get sick, etc. Don't worry sometimes the Consulate is slow answering emails. I had the same problem with some of emails I sent to them. Some were answered within the 7 days they say it takes, others took a couple of weeks. They did always answer them. It's important to get the Consulate onboard as soon as possible so they understand about your fiancee's mother. Once they understand that then it shouldn't be a problem. Good Luck and we hope her mother gets better soon. Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles Wedding 2008-4-26	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-07-26 23:58:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Really upset now, can anyone help?	Every case is a bit different. In most cases once the required documents have been submitted, the Consulate will: 1. Accept the documents and give a pink slip 2. Accept the documents and ask for more information (another blue slip) 3. Accept the documents and give a green slip because they want to review the documents submitted. 4. Accept the documents and tell you your case was denied. There are also variations of the above where a second fiancee interview is required, or interviewing the Petitioner, get an appointment with a Consulate Officer to argue your case, getting a lawyer involved, etc in order to get your visa. The bottom line is of course, if you persist, you will get your visa. Good Luck Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles Wedding 2008-4-26 Edited by PeterFB, 27 July 2008 - 12:10 AM.	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-07-27 00:08:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Really upset now, can anyone help?	QUOTE (FormerConOff @ Jul 23 2008, 06:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Cases aren't decided before the interview. Consular Officers don't even review the file until the moment of the interview -- at least that's how it worked when I was there. There just wasn't time. ChuckandKim is right -- if the applicant leaves the officer wanting to issue a pink sheet, she'll probably get a pink sheet. If she sounds identical to everyone else (rehearsed answer, displaying only surface-level knowledge of fiance), then more investigation is probably required. As for VN language -- all consular officers get quite a bit of Vietnamese language training and can understand quite a bit. I never needed a translator to translate from VN to English -- but I would keep one next to me in case I needed clarification on something or if the person was from an area with an unusual accent. I always had a translator translate FROM English to Vietnamese, because as you all know, white girls and guys get strange looks from Vietnamese people when they speak Vietnamse unexpectedly, and we are usually asked to repeat ourselves, often multiple times. Multiply that by 25 interviews in a day, and it wastes a LOT of time. The whole "should I use a translator" thing seems like a false issue. When I was an interviewer, I knew that many of the applicants spoke English to some degree, but I was far more interested in the applicant's knowledge of her fiance, and that is best demonstrated in one's native language. It's very hard to get nuanced information out of someone who is (a) nervous and ( has only a limited grasp of English. I would never assume that the level of English displayed at the interview is the same as what applicant and fiance exchange in private. Applicants are asked to speak Vietnamese only as a time saver. If an applicant absolutely insists on speaking English during the interview, she does it at his/her peril, because she will be limited to speaking about her fiance or husband only in those terms for which she has already learned the English vocabulary. If that means she can only say, "My fiance is a nice person because he is nice," then the officer may have a problem. My two cents. Thanks, your comments are very interesting. I have a couple of questions/comments about what you said. If the CO only has a few minutes at best during the interview to review your case, that's a great disservice to the person you're interviewing. From what I've seen, many I-129fs are not organized well or well written so how can a CO get an accurate picture of any relationship from a badly written/prepared I-129f in that short of time? Since the Consulate has 2-3 months to review your case before the interview, I would think cases would be assigned when they arrived at the Consulate to the CO who would do the interview. That way they could review the case to really understand it. If the Consulate Officers know quite a bit of Vietnamese then why are there so many people complaining that the translator mistranslated during the interview which caused or help cause them to get a blue slip? There are several posts here where the poster claims the fiancee had to correct the translation because it was wrong or was unable to get the CO to understand it was wrong or didn't say anything because they were scared. Also, I'm interested in how you learned Vietnamese, I've been trying to teach myself since our main concern at the moment is Thi's English so we don't spend much time on my Vietnamese. Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles Wedding 2008-4-26 Edited by PeterFB, 25 July 2008 - 01:55 AM.	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-07-25 01:52:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Really upset now, can anyone help?	