Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
Vietnam	HCMC Interview roll call	Wow... All these Visas approval makes me wanna jump up for joy. Comon' comon' comon' come to papa pinky.... WISHING FOR PINK!	Huong and Phung	Male	Vietnam (no flag)	2009-10-16 16:40:00
Vietnam	HCMC Interview roll call	what the con heo is going on in here? This is one of the most anticipated thread i've ever seen so far. I live and breath VJ and this thread now. Stop making it a forum of us repay others. Ofcourse everyone have the right to post new thread about anything or even the same thing, it just the Admin is the one gonna determine the faith of it. Keep it up on the topic you guys, it's great before and hopefully will be better soon. I'm okay with Jerome new thread. More info and more for me to read EVERYDAY. yeb, everyday, I usually go on VJ like at least 5 times a day. I know I have no life and I DON'T because my other half is 1/2 the globe away. We need to stay together, not seperated. Look at the Vietnam War. It's devastating enough already. I like the other post about you guys adapting to the Viet culture on fighting among each other. It's funny and it is the truth. PRACTICE THE GOODS AND DON'T COPY THE BADS.	Huong and Phung	Male	Vietnam (no flag)	2009-10-15 22:22:00
Vietnam	HCMC Interview roll call	Well, at least you get to see them and that's all it matters Jerome. I agree on people wanting answer once they get in there but take a moment and just relax, you're there to conversate with them. They're a bunch of Psychologist and Sociologists. They want to see how we react and how we handle our situation. Don't expect too much and be happy that at least you're not 6000+ miles away from your S.O. I remember being there the last time before I go back to the U.S. It was 4:58pm is when they call me. It was like 2 minutes before they close. I was just praying they would call me in so I can present myself and then say what I have to say and get out. I was happy that I get to talk to them and then a great dinner at Ralph & Hanh's restaurant. DON'T EXPECT TOO MUCH AND BE HAPPY....(for now...)	Huong and Phung	Male	Vietnam (no flag)	2009-10-14 00:29:00
Vietnam	HCMC Interview roll call	QUOTE (jeromebinh @ Oct 16 2009, 11:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (WeatherEmperor @ Oct 16 2009, 11:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hey guys, I looked through the list Jerome created for those that got a blue slip and I see many of those are because of the Time Line and Evidence of Bona fide relationship. When should the evidence of a bonafide relationship be submitted? During the interview or sometime before? I am assuming this bonafide evidence should include the emails, chat longs, letters, pictures, passport stamps for travel, etc. Is this correct? <CARRICK> Carrick, I would submit some of it when you file for the K1 and make sure what you submit she has copies of. People here suggest to front load your file with lots of things, and then they also say to not put that much in it. I would submit a time line with the original K1 application, and then also submit some of the proof of a bonifide relationship along with it. Send many photos of the two of you together, a few chat logs, maybe a phone bill or two just basic things, the hard part is not getting past the service center in America, but getting past the CO in HCMC. Submit everything you have with the interview, and hope for the best. Just as I said remember to have copies of everything you submit. I am going back to the consulate Tuesday to resubmit more evidence and try to talk to a supervisor about our case. I am going to submit everything that they did not accept at her interview. They did not look at our chat logs, and our screen shots with times on them for our voice and video chats, so they will get them Tuesday this way they can not try to use the phone calling card against us. We chat more than we call if you were to only look at my phone bills it would look like we do not have a bonifide relationship because we chat and talk on yahoo every day. It is free, well not free but we both already pay for INTERNET so it is free in that sense, and even paying for INTERNET for both of us would be far cheaper than just calling her. Good luck bro, hope you get everything worked out with your trip and that you do not go through what most of us in AP are going through now. Jerome and Binh We were in about the same boat. Few actual letters between us. Few phone calls. Everything done with Yahoo Messanger and Webcam. Luckily I saved our chat logs (submitted over 5000 pages of chat logs at the interview (I killed a bunch of trees). Fiance was pregnant and showing at the time of the interview, I had 1 trip to vietnam before the interview although I made another trip for the interview, and lastly we were introduced by her sister who is in america married to an american also via K1. So anything is possible. It is all about how you present your case. We covered all our red flags in our cover letter for the I-129F petition.	b_weeks	Male	Vietnam	2009-10-16 23:15:00
Vietnam	HCMC Interview roll call	Frontloading the initial petition isn't so much for providing evidence, as it is for covering your bases where RED FLAGS are concerned. But you can do what you feel best. RED FLAGS: 1. Introduced by family 2. 1 trip to Vietnam 3. Previous marriage 4. Children or pregnancy 5. Beneficiary family in the US 6. Short amount of time in relationship. 7. Lack of communication (Petitioner speaks english, beneficiary speaks little english 8. Previous K1/K3/IR-1/Cr-1 petition etc.... Edited by b_weeks, 16 October 2009 - 11:10 PM.	b_weeks	Male	Vietnam	2009-10-16 23:10:00
Vietnam	HCMC Interview roll call	evidence of Bona Fide relationship should be submitted at the time of INTERVIEW. Not before. The only requirement for the submission of the I-129F is that you have met in person in the past 2 years.	b_weeks	Male	Vietnam	2009-10-16 22:50:00
Vietnam	HCMC Interview roll call	Congrats Fred & Dao Edited by b_weeks, 15 October 2009 - 07:33 AM.	b_weeks	Male	Vietnam	2009-10-15 07:32:00
Vietnam	HCMC Interview roll call	LINDAL@$......CONGRATULATIONS	b_weeks	Male	Vietnam	2009-10-14 20:46:00
Vietnam	HCMC Interview roll call	Thanks for your help. Now I understand that evidence of the bonafide relationship should be submitted at the time of the interview. I have read some other posters say that when they tried to submit evidence at the time of the interview such as time lines and list of relatives in the US, the CO refused to accept those. Basically, how can HCMC tell people to bring evidence to the interview if the CO just refuses to accept some of it anyways? <CARRICK> QUOTE (b_weeks @ Oct 16 2009, 11:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> evidence of Bona Fide relationship should be submitted at the time of INTERVIEW. Not before. The only requirement for the submission of the I-129F is that you have met in person in the past 2 years.	WeatherEmperor	Male	Vietnam	2009-10-17 14:43:00
