Etrnaly

My wife booked her ticket for China Airlines for $640 I think about 2 weeks before her flight. My uncle's wife ended up going back from Viet Nam on the same flight and they were able to get seats together when they met at the airport. I would suggest talking to a travel agent to see if they can get you a better deal than getting the ticket from the airline directly.

My wife lives in My Tho. We haven't experienced any problems these past few weeks.

I've got the news for a few days, but been busy so haven't been able to post. My wife will be getting her visa on April 17, and is flying out of Viet Nam on April 19. First I'd like to thank everyone for giving me advice and such. In the overall scheme of things, I think it helped us a lot. This might interest some more than others, but I'll give a summary of all the things we had to go through in case it helps someone here.

My wife had her interview in Feb. 2007, and after a few questions, they handed my wife a blue slip and requested the following documents:

• A complete listing of all my relatives and my wife's relatives in the United States, including their relationship, date of birth, place of birth, current address, Social Security or Alien Registration Number, and method they came to the United States.
• A list of all my addresses in the past 5 years.
• A copy of my 2006 tax return

• A letter written personally by me explaining our relationship and a request to meet with the consulate officer should there be any questions or concerns he or she may have.
• Three notarized affidavits stating that my father, my mother, and I are not related to my wife or her parents.
• Additional pictures of our wedding, vacation, and time spent together.
• Receipts of Western Union transfers I have sent to my wife.
• Letters, phone bills, and many, many more evidence to prove our relationship is real

After more waiting, we finally got another green slip from them in August 2007 stating that our case "requires additional processing." So, I wrote to my Congresswoman and got some help from her. Her office was able to get occasional status updates, but that was it. I also was able to get my boss to write a letter of support for me and my wife. However, they replied and basically told us it meant nothing for our case.

In December 2007, I decided to go back to Viet Nam again for our aniversary in February, so I asked my Congresswoman to request an appointment with the Chief of Information Unit for me. Fortunately, they had better success than I did, and I was able to get an interview.

At the interview, the Chief of Information Unit interviewed me separately, then my wife separately, and then he talked to both of us together. He was very friendly and easy to talk to. He just asked a lot of basic questions like how did we meet, who was at our wedding, when was the wedding, etc. He approved our case and gave us the pink! However, as we were leaving the city, we received a call from the Consulate telling us to come back. Both the medical report and police report expired, so we had to redo those. The medical report took 1 day, while the police report took about 2 weeks. And since her interview date had surpassed 1 year (wonder who's fault that was...), they had to reschedule another "interview."

My wife submitted everything in the beginning of March 2008. We got the new interview date for April 10. When my wife went, they just took the documents needed for the visa (i.e. passport), asked if she was my wife, and told her her visa will be ready on April 17.

I know that was a lot to read, but hopefully that helps someone else that's in the same situation that I was in. If nothing else, it pays to be persistent!

Again, thanks for all the help and support that everyone has given me.

They did not call me or try to contact me when they interviewed my wife. After 3 blue/green slips, and 2 attempts at talking to the CO/Chief of Information Unit, I was able to have an appointment with the CoIU when I was in Viet Nam in Feb. He first talked to me while my wife waited outside. He asked a bunch of questions like how did we meet, how many people were at the wedding, etc. After that, he interviewed my wife while I waited outside with a few of the same questions to see if they match. After that, he had us both in the room and gave us the pink slip. Sadly, it was past 1 year since her initial interview date, so they called us about 30 minutes after we left to come back for another blue slip. We just got our new interview date for April 10, where we will be getting the visa.

Good luck and hope your interview goes well.

Thanks for the input Etrnaly. Could you fill in your timeline when you get a chance please. Your case has alot of information that could be valuable to Viet Nam VJers. Thanks!

I plan on doing it once my wife gets her visa. It should be on April 10, so when I get a chance after that, I will post with some info about our whole journey.

I brought home dried squid and fish with no problems. The officer asked what kind of food I had and when I told him he said "enjoy". Thao wants me to bring her some oil when I return. I can't remember what it is called but it smells minty and is in a green and silver packaged. She says it is better quality and cheaper to buy in the states than what you get in Vietnam. Does anyone know what it's called and the best place to buy it?

