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splinterman

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  3. The Black Pearl

    in Consulate Process: P-3 ~ Interview

    Posted

    Consular officers (and foreign service officers in general) rotate in and out of assignments relatively frequently, the new ones in particular. I believe the stated goal for State Dept. is to have a new officer be at 3 different posts in 5 years, with at least one of those being a "hardship" post (think Ivory Coast, Afghanistan, or someplace you just would NOT want to live). After that, they rotate less frequently, but probably every 3-5 years regardless.

     

    The original black pearl rumors started like... what, 2001? I guarantee that whoever it was is long gone. They're probably causing havoc with another country now. :bye1:

     

    How do I know this? I took the foreign service exam (and passed!) and went to do the second round of weeding out (and failed!) about 4 years ago, so I studied up on all the details.

     

    Personally, I believe that the lack of information about what really takes place behind the walls of the consulate is what serves to perpetuate the myths that often show up on CFL, VisaJourney, etc. The human tendency that if the information is not readily known then it is 'made up' is really what drives the cycle.

     

    With GUZ being so secretive in just about everything it is involved in-regardless of their official or unofficial reasons for being that way-they inadvertantly lay the groundwork for perpetuating the myths that arise. I recognize that it must really be difficult sometimes for them to remain tight-lipped when they read some of the things that appear on CFL and other websites and they're probably dying to comment and/or set the record straight, but cannot for perceived security reasons. It is a shame that this lack of information fosters misinformation, but that's the truth about what happens next.

     

    Yes, the urban legend about the Black Pearl will no doubt continue to be applied to any African-American female Visa Officer but only because the original subject of this myth was so hard on the beneficiaries who she interviewed. Who knows what instructions are given to the VOs from time-to-time about how the DOS wants them to conduct the interviews? Just last year GUZ appeared to be a stone fortress whose occupants 'ate' the beneficiaries for breakfast and couldn't care less about the resultant consequences and hardships imposed because of their decisions. While they haven't gone 'soft' across the board, this year there appears to be a more reasonable and somewhat 'kinder and gentler' attitude being exhibited by the VOs. I think this had to come from the top and trickled down to the VO level.

     

    What surprises me more than anything is the apparent lack of former visa officers to 'come clean' about the innner workings of the consulates they've been posted at during their careers. I suspect that as part of their employment orientation packets there is a form that they sign that prohibits them from disclosing ANYTHING, under penalty of law, about their former profession. Sort of like how the people who work at Area 51 and Groom Lake are so secretive and purposely inconspicuous.

     

    Too bad Shanghai John didn't get further along in the Foreign Service or maybe he could give us the full 'skinny' on all of this!

  4. December Interview Group

    in Consulate Process: P-3 ~ Interview

    Posted

    Well my SO left this morning at 9am :D .....(9pm tonight China time) for her train trip to GUZ. She should be there around 7am and then she will go have her medical :blink: The long wait might be over soon. I will be bouncing off the walls on Sunday evening waiting to hear from her :unsure:

     

    Robert

    What you need, is some of those Robert H pizza mushrooms. That way you can float like a butterfly, while bouncing off the walls...Hang in there.

     

    Mushrooms? You mean dem SILLYCYBIN mushrooms? Eatin' them, and there won't BE any walls! We'll all just ...float away............. :D

  8. Can things be anymore screwed up

    in Consulate Process: P-3 ~ Interview

    Posted

    I chatted with my SO Thursday morning her time. She was at work and promised to email me when she left for the train at 9pm her time. I did not get email last night so I figured I would have one this morning when I woke up :lol: . No email. I called her on her cell phone........here is the conversation:

     

    me:....hello.....Na?

     

    No this is Yingying......(her 8 year old duaghter)

     

    me: Where is your mother?

     

    Ying......How are you :V: .

     

    Needless to say I did not speak with her mother. My SO told me that her daughter was NOT going with her. Finally about 30 mintues later my SO signed on to Yahoo. I found that when she bought the ticket for the train that she bought the WRONG DATE. She was supposed to get ticket for Thursday and instead got it for Friday. She was at an internet cafe near the train wating to board. I asked her about the medical as she has interview Monday morning :lol: . She said that she called them and was told she had plenty of time to get it Saturday morning and still get results before interview...............I hope so :D . I asked her why she did not tell me about the train sooner, she said that she did not want to upset me :lol: . I told her I was worried and that now I am even more worried that she might not be ready for interview.

     

    I hope this is or only glitch in the process.....................

     

    Robert

     

     

    Hey Robert-haha, don't you just love these last minute complications? I won't even tell you those I've been worrying about with Lijuan...where' my Valium bottle....it's around here somewhere...

  9. VISA IN HAND!

    in Interview Results

    Posted

    Finally. :) Sweetie just called from GUZ PO. Inside his passport is a US K1 visa with both our names on it! Hooray! It took a week longer than expected, but it's finally in hand. Now we can finally book flights to Chicago! B)

     

     

    Really wonderful news for you! Congratulations and best wishes for a terrific and happy future together!!!

  12. Off to see the wizard of GUZ

    in Consulate Process: P-3 ~ Interview

    Posted

    I often get a lot of strange cases that aren't as well prepared, which makes it very hard for me to come to a solid conclusion

     

    This should be beaten into the brain of everyone filing!

     

    Congratulations and good job guys! Glad it all went smoothly!

     

     

    Congratulations to you and your wife, Kyle! It's really nice to know of your success after all of your hard work, and all of your help to so many others on CFL. It was finally your turn!! Wishing you many years of happiness!

