Vietnam k1 - AM I CRAZY OR WHAT?!?!?!

[ILoveTan 0]

OK please, someone, lead me through this or show me a link where I can specifically read.... everything I see on the government websites shows around 3 pages I have to fill out to file a k1 visa for my fiancee. So I don't understand how it all gets so involved as everyone writes about. Can someone please have mercy and lead me, like a child, through this process??

I file a 3 page k1 visa application..... then what??? I know at some point I have to file the 1-134 which is at the time of his interview in 6-9 months or so right? Anything in between? Do I send proof (photos and such) with the initial application or is all that just at the time of the interview? I am so confused I want to tear out my hair. Is there something very detailed with specific step by step timelines and exactly what to do and what is needed that I can read before I go crazy here in Vietnam? When I read the government sites it all seems so simple.... but then I read this forum and think, I better get a lawyer, I can't handle this alone. HELP PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE.

Stupid and Freaking Out LINDA

lindachaidez@yahoo.com

[mnieto 2]

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=k1guide

you don't need a lawyer

[PeterFB 0]

Linda

Remember you're not alone, as we all feel the same way or we wouldn't be filing K1 visas. Thi and I didn't keep our first emails on Vietsingle where we meet (they were deleted when we deleted our profiles, website policy......) and didn't save our chats until after we decided to get engaged. Since then we have about 200 double sided pages of chats/emails for each month since we chat everyday for several hours. On February 27 she will have her interview so we'll know if how important not having the first chats and emails were.

HCMC Consulate seems to be a very hit and miss place. Some people have been denied while others will similar cases get approved. It almost seems like the CO's decision is based on how they feel that day. Some VJ's have had nice COs and others have been treated poorly. I have called them and sent emails. Sometimes getting answers to my questions and sometimes getting what has to "form" answers. I'm going to be in HCMC for her interview so if any problems arise, I'll be able to help resolve them and if she gets her visa, see if the Consulate will get it to her so we can come to the US together when I have to return to the US.

That said it's not that hard to file the I129f, follow the guides here and the instructions on the forms. Prepare the best you can because the better the case you make, ie evidence of visas, tickets, phone calls, etc along with how you present your relationship with Tan will impress the USCIS and the Consulate. For K1 visas the NVC isn't a concern until after he comes to the US. Before that, they just pass the petition to the Consulate.

Take a deep breath, relax, start to fill out the petition, gather the evidence and know what you're doing is getting you and Tan together.

Peter and Thi

I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26

I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11

I-129F RFE(s) :

RFE Reply(s) :

I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26

Touched: 2007-11-02

NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16

Consulate recieved ??????

Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11

Packet 3 received 2007-12-24

Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28

Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14

Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23

Interview Date 2008-2-27

[ILoveTan 0]

Hi Peter - thanks so much for your post. Good luck to Thi on her interview! How long did you have to wait before you got your interview after your initial filing?

May I ask, can I include a letter of how we met, how we fell in love and what happened on my second visit to him in Vietnam? Can it be fairly long and involved or just - Hi, we met on the beach in his hometown in Vietnam, have a nice day. Because I would really like a chance to address the issue of my recent divorce (will have only been final 1 week or so before I file his K1) or is that not the place to address it? Not sure if you know but thought I would ask, I have already written a 2 page letter regarding how we met, fell in love, why I divorced, etc etc etc etc. Thanks and again - good luck to you!

Linda

[PeterFB 0]

Linda

It's almost 9 months to the date of when I sent in the I129f (5/26/2007 to 2/27/2008), like the EPA gas stickers on cars, your milage may vary......

I included a two page single space one sided letter explaining how we meet. I wrote and rewrote it because once I wrote it and looked at it a few days later, I noticed I put in things that were unnecessary or redundant. I wanted to make it as compelling as possible but brief. So I kept writing it, leaving it then rewriting it until I almost the day I sent it. The goes for the proof of our ongoing relationship. That was a time line with one to three lines per proof (ie, email, receipt, money transfer, etc). The more you can get the USCIS and Consulate to read and understand your feeling about Tan, the more likely you are to not have a problem, remember they are people too.

Thanks Now I have to get to working on getting our papers ready for the interview!!

Peter and Thi

I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26

I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11

I-129F RFE(s) :

RFE Reply(s) :

I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26

Touched: 2007-11-02

NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16

Consulate recieved ??????

Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11

Packet 3 received 2007-12-24

Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28

Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14

Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23

Interview Date 2008-2-27

[b_weeks 6]

Linda,

Here is what I included in my petition and in what order:

• Check for $455.00

2 small envelopes with Passport Photos

Envelope 1 - 2 extra Passport Photos Petitioner (place in small white envelope with name written on it)

Envelope 2 - 2 extra Passport Photos Beneficiary (place in small white envelope with name written on it)

Cover Letter

FC-029

I-129F

Addendum for item #18 of I-129F (explain how you met)

G-325a (Petitioner)

Letter of Intent to Marry (Petitioner)

Copy of Birth Certificate (Petitioner)

Copy of Passport (Petitioner)

G-325a (Benficiary)

Copy of Birth Certificate (Benficiary)

Letter of Intent to Marry (Benficiary)

Copy of Birth Certificate Certified Translation (Benficiary)

Copy of Birth Certificate (Beneficiary)

Copy of Boarding Passes and Airline Receipt

Copy of Flight Itinerary

Copy of Passport pages (VN Visa and Passport Entry Stamp)

Copy of Various Photos Engagement & Party (4 pages, 4 per page)

Copy of Various Photos Petitioner and Beneficiary Together (2 pages, 4 per page)

Some people include much more evidence but I think it is overkill. The only burden you have to prove during the subission of the I-129f is proof you have met in person in the last 2 years.