Vietnam	HCMC Interview roll call	Hey guys, I looked through the list Jerome created for those that got a blue slip and I see many of those are because of the Time Line and Evidence of Bonafide relationship. When should the evidence of a bonafide relationship be submitted? During the interview or sometime before? I am assuming this bonafide evidence should include the emails, chat longs, letters, pictures, passport stamps for travel, etc. Is this correct? <CARRICK>	WeatherEmperor	Male	Vietnam	2009-10-16 22:34:00
Vietnam	HCMC Interview roll call	Fred had given me a lot of tip regarding HCM consulate...CONGRATS please start a new post with your comments...when the time is right...	wratran	Male	Vietnam	2009-10-15 18:34:00
Vietnam	HCMC Interview roll call	QUOTE (ScottThuy @ Oct 17 2009, 04:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> So in a nutshell they are using section 221G that was cited in the first blue slip as the basis for them being able to issue the second one and send the file to AP... It appears that they are riding the 221G as long as they feel like.... They asked for additional info at the interview.. regardless of if it was present at the interview or not and required the applicant to return with the documents later only to be handed another blue slip citing the same section 221G... The only thing is, at the second visit the CO now has the docs ("lacking required documents "), but does not feel like reviewing them. It appears that they are hiding under an umbrella that was not intended to be used in the manner exhibited. It think they are using it to gain time to run an investigation on the applicants. I honestly don't think they "WANT' to turn anyone down. I think they are trying to do their job to the best of their ability and training. They are trained to find mistakes or "RED FLAGS" and act on them. I am sure all of us on here know of at least one fraud case from Vietnam. The consulate has to find good reason to send an application back. What is a good reason? Lack of evidence? I wish I could have found Visajourney sooner and read more before applying. I am sure most of us were very ignorant and naive of the process before we started. I would have front loaded the application with more about Dao's and my previous spouses residences and living arrangements. It is very frustraiting for all of us to try to find out what is wrong with our applications when they won't communicate. I quote a supervisor at the Consulate, "how can we investigate if I tell you what we are investigating". This was after I said, "Tell me what need more information about, I will get you the answer". So, they are not doing ADDITIONAL PROCESSING. They are investigating you and your loved one and families and relitives and job and more. Is all this the right way to do their business? I don't think it is wrong but, they could do a better job of helping us understand instead of trying to keep us in the dark. We the people have failed to educate ourselves. What we are doing now is a good start. Good luck to all, Fred	fred n Dao Honey	Male	Vietnam	2009-10-17 19:26:00
Vietnam	HCMC Interview roll call	QUOTE (ScottThuy @ Oct 17 2009, 12:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> ****IMPORTANT NOTE: Processing wait time DOES NOT include the time required for administrative processing. These procedures require additional time. Most administrative processing is resolved within 60 days of application. When administrative processing is required, the timing will vary based on individual circumstances of each case. Therefore, before making inquiries about status of administrative processing, applicants or their representatives will need to wait at least 90 days from the date of interview or submission of supplemental documents, whichever is later. Processing wait time also does not include the time required to return the passport to applicants, by either courier services or the local mail system. http://travel.state....m...p;x=72&y=13 Linda's was 91 days... The site says wait 90 days before you inquire about the status of the case in AP.... one must wonder if they have a new goal of 90 days or less... there have been others in for a long time.. Fred, Kevin... and others waited twice as long as Linda or longer to get out of AP.... I submited more evidence of relationship in May. It wasn't anything big. ticket stubs,pictures. I don't know if it changed the AP wait time but, I wanted to be sure they had the option not to send it back to USA. I read what you have here and below. All was copied from HCMC consulate website -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Section 221(g) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act states that visa applications lacking required documents must be denied until such time as those documents are submitted and found to be sufficient. If, for any reason, the applicant is not eligible for a visa at the time of the interview, the applicant will receive an explanation in writing and a request for the specific documents still required, if any. Applicants refused under Section 221(g) who are specifically requested to submit more documents may submit the additional information either via registered mail or in person at the Consulate between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays. The applicant should include the blue or green refusal sheet asking for additional information. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Don't give them the blue paper! it is your pass to get inside!!! "lacking Required documents must be denied" , "May submit additional Information" Good luck, Fred	fred n Dao Honey	Male	Vietnam	2009-10-17 12:28:00
Vietnam	HCMC Interview roll call	Take us off the list. Today in HCMC we got pink!!! After several visits to the Consulate. The Supervisor promised something in a week. We recieved a request for new medical (blue paper). Dao took the new information in today 1pm VN time. She turned in the material and took a number to wait. Number was called and pink issued. Dao was really worried that they would interview again and has been pumping me for answers about the house, city and extended family. Good luck to all. My advise, If you have an attorney that says be patient after 2 months of waiting. Get ride of the attorney. If you are in AP. Flood them with evidence of your relationship they have to except it. You have to proove a bonified relationship and eligability. They have to qualify a denial. Fill their file box with all your junk!!! The more times you go inside the Consulate the more you learn and become familiar with it. Fred	fred n Dao Honey	Male	Vietnam	2009-10-15 05:48:00
