Cambodian VJ Thread

[marentim 0]

I got my packet 4 the other day! We have an interview on May 26. The embassy processed the packet 3 in only 3 days!

[Niels Bohr 72]

Congratulations! Looks like everything is moving faster!

I got my packet 4 the other day! We have an interview on May 26. The embassy processed the packet 3 in only 3 days!

[marentim 0]

We passed our interview and are approved for a visa!

I wanted to let future viewers know about the process and interview questions just in case people had concerns.

I was expecting the "interview" to be conducted in a private room with one hard-nosed embassy staffer sitting across the table from my fiancee (like a police interrogation) It was more like a trip to a high security DMV. There were service windows and once your number was called you approached the window. They make you swear an oath and then asked a few questions. The interview is not private, it is in a large waiting room in full view/earshot of anyone who cares to eavesdrop. The Embassy opened at 7:00. We were first in line. We were done and out the door by 9:20. The visa would not be issued until one week after the following Friday, so 10 days later.

We brought engagement photos, calling card logs, sample emails, & skype logs as evidence of our relationship.

They asked only two questions; to explain how we met, and to tell what her parents thought of the relationship.

The interview was conducted in English. They would not interview her in Khmer.

Hope this helps someone down the line.

I am bringing her home!!!!

[Niels Bohr 72]

Depending on how many people are interviewing, and how many staff members there are, they sometimes conduct interviews at the Window.

Congratulations!

[SupastarsaM 7]

Hi there,

My name is Sam. I am so glad I found this site and yesterday stumbled upon this thread. I recently got married in Cambodia back in March. I have spent literally hours and hours reading this thread about the issues, hurdles and at times headaches but also the joy from having to deal with the U.S Embassy in PP. I have found this thread to be very informative and will keep on coming back to this and the other topics as I take this most awesome journey. Thanks a million and I will try my best to keep posting what i've done and whatever questions i will have in the future.

Now, a little about myself. My mother left Cambodia when I was a month old back in 79. I grew up in San Diego and moved up to Northern California when I started High School. As a young immigrant in America, It was at times very hard to juggle the Khmer culture and American culture. I managed to now balance both.

Now, the second part of my life starts. I sent my I-130 package in to the Chicago Lockbox this past monday (June 1st). Waiting for the NOA1 now. I know the journey is just starting but I've been trying to prepare as much as I can so this process may be as smooth as possible. I still have a few questions but will address them towards the end of this post. I want to share my story on having to deal with the Cambodian part of it when I was over there this past winter.

My mother in law hired a lady to take care of our paperwork and applications to submit to the government there. Also, the lady did took care of booking appointments and getting us an interview with the Cambodian side of things since I was a U.S. Citizen getting married to a Cambodian Citizen. Here is how it went.

1. Had to go to the U.S. Embassy to get form stating that i was "intending to get married with a Cambodian". I had to fill out my basic info and my wife's info (i.e address, telephone number and d.o.b )

2. Application to get married ( my mother in law took care of that)

3. I needed to submit proof of employment, criminal background check, Medical and Letter stating i was single.

4. Visited many parts of the country while my mom in law went and booked the wedding

5. Got married in Kampong Chhnang ( met a lot of in laws during that time which made me happy to know that I have a bigger extended family now

6. Visited more places after marriage and had an interview date set with the Cambodian authorties. It was done at a govt compound near the French Embassy. I noticed the building we went to was the "anti-human trafficking" building. The paperwork that i submitted was given to their admin staff. This is where I encountered a problem. The lady looking over the paperwork asked me why wasn't my "proof of employment" stamped or notarized and I gave her the type of look that you would give somebody that just cut you off in the freeway without hitting the signal. I said to her in a very stern voice that that piece of paper, in the United States is not important enough to warrant a stamp. It's a proof of employment and that If she wanted to know more information to call my Human Resources Manager. She gave me a smile and some bulls*it about their too busy to call my HR. It seemed like the stars were on our side that day because the little lady's boss happened to recognize my wife. He knew my father in law ( father in law was a mechanic) and lived in the same neighborhood as my wife. He pulled me to the side, told me he knew my wife's family and then asked me if this was a legit marriage. I answered in Khmer which suprised him. He said that many Khmers around my age don't speak much Khmer after being in American for so long. He said he would help me out since he knew my mother and father in law and that they have always been nice people. He gave the approval for my paperwork to be accepted and personally signed the approval. We were given an interview time for later that day.

