biggish data

Officially Married!

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

2008-05-30 19:30:00

Pink slip

Congratulations!!

PeterFB

Male

Vietnam

2008-06-03 13:48:00

Question 16 on I-130

Question 16 is relating to being prosecuted for violations of Immgration law. Being turned down for a K1 visa doesn't qualify as a violation.

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

2008-06-03 14:01:00

Finally home!

Glad to hear you're both back safe and sound.

Don't worry about VJ, get some sleep and enjoy setting up your new life together!!

PeterFB

Male

Vietnam

2008-06-04 01:58:00

15 minutes interviewed

Congratiulations

Many times people have reported seeing the Consulate write out pink slips, blue slips or both before the interview. A lot of that is because of the I-129f that was filled out and the circumstances of the relationship. We're glad it worked out for you!!

Good luck in your life together!

PeterFB

Male

Vietnam

2008-06-03 13:46:00

visitor Visa

QUOTE (WideAwakeInTheUSA @ Jun 3 2008, 02:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Jack & Xuan @ Jun 3 2008, 03:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes I agree with you about me going to Vietnam. If I had enough money I would just live there. One of my goals is to try to save enough money to buy some land and just live there. However, I have made 2 trips and I am out of vacation with my company. I thought it may be an option for us to spend some time together. I guess I just do not think about the fraud aspect. It just never crossed my mind. Thanks for the info, I guess I will just have to wait. Now that I think of it, if it were possiable I am sure others would have done it and there would be advice on here about how.

A foreigner can't own land in Viet Nam. I have wondered whether the Spouse gives up their right or if you are married there, like Thuy and I were, if you could then.

The laws in Vietnam about land ownership are changing. My understanding is that once a Vietnamese citizen leaves the country "for good", they lose the right to own land. However they seem to be changing that law. Here's the latest change in the law. http://blogs.iht.com...ies/roof/?p=411 So you may be able to just live there starting next year. But there are restrictions, etc that aren't that great but in the next few years, they may change the law again.....

Also in Vietnam, it appears that it's ok to give someone in your fiancee's family enough money to buy property and then rent to you.

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

2008-06-03 14:56:00

visitor Visa

Getting a vistor visa for your fiancee isn't a good idea for a couple of reasons, one is the HCMC Consulate....... The other is she has to be able to get the visa on her own. For someone from Vietnam that means they have to show that they want to return to Vietnam, have conpelling reasons to return (ie, business, family, etc). In the case of a K1 visa, it is not likely that she could convince the Consulate she would return since you have filed to bring her to the US.

Most vistor visas to the US from Vietnam are granted to older Vietnamese who have enough money in the bank, land, homes, family,etc in Vietnam to convince the Consulate they would return. A 47 year old Vietnamese woman, I met on VietSingle tried to get a vistor visa to the US. She was trying to get to the US because she thought if she got here she could find a husband and stay. She had no relatives in the US but does have many friends who have moved here. From what she told me about the evidence she gave to the Consulate and that she was denied, it leads me to believe they check everything you submit very closely.

If you have the time, it's better that you go to Vietnam, that would make her family happier since they will get to know you better (remember you're taking her away from them) and strengthen your case to HCMC Consulate.

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

2008-06-03 13:40:00

Interview Passed

Glad hear you passed!

Did you have a good "How we met statement" and timeline in your I-129f? Having an engagment isn't required for a K1 visa, in HCMC it helps but many other countries don't care about it.

Enjoy your new life together!

PeterFB

Male

Vietnam

2008-06-04 02:06:00

First Day in the USA

If she is like Thi, she'll like pancakes and eggs..... So far that is all I can get her to eat that I make......

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

2008-06-05 13:04:00

First Day in the USA

There's going to be many more days like that........

In fact Thi is still like that when we go out to the grocery store..... And she's still wears a jacket a lot even indoors!