Vietnam	HCMC Interview roll call	QUOTE (ScottThuy @ Oct 16 2009, 11:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> ****IMPORTANT NOTE: Processing wait time DOES NOT include the time required for administrative processing. These procedures require additional time. Most administrative processing is resolved within 60 days of application. When administrative processing is required, the timing will vary based on individual circumstances of each case. Therefore, before making inquiries about status of administrative processing, applicants or their representatives will need to wait at least 90 days from the date of interview or submission of supplemental documents, whichever is later. Processing wait time also does not include the time required to return the passport to applicants, by either courier services or the local mail system. http://travel.state....m...p;x=72&y=13 Linda's was 91 days... The site says wait 90 days before you inquire about the status of the case in AP.... one must wonder if they have a new goal of 90 days or less... there have been others in for a long time.. Fred, Kevin... and others waited twice as long as Linda or longer to get out of AP.... "AT LEAST 90 days?......................." ouch	toantien	Not Telling	Vietnam	2009-10-17 09:36:00
Vietnam	HCMC Interview roll call	QUOTE (lindal24 @ Oct 14 2009, 12:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (ScottThuy @ Oct 12 2009, 04:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (toantien @ Oct 12 2009, 04:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (lindal24 @ Oct 12 2009, 12:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> So my husband will be picking up his visa tomorrow (10/14) and I know the visa is good for 6 months after it is issued, but after that point, does it expire for good and we just have to reapply all over again? Is there a waiver or an extension that we can file to change the date on the visa? Is he planning to stay in vietnam more than 6 months? If not then you don't have to worry about it. CONGRATS!!! And to answer that question, yea it does expire and you'll have to start all over again, so tell your husband to GET OUT OF THERE! hehe Not totally correct.. It expires after 6 months.. but an extension can be granted by the consulate. We all know how friendly they are there so not a good idea to risk it... QUOTE (lindal24 @ Oct 14 2009, 09:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> MY HUSBAND PICKED UP HIS PASSPORT WITH VISA on 10/14/2009. And then went to get purchase his airline ticket for ~$600!!! He's flying Delta from HCMC --> Tokyo, JP --> Detroit, MI --> Houston, TX on 10/31/2009!!! We're so excited!! I forgot to mention this: The expiration date stated on the visa is a month after issuance--not 6 months as I was expecting! QUOTE (toantien @ Oct 14 2009, 10:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> hey lindal i have a question for you. Did your Ly lich tu phap expired? was it good for 6 months. IF we got approval after the ly lich tu phap expire do they request a updated one? We did not have an problem with the police certificate. I believe that the police certificate does expire after 6 months, but I don't think it matters once NVC receives it. If the COs want to delay your visa, they may or may not ask you to request it and resubmit it. This would give them another 2-3 weeks as that is how long it took us to get our certificate. wow, really? only 1 month? thats wierd... I thought it was 6months. They must have changed the rules. But did your police cert. expired?	toantien	Not Telling	Vietnam	2009-10-14 12:53:00
Vietnam	HCMC Interview roll call	QUOTE (lindal24 @ Oct 14 2009, 10:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Kevin&Loan @ Oct 14 2009, 09:59 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Well, I send my warmest welcome from an HTowner. Hope Houston will cool down a bit by the time your husband lands in Houston. So you guys drive back to San Antonio right away or you plan on spending sometime in Houston? Almost all of our family lives in Houston so we will stay there for the weekend, and then drive back to San Antonio Sunday night. I want to take him Trick or Treating for sure and then I'll probably take him around HK and stuff so he will see what he'll miss in Saigon and Houston 'cause San Antonio ain't got none of that stuff... hahaa...poor guy...doesn't know what he's got coming...lol... hey lindal i have a question for you. Did your Ly lich tu phap expired? was it good for 6 months. IF we got approval after the ly lich tu phap expire do they request a updated one?	toantien	Not Telling	Vietnam	2009-10-14 10:17:00
Vietnam	HCMC Interview roll call	QUOTE (JimVaPhuong @ Sep 10 2009, 02:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (ScottThuy @ Sep 10 2009, 10:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I read where a member here waited in AP for over 6 months and finally went to the HCMC consulate and met with the chief. The man said they doubted the fact that the relationship was real.. he told them it was real and asked them what more they wanted from him to prove it as he already provided everything they asked. The CO agreed and granted visa... I feel that if it has been 60 days in AP (the time it should take as stated by USCIS) that the petitioner should be granted a sit down with the person in charge to discuss the case and get it finalized... There is NO REASON for it to take several months... no excuse! Since they have office hours posted for USC to come by and ask to speak to someone.. If we get AP I will be there daily asking what now... When will they decide.. They will get tired of seeing me.... a fraud would not go to that length to get the visa in my opinion and they should see that and grant the visa... In most cases, it's not the petitioner they suspect of fraud. It's the beneficiary. If someone wants to get out of Vietnam bad enough, they'd happily go through all of that and a lot more in order to do it. They've spent their whole life in Vietnam. They'd be more than willing to rattle cages at the consulate for 6 months. In some consulates, the rule is "If the petitioner believes it's real, then it's real". I read that in an article by a man who worked as a CO at three different consulates. I don't think HCM has that particular rule. In some cases, it's pretty obvious why a particular case is denied or gets AP. In other cases, I'm just stumped. One thing that would help enormously would be to know exactly what it is that the CO suspects when they say that they think the relationship is a sham for immigration purposes. Do they think the petitioner is in on the suspected sham? If so, do they think he's being paid off, or just helping someone out? If they don't think the petitioner is in on it, then they must think he's being duped by the beneficiary. What are the clues that make them suspect that? I don't think they want to reveal their real suspicions because they probably think a scammer would be able to address those suspicions as easily as a legitimate couple. Instead, they do a paperwork dance in the hope of collecting more clues without tipping their hand. Seriously, this whole mess could be resolved if they'd change the immigration laws to make it tougher to get unconditional permanent residence through marriage. As it is now, all they have to do is get their conditional green card, collect a little evidence, and file for a divorce. If they can't get enough evidence, or don't want to wait long enough to collect the evidence, they call the cops a few times and claim abuse. Once they get the visa, it's just too easy for a scammer to stay in the US. This puts the burden on the consulates to try to stop the scammers from getting a visa in the first place. Those of us with legitimate relationships have to pay the consequences for this. if i dont have engaged party and wedding in vietnam how can i have evidence before wedding and after wedding, he propose me on valentine's day 2009 and we got rings together on 23rd May 2009 should i put evidence how? pls help me, i had appointement on nov 5th 2009, i'm waitting fot that hopefully pink sheet...thanks for everyone	nhimatt	Not Telling	Vietnam	2009-10-15 22:41:00
