Hanoi VN couples

[amartir 0]

Hello, I have just joined this site... obviously and have been scouring the forums and guides. This is all very quite overwhelming for the both of us right now. I have flown to Hanoi, VN and currently living with my fiance. We have been in contact since January 4th,2009 and I flew here to stay with her on March 10th. Since, we have taken a trip together to Thailand and HCMC. We decided that we should start the K1 process ASAP so that she can come to America and visit with my family, etc...

Anyways, my three main questions are:

1.) Can I begin to file paperwork while I am living in Vietnam? At least the first package? I really would like to stay here with her during the process. My mother at home can supply paperwork for me and I don't mind mailing UPS/DHL back to america.

2.) I currently am living off of my saved money (no job) and will be working in Vietnam within a month; (getting a teaching license to teach foreigners.)

Does this affect the way I fill out my paperwork as far as financial sponsorship? I make more than enough to cover %125 rule, even over last 3 years.

3.) Are there any Hanoians out there experiencing this or peeps in Saigon that would be willing to meet up and just talk this experience, hang out, make new friend?

My name is Antonio and my fiance name is Nhung. We are a young couple, I am 24 and she is 25. Looking forward to hearing back from you all and especially those here in Vietnam.

[hieumin 2]

1. Yes you can file your paper in vietnam and mail it back to USCIS in US

2. The current income should be stable and over 125 poverty line is important more than anything else or past earned income. I don't think that as a teacher job in vietnam you can make over $17k and use that as your tax filing.

[amartir 0]

1. Yes you can file your paper in vietnam and mail it back to USCIS in US

2. The current income should be stable and over 125 poverty line is important more than anything else or past earned income. I don't think that as a teacher job in vietnam you can make over $17k and use that as your tax filing.

Thanks for the reply ;-)

I recently left my job in America; Tiffany & Co in February. I have a stable past work history. I worked for previous job for more than 5 years and earned $41k. This will not make a difference in their eyes?

Second, English teachers in Vietnam make anywhere from very least $13 to 22 an hour. But most are making around $16.00 an hour. Should definitely be above 17k a year. Im sure you are right, i can not use this as a form of support.

Which means, after I file the paperwork, I must move back to America and get a job? I don't understand how others can live with their loved one abroad and yet still prove they have a steady working income in America? Are these people able to do this because they have a co sponsor in America as well? At what point will I need to prove my ability to support my wife? I can easily obtain a job back home. Please help... I know I may sound somewhat argumentative but I really am just trying to understand all these guides and such.

Edited April 8, 2009 by Bronzerleaf

[Dakine 26]

1. Yes you can file your paper in vietnam and mail it back to USCIS in US

2. The current income should be stable and over 125 poverty line is important more than anything else or past earned income. I don't think that as a teacher job in vietnam you can make over $17k and use that as your tax filing.

Thanks for the reply ;-)

I recently left my job in America; Tiffany & Co in February. I have a stable past work history. I worked for previous job for more than 5 years and earned $41k. This will not make a difference in their eyes?

Second, English teachers in Vietnam make anywhere from very least $13 to 22 an hour. But most are making around $16.00 an hour. Should definitely be above 17k a year. Im sure you are right, i can not use this as a form of support.

Which means, after I file the paperwork, I must move back to America and get a job? I don't understand how others can live with their loved one abroad and yet still prove they have a steady working income in America? Are these people able to do this because they have a co sponsor in America as well? At what point will I need to prove my ability to support my wife? I can easily obtain a job back home. Please help... I know I may sound somewhat argumentative but I really am just trying to understand all these guides and such.

USCIS wants to see how you will support you guys when you are in the US. I don't know for sure but I don't think Vietnam embassy allows co sponsors.

If not things aren't looking good for you to file while working in VN.

No Money, No Honey!!

[amartir 0]

1. Yes you can file your paper in vietnam and mail it back to USCIS in US

2. The current income should be stable and over 125 poverty line is important more than anything else or past earned income. I don't think that as a teacher job in vietnam you can make over $17k and use that as your tax filing.

Thanks for the reply ;-)

I recently left my job in America; Tiffany & Co in February. I have a stable past work history. I worked for previous job for more than 5 years and earned $41k. This will not make a difference in their eyes?

Second, English teachers in Vietnam make anywhere from very least $13 to 22 an hour. But most are making around $16.00 an hour. Should definitely be above 17k a year. Im sure you are right, i can not use this as a form of support.

Which means, after I file the paperwork, I must move back to America and get a job? I don't understand how others can live with their loved one abroad and yet still prove they have a steady working income in America? Are these people able to do this because they have a co sponsor in America as well? At what point will I need to prove my ability to support my wife? I can easily obtain a job back home. Please help... I know I may sound somewhat argumentative but I really am just trying to understand all these guides and such.

USCIS wants to see how you will support you guys when you are in the US. I don't know for sure but I don't think Vietnam embassy allows co sponsors.

If not things aren't looking good for you to file while working in VN.

No Money, No Honey!!

I understand. So is it possible for me to go home to America, obtain a job and file the K1 paperwork and then leave to Vietnam once the initial package is okay'd?

Excuse me if this is stupid question, but, does level of my education help? I have college degree. Also, if I can also provide written letter (on letterhead/official) from an employer back at home stating that they are willing to employ me back in USA ...does this help?

Sorry again, if I am being silly, but you all seem to have some answers at least ;-)

[cao 0]

Hello, I have just joined this site... obviously and have been scouring the forums and guides. This is all very quite overwhelming for the both of us right now. I have flown to Hanoi, VN and currently living with my fiance. We have been in contact since January 4th,2009 and I flew here to stay with her on March 10th. Since, we have taken a trip together to Thailand and HCMC. We decided that we should start the K1 process ASAP so that she can come to America and visit with my family, etc...

