aitian

Hey all!

I am getting a little worried about my wife's AP application. We received our receipt notice for her AOS, AP and EAD date August 31, 2007. A couple weeks later her EAD case was online at uscis.gov, but her AOS and AP are still coming up 'case not found' on the website. I am getting a little worried since we already paid for our trip back to Thailand for Christmas and New Year. We received a RFE for her AOS so we are pretty sure they have looked at her AOS package. We just have no idea about her AP which right now is the most important to us since we have a lot of money already put into our vacation next month.

So is this normal for the AP and AOS not to be found online but the EAD to be online? Should I be worried?

Nok just had her interview yesterday and it was a breeze. They asked me a few questions about me starting school in August and asked her when and how we met and what she wants to do in the US. I was amazed how quick it all went (5 minute interview or less). We arrived at 12:45 in the waiting room and we were done by 1:30.

They said that all fiance and immigrant visas now take 2 business days to receive b/c of having to run the applicants pic through a face recognition software. We showed them our itinerary of flying out Sunday night, so they got Nok's done for us by the next day (today or Friday). So I just want to warn future interviewees that supposedly it now takes two days to receive the visa. At least that is what our interviewer said.

Well, we're getting all our paperwork ready for our interview next week and I have some questions just to make sure we have everything correct.

1. The appointment letter asks for 2 pics and then the DS-156 needs a pic x2 for duplicate. Do we need two pics by themselves plus two more already attached to our two copies of the DS-156?

2. There is the DS-156, DS-156K, and the DS-157. Do we need 2 copies of each?

3. Evidence of our relationship is requested. Can we just bring the same stuff that we sent with our I-129F? It was pics, matching passport stamps, airlines boarding passes and engagement ring reciept.

4. Since the embassy knows that weddings in Thailand aren't legally recognized unless registered, can we mention that we had a big wedding a couple weeks ago and show them pics of that as proof of a real relationship or should we just not mention that at all to be safe?

Thanks for any information you can give me.

Josh

We went to BNH today and Nok had her medical exam done. The paper we got in the mail from the embassy said the cost was 2100 Baht. Our bill was 2910 Baht. Nok just got the exam and no vaccinations or anything. We actually have to go back next week b/c she brought her vaccination records and they never asked for them. When they said she was done and she could go pay for it, she told them they didn't ask her about her vaccinations and then showed them her records. By then the doctor already left for the day and now we have to go back next week to show the doctor the vaccination records. We are not sure if she has all the vaccinations necessary anyways, so we thought we might as well get them done while we were there. They said okay and said she needs 3 shots. Once we found out they were around 3000 baht we said that we would go to a Thai hospital and come back with the records. So we asked exactly which shots she needs. They said they didn't know because the shots are different for her age and stuff like that. Then I thought wait, you don't know but just a minute ago you were going to sell us 3 shots for 3000 Baht. I guess they know the shots if we get them done there.

Well, I just wanted to share the 2900 Baht cost with you all and see if that is right. The receipt just says Medical Packages 2910 Baht. Was very displeased with BNH except for the beautiful interior and comfortability.

I went to add some pages to my passport a couple months ago at the American Citizens Services section in Bangkok. Outside the entrance there was a really long line of people waiting to get inside for which I was allowed to walk around since I was just going to the ACS part. When my fiance and I go to our interview next month, are we going to have to wait outside in this long line? If so, how early should we get there for a 1pm appointment time?

Thanks

How often do people not get to pick up their visas the next day? The problem is that Nok's interview is on a Thursday right after July 4th, so if it isn't ready the next day on Friday we will have to wait until the following weekend since she wants to leave on a weekend so her whole family can see her off at the airport. Do they have people pick up their visas on Saturdays at the embassy?

Aitan,

They are not open on Saturday. If you look at "immigration timelines" in VJ, choose "View all visas (advanced view)" under "visa display options", you will get a list of timelines. Go to the bottom of the page, choose "Thailand" as the country and change the "# of rows" to a larger number (50 to 100), then go back to the top and click the down arrow next to "interview" in the header column, you will have a list sorted by interview date. Visa in hand date is in the column next to that. A quick scan shows about 80 to 90% get their visa the next day. Based on those stats, I booked Rin's flight for the day after her interview. Got her visa at 3pm the next day (their standard pickup time now), and headed straight to the airport! I did, however, make sure the flight could be changed if there would have been any problems. Thai Airways allowed changes on the date, but we could not have switched airlines (ticket only valid on Thai).

