Josephs

Fighting ants over there is like a fighting a losing battle, you will not win

As far as the phone thing goes, it might not be your phone. GPRS is more common to be found, but it is very slow and buggy, 3g service is better but its range is very limited, you can only find it in in bigger cities. Most of the time, depending mainly on your device, activation is as simple as texting the phone service carrier, they will reply with further instruction and the process shouldn't take no longer than couple of minutes. I sent my fiance an Iphone and she has 3g connection at all time, it's a very very very handy thing.

yeah my wife uses her iphone with no probs. but when i try to the same thing with my phone it doesnt work. i think is has something to do with blackberrys in gen. because they use "black berry internet service" so im not sure. i just tried with viniger. so far so good.

hey all long time no post. my wife and i have been though the hoops just like everyone here and now all is well. she has been living with me over a year in USA (wisconsin). we are now back in vietnam, this time is a vacation. got here on jan 19th (10pm) and were going back on the 18th of feb. we came here with some of her other family that lives in chicago. oh and we got married 12-12-09. my questions are this:

I have a black berry tour, a wolrd phone. it has a sim card and its unlocked. i can use a Vietnam SIM and it works for calls and SMS but internet and email is not working. were are in Vinh Long. and everyone here has never seen a BB b4 so they have no idea. anyone have a suggestion? we will be going to saigon for the day tomorrow.

now my 2nd question. Where can i Boric Acid in Vietnam? i want to make ant bait but i have no idea where to buy it. my wifes parents house has ants everywhere. and well id like to wipe them out at least as much as i can. they have been useing gas to kill them off around the house but like i said b4 i want to kill them with bait.

I also wanted to say: Hang in there everyone! it happend for me and it will happen for you! right now i have a stuffy nose but other than that im trying to live in up here in Ving Long! oh and if anyones in the area let me know, ill buy you a coffee or beer!

Yay.

Not much trouble at all. I was a little worried because we don't have any joint assets, and the only thing I had to show for that was putting the family on my employers health insurance. So we showed the insurance cards and a bill from the clinic for my wife's checkup.

I also forgot to bring pictures of the wedding. DOH

Anyway, it was pretty much a breeze. We had to help the lady put all the name changes in order (2 for my wife, 3 for her son). She was a little confused about that, and On had to explain that changing your name is no big deal in Thailand and everybody does it.

I think she knew we were legit and was just trying to satisfy her checklist.

Questions asked:

Who proposed to whom and when?

Age difference?

How did you meet?

The rest was formality, she made On and son answer all the formal questions again that are on the AOS checklist. Then she said she'd approve it, took our employment authorization cards, the entry visa from the passports, and said we'd get the green cards in about 2 weeks.

Our interviewer said he couldn't answer if we passed or not. which was odd. only questions he asked us was where we live and oddly enough, many questions about my brother.... we passed anyways but still... always remember the could ask you questions out of the blue and then elaborate on them.

Congratz

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-90.pdf Is the form you need to fill out to do the change. The USCIS website says its $290 and that you may have to pay another $80 for the biometrics again, but you would have to read the instructions to see if that applies to you. Not sure how long it takes or any of that. She can't get a passport from the US, she will have to travel on her vietnam one until she becomes a USC. If its expired you will have to go through the consulate/embassy to get a new one. She shouldn't need a visa to go back, she just needs the greencard to come back. For the other question, yes you file in 2 years - 90 days for the ROC. I believe thats from the date of this conditional residency card, not from the new one with the right name, as thats the length of time shes been approved. After 3 years she can file to become a USC if she decides to.

my question on that is. her Green card and her Passport will have a different name, (passport old, Green Card new, Will this be a problem? also will she need a visa? to leave and come back like a USC? or will her green card act the same as a Visa?

My wife has her green card now, but we did all the paper work in the wrong name...her name before we got married, my questions are... How hard is it to change the name, and how long does it take? also when we do change the name, will we need to go back to the Homeland security building? (3 hours away )

My last question is... now what do we need to do? after we do the name change and all that is taken care of, do we just wait until the 2 years is up (-90 days) then file for the 2nd interview. Oh and can she get a passport and Visa, so we can visit her parents and family back in Vietnam?

