Thi's Interview HCMC 2/27/08

[PeterFB 0]

Here's a brief rundown on Thi's Interview yesterday. I'll post more in the Consulate review.

We got up before 6am and got the Consulate by taxi before 8am. The guards pointed us to the entrance for Visas and we got the security wand check before we were able to proceed to stand in line in a open air room that after going thru a gated turnstile went back out on the street, then you're directed to the short line that went into the Consulate. While in line in the open air room we saw 8.5x11 papers in Vietnamese and English saying her passport photo copy needed a real photo attached besides the photo that is part of the passport. That means you need 5 photos not 4 that the Consulate says in the Appointment letter. When we got the line back on the street to go into the Consulate, they wouldn't let me in. I gave Thi the 20 or so pounds of evidence and told her I'd wait outside for her.

While I was waiting, I did see many women come out but I couldn't tell if they got pink slips

or not. Many of them didn't carry the slip outside of the pouchs that held their papers or Medical Exam bags. I did see 3 who did (one was the woman in line that let Thi use a paper clip to attach one of her 4 photos Thi brought with her since the Consulate didn't say you needed 5.

I sure she speaking good English helped. Most had blue and one green. Thi also said she saw most get blue slips not pink inside while she was waiting which worried her.

Waiting was very boring as I was only one of 3 American fiances there (the other two were across the street with the crowd of vendors, taxis, others waiting for people to finish their business with Consulate). I don't like crowd SO I walked around the block, A very big block since the French, US Consulates and two hotels are all the same block. There's one guard with an AK47 on each street but unless you park too long or sit down, they leave you along. I also walked by the British Consulate. The US Consulate is busy but the French and Bristish had no lines or crowds. I also counted helmuts...... It seems there's a 96% compliation. Mostly little kids 6 and younger, a few teenagers and occassional adult with out a helmut. Many women have added cloth brims to the helmuts so they look like hats, a few men and women wear a baseball hat under the helmut. Here's a lot a variety in styles too.

A little after 11am she came out. Thi was looking across the street for me but I was waiting on the Consulate side so I walked up to her and she said "I got the frin". Which sounded more

like I got the green which is Adminstative review which would be a shock. I asked her you mean Green? NO she said Frin. (She still have problems with p words, she wants to pronounce them with f instead of p) Then she opened the large IOM bag that has her Xray envelope (for her entry to the US) and there was a pink slip!

Needless to say, her family went crazy over the good news and she's busying getting ready to leave.

Her visa is suppose to be available on March 5th but I fly back then at 11am (Visa pickups are at 4pm) so I'm trying to the Consualte to give it to her sooner. The other problem is finding a flight. China Airlines has no flight on the 5th for both of us. They do have room to get to Taipei but not Taipei to LAX. So right now she's on standby. I'm looking for a different flight/airline, whatever right now. If I have to stay and extra day that's ok but I really don't want to change airlines since my ticket isn't refundable but China Airlines says no confirmable seats until March 16.................

There's one thing I have a problem with tho. The Consulate opened her Xrays, I thought they were suppose to be sealed along with medical exam report of POE. IS that a problem. I'm going to call the Consulate about it later but has anyone else had a problem with that. Thi said she saw them opening all the Xrays at the interview.

Thanks to Guy and Hoa, Eric and An Thuy, Hien and everyone else for your help in getting us this far.

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

Passed Interview 2008-02-27

[Haonie 0]

Here's a brief rundown on Thi's Interview yesterday. I'll post more in the Consulate review.

We got up before 6am and got the Consulate by taxi before 8am. The guards pointed us to the entrance for Visas and we got the security wand check before we were able to proceed to stand in line in a open air room that after going thru a gated turnstile went back out on the street, then you're directed to the short line that went into the Consulate. While in line in the open air room we saw 8.5x11 papers in Vietnamese and English saying her passport photo copy needed a real photo attached besides the photo that is part of the passport. That means you need 5 photos not 4 that the Consulate says in the Appointment letter. When we got the line back on the street to go into the Consulate, they wouldn't let me in. I gave Thi the 20 or so pounds of evidence and told her I'd wait outside for her.

While I was waiting, I did see many women come out but I couldn't tell if they got pink slips

or not. Many of them didn't carry the slip outside of the pouchs that held their papers or Medical Exam bags. I did see 3 who did (one was the woman in line that let Thi use a paper clip to attach one of her 4 photos Thi brought with her since the Consulate didn't say you needed 5.

