First Letter from NVC

[kmwatts 0]

On Sept 26 I received a letter from the NVC stating they had received our approved I-129F petition and were forwarding (within 1 week) to the "appropriate visa-issuing post" which for us is Bangkok. This letter had a Case number attached so I assume we are all done at the NVC and just waiting to hear from the Embassy? It's only been a couple weeks but I'm wondering how long does it usually take for the embassy to send the package and checklist to my fiance?

So far everything has gone much quicker than I was expecting, we made it from NOA1 to NOA2 about 2 months faster than average so now that were almost to an interview date I'm getting anxious and just want to make sure I am on top of any problems. I am a little concerned because Nat moved to a new appartment prior to the I-129F approval which I notified the USCIS of with a letter as recommended here on the forums and now I just want to make sure that the package ends up getting to my fiance at her correct address. I tried calling the NVC number listed on their site and on here and all I get is busy signal.

Any help or info would be appreciated.

Kevin and Nat

[Karee 4,190]

On Sept 26 I received a letter from the NVC stating they had received our approved I-129F petition and were forwarding (within 1 week) to the "appropriate visa-issuing post" which for us is Bangkok. This letter had a Case number attached so I assume we are all done at the NVC and just waiting to hear from the Embassy? It's only been a couple weeks but I'm wondering how long does it usually take for the embassy to send the package and checklist to my fiance?

So far everything has gone much quicker than I was expecting, we made it from NOA1 to NOA2 about 2 months faster than average so now that were almost to an interview date I'm getting anxious and just want to make sure I am on top of any problems. I am a little concerned because Nat moved to a new appartment prior to the I-129F approval which I notified the USCIS of with a letter as recommended here on the forums and now I just want to make sure that the package ends up getting to my fiance at her correct address. I tried calling the NVC number listed on their site and on here and all I get is busy signal.

Any help or info would be appreciated.

Kevin and Nat

Just download all the forms from the embassy website. From what I have been seeing lateley, that is what everyone has been doing once they get thier BNK case number which you have on the notice from NVC.

[Ning 619]

On Sept 26 I received a letter from the NVC stating they had received our approved I-129F petition and were forwarding (within 1 week) to the "appropriate visa-issuing post" which for us is Bangkok. This letter had a Case number attached so I assume we are all done at the NVC and just waiting to hear from the Embassy? It's only been a couple weeks but I'm wondering how long does it usually take for the embassy to send the package and checklist to my fiance?

So far everything has gone much quicker than I was expecting, we made it from NOA1 to NOA2 about 2 months faster than average so now that were almost to an interview date I'm getting anxious and just want to make sure I am on top of any problems. I am a little concerned because Nat moved to a new appartment prior to the I-129F approval which I notified the USCIS of with a letter as recommended here on the forums and now I just want to make sure that the package ends up getting to my fiance at her correct address. I tried calling the NVC number listed on their site and on here and all I get is busy signal.

Any help or info would be appreciated.

Kevin and Nat

Once the case is forwarded by NVC to BKK, NVC has nothing to do with the case. The visa for a K 1 is granted and issued by the embassy.

NVC forwards all cases to the consulate section. This is located across the street from the embassy. The consulate section logs the case in and transfers it to the visa section. This takes a few days.

Your fiancee should be obtaining the police report. They require a copy of the NOA or a copy of the embassy P 3 letter. They sometimes have asked for a copy of the USCs passport bio page.

She can also do the medical if she wants. This is done sometimes along with the police report due to timing and length of travel required.

The packet 3 info must not be sent to the embassy until you are CERTIAN the case is at the embassy visa section.

Your fiancee can purchase a pin number at any Thai post office that will allow her to call directly into the embassy to ask questions. She must not ask questions about her exact case. She should ask in a general manner. For example; If people change addresses what would they do to notify the embassy?

[kmwatts 0]

Thanks everyone so far. It's so good to have people that have gone through this before as a resource to help Nat and I.