I don't know why they are asking for her high school and college records but I'll assume there's something about your relationship and her education they don't understand. Most of the time, that's why the blue slip is given, there's something in your I-129f which raised a question in the COs mind that you didn't answer in your I-129f. That's why many times it seems the blue slip was already written out, it was because that's the procedure, if there's a problem, the HCMC stops reading and issues the blue slip. The procedure is to give it to you, then wait for your answer after the interview. I don't understand the reasoning for making her answer in both English and Vietnamese, except there could be a reason the COs thought she might have been coached in her English answers and wanted to compare her English with her Vietnamse. This reasoning is based on them asking about her education records. Asking for more evidence about your relationship could be a result of not including enough or not giving a complete picture of your relationship in your I-129f. They didn't look at the evidence you brought to the interview so I would resubmit that and add to it whatever additional evidence you may have. In any case, carefully put together your response to the blue slip and you will get your pink slip. As others have said, the Consulate is trying to be careful and allow only real relationships into the US. Sometimes they are too careful.... Good Luck Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles Wedding 2008-4-26	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-07-23 00:53:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Really upset now, can anyone help?	Rodney Sorry to hear about getting the blue slip. However, the Consulate is acting exactly like any US government body. Apparently the original timeline you gave them wasn't enough. At that point, the interview was over so to speak. Your fiancee wasn't able to or didn't try to change the CO's mind at the interview (Trying to change the CO's mind at the interview usually happens in only a few cases). The policy seems to be give out the blue slip when there's not enough information to satisfy the CO in the original I-129f. Usually they don't look at the evidence brought to the interview to satisfy the blue slip. It seems they are more interested in following procedure, ie blue slip has to be replied to after the interview not during even if the evidence is available because that's the procedure. So the best thing for you to do is respond to the blue slip with everything they want and you're probably will get the pink. Good Luck Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles Wedding 2008-4-26	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-07-22 01:27:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Great news	QUOTE (Jack & Xuan @ Jul 17 2008, 05:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (don2008 @ Jul 17 2008, 06:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> mine went through the NVC pretty fast, my hold up was at the HCM comsulate. congrats and good luck! How did you know when it was recieved or sent from NVC and what does the NVC actually do? Congrats I'm surprised how guickly you got thru California USCIS. That's great. hopefully it's a trend!! If you call NVC, they can tell you when they recieved it and maybe when they send it if it has been sent and is in their system. In any case, the NVC doesn't do anything except forward it to HCMC Consulate for those who have a K1 visa. However for other visas, it does the processing of the fees and other things. For complete info here's the state department link for NVC http://travel.state....types_1309.html Good luck in HCMC!!! Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles Wedding 2008-4-26 Edited by PeterFB, 20 July 2008 - 12:33 AM.	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-07-20 00:31:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Blue then green slip then crying!!!!! what is a life?	Anh Tung, What Kevin&Loan, Dave_Thao said is true. Your case while delayed is just that. It's most important to make sure you have all the required evidence for the interview. The better prepared you are, the less likely you will have problems, ie blue slip. Your appointment letter said to have two copies of the DS156 (electronic form), that probably didn't help to not have that. I am really saying this to help those who are reading this post and haven't yet had their interview. In your post I'm assuming you meant the blue slip asked for your parents and her parent's birth certificate. The Consualte doesn't do a good job of letting you know what you should have, see my consulate review about some of the things left off the letter or just wrong in the letter we got for our interview. Since you both have the last name, that is a known red flag for the Consulate. Having the notized infomation in advance would have been great but I know you can't guess for sure what the Consulate will ask for. Did you not include your fiancee's ex spouse on the forms (G325a, DS230) you did submit? Or did the Consulate want local police report about him since you didn't submit the DS-156? That said, From what you have sent, I think it's just a matter of time before she gets her visa. Hopefully it'll be short. As the Consulate seems to be better right now at processing cases than in November-January. While the Green slip says not to contact them, I would anyway. You as the Petitioner have impact on the what the Consualte thinks. They know most Beneficaries want the visa and some may say anything to get one. However, you are a US Citizen and they have to listen to you, they don't have to listen to your fiancee. I found that out when Thi called the Consulate. While not rude, the woman who answered didn't want to talk to Thi any more than necessary. She hung up after answering Thi's question and before Thi could ask another. When I called, they listened to what I said and responded to my questions. They waited until I said I didn't have any more questions before hanging up. IF you haven't heard from them in a week to 10 days, call them and ask what is the status. If they don't respond in a positive way, I would contact Marc Ellis about what he thinks you should do. He has been very helpful in the past about the issues you are having with the visa. Good luck. I hope you get your visa soon. Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Received Visa 2008-2-29	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-02-29 22:38:00
