Notes from Quarterly Mtg. on Adoption; Hanoi Jan 24th.

February 1, 2008

 

To: Adoptive families from Viet Nam
From: Ethica
Re: Quarterly meeting on Adoption Issues and Visa Processing
held on Jan 24 2008 at American Embassy Consular Section, Hanoi
Vietnam

 

The following quick notes are points raised at the quarterly
meeting that may be of import to adoptive families:

 I-600 procedures

CIS reports that 50% of what they receive is incomplete and
needs to be sent back for additional information. Incomplete applications
(missing major documentation) will not be accepted, so please insure that the
application is complete when it is submitted.

No application will be accepted for any benefit unless it
contains original documents with original signatures of both parents.

If agencies assist parents in filling out immigration forms,
they must sign on the back of the form as having assisted. 

Questions 16 and 17 on the application should both be
answered “No.” They will then be amended when people arrive.

CIS reiterates that 60 days is not an absolute cutoff date.
They try but there are going to be some applications going over the 60 days. If
difficulties arise in completing investigation, case may extend beyond the 60
days.

Approvals are a two stage process, with approvals from both
CIS and State needed. Families will get an email with copies of both approvals.
Families should not travel until the written
notification is received, even if they get a “verbal” approval from their
agency or the province. If parents are being pressured to travel before
approval, please contact the Embassy.

Hand-delivered mail

CIS reiterated the fact that the Embassy/Consulate cannot
accept hand-delivered documents; things must be sent through official
channels/delivery services.

Website

The Hanoi Embassy Website has been completely overhauled and
the Embassy welcomes comments on it.

Visa Interviews and Travel Plans

The Embassy requests that parents not schedule travel for
the same day as the visa interview because new biometric requirements might
delay approval.

Applicants should not call or email CIS or DOS during 60 day period

CIS urgently requests that families refrain from calling or
emailing about their applications until the 60 days has passed. Last week a
staff member spent 5 hours on the phone with parents, which results in 5 hours
in which they are unable to work on pending cases, slowing the process for
everyone.

Fingerprint expiration

To prevent delays, do not send applications where
fingerprints will expire within 60 days.

IR-3’s and departing parent

IR3s require both parents to be in Vietnam .If a parent
comes to VN for the G and R and leaves before the visa interview, it is best to
take a lot pictures that document his/her presence – this qualifies for the
IR3.

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