Assistance of Cambodian K-1&K-2 Visas

[Jackson81 0]

Hi, How is everyone doing? My name is Jackson Siv. I'm a 25 yr old Chinese Cambodian that is residing in Providence, RI. I been assisting lots of my fellow Cambodians in immigration cases. I been doing it on the side for like 3 yrs now. I use to be a corporate travel agent for 10 yrs. I am located in Providence, RI. If anyone needs any assistance locally or have any questions in regards to K-1 and K-2 Visas, feel free to email me at jacksonsiv@cox.net. When I went through the K-1 Visa Process, I used this site as well. This is the best informative site out there that specializes in these particular visas. I would like to offer my knowledge and assistance in regards to the Cambodian Community. I understand how the consulate and the proper paperwork/certifications that are required in Cambodia to have a smooth transition in this process. I have traveled to Cambodia at least 10 times. Again, I would like to extend my warmest greetings.

Best Regards,

Jackson Siv

[Niels Bohr 72]

Hmm....Have you worked with K-3s? I live nearby Providence. I would like to know the experiences at the interview stage. How difficult? Any refusal?

This year is when the US Embassy started processing the visas at the new site in Phnom Penh, so it may be different from the previous experiences. But, I would still like to know.

Edited April 4, 2007 by consolemaster

[Lace 0]

Thanks for the offer Jackson81. I know I'll be hitting you on your offer as the interview date draws near.

I'll ask the first question than. Simple questions first.

1) I'm planning on attending the interview with my fiance. Do they allow the USC to sit in on the interview or do I have to wait in a waiting room and make myself available to answer any questions? My fiance is already nervous but I assured her to answer truthfully and everything will be OK. As that is all I'm asking of her, nothing but honesty and to answer directly at the consulate officer.

2) Have you heard of anything new from the US Embassy in Phnom Penh? Such as any reviews from anyone that went through the K1 or K3 Interview yet? What are their impression of the consulate and personel?

3) This is more of an advice than anything else. Her father agreeded to work on our guest list for our engagement. We had over 300 people that he will list their names, numbers, and addresses. That's not inculding vendors, waiters, muscians, and such (just which company he hired). Should these be translated also? I know for official documents such as birth certificate, police records, and such it needs to be translated but should I also have the guest list translated? Getting the translation from Khmer to English on names and Address could be quite difficult as you can imagine.

I'm sure I'll have lots more questions later on that will help others like myself in the process. Again, thank you for your time in helping with the community.

[Jackson81 0]

Hmm....Have you worked with K-3s? I live nearby Providence. I would like to know the experiences at the interview stage. How difficult? Any refusal?

This year is when the US Embassy started processing the visas at the new site in Phnom Penh, so it may be different from the previous experiences. But, I would still like to know.

Yes I have worked with K-3's. Well if you live nearby Providence, can you tell me where specifically. We could meet up sometime and discuss things. In regards to the interviews it gets in depth. It would be better for you to setup a time, so we could discuss the matter or if you could send me a private email, that'll be great. ITs not as difficult as it seems with the interview process, its just the key preperations before you go through the interview.

Best regards,

Jackson Siv

[Jackson81 0]

Thanks for the offer Jackson81. I know I'll be hitting you on your offer as the interview date draws near.

I'll ask the first question than. Simple questions first.

1) I'm planning on attending the interview with my fiance. Do they allow the USC to sit in on the interview or do I have to wait in a waiting room and make myself available to answer any questions? My fiance is already nervous but I assured her to answer truthfully and everything will be OK. As that is all I'm asking of her, nothing but honesty and to answer directly at the consulate officer.

2) Have you heard of anything new from the US Embassy in Phnom Penh? Such as any reviews from anyone that went through the K1 or K3 Interview yet? What are their impression of the consulate and personel?

3) This is more of an advice than anything else. Her father agreeded to work on our guest list for our engagement. We had over 300 people that he will list their names, numbers, and addresses. That's not inculding vendors, waiters, muscians, and such (just which company he hired). Should these be translated also? I know for official documents such as birth certificate, police records, and such it needs to be translated but should I also have the guest list translated? Getting the translation from Khmer to English on names and Address could be quite difficult as you can imagine.

I'm sure I'll have lots more questions later on that will help others like myself in the process. Again, thank you for your time in helping with the community.

