SAWASDEE 2

[statman78 0]

This might be a stupid question and there doesn't seem to be much ambiguity in this email, but....

On February 24, 2008, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E). Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service.

...is this NOA2??? If so it came only 60 days from the NOA1, and seems 40 days faster than the average. Honestly I wasn't looking for this until April at the earliest.

Cheers,

Al

Congratulations!

Your petition is on its way to the next step.

[Dagobert 0]

Wonderful news guys!! Thanks!!

My fiancee posted this email on a Thai visa forum she uses and now the ladies there are asking how did we get the NOA2 so fast. Unfortunately I have no answer for her on that. Prayer works is all I can tell her....

Cheers,

Al

[Kang Lang 7]

congrats!! that is breakneck speed. good luck!

[afterforever 0]

Kampong received her Packet 3 @ 2 AM my time. Needless to say, she called me all excited an woke me from a deep sleep and I ended up working today on only 2 hours sleep.....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz I couldn't get back to sleep because I was going through the checklist over and over in my head and then something clicked in my head.......I realized that she needed to renew her passport, DAMN!! It expires in September and it needs to have 8 months validity on it prior to the issue of visa. #######!!

She is going to head off to BKK this weekend from Lamduan and apply for her new passport, fortunately it only takes 3 days for the new passport and she will also get her police check done while she is there. Once she has her new passport, she will send in the DS-230, pictures and copy of the photo page of her new passport.

We can see the light at the end of the tunnel now, I hope that she will have her interview by the end of March but that may be just some wishful thinking.

Chok dee to all.............

Sqdnguns, just want you to know that it will take two to three weeks to receive your police certificate from the BKK police department. Have them send it to your fiance by EMS. Good luck on getting your interview soon.

[SqdnGuns 21]

Kampong received her Packet 3 @ 2 AM my time. Needless to say, she called me all excited an woke me from a deep sleep and I ended up working today on only 2 hours sleep.....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz I couldn't get back to sleep because I was going through the checklist over and over in my head and then something clicked in my head.......I realized that she needed to renew her passport, DAMN!! It expires in September and it needs to have 8 months validity on it prior to the issue of visa. #######!!

She is going to head off to BKK this weekend from Lamduan and apply for her new passport, fortunately it only takes 3 days for the new passport and she will also get her police check done while she is there. Once she has her new passport, she will send in the DS-230, pictures and copy of the photo page of her new passport.

We can see the light at the end of the tunnel now, I hope that she will have her interview by the end of March but that may be just some wishful thinking.

Chok dee to all.............

Sqdnguns, just want you to know that it will take two to three weeks to receive your police certificate from the BKK police department. Have them send it to your fiance by EMS. Good luck on getting your interview soon.

Thanks!

She applied for her new passport yesterday and will pick it up Thursday morning then head over to get the police check done. She spoke with them yesterday and they told her she could pick up her police check on Monday but she does not want to hang around BKK any longer than she has to, she will have them mail it to her.

I was surprised when they told her she could pick it up on Monday.

[epoulsen 0]

So I was checking on the status of our case and I received this email from the Embassy.

"The IV Unit received your returned Packet 3 materials on February 14, 2008. The interview appointment has been scheduled for you on 08-MAY-2008 at 07:00 am."

When I look online at the sheduled appointment as of Feb 18th, I don't see any scheduled for April. I can't believe all the April dates are full already. I really hope the date in this email is wrong. We're so close!

Cheers!

[tafeagans 0]

Just an update here to everyone. I also posted this in the Bangkok interview section.

It is the wee hours of the morning and I am still in shock that my VISA process has moved ever so rapidly and the interview is set for March 18th.

See the posts at for further background

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...=108011&hl=

Since that Radio show,engaging my Senator and just pure support from this forum I am shocked how things moved so quickly. I have not posted lately, because work has had me drained and my Mom's condition is getting worse and all of that really has worn me out. However, at 3AM this morning my phone rang with great news from the Bangkok embassy, your fiancée interview has been expedited and set for March 18th. I said What?, who is this and what again. It was nothing less than the US Ambassador's aid calling me. Again, I asked, who is this and he explained, again and I was left shocked. My VISA process has flew like the wind. Take a look at our time line and it speaks loud and clear. In came the NOA 2, Out it went from the USCIS, through the NVC and to Bangkok requesting the interview in record time. The interview, which normally takes a time of 2 months to get, as you guys know, is now set for March 18th. This is really quick considering also that there were no interviews for this month of February in Bangkok. On March 18th, my fiancée and I will be together in Bangkok for her interview.

Here is an extract of the email

The IV Unit has received the applicant returned Packet 3 checklist and DS-230 part I on February 21, 2007. Normally, the waiting period for scheduling regular interview appointment is about 4-6 weeks. However, due to the medical emergency, the IV Unit has scheduled an expedited interview appointment for Ms. XXXXXXXXXXX on 18-MAR-2008 at 08:00 am. The Packet 4 which is an interview appointment instruction has been electronically sent to you and mailed.

