How big of a mistake?

[Anh Tau Lao 0]

Well, you could also try the CR1 visa, or whatever it's called. The main worry I would be thinking of is that the consulate in Ho Chi Minh wont take co-sponsors, so you're going to have to be above the poverty line by the end of this year, and possibly next year as well. Good luck.

Is it just a rumor that the Ho Chi Minh consulate is denying applicants with co-sponsors? Can anyone else confirm this?

In my situation, I'm currently working a part-time job with an annual salary of $11,000. I used to have a primary job that pays $60K. But I'm collecting unemployment for that job. I have enough savings and liquid assets in excess of $35K (i am also a co-owner of my house) to meet 5X the difference of the 2009 Federal poverty and my part-time job income. Will i be OK submitting the i-134 affidavit on my own or should i get a co-sponsor? I was thinking of writing a letter to explain my temporary unemployment status and provide W2 forms of previous years income. Please advise.

[Kevin-n-Merlaine 14]

Ok, I really don't ever get so lucky and I'm definitely saving the happy dance for later - But I just talked to Aunt Thuy and was informed that Trinh wants to talk to me.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Ok, I really don't ever get so lucky and I'm definitely saving the happy dance for later - But I just talked to Aunt Thuy and was informed that Trinh wants to talk to me.

Out of the frying pan...

Seriously, where the heck is the :facepalm: emoticon??

[Dai. 7]

Ok, I really don't ever get so lucky and I'm definitely saving the happy dance for later - But I just talked to Aunt Thuy and was informed that Trinh wants to talk to me.

She should have told you before you left Vietnam!! But I guess that would have been AWKWARD since you were suppose to be there for her sister.

[Kevin-n-Merlaine 14]

Ok, I really don't ever get so lucky and I'm definitely saving the happy dance for later - But I just talked to Aunt Thuy and was informed that Trinh wants to talk to me.

Out of the frying pan...

Seriously, where the heck is the :facepalm: emoticon??

Well it's official..LOL I talked to her again and yes Trinh is very interested in me and misses me. I was also told though that she had a big conflict with the fact that I'd gone there to meet her sister. I really hope I can get around this hurdle. If my height was a huge issue for one sister, then I can only imagine what I've gotten myself into with this deal ?!?! (and yes, I just got off the phone with her..lol) LOL @ :facepalm: !! I've been sitting that way most of the day, except there's a perpetual smile buried beneath it

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Ok, I really don't ever get so lucky and I'm definitely saving the happy dance for later - But I just talked to Aunt Thuy and was informed that Trinh wants to talk to me.

Out of the frying pan...

Seriously, where the heck is the :facepalm: emoticon??

Well it's official..LOL I talked to her again and yes Trinh is very interested in me and misses me. I was also told though that she had a big conflict with the fact that I'd gone there to meet her sister. I really hope I can get around this hurdle. If my height was a huge issue for one sister, then I can only imagine what I've gotten myself into with this deal ?!?! (and yes, I just got off the phone with her..lol) LOL @ :facepalm: !! I've been sitting that way most of the day, except there's a perpetual smile buried beneath it

Hey, sister had her chance!

I don't think the height is going to be a problem again, since Trinh has actually MET you!

Now, going ALL THE WAY BACK to your original post, do NOT file the I-129F for Trinh yet!! Get a couple more trips and a dam hoi on your timeline first!

Pssst.... time to change your signature...

[Anh map 2,098]

Yeah, did you get some pics with Trinh when you were there? Gotta start the documentation.

[Kevin-n-Merlaine 14]

Oh no! If she really does want to pursue this, I'll be going back in a few months. I'd like to see where this goes first. It is very different since I spent 15 days with Trinh, and from time to time thought there was something there. Her "boyfriend" went with us to Dalat and ran around with us in Vung Tau. I didn't learn that she was very unhappy with him until a few days before I left. I got the impression though that it was a "I love him, I hate him" kind of thing. MY BAD! She really meant she was done with him I guess. So I never said a word thinking it would have been MONSTEROUSLY improper. She never did either though. I think me leaving stirred something. She called me to tell me she missed me as I was passing through security at HCMC..LOL I'm hopeful but I'm not counting any eggs either. This has been a wild enough ride!!

[Kevin-n-Merlaine 14]

Yeah, did you get some pics with Trinh when you were there? Gotta start the documentation.

I got quite a few of just she and I. I have a lot with everyone in the photos. A good start I think at least. I had a hard time NOT taking pictures of her

[Dai. 7]

Be very careful and don't rush into anything. Get to know her carefully and try to make the trip to see her a couple of times before you make the decision to file the K1 petition. Get to know her well and find out if her true intentions are, like her intention to spend the rest of your lives together before you make the big decision to marry her. Good Luck.

Edited June 11, 2009 by Dai_Tx

[Kevin-n-Merlaine 14]

Be very careful and don't rush into anything. Get to know her carefully and try to make the trip to see her a couple of times before you make the decision to file the K1 petition. Get to know her well and find out if her true intentions are, like her intention to spend the rest of your lives together before you make the big decision to marry her. Good Luck.

Thanks She's an amazing girl and I'm looking forward to taking my time. We got pretty close while I was there so we've started on the right foot I think. Other members of the family plan to go to VN next year and that would probably be when I go again. That gives us plenty of time to see where this all goes. I know it's off subject somewhat, but what is the best way to call VN? I've looked at several different calling plans online. AT&T (my cell service) definitely is NOT one of them. I was just looking at AloViet. It seemed fairly reasonable and I can get call logs from them for immigration purposes. It can also be used (pinless) from anywhere by any registered phone number. Any thoughts?