I found links to the Packet 3 (Instruction Package) and Packet 4 (Interview Package) PDF files on the BKK embassy website and downloaded them. From my research here on this site previously I knew I would be needing an I-134 (Affidavit of Support) so I have already completed that and collected my 2011 tax return/W2 and am waiting on my employer to send me an official employment verification letter which should arrive in a few days. The last time we were together for her birthday in September I brought an entire duplicate copy of what I sent with the I-129F which included all the proof of ongoing relationship I could muster (entire package was 125 pages with forms) so I think other than sending her the stuff from my most recent trip (passport stamps, ticket stubs, new photo evidence) she should be set for that requirement.

As for the forms required by the Packet 3, the DS-156 and DS-156-K seem pretty self explanatory and similar info to what we provided for the G-325A and the I-129F. I was planning to fill out the forms for her and email her the file to print and sign since they need to be filled out in English. As far as the medical goes the embassy website has 4 forms listed but after looking at them it seems they all need to be filled out by the doctor. So should she print these out to bring to the medical office with her? Since she has to travel to Bangkok to do this it definitely would be nice if she only had to make one trip before the interview so coordinating doing the medical and the police report in one trip is ideal.

Thanks from us both,

Kevin and Nat

[Ning 619]

Thanks everyone so far. It's so good to have people that have gone through this before as a resource to help Nat and I.

I found links to the Packet 3 (Instruction Package) and Packet 4 (Interview Package) PDF files on the BKK embassy website and downloaded them. From my research here on this site previously I knew I would be needing an I-134 (Affidavit of Support) so I have already completed that and collected my 2011 tax return/W2 and am waiting on my employer to send me an official employment verification letter which should arrive in a few days. The last time we were together for her birthday in September I brought an entire duplicate copy of what I sent with the I-129F which included all the proof of ongoing relationship I could muster (entire package was 125 pages with forms) so I think other than sending her the stuff from my most recent trip (passport stamps, ticket stubs, new photo evidence) she should be set for that requirement.

As for the forms required by the Packet 3, the DS-156 and DS-156-K seem pretty self explanatory and similar info to what we provided for the G-325A and the I-129F. I was planning to fill out the forms for her and email her the file to print and sign since they need to be filled out in English. As far as the medical goes the embassy website has 4 forms listed but after looking at them it seems they all need to be filled out by the doctor. So should she print these out to bring to the medical office with her? Since she has to travel to Bangkok to do this it definitely would be nice if she only had to make one trip before the interview so coordinating doing the medical and the police report in one trip is ideal.

Thanks from us both,

Kevin and Nat

While I understand the idea of supplying relationship info there is no need for 125 pages. Most of it wont be reviewed. These cases are decided prior to the interview in most instances unless there is something out of line. They dont have time nor need to review that much info. Sending it in is ok if you want. Keep in mind they see 700 cases per month so they are good this and have limited time. They only work on immigration type cases two days per week.

I would suggest she goes to the police station early in morn and then to hospital. Hospital does all tests ect and hands her the completed forms before she leaves. She may have some trouble at the police station but as a Thai she should understand. If they for example want to give her a personal cell number she should refuse. This is done to allow them to attempt to extort money. Not needed nor a good idea to enter into to this. This has happened is several recent cases. The USC seldom understands how this is done. Many times its just a simple procedure as you would expect so you never know. Make sure she takes in the suggested info so they cant question her.

[kmwatts 0]

I was wanting to err on the side of sending too much. I sent it well organized (someone who was experienced with these things could flip through easily and see what they wanted) and a lot of the pages are phone records, TXT messages, Skype records, emails and such that took up a lot of pages as we talk every day. I understand its probably not needed but I was trying to avoid the dreaded RFE. Since it made it from NOA1 to NOA2 in just a few months I would think that it didn't hinder it to include more info than absolutely necessary.

Thanks for the info on what to watch out for I'll be sure to let her know about that stuff.

While I understand the idea of supplying relationship info there is no need for 125 pages. Most of it wont be reviewed. These cases are decided prior to the interview in most instances unless there is something out of line. They dont have time nor need to review that much info. Sending it in is ok if you want. Keep in mind they see 700 cases per month so they are good this and have limited time. They only work on immigration type cases two days per week.

I would suggest she goes to the police station early in morn and then to hospital. Hospital does all tests ect and hands her the completed forms before she leaves. She may have some trouble at the police station but as a Thai she should understand. If they for example want to give her a personal cell number she should refuse. This is done to allow them to attempt to extort money. Not needed nor a good idea to enter into to this. This has happened is several recent cases. The USC seldom understands how this is done. Many times its just a simple procedure as you would expect so you never know. Make sure she takes in the suggested info so they cant question her.

