My story "how I met my fiance".

[violet18ac3 0]

Each of us has a unique situation on how we met our fiance. I'll share my story with you guys, and hopefully I will get some advice or opinion.

I've known my fiance since I was 6 or 7 years old. She is 21 years old now, and I'm 3 years older than her. We grew up in a small town (Phu Cuong, Dong Nai). My parents and her parents were neighboor and best friends. So, we grew up and treat toward each other as cousins. Since my parents are older than hers, she called me "big" brother. I imigrated to the US when i was 16. During our time apart, I've never thought once that I'll ask her to become my wife......which I did during my 1st visit to VN in 8 years (Dec 2006)(It's still feel weird now because we were always like brother and sister ) . I'm now back here in the State with my regular routine. I wish I've known this website long before so I can take better steps.

I'm filling out the 129-F package now. And our proof of relationship isnt strong ( we didnt write any letters, just a few emails during the last 2 years). I usually get a phone card to call her. We did have some pictures taken as family back then (6, 10 years old pic). Is it wise that I'll use these pictures to go with my package? I talked to a few people and some adviced that It's not a good idea because people might think this is a fake marriage. That's what i'm thinking too. If I showed you pictures of us when we were little, wouldnt you suspect we're related? It's heache for me now, and we just begin build up our proof, write email, letters and phone call, but if i wait for another year to have these proof build up. It's going to drive me nuts.

Sorry for the long post and crappy grammar. Give me some thoughts please. Thanks

[GREEN/TRAN 0]

wow thats a hard question.man i think i would go for a k-3 if i was you maybe some one has better advise ,wheres chuck?

[dalegg 143]

And our proof of relationship isnt strong ( we didnt write any letters, just a few emails during the last 2 years). I usually get a phone card to call her. We did have some pictures taken as family back then (6, 10 years old pic). Is it wise that I'll use these pictures to go with my package?

Nooooooooooo way. You are going to have to show some recent pictures of the two of you together. Your case sounds a lot like ChuckandKim's you might give him a PM, but first you need to go back over to Vietnam.

[violet18ac3 0]

And our proof of relationship isnt strong ( we didnt write any letters, just a few emails during the last 2 years). I usually get a phone card to call her. We did have some pictures taken as family back then (6, 10 years old pic). Is it wise that I'll use these pictures to go with my package?

Nooooooooooo way. You are going to have to show some recent pictures of the two of you together. Your case sounds a lot like ChuckandKim's you might give him a PM, but first you need to go back over to Vietnam.

Yes, I just got back about month ago, and I'm planning to go back again this summer. My only concern is the proof of relationship (email, phone calls, letters). I've never thought i would need those. Thanks. I'll just wait for some more input.

[dalegg 143]

And our proof of relationship isnt strong ( we didnt write any letters, just a few emails during the last 2 years). I usually get a phone card to call her. We did have some pictures taken as family back then (6, 10 years old pic). Is it wise that I'll use these pictures to go with my package?

Nooooooooooo way. You are going to have to show some recent pictures of the two of you together. Your case sounds a lot like ChuckandKim's you might give him a PM, but first you need to go back over to Vietnam.

Yes, I just got back about month ago, and I'm planning to go back again this summer. My only concern is the proof of relationship (email, phone calls, letters). I've never thought i would need those. Thanks. I'll just wait for some more input.

Oh, if you just came back a month ago, do you have pictures of the two of you together from that visit? If you do, that is technically all you need. Without letters you may still get an RFE though.

[violet18ac3 0]

Yes, We took a lot of pic during my trip there. Only a few email from 2005, 2006. Man, This is a headache.

edit: i do have phone bills from last Sept up to today.

Edited March 2, 2007 by violet18ac3

[dalegg 143]

Yes, We took a lot of pic during my trip there. Only a few email from 2005, 2006. Man, This is a headache.

edit: i do have phone bills from last Sept up to today.

Well, you're good man. Get on it.

[Sinh & Lien 0]

Hey,

The thing is, i think if you are serious about this (and you are) just go for it. Having to worry about requirements and what other people think is not going to get you any where. Remember, the rules are there to weed out those that are faking it to get immigration benefits. You, on the other-hand, you're doing this for real. So just relax. The evidence will come. I think in your 129, you just have to do a good job of convincing them that this love is for real and it wasn't just a spur of the moment....

[lilycobe 0]

Each of us has a unique situation on how we met our fiance. I'll share my story with you guys, and hopefully I will get some advice or opinion.

I've known my fiance since I was 6 or 7 years old. She is 21 years old now, and I'm 3 years older than her. We grew up in a small town (Phu Cuong, Dong Nai). My parents and her parents were neighboor and best friends. So, we grew up and treat toward each other as cousins. Since my parents are older than hers, she called me "big" brother. I imigrated to the US when i was 16. During our time apart, I've never thought once that I'll ask her to become my wife......which I did during my 1st visit to VN in 8 years (Dec 2006)(It's still feel weird now because we were always like brother and sister ) . I'm now back here in the State with my regular routine. I wish I've known this website long before so I can take better steps.

