taivn

It took us exactly 7 days to receive our visa.

Good news, the paperwork from my mom came in today, we immediately went to the consulate, sat for 3 hours while they gave everyone a blue slip, then they finally started giving out the good letters, we got approved, the visa is in the mail! Next step, CRBA - this should be fun...

Congrats!!

If you can get there 30 - 60 minutes, you should be okay. I really don't see a point in coming in much earlier than that. I think almost everyone was allowed in the door at 7AM then process and fingerprinted by around 8AM. Next we all just waited till after 9AM for interviews to start.

Congrats, taivn!

So I should just ignore the warning on the interview appointment letter telling us to be at the door no ealier than 20 mins before our interview time?

They asked my wife during her ir1 interview. She told him she has a uncle in Kansas who she hasn't seen for over 20 years and that was it. The woman didn't ask for any documents or proof that he exists. I'm not saying that they won't, but for our case they didn't care.

I think they will pick it up and correct it for you. If not, just let them know. Typos happen all the time; should be okay.

Very good news, congrats! Although the interview letter doesn't say national card and household registration book, they do mention to bring on the Ho Chi Minh city consulate PDF. When you say error were you able to pick out which kind? I made a typo on the DS 260 for my wife's present address and was planning on correcting this at the interview. Instead of Huong I typed Thuong grrrr do you think this will be an issue and delay our case? Also, any advice my wife's interview is on 8/19!

Thanks!

Lets skip to the ending. My wife got her visa but it was pretty intense. I'll describe in detail what happen.

We got there at 7:15 and the line wasn't too bad. They shuffled us through fairly quickly before making my wife wait in another line to get her fingerprints read. Afterwards they called us up to check our documents (medical reports, updated police report, etc.). What shocked me was they ask for my housing registration book and my wife's Vietnamese ID. None of those items were listed in the interview letter but that didn't seem to affect our interview.

I think we finished before 8 which didn't really matter because they didn't start interviewing people till after 9AM. Getting there really early didn't seem to matter much because the numbers aren't really called in order. There were roughly 5 case officers giving interviews with a translator next to them. I think in general it took 10-15 minutes to interview each person and they did it behind a glass. Feels like you're talking to a bank teller. Also, they gave out a ton of blue slips. It seemed most people forgot something or had errors on their application.

At around 10:30 they called my wife and I. The person interviewing us was a black lady. She asked me when did I arrived. When I told her I had been living and working here for 6 years, she was quite shocked. She started bombarding me with questions such as: Why did you stay here? Where do you work? When does your contract expire? These weren't bad but then she started hitting me with questions to verify my domicile. What have I done to establish domicile back in the U.S.? Do I have bank accounts, investments, property, etc. This was quite bazaar since I already submitted my evidence for domicile a long time ago. I submitted bank statements, brokerage account statements, voters registration card, copy of driver license and bills a long time ago. Good thing I brought extra copies to the interview. Even with all these paperwork, she still question my intent to go back to the U.S. She asked me,' what can you say right now to convince me that you will go back to the U.S. when your wife gets her visa?' I was thrown back at this. I told her my contract has expired, most my money is in the U.S., including my investments, and my wife is coming with me; Why would I stay? I couldn't believe she would question me like that.

Afterwards she sent me away while they interview my wife alone which they seemed to do with most people. She then ask my wife about how we met, how long have we been dating, etc. and asked to see our photos. When she finished, she gave my wife a blue slip saying that they didn't have our co-sponsors business license and 2013 tax forms/transcript. Apparently they lost the business license I sent them in May/June. I was able to show her the 2013 transcripts but had to leave. I called my sister and had her email me a copy of the business license then printed it out. I wasn't sure they would accept this at first but didn't want to wait 2-3 weeks to have her mail it to us. I made sure she scanned it in high resolution before I printed it out. We headed back there at 12:30, waited till 1 before they started taking people in again. We submitted a copy of the business license and was given a number. They told us to wait at window 18 and it seems like that was the only windowed open so the wait was intense. It wasn't until about 3PM before we got called up and again, all the numbers are pretty random. The guy just said remember to register to mail address online to have your visa delivered and that's all. I was amazed they accepted a printed copy and grateful.

Sorry for the long post, but thought I should include as much detail as possible. The lady that interviewed us didn't seem like a bad or mean person, but I felt her questions were unnecessary. Make sure you have backup copies of everything.