[Ning 619]

I was wanting to err on the side of sending too much. I sent it well organized (someone who was experienced with these things could flip through easily and see what they wanted) and a lot of the pages are phone records, TXT messages, Skype records, emails and such that took up a lot of pages as we talk every day. I understand its probably not needed but I was trying to avoid the dreaded RFE. Since it made it from NOA1 to NOA2 in just a few months I would think that it didn't hinder it to include more info than absolutely necessary.

Thanks for the info on what to watch out for I'll be sure to let her know about that stuff.

I am not here to be a critic but only trying to offer people info that may help. I am also not an officer working at the embassy but I was inside on at least 7 occasions.

When people want to know why these cases take so long or why the embassy cant schedual more cases per month it may be due to the pure volume of material presented rather than what is needed. This is difficult for people to understand because each case is unique. One guy for example sent 1,000 pages of phone records. I think he said that weighed 12 kilos. It was rejected of course. His case was set aside until they could deal with it which took 60 days. Still, this all occupied the officer and staffs time.

Your material may be will organized but is it relevent? Will it fit thru the window slot? Will the officer take time to even review it? These cases are mostly decided prior to the interview. If the docs are correct and all looks good the interview is short and most of this isnt needed anyway.

Did you make some terrible mistake? No. Did you avoid an RFE? No. They would simply ask for what they needed and wait for that submission. These things are usually done in a few days but no one wants to lose time. I doubt you will have any trouble connected to thsi aspect anyway because you did well in the overall presentation of the case.

You both should find that there isnt much to worry about really but we have a hard time accepting that. The problem is always the great unknown. Even when all is done we feel like there is one more thing we have to do.

[kmwatts 0]

Ning,

I understand and I'm sorry if I sounded rude or accusing I didn't mean to come across that way. And you are of course correct, we all are so worried to have anything slow down the process that we probably do make more work for those doing the reviews. That said though the whole process is so long and convoluted that sometimes it's hard to know what is expected. Everyone on these forums have different ideas of what is right and what is not and putting your life and the life of someone you love so much in the hands of some anonymous government official somewhere is a very tough pill to swallow.

I don't expect Nat and I to have much problem with the interview or the paperwork leading up to it but there is always that worry in the back of my mind that somehow someone has a bad day and all our dreams can come crashing down. It is good to hear from you though as you have the benefit of experience and it's a good reminder to me to chill out a little and just make sure we do what is required and to dot the I's and cross the T's so it all goes smoothly.

Kevin

.

I am not here to be a critic but only trying to offer people info that may help. I am also not an officer working at the embassy but I was inside on at least 7 occasions.

When people want to know why these cases take so long or why the embassy cant schedual more cases per month it may be due to the pure volume of material presented rather than what is needed. This is difficult for people to understand because each case is unique. One guy for example sent 1,000 pages of phone records. I think he said that weighed 12 kilos. It was rejected of course. His case was set aside until they could deal with it which took 60 days. Still, this all occupied the officer and staffs time.

Your material may be will organized but is it relevent? Will it fit thru the window slot? Will the officer take time to even review it? These cases are mostly decided prior to the interview. If the docs are correct and all looks good the interview is short and most of this isnt needed anyway.

Did you make some terrible mistake? No. Did you avoid an RFE? No. They would simply ask for what they needed and wait for that submission. These things are usually done in a few days but no one wants to lose time. I doubt you will have any trouble connected to thsi aspect anyway because you did well in the overall presentation of the case.

You both should find that there isnt much to worry about really but we have a hard time accepting that. The problem is always the great unknown. Even when all is done we feel like there is one more thing we have to do.

[Ning 619]

Ning,

I understand and I'm sorry if I sounded rude or accusing I didn't mean to come across that way. And you are of course correct, we all are so worried to have anything slow down the process that we probably do make more work for those doing the reviews. That said though the whole process is so long and convoluted that sometimes it's hard to know what is expected. Everyone on these forums have different ideas of what is right and what is not and putting your life and the life of someone you love so much in the hands of some anonymous government official somewhere is a very tough pill to swallow.

