AustinJohn

I havd read stories where the visa has been held up because the Consul wants to see a video tape of hte petitioner speaking 5 minutes in unscripted Vietamese.

My friend went thru there, and he is fluent in Vietamese. He was also rejected until he enlisted the help of his congressman.

Not being able to speak a common language, from what I understand, can be a big red flag there.

Yeah, I've read such things also. I plan on making a video of me speaking Vietnamese for them to see. I imagine that they will see that I can speak basic Vietnamese but I'm not fluent. I understand it is a red flag; that's why I've been studying Vietnamese for about 8 months.

My original question which still remains unanswered.

Are there people who have successfully attained visa even though they were not fluent in a common language.

Thanks,

John

The pre-engagement evidence was needed for the I-129F, you were approved, so that's fine. What you need now is evidence of your ongoing relationship and that you still intend to marry in the US after the visa and arrival. Have you been keeping in touch? If you don't speak each other's languages at all, then that might be a problem. Have you exchanged snail mail? Email? Phone calls - with phone records? Take some time to read over the guides and FAQ here and learn some of the interview questions. Can she answer them? In either language? Make sure she's brushed up on the information in everything that's been sent in so far. Make sure she feels confident and comfortable. Short engagements and short durations of relationships happen around here all the time. Just be well prepared and have evidence of your ongoing relationship. Be confident and she should be fine.

She can answer the questions in English when I practice with her. I can speak and read some Vietnamese. She can speak and read some English. We can talk about normal day-to-day stuff just fine because we are used to each other and the way we speak. She has difficulty understanding English speakers other than me and I have difficulty understanding Vietnamese speakers other than her. We both have a basic vocabulary in the other language and understand what the limits are in the communication.

So again, the question is how picky the CO will be that neither of us is fluent in the other tongue.

Cheers.

John

Hi all,

I'm thinking about the "big picture" as a see people say and I'm not feeling confident. Our interview is August 24th and I'm having doubts on our success.

Do you need a "rock solid" case to get the visa?

I've been thinking hard about our interview package and I'm worried about two possible red flags.

One, the time from us meeting and our engagement wasn't long (3 months). Also, the pre-engagement evidence isn't alot.

Two, neither one of us is fluent in the other's language. We can communicate in an odd way (a bit of English here and Vietnamese there) but there is no question that we don't share "fluently" a common spoken language.

Are there others who have had less than ideal cases that have succeeded?

Pretty worried here,

John

IMHO, negative & irrelevant. Possibly buying a spouse? Just my .02.

Close loved ones often need support from those in a financially better position.

>It is not your intentions that they are trying to ascertain. It is the visa applicant's.

Hmm. But I've read about the consulate inquiring into business and family relationships between petitioner and the family of benficiary. That would seem to reflect on my intentions as well.

>Your fiance is the person speaking at the interview and the one that must convince the CO that all of the evidence (interview included) presented is >consistent and compelling. Remember, they don't owe us (the USC) anything.

I'm not really sure what you mean by them owing the USC something.

>As Chuck & Kim advised: "think like a CO" when preparing your evidence and helping your fiance to prepare for the interview. Anticipate any holes or >potential red flags in your story and present evidence to address those issues. You've visited a couple of times. You correspond regularly, you have >photos, she knows about you and your life here, your history, etc. Show all of that in a manner that supports her and your claim that this is about 2 >people wanting to have a long and happy life together. THINK BIG PICTURE!!!

Yes, that is what I have been trying to do. I just wondered if the polygraph would help the CO understand that my intentions as the petitioner are genuine. I'm not being paid or doing some favor to bring my fiancee to the U.S. I want her here because I love her.

>There is only one interview. Prepare, bring originals and copies of everything so that if the blue slip appears, you will have what you need to resubmit >and get that pink slip while you are in VN.

I'm working on getting things together. As I've stated before, it's not easy "thinking like the CO".

>Flesh out all your questions, worries, what ifs here. Most likely there is someone with similar stories/challenges.

>It's hard work, but it's worth it.

Yes, that's why I was asking here about the polygraph.

John

Oops, I made a mistake in OP. I'm the petitioner; the USC.

I completely agree that giving someone money is not, in and of itself, proof of a relationship. I do wonder however, if demonstrating support of your fiance(e) would/could be one part of a total picture of an ongoing relationship. I have often wondered if this fact would be looked on favorably or unfavorably by the consulate officer (CO) during the visa interview.

On the possible favorable side, the petitioner is demonstrating their comittment to support the beneficiary (loosely analagous to the support demostrations that will be required later at the approval phase via I-134, etc).

On the possible unfavorable side, the consular officer may view this support in a negative light: ie that the beneficiary is somehow demonstrating a (financial) dependancy on the petitioner. Even if no such dependancy actually exists, could the Consular Officer latch on to a perception of one?

Folks, please...No Flames...Please read the whole post...It's an honest question regarding perception of the CO at the visa interview.

Nowhere here am I saying that one should or should not provide money or other financial support to their beneficiary. Everyone should do as their circumstances and heart dictate.