Vietnam	HCMC Interview roll call	We have received numerous complaints over the last few days about having duplicate threads on this topic. While the moderators asked why the threads were different and were told information was gathered in different ways, it does appear that the two threads really are duplicating the same information in two different locations. As this is confusing and divisive on a topic, I am merging the two threads into one. If a thread is distinctly different then it can remain separate otherwise try to keep only one thread on the same topic going at a time. Edited by Kathryn41, 18 October 2009 - 09:15 AM.	Kathryn41	Female	Canada	2009-10-18 09:14:00
Vietnam	HCMC Interview roll call	From what I remember last year when I was there was that pretty much everyone is THE gossip. I could point to anyone at any time and learn way more than I wanted	luckytxn	Male	0	2009-10-20 00:34:00
Vietnam	HCMC Interview roll call	QUOTE (WeatherEmperor @ Oct 18 2009, 01:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Jerome, You made an interesting point when you said that the CO gives a blue slip requesting evidence that you already have available for the CO to see that same day at the interview. What I still do not understand is how other people have gotten the CO to actually look at the evidence and get a pink slip. Those that got the pink slip did something different then those who got the blue slip. There just has to be something that the blue slip people are missing. I looked at the list of people that got blue slips or are in AP and it looks like the common denominator is the time line. Just about everybody has listed the time line as a reason for the blue. I also see list of relatives for the beneficiary and evidence of bonafide relationship....which brings me back to the evidence for the interview date issue. There has to be a link from the evidence submitted with the I-129F to the evidence that needs to be presented on the interview date. That "link" should force the CO to look at the evidence. I don't know. Im just trying to figure all this out before I file my petition I guess. Am I thinking wrong? Somebody please shed some light on this. <CARRICK> I think you may be jumping to some conclusions. The CO doesn't have a checklist that they go down, and tick off boxes until every box is ticked, and then sign the pink slip. Every case is different. A recent divorce might trigger suspicion in one case, but might be totally irrelevant in another case where there was no previous marriage. Same with the other common red flags, like being introduced by a family member, or having relatives in the US. If the CO thinks the red flags can be addressed sufficiently by looking at some evidence at the interview, then he may ask to see the evidence. If not, a blue slip is inevitable. The CO may not accept evidence because they may have already decided that the blue slip is going to be issued, and they want to adjudicate the application "offline"; i.e., not in a 5 minute interview. They may want extra time to conduct an investigation. There are a limited number of things they can ask for on the blue slip, and the timeline very well could be a catch-all excuse when the CO just wants more time. There are plenty of people who have gotten a pink slip and never submitted a timeline. In those cases, the CO didn't have any overriding suspicions, so they issued the visa. When the timeline actually is a critical piece of evidence, it's because the CO thinks the relationship is a sham, and he wants the petitioner to convince him otherwise. When the beneficiary walks in on the appointed date with the timeline, and walks out with a pink slip, then the timeline very well could have been a stalling tactic to buy the CO time to investigate. I think the magical "link" you're looking for is to think like a CO. If you can do that, then you'll know what your red flags are, and you'll adequately address them before the interview. If the CO reviews your petition package, and every suspicion he might have has been addressed to his satisfaction, then you've got a good shot at getting pink the first time. On the other hand, the most well written timeline included with the petition won't get you a pink slip if there are red flags which haven't been addressed.	JimVaPhuong	Male	Vietnam	2009-10-18 19:22:00
Vietnam	HCMC Interview roll call	QUOTE (luckytxn @ Oct 20 2009, 01:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> From what I remember last year when I was there was that pretty much everyone is THE gossip. I could point to anyone at any time and learn way more than I wanted My point exactly... all they need to do is call one person and they can find out everything.... those huge pictures in family homes are not there for nothing... anyone that enters the family home gets the run down on who is who... And lets not forget the mail service... The last few letters that I sent went to her fathers office, even though they were addressed to the house, because the courrier knows him and figured it would save a trip... so he dropped the cards and letters off at the office with a woman that works there... after she got done reading what she wanted and talking to others in the office about me, then she gave the letters to my FIL and he relayed them home... oh yeah.. he of course read everything also. and showed the mail to the rest of the family before Thuy got it...They actually called her at work to tell her what I said in the mail... I need to stop writing in Vietnamese so they can't understand everything... or maybe this is a great way to lay the groundwork in case I get investigated again at the consulate stage... At least now the gossip knows its a real relationship and that my car just got dyno'd and is almost ready to be painted and that my grammar when writing or speaking Vietnamese is not perfect.....	ScottThuy	Male	Vietnam	2009-10-20 09:31:00