PeterFB

Male

Vietnam

2008-06-04 17:49:00

POE question

Just to be clear, POE (Port of Entry) is any location in the United States or its territories that is designated as a point of entry for aliens and U.S. citizens. All district and files control offices are also considered ports, since they become locations of entry for aliens adjusting to immigrant status. (USCIS website). When you get off the plane, and you are directed to Immigration and Customs, then you are at a point of entry.

LAX has people there to assist your fiancee if she needs it. They will direct her to the proper line. It's good that she speaks English as they don't have Vietnamese speakers at Immigratation when I've gone thru Bradley International or United. They do have Vietnamese people at customs at Bradley International. Just don't bring any poultry or other items that they will throw away if they search her bags. There's a xray machine that she may have to run her bags thru, if the operator finds something they will open the bags otherwise, she can take them. When we went thru the xray screening, they told us we were ok and didn't open any bags or boxes. We had some food stuffs, mushrooms, shrimp, fish, etc but no chicken or beef products.

Also they are remodeling Bradley so it's a bit of a mess. Not the best impression of the US!!

If the Vietnamese Customs are like the ones when Thi and I left Vietnam, they will ask your fiancee if she is taking money out of the country. Since Thi said she didn't have any money, they let her go without any more questions, etc. Hopefully there won't be any problems for your Fiancee. They didn't ask me if I was taking any money out of Vietnam. I was, I took with me, 8400 VND..... and some US cash.....

US Customs is only interested in sums larger than $10,000.

Like James, I'm glad I was at Thi's interview and we flew back together. At LAX we went thru Immigration/Customs together so she was comfortable and not stressed. I went first and asked the Immigration Officer if Thi could come with me and we be processed together, he agreed which helped Thi relax.

Hopefully your fiancee will have an easy trip.

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

2008-06-06 13:31:00

HCMC May30th Interview

That's wonderful news!!

We were getting worried since you haven't posted. Congratulations!!

You have to tell us more about your trip!!!!

PeterFB

Male

Vietnam

2008-06-09 19:15:00

QUOTE (2x2y2z @ Jun 3 2008, 05:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

So, can I assume that our spouse in Vietnam can't just book a one-way ticket to the U.S. by contacting one of the airlines in Ho chi Minh City?

--hmmm.

She can book a one way ticket in HCMC if she has her Vietnamese Passport and the K1 visa stamp. Some will want to see it (China Airlines, from our experience), all will require it to board. She will need to the funds tp purchase the ticket, of course.

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

2008-06-03 13:52:00

Wow, to go through all the delays to get to Vietnam, then the hassles with the ticket agent, you still like them? In rating the airlines I've flown so far, I have to say I think I like EVA the best (Newest planes, most direct flight, employees are nice and polite), then China Airlines (Newer and Old 747s but they were very helpful in getting Thi and me together on my flight and seated next to each other the whole flight) and United (only because the flights I had were on old 747s both going and coming as well as I don't like having to go from LAX to SFO then HK to HCMC, then HCMC to HK to Tokyo to LAX.) Of course I was flying the cheapest tickets I could find for each flight.

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

2008-05-16 01:33:00

Ouch.

James that was a lot of work. Glad you were able to get the flight. My experience with China Airlines was much different. I called them and they told me no flights together until March 16 (my return flight was March 5th) but they would call me if a seat became available on my flight. The next day they called with a seat for Thi. While they wouldn't book the flight until Thi and I were at their office with her visa stamp on her passport (there was another American there waiting for his wife to return with her passport so they are serious about that), they were polite and helpful in getting her on my return flight I had booked. I paid with my Visa card no problem. And they did get us seats together. I would fly with them again.

I when we go back to Vietnam to visit, we'll make sure not to use Delta or Korean Air.........

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

2008-05-15 13:46:00

QUOTE (griz30 @ Apr 21 2008, 08:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

So...its ok to buy a one way ticket for my fiancee? I wasn't sure if customs required a round trip or it didn't matter????

