My timeline #2, feed back please

[Anh bob 0]

Hello all. Thank you all for your replies. I made some adjustments and would like your opinions. I'm trying to complete this so I can bring it with me when I leave to go back to VN, hopefully within a week. Thanks again.

TIMELINE OF RELATIONSHIP

Robert XXXXX

XXXXX Drive

XXXXX, New York

U.S. Consulate General.

Immigrant Visa Section

4 Le Duan St., District 01,

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Re: Timeline of relationship with my wife, Ngoc Anh XXXXX(DOB: April 02, 19XX Case number HCM XXXX XXX XXX).

I, Robert XXXXX, a citizen of the U.S., am the husband of Ngoc Anh XXXXX, The following is a sworn affidavit documenting the timeline of our relationship from July 25, 2007 to the present.

I met Ngoc Anh through a neighbor and longtime friend, Nguyen XXXXX, whom I have known for over 15 years.

My ex-wife and I separated in May of 1994, with her moving in with her mother. Our divorce was finalized in 2000. Since my separation in 1994 I had had no dating relationship with any woman. My life was pretty much limited to working and being the best father I could be to my son, Richard. He and I lived in our house for the next several years until 1997 when financial considerations made it necessary for me and him to move in with my mother at XXXXX; next door to Nguyen XXXXX, who lives at XXXXX.

Nguyen and I have had a neighborly relationship since he moved in next door to my mother. We would speak often on all kinds of subjects. I am a home improvement contractor by trade. In July of 2007 Nguyen asked me for advice on the care and maintenance of his house. After giving my opinion on how he should go about taking care of the situation we sat down for lunch. As I was casually glancing at a number of family pictures he had nearby, one, of an attractive young woman, caught my eye.

Responding to my questions, he told me she was his niece, Ngoc Anh, and she was a single parent like me. She had been married from 1995 until February of 2001, when her husband died in a forestry accident.

I had asked Nguyen to call her to introduce me.

The first time I spoke with Ngoc Anh on the phone was July 25, 2007. Nguyen called her with me on an extension. She spoke very little English at the time and I spoke no Vietnamese. We began to talk weekly at first; with Nguyen as translator for the first couple of weeks. At this time she started taking English lessons from a tutor and was soon able to speak with me without a translator. Soon we began sharing family history and getting to know each other. I learned she had two young children; a girl, Duyen, and a boy, Manh, whom she supported by cooking food that she sold from a pushcart.

In September of 2007 I gave Ngoc Anh my e-mail address over the phone in one conversation. On September 17, 2007 she initiated our first e-mail correspondence, to which I quickly replied. We developed a lively interchange, averaging about two messages from each of us weekly. She wrote in English, which was at first barely understandable, but got better as time went on. We found we could communicate directly, without Nguyen's help.

As we grew closer we commenced talking through Yahoo Messenger beginning on October 19, 2007; seeing each other live and in color with the webcam while typing instant messages. My messenger screen name is XXXXX; hers is XXXXX. I bought a webcam; Ngoc Anh used one available in an internet café at her home in XXXXX. We continued to communicate in that way for almost six months.

I have saved all of our e-mail correspondence, as well as all of our Yahoo Messenger conversations since September of 2007.

Although we were physically on opposite sides of the world, those webcam conversations allowed our relationship to grow almost as if we were in the same room.

By mid November we knew we were in love and expressed it in our messages. I felt our relationship had become very serious. We had discussed marriage and were both very comfortable with it. The proposal came after many long conversations over the phone and over the internet. On November 16, 2007, as we were chatting on the webcam I asked her to marry me and during the course of the ensuing conversation she agreed.

We determined a course of action. I would go to Vietnam, where we would have a formal engagement party. I would then apply for fiancee visas for her and her children, which we thought would be the easiest way to bring them all to the United States. We planned a simple civil wedding within a month of her arrival, followed by a small reception for our families at a restaurant.

