Carl

Ed, you may be right, but then DHL gave me seven other tracking numbers with no details as to what they were, so I am tracking them all. I am keeping a positive attitude, but I know that it will get done when it will get done.

I contacted DHL and they gave me 8 different numbers for shipments the NVC sent out the day I believe they sent out my wife's. I requested that they notify me when it was delivered. I got the first two and thought it would be something to share. 7/28/2005 10:12 am Shipment delivered. Guangzhou, China 7/27/2005 6:07 pm Arrived at DHL facility. Guangzhou, China 5:28 pm In transit. Guangzhou, China 4:39 pm Clearance processing complete. Guangzhou, China 7/25/2005 2:22 pm Clearance Delay. Guangzhou, China 2:05 pm On Hand at Destination Station. Guangzhou, China 7/24/2005 9:56 pm Arrived at DHL facility. Guangzhou, China 2:22 pm In transit. Kowloon, Hong Kong 7/21/2005 6:09 pm Departing origin. Portsmouth, NH 3:10 pm Picked Up by DHL. Shipper's Door Ship From: Ship To: Shipment Information: NATIONAL VISA CENTER Ship date: 7/21/2005 Portsmouth, NH 038012901 Pieces: United States Total weight: Ship Type: Document Attention: Attention: Shipment Reference: CORRESPONDENCE NATIONAL VISA CENTER Service: International Express Special Service: Description: US DIPLOMATIC PAPERS Tracking detail provided by DHL: 7/27/2005, 7:51:35 pm pt. Interesting to see they show a clearance delay of just two hours not the weeks I have read about in other threads....... "Curiouser and curiouser" said Alice

I called DHL and found that 8 packages were sent to GZ yesterday. If anybody is interested I can give you the tracking numbers incase any of you are also found out yours was shipped yesterday (July 21) Put the wrong dates in my first post....they are right now

I called the NVC today (July 22) to check on our case. I got the good news that our case was sent to GZ on the 21th. HOT DAMN!!!!! I just moved from the line here in the States to the long line in China. At least I am one step closer.

The complication was in getting the marriagibility certificate. However that complication went away when I just stated I was single and never married in Texas.

I have many great memories of China from the arrival where Ying practically knocked me over in her haste to greet me, our wedding day, traveling by train from Beijing to Changchung and Yanji, meeting her family and the great food. But the one thing that sticks out was our next to last night in China. We was invited to dinner by some of her GF's, one a beautiful woman named Liying. We had a great meal and was later joined by Liying's husband. I liked him from the start. After we ate we went to get a foot massage then to a karoke room where we sang songs. Finally we went to a night club where we met her other GF's husband and other friends. There in the cooler behind the bar I saw the familiar colors of Budwiser. I offered to buy it, but was told I was the guest so don't bother. But this is the one thing that sticks out.....All during this night Liying watched me as I was either hugging Ying, had my arm around her, kissing her on the cheek and otherwise acting like a fool in love . Liying suddenly looks at Ying and says in English very loudly "I jealous of you!!!!" Then she turn to her husband, smacks him on the thigh, saying "Why you no act like him!!!" Her husband looked at me with that WTF look. Embarassed I look at him and all I can say is "Sorry." Then we all suddenly started laughing. Of all the things that happened, every time I think of that incident I get a real chuckle.

I went through this last year. You need an affidavit of single status. The wording is on the Chinese consulate's website. It needs to be sworn before a notary. The notary and all documents issued by the state (those with a raised seal) then need to be certified by your state's Secretary of State in an Apostitille. You need to send all this to the Chinese consulate in your area for their certification. Take all this with you to China. There you will need this packet, your passport and another picture ID (I used my Texas Drivers liscense). Got married with no trouble. I did have a bit of a SNAFU when I first sent in my packet. I was married and divorced in Oregon before I moved to Texas. The Chinese Consulate in Houston world not accept my Oregon divorce decree (they can only certify documents issued in the states in their area or responsibility). I called the consulate in Houston, talked to a nice lady who said that since I was now living in Texas, and as far as Texas was concerned I was single, just say I was never married and never married in the affidavit. I did just that and got the certificate with no trouble whatsoever. I hope this helps

I am not sure what you mean about the money, because I had to pay the fee before I recieved the DS-230 (my wife named me her agent), but in a call to the NVC I learned that the part one is sent first. The second part will be sent to the benificary in the P-4 packet. She will fill it out up to the section she needs to sign before the visa officer. I was told that if she is not sure how to fill it out the officer will walk her through it.

