SAWASDEE 2

[Thai family 0]

This is freakin' NUTS!!!

She sent Packet 3 in the first of March and we got our interview letter on March 29th. Our interview at that time was booked for July 11th.

I had estimated our time and booked tickets and vacation time sure that I had left enough time in case it took longer and still our interview date was set 6 weeks AFTER our tickets. I e-mailed and begged (I mean really begged) them to change it to support our tickets and NOTHING. I got one response that said they normally don't do that but that he would pass my request on to the officer.... NOTHING. Not so much as a "sorry but NO". Just NOTHING.

If I'd gotten your interview date I wouldn't have had to change my vacation time to September and I would have been with her nearly 4 months sooner. As it is now I've not seen here since January 3rd 2007. Oh and i wouldn't have had to pay change fees of nearly $400usd to change our tickets.

Interview Date Notice Received!

I was totally blown away! The embassy received our Packet 3 documents on March 25. We hadn't heard anything and based on everyone else's timeline (plus the fact that they were already assigning June interview dates on the April 2 appointment list posted on the Bangkok embassy website, and it's now a month later!) we assumed our interview date was going to be late June at the earliest, more likely July. NOPE! Our interview date is May 28!!!!

I'm not sure why we lucked out and got our interview after 8 weeks, when everyone right now seems to be getting interviews at 12-15 weeks, but I'm not complaining. I also feel a bit guilty because I know many of you have not seen your Thai spouse for many months, while I get over to Thailand every 4-6 weeks because of my work (just returned a couple weeks ago). Nonetheless, very excited that it is happening so soon!!!

[Thee_Rak 0]

I understand what you're saying but you must not be looking at the right timelines!!!

We sent in the application a MONTH b/4 them. In fact we got NOA1 the day they sent in the I129F!!

Soujourners got NOA2 in 162 days from the day the service center recieved the I129F

We got our NOA2 in 191 Days.

Okay, so what... it took ours longer to process through the service center than theres... fine.

Soujourners has an interview schedualed 279 days after the service center received the I129F

We got our interview 348 days after the service center received the I129F

We got our Packet 4 weeks b/4 they did and our interview is 6 weeks after theirs???

They got their NOA2 THREE days b/4 we did and our interview is nearly 2 months after theirs AND I BEGGED the embassy to move our date up.

This is where I think you have it backward. We've been waiting longer. The Embassy got our packages in the same week, we got our Packet WAY b/4 they did and the interview is WAY after theirs.

Amazing Thailand!!!!!

if you look at soujourners timeline, by the time they have their interview they'll have been waiting almost ONE YEAR, so it makes sense as to why his interview is sooner. for us, by the time we have the interview date (july 7th) we will only have been waiting 7 months, so about 4 1/2 months shorter than his wait. I think the embassy maybe factors in how long ago they got their NOA 2 as well maybe?

So you had to change your flight, etc.? Jeez, expensive fees.

[Thee_Rak 0]

This is freakin' NUTS!!!

She sent Packet 3 in the first of March and we got our interview letter on March 29th. Our interview at that time was booked for July 11th.

I had estimated our time and booked tickets and vacation time sure that I had left enough time in case it took longer and still our interview date was set 6 weeks AFTER our tickets. I e-mailed and begged (I mean really begged) them to change it to support our tickets and NOTHING. I got one response that said they normally don't do that but that he would pass my request on to the officer.... NOTHING. Not so much as a "sorry but NO". Just NOTHING.

If I'd gotten your interview date I wouldn't have had to change my vacation time to September and I would have been with her nearly 4 months sooner. As it is now I've not seen here since January 3rd 2007. Oh and i wouldn't have had to pay change fees of nearly $400usd to change our tickets.

Interview Date Notice Received!

I was totally blown away! The embassy received our Packet 3 documents on March 25. We hadn't heard anything and based on everyone else's timeline (plus the fact that they were already assigning June interview dates on the April 2 appointment list posted on the Bangkok embassy website, and it's now a month later!) we assumed our interview date was going to be late June at the earliest, more likely July. NOPE! Our interview date is May 28!!!!

I'm not sure why we lucked out and got our interview after 8 weeks, when everyone right now seems to be getting interviews at 12-15 weeks, but I'm not complaining. I also feel a bit guilty because I know many of you have not seen your Thai spouse for many months, while I get over to Thailand every 4-6 weeks because of my work (just returned a couple weeks ago). Nonetheless, very excited that it is happening so soon!!!