Asia: East and Pacific	I130 Denied in HCM sent back to US. Case under investigation 1yr+	We're sorry to hear about your case. As the other posters have said, you should do everything you can to contact the USCIS and get them to answer you. Use the Freedom of Information Act, get a lawyer (you should email Mark Ellis as he spends time in Vietnam and the US), and anything else to move your case forward. Being passive about this will cost you more time. It sounds like your case has been "lost" so to speak. If she got denied in 2006, you should have gotten a decision by now. I'd like to say there's a magic process to get your case finished but I don't think there is. It's most important that you maintain as much pressure as possible on the USCIS to get a decision so you can appeal or reapply. In the meantime, ME or another good lawyer could advise you about reapplying will you wait for a decision since the process does take some time. Good Luck Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles Wedding 2008-4-26	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-07-27 00:21:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Anyone know typical response to a request to meet co?	The response you got is normal. You follow up and be persistant but poilite. They know they have to see you but they can do it on their terms. You just have to make them see you sooner than later. Good Luck Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles Wedding 2008-4-26	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-07-31 01:53:00
Asia: East and Pacific	HCMC May Interviews	I like it!! So far a 70% success!! Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles Wedding 2008-4-26	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-06-11 14:20:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Address Change	While I don't know if your moving is causing any delays, it's the law that you have to inform the USCIS, NVC and the Consulate/Embassy where your case is at about your new address. To be sure, contact them and let them know about your address change. It's easy to do and you can ask them about your status at the same time. Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles Wedding 2008-4-26	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-08-01 00:53:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Tracking	QUOTE (mimhnhut @ Aug 1 2008, 12:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I think they sends by diplomatic bags. When I called NVC about tracking our case to HCMC they told me, they send the petitions to Vietnam via DHL but they didn't have/want to give me the tracking number. Others have gotten the dates from NVC and HCMC Consulate but I didn't try very hard to get it since I was more interested in getting ready getting the Packet 3 letter so we could immediately send it back and know we had everything ready. Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles Wedding 2008-4-26	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-08-01 00:59:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Tracking	Unless you get the DHL tracking number or contact the HCMC Consulate and get someone there to answer your question. It's not going to happen. There's no online status available on that. Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles Wedding 2008-4-26	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-07-31 23:45:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Got word fron senator	QUOTE (WideAwakeInTheUSA @ Aug 2 2008, 03:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (PhongLovesHa @ Aug 2 2008, 11:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> The following comments are purely personal speculations and observation: 1) If everyone (fraudulent cases excluded) is given pink slips, then immigration lawyers will sit in coffee shops all day long? You know very well in Vietnamese culture, there's a saying "Thu tuc DAU TIEN", meaning one needs to cough up $$$ for things to move along. I'm not mentioning any lawyer in particular, but please, they're the ONES who shake hands with the US Consulate and push them to pass out as many Blue/Green slips as possible, so they'll have clients, then in return, they (the lawyers) will go golfing, dinning, blah blah with the gov't officials. 2) Vietnam is well-known around the world for "arranged" marriages between VNese ladies and Taiwanese men. Who will pay "more" into the "system", you or those Asian men? Think about it, then you'll understand why the VNese gov't prefers one over the other! Therefore, if you do everything by yourself and are successful, consider yourself the very few lucky enough to slip through the crack of the system, otherwise, it's the "norm" of the Vietnamese way of doing business. There must be a reason why 33 years after 1975 Vietnam is still among the poorest countries in the world. Welcome to the Vietnamese system!! This is an American system. Lawyers are a byproduct of that system. I would love to jump on the conspiracy bandwagon, but I don't think that is the case. The one's that I know that have gotten through on the first try have had their I-129s or I-130s meticulously prepared. If you submit your papers written in Crayola with evidence missing then you can probably expect to be denied. I do think there is a fair amount of luck involved as well though. I appreciate your observations and speculations but I'd like to say this: The Visa process of coming to the US, to visit or move is governed by the American system not Vietnamese. Most of the people who get blue slips get them because their I-129f wasn't properly done. Properly done means filling out the forms, supplying the required documents and (most misunderstood) presently their relationship in a manner that any reasonable person would consider a real relationship. Many blue slips are given asking for a timeline. Why? because the I-129f as submiited didn't give a complete picture of how