Matt_Stevens Interview Rally

[STL_HCMC 0]

CONGRATULATIONS to you both! Wishing your pink is the start of a wave of pink to come this month!

Looking forward to your details after some rest! Nice to see your co-sponsor wasn't an issue as we both share that as a similarity in our case.

Menyoo - your up next (July 10th) bud! We'll get your rally going soon. Then it is my turn (July 19th) before Nhatrang rounds things out for the month of July!

Congratulations again to you both Matt. What an excellent resource we have ALL found here at VisaJourney. Just remember to keep visiting to ensure those after us can enjoy the details that prepared us all so well.

STL_HCMC

[Mike n Huong 1]

Matt and Anh, Congrats to you. We are really happy for you and now the worry is over and the excitement begins!!!!

Congrats,

Mike and Huong

[MHandMB 0]

Congratulations! Enjoy your reunion!

[CarolineM 0]

What great news!@

[chuckandkim 0]

Matt and Anh,

Congratulations on your first and most important milestone of the Journey. Excellent interview I bet and can't wait to hear from you two in detail what they asked and what was the key answer that seal the deal?

When do they tell her to return to pick up her Visa? Not to break your bubbles, but don't pop the cork yet, wait until the Visa is in her passport and in her hand, just in case.... BUT, cheer up everyone!

Love,

Chuck and Kim

[Dixie_Peach 1]

great news!!! congraulations!

[justin728jn 0]

congraaats, can't wait to hear the details tomorrow....

[Matt_Stevens 5]

Thank you everyone. Really. From the bottom of our hearts Anh and I thank you.

Here is how it happened...

First of all, I decided on the Orgy of Evidence theory. Why take a risk on not including something?

2005 tax year was not available so I included the letter from the IRS (plus the stamped envelope it came in) saying that I cannot not yet receive 2005 transcripts. I included proof from years 2002 - 2004 and a letter stating my ex-wife threw out all my W2's so I could only include what I was able to obtain from former employers.

I included a picture of my car, copy of car insurance and a copy of the title for proof I owned my own new car with no loan. Just helps proof financial security.

My parents were co-sponsors, but amazingly enough, they were not considered. The interviewer told Anh that my income was enough. That really worried me because of the lack of 2005 records, but the letter from the IRS did the trick. However, anyone going through HCMC with a co-sponsor may run into trouble because the interviewer did tell Anh they don't consider them as of this year because of fraud.

I found my original birth certificate right before the interview and sent it to Anh and she put it on top of the certified copies from my town hall.

The interview:

When she arrived a Vietnamese lady took the packet and got upset because there would be no way for her to find anything. Anh pointed out the tabs at the bottom which will make it very easy and the woman frowned, but stopped complaining. Anh saw this same women yell at a lot of girls about their packets.

Anh waited until around 9:45am when she was called over. The translator talked first, in Vietnamese, then the interviewer, "a very handsome looking young man" started to talk in English.

1. "What is your fiancé’s name and does he have any nicknames?" Anh spoke directly to the interviewer in English. She said my name and that she just calls me Matthew when she wants me to give her something.

2. "How did you meet your fiancé?" Anh told him in English and the translator left. When she explained about our meeting in Paris at the Eiffel Tower her interviewer smiled and said it sounded incredibly romantic. He was very warm and friendly and right then Anh knew she would get the visa.

Other questions...

3. Do you know anything about Matthew's ex-wife?

4. What does Matthew do for a living?

5. What were you doing in Paris?

6. What do you plan to do when you go to America? Work or continue your education?

And that's it. The other questions involved small talk. He asked about her experiences traveling and they talked about Paris and Munich and just acted like it was a casual conversation.

He then asked for evidence and she handed him the pictures of our three meetings. Again, he commented on Paris and recommended we honeymoon there because it would be romantic and like in a movie.

Then he saw us in a picture at an art gallery where Anh used to work. We were standing next to a beautiful painting and he asked why we chose that painting. Anh explained that it was out favorite and that we hoped to buy it one day. He told her too late, he just bought it!! I ###### you not. You cannot make this stuff up! Unreal!

Then he saw the Euro Disney photo and asked if I told her about Disney World in Florida and Anh said yes, that I told her it was better. He agreed and said I would be a bad husband if I do not take her there.

Interview over! "OK, you can come back tomorrow and get your visa. I hope your honeymoon is as romantic as your first meeting."

This was the kind of interview one can only dream of. Now, that being said, this IS Ho Chi Minh City and time after time people will go back the next day for their visa only to find there is a new problem. I hope and pray that does not happen. So I will stay calm until tomorrow morning. If that visa is in her passport, I'll then dance the jig.

[STL_HCMC 0]

Thanks for the interview details!

Your comment regarding co-sponsors really put a bit of fear into myself and our case!

