syndreamer

Also to note, we were both surprised when they popped an interview on us, they asked us at least a hundred questions, and correlated answers between the both of us. It was incredibly harrowing because I was being interviewed by the Chief Consular officer who never smiled and was stern. But I told them the truth on every question and so did she.

Update: After going to Vietnam to spend time with her and to ask the embassy what's taking so long on our case, I got the run-around again by a regular consular officer saying they'll get to it whenever. So I firmly asked them to speak with the Chief consular officer to see if he has anything to say. Luckily he did, and gave us both a thorough interview for an hour. After that was done, we passed the interview. But since it's been a year, she has to retake her medical exam and fill out another DS160 form online, as well as acquiring a background check before she can get her visa. That should be easy, I'm so happy we passed the interview.

Update: 6 months later, still no word from AP on whether a final decision has been made. Email them every month asking for case update and they give me the same answer. Time to lawyer up.

Update: So she had a 2nd interview during our 4th trip and it was enough to where they didn't need any more evidence from us. The case paperwork is under final review by the Consulate, but man it's unbearably long. Has anyone else ever had to wait for a final decision after being denied the first time? Last interview date was Dec 12th 2016. I email them at least once a month for a status update, but they all tell me the same thing.

I've only posted in other threads about my predicament, but I feel it's time I display the whole picture and receive insight.

So back in late March 2015, I was introduced to my current fiancee by her sister who already lives in the US. (Red Flag from CO).

Me and Thong started talking via email and Facebook and I entertained the thought of visiting Vietnam for my birthday on 2nd week of May.

I didn't have enough funds since I was starting my new job, but a friend helped pay for that, in which I paid him back later (possible Red flag)

Due to work constraints, I could only go for 12 days, me and Thong spent a lot of time touring HCMC and getting to know each other, met her family, I kissed her on my birthday and we managed over 300 pictures. She loves selfies with me in it.

Come back, continue talking on Viber and Facebook, we reflected on our trip and we professed our love for each other

June 27th I proposed to her over the phone, and via Email for embassy purposes. She says yes.

We plan engagement party and my eventual 2nd trip August 28, 2015, but due to work constraints at the time I can only go for 9 days.

2nd trip (paid by family friend, but then I paid him back later): Engagement party was a blast, all the family members came along with her friends (she has a lot). Next day we took off for a engagement honeymoon vacay at Mui Ne

Came home, organized the paperwork using this bits and pieces from this forum and from what my immigration lawyer says.

Mailed package along with I-129F in Sept 2015.

Approved by USCIS and moved on to NVC in Jan. 2016.

Interview date set for July 2016.

Me and Thong continue exchanging correspondence, sent presents to each other, and sent her money to help with her university tuition.

3rd Trip (I pay with my own money): We studied up on the pre-set number of questions that may be asked by the CO, I accompany Thong as moral support to her interview. Interview lasted 5 mins, CO was terse and unforgiving and gave us a blue slip. They believe the relationship was a fraud due to a number of red flags. Left a bitter taste in my mouth and lawyer suddenly was absent and didn't bother to return any calls. So I fired him, but retained his secretary because she was willing to help. (July 2016)

The blue slip wanted information on her sister in the USA, we also learned from the CO, that the family friend that was paying for my first two trips was previously married to her sister (BIG RED FLAG), but they divorced 4 years ago. CO even asked Thong what her sister in the US did for a living. I guess nail salons are also a red flag as well.

Blue slip asked for "Family Relationships form" from both her family and mine. Her family list is long, mine is incredibly short. Both parents are deceased and my brother lives in Texas. Thong has a lot of sisters and cousins, uncles, etc. Only one sister lives in the US. Both her parents are alive. (Done)

Blue slip also asked for an affidavit from her sister in the US describing how she introduced me to Thong. (Done)

My financial situation is a lot better than it was last year. I received two promotions and make well above the poverty line. I work for the State of Florida in the IT industry. The CO did ask me that in person during the interview. I had a feeling he didn't believe me due to my previous tax returns. I feel I should wait until I file my 2016 tax returns and then show them that. I do not know if my financial history from the last 3-4 years would come into question.

I'm planning my 4th trip to Vietnam. I just bought the plane ticket and due to work promotions, I get more vacation and sick time off than before. So I'm taking a 3 week X-mas vacation to Vietnam. We plan to visit Nha Trang and her hometown in Quang Nhai to see her parents.

I feel that this case may take awhile, even though our hopes were crushed during the first interview, it didn't change our relationship at all. Just made it more stronger. If there's something I'm missing, feel free to give me some insight or ask me questions. I'll answer the best I can.

Thanks!

Lee

Congratulations, TylerTrúc. Did you have to register with a courier for passport return? The last time I was looking at that, the link from the consulate's site to the courier's site was broken.

syndreamer, which documents did they want notarized? You mention both fiancee and marriage. Are you already married or doing a K1? Good luck.

Heya, sorry for the late reply. This is for a K1 visa for my fiancee. They didn't give us a list of paperwork to be notarized and I'm trying to contact my lawyer to see if he can give the answer but haven't heard from him ever since the interview. From what I gathered on VJ, the Timeline of our relationship and how we met papers need to be signed and notarized. Is there anything else?

Me and my fiancee got the blue slip as well, but we were met with a incredibly rude CO. Didn't look at the documents, figured they made up their mind and me being there in person didn't help. Understandably, we're both a young looking couple. I'm 32, she's 23, but I look like I'm 20. So they want every document notarized, they want a family history from both sides. That poses a problem for me since my family is very small and no genealogy search engine gonna bring them up since the majority of them are dead, but her family is huge and she has a sister in America. They also wanted to know everything about her sister in America, what she do, what type of business, how big is the house, etc.

The interview was 5 mins long and the waiting was 2 hours. CO thought that the marriage wasn't legit because she had a relative in America. Completely bummed out, but will file the extra paperwork they requested to see if they change their minds about us. I figured 2000 photos over 3 trips, plus an engagement ceremony, meeting the entire family, etc. having all the receipts and paperwork they requested as outlined with VJ and USCIS, this would be a breeze. Guess not.

I'm glad I read your update because it gives me hope.

Hi I'm new, but been reading all the comments on this thread regarding RFE. So I submitted the application, check, and the evidence regarding the relationship which includes airplane tickets, hotel bills, train tickets, 100 pictures dated and time stamped, engagement party pictures, passport photos for both my fiancee and I, intent to marry letter from both, etc. all taken this year. Basically it was a huge 5lb packet which we placed the application and check for USCIS. I had it sent to Dallas directly, then they forwarded it to CSC, cashed the check and all.

So now I got an RFE stating that they need additional evidence of relationship for the last 2 years with "Last Personal Meeting". The lawyer prepared it all for me to submit and we double checked, had table of contents for each exhibit, very professionally done, and confused as to why they need more. Called USCIS earlier and they told me to resubmit thinking it got lost in the mail, so I got pissed off at them because that took a lot of work to do. The customer service rep was useless and wouldn't discuss my case over the phone, but referred me to the INFOPASS.

I have couple of options: I could resubmit the evidence of relationship package, which will take some time, or I could march to the Dallas field office where I sent it to and barge in and ask where my freaking package is at and see what happened to it. Since none of them seem to want to give me a straight answer. Highly discouraging and frustrated at the incompetence at the moment and losing my mind over it.

What do you think I should do? Will making an appt. via Infopass help? I have till January 2016 to reply to my RFE, and it took 5 weeks for them to send me RFE.

Thanks all!.