ryankh

Hi all, had a question for you. My fiancee entered the country on a K1 visa, and we have subsequently moved (from WA state to CA). We have not filed our AOS yet. Do we have to notify somebody of this move? If so, how do we go about doing that? On the AOS, should I put my new or old address? Will putting my new address cause a problem?

Thanks in advance,

-Ryan

Question to all of you who have successfully gone through the interview process...

My fiancee will be going to her interview October 19th. After her medical examination, she was given the following vaccinations:

MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)

TD (Tetanus, Diptheria)

HPV (Human Papillomavirus)

And that's it.

However, I on the Packet 4 instructions, it lists a host of others:

-- Acellular pertussis

-- Hepatitis A

-- Hepatitis B

-- Human papillomavirus (HPV)

-- Influenza

-- Influenza type b (Hib)

-- Measles

-- Meningococcal

-- Mumps

-- Pneumococcal

-- Pertussis

-- Polio

-- Rotovirus

-- Tetanus and diphtheria toxoids

-- Varicella

-- Zoster

Specifically, I am focusing on the hepatitis A/B. I'm very surprised they did not require this one. Any reason to be concerned here? For those that have gone through the interview process successfully, did your fiancees get hepatitis A/B vaccinations?

Thanks in advance.

Most vaccinations are effective when administered up to 2 years old.

During the medical, the doctors there determine what vaccines or boosters are appropriate based on age and gender. I'm 38 and didn't receive the Hep A/B vaccine either.

Hi marriedtomrg,

Thanks for your reply. So you did not get Hep A/B, and you received your Visa without any issue? I've researched hepatitis a bit, and there doesn't seem to be any age requirement. I don't understand why the doctor wouldn't give her hep A/B. And it indeed on the list of required vaccinations: http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/root/pdfs/k_appointment_package_may09.pdf

I just don't get it... Why would this be on the list if she didn't need the vaccination?

Thanks.

Hi all,

So, my fiancee's interview date is coming closer and closer (October 19). I'm concerned about 1 thing. When she went into the hospital to get her vaccinations they said that Hepatitis A/B were not required. She did get shots for HPV, Tetanus and diptheria, and possibly one more, I can't remember. But I was actually in Thailand and went to the hospital with her on her second round of vaccinations. And I personally spoke to the doctor, and he said that she did not need them at her age (she is 26). I didn't know that age was a factor at all for hepatitis. I'm just concerned that we meet all of the requirements at the time of the interview. I think my concerns can't possibly be valid because I trust the doctor knew what he was doing. It was an extremely professional hospital. I can't remember the name of the hospital, but was told it was Bangkok's best.

But, I can't help but worry...

Anybody have any experience or information on this?

Thanks.

So, right now we sent out packet 3 in, and are waiting for an interview date.

At my employment, everybody is concerned about layoffs. I already have the letter from my employer stating that I work there, and for how long (4 years) and all the necessary tax forms showing income over the past 2 years. If I get laid off before the interview (which is very possible), how is that going to reflect?

Does the embassy actually contact my employer to verify employment?

Thanks.

To continue along the lines of ryan's rant and rave, I just noticed the last day in August that had a scheduled interview is August 26. So what happened to August 27, 30 and 31. That week has nothing to do with Labor Day or the Queen's Birthday.

I am thinking (hoping) those days were not even filled with interviews by the time they got around to August 2, the day they had to post the scheduled interviews.

EDITED to add: Besides we had slipped all the way down to page 5 or 6 of the forum so I had to bump us back up to the beginning. I guess everyone took the weekend off.

Yeah, I have no idea what happened with those days. But what is more concerning to me, is not those missing days, but even the days in August where there are interviews scheduled, there are significantly less (over 50% less) on any given day. So, on average in June and July, there are about 15 interviews per day. In August, its around 7. That could be due to any number of reasons, but its like have the workforce they have giving interviews has been taken away in the month of August.

Did you check out my graph?

http://picasaweb.google.com/113319246796085647880/InterviewData#5501648304416157682

Hi Ryan, I will talk to my fiancee either Friday morning if her computer is working or Friday late afternoon when I call her every morning her time. I realized after the post that the 2nd and 4th are Thursday and Saturday.

Normally we do numbers in Thai when we talk, like she still says she sent "Packet som" because som = 3. So maybe she messed up her numbers in English. I will also ask her to find out when the Packet 3s were sent.

She says she read a June 25 or 26 send date of Packet 3 resulted in an interview of August 27.

Cool! Thanks so much Rob! Hey, that's good news for you.... If you sent your packet in on June 29th, then your interview shouldn't be too much after August 27th!