the relationship started and progressed. The blue slips for not having a real relationship seem to be bassed on the lack of addressing red flags that either are caused by the odds (ie Vietnamese Americans meeting thru family members) where fraud is high or not addressing issues that are brought up in your I-129f, for example, going to Vietnam just once two months after meeting your fiancee and getting engaged but not supplying any reciepts for rings, hotels, etc, few emails before or after, not sending flowers or gifts on special occasions and so on So why is that happening? Fraud comes to mind in the Consulate's eyes. I think you're confusing lobbyists with people who give bribes. Within the Vietnamese government this may be true. I have heard from many people both current and former Vietnamese citizens as well as foreigners that dealing with the Vietnamese government and businesses, bribes go a long way in making things happen. Giving money to police, inspectors, etc can get you thown in jail in the US. While the US government is strongly influenced by lobbyists, any hint of bribes will usually bring the poilce, FBI into play, and there's usually lobbyists for both sides trying to influence the government. However the Visa process is run by the US government beaurocrats and is by law shielded by influence from Congress, the President, etc from affecting the process on a individual basis. They can pass laws to affect people in general, ie "immigration reform" but they can't call up the Consulate to change a blue into a pink. Also the Consulate is "US Soil" meaning the laws of the US are in effect on everyone inside. SO if a Vietnamese or American lawyer tried to bribe a Consulate Ofiicer, they could/should be arrested and if a Consulate Officer is taking bribes, they should be arrested. I've found most Vietnamese who have moved to the US, are very happy that the US is a nation of laws not bribes and if the law isn't being properly applied, enforced, etc, people have recourse to fight it in the courts and or change the law without fear of their lives or livelyhoods being affected. On a personal note, I don't believe I'm a lucky one who slipped thru the cracks but rather one who took the time to understand what is needed to be submitted to get a pink slip. Where did I learn how to do that? Here at Visa Journey. The reason Vietnam is still a poor country lies with the Vietnamese government. Up until the 1990s they didn't want to be part of the global economy. Now they have decided to part of the gobal economy and the Vietnamese people are seeing many benefits but there's a long way to go. Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles Wedding 2008-4-26 Edited by PeterFB, 03 August 2008 - 02:31 AM.	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-08-03 02:30:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Got word fron senator	The US State Department, USCIS and HCMC Consulate all know the law about Visas. Your Senator, Congressmen, etc are unable to do much at all about changing or finding out really what is going on. The law makes the decisions by the Consulate free from "meddling" by Congress and the President. You have more power by using the Freedom of Imformation Act to find out what is really going on. I think your Senator gave you an answer to make you "give up" and not call them anymore. Marc Ellis can do more for you than they can, so listen to him not your Senator. Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles Wedding 2008-4-26	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-07-31 01:29:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Interviewing at HCMC: it's all about faith	No system is perfect and there's always going to be some problems. The US government has it rules and usually everything works "ok". When enough people decide that it has to change and agree on what that change should be, the US government changes. Women couldn't vote, Blacks were slaves, chldren would work in factories, etc. But those and many more things were changed by people deciding that change should happen and what the change should be. Until enough people decide what kind of immigration changes needs to take place then work to get those changes made, we are fortunate to have two great options and an universal fact. One is to use the current system to the fullest. That means filling the best possible I-129f petitions with enough evidence and being proactive about making sure the petition is properly processed all the way thru to the end. Two is complaining and reporting mistakes, abuses, etc to the proper government offices and general public to further help create the need to change the immigration laws and focus attention on what the change should be as well as help others avoid any pitfalls in the system. And the universal fact is faith in your love for each other. Knowing that no matter what happens your love will bring you together and keep you together forever. Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles Wedding 2008-4-26	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-07-25 00:52:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Got our interview date for HCMC!	Good Luck to both you and kilun Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles Wedding 2008-4-26	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-07-26 21:20:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Proof of fiancé living in Vietnam.	