ILoveTan

OH I REMEMBER MY QUESTION NOW (question 1,687,942 )

You know how they say if a Vietnamese person has relatives in America, that is a red flag to the consulate?? HOW DOES THE CONSULATE KNOW? Is that from the interview only or is there another place where it is asked?

Tan has NO relatives in the U.S., I would like to have to opportunity to STRESS this point.

So, what is the deal with this?

ILOVETAN

Yes, what CraigCam said. G-325A (ALL 4 PAGES SIGNED by TAN), ORIGINAL letter of intent to marry you. You must provide the same.

Also, any photos, receipts, copy of your passport an visas, and boarding passes CAN BE PHOTOCOPIES. Also I provided copies of BOTH our birth certificates (VN BC AND copy translated to english).

Hey Bill, just sent you a PM. What made you include your birth certificate? I thought the American can use just a passport... what prompted you to do that, if I may ask? How many photos did you send with your first paperwork set? Thanks

ILOVETAN

Then my next question would be .... does my fiancee get any special forms to fill out other than what I have to fill out?

Thanks

ILOVETAN

Ok - I am totally confused (AGAIN)! On the guides it says to send photos, receipts, emails, and other proof to the USCIS when you submit your I-129.... but I have scoured the USCIS website and they say NOTHING about sending in anything other than the 129 and G325 and passport photos and copies of your passport.

Has anyone ever just sent them what they asked for and nothing more?

What was the outcome of that? Did you get the approved?

Just curious on this.... thanks

ILOVETAN

Can you e-mail me a copy of your time line. I have not done one and it looks like i may need to get that done. I figure that I would just put something in a format on word and email it to Xuan for my part. If you have any advice on this please let me know.

Thanks

That makes 2 of us... I would also really like to see an example of a timeline. Maybe we should ask the master: PETER - got a timeline you can post?

ILOVETAN

Peter and Thi,

Thanks. Talk about a real life Beauty and the Beast! My Vietnamese is limited but I think I overheard one of the guest say "Wow, that guy must have fell out of a plane into an ugly forest and hit every tree on the way down"!

Now to the video...I hate it. The pictures from the same company....ditto. We have one pic where the superimposed us onto a dock by a lake. It looks like a scene from a movie that would be titled "Invasion of the really, really big people to the dock by the lake"! Then they took it upon themselves to pick the pic for the large portrait. One part of the video has around 5 minutes devoted to the wedding singer. I call him "Members Only". You'll see why. I mean God bless them all, but come on. Then there's the typos with my name and my parents address. It's the address of the place I rent in Knoxville. Dad and Mom have been divorced for 39 years and she's been dead for 10 and neither has ever been there! My name is now Edward, Junior also. Effects? It's raining flowers! I was waiting for a Unicorn to come flying out of my kazoo the first time I saw it!

Mark

My Vietnamese is also limited but the family had Viet, an inlaw, translate the ceremony, etc and he never told me anything like that about me but then he maybe is too polite to say......

We also had our share of typos in our DVD too. Also whoever made the cake spelled Thi's name, Thy (also one of the typos on the DVD). Who ever edited the video didn't bother to read the sign on the wall that had Thi's name spelled correctly....... No addresses in our Engagement DVD except the one at the begining and end for the company that made the DVD....... While watching it for the first time, I kept thinking this looks like an infomerical for the DVD company...... not a record of our engagement.....

The typos had Thi so upset that she didn't want to include it in our interview evidence. We did because I told her the Consulate isn't likely to watch it at her interview and if they did they would know the typos where just that. (Of course, they didn't even as if we had one....) It's good to know that others DVDs/videos also are like ours.....

Peter and Thi

I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26

I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11

I-129F RFE(s) :

RFE Reply(s) :

I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26

Touched: 2007-11-02

NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16

Consulate recieved ??????

Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11

Packet 3 received 2007-12-24

Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28

Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14

Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23

Interview Date 2008-2-27

Passed Interview 2008-02-27

Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05

Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier)

POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles

Wedding 2008-4-26

Peter, coming from a woman who has met you personally (aka ME), I don't think anyone could ever say anything negative about you. Not only do you have a very kind and genuine air about you but you are a very attractive man (and I am not even into white guys!) hihihihihihi

ILOVETAN

You are not alone. Everyone thinks all women are gullible and stupid and we wouldnt know if a man was just using us... GIVE ME A BREAK. There is no way that my man could fake all that time with me, all those emotions, all that sex , crying on webcam and more...NO WAY. Not to mention that I am a hard personality, very feisty (nice way of putting it) and have a temper. NO ONE could deal with me unless they REAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLY loved me ... not even for a green card.

But yes, I think women should have the right to CHOOSE whoever they want to be with for whatever their reasons are, just like men do. I do NOT condone scams in this process as far as taking money or marrying a relative, etc etc ...but if a couple honestly intends on being together, for whatever reason, they should have that right.

You got my support, girl!

ILOVETAN

They have been known to ask for a dvd of the sponsor speaking Vietnamese though.

Then later WideAwakeInTheUSA says:

Neither! They will not accept video evidence.

I am confused....

As far as I know they will only accept pictures. Crazy? Maybe. I'll refer to "Oh Brother" again. I feel like I'm in a Cohen brother's film! Anyone else ever feel that way?

Pictures of me SPEAKING vietnamese would be interesting .... well, nothing else about this process makes sense, so why should I be surprised??

I have seen your pics together - true happiness there - no sweat! I think you are in the clear! Please post DETAILS and CONGRATULATIONS, in advance.... me and Tan are pulling for you guys!

ILOVETAN

They have been known to ask for a dvd of the sponsor speaking Vietnamese though.

Then later WideAwakeInTheUSA says:

Neither! They will not accept video evidence.

I am confused....

VHS or DVD? Neither. They won't accept video evidence. At least that's what I've been advised. Why accept DVD or VHS or even BETA for that matter!?! It's only 2008 and what better way to show that you have been together. Now it may just be USCIS that doesn't accept either as proof of a bona fide (i always laugh and think of "Oh Brother Where Art Thou") relationship. They have been known to ask for a dvd of the sponsor speaking Vietnamese though.

Who would want that video? The USCIS or the HCM Consulate? I will definitely make one, probably VHS and DVD, just in case.... do I need to submit it with my 129? That is probably overkill, dont you think? He probably speaks more English than many viet girls who have gotten the pink with white husbands that didnt speak a word of viet. He is planning to speak English at his interview and is studying now.

And if they DO want it, will they ask him for it BEFORE they just blue slip him and ask him to submit it? Can he say right then and there - I HAVE IT WITH ME??? UGH. I am overthinking everything.... not sure if its better to say I speak vietnamese (spawning questions like WHY ON EARTH DID YOU STUDY VIETNAMESE??) or to not mention it at all .... ugh. I hate this process ... everybody dance!

ILOVETAN

That's a good idea only I would suggest making a Wiki page of questions. That way it could be easily edited by all of us now and in the future. I did a search on VJ's Wiki and found that there isn't a page of interview questions there. I've started a Vietnam K1 Visa page there for anyone to use for referrence. I add to it as I as have time.

Peter and Thi

I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26

I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11

I-129F RFE(s) :

RFE Reply(s) :

I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26

Touched: 2007-11-02

NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16

Consulate recieved ??????

Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11

Packet 3 received 2007-12-24

Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28

Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14

Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23

Interview Date 2008-2-27

Passed Interview 2008-02-27

Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05

Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier)

POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles

Wedding 2008-4-26

Hey Peter - GREAT IDEA! If only I knew what the hell was a Wiki page and where to find it!

Thanks

ILOVETAN

Go to the top of this page, 5th tab over, Wiki, double click.

