heiko

6 months have passed since filing for AOS, EAD and AP. Wife got her biometrics in February but we haven't heard a thing since. She hasn't seen her family in over a year and desperately wants to go home. I think it is so ridiculous that we have the money to go visit her family whenever we want but are held hostage in America!!!!

So what can we do? Should we call, write a letter, contact a senator?

Thanks for any help.

H

Excuse me. America holds no one hostage. She is free to leave, we don't even have passport control to leave. You chose a single entry visa (K-1) to get her here, probably because you didn't want to wait extra time for a K-3 or CR-1. This is the result.

Whatev!! Keep your ####### in your pants

Just an update for anyone thinking about contacting their senator. My experience was amazing!

I called my senator's office within a few minutes of reading your responses. I gave the assistant the application numbers. He called me back in five minutes and told me my RFE had delayed things but he asked them to see if they could push it through. Within three business days my wife got her AP. Hopefully we will hear about the AOS interview soon.

Cheers,

H

WOW!

I was joking when I suggested contacting a senator. I take it we should have already received the EAD and AP by now?

I have scheduled an infopass for this week. If I don't get anywhere I will contact my senator.

Thanks!!

6 months have passed since filing for AOS, EAD and AP. Wife got her biometrics in February but we haven't heard a thing since. She hasn't seen her family in over a year and desperately wants to go home. I think it is so ridiculous that we have the money to go visit her family whenever we want but are held hostage in America!!!!

So what can we do? Should we call, write a letter, contact a senator?

Thanks for any help.

H

Hey Gang,

Well my Teerak has only been stateside for 6 months and finally broke down the other day and said she really misses Thailand. She thinks it is sooo boring here in America. No street food, nobody walking on the streets, etc. etc. I really miss Thailand too even though I was only there for about two years but we are already talking about moving back. I understand how she feels. When I am in THailand I feel so alive yet now that I am back in America and working I feel like I am on auto pilot. We are both different people here.

Would love to hear your experiences and perhaps what things helped your teerak adjust to the American lifestyle.

Cheers,

H

What changes made a few months ago to the medical requirements???

This process is just so overwheliming at times especially with the changes made a few months ago on the medical requirements.

Well my wife came over on a K-1 visa and we married this summer. Around June I guess they changed the I-693 medical form and now even if your spouse has already had chicken pox they will have to receive the chicken pox vaccination. Last spring they started requiring females up to the age of26 to have the HPPV vaccination. Also my wife received her medical exam at Bumrungrad in March 08 and at that time received a chest x-ray to prove she did not have a history of TB. When we went into get her I-693 completed they required a skin TB test. I asked they why they wouldn't just view the x-ray from Bumrungrad. They said that they needed her to take the test and if she tested positive she would need to take another x-ray. Sure enough most Asians will receive a false positive on this inane little skin test so another chest x-ray was ordered and guess what? Yep she has never had TB.....WOW!!! What a shocker!!! Thank God our government has the good sense not to try to build their own aircraft!

Best place to start is on the instructions page of the I-485. (Even though the Guides are pretty clear also.)

People adjust status from many different reasons/visas and there are different places to send the package based on this - you have to be able to clearly read the instructions and apply them to your situation.

Most folks will send a personal check for $1010 (along with your packages for AOS/EAD and - if desired - AP) to the Chicago Lockbox.

For U.S. Postal Service (USPS) deliveries:

USCIS

P.O. Box 805887

Chicago, IL 60680-4120

For courier/express deliveries:

USCIS

Attn: FBAS

131 South Dearborn - 3rd Floor

Chicago, IL 60603-5517

Thank You both very much!!! This process is just so overwheliming at times especially with the changes made a few months ago on the medical requirements.

SORRY,

I have searched and the problem is I have found several addresses, both old and new in information about where to send this info if you live in certain states.

I have all the documentation completed and ready to send but the forum guide for AOS does not have the current amount to be sent nor does it have an address for where the packet is to be sent.