Your case isn't as weak as you first discribed it. You have to document your relationship from the time you first met (online, at a family party, an aunt,etc) to when you first met in person to now. The first part of the process is showing the USCIS you actually have met in person within the last two years. That isn't a problem from what you have said. And there's probably more evidence you have that you don't realize. Pictures, boarding passes, bagage claim tickets, receipts from credit cards for the plane tickets, hotel receipts, temporary residency book entries, etc are what is needed to prove that. For the Consulate and interview, having no pictures is a bit odd for being together so long, the Consulate will want to know why no pictures of any celebrations, birthdays, etc. The time to present your red flags (problems in proving your relatioship is real) is in your I-129f. That is what the Consulate will review before your interview so it's very important to make it as complete, factual and persauive as you can. Most blue slips based on not having a real relationship are because the petitioner didn't present as complete as possible picture of the relationship in the I-129f. If you research some on this forum you will find that to be the case. It's not a guarrantee for a pink slip but most people who get a pink slip make sure their relationship is properly presented so there's no question about their relationship being real or not. For every problem you find about your relationship, ie no evidence of living together, you need to truthfully present it and why you don't have it and submitt as much other evidence to show how your relationship is real. In this case you should have write a statement about how the temporary residency book, leasing contract, reciepts for the lease, statement from the leasser, etc can prove he and you were living there together. The Consulate is concerned about making sure your relationship is real, they feel it is your job to convince them it is. Do that and you will be successful. Good luck. Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles Wedding 2008-4-26 Your case isn't as weak as you first discribed it. You have to document your relationship from the time you first met (online, at a family party, an aunt,etc) to when you first met in person to now. The first part of the process is showing the USCIS you actually have met in person within the last two years. That isn't a problem from what you have said. And there's probably more evidence you have that you don't realize. Pictures, boarding passes, bagage claim tickets, receipts from credit cards for the plane tickets, hotel receipts, temporary residency book entries, etc are what is needed to prove that. For the Consulate and interview, having no pictures is a bit odd for being together so long, the Consulate will want to know why no pictures of any celebrations, birthdays, etc. The time to present your red flags (problems in proving your relatioship is real) is in your I-129f. That is what the Consulate will review before your interview so it's very important to make it as complete, factual and persauive as you can. Most blue slips based on not having a real relationship are because the petitioner didn't present as complete as possible picture of the relationship in the I-129f. If you research some on this forum you will find that to be the case. It's not a guarrantee for a pink slip but most people who get a pink slip make sure their relationship is properly presented so there's no question about their relationship being real or not. For every problem you find about your relationship, ie no evidence of living together, you need to truthfully present it and why you don't have it and submitt as much other evidence to show how your relationship is real. In this case you should have write a statement about how the temporary residency book, leasing contract, reciepts for the lease, statement from the leasser, etc can prove he and you were living there together. The Consulate is concerned about making sure your relationship is real, they feel it is your job to convince them it is. Do that and you will be successful. Good luck. Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles Wedding 2008-4-26	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-08-14 02:07:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Got the pink	Rodney That's great news Good luck in your new life together! Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles Wedding 2008-4-26	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-08-13 00:46:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Sending flowers or gifts to VN (Nha Thrang)	Selder I have used http://www.vyshop.com/ and http://www.saigonflowers.com to send flowers and chocolates to Thi when she was in Ho Chi Minh. I found both to be easy to use and quick to deliver. Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles Wedding 2008-4-26	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-08-22 11:10:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Vietnam Interview Process	Here's what the HCMC Consulate says about getting birth certificates: "Individuals born in Vietnam who need new copies of their Vietnamese birth certificates need to contact the office of the People's Committee of the district where they were born: the district where their mother was then resident according to her Ho Khau. The district People's Committee can issue certified copies of a birth certificate (Ban Sao) based on their records of the original birth certificate. Alternatively, the office may provide an Extract (Trich Luc) of the information in the birth record on file in their office. If you are not able to obtain a birth certificate because records have been destroyed or the government will not issue one, you must obtain a statement to that effect from the civil registrar’s office and submit secondary evidence of birth. Secondary evidence of birth can be old family household registrations, school records, or baptismal certificates. " This is from their website Good Luck Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles Wedding 2008-4-26	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-08-22 11:27:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Vietnam Interview Process	If you are Vietnamese American and your fiancee is Vietnamese, I would get your and your fiancee's parents birth certificates. If you both have the same last names, then I would include them with your I-129f with a statement