Timeline for HCMC

[jjordan 0]

Is a timeline need for the K3 or CR1 visas?

Thanks for any info

[ScottThuy 140]

Is a timeline need for the K3 or CR1 visas?

Thanks for any info

have a notarized timeline of the relationship when the beneficiary goes to the interview... Try to get them to accept it at the interview, else it may be listed on a blue slip too bring back a month later.

[BinhJerome 14]

It is not required on any paper. However most cases in HCMC get a blue slip if there is not one present, also they usually do not accept it during the interview, so if you do have a notarized time line, make sure it is from you not her, they want to see a time line from the sponsor not the beneficiary, make sure she tries multiple times to get them to look at it or take it. The time line should be detailed and in chronological order from the time you met to the time that you send it off for her. If you have supporting evidence of this, have it highlighted with a note if possible on the entry that says you have supporting evidence. Good luck Jerome

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Is a timeline need for the K3 or CR1 visas?

Thanks for any info

Just going by what VJ members post, the timeline is probably requested more often than any other single piece of evidence. I've saved copies of blue slips that have been posted by quite a few VJ members. AP blue slips aside (they don't ask for anything except patience), only one of the RFE blue slips did not ask for the timeline, but several of them asked only for the timeline and nothing else. If you end up getting a blue slip at the interview, odds are pretty good it's going to ask for a timeline.

It would be a good idea to prepare a timeline according to the instructions they typically give on the blue slip, have it notarized, and at least attempt to submit it at the interview with the other docs. If they don't accept it then you will at least be prepared if you get a blue slip asking for it. Make sure your fiancee knows everything written there, because the CO's will often pull interview questions from the timeline.

[jjordan 0]

Thanks

So it is not listed on any packet from consulate but may cause a blue slip so have one incase.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Thanks

So it is not listed on any packet from consulate but may cause a blue slip so have one incase.

No, it's not listed in any packet. They can't give you a blue slip for not submitting a timeline, because a timeline is not a required document, so a timeline (or lack thereof) can't really "cause" a blue slip. If they give you a blue slip it will be for some other reason, like perhaps they suspect your relationship is a sham for the purpose of immigration. If you get a blue slip then there's a good chance that a timeline will be among the things the blue slip asks you to submit.

Including a timeline with the petition may help avoid a blue slip at the interview - or not. Submitting a timeline with the required documents at the interview may help avoid a blue slip - or not. Nobody really knows for sure, because VJ members are still testing the waters with these techniques. I suspect (and this is just my own theory) that a timeline may be requested in some cases simply because the consulate needs more time to investigate the case, and the timeline is just a convenient excuse for delaying the decision. Whatever the reason, preparing a timeline in advance certainly won't hurt anything. If you end up not needing it then it will be one more of the many things you do to prepare for this that ends up not being required.

This brings up an interesting point that I've wondered about, and maybe others will want to comment on. If you get a blue slip requesting a timeline, will they accept a timeline that was notarized BEFORE the interview date?

[WeatherEmperor 21]

You bring up a great point about if the CO will accept a time line that is notarized before the interview date. I mean, is it really possible to have enough time during the day to get the time line notarized just hours before the interview? Perhaps those who got a pink slip and also submitted time lines can chime in on this.

<CARRICK>

Thanks

So it is not listed on any packet from consulate but may cause a blue slip so have one incase.

No, it's not listed in any packet. They can't give you a blue slip for not submitting a timeline, because a timeline is not a required document, so a timeline (or lack thereof) can't really "cause" a blue slip. If they give you a blue slip it will be for some other reason, like perhaps they suspect your relationship is a sham for the purpose of immigration. If you get a blue slip then there's a good chance that a timeline will be among the things the blue slip asks you to submit.

Including a timeline with the petition may help avoid a blue slip at the interview - or not. Submitting a timeline with the required documents at the interview may help avoid a blue slip - or not. Nobody really knows for sure, because VJ members are still testing the waters with these techniques. I suspect (and this is just my own theory) that a timeline may be requested in some cases simply because the consulate needs more time to investigate the case, and the timeline is just a convenient excuse for delaying the decision. Whatever the reason, preparing a timeline in advance certainly won't hurt anything. If you end up not needing it then it will be one more of the many things you do to prepare for this that ends up not being required.

This brings up an interesting point that I've wondered about, and maybe others will want to comment on. If you get a blue slip requesting a timeline, will they accept a timeline that was notarized BEFORE the interview date?

[ScottThuy 140]

Thanks

So it is not listed on any packet from consulate but may cause a blue slip so have one incase.

No, it's not listed in any packet. They can't give you a blue slip for not submitting a timeline, because a timeline is not a required document, so a timeline (or lack thereof) can't really "cause" a blue slip. If they give you a blue slip it will be for some other reason, like perhaps they suspect your relationship is a sham for the purpose of immigration. If you get a blue slip then there's a good chance that a timeline will be among the things the blue slip asks you to submit.

