AustinJohn
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Posts posted by AustinJohn
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congrats!
Any ideas on why they were skeptical?
My opinion: long courtships for the consulate = real deal.
Anything less than two year courtship; they'll be skeptical.
I would too, wouldn't you?
To mytrang_chinhgoc, time and time, I see people get blue and green consistantly when it comes to case that has a short timeline, nothing personal or special treatment which HCMC gives your case. I'm glad you take the process with a clear mind and high concentration and extremely focus. Congratulations and let's this be an example and encouragement for all who are going through and struggle with HCMC.
Chuck and Kim
No, I don't think I'd automatically think shorter courtships are a fraud. There are alot of people who get married after knowing each other less than a month and stay married for decades.
If you love someone, why would you want to wait for years to be next to them?
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congrats!
Any ideas on why they were skeptical?
My opinion: long courtships for the consulate = real deal.
Anything less than two year courtship; they'll be skeptical.
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I think it helps alot to be there during the interview. I arrived 2 days before the interview and stayed 2 weeks. My wife got a blue sheet (221g) and I went in and politely demanded to see an American CO about it. The Vietnamese that work at the consulate tried to give me "the run-around" but I didn't stand for it. Be persistent yet polite. I think it helps. When I told my wife what I did at the consulate, she laughed. I acted very un-Vietnamese but I told her, "I know how to deal with Americans." Good luck. You can see my wrap up here....
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...p;#entry1179386
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Because my wife had all her necessary vaccinations at her K-1 medical, we just sent in the DS-3025 figuring the worst that could happen is that they would tell us to get the supplement from a civil surgeon. We had no problem and even at our AOS interview the interviewer looked at the DS-3025 and said that it was fine. Glad we didn't pay the outrageous prices the civil surgeons in our area wanted.
I just sent off my wife's AOS paperwork on Friday. I sent a copy of the DS-3025 as well. If you read the I-485 instructions, it actually doesn't refer to the I-693, it just says "vaccination supplement".
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Hi,
We have not got a date for our interview yet but our lawyer sent us a list of documents we will need to start collecting for the interview.
I wanted to ask people here who have already had their AOS interviews how they went about getting this piece of evidence:
1. AFFIDAVITS: A (notarized statement) from at least three people attesting to your current marital relationship. These affidavits should state the their name, address, status in the United States, relationship to you and/or your spouse, and how he/she is knowledgeable of said facts. At least one of these affidavits should be from a neighbor. The affidavits should be detailed and informative, not general statements.
Any advice would be appreciated, thanks
I just sent in the paperwork for AOS but wanted to comment. It seems pretty awkward to ask a neighbor to do this. I'm cordial with my neighbors but not looking forward to saying "Hey, want to go with me to a notary so that I can prove that my marriage is real?" Give me a break.... :/
I was planning on getting my mother and sister to write this affidavit. I wasn't aware of the "neighbor" requirement.
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What do you think of the immigration process?
Hmm, trying to create a poll here but having trouble.
Just blowing off some steam.
It seems like its difficult NOT to make at least one error in each round of this process for me.
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What do you think of the immigration process?
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Fiancee enters U.S.;
marriage is done within the 90 days;
Adjustment of status paperwork is submitted before 90 days from date of entry.
Fiancee visa expires (90 days right?)
While waiting for AOS to be approved, what is the "alien" status now according to immigration, since the visa has expired?
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I sent in I - 485 and I - 765 with only 2 total passport photos. I should have sent in 2 with each for a total of 4.
Anyone else make the same error?
Will I have to reapply for the I - 765 ?
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for K1 ,would it be possible to get married first then apply for the SSN afterwards?
or does it really have to be get SSN first then get married then update your SSN?
You can probably get married first. In Texas, the K1 visa holder only needs a passport in order to marry. I've read that the same is true in Florida.
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Hi AustinJohn,
I will give the Consulate a call and arrange an appt. There might be a possibility that they will not give me any appt for doc submission and tell me to come in anytime to submit according to the instruction given in the blue slip.
