Vietnam Questions

[tup14ongtu 0]

I have several questions concerning the Affidavit of Support Form I-134 on item 11 Maybe it should contain more – like how much a month in spending money or a more encompassing statement. What I said was....Room and board for the duration of our marriage! Below is the question concerning #11

11. I intend do not intend.... to make specific contributions to the support of the person(s) named in item 3.

(If you check "intend," indicate the exact nature and duration of the contributions. For example, if you intend to furnish room and board, state for how long and, if money, state the amount in U.S. dollars and state whether it is to be given in a lumpsum, weekly or monthly, and for how long.

Also I'm considering having her retain a lawyer in HCM city Vietnam! Does anyone have recommendations for a good lawyer and how much it costs? I would have my finance do it but she is not computer literate. The forms are not hard but would feel more comfortable having someone there to walk her through it.

I met my finance through my Dads friend who's wife is my finances Aunt! Should I put this in my timeline of relationship??? I heard that this may raise some red flags during the interview....

I would appreciate any help in these matters! Thank You

[Anh map 2,098]

Read through the Guides and Example Forms here on VJ. That should help you a lot. With regard to the Affidavit of Support: for you the US Citizen fiance just put "N/A Filed as part of K-1 permanent resident visa application" (see the example form for better wording). If you were to be a co-sponsor then you would indicate how much, etc. Since HCMC doesn't accept co-sponsors, it isn't an issue.

There are lots of folks here who haven't done the process with an attorney and many who have sued a lawyer. Think about your case and if it has some unusual circumstances then you may wnat one. We did it ourselves with guidance from the members here on VJ. You should be able to put it all together for her. Why would she need someone else to do it?

Yes, you need to explain how you met.

Read, read, read here on VJ and you will find lots of answers.

Good luck!

[Melrose Plant 1]

I have several questions concerning the Affidavit of Support Form I-134 on item 11 Maybe it should contain more – like how much a month in spending money or a more encompassing statement. What I said was....Room and board for the duration of our marriage! Below is the question concerning #11

11. I intend do not intend.... to make specific contributions to the support of the person(s) named in item 3.

(If you check "intend," indicate the exact nature and duration of the contributions. For example, if you intend to furnish room and board, state for how long and, if money, state the amount in U.S. dollars and state whether it is to be given in a lumpsum, weekly or monthly, and for how long.

I put "not applicable." I think this section is intended for someone who is not going to live with you.

Also I'm considering having her retain a lawyer in HCM city Vietnam! Does anyone have recommendations for a good lawyer and how much it costs? I would have my finance do it but she is not computer literate. The forms are not hard but would feel more comfortable having someone there to walk her through it.

I used Marc Ellis. So have many others. You can contact him by email at marcellislaw@gmail.com.

I met my finance through my Dads friend who's wife is my finances Aunt! Should I put this in my timeline of relationship??? I heard that this may raise some red flags during the interview....

What? You were never introduced to financial matters before Dad's friend's wife? Whatever you do, don't lie or purposefully obscure any facts. They will probably find out. Zey haf zare vays.

I would appreciate any help in these matters! Thank You

Good luck to you. You're going to need it.

[tup14ongtu 0]

Thanks for your quick reply! I have used all the info. on this site but missed that one regarding the Affidavit of Support lol!

As I said if I was going back to Vietnam it would be no problem but there is no way I can make that trip now. (Job is not one where I can leave), I would feel comfortable with someone there to help her with the packets. What I'm worried about is her understanding the forms! Are they all in English or is there instructions in Viet. on how to fill them out?

I can send her filled out forms from here DS230 etc! The packet three and checklist have no idea what it says. She will have to fill out the DS-156 on line, and I don't really know if she can do that. If you think all this can be done without a lawyer from there then I will do it! Hate to have come this far and have some mistake made there screw it up!

Thanks

There are lots of folks here who haven't done the process with an attorney and many who have sued a lawyer. Think about your case and if it has some unusual circumstances then you may wnat one. We did it ourselves with guidance from the members here on VJ. You should be able to put it all together for her. Why would she need someone else to do it?

Yes, you need to explain how you met.

Read, read, read here on VJ and you will find lots of answers.

Good luck!

[CraigCam 0]

My fiancee just passed her interview yesterday in HCMC and we didn't use an attorney or service. However, my fiancee is computer literate and she even had some trouble with the DS-156 online form. She never submitted anything that I didn't proof read first.

If your case is very straight forward, no pregnancy, divorce, etc., then you may think about using a service. They are much cheaper than an attorney($200-400) but will only help with filling out the forms, no advice included. IOM, the service that handles the medical exam process in HCMC, offers this service and I think the fee is $200. I would still want to proof read anything before it was submitted.

I completely understand wanting to have some help there for your fiancee. I wasn't able to attend the interview and I understand how scary that can be. It could be extremely stressful for your fiancee at a time when she has enough to worry about.

