ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Asia: East and Pacificpassport time stamp question help!!
It happens in VN when you get a single entry visa that is not affixed to your passport. They stamp the visa and keep it. I did this on my first visit and decided that I did not like it so I got multi-entry after that.

With most multi-entry visas there, they will affix it to your passport and then stamp a page coming in and going out. My first two multi-entry visas were affixed but my last multi-entry was a loose paper which they stamped each time on the back (not in my passport) but since it was a multi-entry, they did not keep it. It will expire soon but I have it in my possession to photocopy for the interview.

Multi-entry visas to VN are expensive but they will ensure that you have the visa in your possession and, more importantly, the stamps.
toddandhienMaleVietnam2009-02-14 14:58:00
Asia: East and Pacificquestions reguarding interview in HCMC
QUOTE (r0yalflush @ Feb 15 2009, 07:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Haole @ Feb 15 2009, 07:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (r0yalflush @ Feb 15 2009, 02:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
We had our baby boy almost 1 month ago , hopefully everything go smooth with the baby as our biggest proof showing how serious we are

Since you the US citizen father your fiance can file for a CRBA and get the baby it's US citizenship.

yes i booked an appointment already at the end of May. They said i have to bring the baby along, so im going to be there for both of them on that day.


Good luck
toddandhienMaleVietnam2009-02-15 20:10:00
Asia: East and Pacificquestions reguarding interview in HCMC
QUOTE (r0yalflush @ Feb 15 2009, 06:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (toddandhien @ Feb 15 2009, 06:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (r0yalflush @ Feb 15 2009, 04:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'm just wondering if they're going speak english to my fiance on her interview date at the US embassy in HCMC. She doesn't speak english at all, im just wondering if this going to be a problem? please help


please fill in your timeline


i signed up for my timeline already, dont know why its not showing


It is showing now. can you update status? Do you have interview date yet?
toddandhienMaleVietnam2009-02-15 19:15:00
Asia: East and Pacificquestions reguarding interview in HCMC
QUOTE (r0yalflush @ Feb 15 2009, 06:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (toddandhien @ Feb 15 2009, 07:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (r0yalflush @ Feb 15 2009, 04:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'm just wondering if they're going speak english to my fiance on her interview date at the US embassy in HCMC. She doesn't speak english at all, im just wondering if this going to be a problem? please help


What language do you two use to communicate?



we communicate only Vietnamese


Are you Vietnamese? If so, she can interview in Vietnamese and you will be fine.
toddandhienMaleVietnam2009-02-15 19:06:00
Asia: East and Pacificquestions reguarding interview in HCMC
QUOTE (r0yalflush @ Feb 15 2009, 04:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'm just wondering if they're going speak english to my fiance on her interview date at the US embassy in HCMC. She doesn't speak english at all, im just wondering if this going to be a problem? please help


please fill in your timeline
toddandhienMaleVietnam2009-02-15 18:13:00
Asia: East and Pacificquestions reguarding interview in HCMC
QUOTE (r0yalflush @ Feb 15 2009, 04:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'm just wondering if they're going speak english to my fiance on her interview date at the US embassy in HCMC. She doesn't speak english at all, im just wondering if this going to be a problem? please help


What language do you two use to communicate?
toddandhienMaleVietnam2009-02-15 18:06:00
Asia: East and PacificTrain HCM to Phan Thiet
Here's a link to a schedule for the train. http://www.travelvie..._Express_Train/

Don't think you can take it to Phan Thi?t. But, given that it is only 200 km travel, have you considered just hiring a car and driver to take you? You can make the trip in less than 4 hours, stop any time you like and take all the pictures you want. Unless you have a strong desire to experience Vietnam's train service (not Amtrak) you would probably be better served to hire a private car and not spend much more money.