  15. got white in mail

    in Interview Results

    Posted

    Just like everyone who got a white result, I now know their pain and anger. My fiancee got the blue during the interview for a K1 visa and we submitted everything on the list. I went back to China 3 times, have thousands of pictures from many places in China, have our engagement party and wedding gown pictures taken. I have a cosponsor and gave all the financial records. Plus I am in the military right now. I am baffled and angry and wonder why, why. I have moved from the shock and now plan on going back to China and get married with my fiancee and file a CR-1. It's going to be a long wait and take a lot of effort and money. Will I get an explanation of why the VO did not approve our visa? Did the same VO who interviewed my fiancee the same VO who reviewed the stuff we sent into the U.S embassy for review? That VO was a black lady and people have warned us that she is the toughest to get a visa. Unfortunately that's who my fiancee got during the interview. If anyone can help, I have several questions in going about CR-1 instead of K3. Is it easier to get CR-1 to approve than a K3 visa? What about the documents we submitted for K1 visa, will the Custom and Immigration Service send it back to the U.S embassy in China to add to the evidence for the CR-1? What do I need to do here in the U.S before I go back to get marry and file for a CR-1? I heard I need to have my passport and a single certificate notarized in a Chinese embassy in the U.S before I can go to China to get marry, is that true? Does anyone of you know anyone who got denied of a CR-1 visa? How long is the wait for a CR-1? Can someone who got a CR-1 visa approved give me some advice on what they did that made they successful. Thank you

     

     

    :D I want to give an update on our visa journey. My wife interviewed this past week for a CR-1 and was approved. She has the visa in hand and plan on arriving here in December. I want to give thanks to all those who help us along the way. I especially want to thank: splinterman (thanks for sharing your visa experience with me, best of luck with your wife's interview), joejoefta (thanks for helping me with the electronic processing), chilton747 (thanks for your advice and support), N + W (thanks for being the first to offer support to me), mei3935 (haven't seem you post on your wife's interview result, hope she got the visa that you guys deserved), SmilingAsia (good luck on your own visa journey), heyjimi (thanks for your advice), dnoblett (thanks for your continual commitment in helping those like me who needed the help) , and Marc Ellis (thanks for your guidance in our visa) . Without you guys and this wonderful website, we would not have gotten this far. As a lot of you have experienced the injustice denial of your love one's visa, it's a mixed feelings of horror, anger, and despair. I was afraid of our K-1 denial might mean I will never be able to get my wife here, especially the how insensitive the GUZ embassy treated us the first time as all of you who have gotten denial experience knows. I was very fortunate overcame some of the possible causes of our denial and able to get approved for the visa in 6 1/2 months with the electronic process. There's is no template from the USCIS on the visa journey, but this great website has guided me along the way. I want to congratulated all of those who have gotten your love ones the visa, and offer support for those who are having difficulties in visa journey. Thanks

     

    Eddie

     

    Eddie

     

    so happy your (visa) journey (horror) is over.

    Good luck and also thank you for your service to our country.

    God Bless and God Speed.

     

    Now we root for splinterman. He's up next. :P

     

     

    Congratulations, Eddie. We've shared a lot of info and experiences in our emails and there is nobody I've wanted to see be successful this time around than you and your lady. It was your turn and I'm happy for you.

     

    And thanks to you too, N+W, for your kindness AND your support. The next 2 weeks will be the longest of my life, LOL. Hopefully, it will be OUR turn this time.

     

    And to everyone who is interviewing soon and in December I wish you all the best of luck!

     

    Let's bring 'em home for Christmas!!

     

    Splinterman

     

    Splinterman, it appears we have the same interview date. I also can not attend. I wish your SO good luck.

     

     

    I'll be keeping you guys in my prayers. Wouldn't it be great for them to show a little more 'Holiday Spirit' and hand out the pinks like candy?

     

    Looks like you and I will both be sweating bullets on Sunday night, won't we? LOL!

  17. got white in mail

    in Interview Results

    Posted

    Just like everyone who got a white result, I now know their pain and anger. My fiancee got the blue during the interview for a K1 visa and we submitted everything on the list. I went back to China 3 times, have thousands of pictures from many places in China, have our engagement party and wedding gown pictures taken. I have a cosponsor and gave all the financial records. Plus I am in the military right now. I am baffled and angry and wonder why, why. I have moved from the shock and now plan on going back to China and get married with my fiancee and file a CR-1. It's going to be a long wait and take a lot of effort and money. Will I get an explanation of why the VO did not approve our visa? Did the same VO who interviewed my fiancee the same VO who reviewed the stuff we sent into the U.S embassy for review? That VO was a black lady and people have warned us that she is the toughest to get a visa. Unfortunately that's who my fiancee got during the interview. If anyone can help, I have several questions in going about CR-1 instead of K3. Is it easier to get CR-1 to approve than a K3 visa? What about the documents we submitted for K1 visa, will the Custom and Immigration Service send it back to the U.S embassy in China to add to the evidence for the CR-1? What do I need to do here in the U.S before I go back to get marry and file for a CR-1? I heard I need to have my passport and a single certificate notarized in a Chinese embassy in the U.S before I can go to China to get marry, is that true? Does anyone of you know anyone who got denied of a CR-1 visa? How long is the wait for a CR-1? Can someone who got a CR-1 visa approved give me some advice on what they did that made they successful. Thank you

     

     

    :D I want to give an update on our visa journey. My wife interviewed this past week for a CR-1 and was approved. She has the visa in hand and plan on arriving here in December. I want to give thanks to all those who help us along the way. I especially want to thank: splinterman (thanks for sharing your visa experience with me, best of luck with your wife's interview), joejoefta (thanks for helping me with the electronic processing), chilton747 (thanks for your advice and support), N + W (thanks for being the first to offer support to me), mei3935 (haven't seem you post on your wife's interview result, hope she got the visa that you guys deserved), SmilingAsia (good luck on your own visa journey), heyjimi (thanks for your advice), dnoblett (thanks for your continual commitment in helping those like me who needed the help) , and Marc Ellis (thanks for your guidance in our visa) . Without you guys and this wonderful website, we would not have gotten this far. As a lot of you have experienced the injustice denial of your love one's visa, it's a mixed feelings of horror, anger, and despair. I was afraid of our K-1 denial might mean I will never be able to get my wife here, especially the how insensitive the GUZ embassy treated us the first time as all of you who have gotten denial experience knows. I was very fortunate overcame some of the possible causes of our denial and able to get approved for the visa in 6 1/2 months with the electronic process. There's is no template from the USCIS on the visa journey, but this great website has guided me along the way. I want to congratulated all of those who have gotten your love ones the visa, and offer support for those who are having difficulties in visa journey. Thanks

     

    Eddie

     

    Eddie

     

    so happy your (visa) journey (horror) is over.

