Dan and Akari

I appreciate you commenting. It is my understanding that the unreliable nature of the skin test is why it was discontinued in favor of the sputum smear. We don’t anticipate any doomsday scenario, and we remain in positive spirits that her test will be negative. We’ve been fortunate to have our I-130 approved in a little less than 6 months and have an interview scheduled 9 1/2 months after switching from K1 to CR1, so we are grateful to be where we are in the journey despite this setback. We have been told the sputum test is what we need to do, and even though it stinks to wait another potential 10 weeks, we will comply and jump through the appropriate hoops. We will plan accordingly once we receive the results rather than fretting over it now.

I appreciate your response; however, I find the inconsistencies regarding this issue amongst different consulates a bit confusing. I read other posts that reference something similar meaning their consulate allowed them to interview and then wait for results of the medical. The only reason I can think of for a consulate’s requirement to reschedule would be case volume, and I can’t imagine that Bangkok has that high of a volume of interview candidates compared to staff to conduct interviews. I am just shooting in the dark now because we are desperate for some encouraging news from this setback.

Can you please clarify your response? We would love to keep our interview date so we will hold off on canceling the interview, but, unless I am missing something, the instructions I referenced above seem pretty clear that I need to reschedule until after “ongoing” ( ie the sputum) tests are complete. We would love to hear/see anything that contradicts this.

We are going based on language here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/BNK-Bangkok.html that says: ”If your medical examination report will not be completed by the time of your interview (due to ongoing testing, treatment, or other reason), it must be rescheduled until you receive your completed medical examination report. You can contact visasbkk@state.gov to reschedule your visa interview.

As you can infer from the title of my post, my wife had her medical yesterday morning at the Nursing Home in Bangkok, and the chest x-ray showed minor scarring in the upper right lobe of her lung. Off to the sputum test we go to confirm she is clear of TB. Words can not describe the disappointment, grief, and myriad other emotions that accompanied this news a mere 30 days before her interview that we are looking at a minimum of 8-10 weeks delay. Emailing today to re-schedule the interview is going to be a grueling task. She has cried a river of tears already. We continue to maintain a positive attitude, but want to prepare ourselves for what this detour looks like. Consequently, we plan to schedule an appointment with a private physician to confirm the x-ray results, and if confirmed, hopefully find a test that provides results faster than 8-10 weeks. I know the panel physician will not use the results of an outside physician to modify her diagnosis and recommendation, and I know the second opinion is our personal decision. We just want to get an idea whether we should be setting ourselves up for a 2 month delay or an 8 month delay if she needs treatment. I'm hoping someone else can chime in with their experience in navigating this hurdle. Do we go ahead and try to schedule another interview in say, 11 weeks in the event the sputum test is negative? Are we required to wait until we get the results to re-schedule? Instructions for Bangkok embassy simply say that if we will not have the medical completed prior to the interview that we need to re-schedule the interview. Feeling a bit overwhelmed at the moment.

I realize it is a difficult process being away from your spouse, but try not to concentrate on the published numbers too much because as stated they are unreliable. Focus on the positive that you’ll get an answer soon. I also would like to invite you to join the other August 2023 filers. Sometimes it’s beneficial to get feedback from people who are in the same place in the queue as you.

I know. Consequently I rearranged my travel plans so I am not leaving today for Thailand. I will stay in the states until I have the necessary documents. We’ve done this throughout the process and it has paid dividends. I’d rather have it and not need it then need it and not have it. Thanks again for your insight.

The problem is that I don’t have a certified copy of the marriage certificate from my previous marriage and I am in Thailand helping my wife prepare everything for her medical, interview, and moving out of our condo. I believe the courthouse has e-certified documents they can send me via email, but I don’t know if w-certified documents are acceptable. I asked another member of VJ who was just approved in Thailand if he had to produce this document.

Here is the image that was attached to the email and provides additional information. In particular, pay attention to the text in the lower right corner below bullet point 11. In my opinion this email is used to send instructions sent to applicants of multiple visa types and the language about uploading marriage and divorce certificates is a blanket statement. The attached image provides more clarity on who needs what document(s).

