KimMerrell

Really sounds like a domestic issue. Father and Mother issue, parental ping pong. Really, What does she want?

yes.

follow up with USCIS. U telephone myself. They made a typing error when they sent me the receipt. They are helpful where it is within their jurisdiction/responsibility. So I followed up with an email to HCMC. Very good people.

I pray this is helpful to you/

_{Hello everyone,}

_{Yesterday I bought my air freight ticket back to HCMC.}

_{Last week I went to my banker to prep financials.He said he went through this process two years ago.}

_{He told he went through similarly as I, he how they met and became a couple, very conservatively, with uncanny similar time periods. We discussed what we learned about our government's role. trying it's bureaucratic best, (and I mean this respectfully), ...to ensure through our country's codes immigrants are successful in meeting a standard, a recognized criteria for relationships, seemingly an impossible task, "approving" a couples emotional commitment to marry.}

_{Really, if all couples had to experience this would it matter? ...my fiancé and I to think so.}

_{Our thread to understandings: We chat as she is winding down for the night, (early AM here) We talk on the phone just a little as she preps in the morning and I am prepping dinner.}

_{Our hour + of Yahoo time, every evening; has given us both precious communication time; time we would not otherwise have had without interruption or distraction, ...of living, if we were living in the same country!}

_{Time to laugh, love and learn, and really know more than if we were in the same place. Including misunderstandings, family issues, our life plans, pretty cool!}

_{WE have listened and shared struggles, appreciation for each other's tumults, cultures, etc., etc., than we would ever have gotten otherwise. In other words, our relationship has matured greatly.}

_{As everyone goes forward to this interview thingy, my fiancé and I know it is a process that has made us closer, stronger together, that's it.}

_{We pray all cherish this time apart. Distance as closer.}

_{Kind regards,}

_KimMerrell

_PS:

_{01 December package 3 arrives at her home in Vn. She called me jumping up and down, dropped her phone.}

_{We decided to slow down during December, ...time for her to spend w family, go over submitted papers, the things required to do next. (She) obtained a "I am single paper, paid for her police background check (about a three week turnaround time)}

_{After 01 January, she had completed her single paper, and is waiting for background check to return,}

_{In the meantime she has moved from her home up North to work in the south again, near HCMC, rented a place for us there, our "first" place of our own, and is settled into work again. Me too.}

_{AS I said in the first sentence, I've got my air freight bought to go back to her in HCMC end of February. (Yes, it is emotionally and financially difficult for both of us)}

_{We are gambling on the interview happening as we are living in Vn. in March? maybe? April likely? ???? ...we dunno, we do know we are doing this together, that's it.}

_{I hope this cha-ta qua' was somewhat enjoyable and calming.}

?, unless she was divorced also, it "sounds like" they are talking to you, we did not receive anything like this. Contact USCIS? in your area? ..set up a meeting with them?

Greetings,

One more, this time a question:

REF: our K-1 visa @ package 3

I was reading some posts (2014) regarding answers to "ceremony: VS "Marriage" in Vietnam, I am not confused about our ceremony, however the word "wedding" must be avoided in the interview?

Culturally, everyone wished us "Happy Wedding"

It is an engagement ceremony, but we always reach out to each other as fiancé/wife/husband, and a few other pet names,

Culturally we are engaged. We will be formerly married in America.

Anyone have some insight into this? duh?

Kind regards,

KimMerrell

Greetings,

Congratulation to both of you, Hopefully you are already working as a team. I've read all the posts here regarding what you are doing. I will not offer up anything of that which is already spoken for:

So, where all the acronyms have caused me a learning curve, I will write you a narrative.

1. 04 July 2015, ....... we met casually. We were not looking for what was to follow. I overstayed for another two weeks.

2. 28 August 2015, ....... By this time I had processed her I 129-F, we knew what we wanted.

3. 16 September 2015, .........I go back to Vn,

4. 27 September 2015. .........Our engagement ceremony. Committed to our relationship "$formally." The dollar sign is not a mistake. Our ceremony was worth every dong/dollar.

We had a "Dam Hoi" or le dinh hon" Vietnamese language is not eloquent to a non native, To an active learner/language instructor it is intriguing.

OK< ...we (both) know 1+ 1 = 2 ALWAYS. ....Never 3 or 4, or 5. We had planned on spending a month- six weeks together, but life came charging in. There were funeral services, etc., etc., we decided we/I stay there longer. Again, not an easy decision. It is commitment.

We enjoyed learning so much more about each other. Hell, we even had time for a disagreement of two, or was it three? ..or four, dun no, looking back pretty cool though!

5. 08 September 2015. .........I received a notice: I-797-C at my house; " = I-797-C = "Notice of Action" # 1. This was the notice her 1-129-F was "approved" (we were living in Vn. at the time)

WOW ! it is sooooooo, .....nice to be approved. Wait! there's more!

6. 28 October 2015 .........Another notice is sent. A formal "Acknowledgement is sent" UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" = I-797 = The form letter of "Notice of Action # 2"

7. 10 November 2015 ..........I return to the U.S. I read all this stuff that came in the mail while I was gone.

