PJ

It's a numeric validation, makes sure that you only put in numbers for a field that should be numeric (such as a year). Sometimes software people try to make stuff too smart. I think I ran into that when I used some of USCIS's fillable forms and tried to put N/A into date and number fields. Just print it out and use a typewriter or handwrite it. P.J.

Whew ... that's a relief, considering we already bought tickets. Air canada had a sale last night, so I booked before I really looked into the whole permanent resident being able to go. P.J.

Hi All, Okay, we've given up on our Europe trip (for the time being). Didn't feel like going through the process of applying for a visa. So, we're going to go to Canada instead. Just wanted to make sure ... my wife has the 2 year greencard, can she just go with the green card? Thanks, P.J.

While it is a sad story, I believe strongly that it is not the US Consulate's job to "judge the mental stability of the petitioner". Having a history of depression or mental illness is not a crime, nor is applying for medical help. Denying a visa based on mental health history would essentially criminalize depression. If there was evidence of a relationship that seemed valid (call logs), and the minimum income requirements were met through the co-sponsors, I really believe that the consulate did due dilligence on its part.

One thing I would caution ... be VERY careful about the sharks outside the consulate. Also, it's really difficult to tell where the "public access" area ends and the consulate begins.

I am very nearsighted as well. I'm a software engineer, so I stare at the computer for long stretches. My wife insists that if I take off my glasses and take a break, walk around outside and stare at green trees in the distance it will make my eyesight better. My grandmother had always told me the same thing (grandma was originally from same region of China as my wife, actually). I wonder if there's any validity to it.

I've tried to get my wife to watch WWE with me. It's entertaining as heck. She thinks it's horrible. She now knows the word "wrestling" though. The more I think at work, the less I want to think for my entertainment, and vice versa. When I was in high school and worked at blockbuster shelving videos, my idea of entertainment was to read books on nonlinear systems. Now that I'm working as a software engineer, I like entertainment that doesn't make me think, just makes me laugh. Guys getting hit with steel chairs is funny.

Hi all, Okay, this is probably a stupid question, but I'm going to ask it anyway ... My wife Candy is looking for a job. Actually, she's found one, but of course they have the I-9 (you know, that form we all fill out before we work, see) ... http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/files/i-9.pdf She has her green card. However, I couldn't find that on the list. Is that the #5: Alien Registration Receipt Card with photograph (INS Form I-551)? Thanks, P.J.

My understanding is that the background checks are all on the alien (beneficiary), not the petitioner. As Trigg pointed out, a convicted child molester successfully petitioned for a visa, so obviously they haven't checked background in the past. The "International Marriage Broker Regulation Act of 2005" that was brought up, this takes effect 3/2006, with a 60 day enactment period. I believe this only requires that if you went through a "marriage broker", that they disclose this to your potential spouse. If I were in your situation, I would probably just disclose anything in your background to your SO that they might feel need to be disclosed and that way she could honestly say that all this information was provided to her, should it ever come up. Besides, I think it's a good idea in a relationship to disclose all this, anyway. P.J.

Mick, That was absolutely hilarious! I was laughing out loud and my wife asked what was wrong with me. PJ

I've been reading a lot of posts lately and it got me thinking. I think the whole 3rd party correspondence is absolutely, positively ridiculous. It reminds me of the Salem Witch Trials. Does anyone else feel the same? There has to be some sort of accountability for the 3rd party who is making the accusation. There is an Amendment that states that one has the right to face his or her accuser. I believe this Amendment is there to prevent such things as bearing false witness due to a personal grudge, envy, or spite. I'm a big fan of the Constitution. Personally I think even after all these years, it is still a very good foundation. I would think that the spirit of the Constitution and Amendments should be somehow incorporated into the process of granting US Visas. I think I've probably posted something like this before, and sorry if I'm beating a dead horse, but it's just one of things that bothers me.