Vietnam	HCMC Interview roll call	The few questions I remember from the posts and phone call reports: Where does she/ex live? When did you divorce? Why? When did you marry the beneficiary? (trick question since it was a fiance / K-1) They have called the Ex's, Relatives and Petitioners.. and now they are checking with the local gossip.. I guess the trick is to make sure everyone knows everything in case they get the call. They also asked the routine questions about the current relationship... when start , how etc... The thing that is odd is that they clearly presented themself as someone other than the CO and asked questions that only a CO would ask... With the way that VN culture treats a wedding or engagement, The fact that they called on the gossip or called relatives is not a bad thing... If the neighbors in a VN village don't know about an engagement, then it likely is a sham.... since everyone knows who is engaged in my fiance's village and to whom.... Nobody said anything about being private since it was under the premice that it was someone else calling.. I posted about this topic before... no secret.. nothing that new... Edited by ScottThuy, 19 October 2009 - 10:01 PM.	ScottThuy	Male	Vietnam	2009-10-19 21:59:00
Vietnam	HCMC Interview roll call	who better to ask?....	ScottThuy	Male	Vietnam	2009-10-19 21:33:00
Vietnam	HCMC Interview roll call	An immigration Atty has said that they can and will do whatever they want to get through the investigation and get the truth... Ly is the fourth case I have seen to have them call like that... My first reaction if they said they were a friends of my ex's sister.. would be to ask if she was still in rehab.. but I am with you on this one Huong... let them call and tell them what they want and get it moving.... expect the call and if everyone knows what may be happening in the coming weeks, then it wont be as big of a surprise and can be addressed without confusion or misinformation. The key is to be ready and dont let it get you frazzled like it did Ly... the process is aggrivating enough without the call from the mystery woman...	ScottThuy	Male	Vietnam	2009-10-19 20:15:00
Vietnam	HCMC Interview roll call	I just read where some consulates actually have web access available for those that are in AP to check the status of the case.. when they login and it says approved then they are to send or take the passport to the consulate for the visa... its a shame that HCMC doesnt have this courtesy available... its not like they are spending alot of money on payroll...	ScottThuy	Male	Vietnam	2009-10-18 23:51:00
Vietnam	HCMC Interview roll call	VJ Members currently in AP at HCMC: Vi&Art _____________________8/5/2009 K1 Visa - First blue RFE: Proof of Bona fide Relationship & Timeline JohnCali9 __________________8/6/2009 K1 Visa - First blue RFE: Ex-wife's living situation, Timeline MichaelAndKha______________8/15/2009 K1 Visa - First blue RFE: Timeline JeromeBinh_________________8/20/2009 K1 Visa - First blue RFE: Ex-wife's living situation, Timeline, List of Beneficiary Relatives in US ToanTien___________________8/20/2009 CR1 Visa - First blue RFE: Proof of Bona fide Relationship & Timeline Ly Trinh ___________________8/21/2009 CR1 Visa - First blue RFE: Timeline Huong and Phung ___________9/8/2009 CR1 Visa - First blue RFE: Proof of Bona fide Relationship & Timeline VJ Members who made it out of AP & results: Ituan _____________________8/10/2009 - 09/15/2009 - 36 days in AP - Denied K1 Visa - First blue RFE: Proof of Bona fide Relationship & Timeline Lindal24 ___________________7/8/2009 - 10/7/2009 - 91 days in AP - APPROVED CR1 Visa - First blue RFE: Proof of Bona fide Relationship & Timeline FrednDaoHoney_____________1/17/2009 - 10/15/2009 - 271 days in AP - APPROVED Please add yourself if you are currently in Administrative Processing "AP" (2nd blue slip). Sample AP Blue Slip: http://www.visajourn...cture1_copy.jpg	ScottThuy	Male	Vietnam	2009-10-18 09:19:00
Vietnam	HCMC Interview roll call	It is an investigation, that is part of the processing of the application... I think thats why they call it AP rather than an investigation... AP can cover any time delay in processing that is not normal. It is personal for all of us... I get pissed off half of the time when I call NVC to check the staus of our case and they say the same scripted statement every time (you are in AP and there is no timeframe for this process).. Some care and you can hear it, but its not personal to them or the ones actually handling the case.. its just a job and they are showing up at work each day and doing what we pay them to do... It just so happens that those that end up in AP have some red flag associated with the case that causes them to not be able to sign off on it withoud further investigation... they could be looking at phone records.... calling relatives.... looking on Facebook... we never know what they are doing in this investigation... or the decision process that takes place when they are done "investigating" but it all is additional time and processing that they otherwise would not have had to do if we had not had the red flags... I found out why I got pulled into AP @ NVC based on Gary's discussions with the VSC director last week... Having a security clearance is grounds enough for them to want to know who we are sleeping with and how it may affect our clearances so most of us in NVC AP have government clearances.. not all.... Because of my role with institutions that are on military bases around the world, the DoD wanted us to have certain clearance levels so there would be no issues if something came up during a lecture regarding technology. Its ridiculous, but I actually am glad that they are doing something to keep our bases safe... We all know that there are still many people in our government that consider us as "sleeping with the enemy".... That may be the guy that saw my file and said OMG what is he up to?	ScottThuy	Male	Vietnam	2009-10-18 09:17:00
Vietnam	HCMC Interview roll call	QUOTE (fred n Dao Honey @ Oct 17 2009, 10:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (ScottThuy @ Oct 17 2009, 10:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I am still amazed that they had you wait so long.... What can I say they were Additionally Processing us. I think it had a lot to do with the VN translator and our lack of knowledge of the process. We will never know the entire reason. Maybe they lost the file for a while. Linda's took 91 days and that included the CO going to Thailand so his wife could have a baby.... so one never knows what could slow things down...	ScottThuy	Male	Vietnam	2009-10-17 23:02:00
