Pete82

Heres how to check if its unlock and if its not unlock to request a sim unlock code from AT&T. You get 5 unlock in your lifetime with them.

https://www.att.com/esupport/article.html#!/wireless/KM1008728?source=redirect

Note

If you bought the phone directly from Apple with no contract and then added AT&T then your phone should already be unlocked.

Now you know how vietnam is with all the thefts... I recommend you purchase a cheap phone from best buy ($40) on the pre paid phone that is unlock and as someone mention, buy the sim card in Vietnam and then she is good to go......

Heck, best buy has cheap smart phone that is pre-paid for only 80 bucks if she doesn't want to use the cheap flip phones.

If you coming from a K1 to i-485 then you don't need to submit a I-693 document. The government already has that information. I know because we had our interview 2 weeks ago and pass.

Reference:

K-1, K-2, K-3 or K-4 visa holder the I-693 instructions state that you are not required to have another medical examination as long as your Form I-485 is filed within one year of your overseas medical examination. If you are missing any shots from your overseas medical a I-693 vaccination transcription is required to be completed by seeing a Civil Surgeon to have certain portions of the I-693 completed and have the Civil Surgeon certify the form (sealing the original in an envelope and giving you a copy).

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1k3aos

Regards,

Pete

hmm... I don't think there is no need to blast any one here (Not saying you guys are). VJ member is just trying to be helpful. Answer may be correct or it may be incorrect but for the most part people are just trying to help. Its up to each individual to understand the reply and make their own decision on how to proceed. Simple as that.

Personally I feel VJ member and forum is a really useful tool. "Useful Tool" but I will have to take accountable for my action on how to proceed with the decision that I make.

congratz op

congratz! Now just wait for the visa and have her start packing. =)

It took 5 business day for my fiancée to receive her Visa after her interview.

cost me about $650 for a one way ticket. You are lucky that you can just buy the ticket and have her fly here. saves a lot of money. I have to fly there and then fly back with her here but i'm not complaining too much. Need to make the future wife happy. Happy Wife = Happy Life. =)

Regards,

Pete

I forgot to mention which might be helpful for others. When they deliver the visa, your fiancée needs to have her ID card on hand. They were very strict on this because they didn't want to give the Visa and passport to the wrong person. At least this was the case for my fiancée.

It took 5 business day for my fiancée to receive her Visa after her interview.

cost me about $650 for a one way ticket. You are lucky that you can just buy the ticket and have her fly here. saves a lot of money. I have to fly there and then fly back with her here but i'm not complaining too much. Need to make the future wife happy. Happy Wife = Happy Life. =)

Regards,

Pete

We'll have to stick with the appointment in June.

It was just confusing because the day before the website was show the earliest appointment available was March 25, 2014 so we didnt know why April & May are gone.

Most likely it was book by the other people. Same thing to happen to me in the past. I decided to wait 1 day to confirm with my fiancée on the interview date and the next day I loss 3 weeks.

It may have shown March 25th at that time because someone else had to dropped their interview date for a later date for whatever reason and someone else fill that spot asap. I'm sure there are a lot of members checking that schedule constantly.

I know its tough to wait until June but look at the bright side. 2 months from now will fly quick and it will be worth the wait.

Good luck on the interview date.

Regards,

Pete

The process was changed recently and your fiance got the new instructions. Just follow the instructions from the embassy, you don't need DS-230 or 2001

I believe OP needs to complete DS-160 which is online and then he will need to print it out (Make a few copy of this since she will need it for the bank payment, interview date, and others).

Also the OP will need to complete the DS-2001 form which is included in Package #3 unless this has changed. The DS-2001 is on page #6 of the package. It's pretty simple. (Email address, Phone number, current address, applicant name, and Case number.

You will need to mail DS-160 and DS-2001 form to them. This is what I had to do in Feb. 2014 unless the process has been changed recently.

Note: I've attached my package #3 for your reference. I would go to the HCMC Consulate website and confirm if the process is the same.

Regards,

Peter

K-INSTRUCTION.pdf

"She doesn't own a house or anything there. I am reading that family ties should suffice as far as evidence of her heading back to Vietnam? Does anyone have any experience with this and know what the travel visa interview consists of?"

This is going to be a tough one. I research this in the past and a lot of people get denied from Tourist Visa coming from Vietnam to the US.

