Chet

Hello fellow December folks!! Been a while since I see updates. Just thought I'd check on everyone's progress to see where they are at?

I got my NOA2 approved in July and will be interviewing in November (which is the earliest they can give us). Its a long process but can't wait for it to be over with.

How's everyone's journey coming along?

Holy Cow!!! Big congratulations to you and your wife. Your devotion to each other and the dedication you put forth to ensure you are together is one that is remarkable. The system can be cruel and you overcame the crazy gauntlet USCIS put you through. Way to go!!!

Does anyone know if the format/content of the interview is any different between a CR1 and K3? Do the consulate focus more on one type of interview over the other?

Also, typically how long does the interview lasts? My wife and I are looking forward to our interview and is very anxious. However there are moments of anxiety for fear of the person conducting the interview can be a complete a$$hole. Thanks for any input!

For those that have gone through the process, I would appreciate your input. Once you send in your K3 Packet 3, how long does it normally take to hear back from the Embassy? Additionally, how many weeks from the receipt date was the interview scheduled? Are talking about weeks or months?

Any Cambodian filers left out there?

Yes, there are more. Please count me in. My Visa journey has just started. I sent an application in June 2008. Now I have to wait for NOA2. I am sure that I will need you guys to help me after my application approve.

Good luck on your journey. Let's hope yours will be a smooth one and that you don't have to wait as long. Congratulations on your finding your partner.

Best of luck, Chet! Glad you found visajourney.

Thanks Consolemaster!

Oh.. I have to vent about something regarding the consulate office. I e-mailed them on a daily basis asking for my Packet 3 that they said they mailed but neither my wife nor I have received. The person that replied to my e-mail keeps on giving me the runaround by telling me to contact USCIS, NVC, wait, or check my "mail service". Yesterday, for the 20th time, I e-mailed and again asked for my Packet 3 to be e-mail or at least confirmed again they have sent the packet related to my NVC case # PHPxxxxxxxx.

The person had the audacity in his/her reply to say that I don't communicate enough with my wife! He/she also said that I should "provide her information to process". What the heck is this person smoking telling me such #######?! First of all, I talk to my wife 2-3 times a day (my phone bill is sky high) and how does this related to me wanting my Packet 3 so I can proceed. Additionally, how the hell can I provide information to my wife if they never provide me the packet 3 in the first place!!!!!

Dealing with people like this really makes my blood boil. I have waisted so much time waiting for Packet 3.

Thanks for listening to my vent!!

Because of the slowness of government mail, it may take about 3 weeks for the Embassy to receive anything from NVC.

I know that the embassy has received my K3 documents from NVC before July 22. I have tried e-mailing the embassy many times for my packet 3. The person that respond to the e-mail is getting on my nerve as he/she doesn't seem to know anything and frankly is quite rude. The sad thing is I am sure the person is Cambodian because of the type of English used in the response.

The person said that my packet was sent on July 22. Neither my wife nor I have received the packet. I asked them to e-mail me the packet but the person keeps avoiding my request. My wife lives in Phnom Penh (same city as the embassy) and I know that it doesn't take 2 weeks to deliver mail.

I feel like whoever answers the e-mail is giving me the runaround. It's frustrating. I tried to call the embassy but their stupid phone system would not allow you to talk to a real person. Does anyone know how I can talk to a REAL human that can answer my question?

Thanks!!

Any Cambodian filers left out there?

All:

How long does it normally take for the Embassy to send Packet 3? I know that NVC has already sent my paper work and that it has been over a week now since they got it. I tried calling but can't seem to be able to talk to a real person. I e-mail them but their reply keeps putting me in circle. First tell me to contact USCIS, which confuses the heck out of me! After several e-mails later all they told me was to continue to wait! After waiting for 8 months with USCIS, it sucks to wait some more with the Embassy.

Did they sent Packet 3 to the US or to the beneficiary in Cambodia? I've heard stories where people don't receive anything at all! I've tried many times to ask them to send me via E-mail but they won't respond and just seem to ignore my request.

Thanks for any input!

I'm a K-3 filer, but also pursuing CR1. I called NVC this morning to get my NVC number details and my IIN so I can pay online. The lady put me on hold for 3 minutes to check and see if he online option is still available. She came back and said that they had too many issues with the online system and has discontinued it

It appears that if you are going to the CR1 route, you will be reverted to old fashion snail mail for payment. Just thought I'd share the info.

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I was getting worried if I had to wait after AOS to add her to my account and insurance since she doesn't have a SSN as everyone one of the forms ask for it. It's good to know that its not required.

An ITIN will probably work for the bank and many health plans no longer require SSN. They may ask for it but will deal with her not having one. Check with your plan directly on that.

Thanks pushbrk!! That help clarifies some of my concerns.

YuAndDan, Thanks for the reply. I didn't know that K-3 visas are not entered into NVC's phone system.

As for my wife, I just want the fastest route getting her here. I don't care if she works, but it is up to her if she is bored. We do plan to expand our family when she gets here so she'll have plenty of work at home (as so will I) taking care of the kids. I do want her to be able to drive, but don't mind waiting 3 months for her to do so.

With the AOS approach, I do have another thought/question. How would I be able to add her to my bank, credit card, or health insurance accounts without a SSN? Do I have to wait? If so that would be an inconvenience, as I want her to have health coverages when she is here.

As I said because K-3 is NOT work authorized, SAA will NOT issue an SSN, K-3 needs to wait until they have EAD or Green-card before being able to get SSN.

