Should I go to Vietnam for interview?

[bruins 14]

I have the option of going to Vietnam either for my wife's interview or to fly back together. Which one would everyone recommend?

Thanks!

[ConGau1981 56]

It depends on how capable and experienced your wife is at traveling. My fiance had never been outside of Vietnam so I chose to fly to the US with her instead of attending the interview. I dont think she would have been able to handle all the confusion at the airport if I was not with her

[skyking02 11]

I have the option of going to Vietnam either for my wife's interview or to fly back together. Which one would everyone recommend?

Thanks!

going back to pick her up, there is no reason for you to be with her at the interview. they interview her, not you.

[bruins 14]

How long does it take from interview to visa in hand, assuming she doesn't live in Ho Chi Minh City?

[frontgear 194]

I read that it takes 10 to 12 business days, so roughly 2 weeks.

I plan to fly back to be with her at the interview and, if everything goes well, accompany her back to the States.

[BatonRouge Bill 2]

How long does it take from interview to visa in hand, assuming she doesn't live in Ho Chi Minh City?

I would wait and bring her home, Linh had to go back for some small item but it caused a one week delay, they lost copies of something and had to get from her. Plane tickets are expensive and vacation is hard to schedule. Also allow 3 hours from point of entry and following connecting flight... don't try to bring in "bird nests" hehe. don't ask me why I know LOL.

Edited June 4, 2014 by BatonRouge Bill

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

I would wait and bring her home, Linh had to go back for some small item but it caused a one week delay, they lost copies of something and had to get from her. Plane tickets are expensive and vacation is hard to schedule. Also allow 3 hours from point of entry and following connecting flight... don't try to bring in "bird nests" hehe. don't ask me why I know LOL.

Good point. A lot of people think they won't be able to get this sort of stuff in the US. If they're going to live in California, Texas, Nevada, or Washington state then there's a supermarket chain called "99 Ranch" that has most of this stuff, including a variety of "birds nest" drinks. There's also many US based importers that sell this stuff on the internet. Just do a Google search for what you're looking for.

Now to the OP's question...

When my wife had her interview in December of 2009 they were not allowing petitioners to attend the interview, but I went anyway. I waited across the street with a couple of other Americans, one of whom was also a VJ member. At that time it was taking about a week between the interview and the finished passport, so we went back to Hue city so my wife could pack her stuff, say goodbye to her friends and family, officially quit her job, and tie up other loose ends. Two of my step kids also got K2's at the same time. We all flew back to the US together.

Suggestion: You may not know exactly when the passport will be ready. Best to buy a ticket for yourself with an open return date. If you decide to take a chance and buy your SO's ticket before you get the passport back then be sure to buy a ticket that allows you to change the travel date. Otherwise, you could be out the full cost of the ticket if the passport isn't ready in time.

Navigating the airport for transit isn't difficult, at least not in Taipei. Most of the people on the flight from Vietnam will be Vietnamese, and most of them aren't staying in Taipei (or other transit country), so there are plenty of people who speak Vietnamese who can show them where to go and what to do. Some of those people will undoubtedly be travelling through to the US, hopefully to the same airport as your SO. The only potentially difficult parts are filling out the customs declaration, and getting through immigration and potentially customs inspection. Getting through the airport is usually pretty easy. You just follow everyone else. Everyone who lands in the US has to go through immigration, even if they're transiting to another international flight.

If you have to choose between being there for the interview or travelling to the US with your SO then I recommend travelling together.

[KT_206 0]

Does anybody know if they are allowing the petitioner to attend the K1 interview these days? I have thought of doing both, attending the interview, as well as coming back to pick up my fiancee if there happens to be a gap in between those two dates. But if the petitioner is not allowed to attend the interview and forced to sit out, then I don't see a point in going through the trouble of trying to request time off from work to tag along.

[luckytxn 2,265]

Yes they allow the petitioner to attend the interview now.

Does anybody know if they are allowing the petitioner to attend the K1 interview these days? I have thought of doing both, attending the interview, as well as coming back to pick up my fiancee if there happens to be a gap in between those two dates. But if the petitioner is not allowed to attend the interview and forced to sit out, then I don't see a point in going through the trouble of trying to request time off from work to tag along.