Oh and does she still need her green card? and also when do we get a new social? because her current one says not valid with out a EAD

Jerome,

You made an interesting point when you said that the CO gives a blue slip requesting evidence that you already have available for the CO to see that same day at the interview. What I still do not understand is how other people have gotten the CO to actually look at the evidence and get a pink slip. Those that got the pink slip did something different then those who got the blue slip. There just has to be something that the blue slip people are missing. I looked at the list of people that got blue slips or are in AP and it looks like the common denominator is the time line. Just about everybody has listed the time line as a reason for the blue. I also see list of relatives for the beneficiary and evidence of bonafide relationship....which brings me back to the evidence for the interview date issue. There has to be a link from the evidence submitted with the I-129F to the evidence that needs to be presented on the interview date. That "link" should force the CO to look at the evidence. I don't know. Im just trying to figure all this out before I file my petition I guess. Am I thinking wrong? Somebody please shed some light on this.

<CARRICK>

Honestly, I think its personal choice. they judge on how pressured they are at the moment and really how they feel at the time. its this right? well no, no its not at all. but its how it is. if they are still in doubt, they will just ask for anything. so they have more time to go over the case.

I had a Timeline, but it was not notarized, only signed and dated. she did not pass her medical. so we got a blue slip for that BUT only that. I did not have a list of relatives. but my fiancee did interview in English, I was there for the interview. We did have an engagement ceremony. We had Tons and tons of pictures. but not just pictures of me and her and her family in Vietnam. we had pictures of my city and my house and things like this mixed in. we pretty much brought everything we had. tons and tons of chat longs. but they didnt look at them. they didnt even look at out engagement ceremony pictures. only pictures from my city, snow, me fishing with friends and things like that. Anything that i sent her to explain how my life was here in the states she brought with her. which i think helps to show that everything is real, were not 2 strangers and we do everything we can to communicate. we also had pictures of my fiancee and my self doing things together and having genuine fun. if they dont see you together doing things and just hanging out... then they are going to wonder whats up.

just my input from personal experience. by the way, I filed for a K1 visa on feb 2 2009, and we just got approved on the 16th of October 2009.

Sorry this is still lingering for you two.

Can you clarify a little for us what is happening? It sounds like they told her that on 12 October the doctor will send the medical results to the consulate. Sometime between 12 and 25 October, the consulate will call her with an answer. If they don't call her, she should call the consulate. Is that correct? Did the doctor give her anything when she went there?

Correct, and they gave her xrays. but he said he would send the paperwork on the 12th. Another thing that bothers me, she said he only sends paperwork out 2 times a month... yup thats what she was told... 2 times a month. thats soooo total BS. no wonder they might call in such a long time, on the 12th they must get flooded with paper work... What kind of system is that? 2 times a month? for god knows how many medical results? wow. anyways i will update after i know more or hear anything but atm im so pissed. there will be some letters and phone calls. but im going to wait until AFTER we find out their decision.

Where did she go for medical exam?

I can find that out for you in 2 days, tomorrow I will go to work in the moring so she and i will not talk but saturday I can ask.

If Cho Ray, this makes no sense at all. My wife had hers done there and when she went back for the results, they sent her with the packet.

Can't assess what they do at the other facility but perhaps others can chime in.

Sending results twice a month? That sounds bizarre. Maybe because they have a special form to retract an earlier finding of TB???

I asked her and she just said Hospital. I dont know what one or if there is more than 1 in HCMC. atm we are talking with SMS and well we can only fit 160 spaces in a SMS.

She just sent me a sms... saying. she brought the paper the 1st time to the interview, but it was a failed Medical. now the doctor is sending it because it is changed, she said "everyone make paper too long khong make paper now." from my understanding its not a typical sealed deal, it is because they changed it that they have to send it. I also think maybe they have to type it all up/lazy(i dont know) that they will wait to send until Monday(the 12th) then after they get it they will call her anytime from the 12th to the 25th with news. their decision on our case.

next update from me will be their decision. so we all will have to wait until then. I hope its like the price is right and they say "Come on down!" and give PINK! we will see.

Well, I sent them an email on 10/13/09 asking if they got her medical and if they made a decision. Its 542 AM on October 16th 2009. I just woke up to my Blackberry yelling that i got a email (3 days... not bad) ..... I opened it up and this is what it said......

Good afternoon,

Please be informed that we received the beneficiary’s medical report from our Panel Physician. A consular officer reviewed and approved this case on October 16. The notification will be mailed to the beneficiary shortly. However, she may wish to bring her passport and this response to our office between 1-2pm, Monday through Friday for visa issuance.

