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| Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam |  Review on September 8, 2018: |
Kev&Viv
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
Out consulate interview was in June of 2018.
Vivian and I met her mom at our hotel at 5:30am and took a taxi to the consulate. We thought
we had all paperwork prepared with us (two backpacks full). Somehow Vivian remembered that
she left her medical paperwork at home and mom immediately got out of the taxi and went
home to get it. We were very thankful that she was there with us to help at the last minute and I
will never forget it, Supermom. We arrived at the consulate at 6am and there was a man that
greeted us across the street and had little chairs for us to sit on and we bought some water and
coffee from him. There were already approximately 10 people that got there before us. This
other guy selling books outside was very nice too and wished me good luck twice.
At 6:30 we all started to walk across the street and waited in line and got checked in. The viet
officers that checked our bags thought that I had a sad face, they seemed concerned as per
what my fiancee said. I tried to smile more after that because I really didn't want to look sad at
the interview lol. The viet officers were very respectful and nice and took pride in their work.
After that a guy in a yellow shirt lined us all up, probably about 50 to 70 people. He stood on a
chair and talked in Vietnamese for about 5 to 10 minutes in a stern voice and then let us all in.
The people checking us in did seem a a little bit rude, but it's not like we were at the Holiday Inn
and they had a job to do and people to answer to, I thought they were alright.
We then waited another 30minutes and went to a window where we gave all the paperwork
required in packet 3. We also had additional papers outside of PK3 that I thought we may need,
like employer letter and pay stubs, but those were given back to us, just what was in PK3 is all
they needed (in our case).
We then waited for our number to be called at the interview room. It was a medium sized room
with about ten interview windows and 5 of the windows open with a CO and Viet translator next
to them. The first person we saw interviewed was a Vietnamese lady that came by herself for
the K1 and was approved in less than a minute. Then we saw that same CO interview a couple
for about 15 minutes and give a blue slip. Some petitioners were asked to stay and join the
interview and others were asked to sit down, some couples getting blues and others getting
pinks.
After about 45 minutes of waiting, we were called up. Vivian and I then stood in front of the
window and organized all of our paperwork. I introduced myself and the officer thanked me for
coming along to the interview. I was asked a question about my updated address and whom I
live with and then was asked to go sit down. My fiancee did her interview in English and was
asked about 12 questions that she answered clearly in detail and with confidence, I was very
proud of her as I watched her helplessly in my chair. They asked where and how we first met,
my job, what she knows about my family etc... She provided proof of our meetings and contact
with family through Facebook messenger screenshots and photos. The officer also looked at
many photos of our engagement party. After about 10 to 15 minutes, my fiancee then smiled
and signaled me to come back to the counter and they told us we were approved! They kept
our passport and we filled out the EMS shipping label.
We walked out of the consulate happily and looked for mom as we crossed the street. When
we found her we both smiled and gave her a thumbs up. The guy selling books was still there
and kept mom company while we were inside and told us congrats. We bought a book from him
before we got into the cab, I consider him a good luck charm.
One thing I must say is that visajourney helped us out immensely in having a successful
journey and I am very thankful for the people I have met on here that have helped me. I highly
recommend "front-loading" the i129f petition for this particular consulate and whenever you seek
someones advice/opinion on this website, know that every journey is unique depending on the
situation and the country. We also had many papers and evidence that we prepared that were
not asked for but I am still glad we came with everything we had in case we needed them. The most
important thing is to just be honest, no matter what.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #24581