Actually, I only had to click ONCE mr. know-it-all .... hihihihih Sorry about the stupidity leak, I see it now.

ILOVETAN

PLEASE post it on YouTube! You just did what I wanted to do.

No offense, Mark - but I don't think you have the TITS to do what I did .... heeheehee JUST KIDDING!

Well, I was posting for the humor of it, actually - I LOVE MY DVD. It is exactly what we wanted and in fact, instructed the cameraman to capture kissing, making out, craziness of any kind. We told him we would not pay for NORMAL and we did not want boring, sad viet music.... boy, did he LISTEN to what we wanted. Our video is actually hysterical and Tan tells me everyone from his town has been by to view it and laughs until tears come out of their eyes.

We were french kissing, making out, I even pinned him up against the wall at one point, plus toting him around the room (he is smaller than I am and I can carry him around). I was screaming at the top of my lungs "DAN ONG VN NGON LAM!" Vietnamese men are delicious. heheheheheh .... Along with alot of: Khong the chiu noi, phai di phong ..... I CANT TAKE IT ANYMORE, MUST GO TO OUR ROOM! hahahahahah really funny and while we did get a few stiff shirts, I can honestly say 95% of the people there LOVED it and had a blast. You know they were thinking, "White people really ARE crazy!" ROI SAO????? SO WHAT?????

Actually, I was thinking about letting him take it for his interview as proof (the beginning is alot more subdued = we were alot less drunk ) so here is a question: Can the consulate view DVD or must they have VHS? I plan on sending him with that AND a tape of me speaking Vietnamese directly to the consulate, just in case they ask for it. Although I speak in our engagement party, I don't say much overall and the beginning is all crazy American music, including "Sexy Back" and "SURFIN USA"! hahahaha - I really recommend my photographer and filmer if anyone needs one, send me a message and I will give you contact info.... GREAT GUY, remind me to give him a bonus.

In fact, when I go back to VN to visit Tan in a few months, I am going to have him film us going around town being nutty, including a From Here To Eternity scene of us laying on the beach, making out, waves crashing over us..... I gotta send him with something to show the consulate with me speaking Viet. When he gets nervous, his english is reduced to the dorky things I taught him, including: Stop giving me SH*T GIRRRRRL. Regardless, I will send him with something to show the consulate ... DVD or VHS or both?? Thanks!

ILOVETAN

WOW - THUY IS GORGEOUS! What a body .... even me, as a woman, feel a little hot and bothered right now hihihihi ... thanks so much for sharing. Don't worry about it not being perfect, you guys looked great, and I love the fun special affects... if you saw MY engagement video, you would be thanking your lucky stars for yours, trust me!!

Boy, would everyone on VJ have a CONNIPTION if I posted my engagement ceremony DVD with Tan. I think we made history in Vietnam. I don't think anyone has ever carried on like we did at our ceremony, INCLUDING me cussing out the camera in Vietnamese by saying (and I will try to make this as G rated as possible for our innocent VJ readers) MOTHERF****, I WASTED $3000 TO GET ENGAGED TO A VIET MAN?!?!? MOTHERF**** THIS WONT BRING ME ONE C***SUCK*** (you figure it out) THING AT ALL!!! :-) Ahhhh the beauty of being trashed at your engagement party. And of course, mr. editor decided to not only LEAVE THAT IN THE FILM FOR HIS FAMILY TO WATCH, but also SLOW-MO it. Along with his other fun slow-mo moments include me LICKING the camera lens and me adjusting my D-cup breasts and bouncing wildly up and down while cussing in Viet at the camera "MOTHERF**** TURN AROUND YOU HORNY PIG" Again, lovely. MEMORIESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.

If any of his family or friends want lessons on manners and polite social behavior, now they know who to call!

Sooooo.... does that make you feel better about your DVD yet????

ILOVETAN - here to help!