Though, I'm still very concerned that the month of August has less than 1/2 the interviews in either June or July. If that trend continues, it's going to REALLY back things up.

Hey Jordi, that is kind of strange. I had not noticed that before.

My fiancee told me today that she read on usvisa4thai that one girl received a phone call from the Embassy for a September 2 interview date and another lady received a call for September 4th interview. I am getting "noi jai mak mak."

Hey Audy_Rob, any way to find out when those people sent in their packet 3?

Looks like those of us waiting for an interview date were a little bit screwed due to a holliday this month. August 12th, a Thursday, is Her Majesty The Queen's Birthday

No interviews were scheduled that day so that's a good 15 or 16 interviews lost for the month of August.

Bad news. Looks like its worse than that. Not only is the holiday hurting August, but overall, they are scheduling much less interviews in the month of August as compared to June and July. They are 58% LOWER than the previous 2 months.

If you look at the data

August: http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/root/pdfs/ivschedule080210.pdf

July: http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/root/pdfs/ivschedule070210.pdf

June: http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/root/pdfs/ivschedule060210.pdf

You'll note that there are only 5 pages in August, but June and July have 9 and 10.

To see it visually, check this graph out:

http://picasaweb.google.com/113319246796085647880/InterviewData#5501648304416157682

Very disheartening...

Hi Ryan,

The current news is not good. Another member named Jordi that uses the name gbagbo and I are very close in time frame.

My fiancee sent Packet 3 June 29. The Embassy said they received it July 1. Jordi's fiancee sent their Packet 3 about a day or 2 later than us.

The Embassy just posted the schedule for August and neither of us are on it so we are hoping for September.

I sent an email to the Embassy July 20 asking about scheduling and wanted to confirm they received Packet 3. They confirmed receipt of Packet 3. They said they are quite a bit behind and it is currently taking 8-10 weeks to SCHEDULE the interview.

I do not know once they schedule the interview, how much time the interview is after it is scheduled. I will copy and paste the email below so you can read for yourself. Jordi and I are PMing each other about the schedules. Feel free to PM me anytime.

Link to Schedule Appointments:

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/immigrant_visas/scheduled-appointments.html

Good luck.

Hey Audy_Rob, thanks much for the info! At least I know what I'm getting into. Though, not pleased with it. I thought the hard part was going to be waiting for the NOA2. Yet the waiting continues...

I didn't realize that the embassy schedules in bulk, 1 month at a time. That's also good to know. I'm sure you'll get in the September though. At least, I'm hoping you will!! Do keep me informed of your status, and I'll also let you know anything I hear. On another note, any idea what the case number format means? obviously BNK = Bangkok, 2010 = the year. Any idea about the last 6 digits? Are they just a random serial? or do they have some meaning? I was wondering if you could use that to somehow gain a rough guess as to when they are pushing applications through...

Hi all, anybody hear any word on interview scheduling dates thus far? How quickly are they being scheduled? Somebody previously posted that its taking 8-10 weeks just to schedule an interview! Ridiculous. The embassy was only closed for 10 days, makes no sense why they would be that backed up (except for the fact that its the typical US government at work).

Anyway, just wanted to know if anybody has received any news on how long scheduling interviews are taking. Any info is appreciated!

Yes, this is the kind of experience I would like to avoid. Thanks toma1.

Hey AudyRob, I have a completely unrelated question for you...

Your profile shows that you received your Packet #3 on 4/23. I was curious, when did you send in your Packet #3? You said, you don't have an interview date yet. I am just curious about how long it will take after sending in your packet 3 until receiving an interview date for the Bangkok Embassy?

Thanks in advance.

I'm not sure where to go for help, so I thought I would try this since the USCIS seems like a dead end...

I really think something has gone wrong with my I-129F application. According to the online status, it was received in Vermont on March 18, 2010. I never received an NOA1 hard copy and was told it must have gotten lost in the mail. Even though they would not send me another NOA1, I eventually did get a letter from them that included a receipt number, so I assumed everything was on track. Now it has been over 4 months and no word at all. I can't find anyone on this entire forum that recently took longer than 3 months to receive an NOA2 and the USCIS won't do anything until the 6 month threshold is reached (5 months processing time + 30 days). My online status has never been changed from "Initial Review" and I have not received any requests for more information or the like. Does anyone have any idea where I can go to at least make sure my application is still in a queue somewhere? Can anyone think of a legitimate reason it might take so long? Any help would be appreciated as this wait is killing me. Thank you.

Hey Kaiser,

For the most part, you are right, people seem to be getting approved in under 3 months. However, that's not always true. We just got approved on July 15th, and we received NOA1 on March 22nd. So, we were well over 3 months. I can sympathize completely with the waiting killing you. But, unfortunately your only recourse is to wait more. Just wanted to let you know, that you're not the only one in this boat. After 6 months, you will have some options.

