tonymasiello

Congrats!!!

Thanks Dave! I'm not sure I trust the english portion of their website, but it is interesting that they have conflicting information.

Has anyone gone to the Chinese Consulate in NYC to renew a Chinese passport? I'm curious to know if they have a same day service or a return by mail service. Also, how do they handle the passport photos? My wife told me that the web site states that drop off and pickup must be done in person, and that the passport will ready in five days. That's not realistic for us. We are probably going to travel to NYC over the summer, so any insights on this would be helpful. Thanks!

This happened to Quan two years ago when she was taking an ESL class at the local community college. She had been getting A's on everything until there was some kind of team project. I think it was a debate. She had a couple of slackers on her team who did no leg work and they all got a B. She was furious about it for days!

Sorry to bring up an old post... I was thinking of Alex today, and wondering if there had been any update on him. I remember their interview in GUZ was just after ours. I'm glad to hear that there was substance to GUZs actions, even though I'm sorry that Alex went through everything that he did. I hope he can come back here some day and tell us the whole story, and I hope he finds his special someone, where ever she might be.

If you haven't looked, try searching on Visa Journey? I found a couple of recommendations there for a fair civil surgeon that were right on the money. How long did it take you to get the curve in your signature?

Thomas and Lan, Belated Congrats!!! Glad to see your long wait has finally ended and we hope you are enjoying the first months of life together!

We have not used an evaluation service yet. We are running into the issue of employers simply giving zero consideration simply for not having a degree issued in the USA.

Thanks Don! I've added three. If I've missed any please PM me and I'll add it.

FWIW, I can no longer make edits to the table I originally posted, so if one of the mods wants to take this thread over or start a new one, please feel free. From what I've read the CSC transfers are still happening for AOS cases deemed 'interview waivable'. Good luck!

Here is another service I see getting a fair amount of mention over on VJ; http://www.wes.org/

Quan is beginning the job search process, and the question has come up about the verification of her education credentials, notably her university diploma and degree. We were advised to submit her documents to a credential evaluation service. This one was recommended; http://www.cedevaluations.com/ Has anyone used one of these services or had any experience getting a university degree from China evaluated here? I'd be interested in what documentation was submitted, what were the results of the evaluation, and did it have any significance with a potential employer or school. Thanks!

I found several sites with information that SSN is not required to open a bank account. The actual CIP Federal Regulations are part of the Patriot Act, but the actual legal documents are a bit hard to read. This guide was made for foreign students, but I believe the same laws apply for anyone. It does allow banks to establish their own requirements for identity that MAY be above and beyond the requirements of the law. http://www.nafsa.org/knowledge_community_n...ense_taxes/bank

Congrats!!!

Congrats!!!

We got screwed by SSA not issuing Quan a number when we applied during the K1 window, and then got shut out from getting it until we received the GC. They are absolutley the poorest govt office that we've had to deal with through this whole process. That being said, I was able to get many things done without her having a number. I added her to my bank acct (Bank of America), health/life insurance, and got her in-state tuition for school. For taxes, you can get her a taxpayer id to use in place of SSN for this tax year's return. The biggest obsticle for us not having the number was the inability to pursue a driver's licence/permit/id. However, once we applied for SSN after the GC arrived, the physical card arrived within a week.

If you can reasonably complete your 2005 return before you need to file, then by all means include it. Otherwise, include your 2002-2004 returns, and have copies of your 2005 return ready for the interview or an RFE. It is certainly reasonable not to have the current year return if your filing the I-485 early in the year.

I suppose she will still receive the EAD, since it is already aproved. It will become irrelevant assuming her I-485 is approved following the interview. Once she receives the green card (or gets the passport stamp) it serves as the work permit.

My wife followed the requirements for Police records, getting them from all three cities she had resided in, including Guilin. At the interview she was asked for none of them. I'd take your chances with the scheduled interview date. There is a very good chance that this will be a non-issue.

It looks like they are moving again... http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/k1list...p7=All&dfile=No

Congrats Amber!!!

CSC transfers for I-485 AOS have generally been taking about 45 to 60 days. n__c recently got an RFE 30 days after being transferred.

Well said! The first thought I had when I read the topic.

I don't believe NWA has any direct flights from North America to China. NYC to GZ would be at least three flights on NWA with a stop in either Detroit/Minneapolis and a stop in Tokyo.

Here's a good sampling of recent cases at CSC. No one else within a month of you has received NOA2, so I would not worry yet. Just keep an eye on things, and make sure your case doesn't fall behind others in your timeframe. http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/k1list...p7=All&dfile=No