8. 01 December 2015 .........She received her package at her house in Vietnam. I'm driving from work, she is excited, my phone is jumping up and down, This is the crucial step after the initial baptism of learning. After this it really sinks in, much more is still to be done.

9. 15 January 2016 .........This is the date we will "project" to have her requirements done according to the instructions on her "Approved copy of the I-129-F and detailed instructions in the Package # 3. The instructions came to her with letter from the American Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City = HCMC. = where she will be interviewed.

10. 29 February 2016 ......... I fly back to her in Sai gon (HCMC)

We await the "interview."

• We have "earned" this process together.
• Some will tell you need a "coach" I know we did.
• We knew nothing about this when we started.
• visajourney.com is a calming hand.

We've got to remember:

"one of you is a foreigner, I've always disliked this word. My mother's family gave me many opportunities to fisticuffs' over this, (without getting punished) Where my family had immigrated before WWII, Our government is not in the same mood about it now, my fiancé does not have civil rights to America." (An attorney I did not hire told me this) ...This must be understood. Our I-129-F says it is approved; "whoopee"

The K 1 visa? The other one? CR-1? Others here know way more than I do. I just gave our story. One K -1. We are worth all the efforts.

Kind regards,

KimMerrell

1. I-129-F to Embassy has been a very concise travel. I am beginning to believe in the process in place to assist us in going forward with our loved one.

2. We are in process of my fiancé returning paperwork to the Embassy. Best of outcomes to everyone.

3. Concerning knowledge of when our progress is posted to the USCIS website: I believe it is event driven, meaning when they have performed an action on

our behalf, it will register an event.

Diligence and patience.

KimMerrell

Congratulations everyone, wishing you all well on your journey.

1. Ok, after we understood what a K-1 visa was, took about two weeks to grasp, get our heads around the whole process. Mailed in 28 August.

2. While we were back together in Vn, we received our I-129-F reply as approved in the mail in CA, a friend opened it for us. Dated: 10 September (this was when we received our receipt number)

Of course we were elated. "approved" sounds like a big deal to us, right? ...well it Dated: 10 September

4. After I returned to CA. I received the notice that our approved I-129-F, arrives in HCMC, Vn. Dated: 24 November

5. December 01, I am driving and receive a call from my fiancé, she received her package in Vn. Date: 01 December

After both of us stopped jumping up and down, we began working together on filling the stuff in.

After about a week of scanning in Vn/US >< we decided to do everything, her police record ck. single

doc. after 01 January 2016 because I will have all our financials ready 15 January 2016.

6. She is hand carrying the package to HCMC herself, getting a receipt after first week of January 2016. Date: ( ? ? ? ? ? ? ) Anyone know what to expect ?? for interview scheduling date in HCMC, Vn.?

Best Wishes Everyone, ...Blessings. KimMerrell . oh, and pray with diligent patience. we are together in Vn. late February, we are estimating early March? what say anyone?

RE: % of K-1 visas being denied, or RFE's, etc.,

Greetings,

I responded to a topic that I had read a few days ago. That topic had no energy to it's cause since I believe, 2006? This one 2012?

Better to ask again, we are in need of current answers to better participate, I would like to offer this as a "2nd motion" to follow:

One of our participants rightfully stated to not focus on the negative, Do not obsess over the process. My fiancé and I believe it is a process with well intentioned checks and balances required by our U.S. government.

Where one takes the time to read through the history, it is not so ominous:

https://fam.state.gov/FAM/09FAM/09FAM050207.html#M502_7_5

this what we are all hoping to be successful at complying with.

I believe it is important to continue these discussions into current timelines. Issues are still present.

yep, we are newbies here, not wanting to become permanent fixtures, except to help others along this path.

One person stated that ~ 8-9 of 10 get denied first time around? uhm? really? Another stated some other issues regarding what to put in our package, bring with us.

So, we absorb everything. good information, misinformation, questions: asked/answered, etc.

My fiancé and I base our outlook on our strength of relationship. While working our way together through this maze, ...we are getting internal reminders of how committed we to each other, to not worrying,

except to do everything correctly the first time.

Our confidence and commitment together will be something we will look back upon as; ..."geez, remember when we went through that K-1 thingy, wow, was that a sure a test for us." ...yep, ...sure was."

We are thankful for this forum. Courteous directed questions, answers, mutual support, loving kindness' compassion for shared experiences, and hopefulness of outcomes that will

bring our lives to bear on the everyday commitments of living out a reasonably happy life together.

So, yes ..our participation as a group of people who are experiencing some angst, confusions, who need some additional guidance, and for goodness sake, ...some emotional support, , why not renew the topic, please join us where you have read my post, anyone else currently wanting to know what is happening in HCMC Consulate? also anyone have some more additional experiences we may review?

..with the likes of us 21 century couples who also by default will be legal thankful immigrants? (as were my ancestors)

Blessings,

KimMerrell

Hello everyone,

First, "Thank you" for this forum.

ok,

My fiancé and I have been involved in this process since August 2015. Everything was submitted and is through the system: to my fiancé receiving package 3 at her home in Vn.

