JonasMichaels

WOW. Did we screw up - BIG TIME. Please, no harassment...we already want to hang ourselves - just help, if possible!

Finally Phuong got the pink in HCMC. She got here to the U.S., and as soon as she touched down, her mom got deathly ill. In a panic, I sent her back to VN without checking the rules about that... now, they won't let her back to the U.S.

Someone tell me that our stupid not reading or thinking of rules can be fixed - or are we screwed?? I can't believe we did this... is there any way to explain we were just hyper, excited, confused and didn't realize she couldn't come right back to me? (we didn't marry yet - she was only in the states a few days!!!! and we are still within the 3 month period...HELP!!!!!!!!!!)

HELP. I think we may have ruined our lives.

Jonas

What I mean is, who is their boss? USCIS? Who do they have to answer to? Is there a chain of hierarchy? Like if your best friend was the head of USCIS, could they influence the consulate in VN? Would love to know who they have to answer to...there has to be SOMEONE above them.

Jonas

1. the field that says postal code won't accept no answer or n/a but Phuong doesn't know her postal code nor have we ever used one. She wrote NONE but it looks really odd clumped in with her address... do we need to redo this?

None is good, there's no postalcode in VN

2. purpose of your trip? Marriage, k1 visa (is that ok?) this is good

3. names and relationships of persons traveling with you...is that none, or would that be me if I get back in time for the interview?? N/A

4. National Identification Number - is that the number on her ID card or would that be NONE for an answer?

Phuong's chung minh nhan dan #

5. has anyone ever filed an immigrant visa on your behalf? NO

OK - just posted about this, but let me organize my questions

1. the field that says postal code won't accept no answer or n/a but Phuong doesn't know her postal code nor have we ever used one. She wrote NONE but it looks really odd clumped in with her address... do we need to redo this?

None is good, there's no postalcode in VN

2. purpose of your trip? Marriage, k1 visa (is that ok?) this is good

3. names and relationships of persons traveling with you...is that none, or would that be me if I get back in time for the interview?? N/A

4. National Identification Number - is that the number on her ID card or would that be NONE for an answer?

her chung minh nhan dan

5. has anyone ever filed an immigrant visa on your behalf? is that NO?

No

I really appreciate your help... didn't know this would be so confusing! p.s. is there a deadline to submit this correctly??

Jonas

God bless you, really! Do you possibly have yahoo chat Mr. Leggs? You can PM me...

Jonas

OK - just posted about this, but let me organize my questions

1. the field that says postal code won't accept no answer or n/a but Phuong doesn't know her postal code nor have we ever used one. She wrote NONE but it looks really odd clumped in with her address... do we need to redo this?

2. purpose of your trip? Marriage, k1 visa (is that ok?)

3. names and relationships of persons traveling with you...is that none, or would that be me if I get back in time for the interview??

4. National Identification Number - is that the number on her ID card or would that be NONE for an answer?

5. has anyone ever filed an immigrant visa on your behalf? is that NO?

I really appreciate your help... didn't know this would be so confusing! p.s. is there a deadline to submit this correctly??

Jonas

Just submitted DS-156 but her address looks bizarre...she tried to put postal code n/a and leave it blank, no dice. So she wrote NONE. Now her address looks like it includes the word NONE. Is there a postal code in VN? I have sent her many letters with none...can you guys tell me, does she need to do it again?? :-(

p.s. does she have a national identification number?

Jonas

question 32 - do you intend to work in the u.s.

what do we say? She does, but has no idea employer address....if you say yes, it says provide employer name and address

2. Sections 1-5 of the DS-156 EVAF must contain the correct name, passport number and issuance information, exactly as shown in the applicant’s passport.

3. Section 2 should only include the city of issuance for the passport. Do not select Vietnam for place of issuance, and do not include State/Province. Leave these two fields blank.

Those are instructions for the DS-156

Major problem! The DS-156 asks for Phuong's passport CITY OF ISSUE specificially. Well her passport states none, only has the name of the company that made it for her!!!!! She said it was done in Danang...but what do we put on the DS-156???? Here is specifically what her passport reads under place of issue:

cuc quan ly xuat nhap canh (not a place - a company name!) HELP!

Jonas

Re: Medical

I was planning on staying in HCMC with my fiancee until her interview, but I had a family emergency and had to go back to the states. Well I just found out Phuong has not yet done her vaccinations OR the medical!

Can you guys tell me, how quickly can they both be done? Is there a minimum waiting time between getting vaccinations and getting the medical exam? Can they both be done in one day? How and when are results picked up? I am worried we won't have enough time before her interview.

Help!

Jonas

Hey all - anyone have an interviewing coming up? I know we do....