explaining that these are included to show that you're not related, etc. The reason for this is then the Consulate won't give you a blue slip asking for this evidence. They will already have this info. If you are related then you need to show with birth certificates how you are related. That means you may need grand parents, uncles, aunts, etc depending on your case. Also include a statement explaining it that is notarized. If you aren't related, I would have them just in case as the Consulate sometimes asks for things because they can. If that happens then it's easy to deal with as you already have them, ready to submit. Good Luck Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles Wedding 2008-4-26	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-08-22 11:20:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Migration office and I-134	QUOTE (RalphandHanh @ Aug 22 2008, 04:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> if that is true, then why do they want to see last years return. There is SO much conflicting information. How do you know what you are saying to be true? Just asking Monday I will be contacting Migration as well as M.E. later in the week. I want to know for sure what I'm up against. I hate not knowing for sure. Thi's interview was this year (2007) which she passed on the first try, my income for 2007 was a little higher than yours. Since I'm self employed and have lots of ways to lower my taxes because the business, I was worried about that too. The USCIS website has the poverty guidelines used by the HCMC Consulate on their website. For a family of two, 125% of the poverty guideline for 2007 is $17,112 which was in effect until April of 2008. The current poverty guidelines that are in effect until April 2009 says you have to make $17,500 or more. The Consulate prefers to have transcripts instead of tax returns unless you're self employed, then they want both. The reason is anyone can make up a tax return but the transcipts are from what you filed with the IRS. You only need to submit the current year for the interview. All this information is available from USCIS and HCMC websites if you want to verfiy what I said. Good Luck Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles Wedding 2008-4-26	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-08-23 10:48:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Migration office and I-134	The amount of income you need is related to the year your fiancee has her interview. If her interview is this year then $19,000 is enough income for the tax year of 2007 if there is only you and your fiancee. If there are children then it's higher. You need to show 125% of the poverty guidelines on your gross income line of your tax return. You can download the pdf with all the income levels from USCIS's site. HCMC Consulate doesn't like assets and co sponsors so it's better just to use your income. If her interview is in 2009, then you can use your 2008 tax return to show income. Stocks, bond, real estate, saving accounts, etc are assets and can be considered. Good Luck Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles Wedding 2008-4-26 Edited by PeterFB, 22 August 2008 - 11:56 AM.	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-08-22 11:55:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Parents Birth Certificates - VN Interview Process	It is very common for the HCMC Consulate to ask for birth certificates of you and your fiancee's parents. Usually it's because the last name is the same. If you are Vietnamese American and your fiancee is Vietnamese, I would get your and your fiancee's parents birth certificates. If you both have the same last names, then I would include them with your I-129f with a statement explaining that these are included to show that you're not related, etc. The reason for this is then the Consulate won't give you a blue slip asking for this evidence. They will already have this info. If you are related then you need to show with birth certificates how you are related. That means you may need grand parents, uncles, aunts, etc depending on your case. Also include a statement explaining it that is notarized. If you aren't related, I would have them just in case as the Consulate sometimes asks for things because they can. If that happens then it's easy to deal with as you already have them, ready to submit. Here's what the HCMC Consulate says about getting birth certificates: "Individuals born in Vietnam who need new copies of their Vietnamese birth certificates need to contact the office of the People's Committee of the district where they were born: the district where their mother was then resident according to her Ho Khau. The district People's Committee can issue certified copies of a birth certificate (Ban Sao) based on their records of the original birth certificate. Alternatively, the office may provide an Extract (Trich Luc) of the information in the birth record on file in their office. If you are not able to obtain a birth certificate because records have been destroyed or the government will not issue one, you must obtain a statement to that effect from the civil registrar’s office and submit secondary evidence of birth. Secondary evidence of birth can be old family household registrations, school records, or baptismal certificates. " This is from their website Good Luck Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles Wedding 2008-4-26	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-08-22 11:44:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Can all the VN journey members help Phuong?	As LuckyDucky has already said, it's very helpful to be clear about your questions and to fill out your timeline so everyone knows at what stage you are at in this process. That way we can help answer your questions easily. Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles Wedding 2008-4-26	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-08-24 16:06:00
