SAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)

[rsn 135]

And here I was about to say how peaceful and friendly this thread had been without a certain distraction... oh well!

distraction: Are you talking about politics, or the bald guy? I'm slow (sometimes)

Neither

Even though I plan on being in Thailand for Kat's interview, I thought about this to (buy return tickets early, or late). I checked a few websites and talked to a few people to see what it might cost if I bought last minute tickets. I didn't find any substantial difference in price between tickets that were bought weeks in advance versus tickets that were bought days in advance. Also, I noticed that in some cases, airlines were offering tickets for flights set to leave in a few hours for the same price as my one-way ticket to Thailand (about $900). So, I figured we would buy the tickets only after she has the visa in her hands. You never know.

You are right - I did the same, checking for tickets 3 days out from now - and was able to find the same itinerary for the same price. Perhaps we should have waited till the interview. But, I wanted to lock it in. Sort of like locking in the mortgage rate on a house. There's enough uncertainty about the overall process, at least this little details is now assured.

Completely understandable.

Could someone let the slow guy in on the secret?

[rsn 135]

And here I was about to say how peaceful and friendly this thread had been without a certain distraction... oh well!

distraction: Are you talking about politics, or the bald guy? I'm slow (sometimes)

Neither

Even though I plan on being in Thailand for Kat's interview, I thought about this to (buy return tickets early, or late). I checked a few websites and talked to a few people to see what it might cost if I bought last minute tickets. I didn't find any substantial difference in price between tickets that were bought weeks in advance versus tickets that were bought days in advance. Also, I noticed that in some cases, airlines were offering tickets for flights set to leave in a few hours for the same price as my one-way ticket to Thailand (about $900). So, I figured we would buy the tickets only after she has the visa in her hands. You never know.

You are right - I did the same, checking for tickets 3 days out from now - and was able to find the same itinerary for the same price. Perhaps we should have waited till the interview. But, I wanted to lock it in. Sort of like locking in the mortgage rate on a house. There's enough uncertainty about the overall process, at least this little details is now assured.

Completely understandable.

Could someone let the slow guy in on the secret?

Nevermind. Anyway, good luck on that. As much as it sucks to fly into our out of O'Hare, I've been reading that the 1st-time immigration process there is pretty smooth.

[*Robert* 2]

And here I was about to say how peaceful and friendly this thread had been without a certain distraction... oh well!

distraction: Are you talking about politics, or the bald guy? I'm slow (sometimes)

Neither

Even though I plan on being in Thailand for Kat's interview, I thought about this to (buy return tickets early, or late). I checked a few websites and talked to a few people to see what it might cost if I bought last minute tickets. I didn't find any substantial difference in price between tickets that were bought weeks in advance versus tickets that were bought days in advance. Also, I noticed that in some cases, airlines were offering tickets for flights set to leave in a few hours for the same price as my one-way ticket to Thailand (about $900). So, I figured we would buy the tickets only after she has the visa in her hands. You never know.

You are right - I did the same, checking for tickets 3 days out from now - and was able to find the same itinerary for the same price. Perhaps we should have waited till the interview. But, I wanted to lock it in. Sort of like locking in the mortgage rate on a house. There's enough uncertainty about the overall process, at least this little details is now assured.

Completely understandable.

Could someone let the slow guy in on the secret?

Nevermind. Anyway, good luck on that. As much as it sucks to fly into our out of O'Hare, I've been reading that the 1st-time immigration process there is pretty smooth.

Don't worry Ray... it's all good! B)

[*Robert* 2]

Time for reinforcements!

And maybe a little blessing:

[scandal 951]

Just a heads-up for those of us in line this month... Thanti has become the official keeper of records over on usvisa4thai.com. She's got a list of everyone on that site who has an interview this month (well, beginning with June 9). Eighteen names in all. We are #14, with our interview on the 29th.

The interview reports will be coming in fast and furious over the next few weeks, I'll pester Thanti to summarize the reports for us here on VJ (or at a minimum, who got approved, who got a 221g, who had other problems, whether it's "fat man" or "nice lady", etc.).

I don't read Thai, so the information on that thread isn't much use to me other than the interview schedule itself which is in English. But I know some of you guys do understand Thai, so you may find it useful.

Since the official embassy schedule is STILL !! showing May 20, Thanti's list is the most current publicly available schedule for BKK embassy. Maybe she should get herself hired by the Embassy to do their list, since they're doing such a bang-up job of it.

Her thread is here .. http://www.usvisa4thai.com/board/viewtopic...=19&t=19881

[wasabi 4]

Today I went to the USA embassy. It was very difficult to get them to even let me in but when I finally did I explained I had emailed repeatedly without reply and simply wanted to know if they had my Fiance's packet 3 or not. A 2 minute check revealed they did and I was on my way. Now I just have to wait for her to get a date but at least I know the clock is ticking.

[HYENA 4]

HYENA, Have you been in touch with NVC? Have you been notified that your case has been forwarded to the embassy? If so i would just download packet 3 from the embassy website and send it in.

I'm nusing Siam Legal and they're saying we have to wait. I don't know why that is but the second her police report is back (supposd to be on the 7th), i'll press them for that.

Is there some place I can call the embassy to see if they even have it? I emailed but get referred to another email because they don't handle k-1's and the other doesn't answer (old trick since I was 3 mommy-daddy)! LOL!

I heard you can just send it in. I am eager to get her here! Amazing some who applied in JANUARY already have packet 3 and nothing on my end. Have no idea why mine is so lengthy

NVC is all done (aren't they)?, they sent it to BKK from what I understand over a month ago. (on my timeline--nothing from consulate yet)

You can try to call the citizens service center in the embassy and see if they can help find out if the consulate has recieved your petition (66) (2) 205-4049.. I think your "lawyer" is slowing you down. alot of people have not waited for the packet to come in the mail and have downloaded it and sent it in.