Vietnam	HCMC Interview roll call	QUOTE (lindal24 @ Oct 17 2009, 09:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Dai_Tx @ Oct 17 2009, 08:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> come to think of it... Like all government organizations like the IRS and social security office we just have to take what they give us. I remember being frustrated whenever I had to deal with the government on my taxes or even to dispute something at the driver's license office. I feels the consulate is going to treat us like the other government agencies in the US where they are paid with US tax payers money. I think this is a little different since this is more subjective than objective. The IRS and SSN offices are supposed to follow rules to the "T" but the consulatar officers, not so much... One of my students got pushy with the CO a couple of months ago... He felt the questions being asked were ridiculous... (they were) and he said just give me the visa I am busy today..... The CO quickly said denied and threw him out... There was no other reason for denial as the guy has very strong ties to VN being the wealthy CFO of a large company and having a large family there... if the case is in AP, there is already some reason that they did not approve it.... it would not take much to piss them off and have them deny it...	ScottThuy	Male	Vietnam	2009-10-17 21:31:00
Vietnam	HCMC Interview roll call	I am still amazed that they had you wait so long....	ScottThuy	Male	Vietnam	2009-10-17 21:24:00
Vietnam	HCMC Interview roll call	With the CO phone call to John last week, I expect him to be out of AP next week... It would be nice if they took the time to call us as the petitioner and take a moment to discuss the case with us.... Ask questions.... get a feel for who we are and what we are doing.... Its alot better than the lurking and sneaking.... and avoiding those that are awaiting answers. If they were doing an investigation and one of the people being investigated walked into the office and said I am here to help what can I do... a normal investigator would take the opportunity and ask any questions they could think of.... Why not do this now? Too busy? C'mon... I understand that they are looking into red flags, but who better to ask about them than the ones involved?	ScottThuy	Male	Vietnam	2009-10-17 21:02:00
Vietnam	HCMC Interview roll call	QUOTE (johncali9 @ Oct 20 2009, 12:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (ScottThuy @ Oct 19 2009, 07:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> The few questions I remember from the posts and phone call reports: Where does she/ex live? When did you divorce? Why? When did you marry the beneficiary? (trick question since it was a fiance / K-1) They have called the Ex's, Relatives and Petitioners.. and now they are checking with the local gossip.. I guess the trick is to make sure everyone knows everything in case they get the call. They also asked the routine questions about the current relationship... when start , how etc... The thing that is odd is that they clearly presented themself as someone other than the CO and asked questions that only a CO would ask... With the way that VN culture treats a wedding or engagement, The fact that they called on the gossip or called relatives is not a bad thing... If the neighbors in a VN village don't know about an engagement, then it likely is a sham.... since everyone knows who is engaged in my fiance's village and to whom.... Nobody said anything about being private since it was under the premice that it was someone else calling.. I posted about this topic before... no secret.. nothing that new... Hello Scott and cac anh ca chi The first thing i would like to say that make sure jeromebinh understand (he was debate a lot) hard men of the USA (please do not debate ) SHUT THE PIPE HOLLE DO NOT OPEN,THANNK'S okay here you go i would like to tell any one know ,(not try to scare the people) The Co was call me and investigate my family before one day after that i did call tell scott(FL) know that after that scott knew any thing ,scott(FL) was nice guy he was try to help ,help lot people in Vj, i personal to thank you scott(FL) and all my friend John John, I will reply to every post where you make some statement about me. Leave my name out unless you are going to ask me a question. Jerome	jeromebinh	Male	Vietnam	2009-10-20 05:52:00
Vietnam	HCMC Interview roll call	QUOTE (johncali9 @ Oct 18 2009, 11:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (ScottThuy @ Oct 18 2009, 07:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> It is an investigation, that is part of the processing of the application... I think thats why they call it AP rather than an investigation... AP can cover any time delay in processing that is not normal. It is personal for all of us... I get pissed off half of the time when I call NVC to check the staus of our case and they say the same scripted statement every time (you are in AP and there is no timeframe for this process).. Some care and you can hear it, but its not personal to them or the ones actually handling the case.. its just a job and they are showing up at work each day and doing what we pay them to do... It just so happens that those that end up in AP have some red flag associated with the case that causes them to not be able to sign off on it withoud further investigation... they could be looking at phone records.... calling relatives.... looking on Facebook... we never know what they are doing in this investigation... or the decision process that takes place when they are done "investigating" but it all is additional time and processing that they otherwise would not have had to do if we had not had the red flags... I found out why I got pulled into AP @ NVC based on Gary's discussions with the VSC director last week... Having a security clearance is grounds enough for them to want to know who we are sleeping with and how it may affect our clearances so most of us in NVC AP have government clearances.. not all.... Because of my role with institutions that are on military bases around the world, the DoD wanted us to have certain clearance levels so there would be no issues if something came up during a lecture regarding technology. Its ridiculous, but I actually am glad that they are doing something to keep our bases safe... We all know that there are still many people in our government that consider us as "sleeping with the enemy".... That may be the guy that saw my file and said OMG what is he up to? Hello all ,(Not Jeromebinh) The girl she was call me last week ,today 8pm sunday california time ,she was call TRinh ly ask the same question ,she was asking me,i wuold like let you guy in VJ know (not Jeromebinh) she call from HCMC Good luck Trinh Ly Johncali Not trying to stir up things, but John regardless of whether or not you like me, this is a public forum, and to put (not jeromebinh) when you post looks funny. It is funny that you do it and I got a good laugh from it. I do not have any hard feelings toward you at all. I wish everyone luck in getting their visa and YES this includes YOU!!! Good luck John, hopefully with the phone calls you will soon get pink. (for Johncali) Jerome and Binh	jeromebinh	Male	Vietnam	2009-10-19 06:03:00
