Cambodian VJ Thread

[SupastarsaM 7]

Niels...you have been a great help to me. I cannot begin to tell you how much this site has helped me.

sam,

[tharnsur 1]

Sam - Congrats! See my comments below in red:

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.

Per for your timeline, you're filing under IR1/CR1. If this is the case i would suggest you follow this WIKI. If you follow that guideline, your case at NVC will take approximately 30 days, and your case forward to the US Embassy in PP. DO NOT WAIT FOR SNAIL MAIL. It's critical that you call the NVC operator after you got your NOA2 notification to give them both your email addresses. Start collecting all the required documentations now.

Has anybody here filed for somebody that lives in PP? Follow the WIKI and you'll never see any paper mail!

Is there any chance that they might mail it to her instead of me because of living close to the Embassy? No. The US Em know that the Cambodian postal system is UNRELIABLE! you and your wife will get a form DS3032 when your application is at NVC. Try sending email version of this form. It take approximately 7 days to get approve, or you can get your wife to complete this form ahead of time. Your application will not be process until they get this form!!

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...

[Niels Bohr 72]

On this part I disagree. While the mail system is unreliable, you can still make a request at the PP Embassy to have it delivered to you in Cambodia. This is only if live in Phnom Penh and near Sangkat Wat Phnom such as Sangkat Mittapheap or other Sangkat nearby.

No. The US Em know that the Cambodian postal system is UNRELIABLE! you and your wife will get a form DS3032 when your application is at NVC. Try sending email version of this form. It take approximately 7 days to get approve, or you can get your wife to complete this form ahead of time. Your application will not be process until they get this form!!

[SupastarsaM 7]

Hi again....

I've been reading the Wiki and have quesitons. I'm sorry if I'm asking so much. When I sent out my I-130 packet. I also included my wife's birth certificate, copy of her passport, our marriage certificate and a few others that i clipped as part of the proof of a bona fide relationship. I've seen in the IV stage what is needed from the beneficiary. She has already sent me most of whats needed and I've already sent in the marriage cert and a few others on there (ones required as part of the IV packet) with the I-130 application. She sent me two copies of everything. I already got one answer to one of my initial questions I was intending to post here. ( would I need to submit paperwork to the NVC (such as marriage cert) if I already sent it with the I-130) I have two copies of all of those so I'm prepared to send a second copy if needed. All I need is for her to fill out the ds-230 and have her sign part one and send it to me..

Would it be advisable to have her fill it out online, print, sign, scan then email it to me as a pdf or should I have her send the filled out form to me in the mail ahead of time. Also, would there be an issue with the date and that the Ds-230 will be going to the NVC from my address and not hers? I'm still in the beginning stages and want to prepare all of it by the time i get the NOA2. Just noticed that I won't be able to do anything until i get case numbers. Should I get all the paperwork prepared anyway and just wait until I get case numbers or should I go one at a time until and go step by step?

I'm leaning towards getting everything done and put into a folder with each step listed and follow it that way. Since there will be a way for me to generate a barcode when the time comes for it, I figure that that would be the best way for me to keep on top of things. Again with dates. If a piece of paperwork for example (ds-230) is signed and dated on 06/10/2010 but the NVC process hasn't even begun yet, would it affect anything with the case?

Thanks so very much...

reading the wiki while listening to Sin Sisamouth has made many night's fly by.

Sam,

P.S one reply from one of you usually results in a few more questions from me so I apologize for asking so many but I'm sure you understand why.

Edited June 9, 2010 by DOOKIEFRESH

[Niels Bohr 72]

Right now you are currently in the petitioning stage, and not at the application for visa stage. Petitioning stage is the stage that you're dealing with USCIS and not the NVC. You don't deal directly with the NVC.

Make sure you have both the English translated documents as well as the Cambodian documents representing the marriage certificates, and birth certificates. They must be notarized by the Cambodian Ministries, State, and Town offices. For the English version of the certificate, it must be notarized by the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

I'd suggest for you to gather evidence of your relationship. Prepare photographs of your engagement ceremony, and marriage ceremony. Assemble pictures of your honeymoon, family members. Organize your calling cards. Remember that depending on the mood of the staff at the embassy, they may be good or bad depending on how many people they're dealing with that day or how many times they have to explain things to people. They're not really the people person type.

Filling out the DS-230 is far too early. There's an expiration date after you fill it out. It needs to filled online so a bar code could be generated. I'd suggest filling it out a week after you send in packet 3.

You can, however, let your wife know next month to get her Medical done. The paperwork for that doesn't require a case number, and expire in one year after the examination is done. When the embassy mail out packet 3 to you in the US, it'll most likely take 2-3 weeks before you would receive in the mail. Usually packet 3 gets mailed out after they received an approved petition status from NVC and assigned you a case number. After receiving packet 3, you may indicate for them to either mail out any notices to you in the US or have it mailed to your wife. For them to mail it to your wife, open up a post office box at Khmer Express for 15 bucks. Use that post office box as the address for the mail.