Again Thank you for the response.. I understand about NOT authorized to work. I don't mind if she can't work. My question is, if she doesn't have a SSN, does that mean I can not add her to my bank, credit card, or health plan? These organization requires SSN to add your spouse to your personal accounts.

K-Visas (I-129F) do not get entered into NVC's phone information system, you need to talk to a live operator.

If both cases are at NVC I would keep the CR-1 moving.

Does your spouse wish to work when they arrive in the USA? CR-1 CAN take a job, K-3 CANNOT, work until after getting an EAD or their Green-Card, EAD can take 90 days or more to get.

CR-1 results is a green-card upon entry which allows WORK, Getting SSN, and Applying for Driver's license, K-3 requires filing AOS ($1010) and for EAD if wish to work, get SSN, and Driver's license while waiting for green-card.

YuAndDan, Thanks for the reply. I didn't know that K-3 visas are not entered into NVC's phone system.

As for my wife, I just want the fastest route getting her here. I don't care if she works, but it is up to her if she is bored. We do plan to expand our family when she gets here so she'll have plenty of work at home (as so will I) taking care of the kids. I do want her to be able to drive, but don't mind waiting 3 months for her to do so.

With the AOS approach, I do have another thought/question. How would I be able to add her to my bank, credit card, or health insurance accounts without a SSN? Do I have to wait? If so that would be an inconvenience, as I want her to have health coverages when she is here.

I just called NVC automated system 3 times today to see if they got my case. Just now, when I entered my CIS number to see if an NVC case number has been assigned, I got a response that a number has been assigned. I got the result by entering my I-130 case number. However, if I entered my I-129 case number, it did not provide a result. Does this mean that I am now on the CR-1 route instead of K-3? Should I now proceed with CR-1 instead of K-3? Thanks for the input.

CONGRATS!

After multiple communications with my local congressman and a recent visit to the local immigration office.... I FINALLY got them to request my petition to be processed. As of this late afternoon, I am now APPROVED!!!!

Now, I am lost for words! Happiness can not express what I am feeling. Finally, out of USCIS and now to NVC!

Yahooooo! Congratulations!!! Now you can breathe again.

Thank you!! Yes, indeed. I definitely now breathe easier. It sure is nice to logon and see the approve vs pending which we have come to accustomed to seeing for the past 7/8 months. I hope everyone will get theirs soon!!!!

After multiple communications with my local congressman and a recent visit to the local immigration office.... I FINALLY got them to request my petition to be processed. As of this late afternoon, I am now APPROVED!!!!

Now, I am lost for words! Happiness can not express what I am feeling. Finally, out of USCIS and now to NVC!

Hello everyone! I am just thinking how would you react if your fiance ask you to sign a pre-nuptial agreement?

I maybe old fashion on this. My opinion is that a pre-nuptial assumes the marriage will faulter. If that's the case, why get married? If the marriage is purely for physical gratification, there's less expensive alternatives than marriage. Having a pre-nup is almost like an excuse for not having to commit on a marriage.... if one doesn't work hard enough on the relationship, one can always go back as before.

Then again, it's a personal choice. Who am I to say what people do other than my own.

It appears that our politicans have their own priroities, which explains why they don't help you worth ####### when you ask for it. When it comes time to vote, I will be sending a note to my congressman and senators informing them that I will NOT vote for them and as many people as I can convience for their lack of care for family. When they ran for office, almost everyone preach the value of family. The fact that they allow VSC to process H-1B visa over US CITIZEN who wants to be with his/her family indicate the true liar they are. They are basically saying our wife/husband/children are of no concern and is why our petition is a low priority.

I may overstep my comment, but I would hope that my citizenship should have precedence for adjudication over a non-citizen applying for a H-1B visa.

hello every one

i got the visa alhamdolelah

thx for every one who helped me

and great thx for pusckbrk and leynaahmed

i wish for all the best

regards

Congratulations!

Chet,

I am sorry to hear the delay for you. It's frustrating I know. I get frustrated just by walking into PP embassy and not getting a straight answer. I cannot imagine the frustration you have. If you would private message me your email address I'll forward packet 3 to you. It's really the same as what you sent with 130 and 129 and 134 affidavit of support.

One thing I learned today is that my wife won't be able to get a police clearance until the ministry opens after the election which is July 28. Can you imagine that? A whole ministry closing down for the election.

If you think its difficult getting an answer from USCIS, it'll be 100 times worse from PP embassy. A lady I work with told me her niece didn't get her packet 3 for almost one year. Not sure if it's the unreliable mail system or unreliable embassy workers in Cambodia. I walked into the embassy and heard the teller speak English to a fellow "white" American. Came my turn I stepped up to the glass counter and asked if he spoke Cambodian. He said "any language is fine." So I spoke English to him. He looked at me like he's never spoken English before. So he went inside to get another Cambodian guy. I spoke to the new guy who apparently thought I was a complete idiot and that I should have emailed the request for packet 3. I told him I had already emailed several times but they don't respond. He wasn't any help. He wrote down the same email address that I had emailed several times. Bottom line is no need to walk into the embassy until your wife is scheduled for the interview.

The good news is that in Cambodia, there is only packet 3 and then the interview. Unfortunately, there wont be any action without a police clearance.

How are things coming along now in Cambodia? I've heard some disturbing rumors that the government may impose a 3 year waiting period before anyone can leave. I hope that this is not true as I can't be away from my wife for that long!! Email me when you get this message with your updates. Hope all is going well for you as you wait for the police clearance and interview.