I guess a few years ago they tried a new program in Texas, Oklahoma etc. etc. and that didn't seem to work out so now everyone just sends their stuff to the "Chicago Lockbox"? I have found three addresses for the Chicago Lockbox on this website.

Also in the guide it states to send a personal check if allowed.... Unclear information drives me nuts!!!

Can someone tell me how much I need to send, what form of payment needs to be used and to what address it needs to be sent?

Thanks,

Maybe a sticky with current info would help.

Well, my experience with the police is everytime we have been stopped on the roads by the police for speeding, which my girls does routinely, she just negotiates and we pay them off. They seem like the most corrupt bunch of people around. So the wait is on to see when the new interview list is posted next week.

Having lived in the land of crocodile smiles for two years I have learned that corruption is a relative term. The policy you described above is "standard procedure" and I really wish you could negotiate your way around the american system by greasing a few palms like you can in Thailand.

My fiancee's interview is Tuesday July 15th. What is the reasonable date to get the visa back. I would say on Thursday, from what I have been reading. So, if i booked tickets for the weekend, I should be in the clear. Thanks for any feedback.

Well that should be okay but my fiancee just got her visa three business days after her interview and she said some of the girls were told to come back the following day because their visas were not ready yet. You might want to play it safe by a few days.

So just keeping bugging their inbox till they get tired and respond...

Dagobert,

Just to give you an idea, I'm now on my 17th email that I've sent the embassy. Don't worry how many times you email them, it's their job to answer our questions haha.

I'll probably hit the 30 email mark by the time it's my fiance's interview (july 7th).

Littleasianman,

I am not trying to give you a hard time but you said you had a good immigration attorney.....so why are you emailing the embassy? Can't your attorney answer your questions?

Just curious.

Cheers,

H

Hey I meant it when I said I was not trying to give you a hard time!! I just went through the same process and I never even thought about emailing the embassy. Mainly because I didn't think they would answer.

I have a bone to pick with my attorney and will share my experience at the appropriate time. My main complaint was that he didn't answer even 30% of my emails. More on this later.

Cheers,

H

Heiko,

Because I prefer to stay on top of things and I'm not one of those people who rely solely on my immigration attorney. I don't like to sit back and wait for results/answers, and if you have read my other posts you will see the main reason I hired a lawyer was to organize my papers and my documents for me, as well as assembling any packets.

Also, my attorney can't answer my questions about why the embassy website hasn't been updated (last month), why EXACTLY we have two interview dates scheduled on the same day (he can speculate but no one knows for sure but the embassy), what DAY the interview date is scheduled (my lawyer emailed them as well, but I emailed them every three days), about why we haven't received packet 4 (he emailed them as well, but once again i emailed them until they answered me), and a bunch of other PERSONAL questions pertaining STRICTLY to my INDIVIDUAL case, not general questions.

So while my lawyer would email them weekly about when the interview date was scheduled, I would email every three days roughly.

In a nutshell, I prefer to stay on top of things, prefer to be in the KNOW before anyone else, and prefer to be well informed of everything. My lawyer does a great job of this as he informs me the minute he finds out, however I send constant emails to the embassy. And like I mentioned previously, my main reason for hiring was the organization of my papers, and on that end he has done an outstanding job thus far.

Not sure the point of this question Heiko, but there must be a reason, so hopefully this answer is "suitable" for you.

But no offense taken to the question Heiko, just didn't quite understand the purpose.

So just keeping bugging their inbox till they get tired and respond...

Dagobert,

Just to give you an idea, I'm now on my 17th email that I've sent the embassy. Don't worry how many times you email them, it's their job to answer our questions haha.

I'll probably hit the 30 email mark by the time it's my fiance's interview (july 7th).

Littleasianman,

I am not trying to give you a hard time but you said you had a good immigration attorney.....so why are you emailing the embassy? Can't your attorney answer your questions?

Just curious.

Cheers,

H

Awesome!! Congrats!!

I just spoke with Ou and she is counting down the hours. She is going to go to a few markets today to get some stuff for me and then hit the rack early, she leaves for the airport 5 AM Wednesday, Thailand time!!

