toddandhien

Just curious where did you guys buy tickets for your spouse to come over to US?

I believe that you will have to either use an agency or buy her ticket from the airline directly (on-line or on the phone). You cannot book tickets for a foreign departure from Orbitz or Travelocity

called NVC today, still on AP. 30 days and counting, ridiculus

Hang in there Mike... shouldn't be long now. Be prepared for more waiting in Bangkok, we got an email from the embassy today that they're experiencing a "High volume" of interviews to schedule, so we need to wait 6-8 weeks......

PS - Thanks all for good wishes, Thanti is doing fine!

Sorry to hear about your delay But glad to know that Thanti is doing well!!

CONGRATS!!!

I've seen that some people have to wait a full week to get their visa after they've passed the interview. Is this the norm? I thought you pick up the visa within a day or 2 after the interview, but I could be wrong.

We will take Xuan's passport in on Monday 4/27. I will let you know.

Jack,

Congratulations on your approval! Long journey but you persevered! Well done!

The only places where you can have the medical exam are Cho Ray and IOM. The details are provided for you when you receive the information packet from the consulate. Please note that you cannot have the medical exam done without an appointment letter.

I am not sure if one is faster than the other. My fiancee had her exam done at Cho Ray and got the results the next day.

thanks guys, waiting and hoping for the best

It'll come soon, Mike. Hang in there.

Thanks everyone for your info tips... It's very helpful, and will apply them in the 2nd around re-submit.

I kinda upset that our lawyer didn't point this out, that we had some more info that needed to be included

with the papers during her first interview.. I did drop a visit to our lawyer, but it was out of the office, and

left copy of that paper that was issued to my fiancee from HCMC Immigration. Even called today, but just

got his voice mail, and left word for him to call me.... Might need to find another lawyer in HCMC...

I wish everyone great success in their interview's and for all you to pass...

Regards,

Christopher

Who's "that" lawyer with the lousy service? Marc Ellis? You might as well tell the VS community so they can make smart choice in the event they're in need of legal counseling.

About your case, the list of "her" relatives living in the States will be the formal denial reason from the CO. They just wanna use your info to make it official. They don't have time and care to prove that your loved on in Vietnam is committing marriage fraud. They simply will deny 99% of the cases in the first round. Then in the second round of petition, they "might" reconsider. That way, it's a Win-Win situation for them, getting more $$$ when people file for the second round, AND, they will have more time to investigate your cases. It's not practical to thoroughly investigate every case within the time frame of a few months for so many petitions handled by that Consulate.

Your lawyer's attitude already explains thing to you. He already knows what to expect in the first round of this game.

How can you make such a blanket statement? Sure, HCM denies a lot of cases. But there are other members here on VJ that were given a 221g for a timeline and list of relatives, quickly turned in the required information and were quickly approved for a visa. You have no information about the relative merits of shaker's case and you do not know what the CO's initial findings were. Do you know for a fact that literally 99% of cases are denied in the first round?

DPNH, it would be interesting to know about your visa experience. Apparently it has made you an expert on all visa-related matters. Please post your CV.

OK, here's one person's Cho Ray story.

I tried to talk Hien into going to IOM but she was more comfortable with Cho Ray because she knew where it was and it seemed "more Vietnamese" to her. OK. So today I asked her a hundred questions about the experience. This is her feedback:

...

All in all, her experience at Cho Ray, as a VN native, was very positive. All the horror/scare stories I told her to keep her from going did not come true. Now she thinks I believe everything I read on the internet (she actually said this to me)!! I'm sure if I went, I might not view it the same but that's OK. It worked for her and she came away with dignity and a sense of accomplishment.

OK, That's good to hear about your wife's situation. Thanks for letting us know about the process. We will be at that process soon and want to know as many experience people have as we can. I guess she passed her exam then huh?

Anyway, I have a question. I'm still in the process of Affidavit of Support and IV, is it okay to do the Medical Exam now or we have to wait for the official to say so? Thanks in advance.

Yes, she went back today (VN time) as she was instructed. Picked up the sealed packet and they said she passed...no medical issues that needed attention. She is very happy and remains satisfied with the treatment she received at Cho Ray.

Good luck to all in this process regardless of whether you choose Cho Ray or IOM.

Ron,

Whats the status on your guys' interview date?

How long after they turn in the packet 3 do app's from BKK usually hear something?

We are still waiting to hear back from the Embassy. No news yet. They had the Thai New Year (Songkran) which closed the Embassy for 3 business days last week. And we suspect that all the protests in Bangkok may also have distracted them from getting normal business processed even on the days they were open. I hope we'll hear something SOON.

