ultimoxo

My fiancee signed the part 1 also, and she got her visa. I think that part 2 is the only part that needs to be witnessed by the C.O...

Hmmm.....to sign or not sign? I think I will just send it in unsigned as per the instructions. It seems as if it is not a major deal to the embassy as you will have to sign it later regardless. I will be in Bangkok on Tuesday and I am reading that many people dropped their documents for scheduling the interview off directly at the embassy. Has anyone done this recently? I want to do that on Tuesday and just want to make sure it is still OK.

Also, I am getting a co-sponsor for the I-134. How many years of W2 and tax returns has anyone recently submitted with success? I have seen that one year's is acceptable for the K1 interview. And I would need them for myself and for my co-sponsor, correct?

Hi all,

I've been in Bangkok for the past week and we returned the necessary packet 3 items EMS (express delivery) on Tuesday. I have been reading about getting interview dates and just wonder if anyone here has recently gotten their interview date... I'm trying to get some idea of when she'll be scheduled for.

I've also noticed that some have sent emails requesting interview dates and I am curious if I need to do that.

I leave back for the states today and will be writing more soon.

Bill

Hey Bill,

Since you have just sent in the necessary packet 3 items, can you tell me exactly what they requested? Did you return the DS-230 signed or unsigned?

I also am anxious to know when the interview will be. The appointment list on the embassy site has the latest appointments in early January, so I am assuming those with our similar timelines will be late January.

The visa interview? Read elsewhere.

Yodrak,

Yes, everywhere else that I have read makes no reference to "needing" the NOA2 or a copy for the K1 visa interview for the fiance. Where I did read something was here on VJ. It doesn't explicitly say you need or should have it here. It is just a little misleading that the visajourney guides list it on one page as you should send your fiance the NOA2 and on another page as something you don't need the original of for the interview. These things respectively could make one think that the fiance should have the original NOA2 or a copy and the fiance is OK with simply bringing a copy of the original NOA2. Just a little confusing and maybe I am reading into it a bit, but I really have to be sure.

Thanks for your affirmation, because I simply don't have my NOA2 and won't be having it until after the K1 visa interview. Just have to hope they don't request it on a whim. Thanks again to all for your responses on this!

someone mentioned before that it's good to sent in the NVC letter and a copy of NOA2 approval letter along with the above mentioned.

Haha, funny timing you should mention that. I just found out today that I don't have the NOA2 letter. So I am hoping that it is not requested as extra information. It is not on the checklist, so theres not much else I can do but hope they don't need to see it.

After I print out the completed electronic version of DS-156 online I notice an error on my fiancee work address.

I would say change it if you have the time. It would all come down to how difficult it is to change it. Sounds like its pretty much a judgement call. Also, sounds like a minor mistake but why put yourself at their mercy if it's not too difficult of a fix.

Also, Matt, why did you sign the DS-230? In the Packet 3 checklist, it says "Please do not sign this form." You had an expedited case, so I don't want to do anything out of the ordinary if that was specific to your expedition.

K-1 visa interview should not need the actual NOA2 form at the interview do you have a copy of it? A copy of it will be satisfactory at visa interview.

No, I don't even have a copy. Has anyone seen anywhere that a copy is satisfactory (other than here on the visajourney pages)? That makes me think that I need a copy. With the caveat that the adjudicating officer at the interview can ask for basically anything to stall the case, I can't find any direct mention of even having a copy of the NOA2 for the K1 Visa interview. I do understand that it's better to have it all and they can request your 3rd grade transcripts if they want, but I am just looking for some direct request for even a copy of it. Because I don't have it, and with what I am seeing so far, I will probably not pay the 200 dollars and delay my interview for months to wait for it. If I were to see a direct request for a copy or the original, I would consider it then. So, I would say as of now, it doesn't seem like the NOA2 document (I-797) specifically is a major deal at the K1 visa interview stage. Anyone agree with that statement?

I do say it would be better to have.

Do they need the original or will a copy do? I am afraid of losing the original in the mail if I send it to my fiancee. Payato

If you actually have it, I think first we need to establish it as a defnitively required document at the foreign embassy for the K1 visa interview before you consider sending it anywheres out of your hands. I have read in some posts that it is a "listed" requirement for the AOS interview, but some posts have said they didnt actually need it then. There may be hope yet for those without NOA2's.

Profiles that say N/A, N/A, N/A drive me crazy!

What type of visa are you interviewing for? K-1, K-3, IR-1, CR-1? I can give you a better answer.

Sorry about that. I filled it out. I am applying for a K1 visa. I am interested to know if my fiance needs the NOA2 for the interview at the embassy where the K1 is granted. Everything I have looked up in regards to NOA2's and interviews refer to the AOS interview. The only place I see where it says the NOA2 is needed is here on the K1 visajourney guide page. My packet 3 checklist to the embassy does not include the NOA2 as a required document. So, if anyone sees a general requirement for the NOA2 at all embassies, I would like to check it out. I am currently thinking it is a embassy-specific requirement. Any thoughts?