Nowhere here am I saying that demonstration of support during the pre-interview timeline is asked for or required by any rule, form, law or any other such governmental vehicle.

The question is what is your opinion regarding the disclosure of any financial support that you may have given in terms of its potential impact on the CO at the visa interview: Irrelevent?, Beneficial?, Negative?

Thanks!

Warm Regards,

Samby

I think showing financial support shows an interest in your fiancee's well-being. I don't believe there is any way that it will be viewed negatively.

I haven't seen this post or article pinned and I think it should be. This is a must read for anyone filing I-129F. Tip #1 seems to me very important. The entire essay is very interesting.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...ic=6769&hl=

Here is a link to the article which Mr. Ellis has as well.

http://www.ilw.com/articles/2006,0323-ellis.shtm

Who is going to administer the polygraph? They aren't going to take some test you had State-side as evidence.

Why not?

Hi all,

I know that polygraphs are not fool proof evidence but I was wondering if any of you have ever heard of it being used in an interview.

For example, I, as benficiary, take a polygraph test in regards to the true relationship with my fiancee and give it to my fiancee to take to interview.

It might aleviate some doubt with the CO in regards to my intentions at least.

Just a random thought......

What do you think?

John

I don't think Western Union is a percentage. I live in Texas and I can send up to $300 for only a $6 fee. That's cheaper than transfering money in the U.S. which starts at around $15 I think. $6 is 2% of $300. Cheap in my opinion.

Money orders are not expensive either but I don't know if they are harder to cash. Western Unions are pretty much everywhere in VN.

I understand your concern but I don't think you need to freak out.

I've been told by consulate representatives that you can correct it at the consulate.

After you or your fiancee put in the corrections, I'd call a week or two later and make sure that it actually got corrected.

I just called consulate. Interview date is August 24th. Yes!

John

As you can see in my signature, my fiancee picked up her package 3 in Ho Cho Minh City and turned it in same day.

Not sure about your situation or if this is too late but you can always call them.

John

Brazilitaliana,

Just out of curiosity - how much did you pay for you last TV set?

Yodrak

Wow! so let me get this straight...next year, when I have to remove conditions on my GC, I'll have to pay $545? that's insane!!!

Yodrak,

I didn't understand your question...are you criticizing me for thinking that $545 is a lot of money? for your info, the last (and brand new) TV set I bought cost only around $150, but not in this country.

Brazilitaliana

What does buying a TV have to do with wanting to marry someone from a different country and bring them to the U.S.?

The cost of the process has nothing to do with how much I love and value (if priceless is a value) my future wife.

I don't think people are out of line when they complain that the government is taking even more of our money. I think they get quite enough of it already and are not what I would consider very frugal with it.

Have you seen this?

http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments...edule052907.pdf

I'm sorry, but that's still too cryptic for me. Why is your child an issue? What would you want any statement to declare?

Well, since I was never married, I don't have a divorce decree. I'm wondering if the consulate will see that I share a

daughter with another U.S. citizen and wonder if my relationship with my fiancee is bonafide.

Maybe a better question would be the following:

Do I need to prove that I am no longer in a relationship with the mother of my daughter here in the U.S.?

If there is a potential issue with the CO, I could possibly help eliminate any doubt with the consular officer by having her mother write out a statement that we have gone our separate ways.

Still too cryptic?

John

I don't get the question. Need a statement for what purpose? The only reason I can think of for getting a statement is if you are the foreigner and you're bringing the child to the US. Then, yes, you'll need the other parent's permission formally and with that country's form of notarization.

The child I'm talking about is my child here in the U.S.

I'm asking about the statement because I'm concerned that the consulate may wonder whether I'm involved with someone else here in the U.S.

John

Hi Vjer's,

This is private matter and I'm not proud of it but I need some advice from anyone who may be familiar with this subject.

The topic here may sound odd but that's how I refer to her because we were never married. I never married my daughter's mother. We split up seven years ago and never looked back. We never had any legal documents drawn up regarding custody but we've always worked things out.

Anyways, regarding this issue, any idea how the consulate will look at it? I'm thinking maybe a notarized statement from her along with proof of her address being different than mine might be a good idea.

I don't want something to surprise my fiancee.

What do you think?

John

That was just an example and a minor detail. I think you're OK. Well, sounds like you're in control of the paperwork and the whole thing.

I can be of no help with how to calm women down I'm no good at it. In fact I often "pour fuel into fire" (there's a Vietnamese expression for that, verbatim)

One thing I can suggest is for her to read some of the posts here, especially the ones written by the Vietnamese fiancée who went through with the interview. There are a few: David-Hien, Lan&Mike, Sweet Love, Phillip-Phuoc. Your fiancée will see that it's not too impossible.

You make a good point about organizing the materials. I helped her alot with that but I think that I could help her more there. It's funny you mentioned throwing the boarding passes in a bag because I think that's what I did. Ah, shucks. Well, we're all human and can always do better.

Oh yeah, I remember seeing that post by the Vietnamese fiancee but I don't have it now. Do you remember when that was posted? If you find it easily, can you link it? If not, I'll try to find it.