Meanwhile, Thanti had a mishap on her way into work a couple of days ago. She was riding on a motorcycle taxi (quite popular in Bangkok, since they can weave through the traffic congestion more quickly than 4 wheeled vehicles). Apparently a regular taxi came around the intersection and hit the motorcycle. Thanti went flying into the street and got banged up a bit. Thankfully no broken bones or serious injuries. She had some cuts and lacerations on her arm and a lot of bruising. She's in some pain but she's a tough cookie. if you're ever in Bangkok, beware of crazy taxi drivers!

Oh, the other good news in my life.. I finally had a Skype webcam session with my kids last Saturday. I know it's not much but it's the first one I've had since early March. Just like getting our K-1 visa is a journey, maintaining my relationship to my kids is also a journey.

Ooo.. finally done reading everything you all managed to type while I was gone! My fiance is on his way to the US as I type. As we have it planned, next time I'll see him, it will be over there, but we haven't set any dates yet. There's still a lot to do here before I can move.

Welcome back Badgerella! Now that your fiance has left, you can get back to the serious business of hanging out on VJ. Of course I've long ago come to realize that while we come to VJ initially as a means to the end of being united with our loved ones as quickly as possible, we stay and socialize and gossip on VJ as an end in itself!

Ron,

very sorry to hear that Thanti was banged up a bit. I'm sure she will recover quickly and be with you in the very near future!

Congrats on the skype session with your kids. I am so happy to hear that. I hope that was the first of many more to come.

In this regional forum, I would think anh would be fine if you need to use some descriptor because neither Americans nor Vietnamese could be offended by it. But in any public forum responses can be just directly stated without any salutation at all.

I guess bro is fine if two people know each other personally and want to have that bond between them. Not the case here. In addition, it makes one sound like they are 18. yes and maybe a little low class.

I am pretty sure that most folks in the US don't think it is respectful for younger people to call them bro. Actually quite the opposite.

NOTE: This information is directed ONLY at VJ'ers going through the HCM consulate in Vietnam.

Just thought I would share this information with everyone to reinforce the importance of preparing and bringing a detailed timeline to the interview in HCM.

Hien went yesterday for her medical at Cho Ray. She said that the place was packed with people, all doing the medical for a US Visa. The topic that was discussed the most with everyone was the timeline. Many women had family members who had been interviewed before and the Number 1 reason for people not being approved at the initial interview was failure to have a timeline or having a timeline that was not detailed. She was shocked at how many people that were there had never heard about the timeline requirement and how many knew about it but did not know what it was or how to prepare it.

This timeline is an absolute must at HCM. Petitioners, please be sure that you have this timeline prepared and notarized and provided for your spouse or fiance(e) to bring to the interview. If you read this and do not know how to do the timeline, please ask and we can help you. Do not skip this thinking that you can get away without it.

bro not to be rude or anything but you need to state that its for K-1 visas only. CR-1 visas are not require a timeline. getting a lot of us CR-1's confused

OK, good to clarify. I was not aware of that. but no need to call everyone bro. That part is rude. thanks

Well,

Understand, this Med-Exam will have the fiancee stripped down to her underwears and bras. Check every inch of her body for red spots, rashes. Then drink a cough solution which will make her cough for days afterward.

Cho Ray - some have experience flat out lies to extort for money.

IOM - Professionally done. My wife went in, got everything done. No issue. So what, you need to go to a different location for shots. I like to know that my wife got treated with respect and as a human being and receiving the service that she PAYS for, not asking for a damn FAVOR (as you would when you come Cho Ray).

But it sounds like you want to try Cho Ray because it's all in one package deal? Then go! Do let us know how it turn out OK.

OK, here's one person's Cho Ray story.

I tried to talk Hien into going to IOM but she was more comfortable with Cho Ray because she knew where it was and it seemed "more Vietnamese" to her. OK. So today I asked her a hundred questions about the experience. This is her feedback:

She went at 1 PM on Thursday, 23 April. First went Tuesday morning after vaccinations but they would not do the medical because all the open slots were taken. Told her to come Thursday at 1 PM (actually got an appt. time)

The place is small and not immaculate but you have to set your expectations accordingly for Vietnam. Things are not like the US.

It was not overly dirty.

It was crowded, trying to do as many of the medicals in one day as possible. Mostly women but a couple guys having the medical. Mostly younger women but a few middle-aged ladies.

She was treated with respect and professionalism by all of the staff. Nobody was rude to her and nobody tried to extort money.

Men and women were segregated for the medical exams.

Asked lots of questions. Have you had a baby? Have you had surgery? are you taking medication now? That kind of stuff. She said there were a lot of questions. Answered all NO (true for her).

Blood drawn. LOTS of blood (so she says). Whiner

She had to remove ALL of her clothing and put on a hospital gown.

She was x-rayed with the hospital gown on. She did NOT have to drink anything at all.

The X-ray technician was the only man involved in the medical process for the women and the women are clothed for that (see above). After that, the exam is done completely by a woman.

