nighttrain19

To clarify:

Marriage Certification copy is what your Priest gave you to keep and to mail in City Hall

Certified Copy of your Marriage Certification: issued and certified by Cith Hall Vital Record Lawyer, this will cost you upto $25/copy. Must call City Hall to ask for it and pay for it.

Thank you boss.

I will take my b to Nam Phuong restaurant this weekend. if you dont mind to join us please let me know. that's my treat .

I hope that "my b" means "my bride", but somehow I don't get the feeling that's what you mean. You musta got a raise if it's your treat.

Good luck to your new beginning.

So, this looks like it could be another 6 months..... Geees. Man these people. Notice they never said that august 23 was the receitp date.

I sent them a ####### email. And asked them what happen to the July 18 visa application instuctions we sent. I asked them how come they did not do anymore to contact us when they supposedly got one of the 2 sent pack 3's returned cause of a bad address that does not exist. I accused them of mispelling it. And if they sent to both the petitioner and the visa applicant why didn't the other half get it? I urged them to speed it up politely.

Most likely you will hear about the receipt date from the DOS before you hear about it from them. My advice is to call DOS tomorrow and each subsequent Monday until you hear about it and your interview date. Send your emails but just have the mentality of not expecting a reply....this will minimize your frustration.

I emailed about once or twice a week. I think I've only received 2 emails from them the entire time since late June. From the time that you send Packet 3 expect about 7 or 8 weeks for it to get reviewed & approved. Then expect to wait about 3 to 4 weeks to get assigned an interview date. Then it's only a mere 11 to 12 more weeks to the interview. Despite everything I'm still very curious to know what's behind the slow down. Just do your best to be patient and let me know if there's anything I can do to help.

NT, Thea got an email reply from the consulate back on August 23, and did not tell me....She thought I got the same thing. here is what they said:

Subject: RE: I93 .

Date: Thu, 23 Aug 2007 10:51:03 +0700

From: "visas, php" <visasphp@state.gov>

Thanks. It takes 10 to 12 weeks to schedule an appointment from the date of receipt this I-93.

Regards,

Immigrant Visa Unit

US Embassy Phnom Penh

#1, St. 96, Sangkat Wat Phnom,

Khan Doun Penh, Phnom Penh

Thanks the same basic info that I got from them. I'm headed over there in only 8 more days!! Can hardly wait. While I'm there we gonna go scope out the embassy and check out the weekly Embassy Friday Visa Dash! Should be a good race! We want to know what's in store for us. I can post about it if there's any interest.

It's gonna be great to be with my fiancee again and also to eat Khmer food again. Surprisingly I've had some of the best Indian food in PP also. Now my fiancee loves it just as much as I do.

just called the consulate, got ahold of the consulate operator, asked for the immigration unit, they are out to lunch til 1:30... Gee, I should of known....

I once got through. The person I talked to told me that they cannot tell me anything about my case and that if I have any questions to send an email. I hope you have better luck than I did. So you need to stay up a bit later and try again or wait after the 3 day weekend and try again. According to their website, the Embassy observes US and Khmer holidays.....just something to keep in mind. My fiance tried calling a couple of times and never got through to someone and just heard the various automated messages.

I've also heard from someone else that the overall current processing at the Embassy has slowed down quite a bit.

Pack 3 from which one? July 18th or August 17th? Never even agknowleged the July one.....

They never acknowledged our first Packet 3 also. Just call the DOS at least once a week and you may hear something in a week or 2.

I emailed about once or twice a week. I think I've only received 2 emails from them the entire time since late June. From the time that you send Packet 3 expect about 7 or 8 weeks for it to get reviewed & approved. Then expect to wait about 3 to 4 weeks to get assigned an interview date. Then it's only a mere 11 to 12 more weeks to the interview. Despite everything I'm still very curious to know what's behind the slow down. Just do your best to be patient and let me know if there's anything I can do to help.

geesus

How did you find out NT?

I called the DOS yesterday and they let me know. So far the Embassy has not called my fiance yet. We were joking saying they'll probably call in a month or so.

YEAH!!! WE FINALLY GOT AN INTERVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!

Warning for Do It Again! I hope you're sitting down when you read this next part. You're gonna blow a gasket!

It's not until NOVEMBER 19!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Be prepared to wait Do It Again. Hang in there!