Evidence of an ongoing relationship isn't required until the interview. Although keep everything you can think of.

• Hotel Receipts

Phone Bills

Pictures

Letters (with original envelopes)

Emails

Chat logs

Receipts if you send money to the beneficiary

Receipts from Engagement

Receipts from Photographer (If you have professional ones done)

ETC......

Let me know if you have any questions. We are here to help.

Our Photos

[BishopMnA 0]

I answered the 'how did you meet' question with one sentence, in the space provided on the application. I simply wrote something like, "we met while I was working in Singapore, on February 7, of 2004."

I have heard others who wrote much more though, so I don't know which is best. However, I would follow PeterFB's advice with answering the question. Stick to answering the question, it doesn't ask to explain anything more, like your previous divorce.

At this stage of the K1 process, you are only required to prove that you are legally able to marry. Being divorced for 1 week meets that requirement. At the interview in Vietnam, you'll probably be asked more in depth about this, but that will be the right time to address this, not during the I129F.

BTW, I also included alot of initial information when I filed the I129F, my list mirrored b_week's list. Be sure to include a copy of your new divorce decree and the check also! The guides on VJ will help give you a better idea of all the requirements. I used the guides and people's practical advice perpetually through this process and it went pretty smooth, overall...

Peace to you ILOVETAN, and congrats on your HAPPINESS!!!

MarkNAam.

[b_weeks 6]

MarkANam is correct. You meet the burden of proof where you are "Legally able to Marry"

You can be a little more creative in how you answer "Question #18" of the I-129f.

Some people provide a short answer in the box provided, while others say "See attached Addendum"

The Addendum just gives you more space to meet the nurden of proof on how you met, or to explain any details of your situation that you or a lawyer may deem important.

I used an addendum to explain being introduced by her sister, having a child from a previous non-marital relationship, and my fiance being pregnant.

[chuckandkim 0]

Linda and Tan,

Did you have a chance to read through what mnieto sent you? If yes, great! If not, start reading, at first it will confuse you even more That's normal... come back and ask questions

What Peter presents here is exactly truth. Follow that lead!

My only advice to you as everyone else here is this: with HCMC (I can only speak about it because of my own experience)

1. Think big picture!!!! Why am I going through this VJ? Fill in the blank - I love ....... !

2. My objective is to GET ..... a Visa to come to the US

3. Everything happens during this process is just part of the journey, like Rest-Area on the highway but not my destination!

4. Again, think big picture, GET A VISA!!!! visa interview denied, delayed? They can't stop us from loving each other, let work it out!

5. Thinking and working with each other to iron out all the issues may arise during the interview. If you think of your previous divorce may hinder Tan's visa approval, what is your plan to address that issue? (Divorce decreed would be a good place to start out to collect all official evidence to substanciate this claim)

6. Your time with Tan: do you document it as well as you should? It's all about timeline and audit trails when it comes to HCMC. You met him on ABC, you engage to him on DEF, you continue to call him, chat with him, living with him on GHI etc. Ultimately, you will have a BOOK of Record where you keep all the important document which can substanciate your ON-GOING relationship with Tan.

7. When you posted your "ASIAN MAN and WHITE WOMAN" stereotype post, think: The consulate office (CO) will have the same stereotype and doubt toward you and Tan, they are only human, very skeptic and unacceptive of the extraordinary!!!! I must say, this is a rare case, but no exception! Prepare way to counter attack those stereotype without screaming "I hate stereotype!!!!!!" Again, think big picture, you just want the Visa, you will do anything within your availability!

8. Tan and you must know each other stories by heart. Family background. Previous relationships. They may ask for the most obvious item on your relationship. (So what's Linda's ex-husband's name? Where does he live?)

9. Last but not least: Think like a Consulate Officer. What would you ask someone who wants to bring his "trophy" asian wife to America to make sure He/she is not trying to marry the USC to come to America!!!!!? (Sorry, stereotyping here) How would you question the asian woman/man to make sure the relationship is real? Not "fraud"! Keep thinking and work out a plan to counter those questions. Can't 100% sure you will be granted a Visa, but at least you are somewhat prepared and not as clueless as some when entering an interview with HCMC CO.

Good luck and we think your story is beautiful!

P.S. No lawyer needed yet! But if you do need one, we have our FAMOUS Marc Ellis who living and working right there in Saigon, helping many VJ couples to overcome HCMC.

Chuck and Kim