ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
VietnamVietnam VisaJourney Members
Congrats and continue success with your journey. I'm almost there to where you're today. Hopefully I'd get the same news in a few more months.
menyooNot Telling02006-03-29 09:37:00
VietnamVietnam VisaJourney Members
At dillions they charge you $10 for a $100 and $15 for $200 sending money through Western Union.
yellow123Not TellingVietnam2006-04-04 14:19:00
VietnamVietnam VisaJourney Members
A very detailed description, thanks Lan. Maybe you can help me out with some questions.

1) is an appointment time supposed to be listed in pack 4 ? I see that you have an appointment time of 10:00 am. The reason i'm saying this is that i just talked to my fiancee and she told me that she'll leave the house at 4:30 am when the date comes because there will be many people in line.

2) - the househood registeration and copy,
- ID card and copy,
- my birth certification, its translation and copy,
- Andy's birth certification and copy, my passport and copy,
- the polices certification and copy,

my fiancee never scanned me a copy of Pack 4, but do we need to hand in a copy of the above documents as well ?

Again, congratulations to both of you. Hope you'll have a fun and safe trip to the USA!
yellow123Not TellingVietnam2006-03-30 23:19:00
VietnamVietnam VisaJourney Members
Landy,

i'm so eager to hear your fiancee's version.
yellow123Not TellingVietnam2006-03-30 00:13:00
VietnamVietnam VisaJourney Members
Wow. We feel your excitement just by reading your texts. We're all excited for you Landy. I'm next in line in our little community of VisaJourney, so I better pay close attention to whatever you say. I hope i'll be excited as you on April 12th.
yellow123Not TellingVietnam2006-03-29 18:44:00
VietnamVietnam VisaJourney Members
Landy,

I see nothinig but a pink slip for you tommorrow.
yellow123Not TellingVietnam2006-03-28 00:19:00
VietnamVietnam VisaJourney Members
Awesome, Landy. We all here are pulling for you. Good luck !
yellow123Not TellingVietnam2006-03-21 12:07:00
VietnamVietnam VisaJourney Members
Hello everyone. Sorry, It's been a while since I posted in the forum because I just got back from VN. I graduated in January and immediately booked tickets to go see my fiancee in Hue since I couldn't bare being apart no longer. The two months that I spent with her was the most fun i've ever had in my life. To update on our status, we never did receive our pack 3. Lien met me in Saigon for my arrival and we both went to the embassy to pick pack3 up. I think that was on Jan. 20th. We took pack3 back to Hue and sent it out on Feb. 10th. Lien called in to check our status again about 2 weeeks ago, and they told her to call back in April to know her medical exam date and interview date. I just got back about a week or so, and she's been crying everyday. I told her not to be so sad so we could have the energy to wait for each other. Anyways, it's nice to be back in the forum.
yellow123Not TellingVietnam2006-03-19 14:05:00
VietnamVietnam VisaJourney Members

Tran,

When your fiancee entered the Consulate, she will hand in ALL of her paperworks, except the evidence, to the Consulate workers. These workers will sort out your fiancee's documents/paperwork, check-off "must-have" items (Birth Certificate, Affi-Support etc.), put/organize them in a nice folder to prepare your file for the Consulate Officer who will interview your fiancee. During this phase, IF your fiancee is missing any of the MUST have documents, they could send you home right there. Or they still could send you home after the interview, it depends! But these "WORKERS" are major pain!!!

No, they won't just give it to the CO, the workers will check it out first.

I think it's not more or less important ifshe met your parents or not. Each case is different. Think of Lan and Andy, it's a normal question for the CO to ask, just in case "did you meet his parents"? Of course Lan did :) she was here visiting Andy during Christmas.... It would be crazy for them to ask you :) knowing that she never been to the US and your parents never come to VN. (at least in my case, it is) Either way, the key is having an engagement ceremony and reception :) which you did! So rest easy!

my 2 cents...

Love,

chuck and kim



Thanks chuck. Yeah, the "workers" are a major PITA. I've called the place a few times and they are so damn rude. They also wanted to speak Vietnamese to me most of the time after they ask my name. When I'm back in VN next time, I'll give them a few words too. :angry:
kvtranNot TellingVietnam2006-03-29 14:29:00
VietnamVietnam VisaJourney Members

OK.... this is my recollection of what Lan (my fiancee) told me about her experience in dealing with the HCMC consulate. I will have her post her experience so you can all get a first-hand account when she wakes up in the morning (it is sleeping time right now in Vietnam).

