SAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)

[ochef 0]

Just a comment...

Pim and I Chat on YM everyday and use the YM's voice call at the same time. It is subject to bandwidth issues but it is free. You can save the chat log and also take screen shots as evidence.

[bill13060 0]

Has anyone had any problems using the medical form that you can download on the BKK embassy website. i guess when your going the CR1 route and pay online, they don't send a packet three. I called and NVC told me i have to download the forms from the website. I'd like to get her medical done when we are in Bangkok when i get there so we don't have to take that horrible 8 hour bus ride again just to do the medical part.

Edited February 4, 2009 by will92104

[daboyz 36]

Has anyone had any problems using the medical form that you can download on the BKK embassy website. i guess when your going the CR1 route and pay online, they don't send a packet three. I called and NVC told me i have to download the forms from the website. I'd like to get her medical done when we are in Bangkok when i get there so we don't have to take that horrible 8 hour bus ride again just to do the medical part.

I sent the embassy an email, and they sent them to me via email. PM me with your email, and I will send them to you. There is no packet 3 for CR-1. Not sure what you mean about pay online. Since you paid the $400 IV fee bill at NVC, you don't pay the embassy anything.

[HYENA 4]

OK, so I got the VOIP working...called her and we talked for about an hour. Thanks so much! now i have a call log (late is better than never).

Does anyone have any suggestions about this? I got this from my liars office (do I REALLY need a bank officer to certify my accounts? sounds like a bit too much)!

A. Statement from an officer of the bank or other financial institutions where you have deposits, identifying the following details regarding your account:

1. Date account opened;

2. Total amount deposited for the past year;

3. Present balance.

B. Statement of your employer on business stationery revealing:

1. Date and nature of employment;

2. Salary paid;

3. Whether the position is temporary or permanent.

C. If self-employed:

1. Copy of last income tax return filed; or

2. Report of commercial rating concern.

D. List containing serial numbers and denominations of bonds, stocks, and certificates of deposit, name of record owner(s), and value(s).

E. Your tax return for 2008. If you do not have this tax return yet, you may forward your tax return for 2005 (we need three years of tax returns).

Bothering a bank officer seems a bit much when i can get all the figures of depsosits and all the info from the internet and print them out...I have 7 bank accounts now (had to open 4 at my new bank Schwab for free no fee live no ripoff exchange rate atm card thanks to some suggestions from others here) 1atm card=2 accounts for them but it's worth having NO FEES to access money with the REAL exchange rate overseas and refunded outside atm fees even!

Edited February 4, 2009 by HYENA

[bill13060 0]

OK, so I got the VOIP working...called her and we talked for about an hour. Thanks so much! now i have a call log (late is better than never).

Does anyone have any suggestions about this? I got this from my liars office (do I REALLY need a bank officer to certify my accounts? sounds like a bit too much)!

A. Statement from an officer of the bank or other financial institutions where you have deposits, identifying the following details regarding your account:

1. Date account opened;

2. Total amount deposited for the past year;

3. Present balance.

B. Statement of your employer on business stationery revealing:

1. Date and nature of employment;

2. Salary paid;

3. Whether the position is temporary or permanent.

C. If self-employed:

1. Copy of last income tax return filed; or

2. Report of commercial rating concern.

D. List containing serial numbers and denominations of bonds, stocks, and certificates of deposit, name of record owner(s), and value(s).

E. Your tax return for 2008. If you do not have this tax return yet, you may forward your tax return for 2005 (we need three years of tax returns).

Bothering a bank officer seems a bit much when i can get all the figures of depsosits and all the info from the internet and print them out...I have 7 bank accounts now (had to open 4 at my new bank Schwab for free no fee live no ripoff exchange rate atm card thanks to some suggestions from others here) 1atm card=2 accounts for them but it's worth having NO FEES to access money with the REAL exchange rate overseas and refunded outside atm fees even!

What is the reason they want you to do this? You can list this stuff on your AOS paperwork but i see no need to send this information unless they are joint bank accounts with your SO, and even if they are joint bank accounts you should not have to have a letter saying how much you have in the account. Sounds to me like they want to see how much money you have so they can make it theirs. I suggest you follow the instructions on the BKK embassy website for all documents needed for your visa process and follow the instructions for filling out the paperwork for any other forms. It lists everything you need very clearly.

[Danno2 0]

Just as an FYI,,, My S.O. calls me with a 1baut per minute calling card from her cell. Her number shows up on my cell and AT&T detailed bill. I print & highlight the inbound call in 1 color and outbound in another. I plan on summarizing inbound and outbound calls / emails with a cover sheet.

Hopefully this will make our new Embassy friend happy.

[daboyz 36]

OK, so I got the VOIP working...called her and we talked for about an hour. Thanks so much! now i have a call log (late is better than never).