The wiki may be useful, but, it's not exactly how the embassy would handle your case. Anyway, getting the paperwork for packet 3 takes about 15 mins anyway. Don't worry too much about it.

[tharnsur 1]

Sam - See my comments in red. Are you filling under IR1/CR1 or K1/K3? I would assume IR1/CR1 since you're married.

Hi again....

I've been reading the Wiki and have quesitons. I'm sorry if I'm asking so much. When I sent out my I-130 packet. I also included my wife's birth certificate, copy of her passport, our marriage certificate and a few others that i clipped as part of the proof of a bona fide relationship. I've seen in the IV stage what is needed from the beneficiary. She has already sent me most of whats needed and I've already sent in the marriage cert and a few others on there (ones required as part of the IV packet) with the I-130 application. She sent me two copies of everything. I already got one answer to one of my initial questions I was intending to post here. ( would I need to submit paperwork to the NVC (such as marriage cert) if I already sent it with the I-130) I have two copies of all of those so I'm prepared to send a second copy if needed. All I need is for her to fill out the ds-230 and have her sign part one and send it to me..

When your applications is at NVC stage, you'll need to send everything that is required even if the same documents were sent-in previously.

Would it be advisable to have her fill it out online, print, sign, scan then email it to me as a pdf or should I have her send the filled out form to me in the mail ahead of time. Also, would there be an issue with the date and that the Ds-230 will be going to the NVC from my address and not hers? I'm still in the beginning stages and want to prepare all of it by the time i get the NOA2. Just noticed that I won't be able to do anything until i get case numbers. Should I get all the paperwork prepared anyway and just wait until I get case numbers or should I go one at a time until and go step by step?

For her DS-3032 (agent appointment form) - get your wife to email it in. There's template floating around somewhere. If you can't find it, msg me. Also i would recommend getting that form signed by your wife and snail mail it along with the DS-230. Make sure she signed but leave the date blank. Make sure she send a few copies of everything.

Current DS-230

Current DS-3032

I'm leaning towards getting everything done and put into a folder with each step listed and follow it that way. Since there will be a way for me to generate a barcode when the time comes for it, I figure that that would be the best way for me to keep on top of things. Again with dates. If a piece of paperwork for example (ds-230) is signed and dated on 06/10/2010 but the NVC process hasn't even begun yet, would it affect anything with the case?

Signed but don't DATE your form. you can date it when you're ready to send them. Get your wife to send a few copies on everything she send. Her police record normally expired in 3 months just make sure she get a new police certificate 2.5 months into your I-130 application. From experienced, it take approximately 1 months to get this done depending if Cambodia have public holidays (they have alot!!) around that time.

Right now you are currently in the petitioning stage, and not at the application for visa stage. Petitioning stage is the stage that you're dealing with USCIS and not the NVC. You don't deal directly with the NVC.

Make sure you have both the English translated documents as well as the Cambodian documents representing the marriage certificates, and birth certificates. They must be notarized by the Cambodian Ministries, State, and Town offices. For the English version of the certificate, it must be notarized by the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

I agreed with Neil here. I would translate and notarized everything that is not in English.

I'd suggest for you to gather evidence of your relationship. Prepare photographs of your engagement ceremony, and marriage ceremony. Assemble pictures of your honeymoon, family members. Organize your calling cards. Remember that depending on the mood of the staff at the embassy, they may be good or bad depending on how many people they're dealing with that day or how many times they have to explain things to people. They're not really the people person type.

Like Niel said, this is the time to gather all your evidences.

Filling out the DS-230 is far too early. There's an expiration date after you fill it out. It needs to filled online so a bar code could be generated. I'd suggest filling it out a week after you send in packet 3.

Like i said earlier, go ahead fill out, sign but DONT date the DS-230. The current DS-230 expiration date is 02/2012! Your application won't take that long if your relationship is bonafide with enough proofs and you're financially able to support her. Your wife will be in the US in no time. I would predict by the end of this year!.

You can, however, let your wife know next month to get her Medical done. The paperwork for that doesn't require a case number, and expire in one year after the examination is done. When the embassy mail out packet 3 to you in the US, it'll most likely take 2-3 weeks before you would receive in the mail. Usually packet 3 gets mailed out after they received an approved petition status from NVC and assigned you a case number. After receiving packet 3, you may indicate for them to either mail out any notices to you in the US or have it mailed to your wife. For them to mail it to your wife, open up a post office box at Khmer Express for 15 bucks. Use that post office box as the address for the mail.

Currently there are two hospital/clinic that the US embassy approved to perform medical checkup. Both locations will required the beneficiary to bring his/her interview letter before they perform medical checkup. Your wife will NOT be able to get her medical done without an official interview appointment letter from NVC.

The wiki may be useful, but, it's not exactly how the embassy would handle your case. Anyway, getting the paperwork for packet 3 takes about 15 mins anyway. Don't worry too much about it.

Alot of ppl here use these WIKI and it's helps a great deal.