    Good luck and also thank you for your service to our country.

    God Bless and God Speed.

     

    Now we root for splinterman. He's up next. :)

     

     

    Congratulations, Eddie. We've shared a lot of info and experiences in our emails and there is nobody I've wanted to see be successful this time around than you and your lady. It was your turn and I'm happy for you.

     

    And thanks to you too, N+W, for your kindness AND your support. The next 2 weeks will be the longest of my life, LOL. Hopefully, it will be OUR turn this time.

     

    And to everyone who is interviewing soon and in December I wish you all the best of luck!

     

    Let's bring 'em home for Christmas!!

     

    Splinterman

  18. got white in mail

    in Interview Results

    Posted

    Just like everyone who got a white result, I now know their pain and anger. My fiancee got the blue during the interview for a K1 visa and we submitted everything on the list. I went back to China 3 times, have thousands of pictures from many places in China, have our engagement party and wedding gown pictures taken. I have a cosponsor and gave all the financial records. Plus I am in the military right now. I am baffled and angry and wonder why, why. I have moved from the shock and now plan on going back to China and get married with my fiancee and file a CR-1. It's going to be a long wait and take a lot of effort and money. Will I get an explanation of why the VO did not approve our visa? Did the same VO who interviewed my fiancee the same VO who reviewed the stuff we sent into the U.S embassy for review? That VO was a black lady and people have warned us that she is the toughest to get a visa. Unfortunately that's who my fiancee got during the interview. If anyone can help, I have several questions in going about CR-1 instead of K3. Is it easier to get CR-1 to approve than a K3 visa? What about the documents we submitted for K1 visa, will the Custom and Immigration Service send it back to the U.S embassy in China to add to the evidence for the CR-1? What do I need to do here in the U.S before I go back to get marry and file for a CR-1? I heard I need to have my passport and a single certificate notarized in a Chinese embassy in the U.S before I can go to China to get marry, is that true? Does anyone of you know anyone who got denied of a CR-1 visa? How long is the wait for a CR-1? Can someone who got a CR-1 visa approved give me some advice on what they did that made they successful. Thank you

     

    Hi,

    sorry to hear the news of your denial.My wife and I have been there,and 4 months have passed now,and the anger and pain is still there,it is a feeling only people with a white slip can understand..She got denied from the black woman signed "M" , she is very brutal.My wife got denied a k3 visa in october,and we are now CR1.

    forget the FOIA,it is a joke. you will get a document with everything you want to know" blacked out".your chances of finding out why you got denied is slim.Welcome to Guzland, communist america,take a deep breathe and just move forward,and pay attention to the game,because,you probably thought this was about love...it is not.....you will hear "they are only out to catch the bad guys....they are not....it is all about playing a game..so play it to the "T"...get married ,move slowly.....do either the k3 or CR1,and do what many say is "front load" your petition.thats what i would do. Yeah,to get married in China,you will need of course your passport and a "single affadavit" i don't know the exact name,i got mine done,thru "visarite"a service on the internet.Good luck.Hang in there.I know what you're feeling.the worst feeling i have ever felt in my 48 years walking this planet.Gods honest truth.Hang in there.remember,they can deny you a visa,but they can't take away the love you have for each other,stay focussed on that fact,and everything will be fine, it helps for my wife and I.good luck.

     

    Jimi

    "forget the FOIA,it is a joke. you will get a document with everything you want to know" blacked out".your chances of finding out why you got denied is slim."

     

    Did you file an FOIA, if you did, was it blacked out?

    Under the Bush administration which was just a few months ago the FOIA was heavily curtailed. Obama has lifted this curtailment, isn't it worth a try to find out. Calling "GUZ communist America" I guess is a better solution then to try and find the answer, one way or the other it is all going to take time, so why not use the time to your advantage?

     

     

    I filed 2 FOIA's-one with the DOS and the other with USCIS. It took about a year to get the results and both of them came on the same day, about 2 weeks after I filed an I-130. What a coincidence... :unsure:

     

    All I got were copies of the pages of the I-129F from both organizations that I had filed for our K-1. The DOS reply had a letter that stated that they had found 136 documents related to my request but were only sending 6-the rest were refused disclosure since they do not have to disclose any information pertaining to the approval/refusal of a visa.

     

    It was a total waste of time. Not a thing has changed under Obama with regards to obtaining information on why your beneficiary was denied a visa.

     

    For the majority, the only way you'll find out anything is when you get that NOID/NOIR letter, IF you get it, in the mail.

  19. Visa APPROVED!!!

    in Interview Results

    Posted

    Thanks so much everyone... We are SO happy... just bursting with joy and relief! He's in GUZ now, tomorrow he'll apply to pick up the visa... is it true that they'll ask him to wait two days to get it? Is there any way he can get the visa the same day?!

     

    And hey, I can't wait to stuff his mouth with cheese... :unsure: and a cheese head sounds like a great idea. Quite frankly, I'm really starved for cheese myself!

     

    Congratulations... What wonderful news, and a birthday present to boot!