While my income in HCMC is over the 125% level for a household of two, it is just that, my income in HCMC and only HCMC. I will be returning to the USA (hopefully with my fiancee and her visa) with no employment as my contract will have finished here in VN. This is our reason for securing a co-sponsor, to show a guarantee until I landed a new position in the United States. Unfortunately my employer here doesn't have any USA operations. Kind of difficult to find another job in the United States while working half-way around the world in Vietnam!

This has really cranked up the anxiety a few notches! I'm surprised this was stated by the interviewing officer.

WOW - stressed to the max now!

STL_HCMC

However, anyone going through HCMC with a co-sponsor may run into trouble because the interviewer did tell Anh they don't consider them as of this year because of fraud.

[Matt_Stevens 5]

Yes, I do not blame you. But Anh did ask him if they ever consider them and the guy said in some very special cases only. In your case I think it is clear the reason for a co-sponsor and I believe they will accept it.

[chuckandkim 0]

Not to hi-jack your thread Matt, but STL's worry is legit...

However, i disagree with your statement: "This is our reason for securing a co-sponsor, to show a guarantee until I landed a new position in the United States. Unfortunately my employer here doesn't have any USA operations. Kind of difficult to find another job in the United States while working half-way around the world in Vietnam" Nobody can ask you to "guarantee" to have a job by the time of your return to the STATES, it's almost impossible to promise everyone on VJ they will have their job for good, and make them to promise to keep it. Changing job is a norm here in the States, people move to a better job, lost their job for various reason, it's part of this econome. So, they will look at your past, present to project your future level of income Which I think with a college degree or graudate degree, your chance of landing a new job is better than most already. What stop you or guarantee you won't get another contract working "remotely" for this VN company in the future? Nothing is guarantee, so it's up to you to present your plan and state your case in the right path to convince the C.O. that you are worthy and good enough to have your fiance here with you

Good luck and again, thank you!

[STL_HCMC 0]

Hi Matt,

I appreciate your follow-up. I guess I can only hope that they will view us as one of those "special cases". I'm just wondering how to help them view our case that way?

My income here in VN is very comfortable for the local standard of living, over the 125% poverty level for two, but under $25K/yr. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Thanks again for your follow-up and best of luck to you and Anh both on the rest of the VisaJourney!

STL_HCMC

Yes, I do not blame you. But Anh did ask him if they ever consider them and the guy said in some very special cases only. In your case I think it is clear the reason for a co-sponsor and I believe they will accept it.

Matt - I too apologize for imposing on your thread. Not trying to rain on your parade.

Hi chuckandkim,

I appreciate your words of encouragement and motivation regarding our case. I understand none of us can guarantee our employment to the Consulate, but perhaps most people don't work on a contract that states when his/her employment with be ending. No unemployment compensation from a Vietnamese job! The fact is the Consulate will know when my employment is ending. I signed the affidavit of support that I agree that I'm willing and able to support my fiancee from becoming a public charge to the United States.

If they don't accept my father as co-sponsor, and they realize that when granting my fiancee a visa I'll be traveling back to the United States unemployed, that would signal that our first steps on to USA soil would be without a steady income every month. Could I land a job quickly? Sure. I have a great network to rely on. Could it also take some time to find a job? Sure - and I'm sure they will consider that fact as well.

I'm not supressing your motivational comments chuckandkim. Just trying to think of ALL sides of the box.

I guess at this point there isn't much else that can be done. It is left for them to decide!

Appreciate all of your comments - chuckandkim and Matt! This one will be at the top of my mind for the next 3 weeks!

STL_HCMC

Not to hi-jack your thread Matt, but STL's worry is legit...

However, i disagree with your statement: "This is our reason for securing a co-sponsor, to show a guarantee until I landed a new position in the United States. Unfortunately my employer here doesn't have any USA operations. Kind of difficult to find another job in the United States while working half-way around the world in Vietnam" Nobody can ask you to "guarantee" to have a job by the time of your return to the STATES, it's almost impossible to promise everyone on VJ they will have their job for good, and make them to promise to keep it. Changing job is a norm here in the States, people move to a better job, lost their job for various reason, it's part of this econome. So, they will look at your past, present to project your future level of income Which I think with a college degree or graudate degree, your chance of landing a new job is better than most already. What stop you or guarantee you won't get another contract working "remotely" for this VN company in the future? Nothing is guarantee, so it's up to you to present your plan and state your case in the right path to convince the C.O. that you are worthy and good enough to have your fiance here with you

Good luck and again, thank you!

[menyoo 0]

Congrat to both of you!!!!

I'm excited and very anxious

[Kevin&Loan 0]

CHUC MUNG ... CHUC MUNG ... CHUC MUNG ...

[sweetiewynn 0]

Congrats you two. So let me guess, she's on the next plane you can get?