7. There were about seven or so couples being interviewed and we were one of the last to go in. Again, we have stars align for us. We interviewed in seperate rooms. The officer that came out to call her recognized her instantly and walked over to me. Asked if i was the husband and asked me a few questions similar to what the previous man asked. He said they would be calling us in a few minutes. I took the time to ask her if she knew him. She said he used to be the cop that patrolled her neighborhood and he also knew her family. She hadn't seen him in a long time and realized he must of gotten a promotion to this new position. We were taken into seperate rooms and I was asked to sit in one end of a long table. There were two other girls in the room I was in also being interviewed. Since I understand Khmer, I was able to listen to what they were asking the girls. The fella interviewing me had to fill out some forms before we proceeded. One girl was being asked where she and her man met, how long did they know each other and if the family knew. She had a hard time "remembering" where they met. I sat silently until the officer was ready to ask me. He asked id i knew how to speak Khmer and what language I preferred to be asked questions in. I said either is fine and if i had trouble understanding in Khmer, I would tell him to ask me in English. He spoke english fluent and correct which suprised the heck out of me. Some of the questions he asked me were. Where did you meet? How long? Who introduced you? How did you communicate and not much else. Because he spoke english so fluently, It turned from him questioning me to me questioning him. I asked him what was the purpose of the interview and he explained to me that it was a preventative measure to try to stop Khmer women being married and taken to other countries to be exploited. He said that many Khmer girls were getting married to Korean men but after arriving, they were being put into brothels and similar types of places. This was one way for the government to try and prevent this. A few minuted after he told me this. The two girls that were interviewing were told that their fiances must accompany them for the next interview because they didn't pass due to lack of knowledge or information. The girls said they were engaged to Koreans. ( Im sorry for bringing up Koreans but this is was i witnessed and was told so I'm being honest ). He ended up asking me about five questions and wrote everything down. I asked him where did he learn to speak so fluent and he told me that he converted to Christianity and goes to church every sunday. He would speak with the westerners and thats where he picked up the English. He seemed a pretty nice fella. After I was done, I went outside to see my wife asking what took sooo long. I spent about half an hour asking him questions. Her interview only took about five minutes. She was asked the same basic questions and i assume they take a look at both to see if both of our answers match. The only difference was we guessued her cousins age differently. (about two years apart) I believe that was the final step before submitting all the evidence and paperwork to get notarized, stamped and approved by whatever government department needed.

7. I left Cambodia in tears because ...well I was leaving my wife behind and everybody that i met treated me so nicely..it was an emotional flight back.

8. The lady that took care of our paperwork told me that she would be sending me a packet of paperwork a few weeks after I got back to California. She ended up giving it to my wife and my wife sent it to me. In it were copies of all the paperwork from the registrys in Cambodia. I received translated and stamped copies of my wife's birth certificate, marriage certificate, criminal and health records. Also received translated and stamped copies of app to get married and more forms submitted to different agencies> ( think official registry offices like how we have the county clerk here )

I spent about a month reading in many forums about the petition process and what I needed. I made a checklist of what was needed with the I-130 application and sent it to them.

I sent a checklist, I-130, check, g-325's from myself and her (printed one out at an internet cafe in PP and had her fill it out before I came back) including pictures, Copy of marriage certificate, Her birth certificate, copy of my naturalization certificate, passport, copy of her passport, yahoo messenger logs, phone bills, boarding pass, wire transfers, pictures. I also typed out an affidavit stating they were there to witness my wedding. We took it to a local notary agent and had those two letters notarized. I attached a picture with all four of us and copies of my moms and aunts passports showing their pictures and stamps on when were were in Cambodia.

