elcajongr

Sorry to cause a problem over such an innocent question. My question is not as much about customs as it is to LEGAL issues. My SO is free to chose the name of her choice of course. My main concern is that my wife will be applying for social security benefits some day and I do not want to have any legal issues at the time. I assume the marrige certificate would resolve any issue with the SSA but wanted to hear it from the wiser heads here. Thanks PS: Legal questions are not permitted here?

Are there any sound legal reasons to be considered when SO is deciding which married name to use in America? My SO is leaning toward keeping her Chinese name. Would appreciate any thoughts on the subject. Thanks

Great News! Congratulations to John and Hai Yan!!!!

Below is the phone number of the GZ youth hostel where my SO stayed the first week of March. 180 yuan/night 20-81218298

Thanks, the web site indicates Bradley for Air China. I came into terminal 5 using China Southern. Now for the confusion factor. I think I have confused Air China with China airlines. China Airlines uses Bradley, Air China uses Terminal 2? She will arrive on Air China. Thanks for the wake up call.

Thanks, the web site indicates Bradley for Air China. I came into terminal 5 using China Southern.

Thanks, I have sent her copies of the LAX map and explained the terminals to her. She also knows about the free "shuttle bus" and to ask to be told when they arrive at terminal 7. United Express has many commuter flights to San Diego each day so if she misses her schedulled flight I think they will put her on the next available flight within an hour. Lack of communications will be the main concern. Hopefully the 3 hours will be enough. If she arrives LAX ahead of schedule that's even better.

She feels confident that she can complete the process on her own and then catch her flight to San Diego from terminal 7 in three hours. I was concerned about the timing and sequence of things at Bradley. Driving in the LA traffic at 5 pm is not for the weak hearted.

Does anyone have any tips for SO's arriving at the Bradley Terminal on Air China? Any possible info appreciated. Thanx

Your journey has been longer and more frustrating than most so don't give up when you are so close to home plate. I'll stick my neck out and say your journey will be over by June 1st. Things should happen quickly from here on. You've now rounded third and headed for home.

1stphonecard has a China card plan of 1000 minutes for $20 or 2 cents/minute with decent sound and detailed call record. No hidden fees so you get the full 1000 minutes. Be sure to check for local access number in your area to use this card at this price. http://www.1stphonecard.com/phonecardInfo....m?ProductID=100

The China Southern airline web site says 20 kg limit checked luggage for enonomy fare. China ticket agent says 60 kg limit. Can anyone shed any light on the subject? Thanx China Southern web site for international service http://www.cs-air.com/en/wnfw/04/01.htm

Blue Slip http://tonymasiello.com/home/visa/blue_slip.jpg Red Slip http://tonymasiello.com/home/visa/red_slip.jpg http://tonymasiello.com/home/visa/red_slip2.jpg

I will "try" to get the name from my SO. She said the hospital was near the embassy and her hotel.

My SO had her exam at GZ on Wednesday (0830) March 2nd and picked up the results Thursday(0930) March 3rd. Paid 800 yuan for the exam and 100 yuan to expedite.

Thanks John & good luck to you and Hai Yan. Are you still in China?

Try not to read too much into messages of this type. Six weeks after my petition left NVC DOS told me my petition had not reached GZ yet. My SO got her P3 packet the next day!