She needs to prove that if she visits the US that she will go back to Vietnam. If she is your wife then that is a red flag. The consulate is going to think they she will come the US and just to stay with you and not go back to Vietnam. The question for you, do you have documents with that would prove otherwise.

Having a House would help however as you mention she doesn't have a house. Does she work? If yes, ask her if she can obtain a letter from her work place that there is an agreement that she will visit the US and that she will come back because she has work.

Does she have kids? you can utilize this point that she has to come back to take care of her kids. This would be consider family ties. I don't think you can utilize her parents as family ties. That is a tough one to use.

This is all I can think of for you but in my humble opinion that I think you will be fighting a uphill battle and that you case is weak unless you noted otherwise.

Maybe others can provide their opinion as well.

good luck (I mean that sincerely)

Regards,

Pete

Do we need to bring a copy of package/packet #3 to the interview? I dont think we have this. After our application/petition was approved and sent to the consulate, we submitted the DS 160 (and have a printed copy) and then we scheduled our interview online. we do not have a cover letter from package 3 with a stamp and HCM number on it. We do have a letter sent to me here in the United States that has the HCM number on it, but I don't think it is the same letter as the one in package/packet #3.

Will this be an issue? I do not see anything in the K1 instructions that says we need a copy of a letter from package 3 with the HCM number on it.

Thanks!

Daniel,

I replied to your question on another post that you made. Please go see that one.

Regards,

Pete

In a few days my fiance will have the interview at the HCM City consulate. We have two binders worth of evidence, tons of photos, receipts, the 129 with tax records and employment letter, passport pics, medical records, police record, etc. etc. We seem to have everything needed, I think...

My only concern is somewhere on this forum I saw that you need to bring a copy of package/packet #3, which we don't have. After our application/petition was approved and sent to the consulate, we submitted the DS 160 (and have a printed copy) and then we scheduled our interview online. I read somewhere on here that you need to also bring with you a stamped cover letter that has the HCM number on it and apparently this was included in package #3. We do have a letter sent to me there in the US that has the HCM number on it, but I don't think it is the same letter as the one in package/packet #3.

Will this be a problem? I do not see anything in the K1 instructions that says you must bring a piece of paper with HCM number on it.

Sorry for my late reply. Hmm.. very odd that you didn't receive package #3. Did you try to contact the consulate to see if you can obtain a copy of your package #3? My fiancee received package #3 and for her it was required to show the consulate before letting her in along was with DS-160 and interview date paperwork.

I would contact the consulate and also email them. The letter should of been sent to your fiancee address. Maybe also have your fiancee contact the post office over there and double check? I read one of the VJ member who had to contact the post office to dig up their package #3.

Regards,

Pete

My wife she passed interview last night

My wife she passed interview last night

Congrats! Can you share her interview questions ? It might help other members here

Really? I'm totally SHOCKED hearing that! You just bursted my bubble! I always thought Vietnamese girls were the NICEST in the world. They're just in love with foreigners because Vietnamese men smoke too much and they're VERY abusive.

In Vietnam females get beaten up and the gov't won't do a thing about it, unless the females turn up dead.

BTW, why don't you wait a few more years and find out if your own (yes, the one who just moved to SD with you) is any good.

Co nam trong chan (men), thi moi biet chan co ran/rep hay khong (once laying inside a blanket, one would then be able to tell whether there's any bed bug in it)

1st let me apologize to you. It appears that you feel that my comment was very offensive to you even though I think otherwise.

I am not sure what your issue is and why you are being so defensive with my comment. I was trying to help the op out since he was planning to submit the paper work before the having the engagement. Like every country, there are bad and good people and sometime it is difficult to judge from a long distances away.

If you want to get personal, sure lets get personal. I met my fiancee entire family. I had my family do a background check on her. My dad, uncles and aunt and my fiancee meet quite a few times to get to know each other. I know most of her friends and I visit a lot of her distance relatives. Yes I only visited my fiancee twice but I stayed with her for almost 3 months and spend almost every single day with her entire family where they would cook for me and take care of me and even visit my grand mothers funeral which she past away in Dec. 2013. My fiancee doesn't have any relatives in the US. I provided her an option for me to live in VN to be with her while I would work at Intel in Vietnam. She already has a good life in VN, her family there and she had a good job however she didn't want me lower my status by going to VN because life is difficult for new comers. We decided that it was best that she came to the US knowing that she will be away from her family which is very hard. She will have to start from scratch and go to school. She is sacrificing a lot. There are many evidence that I have that shows me that her feelings is true to me and that she is not coming to the US just for a green card. For example, She knew that my mom would dis-own me for marrying her and she didn't want that. She cared about my relationship between my mom and I and she didn't want to ruin that relationship. We had to have a very long talk regarding that situation. Things like that showed me her true heart. She wants to come to the US to be married with me and start a family where our kids can grow up have a good education and life.

