Packet 3 Help

[Ning 619]

In the rare cases where I've seen the BKK embassy accept a co-sponsor, it has been situations similar to yours, where the petitioner has just finished university. It's the 50 year old guy living in his parent's basement and then wanting to use a co-sponsor where they have a problem. So you might consider getting a co-sponsor if you're worried about not meeting the financial requirements on your own. You should be fine if you explain the situation when submitting the I-134. Sending evidence of your waiting employment should help as well.

I agree with Karee and have helped in 4 such cases where a co sponsor was accepted. I will P M the O P to explain how that was done.

My husband objects to Karee's statement about the basement because he had moved out by the time I met him. He did that because his Mom cut the cable to the T V and stopped doing his laundry.

[Ning 619]

Thanks for the replies. Sorry my first post was a bit dumb as my brain was turning to mush at 3am after reading countless posts. Every embassy is different and has different requirements and sticking points. I now realize this so the difference in packets is understandable.

I've already had an immigration attorney check my finances before submitting the I-129f and I met the financial requirements through my significant savings/stocks. But being that I just finished university and am currently in Thailand with my fiancée I was wondering if the letter for future (and current online) employment would help even tho I haven't received any income from the position waiting (but have received some from my website/database management for their system online).

These documents will have to be sent to Thailand. Same with the financial documents and we're waiting on the police report. I was hoping to get an interview set up sooner than later so I was hoping I could send photocopies of the documents in the packet with a note that I (my fiancée*) will supply originals at the interview. Also a note that the police clearance will also be supplied.

Is it too risky to go this route and I should just wait till all the docs and originals are sent here?

Side note, I'm annoyed this process has been MORE difficult with me being in Thailand with my fiancée. Wish there was some middle ground here with a cleaner filing process. Have had to rely on too many people to do too many jobs to get this finished.

Thanks everybody for the help. NOA1 was Jan 25 and NOA2 was Feb 14 so I'm a bit caught off guard with the recent speed of the system. It's nice but now I'm scrambling for perfection.

I don't think anyone thought you were dumb; rather a little confused.

You have been very lucky as to the timing of the case so far. Few have gotten the NOA 2 in that short time. The case will be OR has been forwarded to NVC. This can take longer than we think it should and become frustrating. I don't want to be negative but this may be a factor in your decisions about documents ect. The embassy will not accept docs until the case is IN BKK anyway.

You probably have more time than you think but its a good idea to prepare asap anyway. No matter what happens there is always a solution to problems that come up.

[Karee 4,190]

My husband objects to Karee's statement about the basement because he had moved out by the time I met him. He did that because his Mom cut the cable to the T V and stopped doing his laundry.

[RosscoPeecho 1]

I should have put more info at the bottom. We haven't received the physical packet yet but I made an enquiry to the Embassy and they have sent Packet 3 on March 11 to my fiancee's home. The e-mail said the packet just has instructions but whoever sent the e-mail also included a link to the packet which he said was identical to what we will get.

NOA1 - Jan 25

NOA2 - Feb 14

NVC Rec - Feb 24

Cosulate Rec - March 6

Packet 3 sent - March 11

Extremely fast as we were warned it could take close to a year but just 3 months here. Crazy.

The attorney said I met the requirements even without the income and I don't need the co-sponsor according to what she said so I believe I'm okay about this. I met my girlfriend when she entered the USA on a J-1 visa and now I've been in Thailand for 5 months since I finished college and these Thai girls take loads of pictures and she's been keeping all of them. We have travel proof, conversations, plane tickets, and pictures from every trip so proof of on-going relationship couldn't be more obvious if you ask me. Which is the main concern isn't it? Along with the Affidavit of Support.

I think I will go ahead and have photocopies of my bank and investment accounts sent and bring the originals to the interview. Police said it'd take 2 weeks for the clearance and I want to get that interview date set if I can.

Does anyone object in the extreme to the idea of sending photocopies in Packet 3 and supply originals at the interview? I don't want to push my luck.

The packet also the petitioner is not allowed to be at the interview which kind of sucks so is there a suggested way that they can know I am there supporting her (maybe it would further show proof)? Maybe give her my passport to take in there or have her just tell the officer subtly that I am awaiting the result outside?

Thanks again for the help. Hope this helps other people as well.

[Karee 4,190]

I should have put more info at the bottom. We haven't received the physical packet yet but I made an enquiry to the Embassy and they have sent Packet 3 on March 11 to my fiancee's home. The e-mail said the packet just has instructions but whoever sent the e-mail also included a link to the packet which he said was identical to what we will get.

NOA1 - Jan 25

NOA2 - Feb 14

NVC Rec - Feb 24

Cosulate Rec - March 6

Packet 3 sent - March 11

Extremely fast as we were warned it could take close to a year but just 3 months here. Crazy.