WOW

[Kang Lang 7]

congratulations i am happy that it worked out so quickly amazing what they can do!!!!! good luck to you.

[afterforever 0]

Kampong received her Packet 3 @ 2 AM my time. Needless to say, she called me all excited an woke me from a deep sleep and I ended up working today on only 2 hours sleep.....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz I couldn't get back to sleep because I was going through the checklist over and over in my head and then something clicked in my head.......I realized that she needed to renew her passport, DAMN!! It expires in September and it needs to have 8 months validity on it prior to the issue of visa. #######!!

She is going to head off to BKK this weekend from Lamduan and apply for her new passport, fortunately it only takes 3 days for the new passport and she will also get her police check done while she is there. Once she has her new passport, she will send in the DS-230, pictures and copy of the photo page of her new passport.

We can see the light at the end of the tunnel now, I hope that she will have her interview by the end of March but that may be just some wishful thinking.

Chok dee to all.............

Sqdnguns, just want you to know that it will take two to three weeks to receive your police certificate from the BKK police department. Have them send it to your fiance by EMS. Good luck on getting your interview soon.

Thanks!

She applied for her new passport yesterday and will pick it up Thursday morning then head over to get the police check done. She spoke with them yesterday and they told her she could pick up her police check on Monday but she does not want to hang around BKK any longer than she has to, she will have them mail it to her.

I was surprised when they told her she could pick it up on Monday.

Wow, apparently things have changed since my fiance applied for her police certificate in December of 07. Doesn't surprise me though. Good luck on the rest of your journey.

[Dagobert 0]

I am not sure if this is the correct thread to post this query, and hopefully the moderator can move if it is.

For the American fiancee...how is your relationship with your Thai fiancee's family? How do they view the move to the US and the marriage to a farang? Also if any Thai fiancee are here, how does your family view your choice in spouse and relocation of life?

Thanks for any replys!

Al

[anya-D 8]

I am not sure if this is the correct thread to post this query, and hopefully the moderator can move if it is.

For the American fiancee...how is your relationship with your Thai fiancee's family? How do they view the move to the US and the marriage to a farang? Also if any Thai fiancee are here, how does your family view your choice in spouse and relocation of life?

Thanks for any replys!

Al

Hi, Al

My family gives me full support on my choice - they kinda know I'd end up in different country since they know I love to travel and seems to be able to get a job that required living in different countries - it was not a suprise for them that after I went home from one year in the US and told them that I am in love with an american. He also took several months off to come live with me in Thailand and to get to know my parents and get my parents to trust him. My paresnt love his effort to learn Thai custom and tradition.

My dad especialy love my decision to live in NC since he also graduated from NC state - the other reason is he can come to visit to his old university and his long time friends!! (and he's coming for a second visit in May).

My husband relationship with my parents is great. But since i dont talk to my parents very often (my parents know i'm doing great if I dont call - if I call then something is wrong ;p ) my husband didnt get to talk to them very often too. and becasue both my parents speak english so it's easy for him too.

Good luck in your visa journey!!

-Anya

[BishopMnA 0]

Its a good question dagobert. I've tried to answer below based on our experience...so some of it may or may not apply B)

For us, I had the good blessing of going to Thailand for about 20 times before my 'now wife' moved to the USA with a K1. So, I was able to meet her entire family many many times. That was crucial for us. In Thailand, you must and should be very respectful on the family. Since I was able to meet them so often, that made it easier for us. Also, I would stay at the family's house each time that I went to Thailand. They saw my 'good' and 'bad' sides during all of that time. Of course, I also specifically sought their approval to bring their daughter to the USA, even though my wife is 40 years old Thats just good conduct on the part of the man. I think most men would do the same thing, even if they were marrying a woman who was from the US.

One thing that I would certainly do though, is to make sure that your SO knows how to contact Thailand, once she is living in the United States. That was probably what tripped us up the most.

Also, MAKE SURE YOUR WIFE2B UNDERSTANDS WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN SHE ARRIVES IN THE USA!

Here is what happened in our case. When we were approved and moved, her family blessed us 100%. However, I didn't take enough time while I was in Thailand to really explain to my wife and her family what would happen once we were back in the US. Plus, I didn't know how to best enable my wife to call back to Thailand, because I had always called her from my work-sponsored fone.

So, her family was under the impression that AAm would land in the USA, and would begin driving, working etc the very next day! AAm also believed this. In reality though, it doesn't happen like that AT ALL!!!

Getting the K1 visa is just half the battle/journey...much more has to be done once she is in the United States, before she can really start to have a full life here.

