njbernie

Finally back home with my SO and her Visa! First off, thanks for everyones support, I was going nuts and this is a really good place to turn to when you need some support. Here's the summary or what happened. My SO's interview was on the 14th of April (Thursday). We were hoping to leave by the 16th because if everything went well, we would have received the visa on the afternoon of the 15th (No more flights back to her home town till the next day). April 14th Interview, White Slip. April 15th Denail slip. (Rainbow of colors: Yellow, Blue, Green, Pink). April 18th Notarized my Visa on the Consulate and Attended the Citizens Hour April 19th 9-10AM Resubmitted the requested paperwork April 20th 2-3 PM Picked up the result (Got the while slip again). This time were were not as excited because, it was the same white slip as she got the first time. April 21st In the morning, she got her shots and picked up her International Stamp of immunization records. April 21st 4-5 PM Picked up her VISA!!! Interview questions: 1) Why do you and your fiance want to get merried? 2) What does he do for work? 3) Here did you meet? 4) When did he see you? According to my SO, the interview went pretty well, the VO was friendly and courteous. But if I ever see that bast-*d on the street, I am willing to get a little violent. He's young, early to mid 20s, curly blond hair, short, thin, glasses, braces. I was looking for him the whole time I was there after the interview, couldn't have been so tough to spot. Lessons learned: 1) I would have saved a day if I resubmitted the paperwork on Monday. Instead, I decided to wait for the citizens hour for some questions to get answered. 2) Have more confidence, I did my homework and read alot of information to prep my materials, and the VO got me worried that I did not do my job properly. 3) If you are there, make sure you have your SO show them your passport even if they don't ask for it. Just have your SO tell them you are outside waiting and have her show it to them. 4) Make sure you have an extra week, or at least time for the followup if you are denied. It takes at least another 3 days. I was lucky I took an extra week off work. 5) Imodium is a lifesaver! Watch wat you eat & drink, I got food poinsoning the first day in Guangzhou, had the chills, fever for a day and digestive issues for a week. Finally, good luck to everyone going through this painful ordeal! ab

GUZ Came through! After the re-submission, we got her visa. Will supply more details when we get back. I can't believe it, we were running on empty, but we finally got it. She's saying goodbye to her friends and family and we are heading home!!!

When did I post this? I have just logged on Candle and read this post and now there is a post from me? Am I still in Jet lag mode going crazy or did I never write this Post? NicolaNSam: I added that reply, but I did not notice the name. I'm using the computer in Blenz, perhaps you may have left youself logged on. I did not notice the user name while I was using it.

mlspyl, Great post as I'm going to attend the Citizens hour myself as I got my blue slips and a rainbow of other slips.

Anyone have Ms. Harty's e-mail address. I'm in GUZ trying to get my SO visa, and I figure I could send her an e-mail for help. It's a long shot, but does not hurt to try.

My suggestion, copy all pages and notarize each one. My SO just got finished her interview, got rejected. They want a notarized copy of my passport, but get this, my SO had the original in her had during her interview!!! Arrrrr!

Hey folks, I am in the middle of suffering in GUZ hell. My SO went to her interview on the 14th, we were very excited because she got the white slip saying that she has passed. For some reason, I was still uncomfortable and worried, sure enough she returned the next day with a denial notice. She got the following: 1) Yellow slip: Did not present enough information for a bonefied relationship. 2) Green slip: Affidavit of support, 2004 tax returns & proof of self-employmnet (I am self employed, therefore no W2 or payroll receipts). 3) Pink Slip: Letter from petitioner on when we met and how me established our relationship. Plus additional e-mail and correspondence. Also a notarized copy of each page of my passport. 4) Blue Slip: Basically just saying that her visa application was received. Correct me if I'm wrong, the yellow page is just a general statement and they are looking for the detail paperwork specified in the green and pink slip right? Well, She had my notarized Affidavit of support for 2004, tax returns & proof of self employment. In fact, my SO said that her even interviewer looked through them. I also had the letter from the petitioner that was submitted on the original I-129. Plus, we had neatly compiled all our e-mails into 2 folders. My SO said they did not even look at them. Lastly, the one that really pisses me off is my Visa. I have already supplied them with a copy of my visa. In addition, my SO had my visa in her hand, but they never asked for it. Needless to say, I am extremely PISSed and can I know I am a victim of some sort of crime. When my SO left the consulate with her denial papers in hand several so called visa consulting agents approached her and offered their services. She refused, not knowing what to do. Later we called and they said they will guarantee a visa approval for a fee. The fee ranged from $1,200 to $2,000. Natrually, I know it is a scheme, they know someone from the inside. They said it is expensive because it is not all for them. Anyway, we are going to try again on Monday, meanwhile can anyone help answer the following questions: 1) How many times can we go back and show our paperwork? If we get denied again, will we have to start over? 2) If we return with the right paperwork on 9-10AM and assuming everything is OK, when do we get the VISA? 3) Do they really need a notarized copy of each page of my passport when my SO could have presented the original in hand? 3) Can anyone recommend a Consular Agent they have used before, and is somewhat reasonable. $1200 is kind of difficult to get in China. Thanks in advance everyone!

