HFHI

Agree with prior posts. My husband and I translated all of our documents ourselves and we did not have any problems. Good luck!

I would recommend IOM for the medical exam. Yes, you should prepare all of your evidence now. If she is approved, she will be given a date to come back to the Consulate to pick up the passport/visa (usually 1-2wks). My husband completed Form I-94 prior to his arrival. I am not sure about the other two POE you mentioned, but SFO was extremely fast/easy for my husband, took him 5-10mins. to pass through.

I had a quick question. I am filing the I-129F to bring my Canadian fiance down to the US to get married. I was born in Peru, SA, and received my citizenship through them. I have a Peruvian birth certificate and my American passport (valid since 2005), but I'm not sure how to answer question 10 on the I-129F form.

I've clicked that my citizenship was through my parents, but I don't have a certificate number. I did have a Certificate of Birth Abroad at some point, but that was misplaced while in Peru. Not clicking either "yes" or "no" seems like a bad idea. If I click "yes" I won't be able to fill in a certificate number. If I click "no" I'm worried that could have a negative impact on my filing.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Tom

Hi Tom,

You said you became a citizen through your parents, but you've also said you had a Certificate of Birth Abroad. I am assuming then that your parents were US citizens when they had you while abroad, and not that your family immigrated to the US and became citizens.

Here's an excerpt from the USCIS website with information on how to request your Certificate of Citizenship, which would have a "certificate number" on there:

"Are you a citizen born in the United States?

Your birth certificate provides proof of citizenship. If you need a copy of your birth certificate, contact the Bureau of Vital Statistics in the State in which you were born. We do not issue any kind of citizenship document to a person who is a citizen by birth in the United States.

Are you a citizen born outside of the United States?

The citizenship of someone born outside of the United States, as the child of a U.S. citizen parent, could vary depending on the law in effect when the birth took place. In most cases citizens born outside the U.S. requires a combination of evidence showing at least one parent being a U.S. citizen when the child was born and having lived in the United States or its possessions for a period of time.

To apply for recognition of citizenship, you have options:

Your Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or FS-240, provides proof of citizenship if your birth was registered at the nearest U.S. consulate when you were born. For more information you can link to the U.S. Department of State Web site from the “Related Links” section in the upper right corner of this page.

If you are already in the United States, apply for a Certificate of Citizenship. Use Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship, also available from the “Related Links” section in the upper right corner of this page."

It looks like either way, whether you mark you acquired your US citizenship through birth, naturalization, or your parents, you will need to provide a certificate number. My advice would be to obtain your Certificate of Citizenship following the instructions above. Good luck!

You should check with the US Embassy or Consulate in your country to be safe, but I've read for student visas, it is okay to use the visa in an expired passport when re-entering the US...but it might be stricter for K-1 visas. Good luck.

So I have been getting my i-485 packet ready and have some problems - caused by myself it seems.

My wife gave me the documents from the initial petition, and now I can't find the approval letter in there, we moved our bedroom around and I am sick to my stomach thinking that it was thrown away during it.

After being told to carry ID and sunscreen with me, the sunscreen went mad and sprayed all over my passport. Now anything written in ink on my i-94 is ineligible. I went to my local SSA office, as they took photocopies of all of my information when I applied for my Social Security number and they said they don't keep any of that information and it is sent away. My K1 visa stuck pasted into the passport is still legible though.

I need to send this off as soon as possible, as the i-94 previously said that it would expire on August 5th. What can I do? I'm freaking out that I am going to be deported now

Calm down...you can get both replaced. I noticed you said you found your NOA2, so that is good news.

The I-94 can be replaced as well. Here's the link w/info on it:

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/818/kw/travelI-94

Excerpt: "If your Form I-94 has been lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed, you will need to contact U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) at 1-800-375-5283 and apply for a replacement Form I-94 by filing a Form I-102. You can download the Form I-102 from www.uscis.gov."

Depending on what state you reside in, it might be easier/faster to contact Customs and Border Protection (CBP), you can get it done through them too. They were the ones that told us you can get a new and/or replacement I-94 ($330). You'll be ok.

She doesn't have the red book. She only has the family registration book (Sổ Hồ Khẩu}. The land her house is on belongs to her parents. Having the house occupied is not a problem since they live next door.

I guess she should apply for the red book but people here are saying it will cost about $500 USD to get one which seems a bit much to me.

I agree with everyone else, get the red book. The cost is supposed to be based on how much your piece of land is worth, so it all depends on location, location, location. My uncle has a house in HCMC and it was roughly $13,000 (USD) for his because it was 3 plot of land that his house sits on. $500 doesn't sound too crazy to me.

Hi all,

We got our K1 visa 2 days ago.

I finally was able to book the ticket for my fiance to come with me in November to come with me to the US.

The thing is in Chicago we only have 2 hours to go through immigration until the next flight.

My question for you guys is that how long does it take for my fiance to go through custom at Point of Entry.