Lan's interview was at 10 am. She arrived there before 9 AM in typical business attire (long skirt, blouse -- you know what I mean). She gave her documents to the person at the consulate and they told her to wait. At noon the consulate closed for lunch so they told her to come back at 1:30 PM.

After lunch she returns to the consulate. The CO who would adjuciate her case was a woman, about 35-40 years old. The interview lasted all of 5 minutes. This is what I can recall as far as the questions that were asked:

1) How many times has Lan visited USA? How many times have I (the petitioner) visited Vietnam?
2) Are her parents concerned that she will leave Vietnam and live in America?
3) How long have you known your fiance?
4) When did you get engaged?
5) Has Lan met my parents?
6) Did my parents come to the engagement ceremony? She asked to see pics of the engagement.
7) The CO kept the I-134 form (notorized), the letter from my employer that states my position/salary, and a copy of my 2004 tax return and W2s. That's it... they did not even look at my bank statements or any of the other financial documentation I provided (and Lan was carrying a boat-load of information!)

So after you few basic questions, the CO approved the K1. It will be ready to be picked up at 4 PM the next day (March 30).

Off the top of my head that is all I can remember right now! I am sure Lan will be able to provide a more detailed recollection. A few more items of interest:

Lan said that 9 out of every 10 visa applicants were getting turned away with a blue slip! She attributed this to two things. First most of them cannot speak english so they had to use the services of the consulate-provided interpreter. Very arrogant, not helpful at all, and downright hostile to several of the applicants. She probably is a hindrance to the overall process. Second reason people get blue slips is they are just not properly prepared- they did not seem to be aware of the process and the procedures. In general, it pays to dot all your I's and cross all your T's when working with this particular consulate!

I hope that helps; as I said Lan will follow-up with some more details. If anybody has any questions about the process feel free to ask either in the public forums or you can email me privately if you like.


Congradulations!!! I have one question. When Lan submitted the documents at the front desk did anyone go through it? Or did they just give it to the CO and they look at it? Also, is it important for your fiancee to meet your parents? I've met her parents and also did the engagement party just recently this January.
kvtranNot TellingVietnam2006-03-29 13:50:00
VietnamVietnam VisaJourney Members


Posted Image Note: PM member Vietnam to be added to this list or to update your information.


12/09/04 --k1 interview -- Tim -------------------------------- AOS Passed ---- 02/09/05
03/08/05 --k1 interview -- chuckandkim ------ visa 05/04.......AOS Passed- 03/08/06

09/26/05 --k1 interview -- nychang ----------- visa 11/05......AOS Interview- 03/31/06
01/28/05 --k1 interview -- top-gorilla ---------visa 02/23.......EAD Received--10/12/05
12/07/04 --k1 interview -- sportGuy -------------------------- Case Xferd CSC -9/19/05
06/13/05 --k1 interview -- kd4yal & ThuHuong-----------------AOS NOA1 ----- 9/16/05
09/08/05 --k1 interview -- mk4tt ------------------------------AOS NOA1 ----- 12/06/05
05/10/05 --k1 interview -- duclinhreo --------- visa 09/06.......SSN ----------- 10/18/05

05/08/03 ---interview ---- wait4ever----------delayed
05/16/05 ---interview ---- sweetiewynn ------delayed
08/29/05 ---interview ---- Kevin&Loan;--------delayed
09/07/05 ---interview ---- tung ---------------10/11 pass
10/07/05 ---interview ---- thai0699 -----------visa....12/12
11/07/05 ---interview ---- dangho731 CR1 ----passed
12/20/05 ---interview ---- atlmatt31vn1 k3 ---passed
01/24/06 ---interview ---- nodownguy -------- passed
02/16/06 ---interview ---- scy K3 ------------- visa....2/28

02/09/05 ---interview ---- pxtran -------------
03/29/05 ---interview ---- landy --------------

12/06/05 ----- Pack 3----- JOSmith2 ----------
12/08/05 ----- Pack 3----- ct94 ---------------
01/12/06 ----- Pack 3----- Bruce Han ----------
01/25/06 ----- Pack 3----- kvtran --------------

