STL_HCMC

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Now if some of the rest of us can get packet 3, then this board will really start heating up again. Looking forward to the April interview reviews from yellow123 and bruce_Han. Best of luck to all of you!

STL_HCMC

I would venture to guess those of us awaiting packet 3 are missing it more!

I sent an email to the US Consulate on Tuesday for an update. Still awaiting their reply. I'll let you know ASAP on ours.

STL_HCMC

Note: PM member Vietnam to be added to this list or to update your information.

12/09/04 --k1 interview -- Tim -------------------------------- AOS Passed ---- 02/09/05

03/08/05 --k1 interview -- chuckandkim ------ visa 05/04.......AOS Passed ---- 03/08/06

06/13/05 --k1 interview -- kd4yal & ThuHuong-----------------AOS Passed ---- 03/21/06

09/26/05 --k1 interview -- nychang ----------- visa 11/05......AOS Interview- 03/31/06

01/28/05 --k1 interview -- top-gorilla ---------visa 02/23.......EAD Received--10/12/05

12/07/04 --k1 interview -- sportGuy -------------------------- Case Xferd CSC -9/19/05

09/08/05 --k1 interview -- mk4tt ------------------------------AOS NOA1 ----- 12/06/05

05/10/05 --k1 interview -- duclinhreo --------- visa 09/06.......SSN ----------- 10/18/05

05/08/03 ----interview----wait4ever----------delayed

05/16/05 ----interview----sweetiewynn ------delayed

08/29/05 ----interview----Kevin&Loan--------delayed

10/07/05 ----interview----thai0699 -----------visa....12/12

11/07/05 ----interview----dangho731 CR1 ----passed------

12/20/05 ----interview----atlmatt31vn1 k3 ---passed------

01/24/06 ----interview----nodownguy -------- passed------

02/16/06 ----interview----scy K3 ------------- visa.....2/28

03/21/06 ----interview----ct94 --------------- passed------

03/24/05 ----interview----JOSmith2 ---------- passed------

03/29/06 ----interview----landy -------------- passed------

02/09/06 ----interview----pxtran -------------

04/13/06 ----interview----yellow123 ---------

04/24/06 ----interview----Bruce Han ---------

05/12/06 ----interview----kvtran -------------

00/00/00 ----- Pack 3----- ----------------------

03/20/06 -Case at HCMC--STL_HCMC --------- B)

03/25/06 -Case at HCMC--menyoo------------ B)

03/16/06 ----Left NVC-----Matt Stevens ------

02/27/06 ------NOA2------gurugreg -----------

03/23/06 ------NOA2------Icarus --------------

03/27/06 ------NOA2------mike1972e ---------

12/30/05 ------NOA1------My Le K3------------

02/14/06 ------NOA1------songsparrow --------

02/15/06 ------NOA1------3AD------------------

03/03/06 ------NOA1------Robert & Van--------

03/09/06 ------NOA1------Idinh CR1------------

I miss all of my pack 3s

I really don't think it is too early to start gathering these documents in Vietnam. My fiancee will travel to Can Tho next week to put in the request for the police certificate and the single status certification. In Vietnam there is no time frame. What one experienced time wise, could be completely different for you. These people here work on their own idea of time. Just remember, a little money can sometimes get things done faster. That is just my experience from livnig/working here for nearly a year.

Get all the documents now (you know they are required). Then you will know later exactly what to have translated.

Just my two cents! I think we are all kind of in the dust on a lot of this. Do what you can NOW and then let the questions find answers.

STL_HCMC

Police Certificate Question:

I also have a question regarding the police report, At what point should my fiancee go to the justice office to file for this, and do they have the paper that needs filled out or will this be provided in packet 3?

Mike n Huong

Dillons - The Kroger grocery chain in Kansas! That just brought back some memories of my days growing up in Andover, Kansas. Thanks yellow123!

STL_HCMC

At dillions they charge you $10 for a $100 and $15 for $200 sending money through Western Union.

Robert & Van,

I wouldn't guess that this will be a problem during this stage of the K-1 visa process. The affidavit of support form (I-134) isn't required until the interview stage of the visa journey. Perhaps the USCIS will set this aside and examine the evidence that is required for the initial submission of the I-129F petition.

However, as always, if something is unclear they should RFE you to clear matters up.

Just remember that it is the I-134 Affidavit of Support form that you will need to prepare and send to your fiancee for her interview.