If this is the case, what should I do or say? I just want to know how to response to their answer while I am on the phone with them.
Thanks so much for your help.
I'm not a lawyer or expert on this but in your place I would arrange an appointment and tell them that you wish to discuss your case with a consulate officer. I think they will give you an appointment but I don't really know for sure; like I said, I'm no expert. I'm just giving you advice based upon my experience with the consulate. I wouldn't tell them that it's for document submission. If I were you, I would want to meet with an officer, talk about the blue slip face to face. I think this approach says alot to them about you being "bonafide".
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Hi Everyone,
I have heard that blue slip content can sometime tricky to understand. Can someone help me interpret the following extraction of a blue slip?
<<<<<<
......
* Section 221 (g) of......
* 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'(e)/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.
*[Vietnamese version of above paragraph]
Petitioner: In a sworn written statement, please provide a timeline of your relationship.
* Please do not submit anything until you have ALL of the item requested above...... If you are unable obtain a requested item, please submit a written explaination.....
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This is my interpretation so far: it looks like the following ITEMS will have to be provided. There will be 2 main items, not just one as marked by asterisk (*) and non-asterisk.
1. Additional evidence to show a bona fide relationship.If there is not any, there must be a letter explaining why(e.g. everything has already submitted and there is not any more).2. ASWORN and NOTERIZEDstatement in describing the timeline of the relationship.Thank you so much for your help.
I believe that the first part about "bonafide relationship" exists on most, if not all, blue slips. It may or may not mean anything. Like I posted in your other post, I think the best thing for you to do is write up the timeline and submit it in person to a consular officer once you arrange an appointment. Of course, just to be safe, have additional evidence.
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Hi,
Sorry, maybe I was not that clear on the questions. What I was asking is really just the process of submitting additional documents after the interview such as
- Who can submit the required documents (beneficiary only or either one of beneficiary and petitioner)?
- After submitting the documents per blue slip instruction, will we be waiting for the result (e.g. another blue slip, pink slip,.....) at the Consulate on the same day? Or we have to go home and wait for the answer in the mail?
Thanks
Either one of you can submit the additional documents. I did it myself.
I suggest that you schedule an appointment with a consular officer and give him the documents yourself.
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Serious?? Dont know about james shortcut?? Its the way to save time thought but i am just abit doubt so never use before.
Also, i looked at yr timeline, the packet 3 and 4, you got them in person, Why is that? Is it because of K1 visa? Please tell me. THankls.
My fiancee picked up packet 3 in person because it was taking so long to get packet 3.
She received packet 4 in mail. Packet 4 included instructions on getting medical exam, making payment to citibank, documents needed for interview. It included instructions on completing the DS156 online (must be in English). Also included 156K (english) and 230 (vietnamese).
We did K1.
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Hi all,
I posted this to chuckandkim but he hasnt replied to me yet so everyone please take a look and respond to me as soon as you can. Thanks alot. Also, does anyone here use james shortcut for DS230, they told me they sent the DS230 to me about 2 weeks ago, but i havent had it yet and i want to use james shortcut, please reply.
Thanks for reply on my previous topic. I would like to ask couple questions, on the reply you said the packet3 and 4, what form are they in 3 and 4? Also, DS230 why do they send to my wife in VN? I am her's agent, i think it should send to me, right? So, please tell me abit more about this, thanks alot. Oh, almost forget, abit information about my case will be on my signature so please take a look.
Never heard of "james shortcut".
I believe that the consulate will send the DS230 to your wife in VN. However, you can download the form from www.USCIS.gov, fill it out yourself and send it to your wife.
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Does anybody know if i need to send all thses documents together all at once with the I-129f petiition or at seperate times. Thank You.
- Payment in the amount of $ [PUT IN CORRECT FEE].
- I-129F
- I-129F Supplement: Part B, Question 18, explanation of meeting in person [ONLY IF USED ADDITIONAL SHEET]
- G-325A and passport style photo (Petitioner)
- G-325A and passport style photo (Beneficiary)
- Birth certificate/US Passport (Petitioner)
- Letter certifying intent to marry (Petitioner and Beneficiary)
- Proof of having met in person in the past two years
- Proof of ongoing relationship [if including]
Also, can my fiance just make a copy of his passport style photo and scan it to me?
