My fiancee delivered the documents for packet 3 to the US Consulate in HCMC this afternoon. She said she was led to many different places inside before finding the right place to deliver them. I was surprised at this, because I thought the security outside only let those that had specific business (i.e. visa interview) inside. Nonetheless she said she was inside for a brief time with many that were waiting to interview. She said it was hot and saw several blue slips and one woman told my fiancee the consular officer had requested additional proof for her case and that the beautiful woman was rude, but the older lady was nice - perhaps the interviewing officers is what she was referring to? I don't know, but I thought that was an interesting comment.

Anyway, she found the correct place to deliver the documents. The woman receiving them looked them over and asked why she didn't use the DS-230 Part I form that was mailed by the consulate (i.e. the form in Vietnamese and English). My fiancee explained that she downloaded the one from the internet so she could type in the answers and it would look more clean and be easier to read. The woman said OK. She told her to wait for a couple of minutes while she clicked around on her computer.

She then told my fiancee it could be 3 to 4 months before her interview and to expect something from them in approximately 2.5 months (I'm assuming this is packet 4 she is talking about).

So I guess we will find out if the downloaded DS-230 Part I form we filled in is sufficient AND if hand delivering the documents gets them to the right person inside.

Sorry I don't know specifically where or who she talked with. I think by the time she found out where to deliver them, she didn't know exactly where she was.

Just thought some of you might like to read up on this!

STL_HCMC

good luck

I hope it all goes quickly for you!!! Good Luck!!!

"She then told my fiancee it could be 3 to 4 months before her interview and to expect something from them in approximately 2.5 months (I'm assuming this is packet 4 she is talking about)."

Whooooooa does anyone else think that is a large estimate...previous VJ'ers show Packet 4 delivery 3-5 weeks after packet 3 submission (and 3-5 weeks before interview)....Is HCMC overloaded??

Good luck!

Icarus,

I really thought of that as a cautionary estimate. I'm sure they try to leave themselves as much of a window as possible - without seeming like a large estimate. I just wonder what one might hear if they went back there today and talked to a different person.

Either way, all we can do is tidy our evidence and wait for packet 4 now. However long it takes is however long it takes. Yet - as you pointed out - previous Vietnam VJ members have experienced shorter than 3 to 4 months waiting time from packet 3 to interview.

We are not going to worry about it. I'm contracted through December 2006 and I have the luxury of spending everyday with her here in HCMC!

STL_HCMC

Thanks for providing this helpful info to other members going through this consulate. Wishing you the best of luck!!