Regarding the taxes issue, it would be my best guess that if your fiancee has her interview after the April 17th filing date for 2005 taxes, then the three years of transcripts that you would need to send her would be 2005, 2004 and 2003. I'm pretty sure the poverty income level in relation to household size is determined based upon the dependents claimed on your tax return. I hope someone else can confirm this or offer a more educated opinion for you.

I would also think the issue related to the overtime income might be that those amounts of income each year are not guaranteed income (hence why your employer didn't include them on the letter). The US Consulate might want to see the guaranteed sources of income you will have to determine the ability to satisfy the public charge issue.

Keep reading this board. There is a wealth of information on here to educate for further steps in the journey. I'm definitely not an expert on this though.

STL_HCMC

I don't know if there is one exact way of completing this answer on the I-129F. I've read of many different petitioners having approached it many different ways and having success.

Our answer to question 18 wasn't anything long in length. It was a simple paragraph of 4 to 5 sentences stating the facts that I met my fiancee while I was working in Ho Chi Minh City. I wrote "See Attached Sheet" on the lines of the I-129F form and then attached a separate sheet, indicated the question being answered, and put my statement there. We had no trouble or RFE through the Nebraska Service Center.

Hope this helps! Good luck on the journey.

STL_HCMC

Hi syee999,

You are correct that the co-sponsor needs to include the beneficiary into the household size poverty level determination. I've just heard of cases before where others weren't aware of that and thus the resulting income of the sponsor and/or co-sponsor wasn't sufficient to accomodate the indicated dependents plus the beneficiary.

So has your co-sponsor completed an I-134 Affidavit of Support on behalf of someone else prior to accepting to co-sponsor for your case?

Just trying to work this issue down to the finest details so we can all understand it better. I'll be in the same situation you are in when our interview comes. I'm living/working in Vietnam on an excellent local market salary (great for Vietnam, but just over the 125% of poverty level in the USA) and using my father as a co-sponsor for our case.

STL_HCMC

Another thing to think about in relation to this post is the details regarding the co-sponsor (i.e. income in relation to household size/dependents). If I'm not mistaken, doesn't the co-sponsor have to include the beneficiary into this mix when calculating 125% of the poverty level.

Can syee999 (petitioner) fill us in on any details regarding the co-sponsor?

Income? Household size/dependents? Relationship to you? Location?

STL_HCMC

Hi STL_HCMC,

It's the same income requirement for sponsor and co-sponsor. In my case, my co-sponsor is a family member who does not need to support any one else beside the beneficiary. The co-sponsor need to include the beneficiary otherwise what is the point of being a co-sponsor? IF the co-sponsor has supported or filled out the affidivit of support for someone before, that also count!

Can any Vietnam member tell me if the US Consulate in HCMC will allow an alternative address to be submitted for mailing of packet 3 and 4?

On the petition we put my fiancee's registered residence address in Can Tho (her family's home). However, she lives in Ho Chi Minh City.

Mailing to the HCMC address would eliminate the need to travel all the way to Can Tho to pick it up. Just thought I would check here before sending an email to the consulate.

STL_HCMC

Hi menyoo,

I live/work in Ho Chi Minh City. I've been here since May 2005. I'm one of the lucky that gets to spend everyday with my fiancee through this process.

Great to hear your fiancee is also from Can Tho. My fiancee lives in Ho Chi Minh City, but her family still resides just outside Can Tho (Long Tuyen) and this is also still my faincee's registered residence.

I haven't heard anything about being inside the building of the US Consulate with the beneficiary. However, come time for our interview, I think I'll take up breakfast and a ca phe sua da or two at the Highlands Coffee outside of Diamond Plaza.

Best of luck to you both!

STL_HCMC

STL_HCMC,

My fiancee is also live in Can Tho, Ninh Kieu. I plan to go back during my finacee interview to help her get through. As I understand, petitioners are not allowed to be in the room, but they can be inside the building from Mon-Thurs, Fri closed to US Citizen. If my fiancee passes the interview, I'll buy the ticket and bring her here to the states. Do you plan to go back to vn any time soon?

Another thing to think about in relation to this post is the details regarding the co-sponsor (i.e. income in relation to household size/dependents). If I'm not mistaken, doesn't the co-sponsor have to include the beneficiary into this mix when calculating 125% of the poverty level.

Can syee999 (petitioner) fill us in on any details regarding the co-sponsor?

Income? Household size/dependents? Relationship to you? Location?

STL_HCMC

I'm clear on the necessary use of Notary Public Office No. 1 in HCMC!

Can dalegg or anyone clarify exactly how many certified copies of what documents are needed for translation? Or did I read it wrong and the ID card is all that is needed to request the translations of the birth certificate, single certificate and police certificate? This post kind of made things fuzzy for me.