You send them all in together. I used a pocket folder to help everything stay organized. I made two back up copies of the entire packet. I kept one for myself and gave my fiancee one for her interview. You only need a copy of the birth certificate or entire passport, not originals. I don't believe that scanned passport style photos are acceptable
When filling out the I-129F, make sure that you divulge as much information to USCIS as possible. If they are aware of potential "red flags" and approve your application, it is harder for consulate to give you trouble. For example, tell USCIS exactly how long you have known each other, if only a short time, say so. If you met your fiancee through a relative, tell USCIS exactly how and why you know your fiancee.
See this article for some good advice (pay special attention to red flags and address those in your I-129F package):
http://www.ilw.com/articles/2006,0323-ellis.shtm
Good luck.
John
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Thanks for the review John! I can't believe the ordeal they put you through at that consulate. I have a feeling I will be put the ringer as well. Thanks for the report and goog luck to you and yours!
Be prepared. It is a hostile environment and probably not what you would expect as an American citizen.
John
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Here is the story of my fiancee's interview and our experience at the consulate general in Ho Chi Minh City.
Before the interview: I flew into HCMC 2 days before the interview scheduled for August 24th. After going through my fiancee's papers the day before the interview, I realized that she was missing one of the required documents, the Police Certificate from her region of residence. We could not get it in time for the interview, so I told her that she didn't need to worry about pink or blue, she was definitely getting blue because of the missing document. I told her that after the interview, we would get the police certificate and everything would be fine. That night, we went to a local tailor in HCMC and bought a new professional looking outfit for her to wear for the interview.
The interview: Her scheduled time was 9am. We arrived at 8am and she got in line outside. She was feeling confident and at ease even though she knew that she was getting blue because of the missing paper. She heads into the consulate and I wait across the street where everyone hangs out; no loitering is allowed on the sidewalk in front of the consulate. I talked to some Vietnamese people waiting there and they kindly complimented my Vietnamese which I have been studying for 10 months. About 11:30am, my fiancee comes out of the consulate in tears. She tells me that they didn't believe what she told them about our relationship and they told her that her evidence was not believable. She said that they didn't believe that I could speak Vietnamese. She told them that I was waiting outside and they could question me in person. The CO got angry at this point and said that was unacceptable and handed her the blue sheet. I try to calm her down and quickly get a taxi. We head to the hotel and on the way, I call up Marc Ellis and tell him that I would like to meet with him. I was shocked at what my fiancee said and thought that legal help was definitely a good idea. The blue sheet stated that there were missing documents AND the consulate officer didn't believe that the relationship was bona-fide. The blue sheet vaguely advises us to submit additional documents in support of our bona-fide relationship. No specific missing documents were quoted even though I knew that she didn't have the required police certificate.
Meeting with lawyer, Marc Ellis: We meet with Marc Ellic at 1:30pm the day of the interview. My fiancee has calmed down by now after I repeatedly told her that the people in the consulate are crazy. Mr. Ellis tells me that interviewees who don't speak English are at the mercy of the translators. Marc Ellis advises me to arrange a time to go into the consulate and meet with the CO and ask what is needed to gain the pink slip. After hearing my fiancee go through the details of the interview with Mr. Ellis, the interview sounded unprofessional and dysfunctional. The translator sounded like she taunted my fiancee by telling her "take complaints to window #1." Also, I didn't understand why the CO would get angry.