  20. Atty Roth's GUZ Complaint

    in Interview Results

    Posted

    I been down this road before.By the way,i dont know where you stand on health care,but this is the same government that wants to run health care,very,very scary.This whole immigration process is a complete joke.My wife was k3 had her first interview in october 2008.She had an interview with a very nasty woman.My wife had every document and proof of a bonafide relationship known to man,the only thing missing was a video tape of us in the bedroom,i mean i know i am being absurd,but this whole thing is absurd.This woman harped on my wife about my wifes daughter in a photograph,asked how old my daughter was,my wife said 21,the VO said your lying she looks like shes no more than 15......see this VO had a crstall ball could see all things,she did not want to see the birth certificate,because why? To be honest,i was and still am ashamed to be an american,Gods honest truth.Now this is my opinion,but i am a believer,my wife was already denied before she even had her interview.Looking over our file,we had a few flags,one was my divorce,close to the time i began writing to my wife,and a quick marriage,we got married on my first visit.I felt nothing wrong with this,but i had to see...what was it they were seeing...... So on our next try at an interview i went cr1,i did address these issues up front.I also went to ACH and brought these issues up to the VO which i think really played a role in my wife passing her second interview which was in June 2009.To answer your question about how long it takes for it to get to usa (your file).Well as of yet i have heard nothing on my k3 (denied)case. In August of 2009,i did get an email stating USCIS had just recieved our K3 file for review.i might not hear anything now anyway since my wife was approved on her cr1.but as you can see it took 10 months to get from Guz to USCIS.maybe what you ought to do, get married and refile for k3 or do the cr1 if you can.

     

    i think from your description my fiancee had the same witch for her interview. nothing about myself and fiancee just focused on her daughter trying to trip her up with questions like implying that she was my fiancees sister not daughter. of course they weren't confused and answered properly. it is a joke. at the least it is un-american and certainly their conduct is immoral in my eyes.

     

    i guess over time the job may make them that way? i couldn't have a job such as that. i wouldn't last a week before i got relieved for refusing to treat all people with respect and dignity.

     

    don't you wonder why the two of you are never permitted to either be at the ACH or lord forbid the interview, that way there would be a witness to their attrocities i guess. their entire process is set up to exclude any outside scrutiny thus is guaranteed to be abusive at a minimum.

     

    i wanted to ask you about the CR1? I am not familiar with it. what is involved and what is the prupose of that route say versus a K3?

     

    if i knew then what i know now i would do three things differently:

     

    1) I would have gone to Guangzhou and attended the ACH and made my presence known. i'm certain it is not allowed to ask any real questions or maybe that you will receive any real answers. even though i had an attorney it was never mentioned to me as an option?

     

    2) it was recommended that we should go for a K1 as it was supposed to be quicker and more easily approved. I would upon hindsight gotten married and went the K3 route.

     

    3) i would have waited a little longer to go to China the first time as it was in your case very close to the separation from my ex and when it was finally granted more than a year and a half later officially.

     

    i don't understand how any of these things should matter. the facts should speak for themselves. to be honest i'm not sure if i have the finances to start all over again?

     

    everything the interviewer needed was with the first submittal. she asked for more about my marriage documents and financial information which of course they already had. the dna request was totally off base i believe. a stalling tactic for sure.

     

    have you ever seen the movie Uncle Buck? if you get the chance i see a similarity between the interviewer and the principal that uncle buck confronts. after being denied at the initial interview and then again based on the additional information i always think of that when i think oh her even though i have never met her. these people in their seeming disdain for human beings can't help but bring out these types of reactions and sterotypes.

     

    take care.

     

    rich

     

    Next time you go to China and you arrive at the airport,theres always a nice gentle Chinese woman or polite Chinese man to greet you,When you arrive in an American airport,your greeted with an attitude "get in line...your in the wrong line... O V E R H E R E !!!!!! We went to get my wifes SSN card,and had a woman with a big time freakin attitude....anyway....it sounds like you had some similar issues.

    Get married and do the k3 or cr1 because waiting for the k1 to return back to the states,going to take some time.and a lawyer....do you really want to know my opinion on them? hahaha.anyway, Address all the issues you think might have led to your '"NON BONAFIDE RELATIONSHIP"address it up front in your k3 or cr1....I think the cr1 is better,but takes a little longer so it has been said....my wife actually ended up with the IR1 because when she entered USA,we were already married 2 years,and so she got her 10 year green card.Also,i really do believe being there at Guz for her interview makes a big difference,I am not saying it is a guareentee a visa,but really it just makes sense to be there.At the ACH,I must say I had a very pleasant male VO,allowed me to ask all my questions,did not blow me off,was very attentive,typed alot of it into the computer......also from the description my wife gave me of her VO,it sounded like the guy i had.So the second time around for my wife,was a pleasant experience.quick interview.anyway,good luck whatever you decide to do.

     

    Jimi

     

     

    Jimi;

     

    Thanks for all your help and thanks also to all who have and will respond.

     

    I said earlier that I would change three thigs and do them differently. I had forgotten that I would be a regular on this site. so much information and peoples first hand experience. caring real people just like guiling and i.

     

    i as well will skip an attorney this time other than perhaps a consultation over the whole process and tips in regard to the details.

     

    i don't have a thing really against my attorney it's just a crap-shoot?

     

    I agree with you and have believed it since the denial and request for more information after my fiancees interview last december. It was fully determined and dictated who would and who would not get appoved.

     

    i do not believe that it was a coincidence that while my fiancee and her daughter were waiting at the embassy for their interview and they were there early. every person who went into the room with the male vo came out passed. every single individual that came out of the female vo's room failed or needed more information.

     

    the interview was just to go thru the formality and hone in on a reason to deny it. in our case use the daughter to request a dna test to prove she was my fiancee's real daughter.

     

    one of two possibilities i believe. one: delay and deny approval by requesting a totally unnecessary test. not to mention very expensive.

     

    two: some lowlife scammers or worse were able to con them and get some people thru before they caught on. a cousin in place of a daughter who knows? so now the typical bureaucratic reaction is to make all honest hardworking everyday people have an expensive and unnecessary test while the scammers have moved on to some new loophole.

     

    anyway, thanks again for all the help. i'll look up the CR and IR information to decide what may be the best way for us to proceed.

     

    after bad wrapping them on this site we probably have no chance of getting approved.

     

    i read on here that perhaps the consulate people look in on here to get a feel for what people are thinking and hopefully experiencing so that they get a real sense of what their actions truly mean to us in real terms of being needlessly kept apart from our loved one.

     

    if they are then i'm sure they know how i feel about the process.