Vietnam	HCMC Interview roll call	QUOTE (WeatherEmperor @ Oct 18 2009, 04:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Jerome, You made an interesting point when you said that the CO gives a blue slip requesting evidence that you already have available for the CO to see that same day at the interview. What I still do not understand is how other people have gotten the CO to actually look at the evidence and get a pink slip. Those that got the pink slip did something different then those who got the blue slip. There just has to be something that the blue slip people are missing. I looked at the list of people that got blue slips or are in AP and it looks like the common denominator is the time line. Just about everybody has listed the time line as a reason for the blue. I also see list of relatives for the beneficiary and evidence of bonafide relationship....which brings me back to the evidence for the interview date issue. There has to be a link from the evidence submitted with the I-129F to the evidence that needs to be presented on the interview date. That "link" should force the CO to look at the evidence. I don't know. Im just trying to figure all this out before I file my petition I guess. Am I thinking wrong? Somebody please shed some light on this. <CARRICK> I do not think there is anything anyone can do to force anyone to actually look at more evidence, Half the people have the timeline and they still request it, well maybe not half but many do have it with them. I think they give the blue because it is either something said in the interview that they do not quite like or that it is to late in the day and they just dont want to make the decision. I might be wrong, but Binh stressed to them many times at the interview and after she got the blue she had the information they needed. So I think they were just set on giving the blue after she told them abpout my ex wife even though she had the proof right there for them to look at. Just do your best that is all anyone can do at HCMC QUOTE (jeromebinh @ Oct 18 2009, 06:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Huong and Phung @ Oct 18 2009, 12:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Jerome, I know that it's frustrating getting into the Consulate and get the same generic answer but don't get too pushy. I know you have your way of doing it but it's best for us to present ourselves professionally. I was there talking to them and they actually takes note of what you said. Say something truthful and touching, you'll see they have feeling too. Don't get too agressive and it might turn on you. Good luck Jerome and Binh. I thank you for your opinion, we have decided to just email them. I was never going to get pushy, or at least never intended to, I just wanted to feel out the waters and ask some straight forward questions, like if they are supposed to be looking for evidence of a bonafide relationship why did they not even look at 300 plus pages that we had, and also why they did not want to look at the time line that we had, and the evidence of where my ex wife currently lives?, and ask why they would have refused to look at it then give us a blue requesting the same information, all in a polite way, but if at the time I was talking with him I sensed he was in a pissy mood I was not going to mention any of it, and just simply ask when they thought they might actually get to our case, but instead we will email them and mention these facts to them but not question why just mention that we had and still have over 300 pages of information that proves we have a ongoing relationship as well as this was my 3rd trip to HCMC to be with her. But thanks for all you advice. Jerome and Binh	jeromebinh	Male	Vietnam	2009-10-18 19:43:00
Vietnam	HCMC Interview roll call	QUOTE (jeromebinh @ Oct 17 2009, 09:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (jeromebinh @ Oct 16 2009, 10:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (jeromebinh @ Oct 15 2009, 07:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (jeromebinh @ Oct 15 2009, 05:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Lets divide up those of us that are in AP. Please add to this post and put if you are in AP on a K1 visa or on a CR1 visa, please list your first blue and your reason for that blue along with your second blue that put you into the AP limbo. This will help those determine what they need to do, and help us figure out if we can expect results and possibly when. With the difference in case and people emailing and getting the same response that they do not go out of order it might be helpful to separate us all out. Please if you are denied, give us that reason as well. This is the current list of those I know that are in AP Those of us currently in AP at HCMC: Vi&Art 8/5/2009 K1 Visa First blue requesting Proof of Bona fide Relationship & Timeline JohnCali9 8/6/2009 K1 Visa First blue requesting Ex-wife's living situation, Timeline MichaelAndKha 8/15/2009 K1 Visa First blue requesting Timeline JeromeBinh 8/20/2009 K1 visa First blue requesting Ex-wife's living situation, Timeline, and where Binh's family live in the USA ToanTien 8/20/2009 Cr1 Visa First blue requesting Proof of Bona fide Relationship & Timeline Ly Trinh 8/21/2009 CR1 Visa First blue requesting Timeline Huong and Phung 9/8/2009 CR1 Visa First blue Requesting proof of Bona fide Relationship & Timeline Those who are out of AP w/ results: Ituan 8/10/2009 - 09/15/2009 - 36 days in AP - Denied Lindal24 7/8/2009 - 10/7/2009 - 91 days in AP - APPROVED FrednDaoHoney 1/17/2009 - 10/14/2009 - 271 days in AP - APPROVED	jeromebinh	Male	Vietnam	2009-10-18 08:26:00
Vietnam	HCMC Interview roll call	[/quote] Ok if you want to call it Additional Processing you can. The man told me investigation. Maybe for you it is not personal but, when in an interview they ask about a Wedding date knowing they are not going to give the visa I take that personal. When Dao's two sons come here and go to school it will be hard enough to start in a foriegn school, now because the Consulate drag their feet they have to start late in the year without summer english tutoring. I take that personal. When I have to figure out when and how to get attention from a government employee that is too busy for me. I take that personal. I laid all my information out for the Visa process expecting to be treated fair and with respect, the Consulate did niether. I take that personal. I agree with you. If I hadn't spent the time to go to the Consulate and bang on window 15 I think we would still be in AP. Also agree that our commitment to or relationship is stronger but I think it would be the same without AP/investigating. The consulate wasted my time. I take that personal too. Does anyone else take it personal? Fred Linda, Please don't take this personal, I am just having fun stirring the pot. [/quote] You go boy!!! I do agree with you they asked Binh the same #######, when and where we were going to get married, she was not as quick of a thinker as I am and I would have told them the reason she does not know where we are having the wedding, because we have issues