alaskagypsy, That's a quick trip. I'll be in Nanning on the 10th, will be going to Guangzhou on the 13th. Last time I went to Nanning, I had a really hard time finding a coffee shop.

larrynicholas, Congrats on your interview. Unfortunatley, you have the same issue as I do. The Canton Fair! Its from April 14th to the 30th. The hotel rates have skyrocketed, big time! Book your hotel soon and good luck.

Thanks for the feedback everyone, Alcohol & Chocolates seems to be the winner...

I know that it is a chinese tradition to ask for my SO's hand from the parents. But is it also true that it is a tradition to give the family a gift? If so what is appropriate?

Congrats and good luck....

Sent one to my Congressman, I hope I hear something. I sent a letter to my senetor before, never got a response. Din't really expect anything from Corzine.

Looks like I got some homework to do. Just in case, I made my reservation in the Holiday Inn. Anyone know how far is that from the consulate? Here's the Hotel Info: Holiday Inn HUANSHI DONG, 28 GUANGMING LU GUANGZHOU, 510095 CHINA LOCAL PHONE: 86-20-61286868 The room rate is around 650 Yuan with the 15% service charge. I just hope its not so far away from the Consulate.

I'm planning out my trip to Guangzhou for my SO's intervew. Out of all the time to schedule an interview, we had to get one that corresponds to the yearly Canton Fair, around April 15th. The popular Victory Hotel has raised their prices to a whoping $175 for a standard room, where they are normally $38 a night. Swan has done something similar. javascript:emoticon('') smilie javascript:emoticon('')smilie javascript:emoticon('')smilie Does anyone have any other hotel suggestions? I'm willing to stay farther away from the consulate.

MRMC, we are in the same boat, I need the Valium, Jack & Crown... I'm worried like crazy and can't wait to get there. Trigg is right about the passport, give her your passport when she goes in for her interview. Original is much better than a certified copy. Best of Luck...

Congrats and thanks for the post. It really helps us get ready for our interview...

Thanks for the replies everyone, all good info. I've been to Nanning before, I know what you mean by the local transports... I didn't know there was an expedite service! That would be great since we have very limited time. I don't want to stay in GZ too long, much less in China. My hope is to have her get used to her new home when she gets back, I figure it would help if I didn't go right back to work on our return. So shorter I stay in China, the more I could spend time with her when she gets back. elcajongr, where did you go to get the expedite service?

Hope some veterans can help me out. I'm planning my trip to see my SO through her interview. I'm not sure how early I should go there. She lives in Nanning, and I figure I could meet up with her there and head up to GUZ. The question is, how long does the medical exams take and do we have to go to a medical center in GUZ?

Just want to let everyone know, I called DOS today. After numberous "No" (they sounded like that Capital One Commercial), we finally got a "YES!". Our interview is set for April 15th. I'm not sure when my official P3 return date, because GUZ lost the first one I sent them. So all I could go by is the date when they confirmed that my SO was eligible for an interview, Nov. 2nd.

Sent the note to GUZ and asked them about the process of changing the phone info. in our case. As expected, they didn't answer the question. But, they did get back with a bit of good news... They noted that they are projecting to schedule our interview for April. Finally getting close

rrylee, Thanks for the info. Unfortunatley, I don't think many of us can go. But I think people can write her. Her address: 2201 C Street NW Room 6811 Washington DC 20520 202-647-9576 This lady has been on the job since Nov. 21, 2002. We pay her $134K a year. You would think maybe she will listen some of us...

I'm all for signing some kind of petition to send to the Department of State, I think they have the oversight to the consulates. If we somehow get it to someone who will listen in the DOS. If that does not work, maybe we could get one to a Congressman who will listen to us. Congress has oversight over the DOS. I think it is our right to complain about GUZ, after all, we pay their bills...

My SO just informed me that she just changed her phone number. Since its different from the forms she filled out, do we need to notify GUZ? If so, how do I let them know?

Chuck, Sorry to hear about your story. Write to your congressman and/or senator, they are the only ones that can check up on these guys. The more compaints the more chances they can investigated.