People here are giving you good advice. It would inevitably raise suspicion. Imagine going into a store and asking the owner, "Has anyone come in and told you that I'm planning to shoplift? If so, you shouldn't believe them ..." Now, if you were the store owner, wouldn't that make you a bit weary and suspicious of the person?

http://uscis.gov/graphics/fieldoffices/tampa/aboutus.htm

If you think about it, they should have surveyed how many "men said that they could make an independent decision when making a major purchase like buying a house, car or other valuables." It would probably have been just as low of a percentage. I mean, I can't, or wouldn't buy a house or car without asking my wife.

I cannot overemphasize the importance of "keeping a low profile". Some of my wife's friends and relatives didn't even hear a thing about it. She called them after we got to the US and let them know that she had gone to America. Maybe we were a bit on the paranoid side, but better safe than sorry.

I applied for a second K1 Visa after the first one didn't work out. The first one came to the US on the visa for about 1 week but we never got married. It didn't cause any problems. I did, incidentally, write a letter explaining what had happened, but there were never any questions about it. I don't know if I'd recommend writing a letter or not, but my belief is in my situation it did not help or hurt. P.J.

Hi All, Actually I need some help understanding this. My wife got the conditional green card recently. When you said "3 years after green card" ... is this after receiving the conditional green card that expires in 2 years? When I went to the USCIS site, it sounded like "3 years from arriving in the US". Could someone who has experience with this please shed some light for me? Thanks, P.J.

I think taking wedding pictures to a K1 interview is asking for trouble. Just my $0.02.

My wife (then fiancee) and I actually worried about this as well when we went through the K1 process. I think this is a question that should be brought up to USCONGUZ for a definitive answer. Or if nothing else, to at least raise this awareness that this is a simple cultural difference.

My wife reported "overhearing" an argument in Mandarin on OneSuite once. It was funny.

Unpinning topic. I would like to make sure that everyone is aware of the site's upcoming closure.

Unpinning topic. I would like to make sure that everyone is aware of the site's upcoming closure.

Hello everyone, It is with a heavy heart that I inform all of you that Candle's last day will Tuesday, May 31st, 2005 (2005-05-31). I have contacted the hosting company and asked them not to renew the site. I have waited until we used up all the donations generously provided by a few members over the years, since I felt an obligation to keep the site burning through this time, as they had donated to keep the candle burning. I am sincerely grateful to those members for their generosity. Even more valuable than money is time, heart, and passion. I wish to thank Don for the generous donation of countless hours of time and effort to the site. Don has truly been a light for many of us going through the dark tunnel of the visa process, including myself, and I think we all owe him a tremendous thanks and a debt that we can never repay. Also, I would like to thank Tony for being a strong and consistent source of knowledge and bringing great information to the site. Finally, there are so many people that have been a part of the Candle community that have reached out to me and to others and been such a positive part of my life. I wish to thank all of you. This decision was not an easy one to reach. I reached this decision this evening after a lot of thinking, reflecting, and speaking with family and friends. I have reached a point in my life where I do not have the resources, bandwidth, and energy to give Candle the time it requires and deserves. I wanted to give everyone as much advanced warning as possible, so that you can exchange contact information, retrieve and copy any essential information from posts, and wrap up any discussions. Also, if anyone wishes to create their own visa site or Chinese/American site to fill the void, please feel free to post about it on Candle while Candle is still running. You all know that I have never censored or dissuaded anyone from starting their own site ... just be forewarned that it is a lot of work. Well, it has truly been an experience. From Candle's start back in November 2002 until today, almost 3 years later, I've met so many wonderful people. Best wishes to all, and if you wish to stay in touch, please feel free to write me at: pj_and_candy@hotmail.com P.J.

Pink slips in the U.S. is an old expression for getting fired. Getting the "pink slip" usually means you get to go collect unemployment. I'm not sure where the expression came from, but that's how I've always used it.

Actually, waiting for June sounds good to me. I think I might not have been clear enough ... I meant I was hoping to have 3 weeks advance notice before the get-together date, not do it 3 weeks from now. Besides, if I recall, Portland is nice in June.