I have looked the instruction for HCM applicants for Packet 3 & 4. But I have some questions...

Question (1)
First Packet 3 tells the applicant :

do not send any documents to this office - But the 2nd page says : submit only 1 copy of each document

I compared this to the instructions found for the UK consulate. ( DS 2001 )
If I read that correctly, the applicant only returns the DS 230 Part 1 and claims to be ready to have gathered all other evidence including I-134.

When the DS 230 is recieved and some months later, it appears the Consulate sends Packet 4 to have the fiance get their vaccines checked, medical and pay the fee. But what else does the applicant return in advance ?[b/]

[b]Just when does the consulate review the I-134 ? If its the day of the interview, do they take the documents from the fiance ???

Some of these reviews are 5 minutes and a determination ( tentative ) already made. So I wonder if the only 'hard evidence' they have is what research they do or is provided by the I-129 submission months earlier.

Question ( 2 )
The way I read the HCM instructions, I need to provide an original / notarized bith certificate for me and also my divorce papers ( notarized ) . The London consulate only requires that of the fiance not the US citizen. ( Besides it being already done for the I-129 I am not whining. I just want to make sure I correctly help us prepare.

Thank you very much

Hi Andrew,

Here is what we did:

Make photocopies of all required document, send them back with the DS230 Part I. When HCMC says do not send any document to this office, they meant the "ORIGINAL" documents, keep those with you for the actual interview. BUT you still need to show them at least the copied documents of those relevant official notarized documents you have ready at this stage (DS230 Part I).

Birth Certificate: For HCMC, your fiance needs yours and hers. Both document must be "original" and "certified" and "notarized".

Keep this in mind when you prepare for this interview: HCMC has its own set of rules and "unwriten and unspoken laws" when they deal with the vietnameses. Special treatment in some ways (NO THANK YOU, i say)

Hope this helps...

To answer your question about what needs to be sent back for packet 3 and 4, here is a link to the consulate information page. It states what is sent back there.

http://www.visajourney.com/consulates/inde...y=HochiminhCity

As for pre-determinations/evidence that you mentioned. This is what I have been saying all along throughout the forums about the consulate making a pre-determination before they even send you packet 3.

This is why in other forums I have advised people to send a LOT of evidence when submitting the I-129F. Even though there were others that shot-down my advice and even were condescending about it saying "REDICULOUS! You only need the bare minimum.".

The consulates review this stuff as soon as they get it from NVC. Hence the PRE-printed Green/Blue/Pinks slips that have some questioning saying, "How could the consulate print this when the interview was only 5 minutes and I didn't see them go to the computer to type anything on this. They just immediately handed me the slip."

My good friend who is now a Immigration attorney and use to be Judge for the state of CA has let me in on these processes.

You should send as much evidence in the beginning when you file the I-129F that PROVES your relationship as though you are going to the interview that day. Sending the bare minimum is only asking for trouble. This information IS passed onto the consulate. They take time to review it WAY before you even get there...They make determinations as to what is missing at that time. Hence, the pre-printed green/blue/pink slips.

Notice that some couples reviews tell a tale of how "The consulate didn't even look at our evidence that I had in my hand".

You call it what you will, but I believe they determine everything off of your original I-129F submission.

I actually a firm believer of "submitting ALL evidence which tell your love story" up-front!!!! Lurker got it right! Send them everything they ask and more.

Both comments from you and lurker are very helpful, had I known this site I most likely could have avoided the RFE and be 3 weeks ahead of where I am today. Thanks for the many contributions !