SAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)

[HYENA 4]

senator's office called today said noa2 came-it was approved so far but website shows nothing. Interesting, though. This would be about the time the President got my inquiry and my 5th contact to senators since you get a brick wall trying to find out what's really happening.

I'm just hoping...(and I gotta save some serious cash and fast to get there, get duplicates of all the forms, etc)!

Yeah, I'm pretty sure that when President Obama ready your inquiry, he got right on it!

He doesn't read ####### like that!

Well, you know, .... that's actually why we had that low fly-by with the Air Force One plane over lower Manhattan yesterday.... Obama was pre-occupied dealing with I-129F petitions stuck at USCIS and wasn't paying attention to the naughty-naughty Air Force

That flyover was asinine; so they can sell key chains? I'm glad he made his news conference tonight

In reading back posts, someone suggested squeaky wheel seems to get cases done looking thru the numbers and who does/who doesn't (I don't know--I only know I was frustrated with nothing happening).

I'm just happy I finally have the NOA2; that's something at least.

I do appreciate everyone here. This process isn't easy and everyone deals with stress and reacts differently.

[Danno2 0]

CONGRATS HYENA and welcome to the NOA2 club! You deserve some relief but now you get to deal with "The Man".

[HYENA 4]

CONGRATS HYENA and welcome to the NOA2 club! You deserve some relief but now you get to deal with "The Man".

LOL! I'm really worried about "da man"

If I can "figure him out" then it may be easier but I have a feeling his personality is one of conflict....not impressed until a conflict is won (I need to look into that more) or the undying need to be right regardless of a perfect file. WOuld groveling or bowing help? Given 2 equal cases, they're certainly not handled equally. I'll definitely tell her to dress nice but try to look ugly (since that assistant will more likely than not 1. be prejudice against Isaan, 2. Be catty as hell.

You'll have to share what THE MAN does and how it all works. She's worried about him, too but I told her out file is soooo thick with pics, phone logs, emails, money, gifts, receips, boarding passes....I don't see how they could deny but they more likely than not will play with us (seem to get a kick out of it).

Edited April 30, 2009 by HYENA

[AaronLV 12]

If I can "figure him out" then it may be easier but I have a feeling his personality is one of conflict....not impressed until a conflict is won (I need to look into that more) or the undying need to be right regardless of a perfect file. WOuld groveling or bowing help? Given 2 equal cases, they're certainly not handled equally. I'll definitely tell her to dress nice but try to look ugly (since that assistant will more likely than not 1. be prejudice against Isaan, 2. Be catty as hell.

Not everyone in Bangkok is prejudice against Isaan, I would venture to even say the majority are not prejudice against Isaan. There have been a few people recently with fiancee's from Isaan, and were through on the 1st interview.

I would not spend anytime trying to figure out the consular, you will lose sleep and stress you out, over something you have no control of. Best you can hope for is put the packet together properly, have everything you need in it, and she goes in for the interview. After that you will either pass, or have to bring some other things back. This is a fact of life, it sucks, but in the end, I think the majority get approved, just have to jump through that extra hoop.

[scandal 951]

CONGRATS HYENA and welcome to the NOA2 club! You deserve some relief but now you get to deal with "The Man".

LOL! I'm really worried about "da man"

If I can "figure him out" then it may be easier but I have a feeling his personality is one of conflict....not impressed until a conflict is won (I need to look into that more) or the undying need to be right regardless of a perfect file. WOuld groveling or bowing help? Given 2 equal cases, they're certainly not handled equally. I'll definitely tell her to dress nice but try to look ugly (since that assistant will more likely than not 1. be prejudice against Isaan, 2. Be catty as hell.

You'll have to share what THE MAN does and how it all works. She's worried about him, too but I told her out file is soooo thick with pics, phone logs, emails, money, gifts, receips, boarding passes....I don't see how they could deny but they more likely than not will play with us (seem to get a kick out of it).

You're putting MONEY in your file?? I sincerely hope you're not trying to bribe the CO? That will 100% get you denied, and banned for life!