Hi there, had a question for you all. I'm well above the salary requirements, but I don't have very much savings (only about 10K - and it is in a checking account, not savings account). Is this going to be an issue at all? Are they going to care about this for proof that I can immediately support my fiancée?

Thanks in advance!

I called the NVC today. They received the case 7/21 (found that out the same day). Today, I asked if they had a case number, and they did, so I got that. However, the case has not been shipped to the embassy yet. Just interesting to note that you can get the case number before it is sent out. Didn't know that!

Cool, thanks for the info! How did you guys know when the file left NVC? I know they mail you notify you by mail, but did you find out before you got it in the mail? Can you call their number and ask? I didn't see any option for automated notification (by email/text) - but may have missed that option.

Thanks.

Just received my NOA2 today!!! Wow, cannot describe how happy I am. Thanks all of you for being so patient and giving information on the process thus far. I really don't know how I could have made it through without all your time and info.

Question for you all who have recently scheduled interviews, how long have you been experiencing for interview wait time at the Bangkok embassy?

Thanks much!

Today, received a text message to check my case. I rushed to my computer at work, and lo and behold, NOA2 approved! Am so happy, its beyond words. I finally know the joy you all have felt after receiving petition approval. And my sympathies to all of those of you who are still waiting. It's a frustrating process, hang in there.

Question to all of you newly NOA2 approved people out there. How long have you been experiencing for the NVC to forward to the embassy?

Also - interesting to note. The website and email state that on July 15th, my petition approval was mailed to me. But it wasn't until July 21st (today) that I received the email/text. Also the website/touches were not updated until today (I checked every day). Just a data point for you all.

Thanks!!!

Shouldn't be a problem but you do need to disclose it to USCIS and your Fiancée. You should also includ copies og the court documents of your case with the I-129f.

When I filled out the I129F, I believed it only asked if I had ever been convicted of a felony. So, I didn't include it. I am really not trying to hide anything. I just didn't think it was relevant at the time. But now I'm worried since I'm almost at 4 months, and not a whisper from the USCIS. Can I send in supporting documents now? Or do I need to wait for an RFE?

Ok, I have a question for all you Visa Jedi's. It's embarrassing that I have to ask this question, but I need to know the answer. In October of 2009, I was arrested for assault in the 4th degree (misdemeanor). Although, it was self-defense, I was still arrested. The prosecutor looked at the case, realized there was no evidence or reason to pursue this case (have never been arrested before in my life), and offered a "stipulated order of continuance". Basically, this continues the case for 1 year, if I don't get into any trouble with the law during that 1 year period, the case is dismissed. I could have fought the case, and gotten it dismissed right then and there. But there is always the chance of conviction, and I thought it was a no-brainer (in 1 year it would be dismissed anyway). I had no idea that I would be applying for a Visa at the time.

My question: Is this in any way going to hinder or prevent me from my fiancee getting a K1 visa to the US? Since it's a misdemeanor anyway, I hope the answer is no. But I'm concerned because the case is technically not dismissed yet. If I can't bring my fiancée to the US, I don't know what I will do... I'm hoping this will not be an issue. Any guidance is appreciated.

Thanks.

Hey Jonny, I'm in the same boat as you. We had our NOA1 on 3/22. And since then? Absolutely nothing, not even a touch. We're going through the CSC. I tried calling the CSC, but they basically said don't bother us until after 5 months. The processing time is currently being quoted at 5 months for CSC. I think its the same for yours (VSC). My plan is to wait the full 5 months (another 5 weeks for me), and then I'm going to call and write a letter to my congressman every day until something is done.

It's completely insane to me that some people get their NOA2 under 2 months and others have to wait a ridiculous amount of time. So I feel your frustration, maybe more so. But strategically, I think it would be a mistake to cancel your K1 now. You've waited too long. You'll effectively be starting from scratch. I think its better to wait until you're outside the processing window, and then maybe we can actually get some answers.

Don't you love our hard-earned tax money being put to use so effectively?