YUP PINK VIA EMAIL!!!!!!!!!! :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:

you are all the 1st to know. ive been trying to call my fiancee but she isnt picking up. I will keep calling until she does!

Thank you everyone for all of the encouragement and HELP!. i was feeling pretty down until now! Remember to wait and have patience. we will all get our pink in due time!

Would a call to them be better?(faster?) I heard it is ok to call about 4pm (HCMC time)

I tried calling them several times before and it got me no where. I think the best way is email so that CO who answers the email has more time to look at the case before replying back to you. Another way people have been getting success in is actually showing up at the consulate on Tuesday and Wednesday from 4:00pm to 5:00pm. You or your wife/fiancee can actually talk to a CO face to face about your case.

I have asked my fiancee to go to the consulate but she told me her lawyer said to wait until the 20th to ask. But i worry that they never got her 2nd medical. because my fiancee did not submit, the doctor said he would send it to them on the 12th. so i want to make sure we are not waiting for nothing.

I don't see why her lawyer would object on going up to the consulate just to see if the doctor has submitted the medical papers already. Either way, if it was me I would just go up there anyway and only ask that question even if the lawyer suggest not going up there until the stated date. Maybe his reasoning is to give them time to look at the paperwork and give them time to make a decision. Either way I think it's best to inquire if they received the medical paperwork so that you would know to go back to the doctor and push them to submit it again or maybe you gotta offer them some coffee money. If she strongly suggest listening to her lawyer and not go before the 20th then just shoot them an email and hope they reply quickly.

I have sent them an email. at least now i feel like i did something. waiting in the dark and not doing anything was getting under my skin!

Would a call to them be better?(faster?) I heard it is ok to call about 4pm (HCMC time)

I tried calling them several times before and it got me no where. I think the best way is email so that CO who answers the email has more time to look at the case before replying back to you. Another way people have been getting success in is actually showing up at the consulate on Tuesday and Wednesday from 4:00pm to 5:00pm. You or your wife/fiancee can actually talk to a CO face to face about your case.

I have asked my fiancee to go to the consulate but she told me her lawyer said to wait until the 20th to ask. But i worry that they never got her 2nd medical. because my fiancee did not submit, the doctor said he would send it to them on the 12th. so i want to make sure we are not waiting for nothing.

Would a call to them be better?(faster?) I heard it is ok to call about 4pm (HCMC time) and thank you for the info!

I was wondering what the email was for HCMC to check on the status of my case and check to make sure they got my fiancees 2nd medical. (the doc said he would send on the 12th. I want to make sure its there)

Also should it be a formal email?

Or will something like this do?

Hello my name is XXX. I am inquiring about my case, XXX. I am confirming that you have received my Fiancee's 2 second medical and if so, have you made a decision?

Thank you for your time,

XXXXX

Any help would be great.

We are still in AP 10 months since January 17,2009

How do you know when your in AP? I understand its, Administrative Processing. But what does that mean?

After reading some more, it take it its the 2nd blue sheet. the "***Your case requires additional processing in our office. You do not need to submit further documents. We will contact you when we have finished processing your case. Case inquiries may be made by e-mail hcmcinfo@state.gov or by mail.***

Is this correct?

We are still in AP 10 months since January 17,2009

How do you know when your in AP? I understand its, Administrative Processing. But what does that mean?

I don't believe so, the first window accepted my updated & notarized timeline but she gave it back after the interview. I think my blue is more about the missing medical results and they just throw the timeline in there too.

...Or maybe they need an updated notary. I had it done in the States before I came here.

Our Blue only had medical. nothing else. also I did not have my Timeline notarized. I signed and dated the day of her interview. I had made a timeline before I went, it was pretty long. Phis Lawyer told me things to cut out and then updated it the morning of, stating i was in Vietnam the day of her interview and the length of my trip. I hope they dont give us a second blue asking for a new timeline... still waiting to hear word from them. her doc said wait until the 25th to ask them about it. but i might contact them on the 20th if I hear no word.

Just some notes. I will post my entire Consulate experiance after the Visa is in hand.

I made several visits to the Consulate 9/30, 10/1, 10/2. Yesturday the Consulate called Dao to get a Blue Paper RFE for obtaining updated medical. The medical info expired at six months. We are hoping this is all they will need and a Visa will be issued. We are still in AP 10 months since January 17,2009. At this time I am holding my mouth shut.