Hi?n's brother is a taxi driver in HCM and regularly takes folks to V?ng Tàu or V?nh Long. If any interest, PM me and I can ask Phuong how many VND for the excursion. Real pleasant guy, would be a good driver for you, too, if you were inclined to do that.
toddandhienMaleVietnam2009-02-23 12:53:00
Asia: East and PacificJust Married
QUOTE (bryonm4 @ Feb 28 2009, 04:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Just Married today in Ho Chi Minh wedding party will be at Ai Hue at 6pm in just 2 hours. My wife and I are doing very good thanks to everybody that gave me words of encouragment marriage is everything I hoped it would be. Now to get certficicate in april and bring her home in 1 year smile.gif



Congratulations!
toddandhienMaleVietnam2009-02-28 10:34:00
Asia: East and PacificTravel to HCMC with Infant
QUOTE (chuckandkim @ Mar 10 2009, 07:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hello all,

Kim and I are blessed with a little girl this past year. Now, it's time to go back to Saigon so the grandparents can pinch and kiss those chubby cheeks of her, webcam/photos can't satisfy the folks back in Saigon. Basically, tickets are booked, issued (printed). Waiting for the little one's passport to arrive from the State Dept, the obtain Visa for her. Getting the passport for our daughter was quite interestíng! Need to go to Sears Photos Studio for this "Passport Photo" which approved by State Dept. Try to do that by yourself at home, it's quite impossible since our daughter will not sit still smile.gif Got that DONE. Went back to the Post Office, fill out forms and pay the fees. Swearing in! Done! Should have the Passport in 2 weeks ???? Nope, it's now the 4th weeks and counting. I checked my bank account yesterday, the State Dept cashed our check for the passport fee last tuesday... yeah!!!!

So here is the question for all you who are blessed with child, how easy/difficult it was to travel to VN with a little one? Share your experience, departure, in-flight, meals, baby crying, foods, sleeping, connection flights, arrival to and from. What can and cannot be brought on board. To be specific, we flight Korean Air. Stroller/Car seat's situation???

Please share and we thank you in advance!


Have flown around the world with my kids at varying ages over the last 17 years. Worst part is take-off and landing because of the pressure. Best remedy for that is to be absolutely sure to have a bottle of milk/juice/water ready and start the drinking process just as you begin to taxi or descend. By the time the bottle is empty, you will be at altitude or on the ground.

And have a PILE of patience on this very long flight. sleep in shifts with your wife so one of you is always rested and ready to entertain the baby. Don't panic if the baby cries. They do that and most people on the plane understand.
toddandhienMaleVietnam2009-03-10 15:55:00
Asia: East and Pacificaddendum to I-129f visa after NOA1?
QUOTE (carlovee @ Mar 16 2009, 06:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi folks,

I've just taken a 2nd trip to Vietnam and my fiancee has received information from someone who claims to know about visas that I should call the US Immigration dept to update the fiancee visa application (I-129f) with updated timeline, more photos, etc.

Also on the NOA1 it lists her name as Nguyen, Hao T., when it is actually Nguyen, Hao T. M. for Thi Minh. The 'Thi' just means its a female name as many of you no doubt know.

We've already received the NOA1 back in early December and I'd hate to have anything muck up the process since we should be about 1 month away from NOA2.

You can probably tell by my phrasing that I'm hesitant. We've received some bad advice before by people claiming to be visa experts.

thanks,
Tom


Tom, assuming that you submitted the required information with the original petition, you do not need to update your petition with new information. Keep this and all additional evidence that you collect, as your fiancee will need it for her interview.

I suspect that the USG computer system is set up to only print Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial. Your fiancee's name has an extra word which does not work with that format. Did you specify her name correctly on the I-129F and the G-325A forms? So her name in English format is Hao Thi Minh Nguyen?
toddandhienMaleVietnam2009-03-16 18:51:00
Asia: East and Pacificpolice certificates hcmc
QUOTE (r0yalflush @ Mar 11 2009, 02:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
that place is actually called SO TU PHAP, thats where you need to go to get it


I am not Vietnamese so I would have called it Cong An Tinh (Provincial Police). But Vietnamese is Hien's department so I leave the language to her!!
toddandhienMaleVietnam2009-03-11 07:59:00
Asia: East and Pacificpolice certificates hcmc
QUOTE (toddandhien @ Mar 9 2009, 12:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (kevinbui86 @ Mar 9 2009, 12:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
thanks bro, so i talked to my wife last night. i told her to get me that "LY LICH TU PHAP" and she told me its also available at the cong an phuong and its faster to get it from them. only like 3 days. is this the same certificates?


I just went through this with my fiancee. She thought she could go and get a "police certificate" from the local Cong An in her village. Why not, it is called a "police" certificate, right? Wrong. What they gave her was a form that basically said she was a good girl all while growing up. This is not what the US Government is looking for.