12/11/05 - Case at HCMC -yellow123-----------

00/00/00 -----Left NVC---- ----------

02/27/06 ------NOA2------gurugreg -----------
02/28/06 ------NOA2------menyoo ------------
03/02/06 ------NOA2------STL_HCMC ----------
03/03/06 ------NOA2------Matt Stevens--------

01/04/06 ------NOA1------Icarus --------------
02/14/06 ------NOA1------songsparrow --------
02/15/06 ------NOA1------3AD------------------
03/03/06 ------NOA1------Robert & Van--------
03/03/06 ------NOA1------Idinh K3--------------




How come "pxtran" got his interview date and never informed us what happened with the interview? :angry:
Haven't seen a post from him for over a month. Did he change his name to "kvtran" and start over?
This is like chicagoman all over again.


Sorry, I'm no way related to pxtran. I think you've got the wrong person.
kvtranNot TellingVietnam2006-03-20 16:50:00
VietnamVietnam VisaJourney Members
Hello everyone.

I somehow stumbled onto this site. Seems like a great place for us Visa seekers.

I'm still a real newbie about the whole imigration process, but I have learned a lot since I discovered this site.

It's nice to have company during these "trying times". ;)

Edited by Idinh, 09 March 2006 - 12:02 AM.

IdinhNot TellingVietnam2006-03-09 00:00:00
VietnamVietnam VisaJourney Members


Well, hi your all :)
I just being update from a friend that one of their relative who recently had the interview with the consular in hochiminh, and yes seems like they starting to discard all the co-sponsor (not officially but did happen)



Somone told me that for K1 Visa the petitioner alone must meet minimum income requirements and CANNOT have a co-sponsor. Is this true?

3AD


False!

You, petitioner can have a co-sponsor if your income doesn't meet the poverty guideline.


Are you kidding me???? If this is true, these guys in HCMC are asking for a lawsuit at their door... Please give us more detail about this issue, is it an "undocumented" practice in HCMC to discard all cases with Co-sponsor??? We need to hear more from people who going through HCMC... That's crazy!


Yeah! That's true and last week my fiancee couldn't get a k-1 visa because I didn't earn enough income from last year and I did ask for a co-sponsor but the conofs in ho chi minh didn't take that into account! My past week experience has shown it's the case! Even though in the form I-134 states that I can ask for a co-sponsor if my income doesn't meet the 125% poverty guideline, but it's a contradiction!

Edited by syee999, 03 April 2006 - 01:27 AM.

syee999Not Telling02006-04-03 01:25:00
VietnamVietnam VisaJourney Members

Hello everyone!!

Checked back in after a long time MIA...lots of new faces around here..Good to see Vietnam still sticking around and still a leader :thumbs: ...To ChuckandKim, Zerovoltz, dalegg...how's everyone doing? Anyone applied for Lifting Condition yet?


We're starting to think about that now. What about you?
daleggMaleVietnam2007-03-31 23:27:00
VietnamVietnam VisaJourney Members
:unsure:

Edited by dalegg, 17 January 2007 - 09:42 PM.

daleggMaleVietnam2007-01-17 21:40:00
VietnamVietnam VisaJourney Members

The thing I was most happy about was actually passing this thing on the first try. We failed the first interview in Vietnam at the consulate, and just getting this interview was a 1 year nightmare, so I went into this fully expecting to fail just because that seems to be how it goes. I am so glad that this thing is done with. :dance:


Well congratulations on the success. I found our interview to be pretty easy also, but I've also heard that the 10 year green card is a tougher interview, so be ready for that.
daleggMaleVietnam2006-11-05 14:38:00
VietnamVietnam VisaJourney Members


Matt,

Aren't you moving to North Carolina too?


Just Curious....


Good Luck, once you get that 1st year out of the way and she finally settles in, it's much easier. Again, I found the visa process eaiser than my wife's initial adjustment to the U.S..

Once my wife got her drivers license after 5 months, it was much easier also......

Good Luck



Please enlighten me :unsure: What adjustments to the U.S. did you experience with your Vo? I feel lucky this time to get a visa. My wife will be a housewife (her choice) ok by me, she's 43 and I'm 50 our kids are grown. I can't sleep with one eye open :no:


You got your visa?
daleggMaleVietnam2006-09-01 22:52:00
VietnamVietnam VisaJourney Members


Ain't nothin' wrong with drinking fishsause straight up!!!! :D :D :D
Just make sure don't get them on your clothes... that stuff is stinky!!!