Does anyone have any suggestions about this? I got this from my liars office (do I REALLY need a bank officer to certify my accounts? sounds like a bit too much)!

A. Statement from an officer of the bank or other financial institutions where you have deposits, identifying the following details regarding your account:

1. Date account opened;

2. Total amount deposited for the past year;

3. Present balance.

B. Statement of your employer on business stationery revealing:

1. Date and nature of employment;

2. Salary paid;

3. Whether the position is temporary or permanent.

C. If self-employed:

1. Copy of last income tax return filed; or

2. Report of commercial rating concern.

D. List containing serial numbers and denominations of bonds, stocks, and certificates of deposit, name of record owner(s), and value(s).

E. Your tax return for 2008. If you do not have this tax return yet, you may forward your tax return for 2005 (we need three years of tax returns).

Bothering a bank officer seems a bit much when i can get all the figures of depsosits and all the info from the internet and print them out...I have 7 bank accounts now (had to open 4 at my new bank Schwab for free no fee live no ripoff exchange rate atm card thanks to some suggestions from others here) 1atm card=2 accounts for them but it's worth having NO FEES to access money with the REAL exchange rate overseas and refunded outside atm fees even!

What is the reason they want you to do this? You can list this stuff on your AOS paperwork but i see no need to send this information unless they are joint bank accounts with your SO, and even if they are joint bank accounts you should not have to have a letter saying how much you have in the account. Sounds to me like they want to see how much money you have so they can make it theirs. I suggest you follow the instructions on the BKK embassy website for all documents needed for your visa process and follow the instructions for filling out the paperwork for any other forms. It lists everything you need very clearly.

K-1/K-3 are different from IR-1/CR-1. When going IR-1/CR-1, the I-864 must be submitted to NVC in in the U.S for Affidavit of support. For K visas you use the I-134 and submit it to the Embassy at the interview for Affidavit of Support.

Basically with IR-1/CR-1, everything is submitted to NVC. The only thing you should need is a passport, the medical, passport photos, and the proof of relationship at the interview.

With K visas, the police report, marriage certificate, medical, I-134, and all that other stuff is presented at the interview. It seems for the K visas, there's been some confusion lately in BKK whether you submit the docs with packet 3, or just return the checklist saying you have the documents. I'm not clear on the latest requirements there for K visas since I went IR-1/CR-1.

[daboyz 36]

To add to that, if your income was below the requirement for the last tax year, it might be a good idea to get bank records showing your direct deposits for the last year. If you have the tax transcripts for the last 3 years, and you are over the required income, that is all you will need.

[daboyz 36]

OK, so I got the VOIP working...called her and we talked for about an hour. Thanks so much! now i have a call log (late is better than never).

Does anyone have any suggestions about this? I got this from my liars office (do I REALLY need a bank officer to certify my accounts? sounds like a bit too much)!

A. Statement from an officer of the bank or other financial institutions where you have deposits, identifying the following details regarding your account:

1. Date account opened;

2. Total amount deposited for the past year;

3. Present balance.

B. Statement of your employer on business stationery revealing:

1. Date and nature of employment;

2. Salary paid;

3. Whether the position is temporary or permanent.

C. If self-employed:

1. Copy of last income tax return filed; or

2. Report of commercial rating concern.

D. List containing serial numbers and denominations of bonds, stocks, and certificates of deposit, name of record owner(s), and value(s).

E. Your tax return for 2008. If you do not have this tax return yet, you may forward your tax return for 2005 (we need three years of tax returns).

Bothering a bank officer seems a bit much when i can get all the figures of depsosits and all the info from the internet and print them out...I have 7 bank accounts now (had to open 4 at my new bank Schwab for free no fee live no ripoff exchange rate atm card thanks to some suggestions from others here) 1atm card=2 accounts for them but it's worth having NO FEES to access money with the REAL exchange rate overseas and refunded outside atm fees even!

Just to be clear, if you have tax transcripts for the last 3 years that show you 125% over the poverty limit, you'll be fine.

[BishopMnA 0]

HYENA,

I saw on one of your posts that you're looking at flight tickets from DC. Are you located in the DC area? My wife and I live about an hour north of DC (Hagerstown, MD). Actually, we just moved here from Detroit about 5 months ago. Last year's Detroit winter almost killed my wife (literally)!!! It is much more mild here in Maryland and she loves it here.

My wife is from the north also, Chiang Mai, and has been here (via K1) almost 2 years.

Well, if you're in the DC area let me know. We'll plan a celebration and a meet-up once she arrives!

Good luck on your journey!

Peace - Mark and AAm

[AaronLV 12]

It seems for the K visas, there's been some confusion lately in BKK whether you submit the docs with packet 3, or just return the checklist saying you have the documents.