At that time, Richard and I were still living at my mother's house. Because Ngoc Anh and her family and I would need our own house I bought a house at XXXXX, in the XXXXX suburb of XXXXX, New York in April of 2008. I chose XXXXX because it has an excellent school district and would offer Ngoc Anh and the children a far safer and nicer place to live. I also purchased a van in October of 2007 because as a family we would need a larger vehicle.

Since she accepted my proposal of marriage I have been sending my wife money (averaging $200 a month) to help with the support my family.

I flew to Vietnam the first time to meet Ngoc Anh and her family on February 6, 2008, accompanied by Nguyen. We flew from New York to Ho Chi Minh City, stayed overnight with Nguyen's relatives, then flew the final XXX miles to XXX on February 8, 2008.

When we arrived at XXXXXX airport Ngoc Anh was there to meet us with many members of her family, including her father, Di; her sister, Ngoc Chau; her aunt, and her uncle, with other relatives and children. She brought me flowers. In two vans we then proceeded to her home. Ngoc Anh lives in a small gated family compound consisting of two houses; one in which she lives with the children and the other in which her parents live. We went directly to the home of her parents.

During the visit to Vietnam I got to know Ngoc Anh's family very well. I quickly grew close to Duyen and Manh, Ngoc Anh's children. Both have been calling me "Dad" since my first visit. Duyen has picked up more English than Manh, and talks to me in English all the time.

On February 12, 2008, we celebrated our engagement with a traditional dính hon ceremony, which included an exchange of rings, followed by a large family feast. It reminded me of wedding ceremonies I have attended here in XXXXX, with all the people and conversation and plenty of food.

The three weeks I remained in Vietnam after the engagement party were perhaps the happiest weeks of my life, as Ngoc Anh and I spent virtually all of our time together; sometimes alone and sometimes sightseeing with her family. Most of the time Ngoc Anh and I and Ngoc Chau and her husband, Tuan, would travel on motorbikes; she and Ngoc Chau on one bike and me and Tuan on the other.

On February 13 we went shopping at the XXXXX market with Ngoc Anh's sister, her brother-in-law, and her nephew. On February 14 Ngoc Anh and I went with her father, her sister and the children to her aunt and uncle's house for lunch. There were maybe 18 people all together at Uncle Ngoc and Aunt Loc's house that day. Big feast, lots of fun, and me learning the Vietnamese culture and traditions.

Most days we would just stay at her parent's house. I was getting to know her family and they were getting to know me by interacting with the children, going for walks, buying ice cream.

On February 24 we went sightseeing to the XXXXX, along with Ngoc Anh's children, her cousin, Bun, sister, Ngoc Chau, and Ngoc Chau's husband, Tuan.

I left XXXXX on March 3, 2008, and Ngoc Anh came with me to Ho Chi Minh City, which is a XXXX mile trip. She left her children behind so she could be with me as long as possible before I left for the United States on March 6, 2008. On arrival back in the United States I filed the I-129F Fiancee Visa Petition for Ngoc Anh on Tues., 3/18/08, which the Service Center approved on June 23, 2008.

During this time we continued our regular conversations over the internet and webcam and telephone. Between March 7 and my departure on August 2, 2008, we were conversing by webcam and telephone approximately four times per week. On her birthday, April 2, 2008, I spoke with her for two hours on the phone.

I left XXXXX to return to Vietnam on August 2, 2008, to be with Ngoc Anh as she prepared to move to the United States. I arrived in XXXXX the morning of August 4 and again was greeted by my fiancee with a bouquet of flowers. We began completing the necessary paperwork and preparing for the interview. We sent the paperwork to Ho Chi Minh City on August 6, 2008. We then proceeded to enjoy each other's company, sightseeing and shopping. It was Ngoc Anh's way of saying good-bye to her country.

On August 10 we went to the XXXXX XXXXX hot springs. On August 18 we visited XXXXX Beach. On August 31 we went to XXXXX XXXXX Lake.