Talk it over with your fiancee and take some time to research your options. The most important thing is that you are both comfortable.

Good luck!

[tup14ongtu 0]

Thanks for your reply it was very helpful! The forms are straight forward and should not have trouble. Thanks and happy to hear your good news

My fiancee just passed her interview yesterday in HCMC and we didn't use an attorney or service. However, my fiancee is computer literate and she even had some trouble with the DS-156 online form. She never submitted anything that I didn't proof read first.

If your case is very straight forward, no pregnancy, divorce, etc., then you may think about using a service. They are much cheaper than an attorney($200-400) but will only help with filling out the forms, no advice included. IOM, the service that handles the medical exam process in HCMC, offers this service and I think the fee is $200. I would still want to proof read anything before it was submitted.

I completely understand wanting to have some help there for your fiancee. I wasn't able to attend the interview and I understand how scary that can be. It could be extremely stressful for your fiancee at a time when she has enough to worry about.

Talk it over with your fiancee and take some time to research your options. The most important thing is that you are both comfortable.

Good luck!

[tup14ongtu 0]

One more question! Why can't I do the forms for her then mail the print outs??? The DS156 has a bar code does the bar code change every time you access this form? I know I'am asking a stupid question here but just curious.

My fiancee just passed her interview yesterday in HCMC and we didn't use an attorney or service. However, my fiancee is computer literate and she even had some trouble with the DS-156 online form. She never submitted anything that I didn't proof read first.

If your case is very straight forward, no pregnancy, divorce, etc., then you may think about using a service. They are much cheaper than an attorney($200-400) but will only help with filling out the forms, no advice included. IOM, the service that handles the medical exam process in HCMC, offers this service and I think the fee is $200. I would still want to proof read anything before it was submitted.

I completely understand wanting to have some help there for your fiancee. I wasn't able to attend the interview and I understand how scary that can be. It could be extremely stressful for your fiancee at a time when she has enough to worry about.

Talk it over with your fiancee and take some time to research your options. The most important thing is that you are both comfortable.

Good luck!

[CraigCam 0]

Not a stupid question at all. I don't see why you can't fill them out and send them to your fiancee. There is a question somewhere asking if anyone helped fill out the forms. Not sure what this would mean. Just make sure you go over the forms with her so she understands all the questions in case any of the info comes up in her interview. I'm not sure about the barcode on DS-156, but I know Hieu printed several copies because in order for me to proof she would have to print and scan since you can't save the data on the form.

[tup14ongtu 0]

Worst case scenario I can fill them out and e-mail them to her! Are there any Vietnamese instructions that come with Packets 3 and 4? I seen that about getting help to fill out the forms I suppose that is if someone in HCM city does it for her. I meant to ask you what mail service did you use to send all the information and forms etc! I posted it before but no one answered!

It will be going to Ba Tri in the Delta and would hate to lose it as they want my original birth certificate! By the way thanks for the info!

Not a stupid question at all. I don't see why you can't fill them out and send them to your fiancee. There is a question somewhere asking if anyone helped fill out the forms. Not sure what this would mean. Just make sure you go over the forms with her so she understands all the questions in case any of the info comes up in her interview. I'm not sure about the barcode on DS-156, but I know Hieu printed several copies because in order for me to proof she would have to print and scan since you can't save the data on the form.

[Melrose Plant 1]

Worst case scenario I can fill them out and e-mail them to her! Are there any Vietnamese instructions that come with Packets 3 and 4? I seen that about getting help to fill out the forms I suppose that is if someone in HCM city does it for her. I meant to ask you what mail service did you use to send all the information and forms etc! I posted it before but no one answered!

It will be going to Ba Tri in the Delta and would hate to lose it as they want my original birth certificate! By the way thanks for the info!

Yes, there are Vietnamese instructions for Packets 3 and 4. It is perfectly all right for you to prefill the forms and mail them. I would send them DHL. Do not under any circumstances send them by regular mail.

Don't worry too much about losing your birth certificate, if it was issued by one of the several United States. You can always get another copy (pain in the neck, though). The real original is kept at your State's Department of Vital Statistics (or whatever your State calls it).

The wife says to mention that DHL is very expensive, but you probably guessed that. She also says FedEx is probably OK.

[Anh map 2,098]

Regarding the forms. Most are pdf. Some are fillable and savable as well. So you can fill them out and then send the pdf via e-mail where she can print and sign. Also, if you have the full Adobe Acrobat you can edit / save all the documents and send to her. That is what I did.

I echo the others, if your case is "normal" and straight forward do it yourself.

Get multiple copies of your birth cert. It's cheap and you'll need them as the whole process goes further.

And keep your fiance involved in everything. She will be much more confident at the interview. That is so key in getting the pink.

Roger