My fiancee has her birth certificate (only 1) in her parents home in Can Tho. Is that enough, or do additional copies need to be obtained?

Just to reaffirm, the single status certificate is also obtained at the same place as the police certificate? How many certified copies of the single certification and police certificate should be requested?

Can these certifications be obtained before receipt of packet 3 from the US Consulate?

STL_HCMC

Thanks for the information Dalegg, but maybe my brain is fried right now from school, work, and worrying about everything that needs to be done. Why does she need to bring 3 certified copies of her birth certificate and single certificate? I thought she would just have to show her ID for the police certificate, and why do you need those certified papers in order to get a translation? I had her Birth and Divorce certificate translated in the US by a company, and they gave me one copy of the translation wihich was certified. Do I need to request 2 more original certified copies? Where can she get her single certificate? I did not know she needed this, or is this a paper she will receive in Packet 3? Can you please explain this a little more for me, it would be greatly appreciated?

Oh no, I read translation and thought you were trying to obtain your Birth Record and Single Certificate translations. Yes, you do need her Police Record translated also, so bring that along with the Birth Record and Single Certificates for translation. Miss Huong is telling me that it has to be done there. The single certificate is certified in so called " Cong An Phuong "- at her local police precinct office. Sounds strange but that's what Miss Huong is telling me. Police Record is obtained at Link

Hello Robert & Van,

After reading your post, I think most of your questions can be answered by visiting the example forms page of VisaJourney and downloading the example DS-156, DS-156K and DS-230.

Link: Example Forms

Good luck to you both! The US Consulate in Vietnam is really heating up these days. Keep an eye out on the board. There is some great information and tips.

STL_HCMC

Syee999, I'm also a fellow petitioner going through the Ho Chi Minh City consulate.

Not that it is any of our business, but can you clarify the relationship and location of your co-sponsor?

I was given this response after I emailed the HCMC consulate:

"Please note that the interviewing officer will have greater discretion in determining whether or not a petitioner's income is sufficient to meet the minimum poverty income guidelines when the I-134 is used.

Technically, there are no provisions under the law for a "joint sponsor" for the I-134, but there is no prohibition either, which is why our policy is to accept joint sponsors under certain circumstances. Since the joint sponsor who submits an I-134 has no legal obligation to fulfill the terms of the affidavit, the officer CAN take into consideration the credibility of that affidavit of support, and living in a different state can be a criterion for denial."

Take a deep breath, put a plan together and understand that you still have a fighting chance. I've heard of many getting through HCMC with a co-sponsor.

STL_HCMC

Matt,

If it makes you feel any better, I just read two other places, I'm sorry I already closed the pages and no history, to put N/A if applying for the K-1 visa. They said, like ziggy, that listing specific contributions was for temporary visas (i.e. student or tourist).

I'm going with the exact wording on the VisaJourney I-134 example form.

STL_HCMC

It all makes sense now! Thanks for clearing things up. Sometimes the process gets our thinking so muddy that it helps to lean on a fellow member to clear things up!

STL_HCMC

The question has to do with the tax returns. If you claim dependents on your return, you list them. It relates to the income needed to sponsor your wife or fiancee. Meaning if you claim 2 dependents on your tax return, add your fiancee or wife (and her children if any) and you will have the total number, then you must make the level on the poverty level chart.

Marilyn and Peter.

We plan to use the round-trip option. Sometimes the R/T fare is cheaper than the one-way or just a bit more expensive. In that case, for a little bit more cash you can get a return trip.

STL_HCMC

Matt,

A fellow Vietnam member. I plan to put N/A in the section for Question 11. Follow the example form for this question and/or the post from zyggy. I think it fits appropriately. What the co-sponsor is really saying to the government, is that he/she is commited to ensuring the beneficiary will not become a public charge to the United States. My father is my co-sponsor and doesn't intend to give us any specific type of contribution. We'll make it on our own. It is just that my Vietnam salary at present puts us just above the poverty line for a household of two. So I'm preparing with a co-sponsor for a safety net.

Take this all in stride. Go with your gut feeling. Perhaps you justify it like this: your mom isn't intending on any specific contribution, but rather will certify that she will not let the situation lead into your fiancee becoming a public charge. Think of your mom as the guarantee on the car loan. You intend to make the payments for the car, but your mom co-signs to give the lender a little more assurance and/or someone to go after if you don't make the payments.

I'm going through the same process and consulate with you. Just food for thought!

STL_HCMC

Mike,

Congratulations on a successful NOA2 approval. The Vietnam VisaJourney board is really heating up these days. There are several people ahead of us with recent/upcoming interviews that will surely give us some great inside information.