[daboyz 36]

CONGRATS HYENA and welcome to the NOA2 club! You deserve some relief but now you get to deal with "The Man".

LOL! I'm really worried about "da man"

If I can "figure him out" then it may be easier but I have a feeling his personality is one of conflict....not impressed until a conflict is won (I need to look into that more) or the undying need to be right regardless of a perfect file. WOuld groveling or bowing help? Given 2 equal cases, they're certainly not handled equally. I'll definitely tell her to dress nice but try to look ugly (since that assistant will more likely than not 1. be prejudice against Isaan, 2. Be catty as hell.

You'll have to share what THE MAN does and how it all works. She's worried about him, too but I told her out file is soooo thick with pics, phone logs, emails, money, gifts, receips, boarding passes....I don't see how they could deny but they more likely than not will play with us (seem to get a kick out of it).

You'll be fine. You are K-1. They only seem to give married people a hard time.

[HYENA 4]

CONGRATS HYENA and welcome to the NOA2 club! You deserve some relief but now you get to deal with "The Man".

LOL! I'm really worried about "da man"

If I can "figure him out" then it may be easier but I have a feeling his personality is one of conflict....not impressed until a conflict is won (I need to look into that more) or the undying need to be right regardless of a perfect file. WOuld groveling or bowing help? Given 2 equal cases, they're certainly not handled equally. I'll definitely tell her to dress nice but try to look ugly (since that assistant will more likely than not 1. be prejudice against Isaan, 2. Be catty as hell.

You'll have to share what THE MAN does and how it all works. She's worried about him, too but I told her out file is soooo thick with pics, phone logs, emails, money, gifts, receips, boarding passes....I don't see how they could deny but they more likely than not will play with us (seem to get a kick out of it).

You're putting MONEY in your file?? I sincerely hope you're not trying to bribe the CO? That will 100% get you denied, and banned for life!

thanks for your responses (I mean proof of support, gifts...not real gifts and real money)! That was good but I guess you never know!

I guess I can only do what I can do, try not to sweat it as Aaron says and put one foot in front of the other. I agree, many Bangkokians are very kind, pleasent and respectful regardless of who you are...it was just a reckless assumption why the assistant would repeatedly state items are not in files when some have large labeled tabs like "Taxes 2008, 2007" etc and she says "no have".

but now that you talk of bribes.....good idea! (LOL) not!

[HYENA 4]

CONGRATS HYENA and welcome to the NOA2 club! You deserve some relief but now you get to deal with "The Man".

LOL! I'm really worried about "da man"

If I can "figure him out" then it may be easier but I have a feeling his personality is one of conflict....not impressed until a conflict is won (I need to look into that more) or the undying need to be right regardless of a perfect file. WOuld groveling or bowing help? Given 2 equal cases, they're certainly not handled equally. I'll definitely tell her to dress nice but try to look ugly (since that assistant will more likely than not 1. be prejudice against Isaan, 2. Be catty as hell.

You'll have to share what THE MAN does and how it all works. She's worried about him, too but I told her out file is soooo thick with pics, phone logs, emails, money, gifts, receips, boarding passes....I don't see how they could deny but they more likely than not will play with us (seem to get a kick out of it).

You'll be fine. You are K-1. They only seem to give married people a hard time.

that's good and bad to know (bad for the married folks)..maybe cause they're more of a slam dunk and his powers are less? who knows?

The guy I flew back with had similar stories I saw on the forum and he just got back from da man denying again. For him it's been 5 years and had 2 kids during his process(s) and he was saying his relationship isn't legit, told him to come back in a few months but he's in the military, had to go )da man was meeting with him directly). He was kind of a hothead, though so I'm not privy to what really happened.

Maybe I vent or flood worries out on paper but these are just thrown out thoughts late after a few--There's definitely a time and place to be appropriate and give the guy the respect he deserves and he will get.

Edited April 30, 2009 by HYENA

[daboyz 36]

CONGRATS HYENA and welcome to the NOA2 club! You deserve some relief but now you get to deal with "The Man".

