decker

my last posting was generally happy. Linh was about to get her visa. All was good. Here is the background and the rest of the story.

17 March we got to the Consulate in HCM to do a Consular Report of Birth Abroad. Everything went well and no mention of a DNA test.

23 March we go back to the consulate for her interview. We had to bring our newborn son and Linhs daughter from a previous marriage. She had to return with our son's passport when it arrived and a picture of her with her daugther. Fine. Again no mention of DNA.

16 April she goes back to the consulate to pick up the CRBA and passport. She tries to turn this in and trouble starts. The VN CO tells her that the window is closed, she is late, go home. Linh tries to explain the whole infant son thing but it aint working. VN chick goes away, Linh spies and American and asks him who agrees to help. VN chick returns and she is having none of this. Starts going off on American dude and Linh. Linh is sent packing.

17 April. Linh returns and don't you know she gets VN chick. VN chick does not say anything, just hands her a instruction packet to get DNA done not only on our son, but on her daughter as well. Swell.

So the lesson here kids is do what you are told the first time. Enjoy your day.

Just returned from VN. Got to visit my newborn son for the first time, completed his Consular Report of Birth Abroad on the first attempt and Linh was mostly successful on her interview. Just wait for our son's passport to arrive and then she will have a visa. Went went to the Pagoda after and gave smoke and had a good time. We are quite happy about it all.

Linh has her interview (HCMC) on 30 March. She tells me she needs 2007 tax returns with W-2. Can this be the copy HR Block gave me or does it have to be a certified copy from the guvmint, Form 4506?

Letter of employment, does this have to be notarized?

Thanks a bunch

So I am trying save info on a .pdf but there is a banner at the top "you cannot save data" is there a way around this?

I have flown to and from VN on China airlines and EVA. Both have comparable service but EVA is generally less expensive.

Got an email from the guvmint saying our I129f was approved on 22 December. Very nice.

So I was off doing some work for the guvmint and came home to find this little gem from the Kingdom of the Absurd:

Current Status: DOCUMENT OTHER THAN CARD OR TRAVEL DOCUMENT BEING HELD FOR 180 DAYS SINCE RETURNED AS UNDELIVERABLE

On October 22, 2008, the post office returned your document I129F, PETITION FOR FIANCE(E) as undeliverable. We will hold it for 180 days from October 22, 2008 to allow you time to contact us. If you do not contact us at 1-800-375-5283 within 180 days, this document will be destroyed and you will need to file a new application or application for replacement with fee.

Destroyed? File a new application? This demands action. I consulted the level 6 wizard with cloaking powers and decided the signs were favorable.

Foolishly I called the number thinking, nay, BELIEVING that somebody could explain this to me. What is undeliverable, did they return the whole packet, is it the fabled NOA1?, Come man tell us what it is!!!

NO. Apparently the customer service oracle who lives at the end of a 30 minute expedition to press a new number now street is not permitted to answer or even access the mysteries of the Realm. The maiden says I must seek an audience with the nearest immgration office. This tribe dwells beyond the mountains in the mythic city of Anchorage, a full days journey.

Perhaps some wizened sage may be able to decipher this.

The guvmint cashed my check on the 4th of September. My understanding is that NOA1 comes very soon after that. Is it normal to be over a month?

Linh has two houses and a child and was still denied a b2. That seemed like pretty strong ties to me.

Linh tried to get a b2 twice and was denied twice. Good luck.

So I messed up and sent our K1 to the wrong place (NE) and also forgot to include some critical documents. Thankfully NE returned to me with a helpful reminder to sent to CA. Now it is complete and ready to go. Somebody was looking out for us I suppose. Linh just laughed at my mistake.

Chin up folks!

I am assuming that he is in the army. He can go to JAG and they will help out. JAG officers in overseas commands do visas regularly. And again assuming he is in the army, he doesn't need parental approval for anything. My advice is wait until the deployment is over. Iraq is a whole other planet and things may get messed up, lost etc.

don't worry about the German stuff from his parents. I was stationed in Mainz '87-'89 and thought Germany was a wonderful country with cool people.

I mailed our K1 last week and sitting on my table is Linh's divorce certificate that was supposed to go too. Should I wait for an RFE or try to mail it?

Linh tried twice from HCM. No dice.

Mailed mine in yesterday, 7 August 2008.

I have the same situation and sent email to HCMC Consulate and got this response:

Dear Mr. Decker: No, Hepatitis is not in the list of communicable diseases, so Hepatitusis eligible for K1 visa. Please visit http://travel.state.gov for further information. Sincerely, Information Unit Staff Consular Section U.S. Consulate General HCMC Tel: (84-8) 822 9433 - ext 4636 Fax: (84-8) 824 5572 E-mail: hcmcinfo@state.gov (regarding visa issues) acshcmc@state.gov (regarding services for U.S. citizens)

From the Consulate in HCM

Dear Mr. Decker: No, Hepatitis is not in the list of communicable diseases, so Hepatitusis eligible for K1 visa. Please visit http://travel.state.gov for further information. Sincerely, Information Unit Staff Consular Section U.S. Consulate General HCMC

Never mind folks, I just found the answer.

I have read that HIV and TB are reasons for denial but what about Hepatitis? From what I understand it is fairly common in SEA. Anyone deal with this? Just asking...

First thing, I am filling out the G325 for my SO and ran into a bit of a snag. She does not know her exhusbands birthday. Can we just leave this blank?

Second thing, apparently in VN you can pick your own birthday as far as the government is concerned or the government can select one for you. For example: Her parents were born on Christmas and New Years Day. The VN government decided to make Linh 2 years younger than she really is. Her old marriage certificate is several years older than her actual marriage date.

Linh says this is fairly common but my American-ness is not grasping this. Is this going to be a problem?

No time line just yet. Good luck to everyone.

Hello from Alaska USA! I am a newbie to this forum. I have a question I hope you folks can help me with. I met Linh in October and we corresponded regularly. I have gone to HCM to meet her twice now (FEB 2008 AND MAY 2008) and we are going to apply for the K1 visa. I called her last night and she says she is now pregnant. Question is should we wait to apply for a K1 until after our child is born or can we forge ahead as is? If we can apply now, how do I list our child on the I-129?

I have a long road ahead as you all well know. I will be picking your brains a lot. Thank you for your help and good luck to you all.