Here are my questions.

Did I send too much or not enough?

The marriage certificate and other translated paperwork i received from my wife I sent in. Now wondering if I would be asked or she be asked to submit it again when we hit the NVC part and the overseas in PP part of the process?

I'm already starting to put together the second packet that's needed from me when it hits the NVC (tax forms, bank statement, employment letters, check stubs)

Because I sent a huge packet with the I-130, do any of you that have been through it think that the NVC portion might be smoother since i sent them a boatload of stuff?

Thanks and I will be checking this thread every day and reading about everybody else's experience.

Sam

[SupastarsaM 7]

Sorry. The affidavits were from my mother and aunt who were there in Cambodia to witness my marriage.

[Niels Bohr 72]

First off, I'd like to say Congratulations on your marriage!

My first thought that came to mind after reading your story is that you received the interview prior to submitting your I-130 paperwork. That is quite odd. Normally, you must submit the petition form I-130 with all the required paperwork to USCIS. When it gets approved, it gets turned over the NVC. In turn, NVC send those files to the Phnom Penh Embassy.

Afterwards, the PP Embassy would send out Packet 3: Checklist to submit in to them. Then, they would mail out Packet 4 to you with an interview date. However, you got the interview first.

To answer your last question. You don't need to get paranoid about sending lots of information. I remembered I sent my stuff over for the petition paperwork. It weighed about 3 lbs. If USCIS have any questions, the worst you'll get is an RFE. RFEs are nothing to worry about. Just do what they asked for.

[SupastarsaM 7]

First off, I'd like to say Congratulations on your marriage!

My first thought that came to mind after reading your story is that you received the interview prior to submitting your I-130 paperwork. That is quite odd. Normally, you must submit the petition form I-130 with all the required paperwork to USCIS. When it gets approved, it gets turned over the NVC. In turn, NVC send those files to the Phnom Penh Embassy.

Afterwards, the PP Embassy would send out Packet 3: Checklist to submit in to them. Then, they would mail out Packet 4 to you with an interview date. However, you got the interview first.

To answer your last question. You don't need to get paranoid about sending lots of information. I remembered I sent my stuff over for the petition paperwork. It weighed about 3 lbs. If USCIS have any questions, the worst you'll get is an RFE. RFEs are nothing to worry about. Just do what they asked for.

Hi Niels....

my interview expeirence was with the "Cambodian" government. They also have some type of process when a marriage with a Khmer and a USC. My wife still will have to get interviewed at after the NVC process. I was sharing that experience because while I was reading this thread, I noticed that a higher percentage of the cases were fiance cases. Since I got married out there, I wanted to share that experience and what I had to go through in Cambodia.

Thanks.

[Niels Bohr 72]

From experience with the PP Embassy at Sangkat Wat Phnom when I got married.

I went there to obtain the intention to get married paperwork. It was just 10 mins total. There weren't many questions. Just two or three. This was ins 2007. Amazing how much have changed.

[SupastarsaM 7]

From experience with the PP Embassy at Sangkat Wat Phnom when I got married.

I went there to obtain the intention to get married paperwork. It was just 10 mins total. There weren't many questions. Just two or three. This was ins 2007. Amazing how much have changed.

Oh the U.S. Embassy over there was a breeze. I had no problems getting the intention to marry form. The only issue (maybe it was just me) was the lady on the other side of the window was probably having a bad day. She seemed irritated or something when I asked her what I needed to do with that form. She explained it as if she was reading from a card. She was even more frustrated when I asked her to speak slower and explain in detail because I wanted to know for sure what I needed to do. The second time I went there I saw her again but this time it was smoother. She still seemed irritated but I politely said have a great rest of the day and she said Thank You and smiled.

The headaches were having to deal with the Cambodian government and their procedures. No issues with the American side whatsoever.

