We are waiting Packet 3. Is it OK to just fill out DS-230 Part 1 and turn it in to expedite the process? Is the DS-2001 still required? What about the Applicant Readiness Checklist?

I would have it ready but wait till you get it. You might be missing something and make it take longer.
good luck

Well, the key is patient. You can do is refill out all the DS-230 part I and Part II. DS-2001 is required and you can only get that copy from the consulate in Vietnam. It does take at least 1 month after it left NVC center to HCMC. You will get your package 3 around April 10. I don't think it will speed up your process any faster. From my past experience, I did turn in my Package 3 before one of VJ member here 5 days ahead of others. I still received my package 4 behind this person for a few weeks. For now, tell your girl to gather all the paper works (phone bills, pictures, chat logs, emails) in the chronological order. Have her to get her Birth Certificate translated to English (few copies) by the Government Office, her Police Records (take few weeks to get it). For Package 4, you can refillout the DS-156 from the website and print it for her. For now, these are the few things you can do.


Good Luck!

CK&Tydi

Bill

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

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

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

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

Peter and Thi

I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26
I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11
I-129F RFE(s) :
RFE Reply(s) :
I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26
Touched: 2007-11-02
NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16
Consulate recieved ??????
Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11
Packet 3 received 2007-12-24
Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28
Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14
Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23
Interview Date 2008-2-27
Passed Interview 2008-02-27
Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05
Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier)
POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles

Darn, Peter remember it all Listen to Peter then you will be all set. Peter is fresh on this K1 thingie.

Bill,

here is a copied of a DS-2001 that i had. Good luck!

Bill,

here is a copied of a DS-2001 that i had. Good luck!

hxxp://download.yousendit.com/8A47B0444707D5F6 , replace the xx with tt.

If packet 3 doesn't arrive after 4 weeks, have your loved one go pick it up from the consulate. If she has all the documents required, she can return packet 3 the same day. It took 7 weeks for my fiancee to receive packet 3 in the mail. I am glad she saved us 3 weeks by picking it up herself.
Good Luck

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

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

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

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

Bill

That's great!!

Now have lots of patience!!!!

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

We hope you get a interview date quickly and get a pink slip!!!

Peter and Thi

I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26
I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11
I-129F RFE(s) :
RFE Reply(s) :
I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26
Touched: 2007-11-02
NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16
Consulate recieved ??????
Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11
Packet 3 received 2007-12-24
Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28
Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14
Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23
Interview Date 2008-2-27
Passed Interview 2008-02-27
Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05
Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier)
POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles

PeterFB,

Already way ahead of you. trang goes to school every day to a private English teacher. I sent her a list of about 200 different questions. Her teacher asks her questions, and she answers in english.

We are in no hurry. Trang is pregnant and due in September. We plan on having the baby in VN, Filing CRBA, then going to the US.

I figure she will interview late may or June.

I called again last night and the women scolded me for calling. She asked me if I received the email the sent me last week explaining not to call until the end of April. I said yes I read it. Then I tried to explain to her that the reason I called is because packet 3 took 6 weeks to get to Thao's house and I didn't want Packet 4 to show up after the interview date passed. Then I explained that I need to make arrangements for travel and vacation so I would like as much lead time as I can get. She said the interview is not for me and I don't need to be there.
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! I Thanked her and hung up.

Sometimes, I think these people forget that they are messing with peoples' lives. If you asked that telephone operator if it were HER husband planning for a life-changing interview, would she want to be there? You can bet she would. They just forget. Maybe they are dragged down by all the cheats and shams that go though there. It's not an excuse, but it's just too bad it has to be that way.