I don't expect Nat and I to have much problem with the interview or the paperwork leading up to it but there is always that worry in the back of my mind that somehow someone has a bad day and all our dreams can come crashing down. It is good to hear from you though as you have the benefit of experience and it's a good reminder to me to chill out a little and just make sure we do what is required and to dot the I's and cross the T's so it all goes smoothly.

Kevin

.

Kevin

I dont think you are rude nor accusing at all. I understand how you feel. My case took 408 days so I have endured more tham most in my journey. We also ran into many strange turns in the road as we went thru all of it. Still we made it and it served to teach us a lot about the process.

I hope you will find as we did that most of the U S govt people were very good at what they did and a few went out of their way to help us. Especially a female officer in BKK. Keep in mind they see 700 cases per month so they have tons of experiance. For this reason I feel when the cases are presented correctly there is little to fear.

I see no reason for your case to experiance problems as it finishes now simply because of how you have met the requirments and done well in that effort.

[kmwatts 0]

Okay an update. As suggested we just went ahead and downloaded Packet 3 from the web and have since filled out all the forms (I also sent Nat the I-134 and related info as well as some proof of my latest trip and some current skype records..ect incase she needs it). She has just this week made the trip to Bangkok to request her police records and to do the medical exam. We are waiting for the police report to arrive which should take a few weeks but we have ran into a bit of an issue around the medical exam.

Since Nat didn't have any records of her past Vaccinations, they ran her through a full course of vaccinations over the last 3 days (3 separate trips to Bangkok to see the doctor) now they want her to come back in 2 months for her final set of vaccinations. This is fine other than the fact that we won't have the medical paperwork filled out until that time (so won't be able to send in Packet 3) and we will be coming up on the NOA2 expiration just a week after that appointment and there is no way we will be able to finish up the interview process before that happens.

Reading the forums having to get an extension seems to be pretty common but I'm wondering if anyone with Thailand experience could give some advice on the best way to contact the embassy to see about getting an extension. Ning, if your still there, I"m sure you have experience with this given the length of time your case took.

Thanks,

Kevin and Nat

[Karee 4,190]

Okay an update. As suggested we just went ahead and downloaded Packet 3 from the web and have since filled out all the forms (I also sent Nat the I-134 and related info as well as some proof of my latest trip and some current skype records..ect incase she needs it). She has just this week made the trip to Bangkok to request her police records and to do the medical exam. We are waiting for the police report to arrive which should take a few weeks but we have ran into a bit of an issue around the medical exam.

Since Nat didn't have any records of her past Vaccinations, they ran her through a full course of vaccinations over the last 3 days (3 separate trips to Bangkok to see the doctor) now they want her to come back in 2 months for her final set of vaccinations. This is fine other than the fact that we won't have the medical paperwork filled out until that time (so won't be able to send in Packet 3) and we will be coming up on the NOA2 expiration just a week after that appointment and there is no way we will be able to finish up the interview process before that happens.

Reading the forums having to get an extension seems to be pretty common but I'm wondering if anyone with Thailand experience could give some advice on the best way to contact the embassy to see about getting an extension. Ning, if your still there, I"m sure you have experience with this given the length of time your case took.

Thanks,

Kevin and Nat

Unless something has changed recently, you are good to go on the vaccinations. Make sure you keep the medical/vaccination records so you can finish them up in the U.S. for adjustment of status.

Look here:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/106982-k1-and-vaccination-requirements/

Don't worry about the NOA2 expiration. Your case has already moved on to NVC.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/210219-noa2-says-it-expires/

[Ning 619]

Okay an update. As suggested we just went ahead and downloaded Packet 3 from the web and have since filled out all the forms (I also sent Nat the I-134 and related info as well as some proof of my latest trip and some current skype records..ect incase she needs it). She has just this week made the trip to Bangkok to request her police records and to do the medical exam. We are waiting for the police report to arrive which should take a few weeks but we have ran into a bit of an issue around the medical exam.

Since Nat didn't have any records of her past Vaccinations, they ran her through a full course of vaccinations over the last 3 days (3 separate trips to Bangkok to see the doctor) now they want her to come back in 2 months for her final set of vaccinations. This is fine other than the fact that we won't have the medical paperwork filled out until that time (so won't be able to send in Packet 3) and we will be coming up on the NOA2 expiration just a week after that appointment and there is no way we will be able to finish up the interview process before that happens.