During this time, every two or three days we would go grocery shopping. Either the supermarket near her house on XXXXX Street, or the larger supermarket in the XXXXX plaza. While shopping we would also look around for ideas for things we would need for our house when she comes to America. Things like pictures for the walls and rice bowls and chopsticks.

On September 2 Vietnam's Independence Day, we went to the XXXXX River and we watched the boat races.

On September 5, a few days before we left XXXXX a lot of family members came to say good-bye. We left on September 7 to go to Ho Chi Minh City for the medical exam and preparations for her visa interview, scheduled for September 15. I accompanied her and her children to the embassy. I was at the embassy at the time of the interview, but was not permitted in the room.

On September 17, to our shock and horror we received a form refusing the visa on the grounds that the facts of our relationship "as ascertained by consular officers would convince a reasonable person that the claimed relationship is a sham, entered into solely for immigration purposes and to evade immigration laws." I submitted a request to meet with consul to ask for a reconsideration, but my request was denied.

On September 24 all four of us left Ho Chi Minh City to return to XXXXX. Though the consul's letter of refusal came as a surprise and a shock, it only strengthened our love and our determination to live together. Devastated, but determined to marry, we started making wedding plans. We filed the paperwork in the first week of October. We had to see the doctor for the mental competency exam.

On or about September 30 Ngoc Anh and I flew back to Ho Chi Minh City, because I needed a paper to show my single status. Three days later we flew back to XXXXX to file the papers to start the marriage process. After filing the paperwork we started making wedding plans, sending out invitations, shopping for wedding rings, getting her wedding dress, and finding a place for the ceremony.

Prior to the wedding we had a pre-wedding party at the home of one of Ngoc Anh's cousins, on October 20, at which she wore a beautiful pink gown and I wore my best dark suit.

The ceremony took place in a restaurant in XXXXX on October 26, 2008, at 11:30 a.m. For the wedding Ngoc Anh wore a striking Vietnamese traditional costume and then changed to a white wedding gown. We were both very happy to finally become husband and wife. We recorded the wedding at the XXXXX People's Committee Office four days later.

I remained with my wife and the children about two more weeks and returned to the United States on November 9, 2008. Our parting was depressing. I departed from XXXXX airport the evening of the ninth. Ngoc Anh and other family members were there to say good-bye. Both she and I cried profusely.

Since returning to the United States my wife and I continue to communicate for hours at a time by Yahoo Messenger and by telephone.

Around April 29, 2009, or so she became sick with a cold or flu and was unable to go to the webcam. I felt bad that I could not be with her while she was sick, so I began calling her on the phone every day. We have talked every day on the phone since; at first for an hour a day and later for longer periods of time because an hour seemed too short a time. I use a calling card to keep the expense of these calls down. The numbers that I most commonly call for this purpose is: XXXXXXX XXXXXXXX. I can provide these calling cards if you need to see them.

Because of all the difficulties we had encountered after her first interview I have felt it necessary to save as many documents as I can to prove that this is a bona fide relationship and not a sham, as the embassy has alleged.

My long-distance relationship is a bright new hope in my life.

I first flew to Vietnam on February 6, 2008, and stayed until March 6, 2008. On the second trip I arrived in Vietnam on August 3, 2008, and stayed three months until November 9, 2008.

I plan on flying back to Vietnam again, hopefully in September of 2009 to be with my wife and help her finish the paperwork that needs to be submitted to the embassy in preparation for her spousal visa interview.

The relationship progressed quickly because we met, fell in love, and want to be together forever. I found a woman that I love very much. More importantly, I found in her what I have been looking for all my life. It is very difficult being apart from each other, the only thing that matters is us being together. If she is unable to come to America, I am willing to move to Vietnam, as long as we can be together. She is my life, my love, and I want to spend the rest of my life with her.