We're very happy to finally get an interview date but come on! Why so freakin long?!?! At least now we can start making some plans. I sure thought we'd be getting an interview at mid October at the very latest. We've been going nuts not being able to be with one another. So I'm gonna make a visit in a couple of weeks and then go back again in November. I'm just thankful that I've got a cool boss that lets me have some flexibility with my schedule. So now I just gotta finalize organizing all our documents for the interview.

I also updated the chart I had posted earlier to reflect the 147 days it took from the time we sent in Packet 3 until the assigned date of the interview. Lace & Dustin, you guys got through at a good time before the process went in to turtle mode!

Woo Hoo!!!

I just got Packet 3 in the mail! (I already had it & sent in....just trying to keep a sense of humor about it than getting all frustrated.)

I got an email from PP on July 23 saying they'll send out Packet 3 as soon as possible. The enclosed letter was dated August 3rd and the postage was stamped on August 23. I'm really curious to know why the slowing process is getting worse. I sure hope something changes and they pick up the pace.

NT, I got my 1 of 3 email replys on June 27th. Saying they were gonna send a pack 3, (postal?), I assume. Unlike others here who got it emailed and postaled.

But then when I called the DOS and found out that they had mailed it July 13th and had one of them returned. Yet the other half has never gotten it. According to Lace only the petioner will get it. It seems that someone is not telling the truth. And there is more confusion then facts. They say this and do that.

Notice, that you are not talking to a caucasian in yr emails? I can tell by the grammer.

Jeff

That's what I thought also after the first email I got from them. But the 2nd email had very good grammar...much better than the first. Then again some of the engineers I work with do not write very well also.

Woo Hoo!!!

I just got Packet 3 in the mail! (I already had it & sent in....just trying to keep a sense of humor about it than getting all frustrated.)

I got an email from PP on July 23 saying they'll send out Packet 3 as soon as possible. The enclosed letter was dated August 3rd and the postage was stamped on August 23. I'm really curious to know why the slowing process is getting worse. I sure hope something changes and they pick up the pace.

Nice NT, thought moving from Bangkok to P.P. would faster and easier on the girls, but as we can see it is the worst thing that happend.

Am still waiting to here from them if they received Thea's emailed I-93 that they say was not in the postal mailed envelope. So I don't even know yet if it has been received/approved. Makes me wonder what happend to the one we sent on July 16/17th. Sitting on someones desk or in the lost and found? I know call the dos. Hard for me to do without taking off work early.

I wonder what the DOS can do to speed this up?

I don't think there's anything you can do. When they process your papers it should get logged into the computer system and DOS will see it. I don't think there's anything they can do unless you don't hear anything from the Embassy for 90 days or more. I remember in late July the DOS told me to let them know after 90 days and I still do not hear from the Embassy as to whether they have received my papers from NVC. In the event 90 days passed and I still did not hear from the Embassy, the DOS told me they would check into it.

Sure wish they were still processing in Thailand!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is frustrating to keep on waiting the current slow pace of the PP Embassy. I have been wondering about evolution of the change from the visas being processed before in Thailand compared to now in Phnom Penh. Instead of getting all worked up about waiting to hear from the Embassy I thought I'd use my time a bit more constructively. Anyway I went into the K-1 timelines for Thailand and Cambodia to see how many days it was taking from the time Packet 3 papers are sent to the Embassy until the date of the interview. So I made a chart of my findings. Basically when the K-1 visas for Cambodians were being done in Thailand it was quicker and now it just down right sucks! On the hand now that the Embassy in Thailand does not have to do visas for Cambodians, it is getting much quicker for them! I think they should send some of the Embassy employees to help out in Phnom Penh. Although I wish I had more data points to use for Cambodia, I think the trend is pretty evident. The last 2 data points in the chart are based on the last email I received from the Embassy telling me they are currently scheduling interviews about 10 to 12 weeks from the time they process(not from time received) Packet 3.

any words of wisdom?

How about some cheesy oldies like:

Every cloud has a silver lining.

When the Phnon Penh US Embassy serves you lemons, try to make lemonade!

Sorry that's all I can muster. When it comes to the PP Embassy, wisdom and common sense just seems to fly out the window!!!!