Reading the forums having to get an extension seems to be pretty common but I'm wondering if anyone with Thailand experience could give some advice on the best way to contact the embassy to see about getting an extension. Ning, if your still there, I"m sure you have experience with this given the length of time your case took.

Thanks,

Kevin and Nat

She is actually done and could send in the P 3 now if the embassy has requested it. The follow up shots can be done in the USA and are not required for her visa. I suggest she gets those follow ups at your local health clinic later. I did this and got 3 for 23 dollars where a doctor wanted over 300. Have her take in her medical info that she has and the clinic will convert it to a shot card for her to keep.

Karee is correct as well. Dont worry at all about the date on the NOA 2. This is common and always taken care of.

There is no reason to believe anything will stop the visa now. You have done well and will have what you worked for soon.

[kmwatts 0]

She is actually done and could send in the P 3 now if the embassy has requested it. The follow up shots can be done in the USA and are not required for her visa. I suggest she g butets those follow ups at your local health clinic later. I did this and got 3 for 23 dollars where a doctor wanted over 300. Have her take in her medical info that she has and the clinic will convert it to a shot card for her to keep.

Karee is correct as well. Dont worry at all about the date on the NOA 2. This is common and always taken care of.

There is no reason to believe anything will stop the visa now. You have done well and will have what you worked for soon.

Thanks for the info about the clinic Ning. I think we are stuck waiting however as the medical forms needed for Packet 3 won't be filled out until January 10 now. I had some time to talk more with Nat about it and it seems it is more than just the vaccinations. There was some concern with her medical history as she had been hospitalized for some form of mosquito transmitted disease a number of years ago. She didn't fully understand why but the doctor wanted to check in a few months to verify there were still no issues before signing the forms, Part of that time was for them to obtain records from the other hospital on the details of her stay. She also said that the doctor had commented that they needed to be more thorough because this was for a fiancee visa vs. a travel visa. A thai friend of ours who also has experience with this (and who was there with Nat at the hospital for the 3 days she had to go for) says that it's the first she has seen them ask for a followup also but after talking to the doctor didn't think there was reason to worry.

That said is there any reason we should contact the embassy to let them know it will be a few months before we are able to send in our package or is there still no worry of anything expiring while we wait?

Thanks

[Ning 619]

Thanks for the info about the clinic Ning. I think we are stuck waiting however as the medical forms needed for Packet 3 won't be filled out until January 10 now. I had some time to talk more with Nat about it and it seems it is more than just the vaccinations. There was some concern with her medical history as she had been hospitalized for some form of mosquito transmitted disease a number of years ago. She didn't fully understand why but the doctor wanted to check in a few months to verify there were still no issues before signing the forms, Part of that time was for them to obtain records from the other hospital on the details of her stay. She also said that the doctor had commented that they needed to be more thorough because this was for a fiancee visa vs. a travel visa. A thai friend of ours who also has experience with this (and who was there with Nat at the hospital for the 3 days she had to go for) says that it's the first she has seen them ask for a followup also but after talking to the doctor didn't think there was reason to worry.

That said is there any reason we should contact the embassy to let them know it will be a few months before we are able to send in our package or is there still no worry of anything expiring while we wait?

Thanks

There are several ways to do this. You could send in the P 3 with the exception of the medical explaining there were some minor things to clear up. The embassy could decide to set the interview date, let her interview and hold the issuance of the visa until she submitted the medical. I would contact the embassy no matter what the situation is to make sure they are in the loop.

She could try to get the doctor to complete the forms and tell him she will follow up while in the USA.

[kmwatts 0]

There are several ways to do this. You could send in the P 3 with the exception of the medical explaining there were some minor things to clear up. The embassy could decide to set the interview date, let her interview and hold the issuance of the visa until she submitted the medical. I would contact the embassy no matter what the situation is to make sure they are in the loop.

She could try to get the doctor to complete the forms and tell him she will follow up while in the USA.

Yes I'd definately like to touch base with the embassy as we have still not received the hard-copy of the P3 either. It may have been sent to the wrong address so I'd like to make sure they have Nat's correct address on file as well. What is the best way to get in contact with the embassy?