I've decided to write my review in 2 parts. I'll post the second one once she's safely in country.
Her medical was at Cho Ray. The male doctors examined the men and the female doctors examined the women. She had to get naked, but said nothing inappropriate happened.
The interviewed was on Monday the 31st, and she got blue because she didn't have her police reports, and the interviewer wanted more old stuff that established our relationship.
The interviewer was an older American woman, and spoke Vietnamese with a Hanoi accent. She was very polite and spoke with her for less than 5 minutes. She asked her questions in Vietnamese, and she answered in English.
Evidence of relationship included:
A few dozen photos, including in front of the airport, the hotel, and dinh hon. Her and my Western Union receipts. Telephone bills and phonecard receipts for the last 2 years. Thirty pages of IM conversations. A few snailmail letters. Boarding passes and receipts, including my currnent return tickets and
actual passport. Hotel receipts with both our names along with the credit card receipts. And a police report documenting my stays at her mothers home, which is also her address.
I filed an extention for TY2005, and TY2002-2004, my only form of substantial income was via MISC-1099.
I thought they would keep everything submitted for the mysterious brown envelope, but everything was returned except for the forms.
I had this business handle the paperwork for me
http://www.rmiodp.com. The main reason I picked them is because they have an office in HCMC (along with near where I live), which was very helpful in helping Quyen in explaing everything to her, double checking that all the paperwork was in order, orginize her paperwork, and general handholding. Cost me about $1500.
FYI for those of you waiting while she interviews: If you don't feel like waiting in the "lobby", or if it's raining, there is an internet cafe just around the corner. As you face the building from the "waiting room", head right (opposite direction from Diamond Plaza), then turn left down the first street (Consulate on your left, facing traffic). It's about 3 doors past the back of the consulate, on the left side. There's also a nuoc mia cart there. Yum.
The visa will be ready on Tuesday.
Next up is trying to get her a visa to Hong Kong. I'll let you all know how it goes.
Feel free to ask any questions, but if I'm at her mothers place, it will take a while for me to respond. The internet is 30 minutes away, with her in tow.
And yes, I identify more with Silent Bob than I do with Jay.