Marrage in Vietnam

[John II 0]

Hello: I'm a male 56 yrs old in USA, my Fiancee is 36 yrs old in Vietnam. We skyped 3 years over internet have been engaged about a year over the internet, and I visited her for 3 weeks a couple months ago. She has a son age 9 and she's been divorced for about 9 years as well.

We have been told that because Vietnam is one of the most strengent countries to allow their citizens to leave, that getting married there helps to insure her country allowing her to leave which would = a Cr-1 if I understand correctly.

On the other hand.. I've had an attorney to tell me just the opposite, that the CR-1 paper work makes it about 6 times more likely to encounter denials from either country, and he recommended a K1 for her and I think it is a K2 for the son.

Doe's anyone know which K1 / K2 or CR-1 is most appropiate for my Fiancee ? Which would insure her the best chances of being allowed to leave Vietnam though the eyes of the vietnamese government ?

Also as an american citizen I was told with a K1 I would not need a physical, but with a CR1 (K3) Vietnam would require a stringent physical there. Does anyone know about this ?

Thanks in advance for any and all help.

John II

[Ryan H 3,795]

On the other hand.. I've had an attorney to tell me just the opposite, that the CR-1 paper work makes it about 6 times more likely to encounter denials from either country, and he recommended a K1 for her and I think it is a K2 for the son.

Does this attorney have much experience dealing with the Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City? I would check their credentials with the HCMC Consulate before taking what they say to heart.

[Anh map 2,098]

You have been told a lot of interesting information. I'm not sure how much of it is accurate.

Why don't you do some reading in the Vietnam regional forum here on VJ. People there can share their experiences and help you to make the best choice for you and your fiancee.

Welcome to VJ.

[decker 1]

I can't comment on CR1, we did the K1-2 route. Unless they are on the bad side of the law ,VN guvmint will allow them to leave no problem, folks travel everywhere from there. It's the US side that will fill your life with grief. Our process took about a year and we had a fairly easy time of it. Other folks on this board have had a miserable time, even throwing in the towel and moving to HCM (ballsy move I might add.) You really don't need to have a lawyer, the process is pretty easy if you follow the guides.

Might want to visit more than once.

Be prepared for a DNA requirement for her child, that was our biggest hurdle. She also needs to get the father to give up custody.

Get the child in good English lessons early. It will pay off.

Enjoy the ride!

[ScottThuy 140]

moving to VN regional from Asia E&P... VN specific..

[hniHnitsuJ 8]

my 2 cents, better to do CR1.

Good luck and welcome to VJ family..

[fred n Dao Honey 0]

Dear John, I went through what you are about to encounter. To set things straight for you. It is not the Vietnam side that you will have trouble with. The Stateside part of the application will not be a problem if you file the papers correctly as K-1 or CR-1. the problems will be with the embassy. You have to understand that it is their job to protect the integrity of a screening system that keeps the scam artists out.

I suggest you study the Vietnam portal here and read through the history. Also as for children you must file the application before they are 18 years of age or they cannot be considered in your joint application.

You have been to Vietnam one time. You will need to go more if you want a smoother transaction. Many pictures in differant clothing of you and your loved one together. An engagement party is also a must have. You must record all of your chat and email logs. Cell phone bills. Travel documents and ticket stubs. Your fiance or wife will have to know the names of your family, the company you work for, your home address. your complete biography. These are all the great things that if you don't have they will use as roadblocks to deny your application. Get a letter of good citizenship from your Senator and Representative to include in your application before you file. It will do no good to call them when you have a problem and could be determined interferance/illegal if they try to help after you have trouble. it is also going to cost you over 10 thousand in total expense for one wife and two children. Save your airline miles. two paid trips to Vietnam is almost one free trip. Do you meet the income requirements? Have you been divorced? Have you seen her divorce papers? Did you get them translated?

In the end it is all worth it. I have the best wife any man could ask for. One son graduating High School with distinguished Honors. Another son that is excelling in sports.

Check on here often and ask questions. If you would like to talk on the phone send me your number on a personal message and i will respond in a few days.

Good Luck

[tcTTct 37]

Get a letter of good citizenship from your Senator and Representative to include in your application before you file.

Great insight. But is this part really necessary or makes a difference? What if you vote for or registered with the other party? This is the first time I've heard of this.

Edited May 21, 2011 by tcTTct

[Dau Que 6]

Hello: I'm a male 56 yrs old in USA, my Fiancee is 36 yrs old in Vietnam. We skyped 3 years over internet have been engaged about a year over the internet, and I visited her for 3 weeks a couple months ago. She has a son age 9 and she's been divorced for about 9 years as well.

We have been told that because Vietnam is one of the most strengent countries to allow their citizens to leave, that getting married there helps to insure her country allowing her to leave which would = a Cr-1 if I understand correctly.

On the other hand.. I've had an attorney to tell me just the opposite, that the CR-1 paper work makes it about 6 times more likely to encounter denials from either country, and he recommended a K1 for her and I think it is a K2 for the son.

Doe's anyone know which K1 / K2 or CR-1 is most appropiate for my Fiancee ? Which would insure her the best chances of being allowed to leave Vietnam though the eyes of the vietnamese government ?

Also as an american citizen I was told with a K1 I would not need a physical, but with a CR1 (K3) Vietnam would require a stringent physical there. Does anyone know about this ?

Thanks in advance for any and all help.

John II

Go with the K-1 route! She'll be able to come to the States much quicker. At her age, if you choose other routes, her eggs might not be there for their purpose after she got her hands on that Visa!

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Go with the K-1 route! She'll be able to come to the States much quicker. At her age, if you choose other routes, her eggs might not be there for their purpose after she got her hands on that Visa!

TACT! You don't haz it!

[ScottThuy 140]

TACT! You don't haz it!

I don't understand where cookin breakfast fits in the topic...

[Ban Hammer 12,876]

ok, let's behave and quit the baiting. many of you know what happens if i have to come back to this thread.

[fred n Dao Honey 0]

Great insight. But is this part really necessary or makes a difference? What if you vote for or registered with the other party? This is the first time I've heard of this.

Everyone that gets "Denied" or "Additional Processing" status wants to cry and run to a Representative to get help.(Me included) There is really nothing they can do under the law except check to make sure you were treated fair. You can front load your application with a letter from a political figure. How many times we have road blocks placed in front of us then contact those that could help and we hear "I wish you had come to me before you...." It is really no big deal for their office to do and they do it all the time for collage entry, military schools and such. When the Letter reaches the embassy they have no idea if you really know Hillary Clinton or not. Front loading an application is something that I wish I had done and is done all the time.

[martindart 0]

The age thing will be a problem... Dig in, and prepare for everything. Just because you are approved with USCIS the consulate and the officers inside will be the judge(s) if it is a true relationship... hang in there!

We started in 2004 and Phuong touched U.S. soil on June 10, 2007... never quit if you truely love her... I mean never! I heard the Consulate in HCMC was closing?

anyway, been out of the loop for a while.... Phuong wanted a house.... so I've been outside cleaning, planting, digging out moss, yes dear, yes dear... Would I go throught it again?

In a heart beat!!!!

As I've always said, (If you love them) you will put up with all the setbacks, heartaches and disapointments.

Best of luck to anybody going throught HCMC...

Martindart =-)

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

It was the USCIS field office in HCMC that closed - not the consulate.