What are you saying? Why would you quote my post and not type anything???

[SqdnGuns 21]

I remember reading on the BKK embassssy site NOT to purchase airline tickets until the visa has been issued, it only makes sense. I have not purchased her ticket yet and won't until she picks up her passport with visa. I figure it will cost me about $900 for her ticket from BKK to LAX.

Ou has her interview May 29th, I sent our I-29F in on June 18, 2007, by the time she gets here, it will be almost 1 year from date of filing.

[Thee_Rak 0]

I remember reading on the BKK embassssy site NOT to purchase airline tickets until the visa has been issued, it only makes sense. I have not purchased her ticket yet and won't until she picks up her passport with visa. I figure it will cost me about $900 for her ticket from BKK to LAX.

Ou has her interview May 29th, I sent our I-29F in on June 18, 2007, by the time she gets here, it will be almost 1 year from date of filing.

Yes I know... I read that too... My problem with my tickets is not the point here. I made my bed and I'll lay in it. The serious difference in processing times ONCE AT THE BANGKOK EMBASSY is the issue.

We got Packet 4 first and well b/4 them and our interview is 6 weeks after. THAT MAKES NO SENSE AT ALL.

The Embassy (if looked at like a business) seems to have no controls in place. I can understand that at some point they realized that they needed to fill some more interview spots in May and so they did but they had someone asking for an appointment change and they also happened to need to fill some spots and still they didn't entertain the change. Didn't even write back!!!!

[SqdnGuns 21]

I remember reading on the BKK embassssy site NOT to purchase airline tickets until the visa has been issued, it only makes sense. I have not purchased her ticket yet and won't until she picks up her passport with visa. I figure it will cost me about $900 for her ticket from BKK to LAX.

Ou has her interview May 29th, I sent our I-29F in on June 18, 2007, by the time she gets here, it will be almost 1 year from date of filing.

Yes I know... I read that too... My problem with my tickets is not the point here. I made my bed and I'll lay in it. The serious difference in processing times ONCE AT THE BANGKOK EMBASSY is the issue.

We got Packet 4 first and well b/4 them and our interview is 6 weeks after. THAT MAKES NO SENSE AT ALL.

The Embassy (if looked at like a business) seems to have no controls in place. I can understand that at some point they realized that they needed to fill some more interview spots in May and so they did but they had someone asking for an appointment change and they also happened to need to fill some spots and still they didn't entertain the change. Didn't even write back!!!!

Don't try to make sense of it, you'll drive yourself nuts. You're getting worked up over something that you cannot change. I got screwed a few times by CSC, look at my timeline, I was pissed but it was out of my control.

[Thee_Rak 0]

Don't try to make sense of it, you'll drive yourself nuts. You're getting worked up over something that you cannot change. I got screwed a few times by CSC, look at my timeline, I was pissed but it was out of my control.

I appreciate that and I am trying but it JUST HAPPENED... I mean I've not been on this fourm for about a month and I come on tonight to see that someone who got packet 4 after us gets the interview date that I was trying to get.

I don't know what kind of company you all work for but ours likes us to book vacation time well in advance and the kind of work I do has several times of the year where I simply can't leave so when I booked my trip based on the best info I had only to find that I was WAY WRONG and then couldn't get them to change it I was a little ticked... no big deal I'm over it. Next window I had to take some time to come get her is September... okay big deal so we wait 6 weeks after she has the visa to come to the states... I'm over it. But to come in here tonight and see this just put me over the top okay. I'll be fine in a few days I'm sure but right now I'm working 60 hour weeks and I'd just like something, even just one thing, to go my way.

[Thee_Rak 0]

What's with the "Scheduled Appointments" file on the Embassy web-site. It hasn't been updated since April 2nd and has not interviews later than May 29th.

We got our interview letter in March with an interview date in July but the list only shows dates through May???

What about all the interviews that are "Scheduled" for June and July???

[Devkpaik 1]

I understand what you're saying but you must not be looking at the right timelines!!!

We sent in the application a MONTH b/4 them. In fact we got NOA1 the day they sent in the I129F!!

Soujourners got NOA2 in 162 days from the day the service center recieved the I129F

We got our NOA2 in 191 Days.

Okay, so what... it took ours longer to process through the service center than theres... fine.

