Called 3/19/08, Found Out Interview is on 4/1/08

[Phuong 0]

A couple of nights, 3/19/08, ago I was sitting around and decided to give the US Consulate in HCMC a call to check on the status of my I-129F for the interview date. After going through a few automated prompts a woman picked up the phone and I gave her my case #. She told me that my other half's interview date is April 1, 2008, which is in 12 days. Isn't that too soon? A lot of the readings and people I talk to said it is normally 4 weeks from the day of notice (via mail or telephone call) in order for the interviewee to get ready. Why so soon? Is this normal?

[Melrose Plant 1]

When did you turn in Packet 3? Have you been calling the consulate regularly since then? If not, it is possible that the Packet 4 got lost in the mail and you're just now finding out about the interview date. I agree, that is too little time.

[Phuong 0]

I'm not sure what packet 3/4 means, but when i called (the night of 3/19/08), they told me that they sent out the packet (# ???) the day before, which is 3/19 in Vietnam - they are 12 hours ahead of the US. This packet is the packet that they informed her of the interview date, and requesting her to get the medical exam. When I was on the phone with the US Consulate person (sorry I don't know what you would call this person), I also asked doesn't the exam take at least a week or longer to complete, but she said it only takes 2 days. Both the interview date and the medical exam seems to be so quick...hopefully this is a good sign..

[PeterFB 0]

Glad to hear you have an interview date. Like MelrosePlant said, when did send in your Packet 3? I would guess you sent it in around the 1st of January. It usually takes them about 2 weeks to a month to process your packet 3 before sending out the Packet 4. The Consulate usually schedules interviews a month or so from the date of sending the Packet 4, that is in order to give your fiancee to get everything ready for the interview. As I've said in another post, mail is known for being slow and getting lost in HCMC according to the Consulate. If your fiancee hasn't received her Packet 4 yet, Have her go the Consulate and pick it up asap. She/you need to get everything in correct order and make sure to more than enough evidence including any specail statements/evidence particular to your case so you can get a pink.

It took Thi about 2 days for her medical exam (one day test another for results) and a day to get her shots so it's not a problem if your fiancee calls immediately for an appointment at IOM or Cho Ray Hosiptal.

Good luck!

Peter and Thi

I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26

I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11

I-129F RFE(s) :

RFE Reply(s) :

I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26

Touched: 2007-11-02

NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16

Consulate recieved ??????

Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11

Packet 3 received 2007-12-24

Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28

Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14

Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23

Interview Date 2008-2-27

Passed Interview 2008-02-27

Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05

Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier)

POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles

[chuckandkim 0]

Unless Phuong fails the medical exam, something negative shows up on her bloodwork or x-ray (I am just giving you the worse case scenarios) then it will delay and you must reschedule the interview. Otherwise, get as much evidence you can to her as soon as possible (FEDEX next day would do it, if you mail them out today)

For P-3 and 4: go to the Consulate and pick it up! You don't have much time brother! If not a bit short!

[Phuong 0]

I'm sorry I failed to mention that as soon as I got the notice on the phone, I immediately told my fiancee and on the same day she went straight to the US Consulate in HCMC, waited for 3 hours to pick up the packet. She already got her medical exam done. She's only waiting for the result, which should be ready 3/25/08. Yeah, as a matter of fact, my fiance still hasn't received the mailed out packet that they said they mailed out on the 19th of March. Vietnam mail services is definitely not reliable.

[Haonie 0]

Unless Phuong fails the medical exam, something negative shows up on her bloodwork or x-ray (I am just giving you the worse case scenarios) then it will delay and you must reschedule the interview. Otherwise, get as much evidence you can to her as soon as possible (FEDEX next day would do it, if you mail them out today)

For P-3 and 4: go to the Consulate and pick it up! You don't have much time brother! If not a bit short!

I’m a bit curious on your thread; my fiancée had a shot 2 days ago, next shot will on May 17 (if she gets a pink, how it works, if not a pink, will she be back on the 17th).

Back to the point, she done with a shot, MRV, and she’s now waiting for medical exam on Monday. What are the percentages of people fail on x-ray or blood test? I’m not sure how they’re testing on blood, beside the HIV, Hepatitis, High Cholesterol and blood pressure. I’m little anxious about this since read your posted.

Can you or someone give me advices on the medical exam?

Thanks much!

[chuckandkim 0]

The Medical exam is the tough one.... most people pass it, a few of us didn't which we just need to get a clear bill of health after going throu treatment, complete shots. However, some fiance who is already pregnant and expecting will not get the shots due to the health risk factors.

Note, I am giving you the worse case scenarios which would delay your case. However, I believe if one tested HIV Positive, it's over!