Finally........................this process will be 2 weeks short of a year when she gets here.

thanks ting tong farang,

It will be exactly 1 year for me on June 7th, She got her ticket to SFO for June 14th. Still a little more waiting to go.

Congrats Ting Tong & Marryme!!!!

The embassy requirement and the USCIS requirement are different with regards to a birth certificate. For the embassy interview, Rin got by with her Thai ID card and tabian baan. She has since obtained her BC, so that shouldn't be an issue for us; here is what the CFR covering the DHS (part of USCIS) says (Title 8, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), 103.2.b.2):

"(2) Submitting secondary evidence and affidavits —(i) General. The non-existence or other unavailability of required evidence creates a presumption of ineligibility. If a required document, such as a birth or marriage certificate, does not exist or cannot be obtained, an applicant or petitioner must demonstrate this and submit secondary evidence, such as church or school records, pertinent to the facts at issue. If secondary evidence also does not exist or cannot be obtained, the applicant or petitioner must demonstrate the unavailability of both the required document and relevant secondary evidence, and submit two or more affidavits, sworn to or affirmed by persons who are not parties to the petition who have direct personal knowledge of the event and circumstances. Secondary evidence must overcome the unavailability of primary evidence, and affidavits must overcome the unavailability of both primary and secondary evidence."

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-....1.2&idno=8

I am sure someone from Thailand has had the same issue before and made it through AOS without a BC; would be interesting to hear what evidence they presented.

John

Hello all,

I like to post this reminder in the forum every once in awhile because it created a big headache for us. Before heading to the U.S., be sure you go to the fiance's amphur of birth and get an official birth certificate. You'll need it to adjust status. Also, if your fiance has had any name changes, get those official documents and have them all translated too. I had a very good translation experience with Anuchit Piewkham at info@thaienglish.com. Good luck on your journeys!

My wife doesn't seem to have a birth certificate, although she has a Thai passport, Thai ID card, and a translated copy of the house registration (blue book.) I found this on the State Dept. website. I wonder if I'll have any issues with AOS? Thoughts?

"The issuance of birth certificates in Thailand began in Bangkok in 1917. Records of birth are often lacking for people born in Bangkok before World War II and for those born in other areas of the country up until the 1970s. Birth Certificates are issued by "Amphur," (geographic subdivision roughly equivalent to a county in the U.S.) district authorities having jurisdiction over the place of birth. There may be a fee for this service.

A Thai citizen older than 15 and born in Thailand, whose birth was not registered, must present in its stead a household registration, together with a Thai national identity card ("bat prachachon"), and may also be required to submit additional proof of the claimed relationship."

I am in exactly the same predicament. My fiancee went to ubon to get her birth certificate and they told her it was lost but gave her instead some type of affidavit. It was apparently good enough to get her K1 visa but I am worried about it sufficing for AOS. I won't get a chance to look at it until I am in BK next week.

Cheers,

H

So the Birth Certificate can be translated anywhere? Do you need an official stamp from the ministry of foreign affairs once you have it translated?

k. My lawyer specializes in K-1 visas, K3, K2, Tourist and Business visas. They have many lawyers working there, so their client base as well as their track record is outstanding. They have never had a K-1 visa to the US denied, which is why they offer a 100% money back guarantee if the visa is denied to the US.

So like rebecca said, just make sure you aren't hiring a real estate attorney to work on your case.This is probably one of the most important things you'll ever do in your life, so make sure if you get a lawyer you find someone who is familiar with and specializes in this particular process of visas.

I have heard "firms" say they have never had a denial and promise a 100% money back guarantee. DO NOT BELIEVE EVERYTHING you read or are told for crying out loud!!! Their claim is that they have never been denied for any reason that was their fault! As far as the 100% money back guarantee I would love to hear about one person who got their money back from a lawyer!!! Be careful when hiring an attorney if you think you need one. There are numerous agencies that don't have a single lawyer on the payroll!!!