That's a good idea only I would suggest making a Wiki page of questions. That way it could be easily edited by all of us now and in the future. I did a search on VJ's Wiki and found that there isn't a page of interview questions there. I've started a Vietnam K1 Visa page there for anyone to use for referrence. I add to it as I as have time.

Peter and Thi

I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26

I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11

I-129F RFE(s) :

RFE Reply(s) :

I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26

Touched: 2007-11-02

NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16

Consulate recieved ??????

Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11

Packet 3 received 2007-12-24

Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28

Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14

Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23

Interview Date 2008-2-27

Passed Interview 2008-02-27

Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05

Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier)

POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles

Wedding 2008-4-26

Hey Peter - GREAT IDEA! If only I knew what the hell was a Wiki page and where to find it!

Thanks

ILOVETAN

p.s. in video one with Bud Brown ... he tells you how to say hello to an older married woman CHAO BA .... because of his wrong accent, instead of saying, Hello Madam - He said: Hello number 3 ..... YIKES.

Just to clarify: It DOES matter how you pronounce these words. Each Vietnamese word can have up to SIX meanings depending on how you SAY the word. You must learn to say them exactly correct ... that is why this language is so hard.

In my early days of learning, I was trying to say, "Bye....I'm going!" Which is Toi Di (I'm Going) but because I pronounced this word with the wrong accent and said Toi di~, I ended up saying, I'm a prostitute. EEP! Good thing viets have a sense of humor! :-)

ILOVETAN

Previously it has been discussed about the lack of software or learning programs for learning Vietnamese in a southern dialect. Here are a couple of videos from a woman named Rachael on YouTube:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=e9851fvcO6s&feature=related

http://youtube.com/watch?v=tGBWDCDNzO4&feature=related

Here is a larger series from a man named Bud Brown. He has 15 Vietnamese videos posted. I think he is speaking in a northern dialect though:

Yikes, I am sure I will sound kieu ngao (stuck up) but that Bud Brown's accent is atrocious. I cant believe he was an interpreter. WOW. Guess I know what my new job could be if I need one. :-) If you don't understand the accents FIRST, you will never speak this language correctly. And learning to read, write and spell should come BEFORE speaking. It will really help you. Learn the accents (dau) and make sure you pronouce the accent marks correctly first. You almost have to overstate them at first and sound like an utter moron if you want to learn this language. (and those of you who know me, know I dont mind sounding like an utter moron - so this language was pretty easy for me! haha) :-)

I wish I could give some information on how to learn this very difficult language.... as PeterFB can tell you, I speak pretty good for a white girl :-P I am not fluent but I DO speak with the correct accent. So well that today I got a wrong number call on my phone from a Vietnamese guy, and when I kept telling him (in vietnamese) that I was a WHITE american, as in WHITE SKIN, WHITE PARENTS, he did not believe me and insisted I meet him for coffee to prove it! haha

But when I was learning, I used a variety of programs - Pimsleur, Rosetta Stone, many books, and something which I cant remember the name that I think the CIA uses to teach americans to learn vietnamese - that one was by far the best. You can do a search online for learn vietnamese, that is basically what I did and then used every program I could get my hands on. I also encourage learning the South dialect ... I speak something of a blend of both, some words I pronounce north, other words I pronounce south....seems easiest for everyone to understand me that way. Now that my man is from CENTRAL, I speak a ton of that dialect too...hihihihi You may also benefit from taking a class at a college if offered or if you can afford it actually hiring a vietnamese person who speaks english and vietnamese to teach you.

Keep plugging away but I would give this advice: Dont learn from the Bud guy or ANY american... learn from a VIETNAMESE .... americans for the most (myself excluded, of course) :-) speak this language INCORRECTLY. You REALLY gotta say those accent marks with EMPHASIS.

Kieu Ngao ILOVETAN ;-)~~~~~

I am curious about the questions that are asked. What do you feel is the most bizarre, or strange one's that you loved one was asked?