My comments to OP/poster was just trying to be helpful to help protect him as much as possible until he can gather the evidence that he needs to determine everything is ok with the relationship but it will be his decision to make. Everyone here on the forum can only give recommendations and opinions since he ask.

Now, is there any other comments that you want to use to attack me? Go ahead and attack me and continue to be sarcastic. Now if you want to have a decent conversation that I am also up for that. We don't have to agree with each others opinion but we sure can share it with one another in order to help.

Note #1 : In the future, if you disagree with a comment then simply state that you disagree and input justification to the disagreement. No need to attack other people.

Note #2 : I see your account was just created. Hmm.... Could you be the op fiancee? or could you be the op? or just some random person...... =T

Regards,

Peter

March and April is all filled up. June 11 is the same time it is showing on my account as well. You can cancel the current schedule and schedule another date if it is open but this is risky. If you can schedule an earlier date on time because someone else did then you will lose your place in line and have to schedule even further.

Hi Guys...im new to this.. my fiance's interview is at 11:00 AM.. what time should she arrive ? i noticed a lot of people arrive a few hours before from this forum.. but the letter says to arrive only 20 mins before the interview time.. can you guys help please?

My fiancée also has her interview at 11am. She went there at 10:30am. make sure she triple checks that she has all the paper work. Tell her to relax and go ace the interview.

cheers!

Oh wow, they did sell off the laptop division..eekkk!! I heard about the TV division selling off, but I didn't know they sold off the VAIO also. My buddy works in the playstation division and even he is on his toes right now. You should look at Yahoo! as they are located in Carlsbad which isn't that bad of a drive, but there is alot of tech firms in the area and look at Qualcomm, they have been pretty solid from the past to present. No lay offs, but no raises either but better to have money than no money at all. I know AT&T has been growing like crazy fast in San Diego.

Have you looked a little more south of escondido, like scripps ranch, mira mesa, rancho penasquitos, and those areas. You can always get a fast trak and hop on that to Sony as well as it would be in an area where there is some viet people so your fiance won't feel outcasted per say. Have you consider renting for a bit until you get settled in than jumping into a mortgage? I wouldn't stretch the money if you can rent and be more happy. Unemployment is at 3 months until they contact you as they are way behind, so think of that also. Friend of mine is laid off also and depressed as heck.

I am waiting until Apr 2 until I hear mine....uuggghhh.

We didn't sell the TV division. We just made the TV division its own entity so less red tape so it can move faster in decision making however I would predict that Sony would sell the TV division if TV continues to do bad the next few years.

Thanks for the heads up for the other companies. I keep my eye out if my situation gets worst. Right now its pretty secured for at least 2 years. If i get layed off then my package will be really good. Good enough to survive a whole year or so.

Playstation group should be safe. Safe for like 10 years unless your friend is in the call center. Call Center can always be outsource to manila. I'm just going to wait it out since the layoff package will really sweet.

Yes I have looked at scripps ranch, mira mesa, and PQ. I am original from PQ (Rancho penasquitos) and I graduate from mount carmel. Those place is so damn expensive. Its like at least 180K and up. My max is 160K and still have some saving each month. Trust me, I rather move to scripps, mira mesa or PQ but I can't afford it right now. I'm doing the best i can because I have no financial support from my parents. My mom has dis-own me because i'm marrying someone from vietnam but its my choice and i will live with it.

Currently i'm renting a 2 br apartment with a room mate. worst case if i cant get a house now then my fiancee and I will stay at this apartment and i'll switch to the master bedroom but i will have to pay more. 2nd option is to get another apartment which would be a 1 br. I'm not really comfortable with having my future wife with my room mate. He is good guy but i don't know him well. found him on craigs list after i was force to move out from my mom due to my engagement with my fiancee.