[siennaslammer 8]

Yes they allow the petitioner to attend the interview now.

Really?

wow. is this posted on their website?

have to check....

....just checked = states = "NO" for both type of visas

non-immigrant Visas

http://hochiminh.usconsulate.gov/non-immigrant-visas.html

"As is standard practice around the world, we do not permit third parties to attend nonimmigrant visa interviews. This rule also applies to third parties who are American Citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents. If a third party has an interest in your case, please have them write a letter stating their interest and bring it to your interview. Effective from May 23rd 2011, minors under age of 17 MUST be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to the interview. Your interview can be conducted in Vietnamese or in English, as you prefer."

immigrant Visas

http://www.ustraveldocs.com/vn/vn-niv-securityinfo.asp

Due to security considerations, there is no information window for walk-in visitors at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Only visa applicants with scheduled interviews will be admitted.

Edited July 2, 2014 by siennaslammer

[frontgear 194]

According to the FAQ from the Consulate's website, a petitioner is allowed to to accompany the beneficiary to the interview. Here's a snippet of the FAQ on the consulate's website:

http://hochiminh.usconsulate.gov/iv/faq/info.html

[siennaslammer 8]

According to the FAQ from the Consulate's website, a petitioner is allowed to to accompany the beneficiary to the interview. Here's a snippet of the FAQ on the consulate's website:

http://hochiminh.usconsulate.gov/iv/faq/info.html

Thank you for the clarification.

[luckytxn 2,265]

Yes and knowing that many have over the years been allowed to accompany the beneficiary. About 5 years now.

Thank you for the clarification.

[heo luoi 206]

I was thinking pretty much as OP although I really dont have flexibility for either at this time if things continue on pace. I switched jobs so low man on totem pole and lost a lot of vac. Landing this gig wasn't that easy.

Along the lines of JimVaPhuong, I think a first time flyer ever, flying 1/2 way across the planet, its a bit overwhelming flying but yea you can 'follow the crowd at chow time thing'. Was more concerned @ POE in US. Yesterday I was thinking we'll maybe I could just rendezvous at the POE @ customs? has anyone done that? Is it even possible from a 'security'/logistics standpoint?

Good point. A lot of people think they won't be able to get this sort of stuff in the US. If they're going to live in California, Texas, Nevada, or Washington state then there's a supermarket chain called "99 Ranch" that has most of this stuff, including a variety of "birds nest" drinks. There's also many US based importers that sell this stuff on the internet. Just do a Google search for what you're looking for.

Now to the OP's question...

When my wife had her interview in December of 2009 they were not allowing petitioners to attend the interview, but I went anyway. I waited across the street with a couple of other Americans, one of whom was also a VJ member. At that time it was taking about a week between the interview and the finished passport, so we went back to Hue city so my wife could pack her stuff, say goodbye to her friends and family, officially quit her job, and tie up other loose ends. Two of my step kids also got K2's at the same time. We all flew back to the US together.

Suggestion: You may not know exactly when the passport will be ready. Best to buy a ticket for yourself with an open return date. If you decide to take a chance and buy your SO's ticket before you get the passport back then be sure to buy a ticket that allows you to change the travel date. Otherwise, you could be out the full cost of the ticket if the passport isn't ready in time.

Navigating the airport for transit isn't difficult, at least not in Taipei. Most of the people on the flight from Vietnam will be Vietnamese, and most of them aren't staying in Taipei (or other transit country), so there are plenty of people who speak Vietnamese who can show them where to go and what to do. Some of those people will undoubtedly be travelling through to the US, hopefully to the same airport as your SO. The only potentially difficult parts are filling out the customs declaration, and getting through immigration and potentially customs inspection. Getting through the airport is usually pretty easy. You just follow everyone else. Everyone who lands in the US has to go through immigration, even if they're transiting to another international flight.

If you have to choose between being there for the interview or travelling to the US with your SO then I recommend travelling together.