That's absurd! I hope you can find yours, ultimoxo.

Thanks, Angilla. I hope so too.

Yu, unfortunately, I know you are not kidding. I was only hoping.

Can anyone point me to where I read that the NOA2 is needed at the interview? I just looked at the checklist from the embassy and the NOA2 is not on their list of required documents for the interview. I may have missed it by choice.

You file a form I-824 to replace the lost NOA2 document, FEE $200.00 Ouch!. You might want so search again.

I-824

Haha, you've got to be kidding.

I found out that i am deploying to support Operation Iraqi Freedom, therefore i sent an expedite request to BKK Embassy. Good luck!

I thought maybe there was some kind of an exception made b/c the interview seemed very fast! Good luck in Iraq and proud of your service there. It's cool that they do speed it up for the troops.

She sent in the completed checklist, DS-230 part 1 (signed), 2 photos, and a copy of her picture page on her passport. The DS 230 and checklist were downloaded from the embassy website.

If you have contacted them, and they said that packet 3 has been sent, then it is safe to send packet 3 even if you havent physically received it from them yet.

Also, thanks for the tips, Matt. Rather than wait for the package, I may just send those items in and get the interview scheduled. I really need to know when we will have it so I can plan to get some of the things on the checklist. I may need a trip back to the US for some forms, visa issues here in Thailand, etc, etc., so I need to have a plan.

So, just to verify, I can send three things:

1.) DS-230 Part 1 (signed)

2.) 2 photos

3.) Copy of picture page in passport

This should be sufficient to get me an interview date scheduled?

I am reading that I need a copy of the NOA2 for the interview. Has anyone ever asked the USCIS for another copy of their NOA2? I have misplaced mine and will need to request another copy. How long did it take if you have done this before?

The reason they dispose it, I believe, is that the embassy doesn't have your case/data in the system yet, since it is too early to send, so they think your docs are not relevant to their unit.

James,

Thanks for the info. I guess the question is "Do they have my data in the system yet or sitting in a stack of papers waiting?". They did send me an email saying they got it on Nov 6. We should be getting packet 3 soon anyways. I am just anxious to get this interview date scheduled. I need to base some plans around it.

Your interview is also coming up soon and you got it a month after packet 3 came. I hope I can get things turned around as quickly as you have. Did you pick your interview date or do they simply assign it?

Hey matt,

Two quick questions about your timeline. I see that you sent the packet 3 in a day before you received it. Did you find that downloading all the materials from the embassy site was safe and accurate? Is this OK to do? I think I had read before that if you send stuff in too early, they will dispose of it. But I do know that BKK does have our case. We are just waiting for the packet to arrive in the mail.

You also got a real quick interview after you sent it in. The appointment list shows the latest interviews in January '07 right now. Did you get a chance to select an early interview or were you just lucky in getting something so quick?

try this link http://www.ait.org.tw/en/visa/iv/docs/DS2053.pdf

Thanks Littleone+Robert for that link. It came through in a crunch because we were going to get the medical done and were short of that sheet b/c the Embassy link is broken. I pre-empted our packet 3 receipt and just went ahead and got the medical. When I do get the packet 3, I will make sure that the forms are the same and that I have performed all as instructed. Once again, travel was a major issue so we got it done now.

Anyways, about the medical. All seemed to go well. The nurse allowed us to have a copy before they shoved it in the envelope. On the copy I see that the vaccinations aren't complete, and she will need to complete the second series on some of them. She has the "eligible for blanket waivers" box checked. I just want to confirm that these vaccinations do not need to be completed before the interview. Is this correct? From what I am reading on here, the K1 does not require all the vaccinations to be completed but the AOS does. Theoretically, the sealed envelopes contents would not have hit our eyes if I had not asked for a copy, so how would we know anyways? She said the doctor told her to come back in a month, but this seems to be independent of the medical for the visa. If she does return for the second set, I assume the envelope will not be corrected to reflect this. Can anyone confirm this for me?

Also, a little note for all about the medical. I brought 2000 baht b/c it is stated that the fee is 1500 baht. I ended up with a total bill of 3900 baht when the dust settled. She got three vaccinations so that jumped it up. So, I would remind all that if you go and you need vaccinations, then bring more money. I was thinking that she could have gotten them much cheaper elsewhere, but I was also thinking that the initial shots are necessary to get the "inappropriate time interval" box checked. Could she actually have turned them down?

my lady's dad just told her that he estimates 100 people will be attending our engagement ceremony. Yikes! Hopefully we can have a rehearsal or something. Wouldnt want to mess up... haha.

100 people....that's a lot of white bracelets on your arm. Don't forget to do the one-handed wai when the relatives line up to tie them on! And definitely stay away from the Lao Kao!

Anyone have a saved pdf copy of form DS2053 that they can email to me? This is one of the forms for the medical. The link on the K3 section of the Embassy page is broken! If so, my email is ultimoxo@yahoo.com

It makes me wonder if they are updating this form.