I went and toured the fish sauce refinery (I call it a refinery for a reason) on Phu Quoc island last year...and I can't believe I still eat that stuff after I saw how it was refined. By the way, Yen is pregnant.

Congratulations!
daleggMaleVietnam2006-08-23 23:50:00
VietnamVietnam VisaJourney Members

So I am updated on my interview date in the master thread, followed by a :help:

I just hope that on June 27 we can change that to a :dance:

No, it would change to a :dancing:
daleggMaleVietnam2006-06-04 10:43:00
VietnamVietnam VisaJourney Members

Here is an interesting immigration diary I found of a guy who did probably everything you are suggesting and more:

http://www.jeffreyle...om/idiary1.html

It's ridiculous how much effort this guy invested and in the end he said it probably had nothing to do with his case finally getting approval.



The worst thing about this is what ying-yangs like this do to cases like yours. This guys sends all of this unnecassary mail to these senators and they take the time to E-Mail him back. He's asking if they can do anything to speed up the process when the process wasn't even slowed. It's guys like this that make congress take true stalled visa cases less seriously.
daleggMaleVietnam2006-04-20 09:59:00
VietnamVietnam VisaJourney Members

It's ridiculous how much effort this guy invested and in the end he said it probably had nothing to do with his case finally getting approval.


I agree it's ridiculous, but it's ridiculous because 99.99% of what he did he had no reason to do. His case went flawless from beginning to end and he wasted his time and others'. Look at his timeline:

4-29 App mailed
5-05 NOA1
7-09 NOA2
12-18 Interview- approved!


But within 2 weeks of mailing his application he's sending letters to mayors, congressmen, senators, and talk show hosts.

He has the nerve to post this as if it was all necassary and none of it was.

"I am still overwhelmed by the magnitude of this whole saga (and the horrible use of my tax dollars that the INS and the American embassy in Manila represent)"

The only person responsible for wasting his tax dollars was him.

"As to #3: I present the following diary of my experiences trying to get my wife’s immigration to America approved. This will prove beyond the shadow of any doubt that it is neither quick nor easy to bring a Filipina to America."

No, it proves within a shadow of a doubt that he has a compulsive overreactive personality.
daleggMaleVietnam2006-04-19 22:05:00
VietnamVietnam VisaJourney Members
Volt... you guys rock! Your story gives a lot of encouragement for those who are waiting for their AOS... Address misspelled... that's horrible.... We're happy for you after all...

Congrats!
chuckandkimMaleVietnam2006-11-06 07:16:00
VietnamVietnam VisaJourney Members
Congratulations!!!!!! :) :D
chuckandkimMaleVietnam2006-09-19 11:45:00
VietnamVietnam VisaJourney Members
Weren't you already? :D :D :lol: :lol: How's marriage life treating you??? (pretty sure you will get a lot of those questions from now on from friends and relatives ) HAHAHAHA

Edited by chuckandkim, 30 August 2006 - 02:30 PM.

chuckandkimMaleVietnam2006-08-30 14:29:00
VietnamVietnam VisaJourney Members
BTW???? What the ####... :D that should be a first order of the day... MY WIFE IS PREGNANT!!! :lol:
Great news Zerovoltz, we wish you two the best... BABY TIME, baby! :)

About the fishsause... i think i just skip that tour if I ever go to Phu Quoc Island. I love that stuff too much to stay away or let anything ruin the experience of enjoying and loving it for so long :D Ok, you got me really curious now... what did you see there at PQ Island? It's "Show&Tell" time :)
chuckandkimMaleVietnam2006-08-24 07:10:00
VietnamVietnam VisaJourney Members
Ain't nothin' wrong with drinking fishsause straight up!!!! :D :D :D
Just make sure don't get them on your clothes... that stuff is stinky!!!
chuckandkimMaleVietnam2006-08-15 08:42:00
VietnamVietnam VisaJourney Members
To get on this List??? I heard rumor you have to buy Vietnam a bow of PHO' :D and Iced Coffee (Cafe Sua Da) J/K :D

Welcome to VJ
chuckandkimMaleVietnam2006-08-06 07:07:00
VietnamVietnam VisaJourney Members
Did we make you mad somehow??? We are no longer on the list? :( :( :(

love,

chuck and kim
chuckandkimMaleVietnam2006-06-14 07:01:00
VietnamVietnam VisaJourney Members
Matt, your fiance's English is 100% better than your Vietnamese, isn't it? :) :) :) Good luck Matt!