Roughly translated, it's called "green oil" (dau xanh). You can find it at most asian supermarkets or eastern medicine shops. The official brand is "Eagle Brand Medicated Oil." If you're coming from the states, all you friends/relatives over there will like getting a bottle as a gift. I usually bring back 1-2 cases to give away whenever I go back. Here's a link that has a picture of it:

http://www.veryasia.com/eabrmeoil.html

Tea is fine. You can bring back most stuff. Just don't bring back fresh fruits, fruit seeds (for planting I guess?), land animal products like beef jerky. You can bring back sea food like dried squid.

They did not call me or try to contact me when they interviewed my wife. After 3 blue/green slips, and 2 attempts at talking to the CO/Chief of Information Unit, I was able to have an appointment with the CoIU when I was in Viet Nam in Feb. He first talked to me while my wife waited outside. He asked a bunch of questions like how did we meet, how many people were at the wedding, etc. After that, he interviewed my wife while I waited outside with a few of the same questions to see if they match. After that, he had us both in the room and gave us the pink slip. Sadly, it was past 1 year since her initial interview date, so they called us about 30 minutes after we left to come back for another blue slip. We just got our new interview date for April 10, where we will be getting the visa.

Good luck and hope your interview goes well.

Just got back from Viet Nam. The meeting went great! I came in alone at first. After waiting for about 25 minutes, the Chief of Informations unit came into the room and talked to me. He asked if I went alone, and after I told him my wife was waiting outside, he told me to go get her. After that, he spoke with me first. He asked a bunch of questions like how did we meet, who attended our wedding, how do we communicate, etc. etc. Then he spoke to my wife alone, asking some of the same questions, but not as many questions as he asked me. After that, he talked to both of us and gave us the pink slip! However, as we were leaving HCMC, we got a call from the Consulate telling us to come back because my wife's medical check up and police report had expired. She already redid her medical check up, and her police report should be done in the beginning of March. She is expected to come some time in March.

Thanks everyone for all the advice and support!

The cheapest way to send money is by Wells Fargo. Your wife/husband in Viet Nam will need to get a bank account at InCom Bank.

https://www.wellsfargo.com/per/intl_remittance/vietnam

Talk to the accounts person at Wells Fargo. I was able to get a plan that allowed me to send money for free (I think I got one of these accounts: "Fee discounted 100% for each remittance if you own and maintain a Wells Fargo®PMA® Package, Wells Fargo Complete Advantage® Package, or Wells Fargo Premium Membership® Package"). All I needed was a monthly recurring transfer of $75 from my checking account to my savings account. I just leave $100 in my checking, and set up another recurring transfer of $75 back from my savings to my checking. What's also nice is that the bank gives your SO a call when the money went through. Even if your SO doesn't have a bank account at InCom Bank, the transfer fee is $8-10, which will be cheaper if you send larger amounts of money. I believe Western Union charges $0.50 per $50 that you send.

I'm going back to Viet Nam in Feb. and managed to get an appointment to meet with someone at the Consulate in HCMC (I think it's with the Chief of Information Unit) with the help of my Congressman. I'm planning to bring pictures, phone records, money transfers to my wife, and whatever evidence I still have with me when I go into the meeting. Do you guys have any other suggestions/tips for me before I go meet with the Consulate? Hopefully everything goes well and my wife will be able to come to America soon.

I tried calling them to set up an appointment before. They will tell you to make a written request and submit it to the Consulate in HCMC. I did this, but was not given an appointment to meet the CO or Chief of Information Unit. Best of luck to you. I hope you have more luck than I did trying to arrange a meeting.

I think either your yourself or your beneficiary can turn in the documents. I'm not 100% sure about that, but I'm about 99% sure.

After you submit the documents, they will most likely tell you to go home and wait. It may take a few weeks, it may take a few months or longer.

MaryandMian: I don't think it will be like your situation because

1. They didn't reply to the e-mail I sent them anyway

2. I was denied my request to speak with the Chief of Information Unit when I was in Viet Nam

3. Every time I talked to them so far, the only thing they would tell me is "it's under review" (no duh?).

Thanks for all the suggestions so far. I think I have a better idea of what I should write to my Congressman.

Reach449: My wife had her interview on 02/09/07. Got a blue slip requesting the following:

- A complete listing of all my relatives and Thuy Linh’s relatives in the United States, including their relationship, date of birth, place of birth, current address, Social Security or Alien Registration Number, and method they came to the United States.

- A list of all my addresses in the past 5 years.