As I stated I will eventually post my entire experiance. Anyone that is in VN or making a trip to VN soon and has a need to get inside, contact me, we can talk on phone or chat yahoo. I will post my info for all to review at a later time but, at this time I know they read this site.

In addition, When I was there I invited every american I saw inside and outside the Consulate to join VJ. There must have been about 30 people I met having problems. We only have strength in numbers and knowledge.

Pizza at the THE BIG GRILL was great. Thanks Ralph and Hahn.

Marc Ellis is a very knowledgable Attorney. If we had to do over, We would start with him. He knows the process.

Good luck to all

Fred

yes it sounds like we are in the same boat. after it get an update, I will post what happens. please I hope you can share with me your problems and expirence with HCMC. Please when you get the time, send me a PM.

Sorry this is still lingering for you two.

Can you clarify a little for us what is happening? It sounds like they told her that on 12 October the doctor will send the medical results to the consulate. Sometime between 12 and 25 October, the consulate will call her with an answer. If they don't call her, she should call the consulate. Is that correct? Did the doctor give her anything when she went there?

Correct, and they gave her xrays. but he said he would send the paperwork on the 12th. Another thing that bothers me, she said he only sends paperwork out 2 times a month... yup thats what she was told... 2 times a month. thats soooo total BS. no wonder they might call in such a long time, on the 12th they must get flooded with paper work... What kind of system is that? 2 times a month? for god knows how many medical results? wow. anyways i will update after i know more or hear anything but atm im so pissed. there will be some letters and phone calls. but im going to wait until AFTER we find out their decision.

Where did she go for medical exam?

I can find that out for you in 2 days, tomorrow I will go to work in the moring so she and i will not talk but saturday I can ask.

If Cho Ray, this makes no sense at all. My wife had hers done there and when she went back for the results, they sent her with the packet.

Can't assess what they do at the other facility but perhaps others can chime in.

Sending results twice a month? That sounds bizarre. Maybe because they have a special form to retract an earlier finding of TB???

I asked her and she just said Hospital. I dont know what one or if there is more than 1 in HCMC. atm we are talking with SMS and well we can only fit 160 spaces in a SMS.

She just sent me a sms... saying. she brought the paper the 1st time to the interview, but it was a failed Medical. now the doctor is sending it because it is changed, she said "everyone make paper too long khong make paper now." from my understanding its not a typical sealed deal, it is because they changed it that they have to send it. I also think maybe they have to type it all up/lazy(i dont know) that they will wait to send until Monday(the 12th) then after they get it they will call her anytime from the 12th to the 25th with news. their decision on our case.

next update from me will be their decision. so we all will have to wait until then. I hope its like the price is right and they say "Come on down!" and give PINK! we will see.

Sorry this is still lingering for you two.

Can you clarify a little for us what is happening? It sounds like they told her that on 12 October the doctor will send the medical results to the consulate. Sometime between 12 and 25 October, the consulate will call her with an answer. If they don't call her, she should call the consulate. Is that correct? Did the doctor give her anything when she went there?

Correct, and they gave her xrays. but he said he would send the paperwork on the 12th. Another thing that bothers me, she said he only sends paperwork out 2 times a month... yup thats what she was told... 2 times a month. thats soooo total BS. no wonder they might call in such a long time, on the 12th they must get flooded with paper work... What kind of system is that? 2 times a month? for god knows how many medical results? wow. anyways i will update after i know more or hear anything but atm im so pissed. there will be some letters and phone calls. but im going to wait until AFTER we find out their decision.

Where did she go for medical exam?

I can find that out for you in 2 days, tomorrow I will go to work in the moring so she and i will not talk but saturday I can ask.

Sorry this is still lingering for you two.

Can you clarify a little for us what is happening? It sounds like they told her that on 12 October the doctor will send the medical results to the consulate. Sometime between 12 and 25 October, the consulate will call her with an answer. If they don't call her, she should call the consulate. Is that correct? Did the doctor give her anything when she went there?

Correct, and they gave her xrays. but he said he would send the paperwork on the 12th. Another thing that bothers me, she said he only sends paperwork out 2 times a month... yup thats what she was told... 2 times a month. thats soooo total BS. no wonder they might call in such a long time, on the 12th they must get flooded with paper work... What kind of system is that? 2 times a month? for god knows how many medical results? wow. anyways i will update after i know more or hear anything but atm im so pissed. there will be some letters and phone calls. but im going to wait until AFTER we find out their decision.