Goodluck on the interview!

John

Thanks so much for the detailed answer. We are planning on flying Thai anyway since they allow us to bring our little yorkies with us in cabin. I didn't know about them letting us change on the day of the flight. I think we'll try that then.

Thanks so much!!!

How often do people not get to pick up their visas the next day? The problem is that Nok's interview is on a Thursday right after July 4th, so if it isn't ready the next day on Friday we will have to wait until the following weekend since she wants to leave on a weekend so her whole family can see her off at the airport. Do they have people pick up their visas on Saturdays at the embassy?

Our interview date was posted on the website today. Wasn't as soon as we had hoped, but it sure is nice to be able to know when we will be going back to the US.

Ther US Embassy website shows only about a 5 week lag before the last appointment... is that because it hasn't been updated in weeks? Is it just not completely updated at all?

The website is usually updated once a week. The interviews are now about 5 weeks from the time you receive the appointment but it is actually around 8 weeks from the time you receive packet 3. I'm waiting for my fiance's interview appointment now.

I tried searching this on the forum but can't find an answer.

Do we need to pay the visa fee before they schedule our interview or do we just have to pay it before we go to the interview? We just don't want to be sitting on our butts waiting for weeks for our interview time to find out we had to pay it at the post before being schedule.

aitian,

Interesting, and it confirms what I wrote in my post.

So you're saying - indirectly - that your fiancee was previously 'married Thai-style' to some guy?

Yodrak

Attached is the 3rd page of the checklist I received in my packet 3 that mentions "verification of unmarried status." It can be found under the "other" section.

I think we may have to head up to her hometown to get one of those letters real quick. Maybe they will let her mother get it for her and save us the trip up there.

Okay, I get what your saying. With the use of 'register', the embassy probably only wants this from people who have had marriages that have not registered them or have kids which would make the embassy think that the person may have been married before.

Nok has never been married either way but I think we may get the paper from her hometown just in case it is needed. Since this is a new form of the checklist, maybe they plan on requiring this now. I just want to be safe when it comes to any documents the interviewer may want.

Attached is the 3rd page of the checklist I received in my packet 3 that mentions "verification of unmarried status." It can be found under the "other" section.

I think we may have to head up to her hometown to get one of those letters real quick. Maybe they will let her mother get it for her and save us the trip up there.

Hey all!

I received the Packet 3 in the mail yesterday (by the way I got lucky with sending in early as my package sent to the embassy was received the same day my packet 3 was posted from the embassy, pretty cool).

I have a question that has been touched on here but I am a little more confused after reading the instructions and checklist sent by the embassy. Members have stated that the "verification of unmarried status" is usually only for those that have been married before, but the exact wording on the checklist states, "Verification of Unmarried Status for K-1s and spouse visas if you did not register a previous marriage." From this wording, I am reading that they want this verification from fiances and spouses that have never been married before. Is this just bad wording by the embassy or does my fiance (never been married) need this verification now?

I would like to apologize to everyone on the Sawasdee thread. I should not have flooded this current page with a childish argument. This was the first time I have ever felt I was being personally attacked on a forum and could not stop myself from responding. I know I hate it when others turn a thread into a personal argument. I will not make anymore posts that are not conducive to this forum.

Sincerely,

Josh

It says right on the embassy's website : Immigrant documents sent to the U.S. Embassy for a case which is not pending at the Embassy will be destroyed. The Embassy does not have storage facilities for these documents.

Please do not send any of these documents to the Embassy unless instructed to do so. The downloadable documents below are provided solely for those who have cases pending with the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok and need an additional copy of a document or did not receive the Packet 3 documents by mail.

Important Note:

Receipt of an I-797 Notice of Approval from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) does not indicate that the case is pending with the U.S. Embassy. It takes 2-6 weeks on average for approved cases to arrive at the Embassy. If the applicant or petitioner has not received notice from the Embassy after 6 weeks from receipt of the I-797, you may send an email regarding the status.