Congrats to Flash Fish. In regards to the documents, every document that you have needs to be certified and sealed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The Legal Consular Dept. It's is key to have all documents re-certified. That is the only seal and approval that the US Government recognizes that all documents are real. I have seen lots of cases being delayed and also when your trying to apply for a Social Security card and other documents that is needed in the US, it slows the process down drastically. Like the previous post, feel free to send me a private email and contact number so I could give you a better in depth explanation of the interview.

The second question about the personnel at the new consulate is that they need lots of work with customer service and answering the questions that you need to have answered. I do understand that fulfilling your job duties and looking forward to work is one thing, but using your job title as a symbol or status of where you fall into society, is predominant. It's very typical for our people to do so, from a Cambodian perspective. Thats where the questions go, the rich is getting richer and the poor is getting poorer and why is that? Change could be evaluated as a good or bad thing, but for us to embrace it, its another thing. I know that my country is still developing and improvements to grow is still going forward, but this is where the miscommunication of all things falls in. Not understanding and realizing that a simple matter could be resolved. Its great to have the new Cambodian consulate in Cambodia and it gives us an opportunity for us to prove that as an emerging country in development, our standards are met on the international levels.

Translation is pretty much easy once its done in the correct department. If you go to the department of International Affairs in Phnom Penh, this would be the one stop shop on any document that needs to be translated. Hopefully this sums everything up and what you do need. Thanks for replying and please pass the news on to anyone else.

Best Regards,

Jackson Siv

Edited April 4, 2007 by Jackson81

[Jackson81 0]

Hmm....Have you worked with K-3s? I live nearby Providence. I would like to know the experiences at the interview stage. How difficult? Any refusal?

This year is when the US Embassy started processing the visas at the new site in Phnom Penh, so it may be different from the previous experiences. But, I would still like to know.

Yes I have worked with K-3's. Well if you live nearby Providence, can you tell me where specifically. We could meet up sometime and discuss things. In regards to the interviews it gets in depth. It would be better for you to setup a time, so we could discuss the matter or if you could send me a private email, that'll be great. ITs not as difficult as it seems with the interview process, its just the key preperations before you go through the interview.

Best regards,

Jackson Siv

Edited April 4, 2007 by Jackson81

[Jackson81 0]

Thanks for the offer Jackson81. I know I'll be hitting you on your offer as the interview date draws near.

I'll ask the first question than. Simple questions first.

1) I'm planning on attending the interview with my fiance. Do they allow the USC to sit in on the interview or do I have to wait in a waiting room and make myself available to answer any questions? My fiance is already nervous but I assured her to answer truthfully and everything will be OK. As that is all I'm asking of her, nothing but honesty and to answer directly at the consulate officer.

2) Have you heard of anything new from the US Embassy in Phnom Penh? Such as any reviews from anyone that went through the K1 or K3 Interview yet? What are their impression of the consulate and personel?

3) This is more of an advice than anything else. Her father agreeded to work on our guest list for our engagement. We had over 300 people that he will list their names, numbers, and addresses. That's not inculding vendors, waiters, muscians, and such (just which company he hired). Should these be translated also? I know for official documents such as birth certificate, police records, and such it needs to be translated but should I also have the guest list translated? Getting the translation from Khmer to English on names and Address could be quite difficult as you can imagine.

I'm sure I'll have lots more questions later on that will help others like myself in the process. Again, thank you for your time in helping with the community.

Congrats to Flash Fish. In regards to the documents, every document that you have needs to be certified and sealed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The Legal Consular Dept. It's is key to have all documents re-certified. That is the only seal and approval that the US Government recognizes that all documents are real. I have seen lots of cases being delayed and also when your trying to apply for a Social Security card and other documents that is needed in the US, it slows the process down drastically. Like the previous post, feel free to send me a private email and contact number so I could give you a better in depth explanation of the interview.

The second question about the personnel at the new consulate is that they need lots of work with customer service and answering the questions that you need to have answered. I do understand that fulfilling your job duties and looking forward to work is one thing, but using your job title as a symbol or status of where you fall into society, is predominant. It's very typical for our people to do so, from a Cambodian perspective. Thats where the questions go, the rich is getting richer and the poor is getting poorer and why is that? Change could be evaluated as a good or bad thing, but for us to embrace it, its another thing. I know that my country is still developing and improvements to grow is still going forward, but this is where the miscommunication of all things falls in. Not understanding and realizing that a simple matter could be resolved. Its great to have the new Cambodian consulate in Cambodia and it gives us an opportunity for us to prove that as an emerging country in development, our standards are met on the international levels.