In the Packet 3 instructions sent to me by the embassy it states, all items must be returned with the checklist except for Evidence of Relationship, and the original documents which must be brought with you at the time of the interview. The confusion comes because they have changed the rules, and not updated the downloaded documents.

Does anyone have any suggestions about this? I got this from my liars office (do I REALLY need a bank officer to certify my accounts? sounds like a bit too much)!

If you read the instructions for the I-134 Affidavit of Support these items are included as supporting evidence. Is it needed maybe debatable, but the instructions do ask for such.

Sounds to me like they want to see how much money you have so they can make it theirs.

Not all lawyers are bad, and just out to take your money, they are being thorough in completing the documents, as per the instructions by the USCIS.

[daboyz 36]

It seems for the K visas, there's been some confusion lately in BKK whether you submit the docs with packet 3, or just return the checklist saying you have the documents.

In the Packet 3 instructions sent to me by the embassy it states, all items must be returned with the checklist except for Evidence of Relationship, and the original documents which must be brought with you at the time of the interview. The confusion comes because they have changed the rules, and not updated the downloaded documents.

Yeah I have been hearing this is new. I didn't go the K route, so I wasn't real sure.

[HYENA 4]

- Yes, I'm near Baltimore. There's another applicant from our area here, as well. He's about a month behind us. I think it would be great to have a get together somewhere (maybe DC) tour the area and show off our capitol! I DO NEED to secure some "bacteria fish" sauce (the rotten slop in Papaya salad I jokingly tell her is bacteria fish sauce)! LOL! I need to try to make sure she can find equivalents here but apparently the fish is 6 months old aged?

-Thanks for the suggestions. It turns out that's the Thai assistant for Siam Legal added what she thought would be fun to improvise? (going to bank officers and make them get docs, etc); they already have 3 yrs of my tax returns they forgot about but if they want me to bring them again, I'll do so.

...which reminds me....also interesting, the phone got "disconnected" I believe 6 or 7 times so far (I'll make a full write up about Siam Legal when we're all finished), it's always been a Thai female at Siam (could be any BKK business for that matter who has hung up on her since she's Isaan) who was talking to my fiancee. We paid for the gold vip package but...I'm write it all up when we're done. Bottom line; NEVER HIRE A LAWYER'S OFFICE WHO EMPLOYS ANY FEMALE THAIS- You'll waste your money and you will find delays caused by them you may no thave othewise had (not to mention the females will NOT treat your fiancee with respect as an equal in suit with other Bangkokian females). Disgusting, really but who do you complain to? I can see why so many Isaan women want to leave. I've seen more than I'd like to and my fiancee is kind, polite and quiet...even after someone is cruel, she still wishes them happiness, health and success.

Anyway, the attorneys themselves are nice and our attorney responded when I asked why all the complications. She basically said what I assumed I needed (same document formats in obtaining a house loan or any other official application)...printed bank statements and the normal stuff (no need to do the already done, no need to bother bank officers).

I have no idea why locals complicate the uncomplicated and feel the need to treat others as trash if they think they're higher...just for kicks? for the hell of it? Why?

It seems each time a Thai touches paperwork (processing, holding the file for the embassy officer, translating, reciting, etc.) from what I've read here with past cases...this seems to be the sole source of 99% of the problems and delays everyone has.

I'll be happy when this is all over and we can come here and spend time in Isaan. I'm growing un-fond of BKK the more business I try to conduct and the more contacts I have her make....

[AaronLV 12]

Went to the Embassy 3pm yesterday and picked up her Passport w/Visa in it, along with the infamous brown sealed envelope.

Also got my plane tickets set for the return trip, we will be in the US on the 19th I fly Eva air all the time, and went to the Ticket counter here in BKK, to change my ticket, and make sure we get seats together on the plane. I was shocked at how difficult of a task that was... I was at the ticket counter for 1 1/2 hours. Turns out the 19th was the only day they could guarantee we would sit together until March 5th.

[scandal 951]

Went to the Embassy 3pm yesterday and picked up her Passport w/Visa in it, along with the infamous brown sealed envelope.

Also got my plane tickets set for the return trip, we will be in the US on the 19th I fly Eva air all the time, and went to the Ticket counter here in BKK, to change my ticket, and make sure we get seats together on the plane. I was shocked at how difficult of a task that was... I was at the ticket counter for 1 1/2 hours. Turns out the 19th was the only day they could guarantee we would sit together until March 5th.

Woohoo!!! Congratulations Aaron. Have a safe trip home with your new bride, and good luck in your new life together stateside.

(We're still stuck at NVC, apparently the typical wait is 7 weeks if you fall into that black hole. We have 5 weeks to go at that rate)