This would be a great thread for all us VN newbies, if everyone who has been through the interview would participate as best they could. I know PeterFB has said that there are questions listed in Reviews: Embassy/USCIS link at the top of the site, but I wasn't able to find many reviews or many specific questions.

If everyone could post here any questions they remember or the list of questions asked at the interview, that would be great! Thanks

ILOVETAN

Hi, I am a personal fan of the Thien Xuan in District 1, also by Ben Thanh market. Its about $40 a night, but clean, cool, friendly, quiet, has bathtub - I have stayed there twice. Also, free breakfast and internet. Its on Le Thanh Ton street..... Also good is the Liberty 4 on Pham ngu lao. Around $50+ for a nice suite like room with couch and bathtub. (I like bathtubs .... I can't tell you how much fun we had in our bathtub the night we got back to the hotel after being drunk all night..but anywho, story for another time! ) Has in house massage and disco dancing - get a foot massage with Thuy' if you get the chance - WOW, worth the $7! :-) if you tell me your price range, I can give you more help - I have been to Saigon 5 times now. p.s. It's Khach' San. :-)~~~ enjoy Saigon ... I am SUPER JEALOUS! ARRGGHHHH I miss TAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ILOVETAN

Would I be better served if I filed my taxes QUARTERLY?

Also, this employer is willing to sign a 5 year contract with me stating that the work will be solid for 5 years, same income plus bonuses paid. Would this be necessary and/or advantageous?

Thanks again all

ILOVETAN

Someone posted to me about this already but I can't for the life of me find the original post.... HELP.

Ok, if Tan gets his interview in 2009 (even Jan 2009) I will have to show my tax return for 2008 - RIGHT?

If so, how do I generate a tax return for 2008 that quickly? Is there some other statement of proof that will double for an actual tax return? Someone said there was a legal form my employer could give me as fast as Jan 2, 2009 that would work but I can't find that post .... ARGH.

Also, I am getting invoiced with 1099's instead of a w2 ... does that count just as good as w2? I am going to be doing some work for a company I worked for for the past 9 years (not much work in 2007) and it should make around $30,000 total for 2008. What will I need to give Tan to take to the consulate for his 2009 interview?

Thanks all in your help weeding through this tangled web!

ILOVETAN

Peter, your wedding was beautiful.... thanks for inviting me! Thi is just adorable, beautiful and sweet. You are both very lucky to have found each other. I wish you only the best things forever. I hope you guys will have ALOT of fun with the presents I brought.... hihihihihihihih

I can't seem to Download your vid clips but I would like to see how hot I looked... hihihihi your friends kept telling me that they heard the soundtrack to Casablanca playing when looking at me. I think that is a compliment but I am bit too young for that reference.... it is a GOOD thing right? hihihihi

Again, now that I am back in the states, I am available anytime to help you and Thi... I am glad to translate or help her with english. Certainly it would nice for her to have a friend who not only knows about America and is American but can also speak Vietnamese. Anyway, we'll talk more privately. Enjoy your honeymoon... anything SPECIAL planned? hihihi can I EVER remove my mind from the gutter????? TROI OI (ohmygod!) in vietnamese

Just to let everyone who asked about me know, I just got back to America and I am sure I will posting around asking for help with Tan's K1 ... it is hard for me to keep my spirits high and post all the time because we literally talk for 3 or 4 hours every day by webcam and he cries. It hard to endure seeing someone you would die to protect crying in agony because you aren't with them. I am a tough chick but really, this is tearing me apart. If I didn't have important work here, I would be running back to him.... but I can't abandon what I have worked for in America for 3 years and it will only benefit him and his life when he comes here. He really doesn't belong in VN.

*hugs to all* Thanks again Peter for the fun last night!