My wife doesn't seem to have a birth certificate, although she has a Thai passport, Thai ID card, and a translated copy of the house registration (blue book.) I found this on the State Dept. website. I wonder if I'll have any issues with AOS? Thoughts?

"The issuance of birth certificates in Thailand began in Bangkok in 1917. Records of birth are often lacking for people born in Bangkok before World War II and for those born in other areas of the country up until the 1970s. Birth Certificates are issued by "Amphur," (geographic subdivision roughly equivalent to a county in the U.S.) district authorities having jurisdiction over the place of birth. There may be a fee for this service.

A Thai citizen older than 15 and born in Thailand, whose birth was not registered, must present in its stead a household registration, together with a Thai national identity card ("bat prachachon"), and may also be required to submit additional proof of the claimed relationship."

For the K1 visa we used the household registration and Thai national identity card and that is acceptable for K1 applicants as stated above. I assumed it would work for AOS if I gave them Thai and English copies but it did not. USCIS is a different branch of government from the Department of State and I'm assuming that's why it did not work. I don't have any official documentation to prove that though. The U.S. Bangkok Embassy understands Thai documents. Service centers in the U.S. doing AOS deal with all countries and they don't have a clue what a household registration is. I attached a copy of the RFE I received.

I thought of another potential problem for you. When you get your medical examination done in Bangkok, make sure the doctor marks the correct approval box on the I-693 supplemental vaccination form. Our doctor checked the wrong box so we got a 2nd RFE and had to find a civil surgeon in the states to redo it. Go here to see the document we had to resubmit. Make copies of all the medical documents if possible because you turn them in at your point of entry and USCIS has been known to not forward them to the right service center which causes delays. I can't remember if the doctor seals them at the hospital or if they are sealed at the interview. BNH hospital reluctantly e-mailed me a copy of the document they messed up on.

Hope this helps!

Thanks Feyser, John everyone else! CONGRATS! Feyser on getting the green card. If anyone has a chance could you possibly scan and post just what a thai birth certificate looks like?

Cheers,

H

Hello all,

I like to post this reminder in the forum every once in awhile because it created a big headache for us. Before heading to the U.S., be sure you go to the fiance's amphur of birth and get an official birth certificate. You'll need it to adjust status. Also, if your fiance has had any name changes, get those official documents and have them all translated too. I had a very good translation experience with Anuchit Piewkham at info@thaienglish.com. Good luck on your journeys!

My wife doesn't seem to have a birth certificate, although she has a Thai passport, Thai ID card, and a translated copy of the house registration (blue book.) I found this on the State Dept. website. I wonder if I'll have any issues with AOS? Thoughts?

"The issuance of birth certificates in Thailand began in Bangkok in 1917. Records of birth are often lacking for people born in Bangkok before World War II and for those born in other areas of the country up until the 1970s. Birth Certificates are issued by "Amphur," (geographic subdivision roughly equivalent to a county in the U.S.) district authorities having jurisdiction over the place of birth. There may be a fee for this service.

A Thai citizen older than 15 and born in Thailand, whose birth was not registered, must present in its stead a household registration, together with a Thai national identity card ("bat prachachon"), and may also be required to submit additional proof of the claimed relationship."

I am in exactly the same predicament. My fiancee went to ubon to get her birth certificate and they told her it was lost but gave her instead some type of affidavit. It was apparently good enough to get her K1 visa but I am worried about it sufficing for AOS. I won't get a chance to look at it until I am in BK next week.

Cheers,

H

If you file for a spousal visa you can work immediately. The K1 is a non-immigrant visa ...with the intent to immigrate (yeah, confusing) so you have to file for AOS after marrying. Included in the AOS fee is the EAD (work) and AP (travel). The fiance visa will take many months and a alot depends on where you would file your I-129f (fiance visa) in the US...either Vermont or California. Either way it's probably at least 4 or 5 at the very minimum.

Here is a thread from not too long ago dealing with DCF in Australia... it's my opinion this is probably your best option. You will find conflicting information on the web if you do a search because there were new laws that changed everything in 2007 (adam walsh law). It used to be you could just marry and then adjust but now there is a requirement in most countries that states you must have lived in that country with a valid visa for at least 6 months before marrying.