Customs doesn't care if she has a one way or round trip ticket. They do want you to follow the law about your visa.

Also please fill in your timeline. It will help us help you and it's helpful for others to see who are just starting their journey.

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 April 2008 - 01:12 AM.

PeterFB

Male

Vietnam

2008-04-22 01:10:00

I had booked my flight on China Airlines. After Thi passed her interview on Wednesday, I called them about getting her a ticket on my flight back to US on 3/5. Originally they had no seats but put her on stand by. A day later they called saying they had a seat. After she picked up her visa on Friday we paid for her ticket at China Airlines which is just a couple of block from the Consulate. They will not book a ticket until they see the passport with the visa in it that's why we had to go after the Consualte. So it wasn't a sure thing but it worked out ok. I think China Airlines is familiar with k1 visas and try to help as much as possible. They were very nice and helpful to us anyway. The one way ticket was $698. 40 USD to the LAX.

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

PeterFB

Male

Vietnam

2008-03-08 17:05:00

We got the pink bunny!

We're happy to hear you've got your visa in hand and your tickets to the US. Congratulations on your new life together.

PeterFB

Male

Vietnam

2008-06-25 12:40:00

Final Checklist - please help!

QUOTE (JonasMichaels @ Jun 23 2008, 04:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I just read through the information on the US gov website regarding k1 visas. They make it sounds as if a police certificate needs to be sent in with the I-129F ... am I reading that incorrectly? What exactly needs to be sent in with the 1-129F? So far, this is the list I have compiled - what am I missing? Thanks all!

1. $455 fee
2. 1 passport photo of me, 1 passport photo of fiancee
3. I-129F form
4. G-325A form - one for me, one for her (is that right?) also, do I spell her address with the Vietnamese symbols or without?
5. letter of intent to marry from each of us (do these need to be notarized?)
6. letter of how we met in person
7. copy of my birth certificate
8. copy of all pages of my passport
9. copy of her birth certificate
10. copy of her birth certificate certified translation
11. copy of my certified divorce decree
12. credit card statement showing ticket to vn purchase
13. photos, emails, chats

anything else?

also...
can my photos be printed out from my computer? all my photos are from digital cam. Can they then be cut and glued on another sheet of paper, is that acceptable?

Finally, any thoughts on making this look organized - plastic cover sheets, binder, folder?
Thanks very much and wish me luck on my journey!
Jonas M.

Jonas

I would make sure to take the time to write as complete as possible answer to #18, include a timeline of your relationship and make sure you organize your evidence in date order.

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

2008-06-25 01:36:00

We got pink! (June 5th, 2008)

Tyrobe

Like you we got the cut out shipping label (from when I sent in my I-129f) when they returned the originals at HCMC Consulate.

Have a great time in Vietnam and best wishes when your return to the US!

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, 06 June 2008 - 01:39 PM.

PeterFB

Male

Vietnam

2008-06-06 13:38:00

We got pink! (June 5th, 2008)

We're glad to see that you were successful in getting your visa. Enjoy your new life together!

PeterFB

Male

Vietnam

2008-06-05 13:06:00

Any other interviews in July?

Good luck on your interview.

If you have everything about how you meet covered for the Consulate, ie her Aunt and your relationship with her Aunt. That's always looked at very closely by the Consulate when there is a relative involved. Hopefully you explained that in your I-129f and aren't waiting for the interview for that to come up.

Have everything well organized for the interview and make sure your fiancee is relaxed and comfortable for the interview.

And of course think PINK!!

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

2008-06-30 01:41:00

We've got an INTERVIEW DATE! It's on Aug. 8... I'm so happy

Congrats!!!