     

    i hope they feel the same way and work to change it.

     

    if it was my job i would be working and finding ways to get it back thru the chain of command to get it fixed.

     

    there are plenty of people here in the states that want it. that would support fair change.

     

    how can they stand in front of the news cameras and tell people follow the rules do it right and legal and then you get chewed to bits by the system. how can you face people and tell them don't sneak over the border, when in the next breath you are talking about granting amnesty to all of those individuals that have not followed the rules. what justice for us that have?

     

    if it was me i'd probably do anything i could to get here.

     

    i don't have a thing against the people who have. if i stand a diminished chance what chance would they have?

     

     

    take care and god bless you all.

     

    rich

     

     

    Rich,

    From more than just a few folks comes a statistic that 8 out of 10 couples break up after a denial. Even if that number isn't accurate I believe that it DOES play a part in GUZ's decisions. Especially where you have a case where there is a quick meeting after a divorce, a short courtship before a marriage/proposal and the subsequent petition being filed. I believe that GUZ simply finds a reason to send the P&B back to the 'Drawing Board' knowing that it will take up to another year, and sometimes longer, for the P7B to get back to the stage of another interview. I'm sure they'd like to see if you are one of the couples who have a meltdown because of the denial.

    I would suggest to you that you consider another K-1 filing due to the ease of your fiancee's daughter being included in the K-1 petition process-I don't think you'll have to file much additional paperwork to include her in her mother's visa, and that is the biggest benefit to going back along the K-1 route.

    But if you prefer, you can go the CR-1/K3 route with the CR-1 giving you the advantage of being able to electronically file your petition through the National Visa Center and it will cut about 2-3 months off the entire process. It also is cheaper to go the CR-1 route as you will not have to pay the Adjustment of Status fee of approximately $1010 if she gets the visa and comes to the US. Look into it.

    In the meantime, plan your next petition filing carefully. Make at least another trip and document everything, right down to the taxi car receipts. Take bunches of pictures with you and your new family that have a time/date stamp ON the photos, and in many different places. Print the chat logs if you guys talk online, get copies of the phone call logs, keep copies of the emails you send between you both, etc. PROVE the bona fide of your relationship!

    Maybe that doesn't seem like such clear advice right now to you because you are still angry about how they have treated you (we got a white slip also so I know the things you are feeling). Don't waste your time on trying to get your congressmen or representatives involved-they're useless, except for making periodic inquiries into the status of your returned petition. Forget the Freedom of Information Act requests as they will take almost a year and all you will get are copies of the I-129F that you filed, and a DOS/DHS letter saying 'we have more than this but we won't give it to you because it involves a visa refusal, and we don't have to cough that up...'.

    Attention To Detail is what you will have to begin thinking as you put together your next petition. Document everything about your relationship.

    You'll be ok. Some people just take longer to get their visas than others, and your time will come.

    If you have any questions you're welcmoe to PM me.

     

     

    Splinterman

  21. Checklist Cover Letter

    in General Visa Discussion & First Steps

    Posted · Edited by splinterman (see edit history)

    Hello C4Racer,

    I read many posts that posted. Thank you so much for your support!

    I have a question about Electronically Processing: Do I have to scan all the required forms (such as DS-230, I-864), documents (such as, applicant's birth cert, marriage cert, photocopy of passport data page, police cert, petitioner's birth cert, marriage cert) and save them into ONE PDF file?

    Thank you very much!

     

     

    A question there also - do they specify somewhere that it should be a pdf file, or would a jpeg or other format work also?

     

    I believe I read that they will accept ONLY PDF files-no other format. See this link for more info: http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_4409.html

     

    However, I have a question of my own if someone can answer it...We've emailed to OPTIN for the electronic processing for our CR-1 in Guangzhou, and attached our DS-3032 to the email as was directed. Now, we haven't received any confirmation email back, or our new electronic processing case number which should start with GZO.

     

    Do we wait until we get that new case number to email our documents like the I-864 and tax returns, etc., before we email the documents, or can we begin emailing the documents now while using the old case number. Our AOS and IV fees have already been confirmed as paid.

     

    Thanks,

    Splinterman

     

     

    Splinterman,

     

    This is not really an answer ... just the way I did it. I opted in and waited to e-mail anything until I heard from them. After a while I went to the USCIS website to check my reciepts for fees already paid and found I couldnt log in ... I called them up and they told me I had a new GZO case number. Thats why I couldnt log in. A few days later my e-mail confirmation with my GZO number came. I'd say maybe give them a call. It will come, its just a matter of how long they take to get it to you. Hope this is some help to you.

     

    Hi Splinterman,

     

    Have you got new case number starting with GZO? it took me about 13 business days even though I called them a couple of times.

    I agree with Appaullo's suggestion. I opted in Electronic processing, and paid AOS fee with the old GUZ number, and waited for the new GZO number. One day ( 13 days after I opted into the electronic process) I could not log in to the system to check the fees ( that's good thing) I called NVC, they told me my new case number, even though now I have not received email about the new case number.

     

    I checked my AOS Document Cover Sheet is also converted to GZO from GUZ number. That' really good.

     

    During the waiting period, you may work on the documents, such as birth cert, marriage cert, police cert etc., because these docuemnts may take pretty much time.

     

    Best wishes!

     

    An update to what happened with our petition is that I never received any information from the NVC on our change of case number. I ended up calling the NVC to find out this info.

     

    Once I had the new case number starting with GZO I began emailing our documents to the NVC. I sent several emails to them, none of them being compressed or ZIP files. I labeled each of them as Petitioner or Beneficiary documents. In the body of the emails I made sure our case number, names, dates of births were there and also a description of the files that were attached.

     

    For my wife, I sent them her birth certificate, marriage certificate, her one previous divorce certificate, a copy of her passport biographics page, her police certificate and a simple passport-type photo of her. All of her documents also had English translations.

     

    For my documents I emailed them copies of my previous divorce certs, my birth certificate and the I-864 and supporting documents. That was it from my end.