Even the security guards in both the front and the second checkpoints were nice. I spoke in a polite but stern voice. Also made sure to make eye contact and always said "oar kun" often.

I have more quesitons ....

I been reading about the packet 3 that the consulate sends out. Noticed that the Consulate have been sending them to the petitioner. My wife lives about a quarter mile away from the Olympic Stadium in PP.

Has anybody here filed for somebody that lives in PP?

Is there any chance that they might mail it to her instead of me because of living close to the Embassy?

Once I get the notice that the packet 3 has been mailed out, would it be possible to just have them deliver it to her house? Is that request a possibility or can she just pick it up from the Embassy?

Are those forms available online (the main ones needed) for me to print out and if need be, fill out, print scan and email as a pdf file to her in PP and have her print the form and just sign and date?

I'm asking because I've read about of the time it takes to receive the packet in the mail here in the U.S.

Thanks again...

[Indy90 21]

Wow the security guards outside of the embassy treated you well? That has never happened to me in any of the US embassies that I have been to. In Ecuador, they let all of the Ecuadorians to the front of the line because they start crying, while us Americans have to wait hours. Sometimes I have gotten to the embassy hours before close and have not gotten in because of the security guards. Now, once inside, the Americans have always treated me well, although I have a feeling that that is about to change when I go to Guayaquil for our interview.

[SupastarsaM 7]

Good luck for your interview.

Yea, I think they treated me nicely because I was polite but spoke with a confidence that let them know that I was there for important matters. I think you should speak with confidence but not offensive to them in any way. Strong voice and eye contact and smiles. Instead of asking "what or where" I simply said " This is why I'm here, here is my passport and where is the line."

again, Good Luck on your interview..

Sam

[Niels Bohr 72]

Some of the petitioners here on this thread have experienced the Embassy calling the fiancee or spouse to get packet 3 in person at the Embassy. Others have it mailed.

I'd suggest for you to email them that you'd prefer to have the packet 3 paperwork delivered to your fiancee. You can't email them yet until you receive a case number from the embassy.

From my experience with packet 4, I requested it delivered to my house in phnom penh. They sent a moto-driver to hand deliver the documents to me. It was the most exciting day in my life. I paid the guy 5 bucks. It made his day. He didn't ask for any payment. I just gave it to him because of sheer excitement.

I can relate to what you're talking about at the Window in the embassy. If you happen to go on a busy day, they will be a little aggressive. If you happen to go right after their lunch break, which is around 12 or 1p, they are a little bit slower and will take their time to help you. They're so predictable.

I was at the SOS International medical waiting for my wife examination. I picked up a newspaper and checked out the classified. It was seeking people to work at the PP embassy at the window. The requirement was just a high school diploma and must be fluent in Khmer. Considering that the US government spent about 55 million dollars on the building, they would rake in at least a college level candidate.

[SupastarsaM 7]

Hi there,

I'm trying to prepare for the NVC stage. I have two questions.

1. On form I-864. Should I put in my address in the section that asks for my wife's address? ( I'm the USC ) I looked at the sample forms and the same address was used for both petitioner and benificiary. Just want to make sure.

2. On the poverty guidelines. Is that the amount I have to at least make yearly? All the money in my bank acct can be listed as assets right?

Thanks..

Sam,

[Niels Bohr 72]

1. On form I-864. Should I put in my address in the section that asks for my wife's address? ( I'm the USC ) I looked at the sample forms and the same address was used for both petitioner and benificiary. Just want to make sure.

ReplyPut her address. Some adjudicator may be the machine type of people. For example, he or she may read it like a machine. If it doesn't match, they'll send an RFE. I'd recommend putting her address. If she lives in

Khan 7 Makara,

Street 118,

No. 18

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

just put it.

2. On the poverty guidelines. Is that the amount I have to at least make yearly? All the money in my bank acct can be listed as assets right?

ReplyYes. Your income includes what you have in your bank. It's still money that needs to be calculated on the worksheet. Include any income sources bank account, investments, bonds, etc...