Jo Christina

Hi everyone.
I'm new to this community, but I've followed it a lot and now have a very specific question which countless Google searches have failed me!

Quick intro: I'm a British citizen and have recently married my husband who is a U.S. citizen. Last week, we sent the first part of the i-130 off.

From my understanding, the next part (whenever that will be!) will involve further documentation including criminal background checks from countries previously lived in. Therefore, I need one for vietnam! I lived in Hanoi for 8 months back in 2016. I have no idea who to contact or how on earth I would obtain one. I don't know anyone in Hanoi who could help, and I have already checked the Vietnam embassy's website in the U.K, and they state they don't deal with this issue.

Does anyone on here have any knowledge, or been through a similar situation?
Thank you for any advice!
Jo

rpjs

https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...y/VietNam.html and click on the "Police, Court, Prison Records" section.

Jo Christina

Thank you for this link! From what I read, I need to have someone in Hanoi to present my documents, which isn't possible! But that's great. I now have an address and number to contact and find a solution. Thank you, again!

celticgrid

I thought there was a 12 month component to the requirement for a certificate?

[Edit] Unless there's something to report!

Jo Christina

Hi there. Apologies! Not sure what you mean by 12 month component?! Im fairly new to all this!

Noorah101

The requirement for needing a police report is that you lived in a country for 12+ months, over the age of 16.

Rene

Jo Christina

Ok Thank you. I've just tried to research some updated information. Again, it's difficult! So thank you for your reply. I hope your answer is still true to date!

Rete

It is.

Rete

From a 3 minute search of the web:

https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/famil...red-documents/

Police certificates are required for all countries where you have lived for more than 12 months since the age of 16 and any country where you have been arrested, even if you were not resident there.
U.S. police certificates are not required.

The one and only research site that you require now is for the US Embassy in London since the I-130 has been filing and you will eventually be seeking an Immediate Relative visa to join your husband in the US. That is assuming you are living in the UK.

https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/family-immigration/

PS Welcome to the light. You've found a great site to help you through your long wait for the visa. The great folks here will be able to help you as they are experiencing the very same thing at the very same moment in time.

Jo Christina

Thank you very much. I'm currently visiting my husband in the U.S. where we filed the first part of the i130 to the Chicago Lockbox, and I plan to fly back to the U.K. soon and continue the process there (So I can work!)...so I'm not sure if this is the same case. I hope it is! Thank you for the link though, that's great. I can look further into it now I'm on the right path!! Great!

Rete

Jo, I don't understand your comment "so I'm note sure if this is the same case."

You are doing the I-130 with completion in the UK for an Immediate Relative Visa.

Once your I-130 is approved it will be send to the National Visa Center (NVC) where other paperwork will be requested, i.e. affidavit of support, etc. and then when that is approved it will be forwarded to the US Embassy in London where you will get your medical at Knightsbridge and attend your visa interview.

Once the visa is approved, your passport will be stamped with the visa and couriered back to you and then you are free to enter the US within the timeframe the visa is valid for.

Once you enter the US you are a legal permanent resident "LPR". In your case it is a Conditional Permanent Resident "CPR" as your marriage is under 2 years in length. You will have to file to remove conditions 90 days prior to the expiration date on the green card via form I-751. If that is approved, you will receive a green card good for 10 years. Both CPR and LPR have the same rights and privileges which is the right to reside and work in the US.

The above is just a brief summary and does not list all the documents required, steps to be followed, fees to be paid, etc.

The Visa process is currently taking from 8 to 12 months.

Jo Christina

Rete...This is amazing. Thank you for such a thorough reply.

What I meant by my previous reply was I was unsure if the process is the same whether completing it in the USA or UK. I just don't know if these little things change anything that's all!

But that's great. I seem fairly confident now after reading the comments. I'm just scared that something will go wrong or get delayed because of silly mistakes. Knowing I don't have to chase my criminal background check for Vietnam is a huge weight off my shoulders!

Thank you, again!

Jo

BenK91

At worst, they'd be a minor delay in processing. Nothing to worry about - a lot of people go through these delays and waiting is a big part of this immigration journey so you'll soon get used to waiting around and other delays!

Rete

When the couple is eligible to file in the UK for the US Visa they never have anything whatsoever to do with USCIS in the states. It is strictly a UK process which shaves many months off the entire process. Don't even read anything that is posted about the DCF process as it will only confuse you as nothing in that process, other than the medical and the actual interview, pertains to you.

You will get here by this time next year, if not sooner, if the USCIS decides to speed up.

Jo Christina

Thanks for the reassurance! Much needed!!