If your detail oriented like me and want to have your timeline exact with NVC dates, I've included some info for you, if you haven't gotten it already.

You can call the National Visa Center at (603)334-0700. Be sure to talk to an operator and DON'T use the automated system. I've read that K-1 applications aren't put into the automated system at the NVC. If you talk to an operator, give them your USCIS case number, located on your NOA1 or NOA2. They will be able to tell you all of the dates in regards to receipt and forwarding to the US Consulate in HCMC.

Good luck!

STL_HCMC

I received an email with my NOA2, and I checked the site today and was touched after the NOA2 approval. The email said they send my NOA2 on a few days before my email came. So I am wondering if they shipped it to NVC today? I am so used to being able to check the status online, and I am clueless now.

I have seen people's timelines showing what day it was mailed to NVC, What day NVC received, What day NVC sent to consulate, and what day the consulate received it. How do you track this information? Is this using the same USCIS site? I read about people checking with DHL or something, how do they know which is there packet? Thisngs have been moving so fast for me and I hope the luck continues B)

Thanks for the help

Regarding the DHL tracking, like an earlier post said, you won't know exactly if your case is included. But you can still check to see if a DHL shipment was made the day the NVC says they forwarded your case to HCMC.

Here is a link to a post by Peter Miami with DHL tracking Instructions.

STL_HCMC

I-134 Question #8: That the following persons are dependent upon me for support. Mark an "x" for wholly or partially dependent.

I should preface this with the fact that I live/work in Vietnam and have the pleasure of spending everyday with my fiancee.

My fiancee lives in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and her family lives in Can Tho (4 hours away). When we met she was working full-time to support herself and her English school education. However, since our engagement I have taken on full support of her (i.e. rent, food, fuel, cell phone, etc) and she stopped working in August of 2005.

In my logical thinking I view her as wholly dependent upon me. However, the I-134 example form had a "NONE" answer for question #8.

The DS-156 lists some questions regarding current occupation/school for the fiance. Seeing that she lives away from her family and attends an expensive English school in the city, I thought perhaps the consulate might inquire as to how she is supported if she hasn't worked since August of 2005.

Is there a solid answer for this question? Do you find listing her as wholly dependent for question #8 alarming or unreasonable? Is there anyone with experience on this issue?

STL_HCMC

I-134 Question #8: That the following persons are dependent upon me for support. Mark an "x" for wholly or partially dependent.

I should preface this with the fact that I live/work in Vietnam and have the pleasure of spending everyday with my fiancee.

My fiancee lives in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and her family lives in Can Tho (4 hours away). When we met she was working full-time to support herself and her English school education. However, since our engagement I have taken on full support of her (i.e. rent, food, fuel, cell phone, etc) and she stopped working in August of 2005.

In my logical thinking I view her as wholly dependent upon me. However, the I-134 example form had a "NONE" answer for question #8.

The DS-156 lists some questions regarding current occupation/school for the fiance. Seeing that she lives away from her family and attends an expensive English school in the city, I thought perhaps the consulate might inquire as to how she is supported if she hasn't worked since August of 2005.

Is there a solid answer for this question? Do you find listing her as wholly dependent for question #8 alarming or unreasonable? Is there anyone with experience on this issue?

STL_HCMC

Yellow and Matt, it seems we are all in the same boat. I'm currently living/working in HCMC, and we all know the salaries in Vietnam aren't near USA wages. I'll clear the poverty level for a household of two, but it won't be by much. For that reason I've also secured a co-sponsor (father). My previous years taxes showed minimal income because I was a student and finishing my degree.

What the fact of the matter is at this point is that our situation is what it is. We cannot change the US Consulate in HCMC. All we can control are the things under our control. The vision we are moving forward with is to be as prepared and organized as we can.

My guess to the touchiness of the non-binding issue of the I-134, is that they might often encounter co-sponsors that are friends, colleagues, etc. I believe it is the credibility of the I-134 that they might doubt. If it is non-binding, a friendship can dissolve and thus the co-sponsor is obselete at that point. However, Matt is using his mother and I'm using my father.

Just remember that each petitioner and visa application is unique in its own situation. Therefore the consular officer will make the decision during the interview!

Best of luck!