Thanks!

I only went through this once...so clearly my experience is limited...but we showed up at 6:45 and were processed as fast as everyone else. In and out in about 2 hours. Take some money for the vending machines inside, and dress comfortably. I was there in January so it was cool, but this time of year it's bound to be uncomfortably warm.

Good luck!

If she didn't register it, don't worry about it. It's not really important and the CO won't be able to verify this information with the police anyway.

Thanks Dave and frontgear! I realized yesterday that I forgot to list an address that she lived at nearly 10 years ago when she was in school on the DS-260 form. She never registered living here with the local authorities as it was just some place temporary to stay at while she was in school, but she ended up going back and forth between her house for 2 years. She did report this when she filed for a police certificate, but I'm wondering if she should even mention this address on the 10 year residency. Could be an issue if CO verifies police certificate with the justice department?

Will do, thanks!

Hi Kevin,

They should have sent you an RFE requesting a co-sponsor. I'm shocked they actually scheduled an interview for you guys.

Basically you need a co-sponsor even though you have a ton of assets. Like you, I have been living in Vietnam for the past 6 years but have property, bonds, stocks, etc. back in the U.S. I had enough asset to show that I could support both my wife and I but they still asked for co-sponsor.

Whoever your sponsor is, make sure they send 3 years of IRS transcripts along with the I-864 or you will get an RFE. Make sure they request that from the IRS. Usually takes 5 to 10 business days. Hope this helps.

Hello, I read the USCIS I-864 instructions here http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-864instr.pdf basically all of page 7, and that was my intention.

I have been living in Vietnam with my wife for 2 years (minus the time I went home for my younger sister's wedding) and I haven't had a job for that period. I have 3 properties in the U.S. which are valued at way more than what the documentation requires. I provided legal court documents proving I own the property, as well as "satisfaction of lien" papers for one property valued at $115,000usd.

My current household size is 2, which under the current official "poverty guidelines" (listed here

On page 7, number 10 of the USCIS I-864 instruction sheet, it says, "If you are a U.S. citizen, and you are sponsoring your spouse or minor child, the total value of your assets must be equal to at least three times the difference" (the difference between my total income which is approx $8,000 and the poverty guidelines). Even if I claimed $0 on my taxes, if I use the 3 person household, 3 x 24737 is $74,211.

I wasn't sure if that 115k in assets would be enough to satisfy the interviewing officer so I also brought with me to the interview a deed for another house (I brought the deed for the land and the house) and the tax records for approx $125k for the corresponding property. We went to the interview and they already had the blue paper for us, but proceeded with the interview anyways, obviously with nothing to hide, we passed the interview without issue, what helped was that we traveled with friends mostly, and had tons of pictures before the wedding and after, as well as 3 of my family members coming to Vietnam for the wedding from Florida.

The interviewing officer said that sponsoring someone with assets to supplement income is not an option, and that the websites must be wrong. I tried to ask for her to check with someone else, because I know it's not a very common option, but it is there on the USCIS website, as well as many different U.S. Consulate websites. I was answered with a "Nope." That's it, nothing more, nothing less, I politely asked again, and the answer was, "Sorry, you are going to need a co-sponsor." So we said thank you very much, and have a nice day, and left because that was apparently our only option.

So I called the USCIS and asked them about it, and they couldn't tell me anything except that the information on their website is up to date, and that the information is correct. I am having my Mother fill out a co-sponsor I-864, but I just wanted to see what is the issue here? The blue slip is very disappointing especially considering we initially filed in February of 2013. The co-sponsor I-864 is required to have an original signature, so now I have to wait another 2 weeks to submit this because it's going to take that long to ship here from Florida unless I have her send express which will cost another arm and a leg.

Has anyone else had this issue or anyone here sponsored their spouse with assets to supplement income?

Thanks for taking the time to read this, I know it's long and drawn out.

-Kevin and Tuyen

Hi,

As the topic stated, my wife's CR1 interview is tomorrows August 7th at 8:30. I hear there is usually a big line outside so what is the best time to show up?

I sent in the originals and kept back up copies. Pray they don't lose them

You should get an email within a few weeks with an appointment date. They usually schedule the interview 4 to 5 weeks out. Make sure you obtain any documents they required in the PDF file they send you.