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Well, you could also try the CR1 visa, or whatever it's called. The main worry I would be thinking of is that the consulate in Ho Chi Minh wont take co-sponsors, so you're going to have to be above the poverty line by the end of this year, and possibly next year as well. Good luck.

Is it just a rumor that the Ho Chi Minh consulate is denying applicants with co-sponsors? Can anyone else confirm this?

In my situation, I'm currently working a part-time job with an annual salary of $11,000. I used to have a primary job that pays $60K. But I'm collecting unemployment for that job. I have enough savings and liquid assets in excess of $35K (i am also a co-owner of my house) to meet 5X the difference of the 2009 Federal poverty and my part-time job income. Will i be OK submitting the i-134 affidavit on my own or should i get a co-sponsor? I was thinking of writing a letter to explain my temporary unemployment status and provide W2 forms of previous years income. Please advise.

Sorry your post was missed.

No, it's apparently not a rumor. Ho Chi Minh doesn't accept co-sponsors. You'll probably be ok with your additional assets, but it's not like there's a magic line that you have to cross, after which you're home free. The consulate has complete discretion over the whole "public charge" requirement. You could meet the minimum requirements and still be denied.

Unemployment is a temporary source of income, and the consulate isn't likely to give it much weight when considering your application. The consulate knows that your unemployment will run out long before your obligation as a sponsor expires. They also know you'll burn through those assets if your unemployment runs out and you don't have another job yet. You'd have a better chance if you were under the poverty level because you had a low paying job.

To make matters worse, Vietnam is a high fraud country. Some US citizens get involved in "pay-for-play" immigration fraud schemes, where they are paid by the family of the beneficiary to sponsor them for fiance or spouse visas. The most likely US citizens to be involved in these sort of scams are people who are down on their luck, which unfortunately describes you. If you know any of her family here in the US then expect the consulate to examine your petition and visa application under a microscope.

What are the chances you'll be back to work before she goes to the interview?

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Be very careful and don't rush into anything. Get to know her carefully and try to make the trip to see her a couple of times before you make the decision to file the K1 petition. Get to know her well and find out if her true intentions are, like her intention to spend the rest of your lives together before you make the big decision to marry her. Good Luck.

Thanks She's an amazing girl and I'm looking forward to taking my time. We got pretty close while I was there so we've started on the right foot I think. Other members of the family plan to go to VN next year and that would probably be when I go again. That gives us plenty of time to see where this all goes. I know it's off subject somewhat, but what is the best way to call VN? I've looked at several different calling plans online. AT&T (my cell service) definitely is NOT one of them. I was just looking at AloViet. It seemed fairly reasonable and I can get call logs from them for immigration purposes. It can also be used (pinless) from anywhere by any registered phone number. Any thoughts?

Does she have internet access at home? If so, buy her a MagicJack and a cheap telephone. Hook it up and register it in your own area code. Bring it with you when you return to VN. She'll be able to call you anytime, talk as long as she wants, and it will be a local call. It's like $30 per year!

[Kevin-n-Merlaine 14]

Be very careful and don't rush into anything. Get to know her carefully and try to make the trip to see her a couple of times before you make the decision to file the K1 petition. Get to know her well and find out if her true intentions are, like her intention to spend the rest of your lives together before you make the big decision to marry her. Good Luck.

Thanks She's an amazing girl and I'm looking forward to taking my time. We got pretty close while I was there so we've started on the right foot I think. Other members of the family plan to go to VN next year and that would probably be when I go again. That gives us plenty of time to see where this all goes. I know it's off subject somewhat, but what is the best way to call VN? I've looked at several different calling plans online. AT&T (my cell service) definitely is NOT one of them. I was just looking at AloViet. It seemed fairly reasonable and I can get call logs from them for immigration purposes. It can also be used (pinless) from anywhere by any registered phone number. Any thoughts?

Does she have internet access at home? If so, buy her a MagicJack and a cheap telephone. Hook it up and register it in your own area code. Bring it with you when you return to VN. She'll be able to call you anytime, talk as long as she wants, and it will be a local call. It's like $30 per year!

Dayum! They don't have any internet access unfortunately, but that's really cheap! It may pay to get internet for her (if this goes..still not counting eggs) and go that route. It would be really nice for Yahoo chatting anyway.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Dayum! They don't have any internet access unfortunately, but that's really cheap! It may pay to get internet for her (if this goes..still not counting eggs) and go that route. It would be really nice for Yahoo chatting anyway.

DSL is pretty cheap in VN. Of course, they must have an actual telephone line at their house.

We had trouble getting the DSL to work reliably at my fiancee's house. Her telephone wiring was like 50 years old. Her DSL speed was constantly slow, and her connection kept dropping out. Her son-in-law, who owns an internet cafe, finally came over and replaced all the telephone wiring in the house, and it's working great now.

The MagicJack is a breeze. All of the software it needs is contained in a flash drive built into the unit. As soon as you plug it in, it installs everything it needs. The only downside is that the call log is limited in size, and you can't download or view the call logs from the MagicJack website. Best to take a screen shot of the log periodically.

Phuong and I don't talk on the MagicJack that often, so we're not really bothered about the call logs. She talks to her sister and uncle with it more than me, but we chat on Yahoo every freakin' day for at least an hour or two. The MagicJack also comes in handy when she can't sleep and calls me at 1:00am VN time to say "Anh chat now?".