Good luck at the interview

PeterFB

Male

Vietnam

2008-06-30 01:48:00

Bump in the road

QUOTE (caothanh @ Mar 27 2008, 11:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

To all my friends,

I have to say thank you to all people giving such a good idea above. Let me explain situation (it might be in VN way): after talked to her Sat last week (2:00am in US, 4 pm in VN) mostly hours through yahoo messenger, first one was she disliked to file the K-1 since lots of scams in HCM now: 9 over 10 people get blue or green. She asked me why I dont file for K-3 (spouse) for more assurance? how can I file that way w/o marriage cert.? second was only 30 hours after the call, I receive her email complaining me that why I said to her :"T. yeu anh vi tien ca de dc wa my, you love me b'cause of money and come to US?. Imagine that you are sponsoring her and how dare you say that?. She suggest we need more time to re-think about our love w/o disturbing other by phone to her or her family. However, I did try several calls and skype messages asking for explain but no answers. My cousine, her friend, also try to call and IM her but still results. That's all for right now. I asked my parents, uncle (in VN), and my friends (in US and VN) for help while trying to make decision. All of people above said to me to stop the case while our self-esteem were very high, therefore, our love cannot be prolonged for the rest of our life.

That's I can say at the moment.

I can understand her frustration but I think the reason most get blue and green is because the I-129f that's submitted doesn't cover everything that should be covered when it's in your "ballpark". The I-129f is when you can explain your relationship and anything that may be a "red flag". The better written I-129f with enough supporting evidence gives the HCMC Consulate little to "dig" up on you and your fiance(e). The requirements for I-130 are almost the same for -129f. The Consulate doesn't consider being married any less fraud prone than being a fiance(e). There are many blue and green slips for I-130 too.

From what you wrote it sounds like she have been listening to many of the rumours that Vietnamese like to repeat. You're right to ask about her just wanting a ticket out of Vietnam and not loving you, it's exactly what the Consulate is thinking. If she can't or doesn't want to talk about it, then she will have problems with her interview and having a marriage. Thi and I have conversations about that too. Not because I supected that (my friends and family kept telling me that Thi just wanted a way out of Vietnam.) but because it was inportant to be able to talk about anything without having a fight (or at least one that when we cooled off, we realized we need to talk about those kinds of things.)

I don't agree that you should stop the process now, in a month the two of you could be back together and would have more paperwork to fill out and explaining to do because of stopping the process. You can stop the process at any time. You're still very early in the process if you submitted your I-129f 3 months ago. I understand how pride can damage relationships, she may also be very hurt because of what you said.

My advice is to wait a couple of months, see what happens, if then the relationship is nonfunctional, stop the process. You'll know more and have a clearly idea later on how to proceed.

Good luck no matter what you do.

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

Edited by PeterFB, 28 March 2008 - 01:32 AM.

PeterFB

Male

Vietnam

2008-03-28 01:28:00

Bump in the road

It sounds like you wrote this post while you are still upset. You didn't give anyone a good idea of what happened to make you think you should give up. If this argument is one the two of you have had several times, then some serious thought/talk is in order. If this is more just frustration with the process, don't worry, we have had arguments about issues involving this.

While discussioning your personal life may not be what you want to do here, we can't offer substantial advice without understanding your argument. If you're just looking for assurrance and positive reinforcement, then by all means, don't give up.

As the others have said, this is about loving someone and being with them for the rest of your life. Problems come and go, but love lasts.

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

PS. TO everyone who hasn't been updating their timelines or filling out their story in their prolife, it helps all of us understand you better, if we know about you and your fiance(e). Please share, we are all in this together to help each other!

Edited by PeterFB, 26 March 2008 - 12:52 AM.

PeterFB

Male

Vietnam

2008-03-26 00:48:00

US Consulate - HCMC

QUOTE

Peter, We already have all the documents you listed finished / copied / translated / notarized where needed

UPDATE - Received PACKET 3 Today. Just in time as she mailed the DS-230 Part 1 to the embasy late last week. So we are well on our way.

We will now wait a week or so and call to verify the Consulate received her papers. Now waiting for Packet 4 / Interview Date.