- A copy of my 2006 tax return

After she turned those in, she got another blue slip saying they don't believe it's a bona fide spousal relationship. It also requested my parents' and my wife's parents' original birth certificates. In March, along with the birth certificates, we submitted WU receipts (something she didn't get to even show during the interview because it was so short), phone records, letters, a letter I wrote to explain our relationship, notarized affidavits of no relation for my parents and myself, pictures, and more. At the end of May, I went to Viet Nam and tried to request an appointment to speak to the Consulate, but was denied because "the case is still under review." I called the Consulate a few days ago and asked what the time frame is for our case. They told me it could take up to 2 years.

Kevin&Loan: The letter I wrote is 1 page long. It has information like dates, what was submitted/requested, my trip to Viet Nam, etc. Is that good or should it be something more simple?

Thanks

I'm planning to write to my Congressman soon to see if they can help me with my case. My Congressman has a form that I need to fill out before they can help me.

http://www.house.gov/tauscher/services_imhelpform.html

For description of situation, would it be better if I sent them something that's about one full page or just a few sentences to explain my situation?

I just got back from my trip to Viet Nam. I had a wonderful time with my wife, but not so wonderful with the Consulate General.

Before I went to Viet Nam, I sent them an e-mail requesting to meet with the Chief of Information Unit. I did not receive any replies from them regarding that request. When I was in Viet Nam, I went to the US Consulate and submitted a request to meet with the Chief of Information Unit. The lady at the counter said she will submit the request and will contact me in 1-2 days. At about 2pm on the 2nd day, I called the Consulate to see if they have received my request. The lady on the phone said the Chief of Information Unit has the request on his desk and will probably contact me later that day. At about 4pm, the Consulate calls me and tells me they are still reviewing the case, so I can not go in to see the Chief of Information Unit.

Is there anything else I can do at this point to help our case or speed up the process?

Thanks for all the advice so far. I called today, and the lady on the phone said I can't make an appointment until I'm in Viet Nam. Would it be advantageous for me to send them an e-mail still? She didn't ask me for my name or anything. I think sending them an e-mail, even though I know the answer, may be helpful since there is at least a written document showing my request for a meeting with the Chief of Information Unit. Any thoughts?

I will be going to Viet Nam to see my wife in a few weeks for about 9 days. My dad suggested that I e-mail the US Consulate in the next few days (and while I'm in Viet Nam if they refuse it) and ask them for an appointment to see the CO that's handling my case. My wife talked to the agency that's helping us get the visa and they suggested that I call directly to the US Embassy. When I called the number that my wife gave me, the person at the other end told me to call another number. When I called that number, it was to an automated message that I could barely make out because the connection was so bad. If it's anything like automated messages to government offices here (i.e. DMV), I'm sure I'll be on hold 1-2 hours at least before I even get to speak to a live person. So should I continue to try and call them or should I write an e-mail like my dad suggested? We received our 2nd 221g 2 months ago. We already turned in the requested documents and have not heard from them for a month and a half. Thanks.

- Write a letter explain your case (in other words, your love story).

- Write an affidavit of no relations: "I, Mr. Etrnaly, here solemly swear that the following people 1. 2. 3. are not related to me bhabl blah blah and will take full responsibility and penalty permitted by laws blah blah if this statement to be found not true by anyone. Sign and get notorized. Done! (not common for one to go this route but if they have doubt you two are related, you must go the extra mile to disprove their suspicision.

Bottom line here is: Remove all doubt in regarding your family's non-relations with hers. Good luck and WELCOME to Visa Journey.

I hope this helps and by all mean I have doubt in your relationship. These are my opinion and should not be taken as legal advise

Love,

Chuck and Kim

I have already written a draft of the letter I'm planning to send to the CO. However, I think it'd be helpful if someone else takes a look at it before I send it off. If you're willing to read it and offer suggestions, PM me.

For the affidavit, I've never written one before. I kind of just took what you wrote:

I, MY NAME, here solemly swear that the following people

1. WIFE

2. FATHER IN LAW

3. MOTHER IN LAW

are not related to me and will take full responsibility and penalty permitted by law if this statement to be found not true by anyone.

Is that all I need?

Thanks.