Translation is pretty much easy once its done in the correct department. If you go to the department of International Affairs in Phnom Penh, this would be the one stop shop on any document that needs to be translated. Hopefully this sums everything up and what you do need. Thanks for replying and please pass the news on to anyone else.

Best Regards,

Jackson Siv

I forgot to answer the question of you being with your Fiancee for the interview. It's up to your discretion to go, but its great for her to go by herself to learn what improvements that she would need for interviews. She would have to do the same here for her I-485 Interview. Its also up to the discretion of the interviewer to have you wait outside or to go inside with your fiancee. Just reassure her that its not difficult at all and I could advise you what she needs to prepare for.

[Lace 0]

Thanks for the reply Jackson81. My fiance will be doing her interview in English. She speaks it pretty well so that isn't a problem.

Reguarding the translation of documents. I was under the impression and from what I've heard you can get your documents translated at pyramid.

http://www.pyramid-e.com/about_en.htm

Our Customers

Embassies: PYRAMID was the first translation agency to be accredited by the Consulate of the French Embassy

in Cambodia. We also provide certified translations of documents for other embassies such as the Singapore,

American, Canadian, and Australian Embassies, as well as the Belgium Consulate.

My fiance once told me this is where everyone gets their documents translated for the embassy interview. I think it makes sense now. Get the translation done at pyramid as she will have her orginal documents in front of her and thus, the embassy will accept them. However, once she arrives in the US, we may not accept a service translated by a forgein company instead of an official branch. Have you heard of anyone using the services at pyramid? She's going to ask them to sign the statement:

I [typed name], certify that I am fluent (conversant) in the English and ________ languages, and that the above/attached document is an accurate translation of the document attached entitled ______________________________.

Signature_________________________________

Date Typed Name

Address

[Niels Bohr 72]

Jackson,

All of my marriage documents have the official seal from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Corporation. The Khmer, and the English version have them. This includes the Marriage Certificate, the Police Certificate. Actually, the Cambodian government would not let me marry without going into the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Corp. and getting a marriage permit from them with a notarized affidavit from the US Embassy. I did this all in two weeks. Thank goodness, one of my friend knew the Governor of Koh Kong province or else we would not have receive the stamp from the Governor's office to approve the marriage. Generally, if you are a native you don't need to goto the governor's office to get approval. All you need to go is the village commune. However, because I'm a citizen from the US, I had to get the governor's office stamp. I had to get three stamps on the permit records, one from the village, the commune, and then the governor's office. Many people had to wait 1-2 months before they see them paperwork stamped. Buddha was with me those two weeks.

Paperwork with me is not a problem. I am worried about the interview. What evidence I would need to bring, etc...?

Thank you a million.

Flashfish,

All of my documents were translated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Corporation.

Edited April 5, 2007 by consolemaster

[Lace 0]

Generally, if you are a native you don't need to goto the governor's office to get approval. All you need to go is the village commune. However, because I'm a citizen from the US, I had to get the governor's office stamp.

Just curious. What if you're both? Meaning I was born in Cambodia and emigrated to the US. I'm now a US Citizen and my passport shows I was born in Cambodia? Would I need to get the governor's office stamp or just the village commune? Would I be considered a native or US Citizen or both? I have the multi entry permanent visa on my US Passport also.

[Niels Bohr 72]

No. The MFA require you to go through the governor's office. You need to have your name documented there. That is if you want to obtain a marriage permit. It's also required by the US Embassy regardless of your national status.

[Niels Bohr 72]

Sorry Flashfish, I didn't quite answer your question.

1.) If you are a citizen of the US, the US Embassy will not see you as a Cambodian native.

2.) The Cambodian government will recognize your dual citizenship, however, the US will not.

3.) If you are marrying in the States, as you are persuing K-1, you don't need to get documents stamped from the governor's office since you are not obtaining a marriage permit.

4.) The petition filing, the consular will view you as a regular US Citizen, nothing else.

I hope this answers those questions. I just got back from work last night, and I thought I read everything correctly. Sorry man.

[Lace 0]

Cool thanks. I am going the K1 route. That was more out of curiousity and for the viewers that may be reading this. Thought that was a good question in case others may want to try that route. Basically, they will need to follow the guides here:

http://cambodia.usembassy.gov/getting_marr...n_cambodia.html

Although you may just go to the village commune since you're born in Cambodia the US Governement will not accept that stamp since our governement does not reconize dual citizenship. It must come from the the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Corporation.

