Danno2

During these economic times I would suggest you re-evaluate your priorities. What happens if you loose your job? Think things through and try not to be impulsive.

I was thinking the exact same thing! I got triple confirmation from my boss for a 2week 2 day vacation.

Just as an FYI,,, My S.O. calls me with a 1baut per minute calling card from her cell. Her number shows up on my cell and AT&T detailed bill. I print & highlight the inbound call in 1 color and outbound in another. I plan on summarizing inbound and outbound calls / emails with a cover sheet.

Hopefully this will make our new Embassy friend happy.

maybe this post can help you

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...t=#entry1698414

Thanks for posting this question. My S.O. will be going through BKK as well. I have asked my S.O. many,many times about this. She says it is not needed because she does not have any children. I want her to get one anyway. Can someone else chime in on this to help us. If not we can ask in the Thailand thread..

The link to the other thread was for another country so I'm not sure it is applicable for Thailand.

I just went back and read the last 2 pages of the old thread. What a freaking time for me to take a few days off from it and also that thread getting closed down. I FEEL SO UPSET FOR YOU GUYS!

Chada told me she has all the call logs from her cell phone but she often used a card to call me and there is no log of the calls when she used the card. She also said if she uses her cell phone to get the logs its 8bt per minute. I know nothing about what calling cards are available. Can someone give me some advise on what card she can get that will have logs showing proof of her calls to me?

Its 11:30pm and after this I'm going to need a pill...

Did you get approved on your interview date? If not when will you find out? Sorry if I missed something as I read your post...

Negative!

~Eric

No, only one application was submitted. The 1-129F and G-325A's are submitted at the same time.

Man I was reading this while on MSN with my girl. I about had a panic attack. Since we filed for the K1 I have been doing 90% of the calling because it cost me 1 cent a minute and if we talk all day there is really not much need for MSN or emails. I was like SOB!

My plan was to go back next month for 16 days. It would be our second visit and we would be spending time with mom / dad in the village before heading off to the coast for some fun. We of course would be taking lots of pictures along the way and then updating the proof of relationship packet with everything right about the time we get the NOA2. The relationship would be 1 year at that point (thin I know) but having everything else being cookie cutter i was thinking we would be fine. It looks like we will need a change of strategy on the emails & calls.

I'm sorry but I cant help but be a little pissed. It feels like we are having our method of communication dictated to us by the US government.

From what my fiancee experienced, it was the questions that were the easy part. Normal questions, when/where/how did you meet, how many times has he seen you/when did he come back, when do you plan on getting married. Nothing off the wall like fav color, food, or what side of the bed I sleep on. He was just overly scrutinizing of gaps in evidence (which were the times I was in Thailand and cross country for the Marines and was out of contact, but she knew this), and discrepancies from the USCIS side to the consular side. Only thing I can think of was a mis-spelling of her mother's first name on the G-325A and he basically told her that she was lying to me, what an @$$. It's bull chips and there's nothing I can do about it.

If it doesn't get approved, I'll file for a waiver and if that fails, we can marry and try again. Maybe then they'll know we are serious. We had about 30 photos of us together and with family, 20+ pages of call logs, and 20 screen shots of video chats and messenger logs. He didn't mention anything about lack of evidence, so I wouldn't sweat it. Just make sure you have ALL the required documents. Read over packet 3 and 4 multiple times. That seems to be the kicker for most people, especially if they live in northern Thailand and have to make a one-day trip to the local amphur to get anything.

~Eric

Did you get approved on your interview date? If not when will you find out? Sorry if I missed something as I read your post...

In my K1 application I provided a table based timeline summary as the cover page for my "Proof of Relationship Section" Within the summary page I used a MS Word table that showed the relationship progressing and the type of interaction. Additionally one of the cells provided a reference to the subsection within my "Proof of relationship section" These subsections were broken down into email, chat, phone logs, pictures, passport stamps, tickets, receipts. I will just update this section after my March trip and again when we get the NOA2 (April / May). Sorry if my description is difficult to understand. I can send the MS word document to anyone who wants to see it...