You say the embassy "should" receive, but you don't know for sure when they'll receive it and how long it will take to process it, so why send out these documents when you may (probably?) have to send them again?

A lot of your posts on VJ are about getting around the normal, painfully slow immigration process and yes, it sucks and we all sympathize, but it's just something that you have to live with. Stop trying to speed things up because it just won't work and may ultimately backfire on you at some point in the process and then you'll both really be stuck.

Hey all!

We are going to send in our packet 3 stuff before receiving the packet (probably mid this week) since the embassy should receive our case early this week. I know everything to include except for where to send it. Is there a special address to send packet 3 checklist and extras or a special heading/notification on the envelope?

Basically, who do we address it too and where?

Thanks!!!

I don't understand your post. It costs 32 Baht to send it EMS to the embassy. It left Thursday via DHL and therefore should be received by Wednesday easy. From this information if I send it on Thursday and it will arrive on Friday. I don't think you are familiar enough with the process. We already have a case number (you can get yours from NVC). It is gamble because there is no downside. The worst is I will have to resend it. Big deal!!! The upside is we cut two weeks out of the process. Your situation may not be dire but ours is. Two weeks earlier could be a year in a nicer apartment for us, closer to campus.

I'm really surprised at your response since is our duty to make it the shortest time possible. Do you pay as much taxes as the government wants you to or do you try to minimize your taxes as much as possible? It is the same philosophy. Why more when it can be less. Rules are meant to be bent to the max.

Luckily a more helpful member has already given me all the information that I need in a pm. Thanks to that member.

In a perfect world it will arrive on Wed. without delay; however, do you know exactly how long it takes for the embassy to open it, "process" it (i.e., record it in their system of tracking 129F apps), and send out packet 3? Since you don't, why send out packet 3 when it could arrive before they've had a chance to do this and risk having your paperwork thrown out? You say it's "our duty" to make it the shortest time possible. I don't know about a "duty", but we all certainly want it go shorter. Don't you think we all would've done exactly what you're planning to do if there was evidence, on this forum and elsewhere, that it actually worked??

By the way, my situation isn't dire as my husband already has his green card. I've already been through a large part of the whole immigration process and let me tell you, it's not at all like taxes - 99% of the time you go on USCIS time and that's what the most aggravating. Keep it up with the friendly posts; you'll make a lot of friends on these forums.

I really don't understand you. I did not make a non-friendly post. YOU DID! I simply asked a question and you jumped down my throat about it.

Matt is simply right in saying what I am saying. All I will lose is some worthless documents. I can always resend it if they do get destroyed. I don't know why you are making a big deal of this. And I didn't say your situation was dire, I said mine is. That is why I am trying to cut the time down all the time. I'm sorry you don't agree with me trying to shorten my time here in Thailand but you don't have to attack me over it. This is supposed to be a site of support and assistance.

It says right on the embassy's website : Immigrant documents sent to the U.S. Embassy for a case which is not pending at the Embassy will be destroyed. The Embassy does not have storage facilities for these documents.

Please do not send any of these documents to the Embassy unless instructed to do so. The downloadable documents below are provided solely for those who have cases pending with the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok and need an additional copy of a document or did not receive the Packet 3 documents by mail.

Important Note:

Receipt of an I-797 Notice of Approval from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) does not indicate that the case is pending with the U.S. Embassy. It takes 2-6 weeks on average for approved cases to arrive at the Embassy. If the applicant or petitioner has not received notice from the Embassy after 6 weeks from receipt of the I-797, you may send an email regarding the status.

You say the embassy "should" receive, but you don't know for sure when they'll receive it and how long it will take to process it, so why send out these documents when you may (probably?) have to send them again?

A lot of your posts on VJ are about getting around the normal, painfully slow immigration process and yes, it sucks and we all sympathize, but it's just something that you have to live with. Stop trying to speed things up because it just won't work and may ultimately backfire on you at some point in the process and then you'll both really be stuck.

Hey all!

