I think I see a trend

[RalphandHanh 1]

I think I see a trend now. Something I wish I would have seen before I started my process. Let me explain.

My fiance has three friends. All of them are engaged to Americans. One used an attorney for the entire process.... the other two, their fiences did it themselves. One friend had her interview and got the blue slip. Her fience got the information they wanted and waited 4 months for a visa. The other, like us, got a blue slip and hired a U.S. lawyer to help with the paperwork and got the visa in 2 months. Her other friend who's fience hired an attorney for the whole process, had her interview yesterday and passed.

And even on here... I see that most people are doing the paperwork themselves. They end up getting a blue slip the first time.

Anyone else notice it or is it just me?

[CraigCam 0]

Uh oh, I hope you're wrong.

[Dakine 26]

Yeah the trend is "some" attorneys have their act together and do things correct. Some don't also. Same thing goes for peeps doing it on their own.

[Jasman0717 9]

Vietnam is known for being difficult with approving visas. I don't believe it has anything to do with whether the petitioner had an attorney or not. I just recommend paying very close attention to the details. I haven't looked but does the embassy have guidelines for the visas? Manila does and it is very helpful to read.

[LilLoveBug 0]

lawyers also steal money, do nothing and lots of people still get denied...even with M.E. and he is the best. Other people from VN have done it themselves and gotten pink first try. I think it really depends on the circumstances of each case.

Usually, there was a red flag of some sort that we aren't hearing about when the poster posts they got blue. It is not just "for no reason". I know one member on here (I won't name names) but his case was flat out denied. He can't understand why. It was very clear to me why once he explained the details to me.

Alot depends on your initial I-129f, whether they say so or not. Just my thoughts.

Bug

[Niels Bohr 72]

I didn't use an attorney.

[Melrose Plant 1]

I used an attorney (two, actually), but I don't believe there is any correlation between "hired attorney" and "got pink slip" in and of itself. If there is a correlation, it is because an experienced immigration attorney has already been through this process dozens or hundreds of times, and understands what mistakes not to make. Of course, there are some incompetent attorneys, there are some burnt-out attorneys who might not pay as much attention to your case as you would.

But as far as there being a direct cause and effect--"oh, case number A-such-and-such has an attorney, we'll give her the pink," I don't think any such correlation exists.

[acidentaly_n_LOVE 0]

I dont think so. In our case were the one who just worked on the papers with no attorneys help. I got approved right away. It depends on how you work in your papers and you meet their guidelines. And hiring lawyers is a ripped off when you can saved the money and used it for something else. I got a friend too who hired lawyer for their case but it took so long for them to get the visa, till now they didnt know whats happening. So hiring an attorney or not is not really the basis of getting approved on the petition and visa its depend on you.

[Anh map 2,098]

I agree that there isn't a correlation. Each case has it's own circumstances. It all comes down to preparation. Don't skimp on the evidence and explain everything clearly and completely. The CO's are supposed to make sure that legit applicants get through and others are refused.

When in doubt, include it in your submission. Better to have something ignored that have a bluse slip asking for the info.

just my two cents

[What's next 1]

I think the whole atty issue is pure speculation. People who used an atty and got the visa would say they couldn't have done it without consul. People who did the paperwork themselves and got the visa would say that an atty is not necessary. People who used an atty and got denied start to reconsider if hiring an atty was even worth it. People who did the paperwork themselves and got denied start to consider if they should hire an atty.

I don't mean to be callous to anyone's situation. The consulate will do as they please. No one on VJ knows why the consulate does what it does. Two cases can have the same everything, but one gets the visa, one doesn't. My situation for example. We submitted our stuff and got denied requesting more stuff. We turned in the same stuff and got approved. Doesn't make sense. VJ is a great resource but i advise against modeling your case along someone else's. I know VN ppl love to do that. So and so did this that or the other, that's what we should do. What worked for other ppl doesn't mean it's gonna work for you.

one more rant.. sorry...evidence, don't bank your interview solely on evidence. to me, all those document can be manufactured. anyone can come up with pages and pages of chat logs, anyone can create reciepts, phone records, bank statements, letter of employment, etc. If I were a interviewing officer, these would not have much value. As far as picures are concerned, they don't have that much value either. All you need is one day in VN and you can have a butt-load of pictures. Unfortunaly, fraudulant cases have the same evidence as you do, so don't think bringing all that stuff will secure you a visa.

[RalphandHanh 1]

Good points. Just thought I would bring it up and see what y'all thought. I will continue my investigation

[hope2018 25]

I used a attorney Marc he was great we were threw it in less than 6 months just my thoughts i think it all a process how well your case looks your organization of your evidence and how strong your other half is during the interview .

[Guy&Hoa 0]

There are so many variables involved that I believe it is incrediby difficult to calculate any trends, each case is its own set of problems to overcome...

One can see the incredible magnitude of variables involved by just following along a simple exercise...

a) a vietnamese fiancee with relatives living in the US will have different focus of variables involved than a person without..

B) the american and/or vietnamese fiance(e) who is divorced introduces another set of variables

c) the ability to speak and understand English adequately for the purposes of the interview introduces a variable

d) each consular officer has their corporate judgement based upon DOS guidelines, but also, they will inject their own personal bias and judgements to some minimal degree, when they interview, this is an important variable, also the variable will be slanted in some direction as the time of day and fatigue sets in...this also must be taken into account..<each consular officer will be different>

you can see how complex it really is...

I used a lawyer because I was divorced and wanted the extra attention to detail that M.E. gives to his cases, I was blue-sheeted, because my fiancee could not understand the new african-american CO's English, and this gave pause for the pink sheet...ultimately I provided the information requested and had to wait in AR. M.E. was able to point out some obvious facts to the CO on one of his weekly trips to the consulate, and my wait time was reduced to 56 days from an abominable 90 days or more, so I was happy I spent the extra money on an attorney.

There is nothing wrong in doing it yourself as many happy couples were able to have success in Vietnam. Also, there is nothing wrong in hiring an attorney, but if you are, please make sure he/she is competent and experienced in the country where your fiance(e) lives.

Just my opinion...

All the best..

-Guy&Hoa

[Uncle Wally 2]

I hired an immigration attorney, and I don't regret it. I'm not trying to adopt a cat from an animal shelter, I'm trying to get my wife into the country.

Having a lawyer in no way places your petition at the top of the pile nor in any other way expedites the process. But what it does do is help to ensure that the 'T's are crossed and the 'I's are dotted, and moreover, it's an insurance policy in place for the chance that you hit some kind of major snag in the process. It's someone who knows the system inside and out, as well as your particular situation whom you can call when something goes wrong and say "deal with it."

[Melrose Plant 1]

I hired an immigration attorney, and I don't regret it. I'm not trying to adopt a cat from an animal shelter, I'm trying to get my wife into the country.

Having a lawyer in no way places your petition at the top of the pile nor in any other way expedites the process. But what it does do is help to ensure that the 'T's are crossed and the 'I's are dotted, and moreover, it's an insurance policy in place for the chance that you hit some kind of major snag in the process. It's someone who knows the system inside and out, as well as your particular situation whom you can call when something goes wrong and say "deal with it."

I'd never really thought of it that way (thank goodness nothing really went wrong with our case, other than it taking somewhat longer than normal), but you've hit the nail on the head there. If you're already distressed about something having gone wrong (like getting a blue slip), it is worth a lot to be able to tell someone, "Handle this, will you?"