I didn’t think about providing this before but based upon what you are saying I'm going to add to the summary page with totals of our chat logs and phone conversations. We talk about 20 ~ 90 minutes a day and I could not imagine anyone making a case for that being marriage fraud.

I saw another thread online this morning that made me think about the difficulties of explaining my long distance relationships to family, friends and co-workers. Instead of hijacking that thread I wanted to post my approach and get some tips so we might be able help others in the future.

I have found about 3 different kinds of reaction when I try to explain what “going on” in my personal life. It goes something like this:

1. Total trust – We discuss what is going on. They are not judgmental are supportive and interested in my happiness

2. Concerned –I share some of the details but also choose when / what to say – bring them along slowly

3. Complete skeptics – Let them know I am in a relationship and happy but offer no details

I dont believe in springing things on people so I chose to have multiple conversation with my Total trust and Concerned groups over the 6 – 8 months of the K1 process. Here is a list of some of the things I have done & mostly in the order I did them:

• I met someone on vacation ( I would not show pictures together as its TMI)

• I like this person / we talk allot

• We met online prior to my vacation / show a single picture of only (expect it to be difficult conversation & don’t try to convince them of anything)

• Give details of your S.O. life, culture and funny stories (showing they are a real and interesting person)

• Explain that the S.O. will come to visit in 8 months (but not using the their fiance visa)

____o You will help them come over

____o They will be staying with you (keep it at a high level)

• Let them chat with your S.O. online you are there (this was a GREAT way to connect)

• Giving the phone to them to say hello to S.O. during your conversation.

• Buying that cultures cookbook, utensils, spices and food and then preparing meals with your family (this is a GREAT way to connect)

• Take a second long vacation (people want interesting and funny stories of your visit)

• Show pictures of your vacation (together, happy and in love)

When I have been pressed to explaining the I-129f process I choose to keep it simple by explaining the long timeline with escalating commitments points and all the built in exit points that culminate to the “All I have to do is NOT get married during the 90 days” (which of course is not likely but is a great way to calm people down). As for my category 3 people what can you do? Almost all will be surprised and skeptics. Some will be mad and others will be jealous. Chada and I talk about this but we have so many more important things to focus on we will deal with "those people" later.

What are some tips or experience you would like to share?

A few months ago I stayed at the FurmaXclusive (booked through Expedia) WOW, WOW, WOW. This was a for real 4-1/2 star hotel on Asoke about a 2 minute walk from the subway 3 minutes from the skytrain. I stayed in the smallest room and it was awesome. Rooftop sauna, workout room, bar (with daily free happy hour and 2 small pools. The service was the best I had ever had in any hotel! There is also a great British pub and one of the best steak houses in Bangkok right around the corner. Its in Sukhumvit around Soi 20 I think. I just checked online for my next trip and they have a special. Stay 2 nights and get the third for free. Also if you book through expedia you get a $50 pre paid credit card. Thats 6 nights for $48.63 a night. YOU WONT BEAT THIS DEAL.

I also stayed at the Navalia river resort. Its was nice as well and is in the backpacker area of Bangkok. Nothing wrong with it just a more laid back feel.

If you want to take an inexpensive trip look up Krabi Thailand. Its in the south on the ocean but much smaller and more laid back then Phuket. Hotel on beach $40 a day. Motorcycle rental $4 a day, private longtail boat tour $60 a day.

LOL jasman0717,,, ok now I no I'm not the only one. I spend about 100 hours indexing, providing supplement letters, heavy bonded separation pages with tabs and pop out type of baggies with my check in 1 and photos in another. All together my packet was in 10 sections and had a table of contents.

After I sent it in I read the FAQ section with the former case workers info on how the process works. For those that have not read it our multi-month waiting process for I129F approval takes about 15 minutes. It includes several database checks and making sure you completed the basic requirements as indicated. He said they don't use the Adecco system and it really make no difference including all the extra bells and whistles.