We are going to send in our packet 3 stuff before receiving the packet (probably mid this week) since the embassy should receive our case early this week. I know everything to include except for where to send it. Is there a special address to send packet 3 checklist and extras or a special heading/notification on the envelope?

Basically, who do we address it too and where?

Thanks!!!

I don't understand your post. It costs 32 Baht to send it EMS to the embassy. It left Thursday via DHL and therefore should be received by Wednesday easy. From this information if I send it on Thursday and it will arrive on Friday. I don't think you are familiar enough with the process. We already have a case number (you can get yours from NVC). It is gamble because there is no downside. The worst is I will have to resend it. Big deal!!! The upside is we cut two weeks out of the process. Your situation may not be dire but ours is. Two weeks earlier could be a year in a nicer apartment for us, closer to campus.

I'm really surprised at your response since is our duty to make it the shortest time possible. Do you pay as much taxes as the government wants you to or do you try to minimize your taxes as much as possible? It is the same philosophy. Why more when it can be less. Rules are meant to be bent to the max.

Luckily a more helpful member has already given me all the information that I need in a pm. Thanks to that member.

Hey all!

We are going to send in our packet 3 stuff before receiving the packet (probably mid this week) since the embassy should receive our case early this week. I know everything to include except for where to send it. Is there a special address to send packet 3 checklist and extras or a special heading/notification on the envelope?

Basically, who do we address it too and where?

Thanks!!!

4 pages and not a peep from the original poster.....

Yeah, seems like the OP is a troll. Its just a windup.

I never received my NOA-1 at all .. NOA-2 arrived without incident ...

When I called, the Customer Service Rep. said it wasn't a problem and if they had to regenerate another NOA-1 that it would slow the process of processing the petition because an Adjudicator would have to physically touch my packet and then it would go "to the back of the line".

No worries ..

Congrats on starting your process

CB

Quite surprised to hear that. I called to correct my zip code which was wrong on the NOA1 but correct on the form I sent in. I asked if it would slow the process down and the guy said it had no affect on the timing of my petition being approved. Another person from December told me that it doesn't affect the time when they review your file too since the December filer had to call to correct their address mistake too. They did touch my case approximately one week prior to receiving my approval. Maybe this was to change the zip and then it was put in the back of the line.

I don't know but surprised the info they gave me was so different than what they told you.

I was just wondering if they continue to update our cases on the USCIS website after the NOA2 approval. Do they update it when it arrives at the NVC and when they send it to the embassy?

NO, one of the reasons being is that the USCIS is a part of the Department of Homeland Security and NVC and Consulates are a part of the Department of State.

How do people no when it arrives at NVC and then sent to/received by the embassy/consulate? Do we have to wait till we receive the Packet 3 to know where our file is?

I was just wondering if they continue to update our cases on the USCIS website after the NOA2 approval. Do they update it when it arrives at the NVC and when they send it to the embassy?

I was just wondering if the time to an interview in Bangkok is any shorter now that the Cambodian interviews are no longer in Bangkok. I looked at the schedule and the latest one for today is on 5/23 which is just a month and a week. Is the wait truly shorter now?

Just got the email!!!! Approval notice sent on April 19!!!!! So relieved, now the next half of the journey.

Email came at 12:30 am eastern time on april 20th.

I was touched on 4/11 and nothing has happened since. It was one week ago. I don't understand why they would touch it and not do anything. Either approve it or give me a RFE but don't make me wait and wonder what the problem is. I wish I wasn't even touched then at least I would think it just wasn't my time yet.

Hello,

I am a little confused about the vaccination form. Are we supposed to bring that form to her family doctor for him to check off what she has already had and then bring it to the medical exam to have it finished. Or are we supposed to bring a letter from her physician to the medical exam and have these doctors fill everything out. I am not even sure if a doctor here in Thailand would understand the vaccination worksheet unless they were given instructions about it before hand from the Embassy. It is really confusing.

Right now we are going to give the worksheet to her mom while we visit tomorrow for Songkran but we really don't know what to tell her to do with it. All her vaccination information is there with her doctor and we don't have time to do it ourselves since we work and her city is a couple hours north of Bangkok.

Any clarification on what to do with this worksheet would be very helpful.