Thanks.

John

John, I did not use any service for packet 3 and 4 so I am not sure what they can do. Many people do and they may be able to give you some insight.

As for preparation for the interview, we did not practice or do mock interviews. Rather I just sent her a list of actual past interview questions I collected on VJ and let her think about how to answer them. Then some time later I sent her my answers ONLY to those questions that don’t come up in everyday normal conversation. E.g. in my case: when did I immigrate to the US and under what program? There is no point in reminding her “when was our engagement date?” If someone should forget that, it would be me.

I agree with others that “knowledge is power.” The more you (correctly) know, the better off you are. “(correctly)” means “don’t let irrational rumors get you.”

I have some tips for making her a little comfortable with the paperwork:

1. When you send things to her, label it and make it neat and presentable. For example, I pasted all the boarding passes belonging to a trip on a sheet of white paper. Imagine you give the CO a zip lock bag with all your boarding passes thrown in there. Don’t do that to the CO, and don’t do that to your fiancée either.

2. If it is not obvious, include some details to tell her why this piece of paper could be important. For example, I sent her pictures of my college graduation, some with friends, some with family, some holding my degree. She was not in the pictures, but I told her to make it a priority piece of photo evidence, because it shows we share parts of our life, and further it shows I have a potential for earning adequate income.

Let’s see – you packet 3 was 6/29. With the ways things have been, I’m guessing packet 4 will come in the first half of August. Plenty of time to panic later, but have you been preparing the financial stuff?

Thankfully, the financial part is taken care of and no issue. I make well above minimum requirements. That paperwork is done. I gave it to her in June.

You make a good point about organizing the materials. I helped her alot with that but I think that I could help her more there. It's funny you mentioned throwing the boarding passes in a bag because I think that's what I did. Ah, shucks. Well, we're all human and can always do better.

Actually, I think now it's probably a good idea for me to go over a couple days early when she gets her date so that we can organize it the best way possible.

Not a bad idea about the copy of the college degree either. I hadn't thought of that.

John

Pics are good because they paint part of the picture. But as so many have said over and over the CO wants to see a bona fide relationship. Your fiance needs to be able to tell the CO anything about your life. That includes your daughter's life.

As others have debated the marriage in VN can be seen differently by each CO. Don't bank on that as proof of your valid relationship. Sometimes that can be a one way ticket to the K3 process, other times not. It can be the mundane things you discuss in chat or e-mail that will tip the scales in your favor.

Thinking BIG PICTURE is the key. Her facility with English can matter. Questions will be rephrased to check her answers. Her desire to have a life with you is good. A desire to find a good American man would be bad. Think like a CO and plan accordingly. That will deliver her to you and your daughter.

The waiting can be frustrating, but the PINK slip is worth every minute!!!!!!!!

Anh map, thanks for the input. I've called the consulate on two separate occassions asking about the marriage without paperwork and both times they said that it was not a problem. I believe that it's pretty cut and dried in Vietnam. Have you seen a list of the requirements for getting a marriage certificate? It's seems to me alot more trouble than in the U.S.

John

Going over other peeps interviews will definitely help.

Main thing is her knowing EVERYTHING possible about you. Right down to pets names, your mothers maiden name, siblings names, kids, why you divorced etc. This will help give her confidence.

Each CO has different trips to establish you have a bonafide relationship.

Having varied and good pictures may limit what they ask as the old saying!

"A picture is worth a thousand words" holds true.

I've seen where MANY peeps mentioned the CO "liked" looking at the pics!

Same for us also.

First time around we were outright denied for lack of enough pictures.

Second time we had 40 on 10 pages with captions.

Interview only lasted 5 minutes and she flew outa there a few days later.

My wife didn't know one question the CO asked about me and she just answered ! I don't know, and he moved on.

Thanks, I liked reading this post; made me feel a little better with my own stress over the whole situation.

My fiancee has around 500 pictures of us with about 50 different family members over the 5 weeks that we spent together in Vietnam. She has enough pictures to keep them occupied for a couple of hours.

I'll pass this on this on to her and hope that it helps.

John

Hi VJers,

My fiancee is getting pretty stressed out over the upcoming interview. We don't have the date yet but should be getting it soon. Anyways, she's really stressed out over it. She's saying that she's going to fail, consulate officers will probably be too difficult with her, etc. I've been supportive but thought she might could use more help.

I thought that if she got some help knowing what to expect, it might help. I've been helping her prepare but my own knowledge of this whole process is limited seeing that this is my first time as well.

I've heard of IOM (International Organization for Migration) but don't know anyone who has used their services. Not sure if they help with building interviewees confidence and preparedness either.

Does anyone know of some good resources (people or organizations) that she could use to help her get mentally prepared?

John

"Think BIG picture" -- now this is true! There is some time trusted advice shared through this forum and many Vietnam VJ members that continue to stick around long after their pass through the halls of the US Consulate in HCMC. Best of luck to you both!

STL_HCMC

I try to think "like a Consular Officer" as people say but it's a challenge to be objective about your own case.

Good luck poppscc.

John