The attorney said I met the requirements even without the income and I don't need the co-sponsor according to what she said so I believe I'm okay about this. I met my girlfriend when she entered the USA on a J-1 visa and now I've been in Thailand for 5 months since I finished college and these Thai girls take loads of pictures and she's been keeping all of them. We have travel proof, conversations, plane tickets, and pictures from every trip so proof of on-going relationship couldn't be more obvious if you ask me. Which is the main concern isn't it? Along with the Affidavit of Support.

I think I will go ahead and have photocopies of my bank and investment accounts sent and bring the originals to the interview. Police said it'd take 2 weeks for the clearance and I want to get that interview date set if I can.

Does anyone object in the extreme to the idea of sending photocopies in Packet 3 and supply originals at the interview? I don't want to push my luck.

The packet also the petitioner is not allowed to be at the interview which kind of sucks so is there a suggested way that they can know I am there supporting her (maybe it would further show proof)? Maybe give her my passport to take in there or have her just tell the officer subtly that I am awaiting the result outside?

Thanks again for the help. Hope this helps other people as well.

A couple things:

1. She can download the packet 3 from the embassy website. You don't need to wait on Thai Post to get it to her.

http://photos.state.gov/libraries/thailand/591452/iv/022014_k_instruction_packet_3.pdf

2. J-1. You might want to make sure there's no 2 year Home Residency Requirement. A couple people have gotten burned by that one.

[TEX_715 6]

I think they don't care if you are waiting outside, the proof will be in the documents.

[RosscoPeecho 1]

She is not subject to the 2-year requirement.

I've got everything sorted I just need to decide about whether sending in photocopies and bringing originals to the interview is okay and won't jeopardize anything.

Also make a note we're waiting on the police report.

[TEX_715 6]

What is the time line to get the missing documents?

Maybe someone on here knows what documents are absolutely required to send in with P3 to even get an interview...

My guess would be I-134 needs to be approved in full before getting an interview.

[slowlyman 118]

She is not subject to the 2-year requirement.

I've got everything sorted I just need to decide about whether sending in photocopies and bringing originals to the interview is okay and won't jeopardize anything.

Also make a note we're waiting on the police report.

You should send copies not originals. Sometimes the packet will go missing. That way you still have the originals.

Send the copies and the letter about the police report. Good to go.

[slowlyman 118]

I just tuned in, but reading the topic, it looks to me like you have a pretty clean case. Similar age, living in Thailand, Good amount of ongoing evidence. Your fiance was in the US and obeyed the terms of her Visa, I say relax you should be fine.

The income would seem to be your only weak point, and you can't change that, just work with what you have. Any documents you can produce showing current savings and future job offer will help. You should have a signed letter from your bank stating current assets. They can scan or fax it to you. Include a letter from your new employer stating you have a job waiting and what your salary will be. The Consulate are not totally ignorant. They understand you are starting your working life.

Regarding copies. Never send originals in the P3. That includes the birth certificate. Too often the packet goes missing and so would your originals. Mail copies, bring originals.

I didn't see in your post a plan to move to the US. Do you understand the residency requirements for your new wife?

[RosscoPeecho 1]

Yeah savings and investments are $XXX,XXX. And I can get a letter. Should be okay then thanks.

I'm relatively aware of what we have to do. Marry, go thru the adjustment of status process and then she can work when she acquires a SSN.

Feel free to put the whole process in Lehman's terms for me if you'd like!

Thanks for the help again.

[slowlyman 118]

The SSN does not allow her to work. She needs an EAD. (employment authorization) About two months after filing AOS

I've seen people who think they can come to the US, get married, then head back home. She will need to accumulate resident time before she will get the 10 year card. You didn;t state what your long term plans are. Sounds like you plan to stick around for a while.

[TEX_715 6]

Slowly, are you guys thinking about the 3 year plan for citizenship?

[slowlyman 118]

Nope. Just asking if they plan to stay for a while to accumulate time. Sounds like he has a mobile job.

[Karee 4,190]

The SSN does not allow her to work. She needs an EAD. (employment authorization) About two months after filing AOS

I've seen people who think they can come to the US, get married, then head back home. She will need to accumulate resident time before she will get the 10 year card. You didn;t state what your long term plans are. Sounds like you plan to stick around for a while.

As far as residency requirements are concerned, there is no difference between a 2 year green card and a 10 year green card. They both require the PR to maintain residency in the U.S. The only way to make a move back to Thailand is to have U.S. citizenship, which will take roughly 3 years from getting the first 2 year green card.

It goes like this:

Arrive on K-1

File for adjustment of status

Get 2 year green card (The date on this card is important)

1 year 9 months from the date of the above green card file for removal of conditions.

Get 10 year green card

2 years 9 months from the date of the original 2 year green card, file for citizenship

Get citizenship and U.S. passport. At this point you can leave the U.S. for 40 years and come back with no issues. (Of course you'll need a valid passport)