AMAZING - 70 days since I sent the I-129F to Vermont.

Bill

That's great!!

Now have lots of patience!!!!

Also you and your fiance can practice asking questions that they may ask to prepare for your interview. I, Eric and An Thy, and others have posted the questions they were asked in the Review:Embassy,USCIS*POE. You can also search the VJ and the internet for other possible questions. The more confidence she feels at the interview, the easier it should be.

We hope you get a interview date quickly and get 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

PeterFB

Male

Vietnam

2008-04-02 00:21:00

US Consulate - HCMC

Bill

While you're waiting for your Packet 3, you and Trang should do the following:

1. Make sure her passport is valid for at least 8 months after the visa is issued.
2. Have a copy and the original birth certificate for you and a copy and original for Trang. (The Consulate doesn't require translations. but getting any Vietnamese docements translated will be required for AOS. Getting all documents for AOS done in Vietnam is cheaper than US. USCIS doesn't care where their translated. )
3. Make sure she doesn't have any court or prision record (or have the records if she does)
4. If she has military records, get them a copy.
5. Police Certificate.
6. If she lived outside of Vietnam for more than 6 months, she needs Foreign Police Certificates for each place.
7. Get at least 5 passport size photos of her that are current
8. Get your I-134 in order
9. If she has been married, get marriage termination certificates
10. Collect and organize all possible evidence of your relationship (including any problems you think the Consulate may ask about.)
11. Get single certificate

Then when your Packet 3 arrives you'll be ready since that should be everything you need to do except fill out the DS-230 part one (in English) that came with it. (Thi's Packet 3 had an old DS-230 so we used it instead of the newer one online), sign and date the DS-2001 and the checklist (Which is the main letter). Return them to the Consulate the next day if possible by taking them in person.

Now you get to wait for your interview date with the Packet 4. Then what do you do??????

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

Edited by PeterFB, 27 March 2008 - 11:50 PM.

PeterFB

Male

Vietnam

2008-03-27 23:46:00

Green Slip

QUOTE (babybigpig @ Apr 15 2008, 04:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My fiance got interview o April 11, and she got a blue slip with submit Timeline of our relationship and her relatives in the US. After that, i came back the consulate and bring all paperworks which they need, wating from 1-5pm and they gave me agreen slip "dont need to submit further documents, we will contact you when we finish our process", and i'm very mad, asking to meet US officer, i dont want to talk with VNamese, so they told me " come back on next day morning, to book apointment with US officer
Anybody got Green/ Blue slip with the same content with me? so how long do i have be waiting anymore? when they finish their process, will they call my fiance to get Pink? or they will send our case back the US?
Thanks

Sorry to hear about the blue and green slips. It sounds like you have fallen into "Adminstrative Review". They are probably checking on her relatives in the US. The wait could be a few days or months. When they decide they will contact your fiance and tell her either she has the visa or not. To speed things up and confirm the honestly of your relationship (to the Consulate) , I would continue to press to get an appointment with the Consulate. You might want to contact a lawyer such as Mark Ellis for more advice about what to do.

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

2008-04-15 14:54:00

QUOTE (Melrose Plant @ Apr 15 2008, 09:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I just got my 2007 transcript in the mail a little over a week ago. Now, it wasn't a line-by-line transcript, but it clearly showed that I had actually filed the 2007 return, What my gross income is, and how much tax I had to pay. I just called and ordered that by an automated system, and it came in less than a week, free of charge.

I guess you sent in your 2007 taxes a while ago.

I'm finishing mine today.......

My 2006 account transcript only showed the gross, taxes, paid, etc. I submitted the tax return transcript which was line by line because I am self imployed. I also included my 1040 for 2006 as well, just in case. Thi's I-134 instructions said to submit an "IRS complete tax transcript for the current year". I don't know if that means they want account transcript or return transcript. I ordered both from the IRS and they came within a week but in two different envelopes.

