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On 6/16/2017 at 4:40 AM, Thuy&Nathan said:

Her father is a serious, caring man! I offered to purchase him one during the engagement, but he said no! I did not at that time as I was concerned that his friends and family members may believe that he used the $$$ given to us as gifts to us for this purpose. 

 

Now, he is extremely ill and needs to travel 35+- km to the hospital a few times a month. I just worry that he would break down in the pouring rain or excessive heat int he middle of nowhere. Plus, traffic travels up to 90 km/hr on the road he drives (many large trucks). Therefore, I insisted on the new motorbike and purchased a Honda Future. This is also powerful enough for us to ride when there. 

 

He is a "proud" man and would never ask for anything. However, besides the bike, I am now going to provide a monthly allowance. He has a son-in-law doing the same thing (VN)-though I did not know he was contributing until after I committed. I honestly feel that I found a companion from a strong family, but they need help...also, this is NOTHING like what I provide my own mother on a monthly basis!

 

I hope your father-in-law was joking, but it seems that people I meet here do not really joke about financial matters. I sincerely wish you the best!

FWIW: Just be aware that your generosity may morph into higher expectations.   Not an uncommon thing in VN.   

It may put a bit more scrutiny on you and the new person.  May raise a few additional interview questions.   But life happens.  Just be sure to answer truthfully in the future and tell any new person about the K1 petition as it would likely come up in the interview.  

Wedding party is just that.  If you have a church ceremony that's ok too.  You will be legally married when you sign the book at the city/town hall.  Everything can be before or after.  

Single status is an affidavit at the Consulate.  But you need to schedule an appointment and those go quick.  Get that sorted in the US though you will need a VN translation.  Takes a day or so in Saigon (near Diamond Plaza) or at the VN embassy in DC (or your country).

Medical is nothing great.  I'm sure agents get docs to fill them out and sign for a bit of cash.  

2 hours ago, Ngyeu78 said:

Is it possible to get the mental health evaluations done in the USA? Where would I go for that?

I am attempting to have my fiance turn in the paperwork and get an appointment date prior to coming to Vietnam.

 

Thanks for the advice

No, and don't sweat it.  It's nothing to worry about.  You'll need a medical check and that is part of it.  

2 hours ago, pushbrk said:

Correct.  Treat the filing like three separate packages, but put all three packages together.  Three cover letters, three of your birth certificates etc. one for each immigrant's stack.   Remember the wife's birth certificate comes later but he children's are needed now, as evidence they are your wife's children.  Three separate checks as well.

 

Passport photos are NOT needed for any immigrants who are outside the USA, and your wife need not sign the I-130a for the same reason.  You did STUDY the I-130 and I-130a instructions that state these things quite clearly, right?

 

 

Yes, I did review the instructions for all but missed the part about the pics.  Just wanting to use the VJ assets to get myself set up for smooth sailing.  

Thanks for the reply! 

Have they seen your resume/CV?   Does that have your educational attendance dates?  There are many ways to determine a person's age.  Also, there is likely a background check with probationary employment period where they can dismiss you.  It's likely to come out.  Why delay the inevitable?

I'm petitioning for my wife and her 2 sons aged 15 and 12.  I just want to be sure I'm not missing something.  I've read the guides and USCIS pages.  So just humor me.  I haven't been haunting the VJ halls for a while and I am a bit rusty.  

Should i include copies of divorce and marriage certificate in each boy's set / pack as well?  Or just each one's birth certificate?

G-325's are no longer required, correct?  

I'll include:

I-130's for each

I-130A for my spouse

My divorce decree copy

Spouse's divorce decree copy

Our marriage certificate

My proof of citizenship

Birth certificates for each boy

Passport pics for everyone

Bonafide marriage evidence

Other frontload info that pertains to Vietnam petitions

Thanks for any clarifications.

Sibling wait time is longer.  Not an immediately available visa.  There is no immigration bond.  

See this for priority dates.  Going to be 13 years or more.   https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/law-and-policy/bulletin/2017/visa-bulletin-for-june-2017.html

Back when I did a K1 one of the blue slip requests was info about my ex-wife.  I couldn't get a statement from my ex directly so I submitted a signed affidavit with her info as best as I could provide it.

Better to have something you don't need than scramble to get it after the interview.  

The process to convert your license is pretty straight forward. Just like the directions that you found.  The VN license will expire at the same time as your visa.  

