sueling

There are lots of people who've filed without it. One perfect example is a fellow Australian. Her DS-3025 said complete. She filed AOS without the I-693 on 03/09/10 and was approved (without expedite, RFE or interview) on 04/22/10. GC received 05/01/10. 37 days... Many others have not bothered with the I-693.

I DID get the I-693 done even though my shots were complete because at that time USCIS was RFEing EVERYONE for a missing medical and I didn't want to risk it. I didn't have a TB test and I didn't have additional shots. I too was approved without RFE or interview in less than 3 months.

Thanks again. One last question though... it's flu season now and I probably need a flu shot, yes ? That being said, still need to see a CS then as the immunization record will have to be updated?

Personally, given you said your shots ARE complete and the form is marked complete I would just send the DS-3025. Worst case scenario they RFE you and you do all this stuff anyway. It's unlikely they will RFE you for missing shots, it's more likely they'll lose your entire medical which means you'll need to do a whole new medical but this is happening less and less.

In short - I would send the AOS off with just the DS-3025.

Thank you for your advice. I'd much rather do that too and not have to run around and get another x ray, extra shot, etc. My fiance is a little nervous about this though ... somehow he's still convinced we need the I-693 haha

Ugh, it just occurred to me that I went through this painful and itchy Mantoux TB skin test for NOTHING!!!

Yes thank goodness!!

Also here is a link: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextchannel=68439c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextoid=1758d5b07655b110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD scroll down to:

The above quote is IF you need more shots, which you don't.

this one:

Is closer to actually relating to you but this whole link mostly refers to medicals IN the US rather than ours out of the country. The instructions for the I-693 http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-693instr.pdf page 4, Section III, Qn 2, C, b. You'll see it says words to the effect of "If your DS-3025 wasn't properly completed..." which yours WAS so you don't need to do anything

Thank you so much for this... I wonder how on earth we could have misinterpreted the instructions. The CS did say that I need a Hep B vaccination though on my DS-3025 it states I'm not age appropriate. What should I do then? Go for it anyway or like you said, just submit the DS-3025 as is? .. or, with parts 1,3 and 5 on form I-693.

What USCIS site? Did you read the i-693 instructions? They specifically state that you don't need all this done.

As your shots are complete you are completely able to send your DS-3025 as is, no transcription. Add to that, USCIS sometimes loses entire medicals so you might end up getting an RFE for a missing medical anyway.

Yes my fiance did go through the instructions. I think I better go through them once again... thank goodness we haven't had to spend that much on this "second medical" so far.

Whoever told you that you needed confirmation of the vaccinations or the TB test was dead WRONG!

It's a shame this happened. I would personally stop whatever you're doing and send AOS now. OR continue with what you're doing for your healths sake but not needed for AOS.

Meh. It was the civil surgeon who insisted we needed to do all that. We followed instructions off the USCIS site that stated we needed to get a CS to sign off and well, nobody would without subjecting us to all that.

Hi everyone! I just wanted to share this with those in South Florida who are readying to file their AOS like me. Even though my DS-3025 was marked complete, I was told I still needed to get bloodwork to confirm that I have had all those vaccinations taken and also I had to go through another TB test (skin test this time). Highly redundant but in the end we decided to just endure it and do it. TB skin test came back positive so now have to go do ANOTHER chest x ray (already did one before leaving for the US). I did my research online and the prices are exorbitant here (minimum $250 - $5,600).

The good news is that you can go to the Broward County Health Department Broward TB Clinic and just tell them you want an x ray done for green card purposes. The best part is that they will do an x ray for FREE! Only drawback is that it's a long wait. We could schedule an apppointment no earlier than Nov 30th (we called today).

I hope this can be helpful to those who live nearby enough. For those who don't, perhaps a good idea to see if there is such a clinic in your state?

Do you guys know if we need the interview date before we can schedule for the medical check up?

Yes. The doctor's office will ask you for your interview date when you arrive there.

Since he is able to communicate with them in Mandarin, why they still got denied?

I heard that this young Asian CO is much more polite than other CO(s) in the embassy!

Don't know, I don't understand Mandarin

And yes, I heard that he is much more lenient and pleasant than the others especially the female CO!

They need a Chinese translator because they couldn't communicate with the CO or they don't have the common language with their fiance/spouse?

The CO, is he an older Asian American?

Thanks!

They couldn't communicate with the CO but good thing the CO was this young Asian American guy so he was easily able to switch to Mandarin.

Congratulations on your visa approval!

Any idea why those prior you were denied? Were they for K-1 visa too?

I'm not entirely sure as all of them needed a Chinese translator but I could make out one had a passport that was almost expiring.

Hi everyone!

We got approved today and it was the single most anti-climatic experience ever! Was last to be interviewed, saw everyone prior to me get denied *VERY scary!* The interview lasted literally like 5 minutes, the later half of which the CO spent typing away on the computer.

Here are the questions I got asked incase anyone wants them!