For regular US citizen like ourselves - 2 minutes. BUt how long does it take with a K1 visa? Is there anything we need to do for preparation before this POE.

We are just a little worried that we won't make it for the next flight.

Thanks ahead

Doanh

My husband entered through SFO and it took 5mins.

my dad told me driving record is public information, anyone could request a copy of it if u pay certain fee in this case.

So if i pay for it instead of telling him to print them out for free, would it be illegal?

According to the information on this website, if you paid the fee and he printed you the driver history record it wouldn't include the information you are seeking.

http://www.dmv.org/ca-california/driving-records.php

You can request a copy of anyone's driving record but "sensitive information will be blocked off, such as the person's home address and social security number." When creditors, etc. check your record, don't forget...you've signed a document authorizing it. There is a difference.

I agree with the other posts, if it is for the visa process then it is a bit excessive to provide DMV print outs. Furthermore, this is not information that is "required". We were never asked to submit neither documents you are concerned about.

Thanks! Glad to hear we're entertaining somebody.

But fun! More or less it's "Sin". I'm certainly no expert, but Vietnamese is tough and the letters/consonant combinations don't agree well with English. To give you an idea--Roughly, X is S, S is SH, TH is T, NH can be NYA, NG can be an M. And don't even get started on the dialects. G or D can make either the Y or Z sound, depending. The US State Department website lists it as one of the hardest languages for an English speaker to learn, with an estimate of 1100 classroom hours to fluency. AND...the central dialect seems to have a reputation for being the toughest. But then, I'm lucky. The ex lived in El Salvador for years and got her degree in Spanish, minor in German-all her friends spoke spanish and I spent a LOT of time watching soccer with her friends husbands. Plus, my brother is deaf, so I'm quite good at understanding conversations without speaking a language. It was a big deal in attracting her(and her kin) on our second date--me being able to keep up and participate in the family conversation even though I had to speak English to her to be understood.

"Xing" is probably closer to Xinh, but instead of the -ING sound at the end in Xing, it's more like X-un (like the un in unknown)...if that makes any sense.

It is cash or any item that has value of more than 10k needs to be declared at the customs, including gold.

http://www.fincen.gov/forms/files/fin105_cmir.pdf

HFHI - How long did you wait for packet 3? How about Packet 4?

Thanks!

NVC said they sent our case to VN 7/26, we didn't get anything by mid-August so we started emailing the Consulate. We got a response one week later notifying us that they were looking into our inquiry, and the following week they sent me the electronic version of packet 3 via email and the beneficiary the hardcopy packet. We have always had luck with emailing the Consulate, we always got a response within a week. That was the only time that it took them 2wks to respond to us.

Kris - Packets are what the consulate sends beneficiary for interview among other things.

Thanks much for everyone that provided some feedback.

It's always appreciated!

Have you tried e-mailing the Consulate? We e-mailed the Consulate when we did not receive packet 3, and they essentially e-mailed me, the petitioner packet 3. A few days later we received packet 3 in the mail. We did the same thing with packet 4 when we were coming up to the 3 months mark and we did not get packet 4 yet. They usually respond within 1-2wks. whenever we e-mailed them. Good luck!

I found out from calling in the NVC in the US that HCM consulate sent out appointment letter on April 22. Now it's April 28 and my fiancee haven't receive it yet. She lives in HCM. Can she just stop by the Consulate and ask for the appointment letter? Package 4?

Thanks

I would give it another week. Mail in Vietnam takes a long time, even in HCMC. Apparently once it is received in country, it gets routed to the postal office in your district and can again be routed to another office

Isn't an Xray a requirement? I am sure they will ask to see Xray on entry to the U.S. but maybe things have changed.

From all the posts I have read, it appears the x-ray IS a requirement. But, as far as entry into the US goes, things have my changed. They did not ask to look at my husband's when he came in Jan.

got through IOM (they have a vietnamese or english option...the english just hung up so i managed to navigate through the viet).

needed to make appt so i did...for may 12th (planning to get the vaccines on 9th or 11th). they took down my fiancee name and phone number...i asked if they needed the case # but lady with northern accent said no. told me to bring passport, 2 passport photos, $110, and a copy of the appointment letter.

i also called the vaccine place to ask if you need appt (i assume no but want to be sure) but they don't pick up...so i gave my fiancee the phone #s and she'll try later.

yes i'm detail-oriented and obsessive...but like the godfather said "women and children can afford to be careless, but not men...", and this is kinda important in the grand scheme of things, can't afford to be careless.