Better yet, I emailed them Sunday and got a response first thing in the morning (Thai time) before I could even call telling me they had already sent packet 3 out to her address (correct address in email) so either it hasn't gotten there yet (Thai mail) or the evil apartment manager took it (which would not be a surprise, either). Soooo, I called the lawyer's office and they had just picked up her police report so (hopefully 3rd request monday will see the correct documents from my bank) I'm self employed, reported over 125% but with dependents, etc I wanted to be sure there was no possible way for a financial "no").

Unfortunately they're saying it's about a month on average to get the interview date set and a month to get the interview. That'll make a square year of waiting for our K-1. Better late than never! We were already getting everything we needed anyway but I'm glad we don't have to wait for packet 3 (I read on the embassy website in big letters not to send before packet 3 is received)....all that's behind us now...on to the express mailing Monday and (fingers crossed)! It's sooo nice to be on the home stretch!

Edited June 8, 2009 by HYENA

[HYENA 4]

Today I went to the USA embassy. It was very difficult to get them to even let me in but when I finally did I explained I had emailed repeatedly without reply and simply wanted to know if they had my Fiance's packet 3 or not. A 2 minute check revealed they did and I was on my way. Now I just have to wait for her to get a date but at least I know the clock is ticking.

Home stretch! Must feel great after all this time! Congratulations to everyone who's moving along. To those who have snags. my heart goes out to you! This is a very strenuous process, indeed! I'm actually getting a bit nervous! After this long wait; difficult to believe it's coming to a close (all this insane waiting, hoping, waiting)....

[kh1982 0]

Today I went to the USA embassy. It was very difficult to get them to even let me in but when I finally did I explained I had emailed repeatedly without reply and simply wanted to know if they had my Fiance's packet 3 or not. A 2 minute check revealed they did and I was on my way. Now I just have to wait for her to get a date but at least I know the clock is ticking.

Home stretch! Must feel great after all this time! Congratulations to everyone who's moving along. To those who have snags. my heart goes out to you! This is a very strenuous process, indeed! I'm actually getting a bit nervous! After this long wait; difficult to believe it's coming to a close (all this insane waiting, hoping, waiting)....

Let me say one thing we did not Waite to receive packet 3 and if we did Waite we would still be waiting my lawyer MR. Bryan Wright had packet 3 all put together before she even did her medical so best advice I can give you

[Danno2 0]

One thing I would suggest is to not overlook the amount of stress beyond the interview stage. The beneficiary can have a huge amount of stress about leaving friends, country, job, culture and family. I'm not sure if its good to bring all of that up to them but its definitely something to be sensitive of.

[rsn 135]

One thing I would suggest is to not overlook the amount of stress beyond the interview stage. The beneficiary can have a huge amount of stress about leaving friends, country, job, culture and family. I'm not sure if its good to bring all of that up to them but its definitely something to be sensitive of.

That's understandable. While most of our current stress is related to the upcoming interview, Kat and I had many discussions in the past about what will happen and what her life will be like if she gets the visa and comes over here. Good thing we did, because she, of course, did not really know what to expect. Her only understanding of this country comes from TV and some of the misguided opinions non-Americans have given her about this country.

[wasabi 4]

Today I went to the USA embassy. It was very difficult to get them to even let me in but when I finally did I explained I had emailed repeatedly without reply and simply wanted to know if they had my Fiance's packet 3 or not. A 2 minute check revealed they did and I was on my way. Now I just have to wait for her to get a date but at least I know the clock is ticking.

Home stretch! Must feel great after all this time! Congratulations to everyone who's moving along. To those who have snags. my heart goes out to you! This is a very strenuous process, indeed! I'm actually getting a bit nervous! After this long wait; difficult to believe it's coming to a close (all this insane waiting, hoping, waiting)....

Let me say one thing we did not Waite to receive packet 3 and if we did Waite we would still be waiting my lawyer MR. Bryan Wright had packet 3 all put together before she even did her medical so best advice I can give you

I received permission to send packet 3 on May 20th. I'd had it ready for weeks already and sent it the next day. However it was until now that the embassy acknowledged even receiving it and only after a personal visit from me. I'm looking forward to the next time they update their appointments on their website.

[*Robert* 2]

I received permission to send packet 3 on May 20th. I'd had it ready for weeks already and sent it the next day. However it was until now that the embassy acknowledged even receiving it and only after a personal visit from me. I'm looking forward to the next time they update their appointments on their website.

I'm so glad to hear you got confirmation on your P3 being at the embassy. I hope you get an interview date very soon!

[*Robert* 2]

One thing I would suggest is to not overlook the amount of stress beyond the interview stage. The beneficiary can have a huge amount of stress about leaving friends, country, job, culture and family. I'm not sure if its good to bring all of that up to them but its definitely something to be sensitive of.

And lets not forget the long flight over, especially if flying alone. Navigating through transit airports, filling out the I-94, getting through Immigration and Customs at the POE. Then of course they have to adapt to a new home, different food, no more Thai TV or hearing Thai spoken everywhere they go. Next, there's the task of getting married, getting your certified marriage certificate, so you can apply for AOS, along with trying to get your SSN before you're within 14 days of your I-94 expiring.

Uh Yeah... you guys have a LONG LONG way to go, and a whole new set of obstacles to overcome.

[wasabi 4]

And lets not forget the long flight over, especially if flying alone..

It's my understanding with a K1 visa the beneficiary must enter with the petitioner the first time they pass through customs so flying alone is impossible. Is this not true?