[SupastarsaM 7]

Got it. I am just in the petitioning stage but wants to prepare as much as I can so the process can go as smoothly as possible. I seem to have all the forms already with me.

Here is what I have so far.

She sent me all the paperwork I asked for and It's all translated and notarized by the Ministry of Affairs.

Gathering evidence and put it to one side including airline tickets, receipts, yahoo messenger logs, phone bills, text messages, pictures, screen captures of webcam chats, putting the wedding video into dvd format and a picture album full of pictures (the big book)

Went to my tax guy and asked him for my tax papers for the past three years and will contact my HR and have her send me my copies of W-2's and a typed out letter of employment sent by snail mail.

Bank statements, 401k papers and everything else financial.

What I will be doing in the meanwhile. I called her and told her she needed to print out the Immigrant Visa application, fill it out and send it to me but not date. I'll be on yahoo with her tonight walking her through what to fill out and what to leave blank.

Told her about the medical check and she knows that she has to but only until I get the notice will I tell her to go.

I want this to be as smooth as possible hence the asking lots of questions and preparing for the NVC stage now.

One more question. The poverty guideline. I take care of my mother and niece and it shows on my tax forms. I'm required to put in 4 and when i calculated everything. I barely make it above the poverty guideline. I believe it's around 27,000 or so and I'm a little over 28k a year. Would it be advisable to get a co-sponsor or should that be ok?

Thanks again Niels and Thansur for all your help.

Sam,

[Niels Bohr 72]

Yes. If you barely made it above the poverty guideline, include a joint sponsor. You would need to make them aware that you are comfortably living, and will not be a person who married the local and used the local to get income for you. Build a strong paperwork on the I-864.

One more question. The poverty guideline. I take care of my mother and niece and it shows on my tax forms. I'm required to put in 4 and when i calculated everything. I barely make it above the poverty guideline. I believe it's around 27,000 or so and I'm a little over 28k a year. Would it be advisable to get a co-sponsor or should that be ok?

Thanks again Niels and Thansur for all your help.

Sam,

[tharnsur 1]

Sam

You may want to get tax transcripts from the past 3 filing years. It's free. I think there are instructions in the WIKI. When i did it, the transcripts arrived in 2-3 weeks. You should include tax transcripts as part of your AOS package.

Like Niel said, get a co-sponsor if your income bracket is close to the poverty guideline. I've heard lots of horror stories about co-sponsor not cooperating when NVC is asking for more info (RFE - request for evidences). So pick your sponsor/s carefully.

Went to my tax guy and asked him for my tax papers for the past three years and will contact my HR and have her send me my copies of W-2's and a typed out letter of employment sent by snail mail.

Bank statements, 401k papers and everything else financial.

I want this to be as smooth as possible hence the asking lots of questions and preparing for the NVC stage now.

One more question. The poverty guideline. I take care of my mother and niece and it shows on my tax forms. I'm required to put in 4 and when i calculated everything. I barely make it above the poverty guideline. I believe it's around 27,000 or so and I'm a little over 28k a year. Would it be advisable to get a co-sponsor or should that be ok?

Thanks again Niels and Thansur for all your help.

Sam,

Edited June 11, 2010 by tharnsur

[SupastarsaM 7]

Changed my address and phone number on the USCIS website.

Shouldn't be a problem with my petition right?

Thanks...

Sam,

[Niels Bohr 72]

If you are still in the petition stage, it'll not be a problem.

Changed my address and phone number on the USCIS website.

Shouldn't be a problem with my petition right?

Thanks...

Sam,

[SupastarsaM 7]

Thanks Niels. I was a bit hesitant about it at first because I didn't wasn't sure if it would effect the time but figured I should just do it now since I'm just in the USCIS stage right now.

Sam,

[SupastarsaM 7]

Hey guys. Sam back again. Another question. I've read about some of the members interview experiences and noticed that for some. They needed to show AOS papers and some had to bring tax transcripts and bank statements.

To my knowledge from reading the wiki's, aren't those forms submitted during the NVC stage already or just some during NVC and more during interview?

All I can think of by interview time are check stubs and bank statements. Should I mail her copies of my tax transcripts also?

Thanks.

Sam,

[tharnsur 1]

Sam,

I brought my 2009 tax return and transcript to the interview just in case they ask for it. At the time, these documents were not ready or available to include in the AOS package. I wouldn't worry about it if NVC have all your current tax returns and supporting documents.

Sent a copy to your fiance just in case.

Hey guys. Sam back again. Another question. I've read about some of the members interview experiences and noticed that for some. They needed to show AOS papers and some had to bring tax transcripts and bank statements.

To my knowledge from reading the wiki's, aren't those forms submitted during the NVC stage already or just some during NVC and more during interview?

All I can think of by interview time are check stubs and bank statements. Should I mail her copies of my tax transcripts also?

Thanks.

Sam,

[SupastarsaM 7]

Hey there guys and gals. Just wanted to let all my Khmer friends that I'm at the NVC stage now and everything seems to be looking bright. Many stressful days but all well worth it.