LOL! I'm really worried about "da man"

If I can "figure him out" then it may be easier but I have a feeling his personality is one of conflict....not impressed until a conflict is won (I need to look into that more) or the undying need to be right regardless of a perfect file. WOuld groveling or bowing help? Given 2 equal cases, they're certainly not handled equally. I'll definitely tell her to dress nice but try to look ugly (since that assistant will more likely than not 1. be prejudice against Isaan, 2. Be catty as hell.

You'll have to share what THE MAN does and how it all works. She's worried about him, too but I told her out file is soooo thick with pics, phone logs, emails, money, gifts, receips, boarding passes....I don't see how they could deny but they more likely than not will play with us (seem to get a kick out of it).

You'll be fine. You are K-1. They only seem to give married people a hard time.

that's good and bad to know (bad for the married folks)..maybe cause they're more of a slam dunk and his powers are less? who knows?

The guy I flew back with had similar stories I saw on the forum and he just got back from da man denying again. For him it's been 5 years and had 2 kids during his process(s) and he was saying his relationship isn't legit, told him to come back in a few months but he's in the military, had to go )da man was meeting with him directly). He was kind of a hothead, though so I'm not privy to what really happened.

Maybe I vent or flood worries out on paper but these are just thrown out thoughts late after a few--There's definitely a time and place to be appropriate and give the guy the respect he deserves and he will get.

I'm willing to chip on a few bucks to buy one of these for Hyena:

http://www.breathalyzer.net/index2.html

Anyone with me?

Not sure if you can connect it to the USB port.

[Danno2 0]

Thinking about whats ahead for those of us pre-interview causes a tremendous amount of stress and affects everyone differently. I personally found it very relieving when I mailed Chada everything to complete packet 3 and 4. (Like ok, I'm done and its Chada's turn) Now that we are only waiting for the police report I know I have done everything possible and have shifted my thoughts forward to something I can control.

Just like I created the Pre-NOA2 checklist to focus on a few months ago I am working with my SO on things we need to do personally to get out of Bangkok. (lets call it a Pre-POE checklist). I am also planning a 3 weeks road-trip around the US National Parks for us in August. I do this to give us both of us something pleasant to do instead of worrying. I think of it as brain candy...

This might not work for everyone but it help keep me sane.

[ThaitoUSA 15]

My fiancée was just expressing concern about the interview date. She mailed back Packet 3 two weeks ago and wants Packet 4. I told her "All in good time," yet she is thinking about all that needs to be done prior to leaving and subsequent to receiving the visa.

My solution is to accept reality and then do the best I can in any given situation. Beyond that I just let it go, or 'let it be.'

[scandal 951]

My fiancée was just expressing concern about the interview date. She mailed back Packet 3 two weeks ago and wants Packet 4. I told her "All in good time," yet she is thinking about all that needs to be done prior to leaving and subsequent to receiving the visa.

My solution is to accept reality and then do the best I can in any given situation. Beyond that I just let it go, or 'let it be.'

We're in the same boat. We mailed Packet 3 on April 3, they officially record it as "received" at the embassy April 8. Today is April 30. No sign yet of a Packet 4 or interview date.

That makes at least 3 of us here on VJ (you, us, Danny&Chada) that are imminent for interview. (Chada still needs to mail in the P-3...).

However on the usvisa4thai list, Thanti is telling me that there are many (she figures around 20) active cases waiting for an interview date in BKK, many from mid-late March. So far as we can tell, nobody has been given a Packet 4 in several weeks now. Sure, they had Songkran and some street rowdiness, but that's been past now for a few weeks too. Something is backed up in the embassy.........

Nothing really to do but wait, and periodically send an email request. We have been doing that weekly. Thanti was going to send one last night, so we may get a response by Friday. Let's see if anything starts moving there.

Like you, we're having a very difficult time scheduling real life around this. Thanti needs to give proper notice at work before resigning. She works shifts as part of a team and their shift schedule is set a month in advance. They're now setting the June schedule. Once Thanti commits to her hours for June she feels obligated to work through the whole month. That means that even if the blippin embassy schedules her interview for late May or early June, we won't be able to get her on a plane till July at this rate. I shouldn't keep bitchng about it, but I'm getting really pissed off. We were stuck at NVC for close to 2 months, and now the Embassy is just as bad.