Including a timeline with the petition may help avoid a blue slip at the interview - or not. Submitting a timeline with the required documents at the interview may help avoid a blue slip - or not. Nobody really knows for sure, because VJ members are still testing the waters with these techniques. I suspect (and this is just my own theory) that a timeline may be requested in some cases simply because the consulate needs more time to investigate the case, and the timeline is just a convenient excuse for delaying the decision. Whatever the reason, preparing a timeline in advance certainly won't hurt anything. If you end up not needing it then it will be one more of the many things you do to prepare for this that ends up not being required.

This brings up an interesting point that I've wondered about, and maybe others will want to comment on. If you get a blue slip requesting a timeline, will they accept a timeline that was notarized BEFORE the interview date?

If I am not mistaken, they have accepted them dated before the original interview, after the interview... as they initially refused to accept it at the interview but accepted same doc shortly after when submitted at the window...

[BinhJerome 14]

You bring up a great point about if the CO will accept a time line that is notarized before the interview date. I mean, is it really possible to have enough time during the day to get the time line notarized just hours before the interview? Perhaps those who got a pink slip and also submitted time lines can chime in on this.

<CARRICK>

You can get it notorized the same day of the interview if you are in HCMC on the interview date, this is done from 9 am to 11 am at the us consulate in HCMC, but if you are not there you will have to have a notorized timeline that the last entry should read something like this

October 21 2009 I am on my way to get this timeline notorized so that I can send this to my fiancee xxxxxx for her interview on November 5th 2009

This is the best that I think you could do on a timeline that you send prior to the interview as they want one that you would do and not yoru fiancee. That is what I did on the one that I sent to Binh prior to her interview which they never looked at. I just wish that we would have kept the old one and submitted it as well just to show them that we had it at the interview.

Jim, I also think that there has been at least one person that was given a blue only requesting a time line. I am not sure about this, but I think Scott would know better than me. I also think they can give a blue for any reason , even if that reason is not in the manditory documents, we got one for proof of where my ex wife lives, where Binh's family lives, and timeline, all of these things are NOT in ANY packet requiring them or we would have had them at the interview date. So I think that you might be mistaken on them not being able to simply give a blue for a time line. But... If they are not supposed to give blue slips requesting evidence that was not required, then I think close to 99% of us that got a blue slip could have a legitimate complaint and possibly a class action lawsuit. This might be something worth looking into for all of us in AP. Jerome

[BinhJerome 14]

You bring up a great point about if the CO will accept a time line that is notarized before the interview date. I mean, is it really possible to have enough time during the day to get the time line notarized just hours before the interview? Perhaps those who got a pink slip and also submitted time lines can chime in on this.

<CARRICK>

Thanks

So it is not listed on any packet from consulate but may cause a blue slip so have one incase.

No, it's not listed in any packet. They can't give you a blue slip for not submitting a time line, because a time line is not a required document, so a time line (or lack thereof) can't really "cause" a blue slip. If they give you a blue slip it will be for some other reason, like perhaps they suspect your relationship is a sham for the purpose of immigration. If you get a blue slip then there's a good chance that a time line will be among the things the blue slip asks you to submit.

Including a time line with the petition may help avoid a blue slip at the interview - or not. Submitting a time line with the required documents at the interview may help avoid a blue slip - or not. Nobody really knows for sure, because VJ members are still testing the waters with these techniques. I suspect (and this is just my own theory) that a time line may be requested in some cases simply because the consulate needs more time to investigate the case, and the time line is just a convenient excuse for delaying the decision. Whatever the reason, preparing a time line in advance certainly won't hurt anything. If you end up not needing it then it will be one more of the many things you do to prepare for this that ends up not being required.

This brings up an interesting point that I've wondered about, and maybe others will want to comment on. If you get a blue slip requesting a time line, will they accept a time line that was notarized BEFORE the interview date?

Edited October 22, 2009 by jeromebinh

[ScottThuy 140]

A few have gotten blue for timeline only, but its usually just an excuse to buy more time... a couple of those that got blue for timeline alone ended up in AP.... and Michael was 1 and he just got denied... looking at the reasons they denied him, there were many more issues with the case than the timeline...

I dont think the weeks following the interview would be a make it or break it thing when it comes to approval after the interview... so the date that it is notarized really shouldn't matter after the interview... I would think if it was notarized 4 or 5 months prior to the interview they could use that against you to ask for an updated timeline...

[Kevin and 10]

Has anyone tried to submit their timeline when they filed their petition with the USCIS? If so did the Consulate still request a timeline?