     

    All attached files were in PDF format as that was what they specificed.

     

    I called the NVC about one week later to make sure everything was received and the operator told me that I would be getting an email from them telling me that I needed to send them a P3 Supplemental Information Sheet to complete our file. I got the email from them the following day with that info and a link where to find it, but by then I had already found it, completed a copy and emailed it to my wife for her signature, and she emailed it back to me.

     

    Their email came with a cover sheet that they specified had to be returned with the P3 form, so I followed their instruction and sent it back to them. I noticed that in the bottom corner of their cover sheet there were someone's initials and I assume they belong to the caseworker for our case. I sent it back to them about 2 weeks ago and heard nothing from them, so I called the NVC on Monday 2 Nov and the operator told me they had received it but had not applied it to the case yet. She also told me that they usually take one day out and do nothing but process email submissions, so check back with them next Monday. That's where it is at the moment.

     

    Make sure your beneficiary has an original signed copy of the P3 form AND that document cover sheet that came with the email request from the NVC for that form, and that they take ALL of them to their interview!

     

    A friend who is also going through this process said that it took the NVC about 4 weeks to process everything and then a few more days after that for the NVC to give him their interview date in an email. The NVC seems to be really slow about sending out email status reports or RFI's-it's faster to call them and ask the operator to check on your case than to simply wait for them to email you.

     

    One last question somebody had that I saw in a previous posting regarding the electronic processing, is that you cannot start emailing any documents to them until you've gotten the new GZO number AND you send the OPTIN email request. You need that GZO number to place into your OPTIN request, and it MUST go into the Subject line of the email for the NVC to be able to quickly identify it. Once you get the confirmation email from the NVC on the electronic processing acceptance, you can THEN begin sending them your documents. I don't think it matters how many emails you send them with your documents, as long as you ensure that your GZO number is somewhere in the body or subject line of each email so your case is readily indentified.

     

    Hope this helps.

     

    Hello splinterman,

    You said: "Make sure your beneficiary has an original signed copy of the P3 form AND that document cover sheet that came with the email request from the NVC for that form, and that they take ALL of them to their interview!"

     

    is it "Packet 3 Supplemental Information Sheet"? May I email it with all DS-230 and supporting documents together to NVC?

     

    Best wishes!

     

    Yes it is, and yes you may email it with the DS-230 and other documents to the NVC. Just make sure your hunnie has an original copy of the form when they go to their interview.

     

    I had emailed my wife the form and also placed the questions on a 2nd sheet of paper so there was more room for her to write her answers. Then I told her to sign and date the form and scan and email it back to me, but to keep the one she had safe because she will have to exchange it for the copy of this form I was snail mailing to her with all the other documents that she will need to take to her interview.

     

     

    Once you have submitted all the forms and the NVC processes them into your file you will receive this email:

     

     

    Dear Sir/Madam:

     

    All documentation necessary to complete the National Visa Center's processing of your case has been received. As soon as an interview date has been scheduled, the applicant, petitioner and attorney (if applicable) will be notified.

     

    The applicant should NOT make any travel arrangements, sell property, or give up employment until the US Embassy or Consulate General has issued a visa.

     

    The US Embassy or Consulate General may require additional documentation at the time of the interview.

     

     

    Regards,

     

    NVC Document Review Team

    National Visa Center

    Serco Inc, Support Contractor

    NVCGuangzhou@state.gov

  22. Checklist Cover Letter

    in General Visa Discussion & First Steps

    Posted · Edited by splinterman (see edit history)

    Hello C4Racer,

    I read many posts that posted. Thank you so much for your support!

    I have a question about Electronically Processing: Do I have to scan all the required forms (such as DS-230, I-864), documents (such as, applicant's birth cert, marriage cert, photocopy of passport data page, police cert, petitioner's birth cert, marriage cert) and save them into ONE PDF file?

    Thank you very much!

     

     

    A question there also - do they specify somewhere that it should be a pdf file, or would a jpeg or other format work also?

     

    I believe I read that they will accept ONLY PDF files-no other format. See this link for more info: http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_4409.html

     

    However, I have a question of my own if someone can answer it...We've emailed to OPTIN for the electronic processing for our CR-1 in Guangzhou, and attached our DS-3032 to the email as was directed. Now, we haven't received any confirmation email back, or our new electronic processing case number which should start with GZO.

     

    Do we wait until we get that new case number to email our documents like the I-864 and tax returns, etc., before we email the documents, or can we begin emailing the documents now while using the old case number. Our AOS and IV fees have already been confirmed as paid.

     

    Thanks,

    Splinterman

     

     

    Splinterman,

     

    This is not really an answer ... just the way I did it. I opted in and waited to e-mail anything until I heard from them. After a while I went to the USCIS website to check my reciepts for fees already paid and found I couldnt log in ... I called them up and they told me I had a new GZO case number. Thats why I couldnt log in. A few days later my e-mail confirmation with my GZO number came. I'd say maybe give them a call. It will come, its just a matter of how long they take to get it to you. Hope this is some help to you.

     

    Hi Splinterman,

     

    Have you got new case number starting with GZO? it took me about 13 business days even though I called them a couple of times.

    I agree with Appaullo's suggestion. I opted in Electronic processing, and paid AOS fee with the old GUZ number, and waited for the new GZO number. One day ( 13 days after I opted into the electronic process) I could not log in to the system to check the fees ( that's good thing) I called NVC, they told me my new case number, even though now I have not received email about the new case number.

     

    I checked my AOS Document Cover Sheet is also converted to GZO from GUZ number. That' really good.

     

    During the waiting period, you may work on the documents, such as birth cert, marriage cert, police cert etc., because these docuemnts may take pretty much time.

     

    Best wishes!

     

    An update to what happened with our petition is that I never received any information from the NVC on our change of case number. I ended up calling the NVC to find out this info.

     

    Once I had the new case number starting with GZO I began emailing our documents to the NVC. I sent several emails to them, none of them being compressed or ZIP files. I labeled each of them as Petitioner or Beneficiary documents. In the body of the emails I made sure our case number, names, dates of births were there and also a description of the files that were attached.