The woman doctor/nurse did a VERY thorough examination of her body looking for scars, marks, rashes, anything. Very close examination of the breasts but NO internal exam (you know what I mean). Again, she said the woman was thorough but very professional.

Clothes back on and told her to come between 3 and 4 PM Friday (next day) for results/pick up sealed envelope.

All in all, her experience at Cho Ray, as a VN native, was very positive. All the horror/scare stories I told her to keep her from going did not come true. Now she thinks I believe everything I read on the internet (she actually said this to me)!! I'm sure if I went, I might not view it the same but that's OK. It worked for her and she came away with dignity and a sense of accomplishment.

NOTE: This information is directed ONLY at VJ'ers going through the HCM consulate in Vietnam.

Just thought I would share this information with everyone to reinforce the importance of preparing and bringing a detailed timeline to the interview in HCM.

Hien went yesterday for her medical at Cho Ray. She said that the place was packed with people, all doing the medical for a US Visa. The topic that was discussed the most with everyone was the timeline. Many women had family members who had been interviewed before and the Number 1 reason for people not being approved at the initial interview was failure to have a timeline or having a timeline that was not detailed. She was shocked at how many people that were there had never heard about the timeline requirement and how many knew about it but did not know what it was or how to prepare it.

This timeline is an absolute must at HCM. Petitioners, please be sure that you have this timeline prepared and notarized and provided for your spouse or fiance(e) to bring to the interview. If you read this and do not know how to do the timeline, please ask and we can help you. Do not skip this thinking that you can get away without it.

The two items they have asked for are very commonly requested at HCM on K-1 visas. They are a must. The list of HER family and friends in the US (Vietnamese people) are for them to assess if you might have been paid to help bring her to the US to be with them.

Give them everything that they asked for in as much detail as you can. If you have a good lawyer he should be able to help you with these things also.

1 out of 5 means 80% failure rate on first interview. That sounds a bit high but more realistic at HCM.

Has anyone ever requested for early expedite approval for family medical emergency or anything else? I just called NVC and they informed me that HCMC approved my request for early expedite service. I asked the NVC operator if they have my interview date yet she said no. She informed me that what they will do is forward my case to HCMC and they will contact us whenever they receive the case (she said 2-3 days I guess electronically) and we will have an interview date set by the consulate as soon as possible. My case was complete at NVC already anyways but they haven't set an interview date yet and they told me if my request for expedite wasn't approved that I would have to wait the second week of may for them to schedule my interview and it seem from what I see from this board it would probably be in June. But now since they approved my Early Expedite request do you guys think I'll get it early May? I had a medical emergency in my family so I expressed to them how I needed my wife and I to come home as soon as possible and I am glad they approved. I am so glad to am about to come back home to US with my wife and see my sick family member. Anyone been though this before?

You must as well get your medical exam out of the way and get your fee paid if ur K1 so it will be less hassle. The way it works is for you once someone cancel their appointment for an interview and there is no one else in front of you in the same case ( med ) they they will let you slide in to that appointment.

Get your MED EXAM DONE, PAY YOUR FEE so when they give you interview your not walking around like a headless chicken!

I am doing the CR1 not K1, What Fee has to be paid? Is it the medical examination fee? I thought to get the medical examination done I have to have an appointment letter from the consulate or NVC. They haven't emailed me or sent me anything yet. How can I get these things done early if I don't have that letter so the medical examination will accept? I heard it's very hard to get the request for expedite and I think they told me I am the only one at HCMC hopefully my interview will be soon. I guess I'll have to rush the medical examination whenever they give me the letter. Anyone have tips?

You need the appointment letter from the consulate to get your medical done.

SOOOOOOOOO.....Today i had a pretty crappy day.

My engagement ring got stuck in customs, I had to tell my band i was leaving earlier than expected.....and then Dave tells me he will be out of contact all of next week.

I'm on the phone to him right now and asked him to call them..............the NVC jailers.....AND

WE HAVE BEEN RELEASED FROM PRISON! It was forwarded to the embassy on the 20th. The day i was super super nice to an NVC rep.....:):):)

Thank you so much for your support guys. I'll be sticking around here to encourage others.

MWAH MWAAAAAH MWAAAAAAAAAAAH !!!!!!!!!! to the AP crew.

Congrats!!

Cho Ray IS doing the medical exams, as is IOM. My fiance is going to Cho Ray today (VN time). She went on Tuesday and they said they were too busy to see her and gave her an appointment for 1 PM today.

Here is what I believe is happening based upon a few stories I have heard from others: The agents/helpers are getting kickbacks from the medical centers somehow for steering visa applicants there for the exams. There is no middle ground with these people...they will say to the young ladies that they HAVE to go to one or the other. Irritating but on par for VN.

Go to either facility but first you have to go and get your vaccinations...then go for the exam. And it is not always two shots. Hien got only 1 and they said she was good to go to the US. varies from person to person.

