Starting new again

[ddjoy44 1]

Hi to all

My name is Dominic. I have been to this sight many years ago processing as now a k1 visa but that time was for a Russian lady. it worked out but she went home.

Now about 6 years later. Giving up on old mother Russia and looking more east word I have found someone who has touched my heart once again. And feel I have to her.

I have done the process before with forms for Russia But this is new and Like to have some pointers that I may not be aware of for VN. Example photos, names.

I will complete all my forms myself as I did long ago. I had no problems but I did my homework and I am doing this now once again.

I live in Las Vegas Nevada, I work in Security. It seems like their is not really that big of a VN community here but I do know a few here.

I went to VN in November 2009 to meet my girl Truc. It was wonderful. Had a VN style wedding ceremony, went to the sea, walked on the beach. Had no problems with the food. The weather was unusual, I guess humid. Never experience that before. The people were great. Want to go back again.

Thank you all for reading this. Your friend Dominic

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Hi Dominic.

The process and forms have changed a bit, but you shouldn't have any problems.

Where you will find things much different is the consulate you'll be dealing with. Moscow is a cakewalk compared to HCM, which has a justifiable reputation as one of the toughest consulates in the world to get a visa.

First, let's clarify some things. Did you have a wedding or did you have an engagement ceremony (the two can be quite similar to a westerner)? If it was a wedding, did you go through the steps to get a marriage license from the VN government? This is important. Without a marriage license, USCIS won't recognize the marriage and you'll have to get a fiancee visa. However, the consulate may deny the fiancee visa if they see evidence of a wedding ceremony.

That aside, you're going to face some problems stemming from the fact that you made a huge cultural commitment on your first visit to VN.

The Vietnamese people are strongly focused on family. This is deeply ingrained in their culture. Until not very long ago, marriages were almost always arranged by the parents of the families of the bride and groom. Once an arrangement had been agreed upon, a date was chosen (often by a fortune teller) for a traditional engagement ceremony and celebration. After this, the bride and groom are formally members of each other's families, but they don't live together yet. At the appropriate time, another date is chosen for wedding (again, often the date is chosen by a fortune teller). The total time between the initial arrangement and the wedding could be months or years, but this was something that was almost never rushed. The consulate is very well aware of these cultural traditions, and they have shot down MANY visa applications because the petitioner and beneficiary were engaged and/or married on the petitioner's first visit to VN. This doesn't provide enough time for the two families to get to know their future in-laws, and approve of the union.

Ok, in reality, the formal engagement ceremony, called "Dam Hoi" or "Le Dinh Hon", is more of a formality for the modern Vietnamese people. Arranged marriages are less common now, especially in the larger cities. The Vietnamese still keep the ceremony because it's tradition, and because they love an excuse to party! But, customs and traditions are one of the consulate's favorite tools for denying a visa. Here are some of things that can cause a problem:

1. Marriage which was not preceded by an engagement ceremony.
   
2. Engagement ceremony and/or marriage soon after the first meeting between petitioner and beneficiary.
   
3. Engagement and/or marriage celebration which did not involve a significant number (in the hundreds) of beneficiary's family and friends (participation of any members of the petitioner's family is a big bonus here).
   
4. Petitioner made only one or two trips to Vietnam.
   
5. Lack of evidence that the petitioner has spent enough time with beneficiary's family to be "accepted".
   

I'm probably forgetting some stuff, but this is the short list. Any of the above can make a relationship smell like a scam for immigration to a consular officer in HCM. So, if you can give us more details about the progression of your relationship, your engagement/marriage, how much time you spent in VN and what you did while you were there, etc., then we'll try to help you figure out a plan moving forward for the best chances of success.

[ScottThuy 140]

Hi to all

My name is Dominic. I have been to this sight many years ago processing as now a k1 visa but that time was for a Russian lady. it worked out but she went home.

Now about 6 years later. Giving up on old mother Russia and looking more east word I have found someone who has touched my heart once again. And feel I have to her.

I have done the process before with forms for Russia But this is new and Like to have some pointers that I may not be aware of for VN. Example photos, names.

I will complete all my forms myself as I did long ago. I had no problems but I did my homework and I am doing this now once again.

I live in Las Vegas Nevada, I work in Security. It seems like their is not really that big of a VN community here but I do know a few here.

I went to VN in November 2009 to meet my girl Truc. It was wonderful. Had a VN style wedding ceremony, went to the sea, walked on the beach. Had no problems with the food. The weather was unusual, I guess humid. Never experience that before. The people were great. Want to go back again.

Thank you all for reading this. Your friend Dominic

You had a wedding ceremony, but are filing a K-1?

You need to do alot of VN specific research and reading when it comes to filing a K-1.. As Jim said.. it aint the same ride anymore... and VN is one of the highest fraud risk consulates there is so they take an extra hard look at everything.. if the file and or beneficiary are not well prepared.. expect a denial..

[luckytxn 2,264]

I have to agree. You need to do much reading here and step back and look at yourself and the big picture. From the little we have read and what you told us you are headed to a negative conclusion.

[Anh map 2,098]

It sounds like the VN style wedding ceremony was an engagement cermony. OP can clarify.

Read this forum and the Asia: East & Pacific forum to learn about the HCMC consulate experience. It will be more rigorous than your previous dealings. That said, you can easily do it on your own. Just build your documentation of relationship and prepare a relationship timeline and a list of any of your fiancee's family members in the US.