[Jackson81 0]

Thanks for the reply Jackson81. My fiance will be doing her interview in English. She speaks it pretty well so that isn't a problem.

Reguarding the translation of documents. I was under the impression and from what I've heard you can get your documents translated at pyramid.

http://www.pyramid-e.com/about_en.htm

Our Customers

Embassies: PYRAMID was the first translation agency to be accredited by the Consulate of the French Embassy

in Cambodia. We also provide certified translations of documents for other embassies such as the Singapore,

American, Canadian, and Australian Embassies, as well as the Belgium Consulate.

My fiance once told me this is where everyone gets their documents translated for the embassy interview. I think it makes sense now. Get the translation done at pyramid as she will have her orginal documents in front of her and thus, the embassy will accept them. However, once she arrives in the US, we may not accept a service translated by a forgein company instead of an official branch. Have you heard of anyone using the services at pyramid? She's going to ask them to sign the statement:

I [typed name], certify that I am fluent (conversant) in the English and ________ languages, and that the above/attached document is an accurate translation of the document attached entitled ______________________________.

Signature_________________________________

Date Typed Name

Address

I wouldn't recommend to have it translated by pyramid. I'm currently working on a case and there was a delay on the case itself. You might be spending more to have it translated at the dept. of international affairs, but they have a seal that states this document is valid in the US. This would make the entire process alot easier. On the fine print it says that company works with the dept. of commerce in Cambodia. Most likely that translation company Pyramid, is from the Battambang Province. In regards to the interview, key important things I heavily emphasize is that eye contact and ask to repeat any questions that you don't understand. Be through with the responses and do ask the interperter for help because everyone speaks both Cambodian and English. In regards to speaking the language fluently is one thing, but its easier to play dumb and have someone interpet it for you in cambodian. Less questions would be asked versus knowing the english language. Theres certain questions that goes above and beyond you personal matter, Like how did your fiance came to Cambodia and who bought an airline ticket for him? Does he have a reciept and what is the form of payment. Your pretty much at the mercy of the interviewer, but logically you need to have a response that makes the interviewer realize that this isn't a fake marriage. Alot of common sense questions are known to be asked. Hopefully this helps you out.

Jackson

[Jackson81 0]

Thanks for the reply Jackson81. My fiance will be doing her interview in English. She speaks it pretty well so that isn't a problem.

Reguarding the translation of documents. I was under the impression and from what I've heard you can get your documents translated at pyramid.

http://www.pyramid-e.com/about_en.htm

Our Customers

Embassies: PYRAMID was the first translation agency to be accredited by the Consulate of the French Embassy

in Cambodia. We also provide certified translations of documents for other embassies such as the Singapore,

American, Canadian, and Australian Embassies, as well as the Belgium Consulate.

My fiance once told me this is where everyone gets their documents translated for the embassy interview. I think it makes sense now. Get the translation done at pyramid as she will have her orginal documents in front of her and thus, the embassy will accept them. However, once she arrives in the US, we may not accept a service translated by a forgein company instead of an official branch. Have you heard of anyone using the services at pyramid? She's going to ask them to sign the statement:

I [typed name], certify that I am fluent (conversant) in the English and ________ languages, and that the above/attached document is an accurate translation of the document attached entitled ______________________________.

Signature_________________________________

Date Typed Name

Address

I wouldn't recommend to have it translated by pyramid. I'm currently working on a case and there was a delay on the case itself. You might be spending more to have it translated at the dept. of international affairs, but they have a seal that states this document is valid in the US. This would make the entire process alot easier. On the fine print it says that company works with the dept. of commerce in Cambodia. Most likely that translation company Pyramid, is from the Battambang Province. In regards to the interview, key important things I heavily emphasize is that eye contact and ask to repeat any questions that you don't understand. Be thorough with the responses and do ask the interperter for help because everyone speaks both Cambodian and English. In regards to speaking the language fluently is one thing, but its easier to play dumb and have someone interpet it for you in cambodian. Less questions would be asked versus knowing the english language. Theres certain questions that goes above and beyond you personal matter, Like how did your fiance came to Cambodia and who bought an airline ticket for him? Does he have a reciept and what is the form of payment. Your pretty much at the mercy of the interviewer, but logically you need to have a response that makes the interviewer realize that this isn't a fake marriage. Alot of common sense questions are known to be asked. Hopefully this helps you out.

Jackson