I use western union. all you have to do is keep receipt and write the confirmation number down. it takes minutes and all she needs is her ID and the number. its like 10 bucks for 100 and like 15 for 200. I am not sure. but it always works.

Helloooooooooooooo.......................

Joooooooooooooooooooooe..................

so this is what I know, She said that the doc told her this Oct 12th he will they will get the paper from him. from the time 12 or 25th they will call her with results. if they dont call her by the 25th then she should call them. But what i cant understand is 1st why he didnt give her the papers, or maybe it must go from doc to US consulate. I dont know. also i dont understand why there needs to be such a long time to look over the case, they should have had a decision by now and just waiting to give it until they get the papers. i dont know but at this point i am frustrated. I would just like to know. but it cant get me down. When we do find out. I will let you know. having it still be a maybe sucks, big time.

she will be at the consulate at 1000 her time (10pm CST) when she finds out she will send me a SMS and then i will post an update. she didnt have time yesterday to go to the doc and to the consulate.

Joseph, that is great news!!!

Just want to be sure that you and Phi don't get too far ahead of yourselves (unless you have received specific instaructions from the consulate).

Has she actually spoken to anyone at the consulate? I'm not sure how she can pick up the medical papers and take them to the consulate and "pick up her visa." I would expect that the papers would need to be reviewed by the CO along with your case and then a pink slip issued. Then another wait of 1-10 days (depending on workload) before her visa/passport would be ready to be picked up.

Best of luck to you both.

Well your right. But the blue paper only requested the medical papers. Ngay mai she will oops, tomorrow she will go there and submit the papers. But I think that if that was all they requests then the rest of our case should be fine. Sure we will wait a few days. But we have the paper they requested. They already interviewed her and she passed that with flying colors. So I think a little wait is ok but I didn't plan on her coming here until november.

Agree and do not want to rain on your parade. Only trying to temper the enthusiasm a touch. You only have pink when she has a pink piece of paper in her hand walking out the door of the consulate and they have her passport into which they will insert a visa. Bear in mind that others have had a blue slip asking for a timeline. Timeline delivered and they were told to wait.

Not saying that I think you are bound for that but only the CO knows what he or she saw in your case and only he or she can approve her application for a visa. Think PINK and she will be here in the US in a matter of weeks!

but i think timeline and medical exam are two totally different things. Timeline would be considered proff of relationship but Medical is just heath concern. but i do agree with you that its not 100% atm. but i will know in 24hours, then i will post what happened when she went to the us consulate with her medical papers.

atm im thinking pink.

Joseph, that is great news!!!

Just want to be sure that you and Phi don't get too far ahead of yourselves (unless you have received specific instaructions from the consulate).

Has she actually spoken to anyone at the consulate? I'm not sure how she can pick up the medical papers and take them to the consulate and "pick up her visa." I would expect that the papers would need to be reviewed by the CO along with your case and then a pink slip issued. Then another wait of 1-10 days (depending on workload) before her visa/passport would be ready to be picked up.

Best of luck to you both.

Well your right. But the blue paper only requested the medical papers. Ngay mai she will oops, tomorrow she will go there and submit the papers. But I think that if that was all they requests then the rest of our case should be fine. Sure we will wait a few days. But we have the paper they requested. They already interviewed her and she passed that with flying colors. So I think a little wait is ok but I didn't plan on her coming here until november.

Well I posted after my fiancees interview. She got blue but only because she didn't pass her medical. The doctors after her medical thought they saw TB on her Xrays. she had a TB test done and we were waiting for the results. 2 months and 10 days after her test, Phi got a call from her doctor. They said she was healthy and no TB was in her system. tomorrow she is going to pick up her medical papers and then go to the consulate to pick up her Visa. after that she will come i think in November. I have waited this long so the wait doesn't bother me. The reason for the wait is some1 i know will be in VN in late Oct and then she will try to fly home with her. but I thought i would update everyone and let you all know what happened. next is to decide if we want wedding or just court and then later have a real wedding. like in a few years after we saved up some money. and the AOS stuff fun fun fun, I love paper work, still i am happy none the less :dance:

I have not celebrated it. But I have had moon cake and I didn't like it. My last trip in august I tried some. It wasn't very good this one had egg yokes and tons and tons of stuff in it. But my fiancée and her mother just got back from a temple. Maybe that was the reason. Not sure. Religion is a tough subject for us. And well I need to let that stuff go. Because its not important. Anyways, about your topic. No never had the chance to celebrate it but I did eat some moon cake!