Finding a joint sponsor isn't a problem, both my brother and sister are willing to be my cosponsors and they make 65k and 40k a year respectively. My sister doesn't have any dependents and my brother has his wife and two kids. But as far as i understand, Vietnam doesn't accept cosponsors for the k1 visa.

What does Vietnam have to do with co-sponsor? Your brother or sister can sponsor you. They will fill out an i-864 form just like you.

Thanks guys!

When I submitted my AOS, my 2013 wasn't due yet so I hadn't file it. Actually, I just filed it this month. Will they accept a copy of my 1040's? or do they require a transcript? I'm not sure a transcript is available yet.

This is what I was told to bring:

You must bring the following items to the visa interview:
? Any original documents the NVC requested that you did not submit (refer to the document list below)
? If the physician gives you your medical exam results, bring them to your interview in the envelope sealed
by the medical office.
? Two passport photographs measuring 2 inches by 2 inches (5 cm by 5 cm) with a white background
? A valid unexpired passport
? Photocopies of all civil documents
? A new police certificate from your current country of residence, if you obtained the police certificate
more than one year ago.
? Any additional documents listed in the U.S. Embassy or Consulate specific interview guidelines
The following table lists the documents requested by the NVC and whether or not you submitted them to the
NVC. Please note that even though you may have provided the NVC with a copy of a document, you are
still required to bring the original document to the visa interview.
Refer to the Document Status Code Definitions on Page 3 to determine the meaning of the document status
codes.
Document Name Document Status
CORRESPONDENCE INSTRUCTIONS C
1 - IMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION PART 1 R
1 - IMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION PART 2 R
2 - PASSPORT Y
3 - BIRTH CERTIFICATE O
4 - ADOPTION F
5 - MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE O
6 - MARRIAGE TERMINATION F
7 - COURT RECORDS F
F - FINANCIAL EVIDENCE I
9 - MILITARY RECORDS F
10 - VIETNAM POLICE CERTIFICATE O
FEE PAYMENT $
PHOTOGRAPH Y
F - PETITIONER MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE F
F - PETITIONER BIRTH CERTIFICATE F

As for my AOS, I submitted my 1040's and transcripts for 2010, 2011, and 2012. Also, my bank records and letter of employment.

My co-sponsor also submitted the past 3 years of transcript and 1040's along with a copy of her business license and passport as proof of citizenship.

Document Name Document Status
CORRESPONDENCE INSTRUCTIONS C
1 - IMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION PART 1 R
1 - IMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION PART 2 R
2 - PASSPORT Y
3 - BIRTH CERTIFICATE O
4 - ADOPTION F
5 - MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE O
6 - MARRIAGE TERMINATION F
7 - COURT RECORDS F
F - FINANCIAL EVIDENCE I
9 - MILITARY RECORDS F
10 - VIETNAM POLICE CERTIFICATE O
FEE PAYMENT $
PHOTOGRAPH Y
F - PETITIONER MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE F
F - PETITIONER BIRTH CERTIFICATE F

This is basically it. No detail but looks like everything else is in order.

Hi guys,

Finally got approved for interview in August but the letter I received showed that my Financial Evidence = I for incomplete.

I submitted my 1040's and transcripts for the past 3 years along with my co-sponsors tax forms/transcript. I'm not sure what could be incomplete?

I'm thinking about bringing my pay stubs or records for the past 6 months along with my i-864 and copies of my 1040's for the past 3 years for the interview. Do you guys think I need anything else?

Regards,

Tai

All I had were two letters signed by coworkers and friends as evidence. Save the photos and other stuff for the interview.

Thank you!

Hi all,

I was approved via email on January 2nd 2014 and was notified that the California branch would mail me a packet with instructions on what to do next. Well It has been about two weeks but still no letter. The other occasions when they mailed me stuff took about a week. Should I give them a call soon about my NOA2 packet?

Thanks!

Hi all,

I have submitted my I130, G325, etc. about 6.5 months ago. I just realized that on my wife's G325 form I made an error on the line that says: This form is submitted in connection with an application for _______. I selected 'status as a permanent resident' instead of selecting 'other' and writing in I130. :/

Will this mistake cause my application to be rejected? Is there someone I should notify about this error? Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

Regards,

Tai N.