Chuck and Kim
chuckandkimMaleVietnam2006-05-31 16:34:00
VietnamVietnam VisaJourney Members
No! Just make sure she brings that receipt of the MRV fee!
chuckandkimMaleVietnam2006-05-30 06:49:00
VietnamVietnam VisaJourney Members
Matt,

Do what icespots said...

When you are in Saigon, coming with your fiance, bring her birthcertificate (BC) and ask to speak to the consular about YOUR petition (bring your NOA1 receipt) etc. Only USC can request to meet with a consular for any business prior to your beneficiary's interview (correct me if i'm wrong) At this meeting, you can present your case and tell them you would like to admend the mistake. Hopefully they will let you get by and update your file. Remember, up to this point, the issue is on your end (petitioner) so you can request to give them an UPDATED file.

Worse case: they will make you re-file your I-129F.
Better scenario: request to send in an updated G325A

Knowing HCMC Consulate, delaying will be unavoidable if you are NOT proactive in your preparation. Come clean, come all, tell them upfront that you make mistake. Keep in mind, it is UP to you to show them (US consulate) how sincere you are and truthful you are to them. They will find out if you missing anything or anything is out of order. They have these "vietnamese staffs" who will comb your file with a fineteeth comb to pick up disorderness or any fault/mistake. Basically, come clean and tell them you need to update your G-352A. done!

If you "wait and see", they could look at your case as if you try to pull a quick one on them... "Why didn't you put her mother's name on her G-325A?"; "How could you forget something that important?"; "Ok, go home, we will investigate more into your case to make sure you are not a fraud" etc.... I am not trying to scare you... but: don't mess around with these guys :D

I wrote to much... but: come in the consulate, bring BC and updated G-325A.

Good luck Matt, don't worry about it... things will sort themselves out...
chuckandkimMaleVietnam2006-05-09 13:06:00
VietnamVietnam VisaJourney Members
I want to say this, based on our experience at the Visa Interview, HCMC's workers (the vietnameses) have the LIFO or FILO systems :)

Last In, First Out
First In, Last Out

they do not follow the FIFO or LILO models like we do here in American. :)

So if your files get there at the sametime, whose ever file arrives last at their door will get process first. Why? Just because the last file will be on top of the pile and the workers will grab the first one, on top! :)

Sometimes, the files get shuffled around and who knows what will happen to them... but all and all... your file will get process and pack-3 get sent with in a week or two of its arrival.
chuckandkimMaleVietnam2006-04-06 10:08:00
VietnamVietnam VisaJourney Members
Hi Cha Gio,

Welcome to VisaJourney!

STL_HCMC

Hi, everyone:

While searching around for the processing time on the K-3 Visa, I stumbled upon this webpage, and I love how informative and friendly everyone is. I'm working on a K-3 visa for my wife who currently lives in Saigon, Vietnam. We got married on the 20th of December, 2006. :) Just dropping a quick note to introduce myself. :)


STL_HCMCMaleVietnam2007-02-03 16:18:00
VietnamVietnam VisaJourney Members
Landy,

Great to see you back around VJ. Thanks again for all the help you offered us in answering our questions. Best of luck to you both.

STL_HCMC

Just "checking in".... We (Lan and Andy) have been absent from VJ for awhile. We're married now, living in northern CA and doing great. Lan is working (for a competitor of where I work at!), learning to drive, and we are doing great. Still waiting on her name check so she does not have the green card yet. Anyway we made it through the k1 process because I am an engineer and you all now how detail oriented those engineers can be. Feel free to write with questions. I will try to help....

All the best to everyone.


STL_HCMCMaleVietnam2006-11-28 20:17:00
VietnamVietnam VisaJourney Members
Hi Huan,

I would imagine processing times through the NVC vary from case to case. Wait three to five more days and give them a call again.

When I finally did learn of my case arriving and departing, they were more than happy to tell me the dates it arrived and departed.