Asia: East and Pacific	No Money - No Honey!	QUOTE (JonasMichaels @ Aug 21 2008, 09:48 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I am curious as to what is considered assets? Would my second car work? can I list that? It is a special edition, I don't drive it and it could be sold for a lot of cash. (However, it is not completely paid off yet, don't know if that makes a big difference) Also, my dad just bought a $750,000 home, if he puts my name on the lease, would that count as an asset for me? Or no, because it isn't paid off yet? I also have a friend who outright owns her home. Don't know if she would put my name on that or not but if she would, would that count? Is that hard for her to do for me? I may be overthinking this but it seems with HCMC you can never be too prepared. My income was not good for a few years but this year will be fine, so as long as Phuong gets her interview in 2009, I am OK unless they start to care about the previous years income tax. I just want to be ready for anything. Thanks guys Jonas Jonas Unless your Packet 3 instructions are different from the one Thi got in February of this year, the HCMC Consulate wants to see the current tax year transcript plus your complete tax return if you are self employed. You can submit more years if you want but it's not required. As long you have more than 125% of the current poverty level ($17,500 for 2008 until April 2009) as your gross income, you don't have to show any assets. According to the Packet 3 instructions, you can have a co sponsor however the HCMC Consulate doesn't seem to like that or using assets to meet the poverty guidelines. If you try either of these, you could find yourself answering more questions via a blue slip. I wouldn't do this unless there's no other choice. Good luck and update your time line!! Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles Wedding 2008-4-26	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-08-24 16:36:00
Asia: East and Pacific	FIANCE visa	Great News!!! Congratulations Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles Wedding 2008-4-26	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-08-24 16:02:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Returned back to the US	Sorry to hear that your visit to the Consulate was unable to straighten things out. However, keep up the pressure. You should be calling and/or emailing the Consulate to check on your status at least once a week of not more. Make sure to talk to an American CO as the Vietnamese staff will just give you stock answers. Also send letters to the Chief of the Consulate to explain to you what you can do to straighten this out. As a US Citizen you have the right to talk to anyone at the Consulate, including the Chief. Until you get your pink slip, don't stop trying. We hope you get a positive answer soon. Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles Wedding 2008-4-26	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-08-24 16:51:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Fianlly filed AOS	I think I'll be sending my AOS in this week........ I'm very late on getting this done..... You're beeing more on time than me...... Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles Wedding 2008-4-26	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-08-24 15:09:00
Asia: East and Pacific	A Question For All Viet Nam VJ Members.	QUOTE (ILoveTan @ May 2 2008, 12:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (WideAwakeInTheUSA @ May 2 2008, 11:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I am curious about the questions that are asked. What do you feel is the most bizarre, or strange one's that you loved one was asked? This would be a great thread for all us VN newbies, if everyone who has been through the interview would participate as best they could. I know PeterFB has said that there are questions listed in Reviews: Embassy/USCIS link at the top of the site, but I wasn't able to find many reviews or many specific questions. If everyone could post here any questions they remember or the list of questions asked at the interview, that would be great! Thanks ILOVETAN That's a good idea only I would suggest making a Wiki page of questions. That way it could be easily edited by all of us now and in the future. I did a search on VJ's Wiki and found that there isn't a page of interview questions there. I've started a Vietnam K1 Visa page there for anyone to use for referrence. I add to it as I as have time. Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles Wedding 2008-4-26	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-05-03 15:39:00
Asia: East and Pacific	For those who have filed the I-129 already....	I would suggest sending in proof of your ongoing relationship with your I-129f. The Consulate doesn't have time to read everything you bring to the interview. But they have your I–129f for a couple of months or more. So your I-129f is your best place to "make your case". In our case, I used #18 Proof of having met to explain our relationship up to our meeting in person. I used Proof of our ongoing relationship to show everything I thought helpful to further to convince the Consulate including our last chat log the night before I sent in the I-129f. At the interview, I continuied in our proof of ongoing relationship by starting with our first chat after sending in the I-129f, my other trip to Vietnam and ended with my proof of going to Vietnam for her interview. (the boarding pass, baggage claim, Visa, etc). They only looked at a few of the chat logs....... Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles Wedding 2008-4-26	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-05-07 14:58:00