I just got an email finally a few days ago from them telling me they are scheduling interviews 10 to 12 weeks from the time they receive/review the Packet 3. I sure hope that is not true. We mailed our Packet 3 about June 23 and according to their last email, they received it on August 3. There's not much to do just sit back and wait and get everything prepared for the interview. Personally my fiancee and I just try to stay busy....keeps us from getting to frustrated with them.

Hang in there!

Also forgot to say they sent a pack 3 attachment with the email.

Oh how considerate of them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Above message should read August 16th.

But I have made contact with them Today I received an email from them stating they recieved ds-230 part 1 but not a completed I93 checklist......Qrazy, thea says she put all the stuff in the envelope and sent it. Heres what they said:

Thanks for your emails. We received the completed DS-230 Part 1 on August 20, 2007. However, we also need a completed visa checklist (I-93), too prior scheduling an appointment. You may send us the completed checklist by email attachment.

So? Completed means check marks on the checklist of the parts that apply to you? It was done. And she signed and dated it. And anyone who will accompany her to the inerview. Her son. Maybe they mean they dont have it. I dunno. This what a weeks worth of emails everyday does.

Regards,

Immigrant Visa Unit

US Embassy Phnom Penh

#1, St. 96, Sangkat Wat Phnom,

Khan Doun Penh, Phnom Penh

Once they receive everything and clear you for an interview be prepared to wait even more someone to schedule the interview. We're now headed into week 3 waiting to be scheduled an interview!! Maybe I should email everyday to get a response also. I've been sending emails once a week.

Hi guys, thanks for the encouragement...I have thought about calling the dos, just dont do it....Are using this number? 202-663-1225? or 603-334-0700?

That is very interesting imformation there NT. The noa2 and timeline worry. You postal mailed pack 3 again? Why? As you can read back in the thread, we got ours out July 18. Thea mailed it from a PP post office. She does not live that far from the embassy. And the dos told you pack 3 had been mailed to yr fiancee? How long does it take.....in PP?

And the dos said yr pack 3 had been approved? It has to be approved? Geeezzz.....Very interesting. Thanks for the reply....Makes me feel better....

So the embassy is communicating with the dos, but not the petioners or appllicants.....

I've been calling the 202.663.1225 ext.100 and I find that the best time to call is early or late in the day otherwise you'll have at least a 10 to 15 minute wait. We decided to mail packet 3 again just to be on the safe side because at the time we had no response to all the emails I sent asking if they have received the papers from NVC, if packet 3 has been sent, or if packet 3 has been received. I saw that Lace tried sending again so I thought we'd give a try also. Except that we did not use Pyramid because they wanted to redo the forms themselves and I was confident there was nothing wrong with the packet 3 i put together. I'm not Cambodian but one of my best friends at work is Cambodian and has been helping me so I knew we had everything right. My fiancee also lives in PP so it's been convenient for her to mail stuff cuz the post office is not far from her beauty school she's attending. Yes the DOS told me that packet 3 had been mailed to her and on the same day she mailed packet 3 for the 2nd time and it was just coincidence. I don't know how long it takes to receive packet 3. I previously got emailed packet 3 from a fellow member here back in late May I think.

The DOS told me that as the papers make their way through the embassy, the information is updated in the DOS computers. So it's best to call the DOS to get updates because you'll most likely not get any info from the embassy via email. It was crazy to get an email on July 29 from the PP embassy stating they finally received the papers from the NVC. I called DHL and found out that our papers had been delivered to PP embassy on June 2.

I think you should give DOS a call. I got more info from them than the embassy in PP. Just hand in there.

I totally 2nd what Lace said. I've gotten much more info from DOS than I ever did from PP embassy. I had asked the DOS about the validity date given on the NOA2 and they told me that it is extended as needed and it's nothing to worry about. Here's a summary of my experience with the embassy since NVC sent our papers to PP:

5/29 NVC sends to PP Embassy

6/2 delivered by DHL

6/25 fiancee sent packet 3 to embassy from the PP post office

7/9 to 7/27 send several emails(once a week) asking if they have any information and i told them i sent packet 3 already.

7/29 I finally get an email response saying they "Your case has just arrived the post here."

8/1 mailed packet 3 to embassy again from the PP post office

8/1 DOS told me that packet 3 has been mailed to my fiance.

8/6 DOS told me that our packet 3 has been approved and awaiting interview date to be scheduled!!!!!!!!!!!!