As pushbrk stated, you wont need a lawyer if you are 'capable' and there are no legal reasons to have a problem. There are a lot of scammers as well as those who are uneducated to the process even though they claim they are knowledgable and they can actually hinder you. If you do decide on counsel...do your research.

good luck

I filed for my fiancee's K1 while living in Thailand. I used my parents address stateside. I hired an agency run by someone who claimed to be an immigration attorney. I wish I hadn't because it only added to the frustration of the process and was a waste of money that would have looked much nicer on my fiancee's hand!! I found this website because of the frustration caused by the numerous unanswered emails I sent to my agency. I would recommend doing it yourself.

What mobile plans do you guys have in the US? International text messaging is adding about 100-150USD a month to my mobile bill with SprintPCS. The long distance is only .13 a minute (I think this is pretty damn cheap), but they charge .25 outgoing and .20 incoming international text. Most plans I look at do not have any international pricing plans. Any of you have international friendly plans with any other cell carriers?

Cheers,

Alvin

I have vonage. Basic phone service with unlimited domestic long distance is like $25 and $10 extra for unliimited asian calling. For good results you need high speed internet but we can talk whenever we want for however long we want. I just got sick of calling cards and this is much cheaper for the same quality. I send text messages for free to her via yahoo messenger to her dtac mobile number.

Well the one to the USCIS doesn't need to be. We found a place in BKK that will certify it. We are also having the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stamp it so we will be good for the interview.

Can anyone recommend a certified translation place near the embassy area or preferably dindaeng area? Also where do you go to have the MFA "stamp" your translated birth certificate.

Thanks,

H

Don't bring the money here yet - why? The dollar is down and the economy is in extremely bad shape. Let your money do better in UK, till things improve here and the dollar recovers. Take whatever little money you need out of your account using ATM cards or writing a check to yourself but don't take it all out. Good Luck

hmmm.... since the dollar is at an all time low....wouldn't it make sense to buy US dollars now? There are still sectors of the market that are doing quite well. If I were you I'd bring that money over now and buy a house! There are plenty of undervalued properties right now and some nice looking interest rates. I doubt you can find a good sub prime rate right now!

Hi,

I'm Theresa (beneficiary) from Philippines living and working here in Thailand for 4 years. My visa and work permit here in Thailand will expire on May 31. I'm planning to resign to the school where I work now by the end of the month. I called the Thai immigration office asking if i could extend by visa here in Thailand for a month to be present in the US k-1 visa interview on June 23, 2008. I'm upset because they told me if i will resign to my work and my visa and work permit will expire on May 31, after May 31 I have a week to leave the country. I don't want to sign contract to school where I work now because I am leaving. I am thinking what if i go back to the Philippines or go to Laos then come back here in Thailand for my interview. Am I going to have any problem in US Embassy interview for doing that?...Please advice.. what is the best thing to do.... Me and Darryl were too upset now...

Thank you in advance. May God bless us all.

Theresa

Theresa,

As a Philipino would you be able to at the end of your last week (after resignation) be able to make a visa run (to Laos) and return to Thailand on a one month tourist visa? Look in the bangkok post in the classifieds and call one of the visa run companies if this is possible. There are other possibilities but this is the easiest one I can think of. I DO NOT think that leaving and coming back will affect your US visa chances because I don't think the embassy will really care what your status in Thailand is.

Hi,

Thank's for the advice....1 more question..Darryl's affidavit of support is here now he attached only 2006 income tax.He told me he's got the same income since 2005 because he is retired. Does income tax return need to be notarized?because his is stapled with affidavit of support and only his affidavit of support has notarized stamp.

Sorry for keep asking just nervous and excited.

Theresa

I did not have my 2007 taxes finished either and sent a copy of my extension showing what my estimated income was. Have him send you a copy of his extension or even better his 2007 taxes if they are completed. The advice given to me was that they "want" the most recent years tax return. BTW my fiancee just got her visa the other day and had a very pleasant experience during her interview so don't be nervous.