Follow-up trip to the consulate: After obtaining the police certificate, I go into the consulate alone on the following Friday, August 31st. I take a seat and wait for them to call me. The Vietnamese national working at window 1 calls me up and asks for me to submit any evidence in support of the blue slip. I ask her what is needed. She says that she doesn't know. I give her the police certificate and ask to talk to a consulate officer in person. She tells me that they are only available by appointment. I told her that I had talked to the security guard outside the evening before at 4pm and the information person this morning at 8:30 am and neither one of them had told me that I needed an appointment. I had been very specific with them about wanting to meet with an American CO. I firmly told her that I wanted to speak with an American CO. The lady leaves her chair and returns about a minute later. She tells me to wait at window 9. I go to window 9. No one is there. A lady walks up to the window and asks me what I want. I tell her that the representative at window 1 told me to wait at window 9 because I need to talk to a CO. She asks me if I made an appointment; I again told her no and made an explanation similar to previous representative. I again demanded to speak with an American CO. She asks me to wait just a moment. Another lady comes to the window. She tells me that I need to make an appointment to see a CO. Explanation again and demand to see an American CO. She tells me that I must wait to be called and there is no guarantee that I will be seen today. The consular services are only open from 1pm to 3pm. At 2:50pm, I have not been seen and I'm starting to worry. I pace back and forth in front of the windows looking for a CO on the other side. I see one chatting at the entrance of a cubicle with someone that I can't see. He looks relaxed and is eating a snack. I knock on the window and wave at him. He waves back motions for me to wait. After a couple of minutes, he approaches window 9, I approach the window as well. He says, "Are you John?" I tell him yes and ask politely to talk to him for 5 minutes. He asks me how I know my fiance's relative from the U.S. He then asks me for my fiancee's passport. I ask him if he needs to see any other evidence. He says, "No, when I ask for the passport, you are clear for the visa." He hands me the pink sheet and I go outside. My fiancee sees me holding the pink sheet while crossing the street and starts jumping up and down in excitement. We obtained the visa the following Wednesday.
John
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My fiancee and I arrived back from Vietnam yesterday. She got a blue slip on August 24th. A week later, she had the pink slip. I will write up a more detailed report soon.
John
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Yes, she got the pink and we arrived back in Austin yesterday. It wasn't easy at the consulate. I will write up a more detailed report later.
John
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There's no doubt that a lot of the decisions made by Consular officers have significant subjective elements but there are plent of objective elements too. The couple can have a lot of influence on both.
The biggest mistake I see though is to disregard the subjective and proceed as if it is all about filling out forms and fulfilling requirements. USCIS adjudicators and to a much greater extent, Consular officers are evaluating the relationships of people. That, by definition must by highly subjective but they are trained to be professionally subjective.
Well, my fiancee is going to take into the interview a three page letter written by me with "the story" of our relationship. I hope that helps the consular officer make the right decision (pink) in our case.
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I think OP may be right about success depending IN PART on the interviewer. Of course, your fiance/e's confidence and ability to convince the interviewer that you are bona fide play a part as well. Unfortunately, this whole process seems to be all very subjective and it seems that the CO's tend to take the conservative route; they probably aren't going to "give you a break" if there is some reason they have a splinter of a doubt.
It's probably not a good idea to argue.
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Honestly, I'm not always sure there's always alot of reasoning that goes behind giving blue slips. OP made three trips to VN and family went to wedding and they got blue; sheesh.... rediculous in my opinion.
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I think people who've been to third world countries like Vietnam understand why we help support our fiancee while she is there. I'm not saying anything bad about Vietnam. I'm actually very fond of Vietnam and always enjoy my time there with my fiancee's family. However, comparing the situation of a fiancee in a modern country and third world country is comparing apples and durian.
Cheers.
John
with a little patience and persistence
in Asia: East and Pacific
Posted
If people here saw the terrible way that some applicants are treated; these "kind" words of understanding their scepticism probably would not be said.
I saw the way one of the CO's was treating an applicant. In my opinion, he was very unprofessional. He looked angry to me. He used the interpreters to speak with applicants. I'm pretty sure he's the same guy who interviewed my wife based upon her description. My wife ended up in tears after speaking to him and I bet she's not the only one.
However, they aren't all bad. When I went into the consulate, the CO that I talked to was polite. He was not the same angry guy that I saw talking to others. This guy spoke Vietnamese and seemed to talk politely to the Vietnamese applicants. I actually saw him speaking Vietnamese to an interviewee without an interpreter.