You have to go to the place where you would get a marriage certificate or something similar. Typically at the Province level if she lives outside TP HCMC. Also, must be from the Province where she is listed in Ho Khau. And it needs to say LY LICH TU PHAP at the top.

For anyone whose spouse or fiancee lives in Vinh Long Province, it recently only took 10 days to get it.


toddandhienMaleVietnam2009-03-09 12:06:00
Asia: East and Pacificpolice certificates hcmc
QUOTE (kevinbui86 @ Mar 9 2009, 12:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
thanks bro, so i talked to my wife last night. i told her to get me that "LY LICH TU PHAP" and she told me its also available at the cong an phuong and its faster to get it from them. only like 3 days. is this the same certificates?


I just went through this with my fiancee. She thought she could go and get a "police certificate" from the local Cong An in her village. Why not, it is called a "police" certificate, right? Wrong. What they gave her was a form that basically said she was a good girl all while growing up. This is not what the US Government is looking for.

You have to go to the place where you would get a marriage certificate or something similar. Typically at the Province level if she lives outside TP HCMC. Also, must be from the Province where she is listed in Ho Khao. And it needs to say LY LICH TU PHAP at the top.

For anyone whose spouse or fiancee lives in Vinh Long Province, it recently only took 10 days to get it.
toddandhienMaleVietnam2009-03-09 11:57:00
Asia: East and PacificHCMC Packet 3
QUOTE (Anh map @ Mar 11 2009, 08:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
someone posted quite a while ago about how they tracked their file from VSC to HCMC through DHL. They didn't have a tracking number but somehow worked backwards to figure it out.

I guess doing some seaches here on VJ about tracking packet 3 might find that post.


Yup, I had seen that awhile back and have found my package on DHL. It was marked with Monday's date but was not actually picked up until today. Should be delivered to the consulate on Monday based on previous deliveries I looked at.

Thanks, Anh map!!
toddandhienMaleVietnam2009-03-11 21:21:00
Asia: East and PacificHCMC Packet 3
QUOTE (sorin @ Mar 11 2009, 06:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi Toddandhien,

I had the same problem as you, we waited and waited with no reply. I ended up e-mailing HCMC about it and they said they had sent it but gave me a PDF if the forms my fiance needed. I e-mailed them to her and she filled them out and sent them. I e-mailed them again and confirmed they did receive her documents and are now waiting for a reply on an interview date (which has been over a month and I have been constantly e-mailing them for updates). You can call, but even they confirmed that the phone system will be going away and obsolete. To this day, she has not received her packet 3....

When you e-mail them always reference your claim number (HCM#) or they will give it to you once you use the claim number given to you by NCIS (NOA2).

Like you, I have no faith whatsoever on the postal service in Vietnam.... its common for neighbors to bring over mail and for sensitive documents like this, that just doesn't cut it... How about HCMC giving an option to FedEx the visa instead....


Looking at your timeline, it appears that you were waiting as folks there were gearing down for Tet...I wonder if perhaps they never sent the Packet to you at all.

How did you confirm the date that the consulate recieved your case? Only takes 3-5 days for DHL to deliver...

How long did you wait before e-mailing them and asking about Packet 3?

Have they confirmed that they mailed the Packet 4?

Thanks for your advice!
toddandhienMaleVietnam2009-03-11 19:21:00
Asia: East and PacificHCMC Packet 3
Thanks. I know what is in Packet 3 and we already have all the required forms. I have been sitting on these docs for 52 days... mad.gif Now just waiting to sign the interview readiness form.

So what I am asking is if anyone has actually done this and how...?? do you have to ask or once you know they have mailed it out, can you just mail in the forms?

Thanks again!
toddandhienMaleVietnam2009-03-11 07:56:00
Asia: East and PacificHCMC Packet 3
OK, so after 52 days stuck in AP at NVC, we are finally on our way to HCM. I would like for my fiancee to be able to pick up Packet 3 at the consulate in HCM since we have lost 7 weeks and because mail to her small village is pretty slow.

Has anyone had experience in picking up Packet 3 directly at the consulate? If yes, did you e-mail and ask them or how did you know it was ok?

Thanks
toddandhienMaleVietnam2009-03-10 21:07:00
Asia: East and PacificGot the pink!! Here were the HCM Interview questions for K1
Just curious, did she have the interview in English or Vietnamese? Thanks
toddandhienMaleVietnam2009-03-17 11:42:00
Asia: East and PacificGot the pink!! Here were the HCM Interview questions for K1
QUOTE (JOJOMOMO @ Mar 17 2009, 08:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Got the pink today for the K1!!