Chok Dee Krup!!

Hi,

I'm Theresa (beneficiary) from Philippines living and working here in Thailand for 4 years. My visa and work permit here in Thailand will expire on May 31. I'm planning to resign to the school where I work now by the end of the month. I called the Thai immigration office asking if i could extend by visa here in Thailand for a month to be present in the US k-1 visa interview on June 23, 2008. I'm upset because they told me if i will resign to my work and my visa and work permit will expire on May 31, after May 31 I have a week to leave the country. I don't want to sign contract to school where I work now because I am leaving. I am thinking what if i go back to the Philippines or go to Laos then come back here in Thailand for my interview. Am I going to have any problem in US Embassy interview for doing that?...Please advice.. what is the best thing to do.... Me and Darryl were too upset now...

Thank you in advance. May God bless us all.

Theresa

Theresa,

As a Philipino would you be able to at the end of your last week (after resignation) be able to make a visa run (to Laos) and return to Thailand on a one month tourist visa? Look in the bangkok post in the classifieds and call one of the visa run companies if this is possible. There are other possibilities but this is the easiest one I can think of. I DO NOT think that leaving and coming back will affect your US visa chances because I don't think the embassy will really care what your status in Thailand is.

vaccinations.pdf

hey so my fiance just went and got her damn medical done, and she said she paid 9000 f^^^^^^ baht. There was one shot 5,333 baht. The name of it is

Has anyone ever heard of this damn shot? She went with the lawyer and the lawyer said this shot is legit I guess. Damn that's annoying.

This is probably the HPV shot. New legislation pushed through by a texas senator on the take by Merck who claims this shot prevents cervical cancer. It is now required for femal immigrants between the ages of 16(?) - 26 years of age. HPV stands for human papiloma virus. sp? It is total bullshit as the efficacy has yet to be proven and some sever side effects have cropped up.

Hey thanks, yea youre right. Total bull sh**if you ask me too, they are basically using our fiances as their damn guinea pigs. That texas senator needs to be punched in the face, that's unreal. Expensive as hell too.

I hate to rain on your parade twice in one day but your fiancee only received one of three shots required. She will need to get the next one in eight weeks and the final one six months after the second. My "lawyer" didn't know anything about the HPV shot. Also I found out from the CDC website that your fiancee does not have to complete all three shots to enter the country but she will have to in order to adjust status. I assumed the vaccination would be cheaper at Bumrungrad so had my fiancee get her second shot there.

hey thanks haha. yea wait, so she got like three shots, but you're saying she has to get the SAME shot THREE TIMES total?! Whaaaat! Well, I mean it's not the cost that's an issue cuz she paid for it not me, but like that is RIDICULOUS.

Actually it's pretty standard for certain vaccinations to get a series of shots over a period of three to six months. For example, Hepatitis, Rabies, Japanese encephalitis... Try being a Peace Corps Volunteer here in Thailand. When I first arrived here they gave me about 15 shots in a period of less than six months! But luckily the HPV shot didn't exist then.

hey this is weird, so before i posted on here venting about the shot, i emailed the US embassy in BKK and asked them about it. I just got a response from them and they told me that this shot is NOT required by US immigration law.

I am very confused now

That doesn't surprise me a bit! I called the USCIS the day after my conversation with the doctor at Bumrungrad and they didn't have a clue what HPV vaccination was!! Check out this link, it confirmed what the doctor at Bumrungrad told me.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/pdf/ti_vacc.pdf

congratulations on the visa!

fyi - it is very important that you bring her birth certificate with you to the states. get it translated while in bangkok too. AND make sure that it is translated correctly. heck ... you need to make sure that the information on the thai birth certificate is correct as well.

you will need the birth certificate for adjustment of status ...

good luck

dvd

Thanks a million for that tidbit of information!!! I never even thought about having it translated. The office in Sai's province lost her birth certificate but gave her some sort of proxy document and she has her family documents as well. I will have to investigate that.