     

    For my wife, I sent them her birth certificate, marriage certificate, her one previous divorce certificate, a copy of her passport biographics page, her police certificate and a simple passport-type photo of her. All of her documents also had English translations.

     

    For my documents I emailed them copies of my previous divorce certs, my birth certificate and the I-864 with supporting documents. That was it from my end.

     

    All attached files were in PDF format as that was what they specificed.

     

    I called the NVC about one week later to make sure everything was received and the operator told me that I would be getting an email from them telling me that I needed to send them a P3 Supplemental Information Sheet to complete our file. I got the email from them the following day with that info and a link where to find it, but by then I had already found it, completed a copy and emailed it to my wife for her signature, and she emailed it back to me.

     

    Their email came with a cover sheet that they specified had to be returned with the P3 form, so I followed their instruction and sent it back to them. I noticed that in the bottom corner of their cover sheet there were someone's initials and I assume they belong to the caseworker for our case. I sent it back to them about 2 weeks ago and heard nothing from them, so I called the NVC on Monday 2 Nov and the operator told me they had received it but had not applied it to the case yet. She also told me that they usually take one day out and do nothing but process email submissions, so check back with them next Monday. That's where it is at the moment.

     

    Make sure your beneficiary has an original signed copy of the P3 form AND that document cover sheet that came with the email request from the NVC for that form, and that they take ALL of them to their interview!

     

    A friend who is also going through this process said that it took the NVC about 4 weeks to process everything and then a few more days after that for the NVC to give him their interview date in an email. The NVC seems to be really slow about sending out email status reports or RFI's-it's faster to call them and ask the operator to check on your case than to simply wait for them to email you.

     

    One last question somebody had that I saw in a previous posting regarding the electronic processing, is that you cannot start emailing any documents to them until you've gotten the new GZO number AND you send the OPTIN email request. You need that GZO number to place into your OPTIN request, and it MUST go into the Subject line of the email for the NVC to be able to quickly identify it. Once you get the confirmation email from the NVC on the electronic processing acceptance, you can THEN begin sending them your documents. I don't think it matters how many emails you send them with your documents, as long as you ensure that your GZO number is somewhere in the body or subject line of each email so your case is readily indentified.

     

    Hope this helps.

     

     

    I also want to mention something that everyone has to be in their guard about, in regards to printing the receipts for the AOS and IV Fee bills.

     

    Make sure that when you print the receipts for these payments, you are printing the receipt showing that the particular bill is PAID!!! Don't print the one showing that the payment is In Process!! Your beneficiary MUST have these receipts with them at the time of their interview, so make sure you print the receipt at the right time and it shows the fee is PAID!

  23. Checklist Cover Letter

    in General Visa Discussion & First Steps

    Posted · Edited by splinterman (see edit history)

    Hello C4Racer,

    I read many posts that posted. Thank you so much for your support!

    I have a question about Electronically Processing: Do I have to scan all the required forms (such as DS-230, I-864), documents (such as, applicant's birth cert, marriage cert, photocopy of passport data page, police cert, petitioner's birth cert, marriage cert) and save them into ONE PDF file?

    Thank you very much!

     

     

    A question there also - do they specify somewhere that it should be a pdf file, or would a jpeg or other format work also?

     

    I believe I read that they will accept ONLY PDF files-no other format. See this link for more info: http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_4409.html

     

    However, I have a question of my own if someone can answer it...We've emailed to OPTIN for the electronic processing for our CR-1 in Guangzhou, and attached our DS-3032 to the email as was directed. Now, we haven't received any confirmation email back, or our new electronic processing case number which should start with GZO.

     

    Do we wait until we get that new case number to email our documents like the I-864 and tax returns, etc., before we email the documents, or can we begin emailing the documents now while using the old case number. Our AOS and IV fees have already been confirmed as paid.

     

    Thanks,

    Splinterman

     

     

    Splinterman,

     

    This is not really an answer ... just the way I did it. I opted in and waited to e-mail anything until I heard from them. After a while I went to the USCIS website to check my reciepts for fees already paid and found I couldnt log in ... I called them up and they told me I had a new GZO case number. Thats why I couldnt log in. A few days later my e-mail confirmation with my GZO number came. I'd say maybe give them a call. It will come, its just a matter of how long they take to get it to you. Hope this is some help to you.

     

    Hi Splinterman,

     

    Have you got new case number starting with GZO? it took me about 13 business days even though I called them a couple of times.

    I agree with Appaullo's suggestion. I opted in Electronic processing, and paid AOS fee with the old GUZ number, and waited for the new GZO number. One day ( 13 days after I opted into the electronic process) I could not log in to the system to check the fees ( that's good thing) I called NVC, they told me my new case number, even though now I have not received email about the new case number.

     

    I checked my AOS Document Cover Sheet is also converted to GZO from GUZ number. That' really good.

     

    During the waiting period, you may work on the documents, such as birth cert, marriage cert, police cert etc., because these docuemnts may take pretty much time.

     

    Best wishes!

     

    An update to what happened with our petition is that I never received any information from the NVC on our change of case number. I ended up calling the NVC to find out this info.

     

    Once I had the new case number starting with GZO I began emailing our documents to the NVC. I sent several emails to them, none of them being compressed or ZIP files. I labeled each of them as Petitioner or Beneficiary documents. In the body of the emails I made sure our case number, names, dates of births were there and also a description of the files that were attached.

     

    For my wife, I sent them her birth certificate, marriage certificate, her one previous divorce certificate, a copy of her passport biographics page, her police certificate and a simple passport-type photo of her. All of her documents also had English translations.

     

    For my documents I emailed them copies of my previous divorce certs, my birth certificate and the I-864 and supporting documents. That was it from my end.

     

    All attached files were in PDF format as that was what they specificed.