She is always there for me, patiently listening to my problems, making plans for the future. We have discussed where the children will be going to school. I am in the process of registering the children for school here in XXXXXX, New York. I have done only minimal decoration and furnishings, because I want my wife to actively participate in the home furnishing; things like curtains, what color scheme, what kind of pictures we should have on the walls, how to arrange the furniture and stuff like that. We have also discussed employment for when she gets here.

Last but not least, the most important thing in marriage is to love and be loved. I definitely find that with Ngoc Anh. She is a very loving and passionate woman who values family very much. I never imagined I would find the love of my life halfway around the world and now I can’t imagine a day without her in my life. She has become a part of my family as I have become a part of hers.

Ngoc Anh and I still remain in regular contact while we’re apart from each other. We also look forward to starting our lives together as husband and wife when she arrives here in the U.S.

Because my wife and I share a deep love and a profound commitment to each other I hope the Service will recognize that our relationship is bona fide in every way, and will act on my petition accordingly.

I, Robert XXXXXX , a citizen of the U.S and currently reside at XXXXXX Drive, do hereby state that the above is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.

______________________________ _______________________________

Name Signature

[thongd4me 69]

........

Because my wife and I share a deep love and a profound commitment to each other I hope the Service will recognize that our relationship is bona fide in every way, and will act on my petition accordingly.

I, Robert XXXXXX , a citizen of the U.S and currently reside at XXXXXX Drive, do hereby state that the above is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.

______________________________ _______________________________

Name Signature

That was I feel a great improvement over your initial offering.

I'll leave it up to more experienced members to comment on any nuances,

as I have yet to go through this process.

Best of luck,

TD4ME

[NgocThuan 0]

Looks like you made the recommended changes. I think it is very informative and believable. Make sure you organized all supporting evidence to go with the timeline and that she knows what and where everything is to pull for the CO. Good Luck to the both of you!

[BinhJerome 14]

It looks much better. I do still think there might be one red flag in your timeline. You state that you have been sending her about $200 a month to support your family. I understand this as you both already feel you are married even though you are not. Here is the problem. If you go to any dating website they state not to send money to any person until you have met them. It might look strange that you are sending money to a woman you have never physically met. I think if you move that back until after your return from Vietnam it would look better. The Co may or may not think anything of this statement, but I figured I would put it out there to ponder. Make sure that she has a copy of your timeline and make sure she can verify everything in it. Every thing else looked great to me and this is just my opinion take it or leave it.

Good luck Jerome

[imfromaoi 0]

i have a question, im doing cr-1 and where in the process does it says i need to do such a timeline?

[Dai. 7]

No where in any process like k1,k3,CR1 does it say you need a time line. They will just make you do one after the interview if they think some fraud is going on or if the CO feels like it.

[imfromaoi 0]

No where in any process like k1,k3,CR1 does it say you need a time line. They will just make you do one after the interview if they think some fraud is going on or if the CO feels like it.

are you serious? what a bunch of jerks. this is vietnam we're talking about here. they're so damn strict. not only that, they make you wait for so long just for an oppertunity to get up there and speak to someone. oh yea, the cafe across the street from the vietnam consulate is crazy expensive. 50k for a cup of coffee. ok ok by cup of coffee i mean a quarter full and a lot of ice.

[Anh map 2,098]

The timeline is a very common request now in HCMC, so better to prepare one and submit it early on.

The CO's don't do anything just because they feel like it. Why make extra work for themselves?

It may seem arbitrary, but that is the price that couples must pay thanks to all the fraud and b.s. coming before.

[ding 1]

Maybe omit stating the sending of money prior to meeting or engagement even. State that you provide financial support to your fiance. I agree with the reply above on that.

I did a letter explaining the circumstances of how we met. It was like a timeline.

Show family/Buddhist wedding CEREMONY pics with the pink dress and dark suit you describe.

Looks good, very thorough. Best of luck and let go!

Edited September 10, 2009 by ding