Jonas

We are filling out the DS-230 now which asks for place of birth city or town, and province. The province on her birth certificate is what she wants to write. But that name isn't used anymore and has changed and everything else on her ID card, household book, and the G-325 I wrote earlier says the new province name. Which one do I use on the DS-230... the one from her birth certificate, or the name as it is now?

Thanks...this is so exhausting!

Jonas

Please put visa type.

If you are K1 they normally don't fill out DS 230. Maybe your consulate is different as some are. K1s normally fill out DS 156, DS 156K and DS 157.

Yes, k1 visa but they sent her DS-230 part 1 in packet 3!

Also, new question: She studied for only one month at a hair style school but she did get a beginner degree. Should we list that in educational institutions attended or leave it out??

We are filling out the DS-230 now which asks for place of birth city or town, and province. The province on her birth certificate is what she wants to write. But that name isn't used anymore and has changed and everything else on her ID card, household book, and the G-325 I wrote earlier says the new province name. Which one do I use on the DS-230... the one from her birth certificate, or the name as it is now?

Thanks...this is so exhausting!

Jonas

Hi all, I am having a dull brain moment here...but does anyone have the email address for the HCMC consulate? Thanks

Jonas

I know they can be used as financial proof for the I-134 but what are they supposed to be showing? Yearly statements or monthly? I can print out my statements online...is that sufficient? thanks very much!

Jonas

Hello all,

Before I got my visa done by a travel agency. The one I am consdering using does not do that and if I buy ticket directly on the net, I have to arrange for VISA.

I have the embassy application, but I also saw an option called Visa On Arrival - for example http://www.myvietnamvisa.com/vietnam-visa-cost.html

This looks like 50$ US total ( 25 up front & 25 on arrival - just remember to bring photos) - less than the embassy wanted & none of the hassle of sending stuff in return envelopes.

BUT DOES IT WORK ??????? Who has done it ???

Thanks Andrew

Yep, done it several times for single entry and multiple entry. No problems!

Jonas

yep u can email them.

i emailed NVC 1/19/09 and got a reply 1/26/09 with our case number as the subject title of the email

i found this sample email somewhere in VJ forums and i just copied and edited it.. it worked!

no copyrights but wth

Subject: Status of I-129F Receipt Number: WACxxxxxxxxxx

Dear National Visa Center,

Good Day!

I am writing to inquire about the status of our approved I-129F petition with Receipt Number: WACxxxxxxxxxx. We have received our final approval from the USCIS (U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services) on Friday, May 9th. May we request you to please assist us with any standing information regarding this matter with specifics on our case number assignment. I've enclosed below all the pertinent details needed to serve as your reference for this inquest.

Petitioner's Name:

Date of Birth:

Applicant's Name:

Date of Birth:

Your soonest possible reply on this matter will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Sincerely yours,

good luck to u!

hahahahah this is great, thanks... but what I REALLY want to read is their response to you! ;-)

Jonas

If I file my 2008 taxes NOW, when will the tax transcripts for 2008 be available to me? Does anyone know? Thanks very much!

Grahm&Sarah

any accountants in the house? LOL

Has anyone here emailed the NVC, as opposed to calling? Just curious, can I email them to see if my petition has been sent out yet? Thanx

Jonas

When the deficiencies that got the first visa denied are overcome then the second visa is usually good to go. Most that have gone through it once learn the process and know more what is expected the second go around. That makes it a lot easier. Now if there were some serious problems the first time and you can't overcome them then no matter how many times you try one will not receive a visa. From what I remember from the problems you had they suspected a fraud happening. That is very tough to overcome and just switching from K1 to K3 will not insure a visa. Good luck and God bless.

1. they denied because I only made 1 vist.

Only 1 visit is required for a visa also in a notorized chonology I stated my job changed on april 14th so I couldn't take time of for second trip yet. I will have to take more trips to marry her so that will be overcome

2. they denied because of vietnam social norms and I proposed after meeting within 2 weeks

Vietname social norms do no set American policy I also sent a notorized chonology stating we started communicating online back on aprli 28th meaning we met online back on april 28th so we actually met over 6 months before not 2 weeks. That should be overcome if we get an interviewer thats fair and looks at the emails and letters we have 6 months before I proposed and not looking for things to make up to deny us the visa

3. they stated she didn't know where I worked what I did for work or where I went to school.