Here were the questions during the interview that may be helpful to others:

1. How did you meet?

2. When did you meet?

3. When was the first date he came to Vietnam? Second time?(I;ve been here 3 times)

4. Where does he currently live?

5. Where did he grow up?

6. When did you get engaged?

7. What type of engagement party did you have?

8. Where did you travel together? With other people or by yourselves?

9. Where does his parents live?

10. How many brothers/sisters does he have?

11. What does he do for his job?

12. When does he come back to US?(I'm in Vietnam now)

13. Have you made any wedding plans in the US?

14. How often do you talk on the phone? What do you talk about?

15. Do you have family in the US?

The interview only lasted about 5 minutes. Didn't look at the notarized timeline, emails/chat logs, phone records, employer verification, pay stubs. The only thing they looked at were the photos we had. Also, since its before April 15th, they didn't look at the 2008 tax return. Only the 2007 transcript though I had 3 years before as well.


Congratulations!! kicking.gif kicking.gif

Thank you for posting the interview questions!
toddandhienMaleVietnam2009-03-17 11:20:00
Asia: East and Pacifichow long it takes from NVC to Us Embassy in HCM?
QUOTE (Hiep & Thao @ Mar 19 2009, 05:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Look at mine, and others' timeline so you'll get some idea, think in 1 month term smile.gif


Your timeline says that the consulate e-mailed your interview date to you. How did you get them to do that? And did they send it to you or your fiancee? Thanks
toddandhienMaleVietnam2009-03-19 17:01:00
Asia: East and Pacifichow long it takes from NVC to Us Embassy in HCM?
QUOTE (ERIKandCHINH @ Mar 19 2009, 01:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Mine took about 11 or 12 days (without looking it up.) but that was from the notice that my doc's were on their way to HCMC from the NVC until she got instructions. She got instructions right away but they are kind of vague. I haven't recieved packet 3 or anything for that matter, from the consulate in HCMC.


Erik, you say that she got instructions but then you say that you have not received Packet 3... Packet 3 IS the Instruction Packet, but only for the first phase of in-country activity. They need her to fill out DS-230 Part I and DS-2001 ASAP and turn them in at the consulate. ONLY at that point will they schedule her for an interview and send Packet 4 to her. Packet 4 has the rest of the instructions for DS-156K, etc, the physical and the processing fee, along with her interview date. Instructions are provided in English and Vietnamese and are quite clear.

YOU (the petitioner) will never receive anything from the consulate because it has moved from petition phase (you) to application for visa phase (her).
toddandhienMaleVietnam2009-03-19 16:58:00
Asia: East and Pacifichow long it takes from NVC to Us Embassy in HCM?
QUOTE (r0yalflush @ Mar 19 2009, 12:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
For those who have went through this, please tell me how long it takes for HCM Us Embassy to recieved your documents once NVC sent it. HCM has recieved my case electronically, but not the original documents yet, please give some inputs on how much longer it might take for them to receive it?


It takes about 1 week for your case to be delivered to the consulate via DHL. You can call the DOS and ask them or you can e-mail the consulate and confirm receipt. that is what I did. It takes them about 4 days to respond to an e-mail.

Regarding Packet 3, they will send it out to your fiancee shortly after receiving the case. For me, they mailed it 2 days after receiving the case, according to the e-mail response that I got. HOWEVER, delivery is another issue altogether. It could be a few days or a few weeks depending upon where she lives. The consulate will not consider it "lost" until you have waited 3 weeks. They will give you the Packet 3 info via e-mail, though, if you ask. I did because mail to Hien's village is unreliable.
toddandhienMaleVietnam2009-03-19 16:50:00
Asia: East and Pacificpacket 3 pick up at US Embassy
QUOTE (r0yalflush @ Mar 18 2009, 10:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I just called NVC and spoke with a live operator. He said HCM Us Embassy has recieved my case electronically. He also gave me a new case number which starts with HCM20******. I read another post saying that once you have the new case number provided by NVC or the US Embassy, you can actually go pick up packet 3 in person instead of having them mail it. Someone please confirm that my fiancee can go pick the packet 3 up in person with the new case number that NVC just gave me

Also, is this the same case number which HCM US Embassy will provide us later or it's going to be different?