Soujourners has an interview schedualed 279 days after the service center received the I129F

We got our interview 348 days after the service center received the I129F

We got our Packet 4 weeks b/4 they did and our interview is 6 weeks after theirs???

They got their NOA2 THREE days b/4 we did and our interview is nearly 2 months after theirs AND I BEGGED the embassy to move our date up.

This is where I think you have it backward. We've been waiting longer. The Embassy got our packages in the same week, we got our Packet WAY b/4 they did and the interview is WAY after theirs.

Amazing Thailand!!!!!

if you look at soujourners timeline, by the time they have their interview they'll have been waiting almost ONE YEAR, so it makes sense as to why his interview is sooner. for us, by the time we have the interview date (july 7th) we will only have been waiting 7 months, so about 4 1/2 months shorter than his wait. I think the embassy maybe factors in how long ago they got their NOA 2 as well maybe?

So you had to change your flight, etc.? Jeez, expensive fees.

Hey Theerak,

Yea I was actually talking about my timeline as oppose to theirs. Yea I can see why you would be pissed off, it's unreal how the US embassy does their scheduling.

about the visa schedule, someone's obviously not doing their job over there as they haven't updated in a month, it's unbelievable how unorganized they can be, or every govt. establishment can be.

But yea, I understand your frustration. You sent in your stuff before me as well and ours is scheduled 4 days before yours. It's weird and unfair for people who get the short end of the stick. And yea, have you still not gotten a response about changing the interview date?

[Esoterica 0]

Thanks all.

Thee_rak, I definitely feel for you guys. I can't imagine not seeing my fiancee for over a year. We talk by phone twice daily (thank you Skype!) when I'm back in the states, but that leaves a lot to be desired. Every trip back to Thailand feels like starting a new honeymoon. My fiancee says that she hopes we can keep everything fresh and exciting when we are together 100% of the time. I think that is a challenge every couple faces, even if they don't have to go through this immigration stuff. Best of luck and hope all works out for you.

[Esoterica 0]

Hey, by the way, they finally posted a new interview schedule (May 7, 2008) on the Bangkok website. If you're expecting an interview date but haven't gotten a letter yet, you might want to check your number on the list to see if it's "in the mail".

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/immigrant_vis...pointments.html

[Devkpaik 1]

yea sojourner, I agree. I have been "fortunate" enough to spend nine of the past 12 months with my fiance, as I am a college student and were able to take off time off school. Also, we talk about 3-4 times A DAY EVERYDAY for about 6-7 hours total so it helps a BIT but definitely nothing beats being with her.

[Devkpaik 1]

Also, this is weird but i was checking out the updated interview schedule and they have our BNK listed TWICE with the interview listed consecutively one after another. Could this be a typo? That's weird/annoying haha.

[rin and john 71]

Also, this is weird but i was checking out the updated interview schedule and they have our BNK listed TWICE with the interview listed consecutively one after another. Could this be a typo? That's weird/annoying haha.

Does she have a child? They listed Rin's four times on the schedule; once for her, three for the children.

[Thee_Rak 0]

Hey Theerak,

Yea I was actually talking about my timeline as oppose to theirs. Yea I can see why you would be pissed off, it's unreal how the US embassy does their scheduling.

about the visa schedule, someone's obviously not doing their job over there as they haven't updated in a month, it's unbelievable how unorganized they can be, or every govt. establishment can be.

But yea, I understand your frustration. You sent in your stuff before me as well and ours is scheduled 4 days before yours. It's weird and unfair for people who get the short end of the stick. And yea, have you still not gotten a response about changing the interview date?

Well I've had a nites sleep and am coming to terms with the whole thing (a bit). Maybe this wouldn't hurt so much if I weren't a Process Engineer. My job is basically to design tooling and the step by step process of assembly for auto's and a big part of that is building administrative processes to manage major projects (major means hundreds of millions of dollars as well as 3 to 4 years duration). If someone who worked for me ran a division this badly they'd be sacked!!!

Anyway it's funny how the new list of appointments popped up since last night... it's nice to see that our BNK is listed for the 11th and didn't get moved without notification. Since the officer didn't respond at all my fear was that they might have moved it and just not sent a notice. I remember reading here about someone who showed up for their interview only to be told that they had missed it and would have to reschedul it (next open appointment was something like 6 months later).