She stated where I work and they didn't understand her english but its not that bad, she also stated what I did and was never asked where I went to school but they lied and used those as all reasons against us to deny the visa. Her English is better now and if I make more trips they wont deny her just because she is not fluent in English

The real reason I think they denied us was that I only made 1 trip and when they asked her how we met she said I told my brother I wanted a husband and my brother friend is friends with Bryon. If we have her brother and my friend sign an affidavit saying how they met and how the pictures were exchanged and I take more trips it should be easy to overcome. There was no fraud and I will be there for her next interview to fight on BS reason they give this time

Bryon - So was your actual reason for denial LACK OF BONAFIDE RELATIONSHIP? How long did you spend on your first trip to see her? Good luck to you

Jonas

strange, i am looking at my wife's hộ khẩu

họ tên (name)

Bí Danh (nickname)

Ngày, tháng, năm sinh (DOB)

Nơi Sinh (Place of birth)

Nguyên Quán (Home Town)

Dân Tộc (Ethnic)

Tôn Giáo (Religion)

Nghề Nghiệp (Occupation)

Nơi làm việc (work place)

Giấy CMNDsố (ID)

Ngày Cấp (date of Issue)

Nơi cấp (place of issue)

ngày tháng năm đăng ký thường trú (date of register )

nơi thường trú trước khi chuyển đến

etc..........................

Hi Mr. Leggs, Phuong said that is the old format Ho Khau and the new ones have no place for noi sinh - place of birth. She says that one is very old. p.s. Mit is a kind of fruit here, very delicious!

Jonas

So - how exactly do you assemble your pics and proof when you go into the interview? Is there some format? It says chronological order is best. OK, can I paste photos on a page with receipts/other proof and date them? Does anyone have any pictures of the packet that they turned in? Did anyone get creative? :-)

Bug

You don't actually "turn in a packet". You bring the evidence organized in categories, so that when a specific kind of evidence is asked for, you can conveniently hand it over. I recommend a simple accordion file (no more than about three inches thick) to separate the financials from the communication samples, from the pictures, from the travel evidence etc.

I bought one of those accordian things already, in fact. So should I have everything sorted by type and month? i.e.: August 2008 - photos, August 2008 - emails, etc etc etc?

Do they ever ask for proof (pictures, emails, receipts, plane tix) at the consulate window, or just paperwork stuff? Is that proof ONLY asked for during the actual talking part of the interview??

Thanks again

Bug

This is also my question...do they actually take the proof you have assembled at the consulate window? Should I tape the actual receipts, plane ticket stubs, etc to a sheet of paper? Thanks

Jonas

I just looked at my wife's ho khau and it doesn't put her place of birth anywhere. As far as the birth place of your fiancee changing their name I would put the new name and then the old name in parenthesis, But thats just me. I would ask the us consulate for a more accurate answer.

And to make it even more confusing, the place of birth on her passport is the one I wrote on the G-325a. WOW. Pick a city name and stick with it. We won't even get into all the provinces/towns/sub-towns in Vietnam. I wonder who will be there on our interview day and watch me pacing up and down the street for hours? Will I have any hair left after tearing it all out? Hope Phuong can still love a bald man. LOL.

Jonas

OK - so the police certificate people said that she had to change her Ho Khau and ID card to follow her dad's place of birth. She just got a new Ho Khau made but it does NOT say her place of birth, just dads. Is this correct?

Secondly, on her actual birth certificate which I am looking at now, the town in which she was born and was written on her birth certificate changed the name of the town years ago. What I put on the G-325 A is the name of the NEW town name, which is what she gave me - but birth certificate says different. She thinks "everyone knows" that the town changed its name.

Is this going to be a massive problem for us? Thanks

Jonas

According to the definition of IMB, one must pay for the services.

We have filed I-129F for K-1 visa.

But my fiance and I did NOT pay for any services, we met through an online website chat-room, and it was culturally associated, not religiously associated, and we DID NOT pay for any service whatsoever, no membership fees, nothing at all.

But to my horror, now when I go back and review the forms, I see that my attorney has check marked the box for "yes" where it asks about meeting through an IMB on form I-129F.

Will this have a big affect on my case?

Will my fiance be put on AP/AR when the case gets to NVC? I read somewhere on this site that those that checked "yes" for IMB usually have a big chance of the beneficiary being put on AP/AR at the NVC stage.

I don't know what to do, maybe I am stressing for no reason?

Someone with knowledge about this please let me know, I need some direction!

I've seen no evidence of it making one bit of difference which box you check unless you also checked a convictions question "yes". Even then it's just a matter of supplying court records.

IMBRA is just something jammed down USCIS's throat. They appear to be doing the minimum the possibly can get away with for enforcing it.

Thanks so much for the information!

Thank God.

I can now breathe a sigh of relief!

What was the RFE for? Just curious...

saigonluv,

Thu Tuc Dau Tien is Tien Dau ?? "where's the money."

everywhere you go in vn, you have to bribe them.

no money no work :-)

Just woke up, can't sleep. Thanks to everyone for your help. I have no problem with the bribe thing, but apparently, they just asked her for the normal 100,000 dong payment - they just couldn't accept it until she changed her ID card and housebook. So now, she is going to have to do both those things and then we'll see if they will process the police certificate like they said or if we still have to bribe.

Question: Does she bribe upfront or pay the 100,000 dong, go back in and if paperwork is not there, hand them more to "expedite"? Bribers, I need some advice...haha

Jonas