to work out. We do not know for sure when we would get the visa, we did have plans for the first week of September during the holiday, but before I spent money on deposits and had my preacher clear his schedule and contact her family to see what locations would be best for everyone to come that we had to wait for the visa. AP is just another word for investigation, plane and simple. They want to look over your info, and this means to look into it as well, so investigative processing should be more accurate in my book. How can they say AP and ask for you to come back with the things you already have there that they refuse to look at???? If they were not going to investigate your questions. If there were additional processing it would be for children involved maybe needing more time to make sure there were no other parents not wanting their child to leave Vietnam or something along those lines, but if it was simply additional processing and not investigative processing they would not need any evidence, why would you want to know where a persons other family lives? a ex spouse? a time line? This is to make sure what was said matches up and to me this is investigation, not processing. but to some it might be different, this is simply my spin on the AP or as I call int IP. Not trying to poke the fire, just simply putting my two cents worth in. Jerome	jeromebinh	Male	Vietnam	2009-10-18 05:53:00
Vietnam	HCMC Interview roll call	QUOTE (Huong and Phung @ Oct 18 2009, 12:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Jerome, I know that it's frustrating getting into the Consulate and get the same generic answer but don't get too pushy. I know you have your way of doing it but it's best for us to present ourselves professionally. I was there talking to them and they actually takes note of what you said. Say something truthful and touching, you'll see they have feeling too. Don't get too agressive and it might turn on you. Good luck Jerome and Binh. I thank you for your opinion, we have decided to just email them. I was never going to get pushy, or at least never intended to, I just wanted to feel out the waters and ask some straight forward questions, like if they are supposed to be looking for evidence of a bonafide relationship why did they not even look at 300 plus pages that we had, and also why they did not want to look at the time line that we had, and the evidence of where my ex wife currently lives?, and ask why they would have refused to look at it then give us a blue requesting the same information, all in a polite way, but if at the time I was talking with him I sensed he was in a pissy mood I was not going to mention any of it, and just simply ask when they thought they might actually get to our case, but instead we will email them and mention these facts to them but not question why just mention that we had and still have over 300 pages of information that proves we have a ongoing relationship as well as this was my 3rd trip to HCMC to be with her. But thanks for all you advice. Jerome and Binh	jeromebinh	Male	Vietnam	2009-10-18 05:40:00
Vietnam	HCMC Interview roll call	QUOTE (ScottThuy @ Oct 17 2009, 10:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (lindal24 @ Oct 17 2009, 09:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Dai_Tx @ Oct 17 2009, 08:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> come to think of it... Like all government organizations like the IRS and social security office we just have to take what they give us. I remember being frustrated whenever I had to deal with the government on my taxes or even to dispute something at the driver's license office. I feels the consulate is going to treat us like the other government agencies in the US where they are paid with US tax payers money. I think this is a little different since this is more subjective than objective. The IRS and SSN offices are supposed to follow rules to the "T" but the consulatar officers, not so much... One of my students got pushy with the CO a couple of months ago... He felt the questions being asked were ridiculous... (they were) and he said just give me the visa I am busy today..... The CO quickly said denied and threw him out... There was no other reason for denial as the guy has very strong ties to VN being the wealthy CFO of a large company and having a large family there... if the case is in AP, there is already some reason that they did not approve it.... it would not take much to piss them off and have them deny it... Thanks for the advice, I was not planning on getting really pushy, but I did want to stress some points if the person I was talking with seemed in a good mood, but I really don't want to risk getting put back another 60 days or even more, we have decided to simply email them and mention the fact that we had 300 plus pages of chat logs that they did not even look at. The only red flag that i am really worried about is we strictly use chat unless the INTERNET is down, it is cheaper. But thanks again for the advice Jerome and Binh	jeromebinh	Male	Vietnam	2009-10-18 05:33:00
Vietnam	HCMC Interview roll call	QUOTE (jeromebinh @ Oct 17 2009, 09:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (jeromebinh @ Oct 16 2009, 10:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (jeromebinh @ Oct 15 2009, 07:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (jeromebinh @ Oct 15 2009, 05:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Lets divide up those of us that are in AP. Please add to this post and put if you are in AP on a K1 visa or on a CR1 visa, please list your first blue and your reason for that blue along with your second blue that put you into the AP limbo. This will help those determine what they need to do, and help us figure out if we can expect results and possibly when. With the difference in case and people emailing and getting the same response that they do not go out of order it might be helpful to separate us all out. Please if you are denied, give us that reason as well. This is the current list of those I know that are in AP Those of us currently in AP at HCMC: Vi&Art 8/5/2009 K1 Visa First blue requesting Proof of Bona fide Relationship & Timeline JohnCali9 8/6/2009 K1 Visa First blue requesting Ex-wife's living situation, Timeline MichaelAndKha 8/15/2009 K1 Visa First blue requesting Timeline JeromeBinh 8/20/2009 K1 visa First blue requesting Ex-wife's living situation, Timeline, and where Binh's family live in the USA ToanTien 8/20/2009 Cr1 Visa First blue requesting Proof of Bona fide Relationship & Timeline Ly Trinh 8/21/2009 CR1 Visa First blue requesting Timeline Huong and Phung 9/8/2009 CR1 Visa First blue Requesting proof of Bona fide Relationship & Timeline Those who are out of AP w/ results: Ituan 8/10/2009 - 09/15/2009 - 36 days in AP - Denied Lindal24 7/8/2009 - 10/7/2009 - 91 days in AP - APPROVED FrednDaoHoney 1/17/2009 - 10/14/2009 - 271 days in AP - APPROVED	jeromebinh	Male	Vietnam	2009-10-17 22:35:00