In reality you should be ok just showing your US license.  200k usually does the trick with the yellow clad officers.  No more than 500k.  Now if you get into an accident your insurance may or may not cover you.  So look into that.  Traffic stops are just a money shakedown in most places.  Occasionally you will get an officer that is actually enforcing the rules.  

https://www.vietnamonline.com/transport/how-to-obtain-a-vietnamese-driving-license.html

8 minutes ago, MandG24 said:

I thought ceremonial weddings in foreign country mean nothing to the K 1 process?

Very wrong.  Married is married anywhere in the world.  You can have a party, but not a wedding.

VN is one of the tougher places for family visas.  Spend some time reading in the Vietnam regional forum to learn the ins and outs.  Don't get tripped up.   

Nope, don't get married because that will add time to your process.  You will throw away the initial filing fee and get to start again with the I-130 spouse petition.   Go and have the engagement ceremony.  Take lots of photos.  But be sure it is the engagement ceremony, with photos of her family and your family ( or stand-ins) doing the traditional ritual.  

DO NOT DO THE MARRIAGE PAPERWORK AND SIGN THE BOOK AT THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICE (that's the only thing that makes a legal marriage in VN).  You can have a nice party too with family and friends.  

The folks at the Consulate know what it ought to look like so don't try to "sneak" something by.  Don't talk about each other as husband and wife.  

How is the sister going to have one less dependent?  What will change?  

Someone needs to meet the 125% requirement.  If your sister cannot then you will need another person who will be able to show enough income.  

What type of relationship evidence was submitted?   How much time have you spent together?  

Just wait for the RFE and submit the needed information. No need to try and guess what's lacking.   Adding extra stress and worry doesn't help the situation.  This process takes time.  

You'd need to show how having your spouse there more quickly is needed.   Being apart isn't fun but it's often a fact of life for those filing a spouse petition.  You can contact the immigration liaison in your US Senators' offices.   Perhaps their inquiry can make a difference.  

File the petition with your residence as Ireland.  That can speed up the process and get your file to the embassy in less time.  

Anything unusual about your circumstances?   No RFE, just a denial?  

Looking for a template or sample of the letter that my step sons' dad needs to write as a part of the I-130 process.  

There is no place to submit any proof of income or assets.   What you can do is bring that proof with you to the interview and tell the adjudicating officer that you have it if they would like to see it. Having the house book and any other documentation of strong ties to VN may be useful.   Don't go in there and shove papers through the window.  Just let them know you have it.

If it's a joint return have your spouse do the 864A.  It's a bit neater.

If your spouse isn't willing to do that then you are using only your income information.  So separate out your portion of the joint income.

The interviewer will expect to see some photos of the Engagement party.  It's all about showing that you have a true relationship where the family is aware and approves.   

Your fiancee will know which pics to use.  Be sure to show the engagement part with the two families meeting (or whomever you had speaking for your side).  The big wedding party style gathering isn't a big deal.  In cases where the spouse/fiance lives overseas it's usually a one shot deal.  If you didn't sign the book at the government office, you didn't get married in VN.  

There are a lot of well meaning members here on VJ, but HCMC is a tougher nut than most.  Follow members who have passed through the Consulate here for the best guidance.  

The entire chat log would be too much.  That being said when I went through the K1 process many moons ago (HCMC)  I submitted a sampling and got blue slipped at the interview for more evidence.  At that point I killed a some trees and sent a couple of years' worth.   

Send a reasonable amount with the initial package and you could then print the whole thing out to take to the interview.  No one can know for sure.  

Line 22 of your Dad's IRS form 1040 is the number. If it doesn't meet the requirement a different joint sponsor will likely be needed.

It's not an accounting thing or an IRS thing. It's immigration and that has its own rules and guidelines.

Pay the $160 and have an interview. Show strong ties to home. That's all that can be done. You can't "help" the process.

Having done a K1 once, I'd never do one again. Get married and do the CR1 for all the reasons that you've stated (paperwork, expense, work authorization).

Be prepared for some extra scrutiny of you. AP for the beneficiary is a given.

Be prudent with your "explanation letter." The focus of the process should be on the new beneficiary, not the ex spouse. If they want to know more details, they will ask. Anything submitted will be fair game for the interview. Your new spouse/fiance should know the story so that he can answer any questions the CO may have.