Looks like someone should be correcting your "mis-perceptions" Yodrak?!?!?

I wouldn't call it a correction. I am not totally convinced that it can't be done through a local police station if you know the right people to ask. This, after all, is Thailand.

I am quite thankful that Yodrak doesn't often have "mis-perceptions". He is easily one of, if not the most no-nonsense, informative posters in this entire forum who doesn't let his opinions cloud the issues. I am thankful he is on the Thailand visa team.

Yodrak,

I am not 100% positive that she must attend in person but everything I have looked into suggests that she must. She called the "Special Branch" police in Bangkok and they said she has to go there. The website for the "Special Branch" which is at:

http://sb.police.go.th/service01en.php

says she must apply in person also. I don't necessarily trust the website. It does say that Thai citizens living abroad can apply by mail. So if anyone knows a way we can avoid traveling to Bangkok, I would love to know. It would be much cheaper and easier for me to get this done in Chiang Mai or a local police station.

Thanks all,

Perfectly helpful information. We are a few hours from Chiang Mai and we may be needing to go there early next week. That is the reason I would just like to get the medical taken care of. I don't think I will have packet 3 by then. I feel emboldened by all the great advice so I think I am just going to download all the forms and get it done. If anything is not in line with packet 3, then I will have time to schedule another trip to Chiang Mai, but the information given sounds very sound and complete. I'll take a gamble so I may not have to travel twice and update all on how it goes.

I also can't believe she has to go to Bangkok to personally hand in the paperwork for the police certificate. That is much further from us and is going to be an expensive day trip.

Also, congratulations to Matt on the successful interview. How did it go???

2. Would it be correct to say that the only thing she needs to have for the medical is the new case number from the NVC? Will the doctor require anything else from her? Anything in packet 3 needed?

Correction: I meant to say this in the previous post. I do know that she needs to bring the forms, her passport and 3 1X1.5 inch photos. As well as money for the fee. Anything else needed?

Well, now that I know that an approved doctor is closer to where I am, I want to get the medical done ASAP. So I want to get my fiance to go for the medical before packet 3 arrives. A few questions:

1. A previous post referenced the online forms being incorrect. Assuming the doctor doesn't have the correct ones, Is the only way to get the correct forms by receiving packet 3?

2. Would it be correct to say that the only thing she needs to have for the medical is the new case number from the NVC? Will the doctor require anything else from her? Anything in packet 3 needed?

3. When the medical is finished, Do I pick up paperwork from the hospital and take it to the interview? Do they send anything directly to the embassy or do I have to bring everything? Does she see all the results?

Thanks!

When is a good time to call the NVC? I've called about 10 times at all different times of day and I can't get an operator. Does anyone else have a hard time talking to a person there? I feel like I have only read stories about how easy it is to get an operator over there.

Thanks. I missed that link!

Can someone who has received packet 3 post a scan or list the approved doctors for the medical in Thailand? I also am interested to know if there are any options for the medical outside of Bangkok.

THEY NEED TO ISSUE THE NOA2 ONLY AFTER THE FILE HAS LEFT THE SERVICE CENTER. The NOA2 as it is now is USELESS AND A LIE. The NOA2 letter states that the file has been sent to NVC,yet the file is stil at the service center.

I disagree with this based on the fact that the NOA2 signals the end of the adjudication of the application by the service center. The process of adjudication can be full of RFE's and random "touches" that keep the petitioner in question about what they need to do next to prove their case. This process can be drug out at the will of the adjudicator. Receipt of the NOA2 signals to the petitioner that all the necessary evidence is in, accepted by the service center and the ball is now on their court.

Now, the the fact that the ball being in their court may not always be a good thing is a different issue. Luck of the draw seems to be the case regarding time of forwarding to the NVC and embassy. This to me doesn't diminish in any way the importance of the NOA2. The entire application process is waiting at some stage, but I think the NOA2 signifies that now you are waiting on them.

Based on the at least 4-8 week projection from sending packet 3 checklist to the embassy and interview date, is it OK to return the packet 3 checklist and get the medical afterwards? There should be plenty of time to take care of it. I do realize that the whole point is to make sure you have all the required stuff before an interview is scheduled, but I just want to get the interview scheduled ASAP. If by some miracle of Buddha they were to schedule the interview in two weeks, My fiance could get the med done tommorrow so it wouldnt be a problem. We would definitely be ready. I can promise that. It is just real inconvenient work-wise for us to travel to Bangkok for the med and police cert in the next 3 weeks. She should be getting packet 3 in the next few weeks also. So I want to send the packet 3 checklist and then travel to Bangkok to get the med and police cert in about 4 weeks. I just want to get the interview scheduled ASAP so we can start widdling down that 2 month wait. Would the dates of med, police cert, interview granted be a problem? Does the embassy require notice from the doctor of completion of the medical before scheduling the interview?