Anyways, my three main questions are:

1.) Can I begin to file paperwork while I am living in Vietnam? At least the first package? I really would like to stay here with her during the process. My mother at home can supply paperwork for me and I don't mind mailing UPS/DHL back to america.

2.) I currently am living off of my saved money (no job) and will be working in Vietnam within a month; (getting a teaching license to teach foreigners.)

Does this affect the way I fill out my paperwork as far as financial sponsorship? I make more than enough to cover %125 rule, even over last 3 years.

3.) Are there any Hanoians out there experiencing this or peeps in Saigon that would be willing to meet up and just talk this experience, hang out, make new friend?

My name is Antonio and my fiance name is Nhung. We are a young couple, I am 24 and she is 25. Looking forward to hearing back from you all and especially those here in Vietnam.

1. You can begin to collect papers, evidences (look at the guides from forum), ... and file ASAP (make sure completeness, detail since this one will be USCIS judgement). Since you just left US, you cannot file DCF (directly from ammbassy).

2. For K-1, you must file I-134 later which requires financial supports (no cosponsor accepted). You may consider to get marriage and file CR-1. For that, your mother can cosponsor for you in I-864.

3. There are 2 people from the north, as many as I know, and they all left VN. You can ask them for experience.

[Anh map 2,098]

Read through the Guides here to determine which path to go down. HCMC is a tough venue for family visas due to a lot of fraud so be prepared.

As stated before you will need to show current, sustainable income to qualify as the sponsor for the affidavit of support. Your job in VN won't matter as it won't continue in the US. Doing a K visa there is no co-sponsorship using the I-134 affidavit of support through HCMC. If you get married in VN and then apply for DCF (if both living there) or IR/CR-1 (if you're back in the US) then you will use the I-864 affidavit of support which has provision for co/sub sponsor. Also the DCF and IR/CR-1 process will be less in fees (approx $700) and gives your fiance the green card upon arrival. With a K visa you will go through the AOS (adjustment of status) steps which take time and can be frustrating for the both of you.

There are a lot of successful VN stories here. Not all have gone smoothly. Folks are very good at helping and sharing. Do some reading and then come back with all your questions.

Welcome to VJ.

[amartir 0]

Thanks all for the good information. Yes, it seems as that K1 process will not be for us and I will have to go another route. I will continue to go over the guides and hope to get to know some you on here...

:-)

[hniHnitsuJ 8]

This is just my opinion. If you are planning to stay with your finacee in VN. I suggest you go for CR1. CR1 only take me less than 8 months for my wife to have her interview by next month. BUT>>>> some people take longer than that, other is less than 2 months approve from NVC. Therefore, you have to do your homework, and decide what you want to do.

If you are working on CR1. I-846 is not an issue. 1. you can have your mom to be cosponsor. 2. If you are filling your paperwork now. Your taxes returned is cover, for 2006, 2007, and 2008. BUT, you don't have a letter from employee to prove that you are working.

Just my opinion. I hope this help. Good luck, and welcome to VJ family.

[bee712 0]

Hello, I have just joined this site... obviously and have been scouring the forums and guides. This is all very quite overwhelming for the both of us right now. I have flown to Hanoi, VN and currently living with my fiance. We have been in contact since January 4th,2009 and I flew here to stay with her on March 10th. Since, we have taken a trip together to Thailand and HCMC. We decided that we should start the K1 process ASAP so that she can come to America and visit with my family, etc...

Anyways, my three main questions are:

1.) Can I begin to file paperwork while I am living in Vietnam? At least the first package? I really would like to stay here with her during the process. My mother at home can supply paperwork for me and I don't mind mailing UPS/DHL back to america.

2.) I currently am living off of my saved money (no job) and will be working in Vietnam within a month; (getting a teaching license to teach foreigners.)

Does this affect the way I fill out my paperwork as far as financial sponsorship? I make more than enough to cover %125 rule, even over last 3 years.

3.) Are there any Hanoians out there experiencing this or peeps in Saigon that would be willing to meet up and just talk this experience, hang out, make new friend?

My name is Antonio and my fiance name is Nhung. We are a young couple, I am 24 and she is 25. Looking forward to hearing back from you all and especially those here in Vietnam.

Your case is similar to ours. My fiance was living with me for a few months until this Feb and we did file a K1 petition while he was here in Hanoi. We filled I129, G325A, attaching the Timeline, Intent to marry, etc. and then sent them all to his mother so that she could add other necessary papers (his naturalization paper, check, etc.) She sent the whole petition 3 days later.

After about 1 week (hmm... or less), his friends (who were living in his house) sent us an email with the scanned file of NOA1. USCIS received our petition on 21 Jan. We are now still waiting for the Approval.

During the 5 months here, my fiance took unpaid leave and now he's back at work again.

Just sharing some experience, I hope you guys will have a good start with your application.

Edited May 5, 2009 by bee712

[chuckandkim 0]

Welcome Bee!

[Mike n Huong 1]

My wife and I are a Hanoi couple that has survived the journey. Although the journey was difficult at times, it was well worth it in the end. I have never lived there with her, but seriously have thought about it at times, due to her son still living there, but that may change soon . Finding a job there has always been an obstacle. I wish I would have known about the teacher gig, could have spent a couple years there while we waited for her ex to change his mind about letting her son come to the US.

Good Luck to you and may the journey end in pure happiness!

[Melrose Plant 1]

It's good to see a few people on here from the other end of the country. I thought we were the only ones.