Nguyet+Alan

Thanks, man! It's obvious to me that it all crystallizes into improving language skills. I'm seriously considering retiring in Vietnam in 15 years or so--I need to drastically improve my Vietnamese, so we both need to improve our language skills. My Aussie brother-in-law has mastered the basics of "marketplace Vietnamese," so I guess there's hope for my yet.

I know what you mean about the relative costs between California and Texas. I moved from San Diego to Austin to attend UT years ago.

My wife is Vietnamese and earned a B.A. at Danang University in Chinese Language. Her English reading skills are good, her writing skills could use improvement, and her speaking/listening skills are pretty basic. Her English grammar knowledge is very good. She attends ESL classes, but I'm less than impressed by their rigor (never any homework, for example). I tutor her on correct pronunciation and syntax when I can, on the spot.

Thankfully she is currently employed at an "Asian" supermarket, but I'd like for her to earn more than the minimum wage in a career that is more satisfying to her.

Any ideas? I wonder if going to school to earn a LVN degree might be worthwhile. I work in an academic environment and I know that there are quite a few non-native English speakers in health field programs (but not MDs), and that many schools are geared towards helping those students attain greater English fluency while they pursue their degrees or certifications.

I asked this question here because Googling something like this generates millions of hits--for English speakers who want to teach English in foreign countries.

those who suggested that you go to the airport and purchase your fiance's ticket there gave you sound advice. i bought a ticket for my fiance online, but then i was told i had to go to the airport and show my ID and the card that i paid for the ticket with or she would not be permitted to board the plane. i should have just went to the airport in the first place to buy the ticket.

congratulations and good luck to you and your fiance in the future.

Yeah, I feel best just going to the airport and interacting with some people when doing this, so I've already decided that I'm going to the airport to buy the ticket. It might be overkill, but like you point out, sometimes there are unpleasant surprises.

OP- Congratulations on your huge milestone.

I bought a ticket for my fiancee through Vietnam Airlines and posed same question.

I had to send Vietnam airlines a form with a copy of my ID and credit car. When she boarded plane in HCMC, shed didn't have any issues.

I hope this helps.

I bought the ticket for my fiancée using this agency

https://plus.google....out?gl=us&hl=en

They only accept ATM, check or cash for 1 way flight ticket from VN and the ticket is good for 6 months. There is no cancellation/changing flight fee. Congrats.

Again, good to know. I'll look into both of those options too. If the travel agency's prices are decent, I'll go that route. I hadn't realized there were so many possibilities.

The visa is the beginning. You will be "done" when she gets citizenship.

You don't know if she wants to become a US citizen. In fact, I might retire in Dalat.

Excellent! That's exactly the information I needed. Thanks! I had heard that was an option before, but I wasn't sure that would work for me. Thanks for the confirmation!

Nguyet said that the consulate employee who interviewed her was thorough yet kind. Nguyet elected to speak in English and asked the officer to speak slowly. At first the interview was nerve-wracking for Nguyet, but then it turned into a natural conversation once the officer realized that Nguyet was the real deal.

My fiancee interviewed at the Saigon consulate successfully and is now awaiting receipt of her visa. She met a number of other Vietnamese applicants who doubted that she would be allowed to emigrate without an attorney. She told them that we got all the information we needed from the internet. Apparently they rolled their eyes, but of course Nguyet had the last laugh. Yay for VJ!

Question: I want to pay for Nguyet's flight once she gets her visa with my credit card. Is there an efficient way to do this? She won't need my credit card in Vietnam to board her flight like she would in the US, would she? Any other options?

Uh, thanks.

I already did, as soon as I found out that EAC meant something significant. Thanks.

I'm not sure which center it was sent to. How do I find that out? I don't see any indication of where it was sent in my portfolio on uscis.gov.

Ah, I get it: EAC!

Thanks, C&C! Yeah, that's what I figured: no need to complicate an already labyrinthine bureaucratic process.

I submitted my petition at the end of March, but then I realized I neglected to submit my divorce decree and I didn't copy every page of my passport (nor did I submit my birth certificate). Should I just hang on and wait for an RFE? Or should I send that information in? I suspect the former.

Some details, if helpful: K1 visa petition is for a Vietnamese national; my divorce was finalized more than three years ago and my ex and I had no kids.