Thanks for the reply. She was going to turn in the requested documents, but I think I will ask her to wait a bit for me to mail her a letter to the CO. The reason we have a picture together was because her father and my father are good friends who grew up together. The picture was of us at my uncle's wedding in VN when I visited VN for the first time. Our fathers wanted us to have a relationship so they...."introduce" is not really the word I'm looking for, but something like that. We ended up both liking each other and now we are married. Another thing that might sound cheesy, but before I met her, even before my parents talked to me about meeting her, I saw a picture of her at my Mom's salon. At the time, I thought it was just a picture of one of her customer, since they have a few photos of customers hanging behind the counter. For some reason, I couldn't stop staring at the picture and wanted badly to meet this girl. I didn't ask my mom about the picture (not too comfortable talking to my mom about that kinda stuff). When they approached me about meeting her, I spent some time to think about it. I decided to meet her and it worked out. I have not told even my wife about this, since it's so cheesy and stuff. I only told one good friend about this, and I was a little drunk at the time. And since this is the Internet and anonymous, it's a little easier to talk about it. I think if I include that story in my letter to the CO, it might do more hurt than help, but other opinions will be helpful.

My wife and I are not related, but my sister in law is her cousin. I think this may also have hurt the case. However, my brother and she met through my dad and my wife's dad. They have since been married for 6 or 7 years, and have a 3 year old together.

I already asked my manager regarding my security clearance. It doesn't seem to be a problem for me to leave the country; I just need to talk to our Security Officer before I go. If she gets another refusal, I will go to VN to see her. When I go there, do I get to talk to the CO to plead our case or anything like that?

Some other info I forgot to add. Our letters are all hand written, but I only had 1 year of Vietnamese, so my writing is very poor. And, she is currently learning English, so she can't understand English either. We mainly communicate using the phone and occasionally use Yahoo's video and audio chat thing. I have formatted my computer a few times, so I don't really have any records of those.

Thanks again for the replies.

We had photos of our wedding, our trip to Da Lat and Vung Tao. I think a few other random pictures of us in the city my wife is from. There is also a picture of us as we were little kids when I visited VN (I think I was 12). There was another picture of her and my mom when she was back for my brother's wedding I think. What other info do you think will be helpful?

Letters, phone records, pictures, records of gifts I sent her through the post office, cards (like xmas). Don't remember what else she brought. She had WU records, but forgot to submit it the first time.

Sigh, we got another 221g. This time it says:

"Based on the information ascertained through the visa interview and through documentary materials, consular officers do not believe that there is a bona fide fiance/spousal relationship between Petitioner and Beneficiary. If you have any other evidence to present which would convince a reasonable person that the relationship exists for a reason other than immigration, please submit it. Please label and itemize all materials submitted.

Please submit the original birth certificates of the beneficiary's parents and the petitioner's parents. If any of these birth certificates is not available, please submit a letter of explanation."

So apparently they don't believe us, but they ask for the original birth certificates just for the hell of it (being sent express to VN as we speak)? This is so frustrating! From what my wife told me of the interview, they didn't even ask that many questions! It's like they decided beforehand and the interview was just a formality. Maybe it's because we are both relatively young (I'm turning 24, she's 20). We are going through one of those immigration agencies, but they don't seem to be of very much help. My wife forgot to submit our WU documents, so hopefully that will help when she resubmits the documents.

Our agency suggested that I visit VN again before the interview (it was in Feb), but that was and still is very difficult to do. I was hired at my job at the end of June, with a 90 probation period and only 2 weeks vacation per year. So before the interview, I had 3 days (used 2 of them) vacation! Did they want me to go to VN to say hi to my wife and go back home? Also, I am currently applying for a security clearance with the DoD, so it's going to be even more of a hassle for me to leave for VN. As a worst case scenario, I will ask my boss if I can leave for VN, but I really hope it doesn't get down to this.

Sorry for my rant (I HATE DEALING WITH VIETNAMESE OFFICIALS!!!!)

We sent them the requested documents as soon as possible. I even went to do my tax return literally the day after I heard the news and my dad drove around to relatives' houses to get the needed information. My wife turned it in a few days after her interview (around the 12th/13th of Feb.). We too are waiting for a response. Hopefully it comes sooner than later.

My wife had her interview last month in HCMC, and she was given a 221g. They requested my tax return, previous addresses, my family/relative info (i.e. ssn, addresses, how they immigrated to the US, etc.). Has anyone else dealt with the 221g? How long did it take? What were the results?