i owe this post - visa issued on 3/04/07

[yellow123 0]

We finally made it to the US. It's been a long and heart wreching journey. You can see from my timeline that we petitioned for the K1 visa, and failed. We also petitioned for the K3 and almost failed. During the time that I knew my wife I went to vietnam a total of 5 times and have countless evidences, but still recieved the blue paper everytime my wife went to the interview. The only thing that helped our case was that we had a baby and that's about all they looked at. We were required to have DNA testing on my son to verify that he's my biological son. The DNA testing took about 2 months to complete. I went to the consulate and personally turned in the DNA paperwork myself after it was completed, but to my disappointment they issued us another blue slip and told us to come home and wait. It took about another 2 months for them to email us saying that our case has been approved. During that time it was Tet so we had to wait an addition 3 weeks for the visa to be issued. I talked to an Asian American consular officer while I was there, and she basically told me that there's nothing to worry about if there's a common child between the petitioner and beneficary and that I should enjoy my stay in Vietnam. My love is genuine and I did almost everything I could to bring my wife home to live with me.

I know I should have wrote this a long time ago. it's a post that I owe to everyone in here, but to tell the truth everytime I come in here it brings back a lot of depressing memories and heartaches. I remember there are some nights that I post in here where I dont have any energy left for life because it has been so disappointing. I hope you guys can take it from me and be persistent, knowing that if it's true love then the visa will come eventually.

[Huanyen 0]

I'm glad you share this. It will help anyone who's in similar situations

[What's next 1]

Yellow123,

a few questions.

Did you and your wife decide to have a child intentionally, thinking that the Counsulate would issue you a visa because of that fact?

Can you give us a timeline of what the process is like? example, when the child was born, did you have to start a new petition? what type of paperwork is involved? how long did it take? the cost involved?

Thanks

[Dave_Thao 0]

Congrats Yello123! I also had a long journey and you are right, it is worth it!

[Kevin and 10]

yellow123- that's great to hear your family finally gets to be together. I hope eventually I will get to share some good news with everyone also.

Edited September 5, 2008 by Kevin and Tuyen

[Icarus 0]

Hey Yellow! Long time no see, but glad all worked out!! May you and your family find the happiness you've waited so long to obtain!

Cheers!

Greg

[luckytxn 2,264]

Welcome home and congrats. God bless both of you.

[TBoneTX 43,523]

Welcome home and congrats. God bless both of you.

Si, man. Holy mackerel!!!!!

[sara..... 371]

congratulations Thanks of God u made it

[tracymike 0]

We finally made it to the US. It's been a long and heart wreching journey. You can see from my timeline that we petitioned for the K1 visa, and failed. We also petitioned for the K3 and almost failed. During the time that I knew my wife I went to vietnam a total of 5 times and have countless evidences, but still recieved the blue paper everytime my wife went to the interview. The only thing that helped our case was that we had a baby and that's about all they looked at. We were required to have DNA testing on my son to verify that he's my biological son. The DNA testing took about 2 months to complete. I went to the consulate and personally turned in the DNA paperwork myself after it was completed, but to my disappointment they issued us another blue slip and told us to come home and wait. It took about another 2 months for them to email us saying that our case has been approved. During that time it was Tet so we had to wait an addition 3 weeks for the visa to be issued. I talked to an Asian American consular officer while I was there, and she basically told me that there's nothing to worry about if there's a common child between the petitioner and beneficary and that I should enjoy my stay in Vietnam. My love is genuine and I did almost everything I could to bring my wife home to live with me.

I know I should have wrote this a long time ago. it's a post that I owe to everyone in here, but to tell the truth everytime I come in here it brings back a lot of depressing memories and heartaches. I remember there are some nights that I post in here where I dont have any energy left for life because it has been so disappointing. I hope you guys can take it from me and be persistent, knowing that if it's true love then the visa will come eventually.

I know what you mean. We are just denied again after a second round also. And they've come up with an additional reason that didn't come up the first time. It becomes so disheartening and feels so futile. I do believe that we can get there, just seems like you have to be able to keep fighting and outlast "them". Neither one of us are young, and most think we're crazy. I have been at the "just give up" point so many times. Then, I get a good night's sleep and remember why I wanted this so badly in the first place! It is so very hard to watch precious time go by when you already know your time together will be limited by age. Anyways, WE're very happy for you!!!! God bless and enjoy!

[STL_HCMC 0]

yellow123-

Great news to hear. Glad to hear this finally ended with an approval. Best of luck to you both on the continued journey!

STL_HCMC

[yellow123 0]

Thanks everyone for the warm home welcoming. A lot of people come here for the information, but I found out during the whole journey your emotional support is as valuable as any information found in here.

[yellow123 0]

Yellow123,

a few questions.

Did you and your wife decide to have a child intentionally, thinking that the Counsulate would issue you a visa because of that fact?

Can you give us a timeline of what the process is like? example, when the child was born, did you have to start a new petition? what type of paperwork is involved? how long did it take? the cost involved?

Thanks

During the K3 process, I was constantly emailing the consulate asking them the best way to get my son to be with me in the US. They told me to file for a CRBA (consulate report of birth abroad) certificate. With this certificate acting like a US birth certificate my son can obtain his passport and social security at the same time with the CRBA. This is the fastest way.

About 2 weeks after my son’s birth, we called in to schedule his CRBA appointment. The appointment was scheduled for about 2 months later. As you see, there’s a backlog in the CRBA department as well. I was in Vietnam at the time and requested an earlier date so I can go to the appointment with my son, but they refused. They did tell me that there has to be at least one parent and the child there at the appointment. My advice is that to call in and schedule the CRBA about 1 month ahead of the child’s birth so you don’t have the long waiting time. All that was needed for an appointment is the baby’s name and the mother’s name.

The time came, and my wife had all the evidences and paperwork that was needed. I thought that since we had so much evidences that the C.O. won’t make us have a DNA test. I was wrong again. I guess that the K3 department redflagged us and passed it on to the CRBA department. If you passed the CRBA, then they wouldn’t make you take the DNA test. I guessed we failed again during the long journey. During the interview, a lot of people were turned back and didn’t even get a chance for an interview because they were missing a paperwork or two. The paperwork were a lot, but I personally filled out each one and make sure everything was in order.

So on to the DNA test. My wife mailed me the instructions for the DNA testing after the interview. The process is fairly straight forward. On the paper that the C.O. gave us, there was a list of accredited DNA testing places that we had to choose one from. Once there, they took two cotton swabs and rubbed the inside of my right and left cheek. A collection kit was then sent to the consulate in Vietnam and about 3 weeks later my wife and child was called to do the same thing. The samples in Vietnam were then sent back for analysis in the US. About 1 ½ weeks later, I received the result from the DNA testing place. The letter actually said that the probability that I am the biological father of my son is 99.99%. I forgot to add that the cost was around $900 for the whole thing. It also varies by state and testing sites.

It's been along time and I can't exactly remember the timeline, but I've put it back as best I could remember. Hope this help in any sort of way.

[Brian&Mel 0]

I am glad that you can leave the episode behind and live a happy life now.

Have a beautiful life together!

[PeterFB 0]

We're happy to hear you are all together at last. May the rest of your journey be a smooth and happy one.

Thanks for sharing your troubles, it will help others to understand the process better and to know that if you persist you will be together.

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

Wedding 2008-4-26