Best of luck!

STL_HCMC

STL_HCMC,
How did you find out NVC got your case in 12 days? I've tried to called the 603 number but still no records. It's been 14 days :( . It's a real rollercoaster.


STL_HCMCMaleVietnam2006-10-23 16:11:00
VietnamVietnam VisaJourney Members
Hi Huan,

Welcome to VisaJourney and the Vietnam side of things. Best of luck to you both!

STL_HCMC

Can I be on the list too. I'm new here. My case just got my NOA2. I wonder how long before NVC get my case CSC said they mailed on the 10/09/06 it's been 14 days.


STL_HCMCMaleVietnam2006-10-23 15:52:00
VietnamVietnam VisaJourney Members
sweetiewynn,

Excellent to see some light shed on your case! Like you said, at least you have a suspecting reason now why your case might be held up. That is better than knowing nothing at all - as you had previously.

Best of luck to you both, and do keep all of us posted on the progress of your case!

STL_HCMC

We have a possible BREAKTHROUGH in our case


Edited by STL_HCMC, 09 June 2006 - 10:16 PM.

STL_HCMCMaleVietnam2006-06-09 22:15:00
VietnamVietnam VisaJourney Members
Hi Matt,

Yes - realistic thinking is nothing bad to have. It does prevent from the hopes getting to high, or putting on the dancing shoes before the music starts.

However, with that being said, the more positive and confident you can be in conversation and prep with her, that will only translate into more confidence for her on the big day.

Always remember - things could be A LOT worse. Think how many people go into the HCMC Consulate WITHOUT the support and knowledge of VisaJourney. I really don't know where my fiancee and I would be in this process if I hadn't found VJ.

Just remember that you've got a whole Vietnam VJ crew on here that has been with you since the day you joined and found the Vietnam forum. We're going through it together, and also have excellent "already approved" Vietnam VJ members that still take their time to come back on the board to share experiences and help us through difficult questions. What more could we really ask for throughout the process? At least we all know, if a blue slip is received, we have somewhere to turn to. Those that don't know about VisaJourney - well I'm sure they feel very lost in the woods!

In any event, pink slip or blue slip, there is an excellent resource of support and info rebounding waiting for you and your fiancee after the interview!

We'll get the Matt_Stevens rally going in about 3 weeks! Pink slip baby!

Best of luck to you both!

STL_HCMC

Thanks. Anh and I need all the well wishing we can get. My entire family is now going crazy with anticipation of when Anh can come to the US. I am trying to keep them calm because it is likely we will all be disappointed. I must remain realistic about this. If she gets a pink slip, then I will be happier than I thought possible. If she gets a blue slip, well, then I knew it was coming and can deal with it rationaly. Maybe.


STL_HCMCMaleVietnam2006-05-31 21:24:00
VietnamVietnam VisaJourney Members
Hi Matt,

My fiancee, and it sounds like many others on VisaJourney, struggles with the same lack of confidence. Nobody expects anyone to go in there with fluent English skills - although some are probably very close to it.

Do the best you can to pump her up and keep the focus on the positive side, while still preparing for tough question situations that could arise.

We are still looking forward to packet 4, but are eagerly awaiting the news of your interview as well. We both seem to have similar co-sponsor situations, and I'm curious to see how that works out for you and me both.

Best of luck bud!

STL_HCMC

It's so strange to hear her say she thinks her English is bad because really, it isn't. It's better than any English I heard from any Vietnamese person while in Saigon. Her English is amazing.

We will be talking about the interview in depth from here on out. I want her ready.


STL_HCMCMaleVietnam2006-05-31 03:50:00
VietnamVietnam VisaJourney Members
Hi Matt,

Coach your fiancee to think of the interview as a mere question and answer session. Leave the hostility thoughts at the door of her home when she leaves that morning. If she goes in with that frame of thought and attitude, things could start out very defensive from the beginning. Nervousness is expected, but prep her for the confidence she needs in her English skill.

We'll all be thinking of you both!

STL_HCMC

I just hope that is a good thing. Anh is terribly nervous now. SHe was not before, but now she realizes that she will have to speak in English and communicate with someonewho will likely be hostile towards her. Anh has no conifidence in her English for important discussions, despite it now being near perfect.


STL_HCMCMaleVietnam2006-05-30 21:34:00