Oh well at least I'M really prepared and will have less work to do preparing documentation for the interview.

What is your price range?

A few months ago I stayed at the FurmaXclusive (booked through Expedia) WOW, WOW, WOW. This was a for real 4-1/2 star hotel on Asoke about a 2 minute walk from the subway 3 minutes from the skytrain. I stayed in the smallest room and it was awesome. Rooftop sauna, workout room, bar (with daily free happy hour and 2 small pools. The service was the best I had ever had in any hotel! There is also a great British pub and one of the best steak houses in Bangkok right around the corner. Its in Sukhumvit around Soi 20 I think.

I also stayed at the Navalia river resort. Its was nice as well and is in the backpacker area of Bangkok. Nothing wrong with it just a more laid back feel.

If you want to take an inexpensive trip look up Krabi Thailand. Its in the south on the ocean but much smaller and more laid back then Phuket. Hotel on beach $40 a day. Motorcycle rental $4 a day, private longtail boat tour $60 a day.

Hello everyone! Its my first post in this thread.

I want to send my girl a valentines day card and not sure if there is still time to send via snail mail or USPS international priority to Thailand. Our last experience with DHL was horrible so I would hate to give them any more of my money..

Can some of you more experienced persons give me an idea on the time frames for different postage methods?

Thank you in advance!

Danny

Wow you are ALMOST there! How many of us would be blow away with early processing by the VSC???

Chada and I set our expectations and budgets around LONG time estimates so how crazy would it be to get caught unprepared.

Wow what what an IGORS number? You are certainly affecting the curve with that one.

Good luck to you and get working on packet 3.

I never thought I would be happy to say this... With MLK behind us we have no more holidays till Memorial day. You know what that means? Five full days of processing by the service centers! The only slowdown we might have is in March where moms / dads might take off for spring break. Hey given the economic situation I'll bet lots of the spring break vacations will be put on hold this year.

So there we have it. Two silver linings and its just Sunday!

Sorry, but February has 2 holidays, Presidents day, and/or Lincolns and Washingtons Birthday, Possibly three, but many agencys take off for Either Lincoln or Washington, but not both

Uggg, your right. I thought the non-profit company I worked for was goverment like... Well at least there is no dispute about the ecconomy...

I never thought I would be happy to say this... With MLK behind us we have no more holidays till Memorial day. You know what that means? Five full days of processing by the service centers! The only slowdown we might have is in March where moms / dads might take off for spring break. Hey given the economic situation I'll bet lots of the spring break vacations will be put on hold this year.

So there we have it. Two silver linings and its just Sunday!

After reading the posts about what its actually like to work there I'm choosing to cut them some slack. There are just so many things about that job that suck... If you ever get a chance you should check it out. Its in the FAQ section.

Unless I'm missing something its got to be a management / staffing problem. From what I read the workers have to hit their numbers.

My fiance had lived in more places than the form allowed. My #1 concern was that we had perfect information on all the forms. With that in mind I created a supplement with an exact replica of that section in in MS Word (using a table). I then added a text section below that with an affirmation that the information listed in this document is true and correct. She printed 3 copies, signed, dated and mailed them to me with her passport photos and the other forms.

This could have been totally over the top but but we left no stone unturned in deterring an RFE.

I am from the more is better crowd. It was a signed 1 page supplement letter that contained 1 paragraph giving detail how and when we met.

It could have been totally worthless but I have lots of free time and I wanted to do everything possible to deter an RFE. For me the 5 minutes it took was time well spent.

I like many others used VJ was my guide and did it myself.

Between research, preparation, and working on everything with my fiance I spent about 40 ~ 60 hours on mine. (Yes I went overboard:) The money was an issue for me because preparing the I-129 is just step 2 or 3 in a 2 year process with all kind of expences along the way. I just concidered the work as my new part time job I also think it makes a statement to your fiance and others about the commitment to your new life. Last but not least there is no way anyone else would have put in the time and attention to detail as I was willing to do.