Don't forget that the Consulate will also ask for a list of the Beneficiary's relatives living in the US.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Jim, I also think that there has been at least one person that was given a blue only requesting a time line. I am not sure about this, but I think Scott would know better than me. I also think they can give a blue for any reason , even if that reason is not in the manditory documents, we got one for proof of where my ex wife lives, where Binh's family lives, and timeline, all of these things are NOT in ANY packet requiring them or we would have had them at the interview date. So I think that you might be mistaken on them not being able to simply give a blue for a time line. But... If they are not supposed to give blue slips requesting evidence that was not required, then I think close to 99% of us that got a blue slip could have a legitimate complaint and possibly a class action lawsuit. This might be something worth looking into for all of us in AP. Jerome

Yes, I mentioned this in my first post. Several of the blue slips I've saved from this forum requested the timeline and nothing else. Huong and Phung got a blue slip like that. The point I was trying to make in my second post is that the lack of the timeline was not the "cause" of the blue slip, and it was specifically in response to the statement that jjordan made that lack of a timeline "may cause a blue slip". The blue slip is issued because the consulate doesn't believe a bonafide relationship exists - it says so at the top of the slip. The evidence presented wasn't adequate to convince them that the relationship was genuine. The timeline is being requested as additional evidence. There's no guarantee that they would have been convinced if a timeline had been submitted before the interview, and it's certainly possible (maybe even probable) that evidence other than a timeline could have been submitted before the interview that would have been enough to convince them, and avoid the blue slip. I just didn't want jjordan to have the impression that the blue slip was equivalent to an RFE for not submitting the timeline. Put simply, the blue slip means "We don't believe you" - it doesn't mean you're just missing some paperwork.

Has anyone tried to submit their timeline when they filed their petition with the USCIS? If so did the Consulate still request a timeline?

Don't forget that the Consulate will also ask for a list of the Beneficiary's relatives living in the US.

I included both a timeline and a list of relatives with my petition. If we get a blue slip for either one (which I think is distinctly possible) then we'll know that frontloading them didn't help, at least in my case.

[Kevin and 10]

Jim, I also think that there has been at least one person that was given a blue only requesting a time line. I am not sure about this, but I think Scott would know better than me. I also think they can give a blue for any reason , even if that reason is not in the manditory documents, we got one for proof of where my ex wife lives, where Binh's family lives, and timeline, all of these things are NOT in ANY packet requiring them or we would have had them at the interview date. So I think that you might be mistaken on them not being able to simply give a blue for a time line. But... If they are not supposed to give blue slips requesting evidence that was not required, then I think close to 99% of us that got a blue slip could have a legitimate complaint and possibly a class action lawsuit. This might be something worth looking into for all of us in AP. Jerome

Yes, I mentioned this in my first post. Several of the blue slips I've saved from this forum requested the timeline and nothing else. Huong and Phung got a blue slip like that. The point I was trying to make in my second post is that the lack of the timeline was not the "cause" of the blue slip, and it was specifically in response to the statement that jjordan made that lack of a timeline "may cause a blue slip". The blue slip is issued because the consulate doesn't believe a bonafide relationship exists - it says so at the top of the slip. The evidence presented wasn't adequate to convince them that the relationship was genuine. The timeline is being requested as additional evidence. There's no guarantee that they would have been convinced if a timeline had been submitted before the interview, and it's certainly possible (maybe even probable) that evidence other than a timeline could have been submitted before the interview that would have been enough to convince them, and avoid the blue slip. I just didn't want jjordan to have the impression that the blue slip was equivalent to an RFE for not submitting the timeline. Put simply, the blue slip means "We don't believe you" - it doesn't mean you're just missing some paperwork.

Has anyone tried to submit their timeline when they filed their petition with the USCIS? If so did the Consulate still request a timeline?

Don't forget that the Consulate will also ask for a list of the Beneficiary's relatives living in the US.

I included both a timeline and a list of relatives with my petition. If we get a blue slip for either one (which I think is distinctly possible) then we'll know that frontloading them didn't help, at least in my case.

I hope it works. It might save a lot of people from the heartache and headache of getting a blue sheet. The other side is they may throw in something new to produce if the timeline blue slips are nipped at the USCIS.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

I hope it works. It might save a lot of people from the heartache and headache of getting a blue sheet. The other side is they may throw in something new to produce if the timeline blue slips are nipped at the USCIS.

It would be difficult for them to say the timeline I included with the petition didn't provide the information they want. The "canned" request for the timeline (which is the same on every blue slip I've seen) asks for a specific series of questions to be answered by the timeline. I formatted my timeline by listing those questions, and then providing detailed answers for each one. It tells the entire story, but in the form of a Q&A "interview" style, rather than "day xxx - this happened, day yyy - this happened", etc.

Still, I think it's very possible we could get a blue slip asking for a timeline. I sincerely believe that the timeline request is often just an excuse because they want more time to investigate. I've read too many cases where the consulate gave a blue slip asking for a timeline, the beneficiary returned with the timeline on the appointed date, and the consulate issued a final response within minutes of receiving the timeline. I think if they give you AP after submitting the timeline then they really do intend to investigate the information in the timeline. On the other hand, if they hand you a pink or white slip, then they probably finished their investigation before the beneficiary returned with the timeline, and the request for the timeline was simply a stalling tactic.