1. What is your fiance's name?

2. When was he born?

3. What is his mother's name?

4. Where does he work now? (He doesn't at the moment and they knew that since we submitted the affidavit of support, so I think he was testing me)

5. How many times have you visited the US?

6. How many times have you visited the US to visit his family?

7. Have you met his family?

8. How many times have we met in person?

9. Where in the US does he live?

10. What is it like in that part of the US? (My fiance lives in Ft. Lauderdale)

11. How long have you been together?

12. Why did you wait so long before deciding to get married? (We have been in this LDR thing for 6.5 years)

That was when he stopped asking questions and started typing away at his computer. HE DIDN'T EVEN LOOK AT THE MOUNTAIN OF EVIDENCE I BROUGHT ALONG HAHAHAHA! I'm almost upset that I didn't get to use all those explanations I've worked up in my mind In fact, he didn't even TOUCH it (When I say mountain, I mean mountain haha! It was like 5 inches thick of evidence in that sense, I basically frontloaded them... if they had gone through the documents )

Then he turned to me and was like, "Oh btw, your visa is approved!"

All the best to those with interviews soon! Be confident and smile!!

Hi everyone,

Just a quick question; I have the tendency to get hives often though in very small patches. Would having hives be a reason to fail the medical test?

Other than that, I'm generally not worried about the medical except for what comes back with the x-ray.

Thanks!

Hi everyone!!

Just found out my visa interview date is on September 8th! I had hoped for it to be somewhere middle of this month but with Raya and Merdeka all coming up, I suppose this is the best choice. Oh, can a month go by any slower now? Hahahah!!

Thanks for the info on certifications. We didn't have anything certificated or translated professionally but they didn't seem to mind.

WHAT?! ARE YOU SERIOUS?!

Oh my goodness, now I feel worse about blowing RM500 on certification alone! How did you do it? :blink:

Yup, I used a Commissioner of Oaths. I didn't even get my IC or passport certified.

The passport is an internationally recognized document and I've used it at many places without it's authenticity being questioned. Also, once in the States, you will have other forms of ID to prove who you are (SSN, driver's license and eventually, the green card) and the Malaysia IC/birth certificate is hardly needed. I haven't needed any of those documents in my years as a student and immigrant.

I certified the COPIES of my passports. I don't really want to hand them anything original if they ask to keep any of the expired ones :-/ I suppose getting all these certified, after reading your post, only serves to give me a peace of mind in case I ever need it for whatever reason. HAHA

COMMISSIONER OF OATHS vs NOTARY PUBLIC

Heads up guys, I want to share my experience of certifying my documents today.

Okay basically, the similarity between the two is that they will both certify your documents. However, take note of the difference; a CoO charges RM3-5 per document and a NP will charge RM50-100. Makes sense to go to a CoO but their seal is apparently recognized only internally (i.e only within Malaysia) but the NP's seal is recognized internationally. If you have documents which you think you might/will need or use later when you're in the US, I suggest going to the NP to be safe, even if it is like 10 times more costly.

I went to a NP today, and unfortunately for me he charges RM100 per document but since I had so much to certify, he charged RM50. I would include "only" but the total still came out to RM500. I'm not sure if I was overcharged, I feel like I was, but I did whatever research I could online and didn't find much at all but RM50 seems to be the standard rate...

The US Embassy accepts both I believe as Bsze did hers with a CoO, right? So I assume that if you do want to use a NP, it's fine and I feel it's more for external usage.

I certified:

1. IC

2. Passports (current & expired) ---> this was a LOT as I copied all relevant pages with US entry stamps.

3. the copy of certificate of good conduct

4. birth certificate

If you used the Institut Terjemahan Malaysia translation service, you are saved from having to certify them as they will come certified already. I got my birth certificate and university diploma translated... just in case. Hm. (RM90 per document)

Anyway, hopefully this information will come in handy to those who are unsure!

Who has your passport now? Malaysian immigration?

The certificate of good conduct takes 1 to 2 months to arrive. Since you need your passport for the certificate and the visa interview, I suggest you contact the people who have it right now and see if you can get it back sooner.

Someone correct if I'm wrong, but I believe you can't go to the interview without your passport. If you had it but not the certificate, the embassy might hold off on giving you a visa until they receive it.

I think it's quite likely that they will need to see both the passport (current and expired) and the police certificate at the interview.

Where are you getting your documents translated? Mine only cost RM30.

Only RM30?!! Where did you get them translated?? I got mine translated from the Institut Terjermahan Malaysia. RM100 a piece

While we're on the subject, how much did you pay to certify your copies of legal documents?

Nope, I don't believe IC is required. Only document I got translated was birth certificate.

Alright, thanks! Saves me rm100

Hey guys,

For those who have gone through the interview, just a quick question here.... did you need to provide a copy of your identification card? Because I'm wondering if I need to spend another rm100 in getting it translated. Already got the birth cert translated but it's taking awhile to get to me

Thanks!