If i get a separate apartment then i will be stuck on a 1 year lease which would complete suspend my condo search. Renting an apartment would be equal or more than buying a mortgage. 1 br apartment is going to be at least $1k a month. $150K condo will only be 1K a month which includes the HOA fees.

Yeah.. so those are my options. A little nervous right now. I will need in 2 days if they accept my $160K offer. crosses finger.

Sorry about your friend who got laid off. I know its tough these days. You really need to be a super star to get another high paying job these days.

Good luck on April 2nd for your interview. I compile lots of questions which I reviewed with my fiancee. I've uploaded to this post. Take a look and i recommend that you go through them with your fiancee. I recommend you go through them with her a few times and also the night before her interview.

Does she have an engagement ring? Make sure she wears it! if she has one.

What part of San Diego are staying? Do you have your own place which you and your fiancee with stay? Sorry not trying to be noisy. Just trying to see how others are doing it with their future wife so I can learn a thing or two.

Regards,

Pete

Interview Questions 2.txt

I would be careful on short sales. Sometimes the houses has 2-3 banks and it ends up being a really long stretched out process. A short sale per say is better than a foreclosure just bc the owners don't damage much at all and they get money to move out.

Look at www.sdlookup.com for homes in your area you want to live in to see the options you have. Most agents just give you a list with the criteria and it goes on auto pilot without really looking through them.

You survived the lay offs thus far with Sony, I don't think you are in trouble.

Yeah that is one of the reason why i skipped it due to the time constraint and plus its really far (35 minutes from work). I'm bidding on a 2br in Escondido which is really close where I am at for the time being. Thanks for the URL. Asking price is 165K and i submitted an offer for 160K. about 2 months on the market and there is one other person submitting an offer today as well. 160K is my max therefore I couldn't go 165K. I won't know until the next few days if i get it. Crosses finger.

Yes I barely survived the mass layoffs. I'm in the VAIO Division and we just sold the VAIO division i'm just in a team to close out and hopefully I merge into a different division in 2 years.

Whats your status with your fiancee?

Are you sure getting her a scooter is a good idea in the states? Half the people in Cali can't drive and don't pay attention to things around them. All of the motorcycles are loud as well and those guys even get hit. Get her the new 6x6 G wagon whenever the states ever approve that beast, definitely safe and bullet proof from danger.

Congrats on the approval.

You have a point. I didn't bid the house because it was a short sale. I'm bidding on another house right now. I will have to find her night classes for english for her to start off. Most likely I will take her to class.

G wagon... haha. I can't afford that right now. I'm super poor even with the money I make. We only have a single income which is from me. I have to buy a condo which is going to stretch my money thin and plus I need to pay back on the Credit Card bills from my VN trip and also from the engagement ring. Then i need to save for our wedding which would be in 1-2 years. Most likely I will have to save up and buy her a $10K car for now and we can look at a better car after she gets her associate degree and starts working

It's going to be tough for the next 2 years while I support her to go to school but we will manage. We will just live poor for the 1st 2 years and hopefully I won't lose my job in the time being.

Thanks for the congrats. Now we can start our life together. No more Visa stress. Now its money stress... lol.

Also i notice that you are also from San Diego like me. You understand the cost of living in San Diego. It is not cheap especially when you have to do it on your own without your parents support.

regards,

Pete

Since you've only met once, I always recommend that this kind of thing doesn't get rushed. You should really spend more time together before trying to go through with this process.

Worst case, and one we've seen happen more than once... you file everything, it's approved, she gets here and the minute the green card is in her hand, she's living with the sister and she's filed VAWA charges.

I agree with this comment. Spend more time with her. I see some red flags for this case but not impossible. But the most important thing is to protect you. Make sure her feelings for you is real and that takes time.

There are a lot of vn girls that will take advantage of you just to get the green card and the families on in it too. Just take your time to get to know each other. visit her a few more times. If she really loves you then she wouldn't mind the wait. If she doesn't want to wait a little longer for you 2 to get to know each other then you know what is up with intentions.

Have her take English classes so she can improve her communication with you. Take Vietnamese class so you can improve you communication with her.

Good luck with everything

-i dont speak vietnamese but she knows a little english and we use translator sometimes chatting online is okay. Will the CO look at this?

*This might be a red flag. At my finance interview they ask her how we communicate. English via chat, and Vietnamese on the phone so no issue for us. I think you will need to have an attack plan on this area. Proof with chat session with English strings. How bad is the communication over the phone?