First, the paper that she got with information about Section 221 had to be some color...??? But more importantly, what exactly did it say? People here will be able to provide much more help if you can post either exactly what it says (being returned to USCIS or asking for more information?) or scan it and post it for us to read.

Second, They scheduled her for an other interview. How was this communicated to her? at the interview, by e-mail later? Did they state the purpose of the interview? Were you instructed to be present for this interview?

Last, your attorney said that 99% of people interviewing in HCM have been denied a visa? That does not sound anywhere near realistic to me.

If you can provide more information, you will get more answers/help. Thanks.

OK, here is the deal with the passport stamps. Vietnam will issue some visas affixed (glued) to the passport like all other countries. In some cases, they will issue a visa that is a loose piece of paper. If that piece of paper is a single entry visa, they will put the entry/exit stamps on the visa and keep it on your way out. The only way to be sure that you have a record in your passport is to get a permanently affixed visa. That means do not expedite it and be sure that your passport gets sent to the embassy in San Francisco. OR, get a multi-entry visa (costs a little more) and they will not keep it as you leave because you are allowed to return on that visa. Now you will have in your possession a VN visa with stamps on the back.

To the OP: you have to know that the consulate in HCM scrutinizes relationships very closely. What might be acceptable to "get by" at other consulates or embassies simply will not cut it in HCM. If you have a girl there that you want to bring to the US, you will need to put forth a significant amount of effort, coupled with lots of planning.

Regarding the address: many people live in tiny, hard to find villages in VN. It's Vietnam! You will not be the first or last to have a girl that lives in a remote place. Mail in VN is not reliable but I will say that the consulate got Packets 3 and 4 deivered to Hien's little village 4 hours south of HCM with no difficulty. if she moves, you can notify them, but later she will need to fill out forms saying where she has lived and when. this all needs to be truthful and tie together.

Your evidence: I am not sure based on what you have described that you have enough to prove that you met her in the last 2 years. I cannot imagine that they would accept a sworn statement from another person saying that you went....also considering that this person bought your ticket. And that is another problem. You need to start buying your own tickets and building evidence that YOU have a relationship with the girl, not your sister.

As Jim said before, you are due for a trip anyway since the last one was in 2007. If you were planning to not go again and just have her fly in 6 months from now, you are being pretty optimistic. You two need more face time and more evidence. Read the posts in the regional forum going back 6-8 months to get a flavor for this consulate.

To all who see this although i was only here for a short time i went through more than a month of pure panic same as you. I have found out just now that NVC released Carla and my paperwork to be sent to Lima today. I have no idea how long it will take to get there or what a time line is for rest of this to work out but we are free and i wish all of you the same luck , I believe those of you next to my same times will be soon released as well. I can only imagine that everything is as they say RANDOM. many thanks and please keep up the good work and be patient. < unlike me>

Congrats on your short stint here! Good luck with the rest of your journey!

how is this for the wiki page guys

== Administrative Processing at NVC ==

The NVC has a random process of pulling a certain, unknown number of "K" visa petitions for further administrative processing each week. It is unknown what exactly takes place during this process. Some CSR's at NVC have said that they are "verifying documents". But the most common answer will be that "there is no timeframe for the process".

There actually is a very predictable timeframe based on VJers experience that has been shared since December 2008. The average time that a case is held during this AP is around 50 days.

I would like to add the link to Thantita's list also. And of course to this thread.

you guys can add to it on wiki if you want to of course

I'll wait to add the link to all of Ron's hard work until he says it's cool

ok, made more changes lol

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/...ocessing_at_NVC

Nice work, Lisa

As an aside, does it seem to anyone else that the typical AP release schedule is sliding down to the 35 day mark? not saying it is bad, just observing that it has been awhile since we have had any 50 day-ers. Ron, is it possible to plot the average AP hold time by release week to see what the trend is doing?

Hey, we got pinned! Nice work, Lisa!!

Well misery loves company so I thought I should add my 2 cents to this form… 39 days at NVC for AP…. See I feel better already (not really)

I have read all 102 pages and could really feel every ones pain, I hope we all break free soon…. Till then good luck to all, and to me also as I need it

!!!!!

Welcome!...and sorry...This is the only forum on VJ where we hope NOT to see newcomers. But, unfortunately, Uncle Sam does not want us to be lonely so he throws a few new members to us every week!

Best of luck for a speedy release!

and thirded!

You know? We should ask for this thread to be pinned in this forum. Just a thought

Agree. Who do we approach? Kim&Russ? Captain Ewok? Other?

Lisa, do you guys have travel plans yet? You must be getting very excited

we'll see if this does the trick

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=192362

We are excited!! We just booked a flight yesterday for May 7th.

FINALLY!! wooofrigginhoooo heh

CONGRATS!!!