SAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)

[paintbrush 0]

i was wondering of all people that past interview got visa and flew to u.s. did they have one -way

or round trip? our fiancee's are coming on a 90 day visa ..when my girl went to europe some years back on

a one way she almost did not get in , they wanted to see a return ticket.I am thinking they will do the same here? just curious.. most of the round trip are only about 300 more than one way so am thinking better safe the

sorry.

One way tickets are fine, the K visas are for immigrating to the US.

thanks aaron

[Danno2 0]

**** <-Insert Profane Language Here, (extended RANT deleted)....

I am not a happy camper this morning. This is really upsetting.

[bill13060 0]

**** <-Insert Profane Language Here, (extended RANT deleted)....

I am not a happy camper this morning. This is really upsetting.

why are you not happy, what happened? If you don't mind me asking.

[*Robert* 2]

Sorry to hear the Birch Bear got a 221g... that sucks.

So what the hell happened to HYENA?!

Edited April 9, 2009 by roi_aggie

[Danno2 0]

Sorry about not quoting... Its the birchbeer embassy do-over situation. You take someone who has been around for a long time and learned from everyone else. They go to the embassy and get turned away. That's VERY disappointing to me.

We have not heard what the reason was so maybe they have just missed something and I've jumped of the ledge...

[Danno2 0]

I emailed HYENA the other day. He is still around but very upset about the lack of NOA2 after the RFE. His situation sucks as well.

[scandal 951]

Sorry about not quoting... Its the birchbeer embassy do-over situation. You take someone who has been around for a long time and learned from everyone else. They go to the embassy and get turned away. That's VERY disappointing to me.

We have not heard what the reason was so maybe they have just missed something and I've jumped of the ledge...

I share your sentiment. It is disheartening that if someone as prepared & organized as Birchbeer ran into trouble, that spells trouble for the rest of us.

Given how slow & drawn out our case has been, with delays at CSC, NVC and even now at the embassy, I'm not sure I could take delays/rejections at the interview stage. I'm mentally building up an image of a quick hassle-free interview and approval. Anything short of that is going to be a real downer.

[AaronLV 12]

I'm mentally building up an image of a quick hassle-free interview and approval. Anything short of that is going to be a real downer.

I had the same build up and it was a major let down. Think the worst and then when it goes through with no problems it will not be a let down.

I emailed HYENA the other day. He is still around but very upset about the lack of NOA2 after the RFE. His situation sucks as well.

I am shocked he is still waiting for NOA2. That sucks.

[afisher 0]

Not a lot of good news here lately.

[ladywhite 0]

Sorry about not quoting... Its the birchbeer embassy do-over situation. You take someone who has been around for a long time and learned from everyone else. They go to the embassy and get turned away. That's VERY disappointing to me.

We have not heard what the reason was so maybe they have just missed something and I've jumped of the ledge...

I share your sentiment. It is disheartening that if someone as prepared & organized as Birchbeer ran into trouble, that spells trouble for the rest of us.

Given how slow & drawn out our case has been, with delays at CSC, NVC and even now at the embassy, I'm not sure I could take delays/rejections at the interview stage. I'm mentally building up an image of a quick hassle-free interview and approval. Anything short of that is going to be a real downer.

I remember my K-1 ordeal back in 2007. Back then, the interview process and visa issuance were not anything as strict and as tough as they are today. It was quick, simple, and easy. USC fiances were allowed to go in to the building with their Thai fiancees and to the interview windows. Pretty much everyone passed a K-1 interview and got a visa. Administrative reviews rarely occurred. Co-sponsor was also acceptable for those USC who didn't meet the poverty guideline.

Even though I was more than 100% sure that I was so damn well prepared for the interview, I was issued a 221g myself for more evidence related to my previous stay in the US (who would have thought the CO would want to see my US transcripts?). Of course, it delayed my visa issuance but once I submitted what they wanted to the CO, I got my visa. Let's hope that the 221g that Birchbeer has got is nothing more than just a request for a simple, easy to obtain, additional document.

This is not easy for any of us in this visa process (even AOS or Naturalization, for that matter). But I do want to convey some encouragement to all of you. You are prepared the best you can and hope for the best!!!

Get cheered up, please.....

Ladywhite

P.S. If any of you has a fiancee who has stayed in the US before (like going to school or being an Au pair), she might want to take with her to her interview additional proof/evidence that shows that her stay in the US was legal (especially if her stay was long -- mine was 8 years). A Passport and visa in it may not be enough for them. Otherwise, she might be issued a 221G like me. Good luck everyone!

[rsn 135]

Sorry about not quoting... Its the birchbeer embassy do-over situation. You take someone who has been around for a long time and learned from everyone else. They go to the embassy and get turned away. That's VERY disappointing to me.

We have not heard what the reason was so maybe they have just missed something and I've jumped of the ledge...

I share your sentiment. It is disheartening that if someone as prepared & organized as Birchbeer ran into trouble, that spells trouble for the rest of us.

Given how slow & drawn out our case has been, with delays at CSC, NVC and even now at the embassy, I'm not sure I could take delays/rejections at the interview stage. I'm mentally building up an image of a quick hassle-free interview and approval. Anything short of that is going to be a real downer.

My case made it through NVC & USCIS pretty quickly (even though the embassy STILL has not received the case for some unknown reason) but I'm feeling the same way. This is really starting to worry me. The embassy in Bangkok seems like it's trying to make a name for itself. Has anyone heard anything further from BirchBeer?

[Danno2 0]

I had 3 bad things happen in the last 24 hours.

1. Big layoffs just around the corner for my company. I'm not one of them but its 3 days off without pay for me and everyone still employed. The worst part is working with people who I have been told wont be around and not being able to tell them. That’s sucks...