-She has a sister living in the US but I have never met her until out first meeting in vietnam, she happen to come back to visit the family as well.

*This is another potential red flag. They might ask if she has any relatives in the US. Does her sister live in the same state and city that you live in? If yes could be a little hard in my opinion

I plan to make one more trip to propose to her then have an engagement party towards the end of this year.

* umm.. when are you filing the I-129f paperwork? I recommend that you submit it after you have your engagement party and not before. Take lots of pictures, keep the engagement ring receipt and GIA paperwork. Take pictures with her family, friends, etc. Keep all receipts of the engagement party as much as possible. Keep your hotel receipt. Is she going to stay with you in the hotel? If Yes then put both your names on it for proof of relationship.

These are just my opinion. Maybe others can chime in.

Please advise if any the above will throw up red flags as this is my first time doing this

@ OP, thanks for your response to my inquiry. I want to say a big congratulation to you and your fiancée. My other question is why did you tell your fiancée to look out for the pink or blue slip what does that mean? Which of the color is for approval? Like some said in another post that they already decided on the case even before the interview. I will be waiting to hear from you.

I read from other members discussion that if your fiancee sees a pink they she is already approve and just needs to go through the process of the interview. A blue slip indicates more information is required. This is why I told my fiancee to be in the look out and to make sure she is calm.

If you see pink slip : You are already approved so relax and enjoy the interview

if you see blue slip: don't stress. They just need more information. This doesn't mean you fail. Just that we need to submit more paper work. No biggie.

Let me know if that answers your question.

I never though this would happen but now the consular has denied her visa a week after she got her pink slip.

Now they say I dont have enough income or assets, that I need a sponsor!

On the Affidavit of Support I showed a income loss for the year 2012. I was in Vietnam for 5 months in 2011 and 9 months in 2012. I invested about $40,000 into a business and because of all the start-up costs reflected a income loss for that year. But I had for 2011 income I still had income of over $35,000 on tax transcript. This year I decided to hold off on the business and get a regular job. This job is $54,000 a year, plus I own a home with equity over $50,000. But I have only W-2s and 1099s from last year, but still enough income to prove support. Plus I send support money to her every month.

Its very frustrating to know you should easily qualify without a sponsor, but how do I prove it? Anyone have a similar situation?

Really sorry to hear your situation. What was your income for 2013? If 2013 meets the spec in terms of $ then did you do your 2013 Tax? That could be your ticket out of this.

Worst case, can you use your mom or dad as a sponsor?

OMG Linh was approved yesterday so I purchased our plane tickets thinking that we were good to go!

That would suck major its almost $3k for our tickets!

haha. i was thinking the same. I am about to buy our tickets next week but i won't be there until May so that gives us about 5-6 weeks for the visa to come in the mail since my fiancee just pass her interview yesterday.

did you bring your 2013 tax paper? letter from the bank, letter from your work, w2 , paycheck stubs and ad. support paper work?

bring any additional proof of relationship? save your plane tickets, you can also use that

bring additional pictures?

im leaving VN in a few hours most of what we need for her interview is done but im afraid i lost a form. We had her medical but didnt have the paper needed with the new case number the HCM one. What form is this? s it possible to get a copy? i don't want to forget anything.

"DIdn't have the paper needed with the new case number the HCM one"

I don't think you have this paper in the 1st place. This was package #3 that was shipped to your fiancee. They sent her the i-129F form (Same one that you submitted) but this one has a stamp stating approved. Also it has a cover letter which indicates the HCM number as well.

Your fiancee should have this. If she lossed it then I would contact the consulate in vietnam to get another one.

Good luck!

All,

I just wanted to thank everyone on this forum. I am a community manager for the Sony Community (community.sony.com) so I know the power and wealth of information on this type of forums.

The process is very time consuming especially when I had to do 95% of all the paper work while working and this forum is very useful. I felt really lucky for the following reasons:

1) Fast NOA2 (not sure why it was so fast for Oct 2013 - Nov 2013 submitter of NOA)

2) Fast Interview date (lucky timing from NOA2 to interview because of the new system implemented)

3) visajourney - vietnam form (so many great discussion here that really help prep me and my fiancee.)

Even though I didn't post many questions here on my journey, I read a lot of comments and discussion from other members and has been extremely valuable. Thank you for every thing guys!

let me know if there is anything i can do to help other members here (Push it forward)