     

    I called the NVC about one week later to make sure everything was received and the operator told me that I would be getting an email from them telling me that I needed to send them a P3 Supplemental Information Sheet to complete our file. I got the email from them the following day with that info and a link where to find it, but by then I had already found it, completed a copy and emailed it to my wife for her signature, and she emailed it back to me.

     

    Their email came with a cover sheet that they specified had to be returned with the P3 form, so I followed their instruction and sent it back to them. I noticed that in the bottom corner of their cover sheet there were someone's initials and I assume they belong to the caseworker for our case. I sent it back to them about 2 weeks ago and heard nothing from them, so I called the NVC on Monday 2 Nov and the operator told me they had received it but had not applied it to the case yet. She also told me that they usually take one day out and do nothing but process email submissions, so check back with them next Monday. That's where it is at the moment.

     

    Make sure your beneficiary has an original signed copy of the P3 form AND that document cover sheet that came with the email request from the NVC for that form, and that they take ALL of them to their interview!

     

    A friend who is also going through this process said that it took the NVC about 4 weeks to process everything and then a few more days after that for the NVC to give him their interview date in an email. The NVC seems to be really slow about sending out email status reports or RFI's-it's faster to call them and ask the operator to check on your case than to simply wait for them to email you.

     

    One last question somebody had that I saw in a previous posting regarding the electronic processing, is that you cannot start emailing any documents to them until you've gotten the new GZO number AND you send the OPTIN email request. You need that GZO number to place into your OPTIN request, and it MUST go into the Subject line of the email for the NVC to be able to quickly identify it. Once you get the confirmation email from the NVC on the electronic processing acceptance, you can THEN begin sending them your documents. I don't think it matters how many emails you send them with your documents, as long as you ensure that your GZO number is somewhere in the body or subject line of each email so your case is readily indentified.

     

    Hope this helps.

  24. Oct 27, 2009 IR-1 interview Pink

    in Interview Results

    Posted

    Hi everyone,

     

    I was doing an IR-1 visa in China. I just finished my interview in Guangzhou a week ago and picked up my visa 3 days after. Here I am writing down what happened on the interview day FYI.

     

    We booked our room with the Yang's. They were very hospitable people and they gave us a 3 bedroom set all private. On the interview day, I went downstairs waiting in line around 7 am. I didn't bring any electronic stuff with me, so it's really fast for me to go through the security check. My appointment letter was taken by the consulate employee.

     

    I was sitting there checking all my documents and did a slight re-organization of the paper. I put all paper that's going to be taken away all together. Soon afterwards my name was called to hand in my docs at window #25. It's a very nice young Chinese girl. She checked my passport, took away the copy of the bio passport page, I-864, 3 years of 1040 forms, medical report, new DS-230 PART-I (I did a minor change on the form and I was asked to sign it) and 2 visa photos. Then I was asked if I ever traveled to the States and what did we do, am I CCP and have I ever been to HongKong or Macau? Then I was required to go to window #16 to pay the IV fee. After all of that, I should come back and give her the receipt.

     

    I made a mistake after I paid the fee. I went back to window #27 and I waited there for a long time but nobody showed up. Until it required everyone to go back to their seat and the oath started. I remained in my seat and soon after I was called to go to window #30 to hand in the receipt.

     

    I was very nervous at that moment. One of the employees helped instruct on me how to do the fingerprint. That's no problem! Then it came the long waiting for the final interview.

     

    My interview came around 11 am. Here is the detail:

    Me: Ni Hao!

    (The VO looked up at me for 1 sec and went back to looking at my paper)

    VO: Is this the person who petitioned you?

    Me: Yes, XXX (I said my husband's name)

    VO: I noticed you have a baby, have you ever done any DNA test?

    Me: Nope, but I have all her birth certificates. Do you wanna take a look?

    VO: No, maybe later. How did you two meet?

    Me: XXXXXX (I answered in details as what exact date, what we did and everyone who's involved in the meeting)

    VO: Do you have any photos?

    Me: Yes

    (VO was flipping thru the photos)

    VO: Did your parents attend your wedding?

    Me: Yes, XXXXXX

    VO: Did his parents attend?

    Me: No. (and I explained why)

    VO: What does your husband do?

    Me: XXXXXX

    VO: Did you have other boyfriend before meeting your husband?

    Me: Huh? Yes, XXXXXX (That's a tricky question)

    VO: In which year?

    Me: XXXXXX

    VO: How much money does your husband make?

    Me: XXXXXX

    (I answered without hesitation, then he immediately wrote something down on some paper)

    VO: Is your baby healthy?

    Me: Yes, of course. (Then I tried to show him her health records, he didn't want them)

    VO: What does your husband do again?

    Me: XXXXXX

    VO: What's your job before you are a housewife?

    Me: XXXXXX

    VO: You are approved. Have a nice trip!

    Me: Thank you, Have a nice day!

     

    The whole interview took about 5 mins. A lot of questions, but the confidence wins everything.

     

    I hope my experience useful for other people going thru the visa stuff.

     

     

    Does anyone happen to know what the significance is for them asking if the beneficiary has ever been to Hong Kong? I know my wife has another passport-type entry permit that she was issued before we went to Hong Kong to be married, so could it be that they would want to see that? The permit is NOT in her regular passport.

     

    I'd like to know in case there is something we might need to prepare for for when Lijuan goes to her interview...

  25. G-325A Form

    in General Visa Discussion & First Steps

    Posted

    I don't know how to answer this, but I can give you what happened to us. Jingjing and I filed directly with the embassy. On one of our forms, we made an error, and the lady looking over it told us to cross it out and make the correction. Please note that this was our case and when it comes to office workers in general, if you have five employees, it's possible to receive five different answers. Aren't you going with Mark Ellis this time around? Why don't you shoot him a quick email and ask him what he thinks? I'm sure this isn't the first time he's come across this. Personally, I don't see why it should be an issue to use a little white-out, but that's just me.

     

     

    I would NOT use white-out because a picky evaluator is going to want to see what you are trying to cover up. Just cross out the incorrect information and write in the correct, and then initial it.

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