I'm filling out the 129-F package now. And our proof of relationship isnt strong ( we didnt write any letters, just a few emails during the last 2 years). I usually get a phone card to call her. We did have some pictures taken as family back then (6, 10 years old pic). Is it wise that I'll use these pictures to go with my package? I talked to a few people and some adviced that It's not a good idea because people might think this is a fake marriage. That's what i'm thinking too. If I showed you pictures of us when we were little, wouldnt you suspect we're related? It's heache for me now, and we just begin build up our proof, write email, letters and phone call, but if i wait for another year to have these proof build up. It's going to drive me nuts.

Sorry for the long post and crappy grammar. Give me some thoughts please. Thanks

My situation is similar to your. I met my fiance a year ago, I never thought about doing paper work for him bc of his situation (he is a divorced man with a son), so I did not kept any record of ongoing relationship. Now, I decided to do paper works for him and his son. I was kind of scare and don't really know whether or not I should send my application in now or wait until later. Then I just realized whether if I send my application now or later, those past year of not keeping any record will not change. I will have lots of on going relationship proof from now on until the interview. I don't want to waste more times of waiting. So I just send in my application this week. I just wishing and hoping for the best. Good luck to you. Don't send in the application and prepare to give them whatever they'll ask. Then you will be alright because your relationship is real.

[chuckandkim 0]

I'm with Sinh & Lien!!!!

Dalegg is correct! Go for it!

Congratulations, I love a good love story! People tent to forget the romance in this process and get all wrapped up in the legal and procedural matters while they are going through VJ My foremost advice to you and everyone: think BIG PICTURE, what is the ultimate goal here? Everything else is just part of the big picture: getting her here is the final prize . So, for starter:

Remember, ask yourself: what would I do if I were the C.O.?

Your case is not complicated as others, both of you've never been married? No children of your own from previous flings? Then it's pretty much going to be: pay the bills, pay attention, build up proof for an on-going relationship, cross all T's and dot all i's, read up on VJ everyday. Post questions, even when you think "this is a stupid question", ask anyway! But do search before you post!

If you think you will be flagged for "questionable relations", well, what are you waiting for? Obtain Police records showing you and her aren't related, including both your parents BC, your grandparents's BC or Sổ Hộ Khẩu etc. Preventive strike is the game we play around HCMC Get it before they ask for it! If you think it may be a problem, guess what, it will be a problem!

Too little photos and letters? Start with handwritten letters, postcards, anniversary cards, JUST THINKING OF YOU cards, random thought of you cards I know I did, or "JUST BECAUSE" cards, make sure hand write them, post mail them, those emails are ok, but POST MARK is better! Remember, it may cost her a lot more to mail letters/postcard to you here in the US, just do it anyway!

Phone calls: you do it everyday, for it is so cheap to call VN and vice versa. Make sure you keep a log of how much you call. Do not use phone cards, they are useless to show proof of you calling her. Use service like www.ipnmedia.net or www.savingcall.com They issue phonebills and you can call from any US phone directly to her mobile/homephone without pin#

Pictures: i love those old pictures, Kim shows the consulate officer a photo of she and I were in the church choir together, not standing next to each other but in a choir together when we were 7-8 yrs old. They love it! That's why I say to you, not to worry about the relation, Bà Con, and stuff! It's all good!

Show it with pride and be proud for you are falling in love with "the girl next door" brother!

Last but not least, talking to a few people who haven't actually gone throu VJ themselves aren't the best resource in my opinion! They will scare you for nothing and offer baseless advice is very dangerous thing. Do not PM anyone for questions, people give bad/wrong advice all the time here on VJ, including me, but posting your questions here will help everyone and everyone can help you to get the correct answer and make the right decision for your case.

Good luck,

love

Chuck and Kim

[violet18ac3 0]

Thanks all for the encouragement. I just got my NO2 last week. Can someone point me to a post how to go from here? prepare for tax form? co-sponsor form? I'm heading to VN in about a month, can I get those form complete in time? Thanks again.

[MR2nice 0]

Thanks all for the encouragement. I just got my NO2 last week. Can someone point me to a post how to go from here? prepare for tax form? co-sponsor form? I'm heading to VN in about a month, can I get those form complete in time? Thanks again.

Yes, you will be able to get these on time with maybe the exception with the IRS Transcript as it takes 3-4 weeks to receive in the mail. I was told you don't need the transcript if you can provide a copy of your most recent (2006) Tax returns, including the W-2.

1. Fill out the I-134 and get it notarized.

2. Have copies of your most recent tax year (2006) filed or IRS Transcript

3. Letter from your Employer stating the Date of employment, Salary paid, whether the position is temporary or permanent

For reassurance, you should also bring back all original documents on this trip and leave them with your fiancee so she can take them to the interview. You don't want to leave anything behind and then come back here to mail out those originals. On a side note, you should also bring back your original Birth Certificate (including your parents if possible). I've seen in some cases they actually want to check and see if your parents and your finacee's parents are related in any way. So it's good to prepare those ahead of time to present to the Consulate just incase they ask.

I will also be going back next month and will bring with me all of the above mentioned.

Good Luck!

[CK&Tydi 0]

You need the Tax Transcripts anyway. Later on, you will need it again when for Green Card Applicationr. IRS can fax it to you or Snail mail it to you. Call IRS and get 3 yrs of Tax Return. 2006, 2005, 2004. You need it for Green Card application. I will take around 2 to 3 weeks to get it.

www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=110571,00.html or call 1-800-829-1040. try to press whatever key so you can get a life help or else you will be stuck on the Voice Loop.

Good Luck.

Edited November 15, 2007 by CK&Tydi