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

2008-04-15 14:41:00

Vietnam07

Congrats on getting your interview date.

The HCMC Consulate is mostly interested in income and likes tax tanscripts from the IRS for the current tax year. Right now that means 2006 for them. However with your interview in May, they may want to see your 2007 1040, pay stubs ,etc as that will be the current year. The IRS can't give you tax transcipts for 2007 until July according to a couple of posts on VJ. I would suggest to have both ready years available, it's your call as to which to submit with your I-134.

As Bill said, if you are 125% above the poverty line for your family size (2 people is $17,500), then you don't have to include anything besides proof of income. Just make sure to include all the other documents they ask for in the Packet 4 letter such as employment letter. If you think it would help you can also bring your bank statements and letters but according to our I-134 instructions they're not required but could be helpful depending on your case. Make sure to follow the instructions carefully, ie get your I-134 notarized, have enough evidence organized by dates, etc.

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

2008-04-14 22:18:00

QUOTE (Melrose Plant @ Apr 14 2008, 01:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Tyrobe @ Apr 14 2008, 11:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Good luck to all on the upcoming interviews. Go for the PINK!

QUOTE

There are no visa fees listed on the internet. I would call the Vietnam Consulate in SFO. They are cheaper and faster than the embassy in Washington. I believe, but don't quote me on this, that it's $45 for a 1 month, single entry tourist visa, plus your mailing costs. I myself am getting a 3 month, multi-entry for $120.

I'm thinking about applying for a multi-entry visa this time, but I'll be only visiting twice in the second half of this year. If the quoted fees are correct, single-entry visa is better unless one travels three times or more in the duration allowed in the visa.

The reason why I need a multi is because we plan on traveling outside Vietnam to other southeast Asian countries before we leave for the U.S. And I called back to double check, but this time they quoted me $150. Too late now to argue. I've got too many other things to worry about. I confirmed that price in both English and Vietnamese languages. I will just send them the money--this time. It's still better than the Chinese--they want $130 for a 1 month single entry!

I think the Vietnamese Consulate in San Francisco got new visa fees at the start of the year. My February visa reflected the same price as the Embassy in Washington DC when I checked with both in January. Before that, SF was cheaper......

In any case, have fun in Vietnam and get the pink!

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

2008-04-14 16:41:00

Congrats to both of you!!

Good luck on your interviews!!! We hope you get the pink!

PeterFB

Male

Vietnam

2008-04-14 00:46:00

That's great news!!

Congratulations.

PeterFB

Male

Vietnam

2008-04-16 01:28:00

True

Your docuements could cause you to not get approved, but you won't know untill the Embassy tells you or you call to ask. I wouldn't get too worried at this time because there's little right now you can do.

If there are any unusual circumstances about your case, that could slow the document verification. You didn't fill out anything about yourself in your profile so I don't know what could be causing the delay. In Vietnam, processing times vary a lot, sometimes people get any requested additional documents processed quickly, other times it can take days, weeks or months. The Consulate there doesn't explain their processing times, except to say when things take a longer time for everyone, that it's do to a heavy work load.

The payment of fees doesn't guarrantee you will get approved at the Ho Chi Minh Consulate. I think it's the same for all Embassies and Consulates.

Hopefully you'll know the answer soon. Then you can proceed to the next step.

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

PeterFB

Male

Vietnam

2008-04-04 00:48:00

True

I'm not familiar with the Philliippines so what Primie and Ryan said probably correct. There may be some problem with them verifying your documents or they are just slow. I would make a follow up call.

Please fill out your profile and timeline as it would help every here help you better.