I sure she speaking good English helped. Most had blue and one green. Thi also said she saw most get blue slips not pink inside while she was waiting which worried her.

Waiting was very boring as I was only one of 3 American fiances there (the other two were across the street with the crowd of vendors, taxis, others waiting for people to finish their business with Consulate). I don't like crowd SO I walked around the block, A very big block since the French, US Consulates and two hotels are all the same block. There's one guard with an AK47 on each street but unless you park too long or sit down, they leave you along. I also walked by the British Consulate. The US Consulate is busy but the French and Bristish had no lines or crowds. I also counted helmuts...... It seems there's a 96% compliation. Mostly little kids 6 and younger, a few teenagers and occassional adult with out a helmut. Many women have added cloth brims to the helmuts so they look like hats, a few men and women wear a baseball hat under the helmut. Here's a lot a variety in styles too.

A little after 11am she came out. Thi was looking across the street for me but I was waiting on the Consulate side so I walked up to her and she said "I got the frin". Which sounded more

like I got the green which is Adminstative review which would be a shock. I asked her you mean Green? NO she said Frin. (She still have problems with p words, she wants to pronounce them with f instead of p) Then she opened the large IOM bag that has her Xray envelope (for her entry to the US) and there was a pink slip!

Needless to say, her family went crazy over the good news and she's busying getting ready to leave.

Her visa is suppose to be available on March 5th but I fly back then at 11am (Visa pickups are at 4pm) so I'm trying to the Consualte to give it to her sooner. The other problem is finding a flight. China Airlines has no flight on the 5th for both of us. They do have room to get to Taipei but not Taipei to LAX. So right now she's on standby. I'm looking for a different flight/airline, whatever right now. If I have to stay and extra day that's ok but I really don't want to change airlines since my ticket isn't refundable but China Airlines says no confirmable seats until March 16.................

There's one thing I have a problem with tho. The Consulate opened her Xrays, I thought they were suppose to be sealed along with medical exam report of POE. IS that a problem. I'm going to call the Consulate about it later but has anyone else had a problem with that. Thi said she saw them opening all the Xrays at the interview.

Thanks to Guy and Hoa, Eric and An Thuy, Hien and everyone else for your help in getting us this far.

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

Passed Interview 2008-02-27

Peter,

Congratulations!!!!!!!. All the best to both of you.!

Edited February 28, 2008 by Haonie

[David-Hien 11]

CONGRATULATION!!

Do not worry with the X-ray report opened. They did opened with every one. Mine is opened as well.

But Thi must keep the brown envelop carefully when she fly to USA.

Wish you happy life together.

Hien

[BishopMnA 0]

CONGRATS!!!!

[PeterFB 0]

Hien

Thanks, Thi had said eveyone was opened so I'm glad it's not a problem for her entry to the US. I called the Consulate yesterday about getting her visa before March 5 when I fly back, They said they would call me back but they didn't. I called today and talked to person (or one of them who can make that decision) so Thi will pick up her visa tomorrow (Friday VN). China Airlines called and have a seat for her pending seeing her visa so we will go there tomorrow after she gets her Visa to book the flight. So everything is coming 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

Passed Interview 2008-02-27

[hope2018 25]

Peter that is Great News on the Visa way to go on that . The xrays are not needed any time they will give her a packet that is sealed when she goes and picks up the visa. Make sure you keep that in your Carry On . Congrates to you both I sure you so excited . An and I are so happy for you both. You might need to go get the Visa Toimarrow it takes a while to get it . I waited Longer for the Visa than The Interview. Eric and An

Edited February 28, 2008 by Eric and An Thuy

[Dave_Thao 0]

Congrats! Thanks for the detailed description of what it's like to be there for the interview. Enjoy the rest of your time there and bring her home!

[Zee Bee 61]

Congratulations!!!

[LuckyDucky 0]

Congratulations to both of you! That's exciting news!

[Ngoc-Anh 1]

congratulations to your approval!!!!!

[Robert & Van 0]

Congratulations to both of you. Oh happy Time

[Cha Gio 0]

congratulations!!!!

[Kevin and 10]

congrats

[Icarus 0]

Congrats from us as well!!!

[CK&Tydi 0]

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!