[PeterFB 0]

Here's what the US State Department says about vaccinations:"

MPORTANT NOTICE TO IMMIGRANT VISA APPLICANTS CONCERNING VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS

United States immigration law requires immigrant visa applicants to obtain certain vaccinations (listed below) prior to the issuance of an immigrant visa. Panel physicians who conduct medical examinations of immigrant visa applicants are now required to verify that immigrant visa applicants have met the new vaccination requirement, or that it is medically inappropriate for the visa applicant to receive one or more of the listed vaccinations:

-- Acellular pertussis

-- Hepatitis A

-- Hepatitis B

-- Human papillomavirus (HPV)

-- Influenza

-- Influenza type b (Hib)

-- Measles

-- Meningococcal

-- Mumps

-- Pneumococcal

-- Pertussis

-- Polio

-- Rotovirus

-- Tetanus and diphtheria toxoids

-- Varicella

-- Zoster

In order to assist the panel physican, and to avoid delays in the processing of an immigrant visa, all immigrant visa applicants should have their vaccination records available for the panel physician's review at the time of the immigrant medical examination. Visa applicants should consult with their regular health care provider to obtain a copy of their immunization record, if one is available. If you do not have a vaccination record, the panel physician will work with you to determine which vaccinations you may need to meet the requirement. Certain waivers of the vaccination requirement are available upon the recommendation of the panel physician. "

In the case of a K1 visa, you can skip this before you come to the US but you have to have these done when you apply of AOS. I think the HCMC Consulate will give you a blue slip if don't have them done when your fiance(e) goes to the intervewi, but State says otherwise on their site.

The State Department further says:

"Certain conditions and activities may make an applicant ineligible for a visa. Examples of these ineligibilities are:

* Trafficking in Drugs

* Having HIV/AIDS

* Overstaying a previous visa

* Practicing polygamy

* Advocating the overthrow of the government

* Submitting fraudulent documents

The consular officer will tell you, the applicant, if you are ineligible for a visa, whether there is a waiver of the ineligibility and what the waiver procedure is."

Having high cholesterol, blood pressure, or other medical conditions won't keep you from getting a visa, being mentality ill where you are danger to yourself or others will.

Failing the medical exam means you have HIV/AIDs, otherwise the doctors will advise you of your health conditions and what you should do about it. You will still be able to get your visa according the State Department.

If you are pregnant (K1 visa) at your interview you can still get your visa and delay the vaccinations due to health reasons, however the Consulate may deny the visa because you didn't tell them or the USCIS you were pregnant and provide proper documents to show the who the baby's father is before the interview. The Consulate interview is to check the facts of the I-129f petition the USCIS and check the fiance(e)'s background, no baby on record, can throw your case into chaos.

Most times, you get the shots, get tested and go to the interview with no problems.

Peter and Thi

I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26

I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11

I-129F RFE(s) :

RFE Reply(s) :

I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26

Touched: 2007-11-02

NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16

Consulate recieved ??????

Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11

Packet 3 received 2007-12-24

Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28

Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14

Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23

Interview Date 2008-2-27

Passed Interview 2008-02-27

Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05

Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier)

POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles

[Tyrobe 1]

That's a very good info to know, Peter.

Does anyone know a way to have all the vaccinations, specifically required by HCMC, done before receiving Packet 4 (interview/medical package)? Can my wife just come to Cho Ray Hosiptal and make appointment to receive all the required vaccinations for immigration visa? Any neccessary paperwork? I would like to have my wife fulfill these vaccination requirements before the scheduled medical exam. I appreciate the info in advance.

[Haonie 0]

That's a very good info to know, Peter.

Does anyone know a way to have all the vaccinations, specifically required by HCMC, done before receiving Packet 4 (interview/medical package)? Can my wife just come to Cho Ray Hosiptal and make appointment to receive all the required vaccinations for immigration visa? Any neccessary paperwork? I would like to have my wife fulfill these vaccination requirements before the scheduled medical exam. I appreciate the info in advance.

In order to have a vaccinnations, you must have an interview's letter. Otherwise, they will send your finace/wife home. My fiance did once "I asked her do it before she gets a letter". hehee..:-).

Edited March 22, 2008 by Haonie

[PeterFB 0]

Hoanie is correct, you can't go get the vaccinations without a Packet 4 letter at the medical places listed in the letter unless you have the letter. However, There's nothing to stop you from having the vaccinations done by your private doctor and take the results to the Quarrentine Service of HCMC. The Packet 4 letter states "Go to the Quarrentine Service of HCMC ... to obtain a vaccination assetment. Bring all your vaccination records with you". If you have all the required vaccinations, they will give you a form that shows that, otherwise they will give you the vaccinations.

However getting the vaccinations done by a private doctor may be more expensive than getting done at QS of HCMC.

Peter and Thi

I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26

I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11

I-129F RFE(s) :

RFE Reply(s) :

I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26

Touched: 2007-11-02

NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16

Consulate recieved ??????

Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11

Packet 3 received 2007-12-24

Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28

Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14

Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23

Interview Date 2008-2-27

Passed Interview 2008-02-27

Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05

Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier)

POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles

[visao 1]

Hi Phuong:

Wishing you and your fiancee good luck with interview on 4/1 Think PINK!!!

[hope2018 25]

good luck to you both get the pink

[Phuong 0]

Thank you all for the well wishes...

Phuong