Hi all,

I don't understand what the cause of variation is for processing times for Visas. I know some factors such as country you are applying from, and the service center that you are getting processed through. But even if we remove these factors, and look into a specific service center for a specific country, there are still wide fluctuations in processing time. Take my situation for example. My fiancée has applied for a K1 visa, from Thailand, as is being processed through the California Service Center. If I search the stats table for processing times for other people with the same processing center/country, here are the last 10 results:

Number NOA1 Date NOA2 Date Time NOA1-NOA2

#1 NOA1: 04/15 NOA2: 06/22 68

#2 NOA1: 03/10 NOA2: 05/04 55

#3 NOA1: 03/15 NOA2: 04/26 42

#4 NOA1: 11/24 NOA2: 04/21 148

#5 NOA1: 03/01 NOA2: 04/20 50

#6 NOA1: 02/19 NOA2: 04/12 52

#7 NOA1: 01/19 NOAs: 04/05 76

#8 NOA1: 10/23 NOA2: 03/31 159

#9 NOA1: 02/08 NOA2: 03/26 46

#10 NOA1: 12/29 NOA2: 03/22 83

This works out to an average of 77.7 days between NOA1 and NOA2. However, the reason why it is skewed so high is because of the 2 outliers (#4 & #8). After looking at both profiles, I don't see any mention of an RFE, or any other reason for delay (though there could have been, and it just wasn't reported on VJ).

But my ultimate question is why the variation? I would have thought that the USCIS would process on a first in, first out methodology. Is this the case? Why are some processed before others? I am at day 94 right now. And I haven't even gotten a TOUCH yet!. Yet, if you look at the latest NOA2, it was processed in just 65 days. And its extraordinarily frustrating to see somebody who received their NOA1 4 weeks after me, get their NOA2 before me (applying from the same country, going through the same service center). I am happy for that couple, and don't begrudge them at all. But it makes me worry if there is something wrong with our Visa application. Can anybody explain the reason for variation? Are applications assigned to people within USCIS, some of whom are slow, and some of whom are fast? Did I simply get put in the "wrong line at the grocery store"? Or do they randomly pick applications from a stack? Is there any rhyme or reason?

I know people will say to be patient, and there are nightmare stories of applications taking much longer than mine, and I will wait as long as it takes. But what I am looking for is a rational reason why there is this seemingly insensible variation. Any insights appreciated. Thanks.

This is a great question. I have the same one. I simply don't understand the cause of variation. Looking at the latest people who have received their NOA2 on the statistics pages, I see that the last 5 were from people who had their NOA1 received in April. That means, they waited about 2 months. Yet there are others (like myself) who are well beyond that - I'm approaching 3 months now.

I know people will say that we just need to wait, I understand that. But I am trying to understand the reasoning behind the variation? I would think that Visa's would be processed in a first in, first out methodology, for some semblance of order. But not sure this is the case. Is the variation due to the fact that some applications are more difficult than others? (ie: more documentation is required)? Or perhaps when Visas are being processed at the USCIS, they get assigned to someone, and wait times depend upon the person who gets it? (kind of like picking the wrong line at the grocery store). Or is it just blind luck? Does the USCIS just close their eyes, play eenie, meenie, miney, moe and pick a random case to complete for the day? I'm just theorizing ideas, have no idea what the true answer is. Does anybody else have insight into this?

Thanks,

-Ryan

Hi all,

I want to start off by saying that I know a person may apply for a B2 visitor's visa while waiting to get a K1 visa. I've seen that posted several places throughout the forums. But my question is will it HURT the K1 visa process by applying for a B2 visa simultaneously? Will the consulate interviewer or any other party view this negatively? Or is the application of a simultaneous B2 visa not a factor in the K1 process?

Thanks.

Hi TheBears,

Thanks for your response. Thanks also for sending me the link to others that are waiting. It's nice to know, at least, I'm not the only one.

I visited Thailand in March/April, and we hired an American attorney who specializes in K1 Visas. So, he has been handling all the document preparation. We have over 1000 pages of chat logs and emails. Also, we have 100+ photos together, so I think we're in pretty good shape as far as that is concerned. I'm not sure if my lawyer has obtained the police report yet. But I suspect that he has not. I believe he was waiting until after we received confirmation of NOA2. But I sent him an email to ask about that.

I'm hoping that the US government at least got what they needed for approval of the petition, before all this craziness happened. I understand your point about it not being much good if the embassy isn't open to schedule appointments. But it sure would at least be a nice feeling knowing that we got one thing accomplished. It's been 2 months, and all I've received so far is a letter from the US government stating that they received my paperwork. Pretty demoralizing...

Do you (or anybody else) have any insight into how the process flow works at the CSC/VSC? I'm wondering, if it goes into holding until they receive the necessary information, and then they touch it and process it? Or is it not triggered by receiving information? Is it instead just handled in a first in, first out methodology? For example, US government receives my petition, sends requests for information, and then files the petition. Then they don't even look at it, until they have gone through all the previous petitions first? Not sure if that makes sense. But I'm just wondering what initiates the US government to take a pending petition, and take the next step?

Thanks all for your help, with a VisaJourney newbie.

-Ryan