OH YEAH!!!!!!!!!! B) How can I find out when the case is sent out? I probably have read it a bunch of times, but it did not register at the time.

I called the NVC on my almost daily check of our case. Instead of the usual message that the NVC received our case...yadda...yadda...yadda, I heard the magic words.....Your case was completed on July 13th. I was estatic and shared the news with all who was with me. I told Ying that night and she too was happy. The next to the last hrudle has been completed, next stop GUZ!!!!!!!

Check out my signature, but right now Ying and I are at 11 months, I suspose we could be less had we not experienced some delays along the way, but I would rather have it right than have it fast.

For a CR-1, the NVC sends the P-3 to whomever your wife designates as her agent. Since my wife designated ne as her agent all the paperwork was first sent to me, then I sent it to her, granted it adds some time to the processing, it does keep you in the loop as to what is going on. If your wife decides to act as her own agent she would recieve the paperwork instead. I hope this answers your question.

I have a laptop of my own, but Ying told me she prefers a desktop. Because of that I will get her a desktop of her own and let her install Chinese language characters on it. Since I will be getting a wireless network for the apartment, I will get a wireless card for it too, so she can get on without needing to get a separate line

The immediate green card is why Ying and I decided to go the CR-1 route. And from what I have read you will have to pay the fee for the I-130, then if you file an I-129 you have to pay another fee. I did not see the benifit of paying twice. Also I was told that once the I-130 is approved an I-129 becomes null and void, so to file it is just a waste of money.

I too would advise against it. If we were to take it to the extreme, the USCIS would reject your I-129F outright because legally you are still married until you get the paperwork is in hand. The best thing is to play your soon to be ex's little game for now, then once the decree is issued you can gloat as you file the I-129F and then watch her stew and steam as you bring your new intended here.

Ok, I am talking about the CR-1, but still if your annual pay is over the 125% minimum, why muddy the water with extra unneeded paperwork. Keep it simple.

When I sent in my financial support information, I was told that if my annual pay was over the 125% limit, documents such as bank statements, 401k's, life insurance and other similar items are not required. In fact the person told me they would probably not be looked at unless there is some question as to the validity of your employment. The only required items were the I-864, copies of your tax returns for the last three years, W-2's and the letter verifying your employment. She said anything more can delay your case or be a waste of time on your part to collect and send it.

Any abbreviations in particular?

You might also send her some cards for special occasions like birthday's anniverseries, holidays. Always include a small note expressing your love for her. Every little bit helps

As I said, Ying is staying home for 100 days, but she has been dealing with Peter's death by writing down her thoughts and feelings of grief in articles she has been posting on 001. Quite possibly some of you SO's may have read them. She tells me she follows the Bhuddist practice of daily meditation where her thoughts center on Peter. She tells me that is to ensure Peter's spirit will get to heaven. I can only say that whatever method she uses to deal with her grief is ok with me.

I am not sure where this works in your timeline, but I will give it to you and let you decide. Ying and I are going for the CR-1 visa. The NVC recieved our DS-230 (P-3) on June 28th, needless to say as of yet there is no resolution. Just wanted to give this so you could add us to your list.

Ying told me she has to stay put in her home city for 100 days after the death of her son. She said she will however make an exception if she has to go to Guangzhou for her interview.

When I lived in Oregon, there was a running joke......"How can you tell a native Oregonian?" "They don't own an umbrella." I miss the rainfall.

My post office told me that once it leaves the States, the carrier is DHL, so if I want to track it I need to call them and give them the nubber.

I just sent Ying her P-3 via Global Priority Mail. It takes 4 to 6 days and the cost was only $9 for the flat envelope rate. That is the cheapest I have sent anything there.