Current timeline for wife's immigrant visa to USA

[EyesWideOpen]

I am in process of applying for a immigrant visa for my Thai wife

to go to America. All the paperwork was done by myself, no agent

involved. I started with the I-130 on Jan 21, and later after submitting

all the packet three documentation, I have received notification for her

verbal interview on April 21. So a total time of three months, which

seemed pretty reasonable to me....... So will see what happens next

week !! :-)

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Sounds like you filed using the DCF (Direct Consular Filing) process via the USCIS office in Bangkok. Correct? And that you are resident here in Thailand, "resident" not implying Thai Permanent Resident status, just working or living here.

Assuming so, would be handy for people in a similar situation if you could provide the steps that you went that you went through and the timing for each.

Oh, and good luck on the interview.

Mac

[EyesWideOpen]

Sounds like you filed using the DCF (Direct Consular Filing) process via the USCIS office in Bangkok. Correct? And that you are resident here in Thailand, "resident" not implying Thai Permanent Resident status, just working or living here.

Assuming so, would be handy for people in a similar situation if you could provide the steps that you went that you went through and the timing for each.

Oh, and good luck on the interview.

Mac

Ok here are the steps and the timing.

1 Got married on the Jan. 7 Those steps are here . Go early to

the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at least by 7:30 , as they only

process a few people per day.

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/service/marriage.html

2. Dropped off the I-130 application on Jan. 21 at the USCIS

building across the street from the embassy. Some of the

documents needed to be translated, and a few copies were

needed. So went down to the second floor where there

was visa/law office that did everything. The USCIS office is

only open till noon and seems to take a lot of holidays, so

call ahead. No appointment needed. The woman behind the

counter moves at her own pace so be patient. The I-130

form was not very clear, so she had to do a lot of corrections.

3. The I-130 was approved on Feb. 9 , and my documents were

transferred to the immigration unit at the embassy in

Bangkok. I then received the famous packet three letter from

the immigration unit. It had a case number, and a list

of all the other documents needed. The case number is

needed to file the DS-260 online form. Also that letter is

needed to get the police clearance letter from the police

headquarters in Bangkok. That letter takes about three weeks

to receive, so if you are moving fast , you can file all the

packet three documents with the embassy, and bring the

clearance letter to the verbal interview.

4. The packet three letter also spells out information about

the medical certificate. This is done at only two hospitals

in Bangkok. They want to see her vaccination records as

part of the process, if not they will do some vaccinations.

They also want to see a copy of the verbal interview email

before they will start.

5. With all the documents finally in hand, I mailed them to

the embassy in Bangkok on April 4th. On the 7th they sent

me back a notification for the verbal interview which is

on April 21st. If approved, visa arrives in the mail a few

days after.

So a total time of three months. I was a bit slow in document

gathering, it could be done even faster. For her interview,

there must be hard copies of all the documents that were sent

in the packet three application. Also I printed out about 25 photos

of our time together for the last five years. Basically they want

to see two things. First off that you really are a couple, so proof

of that. And more importantly, they want to be sure that you

have the financial capability to support your wife in America. So if

you do not have a job, and want to bring over the cute gogo girl

you married last week, that will not go well.... :-)

Edited April 15, 2015 by EyesWideOpen

[EyesWideOpen]

Update !!! Just came back from Bumrungrad hospital. Had to bring the

letter from the embassy about the verbal interview before they would do

the paperwork. Total time there was about 3 1/2 hours. Some blood work,

a chest x ray, and only two vaccination shots. My wife had no records whatsoever.

Total cost was about 4300 baht. Interview on April 21, so will see what

happens then....... We have a US citizen daughter together, so hard to

imagine being turned down. :-)

[remaxtony]

Hi, good thread so far. It would be better if there was a follow up with the results of the Interview on 4/21???

How did it go?

[EyesWideOpen]

Hi, good thread so far. It would be better if there was a follow up with the results of the Interview on 4/21???

How did it go?

She had her verbal interview. She paid the visa fee before the interview. It went fine,

he was only asked two questions in the five minute process. They spent a lot of time

looking at the 20 photos I had. They in essence said she passed, and she paid the

fee and had her fingerprints taken. They did request that I send them via mail proof

of slightly more funds in my bank account along with her passport. They will then

send it back to me with the visa in it. The processing takes 7 to 10 business days,

so I should hear back from them by next week.

Hate to count chickens before they hatch, but I am assuming if you pay the visa fee

first, in essence the visa has been granted once the additional information they want

is received. Would be pretty cruel to pay the visa fee of 10,300 baht at the cashier

window, walk over to the interview window and then be declined..... If that happens I

will become an America basher too !!!!

[remaxtony]

Hey Eyeswideopen, I got my packet 3 letter yesterday. So I go to do the Form DS 260 online and before I begin it mentions needing this:

I never got a letter from NVC with these things. I only got the case number from USCIS. But don't have Benef number or invoice ID. Am I missing a step here?

Note: You will need your NVC Case Number, Beneficiary ID Number, and Invoice ID Number from your NVC Welcome Letter, to access CEAC.

Then I looked at the CEAC site and it talks about choosing and agent and paying fees before filing the form 260. When choosing an agent Form DS-261, it mentions allowing 15 days before continuing to the next step which is to pay the fees.

Did you do this form 261 and choose an agent? I am doing this myself the same as you and had not seen this step before.

[EyesWideOpen]

Hey Eyeswideopen, I got my packet 3 letter yesterday. So I go to do the Form DS 260 online and before I begin it mentions needing this:

I never got a letter from NVC with these things. I only got the case number from USCIS. But don't have Benef number or invoice ID. Am I missing a step here?

Note: You will need your NVC Case Number, Beneficiary ID Number, and Invoice ID Number from your NVC Welcome Letter, to access CEAC.

Then I looked at the CEAC site and it talks about choosing and agent and paying fees before filing the form 260. When choosing an agent Form DS-261, it mentions allowing 15 days before continuing to the next step which is to pay the fees.

Did you do this form 261 and choose an agent? I am doing this myself the same as you and had not seen this step before.

Answered on your original post remaxtony... :-)

Edited May 10, 2015 by EyesWideOpen

[EyesWideOpen]

Success !! Just got notification that her visa has been approved, and is

in process of being mailed to me. So off to America at the beginning of June.