HCMC INTERVIEW - MAY 30th - PASSED

[b_weeks 6]

Well, it's been about 3 months. We got married June 27th, 2008. We had our baby September 1, 2008, and I filed AOS today.

Here is more info from our interview experience at HCMC US Consulate, but first a lillte background on our case.

I spent about 1 year or so chatting online with her, as we were introduced by her sister. I spent 6 weeks in Vietnam during December 2007, and January 2008 (Engaged December 19th). Found out she was pregnant before I left from the first trip. We met with Marc Ellis in HCMC at his office. Hired him, and the race is on.

RED FLAGS in our case:

• Introduced by sister

1 trip to Vietnam (although trip lasted 6 weeks)

Pregnant (the consulate will usually deny the case and force you to file CRBA for the baby, and say "come back after the baby is born)

Well, I filed papers January 23rd, 2008 - NO RFE's - Everything went REALLY fast - She interviewed MAY 30th, 2008 - PASSED

When Trang interviewed she was about 6 months pregnant. When she was in line at the consulate waiting to get in, she was about middle of the line. After everyone went in and they were given numbers, she was called first before all the other K-visa interviews. I guess they didn't want a pregnany woman sitting in the consulate all day.

QUESTIONS ASKED BY INTERVIEWER:

• Who is the father of your unborn baby? She said my name

When is your due date? she said when she was due

What is your fiance's mothers name? She said my mothers name

How many brothers and sisters does your fiance have? she said I have 5 brothers and 2 sisters (correct)

How did you meet? she said her sister introduced us

Is your fiance here in Vietnam? Yes

Is he waiting for you outside? Yes

If you have a visa, when will you go to the US? I want go with my fiance back to the US.

She was given a PINK slip and told to return in 1 week to pick up her visa.

She was interviewed by a very nice Vietnamese woman and Korean woman (although the Koeran woman did not speak). The woman did NOT make her speak ENGLISH.

I credit our lawyer, MARC ELLIS with preparing our paperwork so well, providing as many facts about our relationship, families, and situation, and preparing her for her interview. Some people may not like Marc Ellis because he is straight forward, to the point, and tells you how it is, what the red flags are in your case. I LIKE THAT ABOUT MARC. Marc's staff are very friendly and always willing to help out. They even escorted her to her medical exam.

We were also told that you do NOT want to be interviewed by the KOREAN staff in the consulate. They are TOUGH, and fail many people.

If anyone has any questions regarding the Consulate, HCMC, Vietnam, or general advice about marrying a Vietnamese, feel free to contact me.

[Jack & Xuan 0]

This is a very good post Bill. I have not seen you on here for a bit but now I know you had your hands kinda full. Gratz on the new baby and I hope all is going well for you.

[LuckyDucky 0]

Congrats on the baby!

Thanks for the info. A Korean officer interviewed my wife and we received a blue slip the first time requesting a timeline and a few other documents. We got the pink slip the second time.

My wife said that the Korean officer was pretty tough and didn't seem particularly friendly, though she didn't say he was rude. I guess he was slightly surprised when he discovered I was Korean. (I supplied my birth certificate showing I was born there before being naturlized in the US.)

[luckytxn 2,264]

Congrats on the baby. Hope for the best and God bless.

[Melrose Plant 1]

Congratulations on the birth of your child!

Mai was interviewed by a white man, middle aged, no interpreter. She was prepared to do the interview in English, and the officer asked her if she spoke English, but most of the interview was conducted in Vietnamese, by this white man. Mai said he spoke quite well, and with a Hanoi accent. The interview was very short and easy. The man smiled as he handed her back her papers with the pink slip.

Another woman we know was interviewed by a Korean man. Her interview was also very easy, and she got the pink. So who knows?

A local lawyer prepared the I-129(f) and the supporting document (would have done it myself if I knew then what I know now), but our case in HCMC was prepared by Mr. Nam and Marc Ellis. HOWEVER, the Vietnamese staff at the consulate "rearranged" Mai paperwork such that Marc's cover letter was never seen by the interviewing officer. In fact, the officer never saw any of the evidence bolstering the weak point of our case. It didn't matter, I guess.

It is always good to have a lot of useful information, but I still cannot find anything which is a reliable predictor of success in this matter. Thank God we only had to go through this once.