My I-129f cover letter included a 10 section table of contents with the Proof of Relationship area broken down into 8 subsections. I arranged the baggies holding the checks and photos to open out to the examiner when the page was lifted...

Yes, I went overboard. No I am not on medication.

LOL, Yeah I know its fairly irrelevant but I'm an IT / Computer Science guy. Its hard looking at the data and being a nerd about it.

From IGORS last 20 processed it looks like they are solid in September and beginning to scratch the surface of October. When I take that information and combine it with the FAQ thread (from the privious service center employee) I wonder what things have happened to those pre August applicants. For the ones that are really active I certainly feel for them...

Back to my original question,,, I was just wondering if there was a common theme of being around 80 on IGORS and magically receiving the NOA2... I would certainly like to know where Imane & Robin were who filled in OCTOBER

I've been looking on IGORS list and it seems between 50 ~ 100 of the lowest numbered profiles may be from people not be actively pursuing a visa. (Last visit to VJ months and months ago)

From prior experience what would you estimate the inactive K-1 filers to be?

Also from NOA2ers Where were you at on the list at the time you received your NOA2?

Thanks in advance!

Danny & Chada

I just wanted to share my experience with DHL.

After reading the DHL recommendations on this form I used them for the I-129f documents that required my fiance signature along with her passport photo. Her English is really good so we had a long discusion about the exact process to follow and precautions to take to ensure a smooth shipment. She took great care in preparing everything and went directly to the downtown DHL office in Bangkok. She then allowed them to inspect and seal the envelope. After this they placed an "Inspected by shipper" label over the seal. At that point things went downhill. The delivery to the Dallas DHL depot took 2 times longer than advertised and the tracking was a joke. On the day of delivery the driver determined my house was unsafe to leave the package to. At his discretion he determined that the ONLY delivery option was that the recipient listed on the package would have to be at home and show ID to receive it. Just to be clear,, I could not do a signature release, leave at neighbor or anything other than be at home and show ID. I contacted DHL customer service and informed them both the sender and recipient took specific actions (not insuring the package and not requiring a delivery signature) because no one would be home to recieve it and that there was no value to it. I also informed DHL that I live in a quiet suburb of Dallas, a safe neighborhood, a private culdesac with a private porch. DHL responded that ultimatley nothing else matters other than the drivers opinion and he can make whatever decision he determines without recourse. As you might imagine I was blown away by this...

After 2 calls I was able to speak with the drivers supervisor. After repeating to him all of the information above and that the contents only a picture and letter did he agree to direct the driver to leave the package. Later that evening as I arrived home I found my package. The tape had been cut and the envelope ripped open. Luckialy the contents were all there and not damaged and we were about to be on our way to the NOA1.

I did file a formal complaint with the national DHL office via the customer service division concerning incorrect tracking information, the arbitrary delivery decision, and that these policies were not made available to customers prior to shipment. I was told the corporate headquarters would contact directly to discuss within 7 days. That was on 12/22/08 and I have never heard from them.

BTW both FedX and UPS would have been cheaper options for me. I just chose DHL as they had great ratings from everyone else...

Good luck to everyone!

Anyone know a good long distance company for Thailand?

I've been using a Thaitel "Express" card for 6 months without much of a problem. Its a 1 cent per minute prepaid card with local and 800 number options. Since I don't have a land-line or VoIP I programed the local access number, pin and telephone number into my cell as a single dialing number. Then I just try talk during non peak times or from the office.

For proof of ongoing relationship I included a letter with the I-129F packet explaining what I did concerning the phone calls and referenced the following 3 attachments.

#1 A summary copy (available online) of my Thaitel purchase history.

#2 A printed copy of the local access numbers from the Thaitel web site with the highlighted the number I chose to use.

#3 A downloaded / printed copy of my AT&T call detail log which highlighted the calls to the local access number I had chosen.

All of this took about 30 minutes for about 5 months worth of calls. Now all I have to do is recharge the card and update my call log 1 more time before the interview.

Of course all of this "proof" may have been going overboard but I didnt want to take any chances.