Asia: East and Pacific	making sure i have everything for the interview	QUOTE (Jack & Xuan @ May 8 2008, 05:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I am still very worried about Xuan not having her birth certificate. She has a valid passport with only the year of her birth on it. She said that since she does not have the "original birth papers" (her way a saying birth certificate) the US conslate assigned her Jan 1 1979. I can not seem to explain the importantce of the birth certificate to her but I am still trying. Jack Since you just started on this journey, you have time to explain to her and get ready for her interview. The Consualte says that if a birth certificate isn't available, she needs other "evidence" such as her House Registery Book, Church records, or school records. If she has a letter or certificate from the Consulate stating why they assigned her birth as Jan 1 1979, that would also help. And she needs to get a statement from the Local Authorities that says a birth certificate was never issued or has been destroyed, etc. Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles Wedding 2008-4-26	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-05-08 21:14:00
Asia: East and Pacific	making sure i have everything for the interview	QUOTE (Rodney n. @ May 7 2008, 11:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> got the certified birth certicicate and i have a copy with my 129. should i bring another one also? as for the tax returns, is their a big difference in the transcripts and tax return? i may wait if it makes a big difference. i want to give them exactly what they ask for so everything will go smoothly as possible. The Packet 4 letter we got said to have the original and a copy of your birth certificate. Also the Packet 4 said tax transcripts are preferred over tax returns. I can email a copy of our Packet 4 letter if you don't have a copy. PM me if you want it. Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles Wedding 2008-4-26	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-05-08 15:11:00
Asia: East and Pacific	making sure i have everything for the interview	Rodney Are sending copies of everything the Consulate asks for? For Example your birth certificate, they ask for a copy and original (or "certified copy"). Do you have the time to get a Tax transcript from the IRS? It takes about 3-5 days, the Consulate says they want that instead of tax returns. The rest of details are on her side. Does she have enough passport photos (at Thi's interview they wanted one with her passport and 4 for the interview). Police Certificate?, Single Certificate (That wasn't in her Packet 3/4 letter but they wanted it at the interview), her original and copy of her household registery, birth certificate, etc? If she's lacking any required document, it's a blue slip. And is everything in the order the Cosulate requests? The better organized she is the easier the interview as she'll feel confident about it. A Timeline like violet18ac3 said is good to have and make sure all the chats/emails/ evidence in proper date order. Oldest first. Good Luck Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles Wedding 2008-4-26	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-05-07 22:09:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Before interview Nerves	QUOTE (Melrose Plant @ May 7 2008, 07:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> OK, I though we'd have WAY more time to relax before this interview, but we've been busy, busy, busy, trying to mop of the last of the details. I've got big-time gastro-intestinal problems, and Mai fell dead asleep yesterday in the waiting room of Cho Ray hospital, where we had to wait over 3 hours for the medical results. This is too terrible. Mai and I have actually been snapping at each other a little bit, which we NEVER do. I hope everything turns out well, not only for us, but for all of you. Don't worry....... Like me saying that will make you not worry...... Actually, when I went to Vietnam for Thi's interview, we were in a similar state. I hadn't finished everything and she was worried crazy that her English would keep her from getting her visa. We were stressed too. But we managed to get enough done (I had wanted to have a timeline cover letter for every month of our chats/emails but I only got 4 done out of the 9 months so I didn't submit any of the cover letters, just the chats/emails organized by date). So she got the pink. Just to let you know, waiting for her to finish the interview is the worst......... You think of everything that could be asked that you didn't cover, something you should have finished and submitted but didn't, etc........... And if you wait across the street from the Consulate, there's lots of people wanting to sell you stuff, etc. And if you don't speak Vietnamese very well like me, you have almost no one to talk to..... That's one reason I counted how many people wear helmets now in HCMC........ We wish you both good luck and a pink slip!! Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles Wedding 2008-4-26 Edited by PeterFB, 07 May 2008 - 09:58 PM.	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-05-07 21:56:00
Asia: East and Pacific	Double Whammy Pink Slips!	That's great new! James, it sounds like Mai had the same CO as Thi, a young handsome American.....His questions and not caring to see much evidence is similar.... Congratulations to both of you! We hope all of you are having a great time! Peter and Thi I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26 I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26 Touched: 2007-11-02 NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16 Consulate recieved ?????? Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11 Packet 3 received 2007-12-24 Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28 Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14 Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23 Interview Date 2008-2-27 Passed Interview 2008-02-27 Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05 Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier) POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles Wedding 2008-4-26	PeterFB	Male	Vietnam	2008-05-09 14:12:00