Please note that the policy and practice is different for every embassy or consulate. The OP is asking and I will answer only about the consulate in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

I asked if she could come and get the packet in person. they said only if 3 weeks has gone by since they mailed it out (they consider that lost in the mail). BUT, they sent the packet 3 information attached to my e-mail so she now has the Packet 3 and can fill out the forms and turn them in at the consulate.

Yes, the HCMXXXXXXXXXX number is the case number assigned by NVC and is the number you will use at the consulate.

Edited by toddandhien, 19 March 2009 - 05:18 PM.

toddandhienMaleVietnam2009-03-19 17:16:00
Asia: East and PacificHCMC fingerprints?
QUOTE (ERIKandCHINH @ Mar 19 2009, 09:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
No we didn't recieve packet 4 yet. I was notified that my petition was on its way to HCMC from the NVC. She received the form DS2001 with instructions to prepare documents and to request interview (I think that is form DS 230). It mentioned the fees $130.00 for the applicaton and $100.00 for the Medical, payment at Citibank and the documents she needs to collect, but no details were given like the above post.

So will she need to get fingerprinted? The DS 2001 says that it must be done , if required in her country, at the IOM. I read the 4 page document they sent her, and frankly, I'm not sure what needs to be done first, by whom or where. Can I expect to receive instructions too? It's bee a couple of weeks since my petition was sent to HCMC?

Sorry for the juvenile questions, I am just confused and don't want to start making mistakes now and I don't want the process interrupted.

Thanks,
Erik


Erik,

What you have is Packet 3. Step 1 is what she needs to do now. That means DS-230 Part I and DS-2001. Get those turned in at the consulate ASAP.

Step 2 is FYI so you can get your act together while waiting for Packet 4. Packet 4 will have the detailed instructions on what to do for the medical exam and paying the fees, along with instructions for more forms to fill out.

Where you were reading about the fingerprinting was not part of DS-2001. You were reading the FOREIGN police certificate information sheet. If she has not resided in another country for more than 1 year since she was 16, you do not need to worry about this. If she did, you will have to follow the instructions. They are telling you that some other countries will require fingerprints to get the police certificate. In Vietnam, fingerprints are not required to get a police certificate. DS-2001 is the applicant readiness form only. It is a 1 page document.

By the way, has she got her Ly Lich Tu Phap yet? This is the justice record check she needs to get in her home province (where her name is listed in ho khau). This can take up to 3 weeks, so if she does not have it, get her going on that. If she doesn't have it, she will not be able to have her interview.

You will not receive any instructions from the consulate. She will get two packets, that's it. You will get nothing.
toddandhienMaleVietnam2009-03-19 21:40:00
Asia: East and PacificHCMC fingerprints?
QUOTE (ERIKandCHINH @ Mar 19 2009, 01:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi all,

Does my fiancee in HCMC need to get fingerprinted? The instructions sent to her froom the Embassy are vague and don't say that she need them, just that some conulates require them. Also, does anyone know where we are to pay the $131.00 fee? It says Citibank, but where? to whom? ??? These instructions lack...well ...instruction.

Thanks,
Erik


Have you received Packet 4 already? Those instructions should be quite specific. Fingerprints are done at the consulate.
toddandhienMaleVietnam2009-03-19 16:42:00
Asia: East and Pacifick3 interview ?
QUOTE (DPNH @ Mar 21 2009, 12:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (mbv @ Mar 20 2009, 06:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
So my cousin had her interview acouple of days ago and here is what happened.
Her interview was an + 1 hour long.
After the interview the co gave her the white slip that stated "we will contact u in a week with our decision"

Should she be worried? Her husband is in vn now and he is freaking out. He wants to hire ME now but she wants to just wait and see what happens.
What do you guys think?


Have you searched this sub-forum for similar situations? Common, do we really need each individual asking the same question over and over?

"She got the blue/white slip, asking her to come back with this and that document or go home, and wait. We'll contact you later"


By the way, does anyone know how to file for a K-1 case, I mean step by step. I've searched this site thoroughly and I can't find anything (I'm too lazy to search thoroughly so someone please do that for me)


DPNH,

This is not helpful in the least. If you don't have anything positive to add, please don't press the reply button. Thanks.

Personally, I have never read another post that said they got a white slip saying they would contact them in 1 week with a decision.
toddandhienMaleVietnam2009-03-21 12:14:00