Rick R.

Congratulations! I feel terrible for you both that you had to wait so long and suffer so much for this. The whole system appears to be running much smoother this year and I'm glad things worked out for you this time!

Her J1 visa was stamped with wording that she was subject to the 2 year rule, but it was clear to me that she was not actually subject. She did menial work not on the list of jobs that are subject to the rule and the J1 was not government-sponsored. We filed for an advisory opinion on the J1 to get a final decision as to weather she was subject or not to the 2 year HRR. The decision came back NOT SUBJECT and I submitted a copy of the web page with the ruling and her advisory opinion case number along with the I-129F to USCIS. It took about 2 1/2 months to get the advisory opinion, but I think it was good insurance and the I-129F sailed through USCIS at breakneck speed. Since the advisory opinion is issued by DOS, I think it saved USCIS a step or two in the process. As to CCP: I seem to recall that we checked on a form somewhere that she had never had any affiliation with CCP and I don't believe they asked her at the interview. I believe past CCP membership is easily overcome by signing an affidavit, anyway, so don't stress about that.

Here's the summary of the interview: First up was the Chinese worker, who apparently had a bad attitude (snappy tone of voice and frequent eye-rolling). She was frustrated by the fact that the financials were all packaged together in one folder and insisted that they be separated out and that she only wanted the tax returns. The employer letter and paycheck stubs were not collected. Interview was with a curly-haired guy who asked her what my name is, where I live, what kind of work I do, and the specific website where we met. He then asked for pictures, looked through them, and issued the pink. My evolution of relationship letter, boarding passes, receipts, etc. were not asked for or looked at. Just a handful of simple questions and a skim over the photo album. She said it was shockingly brief. They also had a record of her previous trip to America (before we met) and he asked her under what program she got her J1 visa and what part of America she visited.

I just got word that "Everybody got pink" which means that "Eric" on here is pink also! She said that she hasn't seen any blue or whites so far. Congrats to Eric as well! The weather in GUZ has been very PINK today!

She got out by 10:30am and texted me that it was easy as pie. Full details after we talk tonight. For now, she's got to beat feet out of GUZ

Yes, I was thinking the same thing. The machine translation sounds like a red flag that might have sent the VO looking for an excuse the deny this petition. I am really sorry to hear about this case ending in a white. It sounds like the VO made a snap-decision instead of attempting to thoroughly investigate the matter. I think that is unacceptable -- denials should not be so easy to hand out. Aside from the language issue, were there any other circumstances that might have put some doubt in the VO's mind as to the legitimacy of your relationship? I'm wondering if there might have been additional concerns... Well my cage is officially rattled. We're up on 6/02 and I'm afraid of how they will interpret our emails

It seems to me like they've relaxed some on the notarizations recently. I had my letter of intent to marry and evolution of relationship letter notarized just to be safe. I also copied all pages of my passport, attached a "copy certification by document custodian" form and had my signature on the form notarized. I-134 no longer needs to be notarized as it is signed under penalty of perjury.

Fiancee got P4 today too. She is in Beijing. Another data point I'd like to provide for anyone searching P4 in the future: Her official address is in Shenzhen but she recently moved to Beijing. The EMS label had a Beijing address on it but we did not officially request a change of address (seems almost pointless, anyway, from the horror stories I have read). They used the label and sent it to the Beijing address, as we had hoped. Good luck to everybody else!

I don't think that it matters. There isn't a standard format for this letter. I didn't want to sound too dry or formal in my letter. I used a standard memo format for the header and paragraph blocking, but the content of the letter is a little bit personal and has some character. I tried to imagine what I would want to say to the VO if I was leaving a voice message. This letter is the only voice you have to reach the VO with. It's your best opportunity to demonstrate that your relationship is real and valid. Some people say to keep it matter-of-fact and others say to gush your feelings. Both make sense, depending on what you think they will use this letter for. I wrote mine pretty much how I would SAY it. I felt that this would come across as the most natural and sincere. Our interview is a little ways off so I don't know if my letter will be a success or a death sentence. I'll report how it turns out next month

Thanks everybody Good info They really don't leave you much time for the medical and final preparation, do they. I'll relay the info and post a note when she get P4 just for closure.

It's been about 4 days since DOS said the P4 went out, but it still hasn't arrived yet. Interview is in less than a month. If it were America, I wouldn't be surprised, but Wen says that EMS from GUZ to Beijing should have arrived already and she is coming totally unglued. What are my options and how long did it take for others to get the P4?

During this economic downturn, my company has been hit hard. In order to avoid laying off employees, the company has enrolled in a Workshare program. The way this works is that the employer reduces hours and wages beyond a certain threshold and then the employees (me) are eligible to make unemployment insurance claims on the lost hours while still remaining employed at reduced hours/wages. My hours have been reduced and I would like to participate in the program in order to make up some of my lost income. The only consequence is that it should be obvious to government agencies that I am collecting unemployment insurance and one might assume that I am unemployed when, in fact, I am not unemployed. If I sign up for this program, will GUZ pick up on it and will there be any consequences is they do?

I've just spent the last 3 months visiting my fiancee in China. During this time, we stayed at various hotels in Beijing and rented an apartment in Shenzhen. We asked the apartment manager to draft a signed and stamped contract to use as evidence that I came to China to visit my fiancee. We have a choice now about putting only my name down or putting both our names on the contract. I recall reading somewhere that some VO claimed a K1 couple were already married because they had a credit card in both their names or some such thing. It seems ridiculous but you never know with GUZ... What do you guys think would be the most beneficial evidence to provide -- A contract in only my name to show that I visited China, or a contract in both our names to show that I didn't just visit, but we stayed together ? Another thing is will I need to have this contract translated into English or will they accept it as-is for evidence of my visit?

So how did this one turn out?

Has anybody done a HK visa run lately? I entered the mainland on a 60 day L visa and I'm having trouble extending it. I'm in Shenzhen and have registered my temporary residence here but the Shenzhen PSB refuses to process L visa extensions for American citizens. The SZ website, of course, claims that they process L extensions for foreigners but two worthless suits at the actual bureau said that it's SZ policy not to do it and told me to get lost. Beijing may be an option but it would involve flying there, establishing residence in Beijing, processing the extension, then flying back to Shenzhen and establishing residence here again. So I'm considering just taking a bus or train to HK and getting a new L visa there. I want to know, in these post-Olympic times, if things have settled down and if my trip will be successful or not. The posted policy is that I have to get a new L visa in my country of residence but I have read that the HK embassy does not enforce this policy. Back in LA, I could pay a rush fee and get my visa in one day. Is this possible in HK? Would I be able to apply for a new visa on the same day that I depart mainland China? I only want to extend my stay for about 30 days. And, BTW, we got NOA2 about a week ago! Thanks, Rick