My husband didn't need to make an appointment for IOM when he went for his medical. And yes, I thought I recall reading that you can only get your medical exam done at either Cho Ray or IOM. Both charged the same amount. Here's the link on the US Consulate General VN's website with the information:

http://hochiminh.usconsulate.gov/iv/medical-examination/vaccination.html

And as far as the vaccinations go, your fiancee should go asap. When I went with my husband, they gave him a number and told him to come back on another day for his vaccinations. Plus, there are some that requires a series of shots so if you can, you should try to get them all done in VN. Definitely cheaper there.

so my uncle got the hardcopy appointment letter, he confirmed the appointment date is may 24th...but the medical date is left blank. do we just bring the appointment letter to cho ray/iom and do the medical? or do we need to call the hospital first and set up an appointment.

my thinking was there would be a medical appointment date also, which is obviously wrong!

He will have to bring the appointment letter to go get the vaccinations first, and then do the medical exam. When he goes for the medical exam, his vaccination records will be added his medical exam results. He will need to bring the appointment letter to Cho Ray or IOM for the medical exam as well. Cho Ray does not do appointments, and I believe you don't need one for IOM. Cho Ray has a long wait time and usually people get in line from 6am. IOM has a short wait time. The only difference is IOM only accepts USD cash payments vs. Vietnamese Dong at Cho Ray. Just go into IOM when they are open, they are fast (both wait time to be seen and for your results). I would recommend IOM. The facility is cleaner, newer, and the staff are more professional.

If you google Taiwan Police Certificate, you will be taken to various links, including one from the Canadian government with instructions on how to obtain a police certificate from Taiwan.

Here is the link to the Taipei City Police Department with detailed instructions (in English) on how to obtain your police certificate: http://english.tcpd.taipei.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=142982&ctNode=15865&mp=108002

You can call them to see how long it takes to process a request and if you can request an expedite. Good luck!

Yes, she will have to provide a police certificate from Taiwan if she was there for that long. See this link for more info. on police certificates:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3195.html#police

If your father is Vietnamese, this is the information the US Consulate General in VN gave me on how to obtain the birth certificate:

"Individuals born in Vietnam who need new copies of their Vietnamese birth certificates need to contact the office of the People's Committee of the district where they were born: the district where their mother was then resident according to her Ho Khau. The district People's Committee can issue certified copies of a birth certificate (Ban Sao) based on their records of the original birth certificate. Alternatively, the office may provide an Extract (Trich Luc) of the information in the birth record on file in their office."

Good luck and congratulations on the pink!

My wife had her physical exam at IOM and it was a pleasant experience. She said the nurse and doctor were nice and easygoing. But she did do her vaccination somewhere else and it was horrible. Apparently, IOM does not do vaccination.

I believe it was the International Quarantine Center, on Nguyen Van Troi that you go to for the vaccination. I went with my husband when he had to get his vaccination, but they gave him a number and told him to come back on another day. Glad it went well at IOM

I had a tourist visa that I was extending but my tourist visa was issued for a Vietnamese American (that costed $30) that was valid for 90 days. I was able to continue extending it for a year, then I had to get out of the country and come back in. But yes, each extension only cost me $10. Wait, let me add, this was back in 2006/2007.

I am not sure, but I think he does not have visa exemption, and you sound like you are talking about extending a visa for visa exemption, and I am not sure it he is trying to do a tourist visa/business visa/visa exemption. Each of these visa's require different steps and different amounts of cash. The $10 is for visa exemption extension without leaving Vietnam, other visas are different with different fee's, but they all should go through the district 1 place as you mentioned. If you are not familiar with HCMC, then as I said before, go to a travel agent if it is a business or visitor visa, if not go to the immigration office in district 1 and someone there can also do it for you to save you some troubles, but the price will go from $10 to about $30, remember this is only for visa exemption and not leaving the country

Jerome

I had a tourist visa that I was extending but my tourist visa was issued for a Vietnamese American (that costed $30) that was valid for 90 days. I was able to continue extending it for a year, then I had to get out of the country and come back in. But yes, each extension only cost me $10.

No, you will not get a notice of receipt. However, you can email the Consulate and ask for confirmation. They usually respond within one week.

Yes, as Anh Map said, the visa is issued by the Vietnamese government. You will need to get your visa extension through the Vietnamese government. When I was in Vietnam a few years ago, I got my visa extension done at their governmental office on Nguyen Du. It is at the corner of Nguyen Du and Cach Mang Thang 8, District 1, HCMC. There is also an office on Nguyen Trai but I don't remember the number/exact location now. I have always done my visa extension at the Nguyen Du address. It costs $10 for an extension and you leave your passport there with them. It took 4-7 days to get it back. You should go in the morning because they are only open certain times, I don't remember what time they open again the afternoon so best to just go in the morning, you will surely catch them then.

My husband got his physical exam done at IOM. There is usually a very long wait at Cho Ray. My husband's experience was similar to other posts, he said IOM's staff were professional and organized, and the facility was clean. His report was ready the next afternoon. However, I recommend you review the medical records/forms that they complete for you if possible. They wrote his case number incorrectly and he had to ask them to redo the report (I think it was the DS-3205 report). Just remember, you have to pay in US dollars if you go through IOM. Either way, you're paying the same amount...but one is faster and cleaner.