Thuy .... I LOVE TAN

Congrats! GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS! And PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE post details of the interview questions and what they looked at for all us just starting out. Thanks so much! :-)

"I apologize if I ruffled your feathers about Marc Ellis... but here are 2 cold hard facts and not opinion: 1)the consulate here does not like him and if they want to be bitchy and see Marc Ellis as your attorney, do you think that will make them less bitchy or MORE? Secondly, the man has a vietnamese wife but YELLED AT HER while I was there, talked down to her and ordered her out of the room."

Hi.

1. I have no Vietnamese wife. I have no wife.

2. I remember this client in question. I did ask rather a woman in the office - who is

not my wife to leave the room so that I could interview this client in confidence. I'd hardly

call it a "yell". I pointed my finger and said "out". That's verbatim.

A client should expect - attorney/client confidentiality without extraneous people

listening in. She wasn't a paralegal, translator or clerk. She had no business sitting

in on this particular client's interview.

3. I can't say whether "this consulate" likes me. I have a couple of friends there.

Some others may not. I necessarily have an "adversarial" relationship with consulates.

4. It's not my job to be liked. It's my job to point out when the consulate is

wrong about the facts or the law, or both on any particular case. And I do that quite a lot.

I point it out to the consulate. I point it out to USCIS in revocation proceedings, and

if the need arises, I'll do that in Federal District Court or the US Court of Appeals and even

the news media if an egregious enough case comes along.

This consulate - like a lot of others in the world - get the facts or law wrong on a lot of cases.

It's getting better. But it still gets them wrong far too often. The decision-makers don't spend as much

time on a case as I do. They're not as careful as I am.

Concerning the information I gave to the lady, without breaking confidentiality, I can say

that this consulate generally does look at living arrangement of petitioner and ex-spouse, both

post-separation and pre & post-divorce. It looks at other information that is available in nationwide databases.

Whose names are on the income taxes? Filed single or married? Does one share a bank account or credit card with another? Is the address-of-record of the ex-spouse the same as the address-of-record of the petitioner? Drivers' license addresses? Phone number listings? Bank statement mailing addresses?

These all can raise red flags.

All the Best,

m.e.

To Marc and everyone at VJ. Although I have explained this before, I want to make sure everyone understands .... when I met for a whopping 5 minutes with Mr. Ellis, I was sick with a bacterial infection in my chest and super stressed to the MAX. I felt hopeless and worried and everything was bothering me. I took out this stress unfairly on Mr. Ellis, posting this post rashly and without thinking it through. It was stupid and childish of me and I wish I could go back in time and not have posted. Now, all I can do is apologize to Mr. Ellis and hope can forgive this slight. Certainly, it takes a very mature person to be able to forgive someone who has talked badly about them without due cause. I hope he can be a bigger person than I was. I feel ashamed that I didn't take a Zanax and calm down before I rashly and harshly posted something like this. I didn't mean to hurt him, and I was influenced by one loud mouth on VJ who contacted me personally and said some things that were totally untrue (like the having a wife thing). It is sad that 1000 people have sang Mr. Ellis' praises and we get influenced by the one a**hole who says negative, even if they aren't true. I don't want to be that kind of a**hole. Let Mr. Ellis' reputation speak for itself and influence you, not the words of someone who may or not be sick at the time, who may or may not be thinking right at the time, who may be taking out their frustrations on someone totally undeserving....all true in my case. Again, I apologize. I love that you have helped so many people here, that is why I came to see you in the first place. I hope we can start over and "responsibility" in my posts will be my new watchword. Thanks again for handling my stupidity leak with so much class....

ILOVETAN

Hi Bill - I don't have time to go into it now but I promise I will post details soon.... just a quick note before I forget... you say your Fiance is from Rach Gia.... may I just say the people from that area of Vietnam (Mien Tay people) are the sweetest, most loveable, gentle good souls I have ever seen in the world! Even other areas of Vietnam agree that Mien Tay people are really superior. Way to go! :-) Talk to you all soon!!!! p.s. Yesterday was a blast, even if I did get too drunk to remember it all..... hihihihihihih

Linda