STL_HCMC

My fiancee has been worrying that the Vietnam consulate won't be accepting a co-sponor because the I-134 is not binding under the K-1 visa and will be accepted or not case by case. I told my fiancee not to worry because I just graduated from college in December and will surely find a job that will make the required amount of income. I will then just sent in proof of my employment and hourly wages, and we'll be united. She told me that the previous year of tax is more valuable to the consulate and is just about the only thing they'll look at to determine if we meet the income requirement. She fears that she'll have to wait another year for me to file my taxes. So I want to ask for your opinions if she's right or am I right ? Thanks.

The US Consulate in HCMC emailed me and told me the I-134 was the form they used. I've read nothing about the use of the I-864. It is stated on their website what documents are required for the K-1 Visa.

Link: Documents Required for the K-1 Visa

Good luck!

STL_HCMC

I've emailed them about the I-864. Twice! They have not responded. Unreal.

WHat pisses me off about what you state above is that they are breaking the law by those actions. The law clearly states I-134 for a co-sponsor is fine and that if the co-sponsor ualifies, that's that.

I see your interview is soon. Goodluck.

STL-HCMC

Are you getting married in VN? I filed a CR1 from VN and it only took 4 months for everything. Mind you, I had to prove I had been living and working in VN for that previous year, BEFORE filing. (Plus, my wife got her SS# within 2 weeks of arrival in the USA) Sounds like you're sincere and you have a lot evidence; you'll be fine.............My wife is from Can Tho also!

Hi Patricks,

Thanks for the reply. I have lived/worked in HCMC since the end of May 2005 (May 25, 2005 to be exact); not quite a year yet. Plus I was back in St. Louis for 26 days over the holidays. So it looks like either way the timing would be about the same since we're already in this deep with the K-1 process. To answer your question, we are NOT married and didn't plan on doing that in Vietnam.

I wonder how your process was done so quickly? Did you DCF?

STL_HCMC

A few questions for all of you:

I've read a lot lately about the engagement ceremony. My first question is not in regards to having one - we did - but to the necessity of the elaborateness?

I live/work in HCMC. Our ceremony was small (30 people). I was the only one, representing myself. Of her guests it was family only. We did the ceremony (i.e. meal, drinking, etc.) while we were visiting her family in the countryside of Can Tho this past Tet holiday. They, like my family, are very laid back and were more than pleased with the occasion.

We hired a photographer, no DVD made (nobody in the countryside available during Tet), had a cake made, she wore the traditional pink ao dai, have pictures presenting the ring, etc.

I see her EVERY day, she cooks dinner for me every night, and technically (VN laws) she has her own place in HCMC, but lives with me every night.

Right now our evidence (aside from checklist items & I-134) looks like this:

1. MobiFone (cell phone) call logs for her and I both.

2. Emails from her and I, and also her frequent emails with my family (i.e. mom, dad, sister) in the USA.

3. Skype Chat Transcripts. Sometimes we chat a bit on my lunch break at work

4. Phu Hai Resort (Phan Thiet) receipt (no signature, but pictures showing us there)

5. Engagement ring sizing receipt (passed down the ring my dad gave my mom 30 years ago)

6. English school receipts (I sign for payment)

7. Pictures (engagement ceremony; showing dates consistent with me living here)

8. Airline boarding passes (I pay up front for ticket, company reimburses me)

9. Passport stamps and business visas

10. Congratulatory emails/cards from family/friends on engagement

11. Letter I wrote to her family

12. Letter her mom sent back to me (translated to English)

13. Probably something else I'm forgetting to list as I write this at work!

- Pictures: should we only show pictures that have BOTH of us in them? I've got many of myself with her family, their place in Can Tho, etc. Perhaps we just put em all in there!

- Will the fact that I live/work in HCMC be a benefit to our situation?

I just wonder if the process will be different for us seeing that I'm currently living/working here. I still maintain a domicile in St. Louis, Missouri (parents home; the home I moved here from), and my contract here is finished in December 2006, although an earlier departure only requires 30 days notice. I've got a co-sponsor (father) lined up as we all know VN salaries bring one very close to the poverty line in the USA.

We are just a normal happy couple (met June 2005) and so very lucky that we get to spend every day together during this process. I just hope that doesn't take the edge off for us and get us too relaxed. So I'm writing to let you all "check us" and make sure we're in line.

Sorry for the length and thanks your responses in advance!

STL_HCMC

SHE GOT THE VISA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just talked with Lan (my fiance). She just got the K1 visa!!!!!!!! YAH YAH YAH!!!!

The interview was 5 minutes long. Very shortl.... just a few questions. Details to follow tomorrow, ok???

THE BEST OF CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU BOTH LANDY!!!

I'm sure there are a lot of us that are looking forward to your detail of the interview!

What an exciting moment and day for you! Best of luck to you both in the future.

STL_HCMC