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

PeterFB

Male

Vietnam

2008-04-03 13:59:00

QUOTE (true @ Apr 3 2008, 01:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My interview is last 2nd week of march after my interview the consul asked me to wait for my name to be called, after my named called i go to the window and some of my documents they gave it back to me with the visa delivery fee and they asked me to also pay the documents verification with 221g now it's been 3 weeks after my interview and haven't get my visa yet?, why? my co- same applicants they already have their visa after just how many days from our interview now im worried a lot..
could anybody help me please!!..

true

true

I'm not sure what you are saying. Did the Consulate (which Consulate, by the way?) gave you back some of your documents and your visa delivery fee (what visa are you applying for?)? The 221g document is a denial of visa usually because of missing evidence to get the visa or in the case of a toursit visa, the consulate doesn't believe you would return to your home country (which country do you live in?).

It sounds like you have been denied a visa. Most Consulates will give you a pink slip. The slip tells you when you can return to pick up your visa.

It would help others to answer your questions if you had filled out your profile and timeline (if applicable) as well as given us more info about your problem and yourself.

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

PeterFB

Male

Vietnam

2008-04-03 02:32:00

Internet Service In Southern Viet Nam

The internet and power in Vietnam is a problem even in HCMC. On every trip (March 2007, September, Feburary 2008) I went on, the power went off at Khanh's house where I was staying at least once. It usually was for 3-4 hours. Sometimes they knew it would go off but mostly it just when out. He lives in District 4.

Thi's mother/brother live in Tan Binh district. The power and internet there is less stable. Since she's been here, she's been chatting with her family everynight possible. However there has been 1-2 times where the internet (Yahoo really) has been unstable but still able to chat (Yahoo messenger freezes or quits unexpectedly. Restarting Yahoo usually reconnects them) and 1 or 2 times that the power was off or went off while chatting. She chats at 10pm US time usually.

Since I use Macs, we use iVisit to voice chat because Yahoo doesn't support the Mac with voice yet. When I set her up to voice chat, iVisit was the only program I found that supported both Mac and PCs for voice chat. Now Skype, Gizmo and others do but the iVisit/Yahoo combination works (except Yahoo is a little flaky and my expensive audio hardware I use for music doesn't always like being used for chatting and making sounds in Yahoo. We have to flip the sync on it somtimes to reconnect the audio. I don't have that problem with my music software). Changing it now would be a problem as her family don't know English, computers nor have a "computer" friend to help them configure Skype, Gizmo, etc. They know how to start and log on in Yahoo and iVisit. .....

Even when we chatting over the last year and half, there were many times when the internets was unstable, sometimes unusable and of course the power would be off either long enough so we couldn't chat or would cut our chats short. But never has it been more than a day between chats because of power or internet problems.

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 planned 2008-04-26

Edited by PeterFB, 12 April 2008 - 01:18 AM.

PeterFB

Male

Vietnam

2008-04-12 01:16:00

Internet Service In Southern Viet Nam

Mark

Thi has't had any problems with the internet when she chats with her family in HCMC. She chats with them every night.

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

PeterFB

Male

Vietnam

2008-04-06 01:42:00

Call all April’s Interview “Vietnam”

QUOTE (Melrose Plant @ Apr 15 2008, 11:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Melrose Plant @ Apr 7 2008, 06:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Can we be April interview wannabees? Thought we would be there right behind you Haonie, but that apparently ain't gonna happen. I know a woman (not a VJ member) who has her interview on the 9th. My fiancee is in almost daily contact with her and I talk regularly with her fiance, a man from upstate NY. I will post all I find out in a couple of days. Good luck.

Finally, I have the interview questions from em Thùy:

What is your name?
What is your fiance's name?
How old is he?
Who lives with him?
Who introduced the two of you?
What is your F's job?
How many time did he visit Vietnam?
How long were the visits?
How many houses does he own in the U.S.? He is a farmer/landlord. She got that question wrong, by the way. She answered 3 houses. The correct number is 5.

Here is your pink slip.
Come back on Wednesday for the visa.

That's great she got her visa. Just curious, was the interviewer a young handsome American?

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

2008-04-15 14:46:00