Here is the full email. Again following the link at the bottom embedded in the red text, you are taken to a page where you can open English instructions that only reference needing a certified divorce decree for CR1 visas. this appears to be an email sent for different types of immigrant visas. Dear Applicant,    Your immigrant visa interview appointment date has been scheduled on 20-MAY-2024, at 09:00 A.M.   Prior to your interview, you must scan and upload the following documents into the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) website by accessing the following link: https://ceac.state.gov/IV/Login.aspx   Petitioner’s heading  -          All previous marriage and divorce certificate (if any).  Applicant’s heading -         All previous marriage and divorce certificate (if any).  -        Results of medical examination All civil document(s) which do not come in English, must be submitted with certified English translation from an accredited translation firm. All documents must be uploaded under appropriate heading on CEAC dropdown menu and must be uploaded in the same file. Your documents may be rejected if uploaded under incorrect heading or in separate files. You MUST bring all originals of required documents to your visa interview. All original documents, excluding your passport, will be returned to you after the interview. REMARKS: You must review The DOCUMENT CHECKLIST on this link: https://th.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/packets/ before coming for visa interview. Failure to bring the required documents and their originals, may result in cancellation of your visa interview and you will be asked to reschedule at a later time.

What was your specific scenario? My last post showed additional detail that the marriage certificate is not for spouse visa. Were you required to have the certified marriage certificate for a spouse visa? This would be the first I have ever seen or heard of this requirement for a spouse visa. Literally every other instruction I have seen for CR1 only references certified divorce decree.

Precisely my thought, but as you can imagine, at this stage we are getting anxious that we have everything buttoned up. After further research,(and seeing the image they attached to the email), I see the following language which clarifies the blanket statement about marriage AND divorce certificates. We are all lumped into the same category for this email. Petitioner's divorce certificate (s) of every prior marriage (s) for Spouse visa (IR1, CR1, and F2A) • Petitioner and biological parent's marriage and divorce certificate (s) of every prior marriage (s) for Stepchild visa (IR2, CR2, and F2) • Petitioner's birth crtificate for Parent visa (IR5) and Sibling visa (F4 Appreciate the quick reply and Jeopardy reference.

Received an email with instructions for my wife's interview next month in Bangkok. I am a bit confused/stressed because the email states: Prior to your interview, you must scan and upload the following documents into the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) website by accessing the following link: https://ceac.state.gov/IV/Login.aspx   Petitioner’s heading  -          All previous marriage and divorce certificate (if any).  I've never been asked for the marriage certificate from my pervious marriage. In every other document I have read about this process, I am only required to provide a certified copy of my final divorce decree, but reading the above language literally it says "AND". Even clicking this link https://th.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/packets/ later in the email takes you another link to a document with specific instructions for the Thai embassy and it says: "If you are applying for an IR1, CR1, or F2A visa as the spouse of a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident and your petitioning spouse was previously married, then you must submit the following documents to prove the current marriage is valid: ▪ Evidence of the termination of EVERY prior marriage your petitioning spouse has had. This evidence must be an original or certified copy of one of the following documents: FINAL legal divorce decree, death certificate, or annulment papers." No mention of marriage certificate from prior marriage. SO...is my previous marriage certificate required or is this another example of confusing language?

Thank you for the quick and concise reply. You confirmed my conclusion based on reading all instructions. We are just so close to the end of this stage that I wanted to employ a belt and suspenders approach to my question by getting corroboration from this group. Again, thank you.

Needed a certified copy of my first marriage divorce decree for my wife to take to her interview in Thailand next month so I went to the courthouse, paid my $6 for 2 copies and when she asked if I wanted a receipt I said I will take it just as backup for immigration. She then said oh, if this is for immigration you need additional authentication if you are taking the document out of the country. First from my local Secretary of State and then by the US SOS. This is the first time I am hearing about any additional authentication. Did I make a major blunder or is this not relevant to our case? I see where adoption cases require apostille but not spouse visas. I see nothing referencing this requirement on the Thailand embassy instructions.