My SO just called to tell me she got her white slip on Friday, March 4. Here's hoping all goes well when she picks up the visa Monday, March 7. I will post details when I get them. Update: Please excuse the English in the email but you'll get the idea. Dear husband, I am very glad to get the white slip . I got up at half past 5 this morning, at 20 to 7, I went to embassies to line up. I have met other 2 younger sisters of 001, we rank it foremost, they and I sit together after entering the hall. I have got " 1 number " while submitting the materials, about half past 10, begin the interview, I am the first interview, it was the Asian VO that was met, he has worn a pair of glasses, very young, the skin is very white. I asked him in English: Good morning! . He said too: Good morning! (he has wanted my passport), Who applied for you? I: My fiance G R. Then he ask me with English say quickly. I can't understand , he asked me in Chinese, then all Chinese used for dialogues. I begin take the initiative recommend our situation to him. He has looked at our photos and I-134 forms. He demands to see your tax form for 3 years, I say , because you retired, deposit of the bank and house conduct are assured . He has asked this question twice. "Why does he only come to China once? "I have answered him too, method according to you. VO, does your fiance deposit the money and insure for you? I answer, yes. He has asked me twice too. "What do you plan to go to U.S. A. to do? " I: We get married first , I will study English hard , then look for a job. VO He is very old, how is the health? WO Health of him very strong, VO little disease have ? WO there are no small diseases. Suddenly, He gave me a white slip . I have not too come supernaturally yet at this moment. He said he would get back to the visa of taking of the embassy on Monday. I understand that I have already passed, I said , thank you! I get back to the hotel, after putting the things well, have made the international long-distance call to you with my cell- phone at first, make you glad! One will be good to feel that you can sleep this evening. If the thing has not changed , I will buy a plane ticket which returns to Chongqing on Tuesday after getting the visa. Walking 20 minutes from hotel , pass over bridge I found an Internet cafe. PS: She stayed at the Youth Hostel, 180 yuan/night 3/4/05 - After talking to the So I can now summarize the interview. The VO was a young Asian male who spoke good English, very quickly. My SO understands me fairly well but not others. Most of the interview was conducted in Chinese (by the VO). The interview lasted about three minutes with about 20 questions. All of our supporting documents were placed at the window where the VO could see them. He ask for 3 years tax forms (there were none) and SO referred him to our I-134 form. He then examined the I-134 form. The VO asked for our "early" emails(about 800 total) and read the first one. He also ask for our photos which he quickly examined with no comments. Some additional questions were; Are you a Communist? (NO!) What is his email address? What did he do before he retired? When did he last call you? (This morning at 6 AM.) What did he say to you? (He told me "Good luck".) Did you know he was married 3 times?(Yes, he was last divorced in 1973) How many times have you been married? ( 2 times )

I think you will lose this arguement. If memory serves me she is correct. Forms are to be filled out in englsih and Chinese. Thats the way I did it anyway. Did I read correctly that there must be two copies of each of these forms? (original & one copy)

In my case DOS indicated the P4 was mailed on Jan 25. The GZ post mark was Jan 28 and the Chongqing post mark was Jan 30.

How many days should one wait for the P4 before contacting GZ and requesting a new P4 packet be sent out? Does 7 days sound reasonable? --- Thanks UPDATE: Arrived Chongqing - Jan 30, mailed Jan 25. UPDATE #2. DOS indicated the P4 was mailed on Jan 25. The P4 packet was post marked; GZ - Jan 28, Chongqing - Jan 30

Time for my dumb question of the week. I have seen many requests for the infamous video tape. Most often the request is for the American fiance(e) speaking Chinese. Many have indicated that the purpose of the tape is to show that the two individuals can communicate. If that in fact is the true purpose of the video tape then my question is this; why can't the Chinese SO submit a five minute tape of the SO speaking English? I think its reasonable to assume most of the Americans can speak and understand English. Since the couple most likely will be living where English is the primary means of communication having the Chinese SO speaking English seems logical to me. Is it possible that the video tape request has little to do with demonstrating the ability to communicate???

I have been a bachelor for over 30 years and am the world's worse pack rat. The best I can hope for is to eliminate some of the accumilated junk(crap) before that fateful day. She will be totally involved in the final outcome. She has already put me on notice that there must be a nice, large living room. Our home is small by American standards but huge compared to her 27 sq M house. Haiyan's married friend, now living in Chicago, has already checked out Haiyan's new home and given her stamp of approval and a full report to Haiyan. They especially love the large yard and garden. Happy days are here again, skies of gray are blue again, - - - - - - - . GR in El Cajon, Ca.

Just called DOS. 36 minute wait. P4 mailed Jan 25. (GZ date) Interview; March 4, 8 AM. Time to call Chongqing.

Since some of the original documents with the I-134 may be needed for the I-864, is the SO allowed to retain the I-134 after the GZ interview?