You should try sending your packet 3 again just to play it safe and by all means send them emails. Sometimes I'd send 2 emails per week. I only received one response from them on 7/29. As soon as we get an interview scheduled I'll be on my way back to Her!!!!

Hey guys - I was wondering if any of you guys have any information on where to get cheap flights from LAX (or anywhere else in the states) to any of the above places. It has been my dream for a long time to visit east asia and finally today, my husband has said 'lets do it!!'. Flights from the us are so expensive and I figured that someone here would be able to point me in the right direction to a good site or information. thanks

Check out EVA airlines (their hub is in Taiwan) and also Asiana(hub is in South Korea). Flying from Seattle, these two airlines always give me the best prices. If you need to make changes on your return date they are also pretty flexible and usually no extra charge. I've bought online and also from local agent specializing in Asian destinations. I've enjoyed all my trips to Vietnam and Cambodia where my fiancee is at now. I'll be going one last time some time this month....yeah! Good luck and have fun on your trip! Let me know if there's anything else you wanna know about either country.

Thank you so much for giving me the heads up on that. I was getting a bit worried.

My partner and I are planning to apply to the CSC in mid February next year.. and get the K1 Visa approved some time around August... and then simply come over to USA January '09 before the visa expires.

That's the plan anyway.. hope all goes well.

So when looking at our plan.. does it seem reasonable to give a 6month timeframe for the Visa (I've looked at the Sydney processing times and it fits in with this 6month timeframe) ?

We don't want to get the visa too early, otherwise I'll be forced to move over before Dec '08...

FYI:

I submitted my I129F early Feb, got NOA1 around Feb 15, and got our NOA2 on May 15. Now we're waiting on getting an interview date. Good luck!

Looking at Lace's and Dustin's timeline it seems that if you're scheduled and interview on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday then you can pick up your visa on Friday of the same week. If you're scheduled on a Thursday or Friday then you have to wait until the Friday of the following week. Am I right?

That is crazy that you're allowed to pick up during a 1 hour window once per week! Then you gotta make the mad dash and hope the streets are clear and that you and your fiancee can run faster than everyone else!

Hi, u can use internet phone, once the call finished, ask the shop owner to print out call logs...and keep it a safe place...

good lucks!!!

WELCOME BACK!!! My Sincerest Congrats to you both so very much!!

What questions did they ask you both? Can you answer both in english and Khmer? So it looks like it took a week to pick up the visa. How did you go about getting seats together for the flight home? We sent in our Pack 3 almost 4 weeks ago and am feeling very antsy and want to know now when we'll get our interview!

I wanna hear how things went for Lace also when they get back.

Question:

What telco provider(s) does your SO in Cambodia for their cell phone?

Thanks!

I Cant remember. She told me once.....cause I have had so many problems trying to get her with my long distance provider..I will find out again.

Jeff

Thanks Jeff

I think most people use Mobitel in Cambodia.

I'm soooo happy right now.

I promise to do a full detailed report later. Anyways, just dropping in to let everyone know my fiance did great. She passed with flying colors. The interview itself lasted about 5 minutes with a few simple questions.

1) How did you and your fiance meet.

2) When was the first time he came to Cambodia.

3) How many times did he come to Cambodia.

4) Do you love your fiance and why?

That's pretty much it. We had a mountain of evidence to support our claim. I'll give a much more in dept report soon. Untill than, good luck to everyone on this journey and hang in there.

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I want to hear all about it when you get the chance. I hope to be posting the same some time soon.

I just got an email from USCIS informing me my I129F has been approved and mailed to me on June 27th. The email would have been great news except for the fact that I got my letter in the mail back around May 16!

Do you guys know if the interview at the Embassy will be done with me and my fiancee together or is it done separately?

Hi! i have apply for the I-129 and it has been aprove, however, there were many more steps left to be completed. My case now has been sent oversea and I have not recieve any type of infomation regarding my case. Also, they have not told me whats going on or whats my next step in processing this app. it has been 3 months now and nothing has happen since then. Can anyone help me with this topic or any advice...

Try reading this thread and you will find it helpful. Also when you get a chance fill out your timeline.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=61956&st=15

dead link

Uh-oh that didn't work out. I was trying to make a link to: General Discussion Area > Regional Discussion > Asia: East and Pacific (Except China) > "Cambodian VJ Thread"

Read that thread from about the 2nd page on and you'll find some helpful info.