The entire 'start' of the AOS process is 'dead time' for new K1 immigrants to the USA. They really can't do ANYTHING for the first many months. They have to apply for marriage, get married, establish residency, get a SS card, get a driver's license, file for EAD employment authorization, file for Adjustment of Status (greencard), be interviewed again, and quite a bit more during the first many months that they are in the US. And, during all of that time, they are not allowed to leave the USA. Essentially, they are stuck in a bit of a state of 'non-existence' in the USA until they can complete all that, which can take anywhere from 6-12 months or longer.

At first, we hadn't found a 'cheap' way for my wife to contact back home, so calls back home were rare. However, after about a month or two we found a cheap calling card that fit our needs perfectly...so then my wife started spending hours on the fone with her family back in Thailand. That was a lifesaver! During those two months that my wife was here, I fully explained the rest of the AOS process that we needed to complete before she was really a legal immigrant...and before she could really start her new life.

Then, my wife had to try to explain all that to her family back home....which wasn't an easy task for her!

So, my thoughts to you would be to surely get the approval of your fiancee's family. My wife's mom is EXTREMELY traditional Thai, but the fact that I'm a farang did not matter to her very much. She looks at the heart, most Thai people are very good about doing that, if you are properly respectful. Also, once she had the fiancee visa, take time to explain to her the multitudes of steps that are still required once she arrives in the USA. Make sure that she knows there will still be large USCIS fees and a huge amount of paperwork...plus driving test, SS application, marriage and much more. Make sure that she knows that there are NO taxis in the USA...its not like Thailand where you can just cheaply hop on a tuk-tuk and get around...make sure she knows she'll have to drive here and that kinda thing. And, make sure that she is able to explain all that to her family...before she comes to the United States...so they will understand the situation that their daughter will be arriving to.

I think her family will be happy that she'll have the chance to live in the United States. But please make sure that they understand all that it entails to get here! If you don't want to drown them in the details, then at least let them know that by USA immigration laws, their daughter won't be able to do much for the first 6-12 months she is here.

However, before you know it, she'll be here and you'll have cleared all these AOS steps and your wife will be blooming!

I hope this helps! This was my experience. My wife is extremely gracious and brave to come to the United States. I'm blessed to have her with me. Looking back, we did well on the process. However, I really wish I had made her more aware of 'what would happen' once she arrived in the States. That would have made things less stressful on her and also on her family back in Thailand.

Peace,

MarkNAam

[Dagobert 0]

Mark and Anya,

Thanks so much for your quick responses! Was wonderful reading about your experiences, but mine is not so wonderful as this just yet. Huge amounts of elation at the receipt of the NOA2 only to be followed my huge amounts of worry because finding out her family is totally against her moving to the US. I really do not know what to do. Unfortunately I don't have the good fortune of being able to stay or travel to Thailand for large amounts of time. I feel sad over the pressure and lack of support that she has and I can't be there to help her.

I have the NOA2 and have not even opened the envelope yet.

Al

[anya-D 8]

Mark and Anya,

Thanks so much for your quick responses! Was wonderful reading about your experiences, but mine is not so wonderful as this just yet. Huge amounts of elation at the receipt of the NOA2 only to be followed my huge amounts of worry because finding out her family is totally against her moving to the US. I really do not know what to do. Unfortunately I don't have the good fortune of being able to stay or travel to Thailand for large amounts of time. I feel sad over the pressure and lack of support that she has and I can't be there to help her.

I have the NOA2 and have not even opened the envelope yet.

Al

I'm sorry to hear that!! That is sad. I have a suggestion that you might try. May be you can write them a letter (in english is fine and find a translater later) and I mean hand written send by mail letter kinda introduce yourself and your family , your house, the surrounding area... etc. to them? Her parents can feel like they dont know you enough or at all to trust you to give her the happiness when she gets here, and by interact with them directly might be a good try.

Why are they against her moving? becasue she will be too far away and they dont want to lose her too far away to a guy they dont really know? or other reason?

My paresnts was concern also about culture differeces. They worried that my husband wont let me continue to practice buddhism, meditate or have Buddha image in the house, which by the way - I'm free to do all that. And other differences that can cause misunderstanding due to culture different. My parents know my husband personally so what questions they had, they talked about it to both of us and it gives them comfort that we will be great together.

I think if you can try to communicate with her parents directlyand keep the communication with her parents (in anyway... send them some card, talk and say hi, ask them some question.. bla bla bla... ) will make them feels better about the move?

Cheers and good luck

Anya

[Kang Lang 7]

that's incredibly tough dagobert. our situation was different since i (the non thai USC) am a girl. i have met his family which i think should happen in any case of marriage if at all possible but i think our family meetings were easier since my now husband knew my mom and uncle very well when he was here before and easier on his end since it was a boy leaving his family and not a girl. also he phones home 3 or so times a week so they don't miss him quite as much.