08 December 2015. IT was a very exciting day for us both. I remember, I was driving to an appointment, she telephoned me as soon as she received it.

23 December:

....is like any other morning here: there, she is readying for prayer and sleep, I am just getting up, making coffee, making breakfast.

...In about 45 min we will be talking together on yahoo, just living our life as best we can until she/we send(s) in the 'properly' completed paperwork,

...,we/she is finishing the checklist of items they want done. This is explained by the letter (from the Consulate) very well in Vietnamese, and in English.

...We know who we are together, family, etc., is on board.

...Our engagement ceremony was wonderful this fall. We've spent months living together in Vn.

Ups and downs, much happiness intertwined with a few sorrows. This is what it is really all about. It has settled into both of our minds.

Beyond our relationship "IT" is a 'process' we both fully realize we have placed ourselves into. ...we know we need to go through this step by step. ....and then breath, leap for joy. Then return to 'normal' ... anyone know what normal is? ? ? ...well, it is a setting on the clothes dryer. that's it.

Yup, I am an American, MY fiancé is a "foreign national", yes we both have concerns about the "boogie-man, omnipotent 'G' people" at the Consulate in HCMC.

The reality is, the consulate is a place where procedure rules the day, every day, mundane, exciting, happiness, sadness, ambivalence, caring, every day.

I do not believe anyone is out to hurt us. They've a job to do there. Each person there is human, with good days, not so good days, ups, downs, just like us.

We've been blessed with this wonderful place to share our experiences, help others cope with this process, I'll try to help by being caring and informative along our way here.

Until my fiancé and I are in that building together, or in that room together, the Consulate Officer(s) reviews our documents, and sends us on our way, we are at their mercy to do everything according to their instruction. We must do our best for our loved one.

As we approach the new year:

loving kindness, compassion, understanding, prayers,

a di da phat,

KimMerrell

P.S;

please enlighten me on one point; I read somewhere on some threads about waiver of fees? really? please tell me how couples meet the financial responsibility requirements when looking for fee waivers.

just asking,

Greetings,

I am understanding so much more.

1. Our application I-129-F made it through the NVC ok.

2. NVC sent approved I-129-F to Consulate.

3. Consulate sent Package 3 to my fiancé.

Package 3: This 'next step' is where errors could occur to cause us to falter. My fiancé "and I" are required to do 'all the work' to get Package 3 returned to the Consulate, 'in a timely manner, correctly.' Of course I will help her every step along our way. Why not?

A. Instructions in Package 3 are very complete.

B. Package 3 must be filled in according to instructions. No exceptions. There is no defense for not following instructions, other than human error. We both have access to, are given instructions in our home languages.

Yes, instructions are sometimes difficult to follow when encountering:

A. language/reading obstacles:

B. Reading/writing levels are lower than the writing level.

In our case, my fiancé is able to comprehend and understand what she needs to do. We are fortunate she has command of the English language, and the foresight to know where she needs clarification.

We must recognize our responsibilities together. We discuss everything together. More than one time. Yes, it can be tenuous. Where she/we find items may be incomplete, incorrectly answered, we discuss the matter together again. We do it to the best of our combined abilities.

She is very animate about getting everything correct to the consulate the first time. I am so thankfully blessed by her forbearance.

An attorney explained to me "During the interview, your fiancé does not have the rights I do as an American citizen, she is a foreign national."

Yes, we believe honesty is everything in this process. Be confident, humble and respectful.

As long as everything is filled in correctly, their work entails "THEN" to explore her character, your character, the validity of your relationship as it "meets"

"their" guidelines. We must remember, they are human. While our case is the most important to us, it is just another case to them.

A. Some cases are rejected, visa denied, for reason of incomplete information: 'Get the information to them.'

B, Some visas are denied because there are circumstances in them that need clarification: 'Clarify/answer their questions clearly.

C. Some visas are denied because the fiancé/fiancée and you are not 'proving to the Consulate Officer' your relationship is benefice, 'for real.' This again, is according to their guideline, their perceived genuineness of your relationship.

1. This is set in place by reviewing your relationship in an historical context, according to their guidelines and their experience.

My fiancé and I know it is impossible for us to be denied based upon our relationship. But, we must remain resolute together in our strength as a couple, all they know is what they see on a paper presentation.

2. Consulate Officer will rightfully request you satisfy their request for more information.

3. My fiancé and I must take the responsibility to act if we see the Consulate pushing paper without consideration of its meaningful content. Even then, everything is subject to their scrutiny, or lack thereof.

Again, they are human, we are human. Thus the words "human error."

Hopefully, this forum will help us all as we follow our individual paths. My "rattling on" here is meant to be helpful, I pray not offensive in any way. We are all doling our best.

We must remember, it is our responsibility to do everything honestly and correctly, we are all going through this together, the key words are; "we are going through this together because we are worth the journey."

Blessings.

KimMerrell