hank

I agree that the Sh!t rolls downhill. But that does not negate the fact that things are seriously wrong. Excuses don't cut it when people are suffering and lives are being ruined because of incompetence. They need to make things right.

Lele, I know how you feel. My sweetie has shed so many tears, and I know that she is struggling with depression because of this damn visa situation. She was a cheerful, vibrant, and funny girl when I met her... and I feel responsible for dragging her into this nightmare. And when she cries on the phone, it is pure hell knowing that there is nothing that I can do to make things better. I have never felt so powerless in my life. But take courage in the fact that others have survived this struggle and moved on. We are in this together and we will get through.

I don't want to speak too soon, but maybe the recent flood of P4's means that GUZ is getting caught up on the backlog. So far, they have set interviews for P3's returned in July and part of August. Does this mean that processing times at GUZ may start to improve?

Alex, This news is heartbreaking, and it saddens all of us. But DON'T GIVE UP!!!! Your first priority should be packing your bags for a trip to China. After this experience, your SO will definitely need you... just telling her that you are on your way will lighten her mood a lot. Then you can visit the consulate together and find out what the deal is. As long as your relationship is strong, you will get through this. Remember that you have options... just keep an open mind and your chin up. Best Wishes and please keep us posted.

John, It must have taken you forever to compile the data and averages. Thanks. It shows that the backlog at GUZ is real, as the wait times have more than doubled from January to July. But the good news is that it appears to plateau at around 170 - 177 days from May through July. So maybe this trend has stopped. Next month's figures will tell us a lot. Marty has a good point too. We will get through this eventually and move on... it is just a matter of when. We'll try to stay positive together

I just hope that this is not a trend that will get worse.

I agree with everyone that has posted so far. Things state-side appear to be speeding up. But GUZ appears to be slowing to a crawl. I wonder what's going on.

Do you think that visa processing times at GUZ are improving, getting worse, or remaining about the same in the last year?

CONGRATULATIONS! The wait is FINALLY over, and you can celebrate the rest of your lives together. And although this ordeal was difficult, it makes success so much sweeter. Best Wishes.

Alex, The truth is on your side, so you will prevail. We are counting the minutes with you. Stay Strong!

Thanks for the good advice. Does anyone know if there is a limit to the number of co-sponsors that my SO can have. I am thinking about asking both my parents and my brother.

Lele, I agree with you... this process is completely unfair. It is wrong to keep families and loved ones apart indefinitely. It is wrong that interviewers have been denying visas without looking at all of the evidence, especially after a couple has waited over a year for an interview.... imagine the heartbreak. And it is wrong that there is NO oversight nor accountability whatsoever. But our situation has a historical basis. Do you remember the "Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882"? The Chinese were the first ethnic group ever banned from immigrating to the United States, and this act was only repealed in 1943 by the Magnuson Act. I learned that in high school. Unfortunately, our voting numbers are few... so we do not have much leverage against existing prejudices. But we need to be hopeful... that is all we have.

Until June of 2004, I was a college student with a very small income. But since September, I was hired at a nice school district with a good salary and benefits. So I can definitely take care of my fiance. My problem is that my true income will not show up on my 2004 tax return... because I started working in September. Are there other ways to demonstrate my ability to support my SO? Will the DOS consider my pay stubs? And can I have my family members co-sponsor her? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Great questions. My SO just got her P3, and it only included "Part I" of the DS-230. So question 35 of "Part II" is not relevant at this point... this part requires the assistance of a consular officer. As far as the checklist goes, I have the same question. I told her to check all of the items... including the ones that do not apply to her. Because the instructions do not have provisions for the "N/A". But just to be safe, I also told her to write "N/A" beside the checks for items that do not apply to her. I hope I did it correctly. Can anyone shine some light on this issue?

Among the P3 forms, my SO received "Instructions for Immigrant Visa Applicants" - a checklist of 10 items. It says to get ALL of the items on the list before signing and returning the form. And that they will not schedule an interview until the checklist is returned. Can she just check everything off now and return it with the rest of the P3? Cause she will have plenty of time to get this stuff before the P4. And the list asks for Prison Records and Military Records, which do not apply to her. I told her to put checks in those boxes also, and write N/A beside it. Did anyone else do this?

I have noticed that some USCIS offices take much longer than others. And your priority date is the date in which your I-129F was initially received. Does the consulate in Guangzhou take this into consideration when they process applications? If you waited longer for USCIS processing, does the consulate try to expedite your application for the interview? Or is it "first come first serve" in the order which P3's are returned?

Hang in there buddy. The truth is on your side.

I have been trying to send letters to my fiance in Shenzhen, but I must be unlucky. The letters never arrive. Does anyone know if I should write the address in Chinese or English? I am mailing them from Pennsylvania. And when the consulate sends the P3, do they address the envelopes in English or Chinese? I ask because my fiance is not really sure how to write her address in English. And I am afraid that I may have written the English version of her address incorrectly on the I-129F. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Thanks for all of the support! Your words are encouraging, and the info gives me someplace to start.

My petition was sent to Guangzhou from the NVC in October, but has not arrived yet... I learned this by sending the consulate an email. But I noticed many postings where people called the DOS. I wasn't aware that they had a service line. How can I call them? And on many timelines, people knew when their petitions arrived in Guangzhou, when it was in customs, and when it arrived at the consulate. Do they have tracking numbers? What is the best way to get some answers? Any info would be greatly appreciated. I have had hard times in my life, but this has been the most emotionally draining experience that I have ever faced. My fiance is depressed so often, because we have been apart for so long. And it's hell, because I can't do anything to make the situation better.... I'm stuck in a red tape bureaucratic nightmare. But it helps to read the postings on this board, and know that we are not alone in this struggle. Thanks.