Yikes. I thought i read somewhere that 'Each applicant aged 16 years or over is required to submit a police certificate from the police authorities of each locality of the country of the applicant's nationality or current residence where the applicant has resided for at least six months since attaining the age of sixteen in all names that the applicant has ever used. Police certificates are also required from all other countries where the applicant has resided for at least one year.' And i see lots of discussions stating the same 1 year rule. Maybe this is different for each country. But i am aware that what you said is consistent with the offical website. This concerns me becos i have 11 months period stay in Australia like 15 years ago. Well this adds to the to-do list.

Thanks for reply, Sueling.

No problem! I suppose you should get started on the Australian one first since who knows how long that will take.

Sorry, I have to correct myself regarding the police cert. If you have lived in Malaysia (and /or ) any other countries for a period of more than 6 months since the age of 16, you will need to obtain the police certs from each locality. If you have been arrested in any place, a police cert must also be obtained from that country regardless of length of stay.

I hope this is clearer.

Hi Sueling,

I have been following your posts as i am about to start the process, and you have quite lively discussion. May i know whether the Packet 3 requests for police certificate for < 1 year (not current residence)? Also, i thought that the police certificate is valid for one year until the interview date? So many paperwork and things to watch out for, but i think the end will make it all worthwhile.

Thanks.

Hello Yan & Chris!

If I understand your question correctly, as long as you are Malaysian you will need that certificate, regardless of your current residence. If you are Malaysian but for the last x years have been residing overseas, then I believe you will need to get a police certificate from that country. I am not 100% sure on this (it is what I have read from others in the forum) but to clarify you can email the US Embassy in Malaysia as they are very helpful and extremely prompt in replying emails.

Oh and yes, Packet 3 requires you to send back a checklist, of which you need to tick that you have ALREADY OBTAINED the police cert. Do not send the checklist back if you do not have all necessary documents in hand.

Also and again, this information about the validity of the police cert comes from reading others' posts. I have read it is valid for only 6 months but you can make a call to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Msia) to find out. Their number is +603-8887 4000, +603-8887 4570 (after working hours). Speaking of which, I have just received my police cert today after LESS than a month (and they purportedly take 2 months to do this) so I think our government is bucking up!

I see that your petition has been sent to VSC. They have been picking up speed lately too, which is very good news. Phil and I were approved in 4 months. Best of luck to you both!

IT IS WORTHWHILE. I spent 2309492304823 hours scouring the forums here but it made me all the more prepared... and quite frankly, paranoid

Hi all... We are waiting for the check to be cashed from the Dallas lockbox. I hope the process goes smoothly, we hired one of the best immigration attorneys in the Gulf Coast region

Has anyone been through the entire process with a Malaysian fiance? What was it like? Any snags that we need to look out for?

Jamie

Hello Jamie and Shirley!

I'm almost at the end of my process but I believe that if you look around in the forums and read this Malaysian thread, you should be able to get an idea what you need to prepare and/or expect. So far, I don't see Malaysians having much of a problem with this process as not many of us do go through this process as some other countries (i.e Philippines, Nigeria, etc).

My advice is make sure you get your certificate of good conduct two months before your expected NOA2... I made the mistake of waiting until I got my NOA2 so now everything hangs until I can get it before the US Embassy can schedule our interview Also, though the website does say that you need to certify your documents, there is a loophole where they will still accept it even if you "forgot" to get them certified. I know, because I did this and panicked and gave them a few frantic calls which they then informed me that they also accept uncertified copies. I wouldn't advise you to get the conduct of good certificate right away, as it is only valid for 6 months and just in case it takes longer than 5 months for you to receive the NOA2, that might just bring on unnecessary stress.

I would advise you to however continue collecting evidence of your relationship (instant messaging, skype, phone logs, etc) right until your interview. Apparently, there is some level of importance placed on evidence within the time frame of your I129F petition-K1 Visa application.

Will you be bringing your fiance(e)? to the interview? Though not necessary, I have read that it help a-plenty! Mine will be accompanying me when the time comes.

Good luck!

Ps. Though I don't want to infringe on your decision to have a lawyer help you through this process, in all honesty though, a lawyer is not necessary and only adds to the cost. Having a lawyer in no way guarantees an approval. My future brother in law is an immigration lawyer and originally wanted to help us but in the end told us that this was a procedure that the couple can perfectly handle themselves. The only time a lawyer is needed is when you hit some major legal snag (which also, isn't very often). I say save your money until of if that time ever comes.

^ Either is okay. If you have everything on the checklist already, send them together. However, if you are still waiting on your Certificate of Good Conduct or anything else, then send them separately.

Thanks, I already emailed them about this and they also said either is fine. I think I should wait to send all four until I got my Certificate of Good Conduct since that's the only thing missing right now. My concern of sending them separately is who knows the first two might get misplaced somewhere since I still ahve to wait 1.5 months for my cert.