For all of our wives/fiancees in this situation, it's very difficult. It's an entire uprooting of their lives - they need to quit jobs, make arrangements for family members left behind, pack, plan for their futures. And they do it with good humor and optimism. Is it so much to ask that we can circle a date on the calendar with some degree of confidence as the likely point of departure? Good grief.

[afisher 0]

My fiancée was just expressing concern about the interview date. She mailed back Packet 3 two weeks ago and wants Packet 4. I told her "All in good time," yet she is thinking about all that needs to be done prior to leaving and subsequent to receiving the visa.

My solution is to accept reality and then do the best I can in any given situation. Beyond that I just let it go, or 'let it be.'

We're in the same boat. We mailed Packet 3 on April 3, they officially record it as "received" at the embassy April 8. Today is April 30. No sign yet of a Packet 4 or interview date.

That makes at least 3 of us here on VJ (you, us, Danny&Chada) that are imminent for interview. (Chada still needs to mail in the P-3...).

However on the usvisa4thai list, Thanti is telling me that there are many (she figures around 20) active cases waiting for an interview date in BKK, many from mid-late March. So far as we can tell, nobody has been given a Packet 4 in several weeks now. Sure, they had Songkran and some street rowdiness, but that's been past now for a few weeks too. Something is backed up in the embassy.........

Nothing really to do but wait, and periodically send an email request. We have been doing that weekly. Thanti was going to send one last night, so we may get a response by Friday. Let's see if anything starts moving there.

Like you, we're having a very difficult time scheduling real life around this. Thanti needs to give proper notice at work before resigning. She works shifts as part of a team and their shift schedule is set a month in advance. They're now setting the June schedule. Once Thanti commits to her hours for June she feels obligated to work through the whole month. That means that even if the blippin embassy schedules her interview for late May or early June, we won't be able to get her on a plane till July at this rate. I shouldn't keep bitchng about it, but I'm getting really pissed off. We were stuck at NVC for close to 2 months, and now the Embassy is just as bad.

For all of our wives/fiancees in this situation, it's very difficult. It's an entire uprooting of their lives - they need to quit jobs, make arrangements for family members left behind, pack, plan for their futures. And they do it with good humor and optimism. Is it so much to ask that we can circle a date on the calendar with some degree of confidence as the likely point of departure? Good grief.

We should be able to mail P3 any day now. Just waiting for the Thai post office to deliver the forms I sent to my girl. Once she has them, she'll sign them and send them to the embassy. Hopefully we get an interview date soon. Her attachment to Thailand is pretty easy to sever, but I want to go over for the interview and I have a lot of things and people that need me here in NYC. It's hard to set up fights for my students if I'm not sure when I'll be in LOS or the states.

[HYENA 4]

I received this email from the lawyer's office. I need to know what you think about the bank officer part (seems this is standard response for all countries (at least that's what we needed for US government mortgages...copies of bank statements no bank officer involvement necessary). What have you all done?

"Please also begin to compile the following documents, which will be submitted with your Affidavit of Support. A draft of your Affidavit of Support will be forthcoming.

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).

You should receive a notice from the National Visa Center notifying you that your petition will be sent to the US Embassy Bangkok. The notice should also include a case number starting with “BNK.” Please be looking for this notice and send me a copy via e-mail upon your receipt. Thank you.

I switched to Schwab (still have BOA) because 2 people here suggested it for the no atm fees in BKK and no nickel and diming...and they give the real exchange rate (BOA gets you coming and going, skewing the forex rate, as well). Just to change money here, it costs $45-$55 to change $1000....insanity! I've been using Schwab and taken the money access worries away (thanks for that valuable suggestion; now she uses one card, I have one)

Edited April 30, 2009 by HYENA

[HYENA 4]

will my tax returns do or do i need tax transcripts from the irs? Just clarifying (wanting to follow suit with others who have been approved). This is exciting...3 of us coming down to the home stretch!