2. The project I'm managing is 35 weeks behind schedule and there is nothing I can do to make it better.

3. Knowing everyone is having problems at the embassy and that my fiancé and I have no control over it. - The deal that’s different for us is we don’t have the length of relationship that others do and we don’t have as much proof as everyone else. We met online in July and I have made 2 long trips. We used to have much more communication with each other but between us both busting our a** at our jobs we don’t have the multi hour conversations, text and IM's going on. We talk at least twice everyday and more over the weekends but that’s pretty much it.

I'm climbing on the soap-box

I understand "The Man" is trying to protect us from ourselves and also protecting our country but I just wish I could do something to get the benefit of the doubt. I've lived a good life and learned quite a few lessons in the process. I also know what people think about marrying a younger Thai girl. I spent months going through every scenario and making sure I understood the consequences of my actions before I made a decision to go down this path. For me to have invested my emotions, 9 months of my life and $8,000 (to this point) should speak something to the commitment I have made to Chada and myself in the process.

Sorry, I'll get down now

Ok so since bad things come in three's our NOA2 should magically appear in my inbox right about...

[scandal 951]

I had 3 bad things happen in the last 24 hours.

1. Big layoffs just around the corner for my company. I'm not one of them but its 3 days off without pay for me and everyone still employed. The worst part is working with people who I have been told wont be around and not being able to tell them. That’s sucks...

2. The project I'm managing is 35 weeks behind schedule and there is nothing I can do to make it better.

3. Knowing everyone is having problems at the embassy and that my fiancé and I have no control over it. - The deal that’s different for us is we don’t have the length of relationship that others do and we don’t have as much proof as everyone else. We met online in July and I have made 2 long trips. We used to have much more communication with each other but between us both busting our a** at our jobs we don’t have the multi hour conversations, text and IM's going on. We talk at least twice everyday and more over the weekends but that’s pretty much it.

I'm climbing on the soap-box

I understand "The Man" is trying to protect us from ourselves and also protecting our country but I just wish I could do something to get the benefit of the doubt. I've lived a good life and learned quite a few lessons in the process. I also know what people think about marrying a younger Thai girl. I spent months going through every scenario and making sure I understood the consequences of my actions before I made a decision to go down this path. For me to have invested my emotions, 9 months of my life and $8,000 (to this point) should speak something to the commitment I have made to Chada and myself in the process.

Sorry, I'll get down now

Ok so since bad things come in three's our NOA2 should magically appear in my inbox right about...

Sorry to hear about all your bad news. The economy is rough ... there are some glimmers it may be getting better (e.g. Wells Fargo had much better than expected earnings today), but I think it will be a long painful road ahead. Be thankful that you do have your job, that is GOOD NEWS!

About your soapbox comment - I agree. The great paradox of the US Immigration system is that the very people who are conscientiously following the rules of the process are the ones bearing the brunt of the inefficiency, cost, bureaucracy and "guilty-till-proven-innocent" approach of the system. It's those who choose to skip the system and either enter the country illegally, or overstay a visa, or pursue an AOS while in the country when their intent was immigration all along - they get an easy ride at our expense. Not that it will make your wait any easier, but at least you can have the satisfaction of knowing that you are doing things by the book.

Danny, all of us who know you (and Thanti of course has met you and Chada personally) know that your relationship with Chada is the genuine article. If I were the CO making the call, I'd have no problem approving you guys in a heartbeat. Same goes for just about everyone else who's story I've come to know on VJ. Quite seriously - if the government wanted to truly distinguish real from fraudulent cases, they could do much worse than monitoring VJ and getting a sense of the loyal devotion all us forcibly separated couples demonstrate here.

I hope you get your NOA2 quickly, and that you and Chada can get on with starting your new life together asap.

[AaronLV 12]

If I were the CO making the call, I'd have no problem approving you guys in a heartbeat. Same goes for just about everyone else who's story I've come to know on VJ. Quite seriously - if the government wanted to truly distinguish real from fraudulent cases, they could do much worse than monitoring VJ and getting a sense of the loyal devotion all us forcibly separated couples demonstrate here.

You have a good point, but the loyalty and devotion on VJ is mainly from the perspective of USC, not from the beneficiary. It seems a lot less fraudulent cases by the people that post here all the time before and after they get their Visa, but alot of them don't come back and say how things are going. Read some of the crazy stories in some of the other forums from guys and woman getting here and then abandoning their USC in some of the other forums. I get bored and browse some of them sometimes. It is interesting and insightful on the entire process, and gives a better understanding of why we are scrutinized so hard. It sucks, but unfortunately a fact of life with all the liars out there. I could go into a story about the girl that was at our medical with us, but I don't know if they are on here, and would rather let people find out truths by themselves.

[rsn 135]

About your soapbox comment - I agree. The great paradox of the US Immigration system is that the very people who are conscientiously following the rules of the process are the ones bearing the brunt of the inefficiency, cost, bureaucracy and "guilty-till-proven-innocent" approach of the system. It's those who choose to skip the system and either enter the country illegally, or overstay a visa, or pursue an AOS while in the country when their intent was immigration all along - they get an easy ride at our expense. Not that it will make your wait any easier, but at least you can have the satisfaction of knowing that you are doing things by the book.

It is frustrating that there needs to be this additional layer of complexity to our lives just because our SO lives in a different country. Relationships are hard enough! On the other hand, things for all of us could be much worse, even if, due to some cruel twist of fate, our visas are denied. I just read this post by another VJ member today. It really made me put my worries about the remaining portion of the visa process in perspective: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...t&p=2822362