david_dawei

I would agree that as a 'best practice' (if one can apply a sterile business rule to relationship issues)... I personally feel it is a great help towards organization and emotional support, etc... but some realities will not permit the USC to travel at the time of the interview. If the news is good, the excitement over it is doubled; if the news is not so good... your presence is indispensable on some level... if you cannot make it, then don't beat yourself up over it. Nice reminder. Nice post.

Should CFL consider a forum or two on other asian consulates? It would not get much activity but food for thought.

Nice info. I will move this to the appropriate forum. Thanks for sharing.

Interesting situation. Please keep us informed as to your outcome.

I was talking about the PRC. Meaning, since the government is not interested to abide by national rules for visa-free status, it has put the people in a position of having more difficult access; that spirals into people trying to go illegally... which spirals into more safeguards... which spirals into more attempts in different ways. Tell a child 'no' to the candy and he can't stop thinking about how to get it That aside... my wife says: Why would Taiwanese go back to Taiwan if they can get into the US for free now? I said, they can freely go back and forth without any risk at all. They can probably even research jobs in the US and make contacts, etc if they are really interested to figure out how to legally stay here instead of living a life of an illegal. We meet a lady from Taiwan who is married to a Taiwanese turned USC living in the US. They have been married 2 years... and she just came to the US on a B-2; then she filed to stay here. So my wife asked her: Why didn't you do the CR1 2 years ago? You would be here already over a year. The girl said she heard it was 'hard' and wanted for this time... My understanding is that their process is much easier than being in the mainland. But the fear factor causes me to shake my head. She would rather wait to try some 'end-around' to the visa laws then just do it straightforward 2 years ago. I am sure if she had to wait 5 years she would... and that is a defining difference in how they view marriages [put on hold].

This is a tightly and strictly controlled requirement which Taiwan finally meet... Rules are rules. The PRC has never seen to want to follow those rules. The nice thing about rules is you know who follows them and who doesn't want to follow them... and those who try to circumvent them, which in this case cannot be done expect through illegal immigration. Thus, it is not the government which attempts this latter but the people.

It is good to hear your resolve... realize you know nothing about her and won't really for about 3-5 years. At that time, you'll find yourself at a point of understanding what it is all about. Best.

Question: If the barriers appeared insurmountable, would you be willing to throw in the towel and withdraw and say good-bye? If yes, then do so now. As this is the type of relationship which causes all of our problems we relate; The VOs know this based on age differences, marriageability, and dumb luck to meet the wrong person. You have one great problem in the future: She can never understand your life and cultural experience; she can be all smiles and support but never, ever get it... if that is all you want in a life partner than maybe don't let go. Personally, I don't quite get marrying a person who would be the same age as my daughter. But as you have no children you lack life experience too. I had a Shanghai girl of 22 ask me to get in a relationship... and I laughed... and she was quite serious and didn't understand me. I stated fairly simply (and she understood english very good): I am not sure how my daughter would accept me marrying someone her age. It was not that I would be embarrassed it was that I knew that she could not consider such an idea... and she was silent since she saw no problem with being the same age as my daughter... She only asked me again for a relationship. The inability to grasp the reality of what I said is Chinese to the core. At least I got the last laugh by being able to step backwards and see the future together.

There has been lots of good advice and comments... this is one of the better threads we've seen concerning red flag issues... We can all play the guessing game of what the VO will think or do, but I wanted to say your analysis and comments are quite good and serious for consideration. Nice post.

Let's at least apply a little logic to the idea of withdrawing the case to marry and file later... If a K1 was continued with, the earliest you would marry (assuming a favorable visa issue) is 9 months or so... To withdraw now, and marry around July next year would be... any guess? 9 months or so... So to claim some reason for the K1 as being hasty is irrational and you look like an idiot to try to claim as such since you continue the 'rush' concept; rushing to find someone after divorce; rushing to file K1; rushing to withdraw to marry... If I can think this, her next VO has seen it 100 times. Had you come here and asked prior to filing, I think everyone is in agreement that you should wait and build up the relationship issues... but seeing that you have filed the only sense in withdrawing is to wait another year or more to marry. Otherwise, the logic really doesn't add up. As Carl said: if you file K1 you have the fall back option of marrying and then filing as CR1. As Randy says, you can get someone to review the case and advise you. IMO... I would not withdraw unless it makes rational sense all around; like you wait another year or two including a marriage.... but that is no guarantee of any different outcome. There are so many variables you can only guess the outcome, regardless of how well prepared you are... unless you are a glutton for detail... My story goes as follows: I had already brought over one lady as a K1 without any issues... but we divorced and I later meet another while I was technically married but in the divorce proceedings. Although I was certain that this second relationship was without doubt, I applied all the logic I could to the red flag issues over the last several years of interviews. In short: I decided I would visit several times and marry on the 4th visit; file and by the time of the interview have 6 visits; and by the time of the interview I would of known her close to 3 years... Despite taking every precaution and remedying a few the night before the interview, my wife was grilled for 45 minutes by the VO everyone said was the 'denial VO' and to be avoided. while waiting for interviews, the girls around her schemed to go to the bathroom if this VO called them... my wife jumped at the opportunity to get her. As she said: She can ask me anything she wants... I will talk with her. We were able to overcome a certain pre-determined denial because we had now 3 years together and enough intimate knowledge of each other's life that the VO proclaimed at the end, "you have proven your case"... I had told my wife that we should plan on 3-5 year process... and filing was simply the beginning steps... You have to decide what your long term plans is for making the best possible outcome of an interview as this is all that matters; as the interview is the longest time you will have known each other and the VO will decide based on observation of your case. Because you have filed and we lack the ability to strongly advise you to wait (which is easier said than withdrawing), I am inclined that you roll the dice and let the interview play out... Had you come earlier, I would of strongly recommended you wait a year or two and marry... I would say Randy's advice to seek outside review of your case is the best short-term plan... you can do that without changing anything.

IMO, if you both stick it out you'll get through it with a visa. There have been members here who had to wait 5 years. If there is nothing outright false about the case then it is simply a matter of waiting on them to approve it all. Then there was the young and beautiful lady who was denied over and over and over because the VO tried to persuade her to marry him instead... The VO even meet with the lady's mom and made many promises... but in the end, she simply stuck to the message that she was going to marry this US man... and eventually was given the visa...

I think this is spot-on advice but difficult at this point to withdraw the file and explain it... but there is cause for concern more than other cases. The VOs know better than anyone that a US man is a ticket out of china and a young girl with very good english would know this too. At times, there are perceptions formed, whether true or not. It is hard to overcome this but all one can do is be assured of their life decisions and file and do the best they can.

You'll file a CR2 in almost the exact same way you filed the CR1 for your wife... but a few small differences I can think of: 1. In the filing to USCIS, you need to send the birth certificate for proof of relationship 2. Speaking of proof of relationship, you must prove that... YOUR relationship to him... just as you should of had pictures of you and your wife together, you should show the same kind of "time together"; pictures of you and him. Realize, YOU are filing for HIM... so this relationship has to be established with evidential proof... if your not chatting online in emails.... time to start... Like I said: Generally think the same proof as you did for your wife.

The invitation letter should explain everything the VO needs to understand... without it being a novel. Short and to the point. but an I-134 for sure.. which may only be nothing more than a feel-good financial to them.

I going to post again as to the idea of 'red flags' but I won't go into my usual grilling to you... but simply: 1. what is the age difference (each age) 2. what city is she from 3. does she have previous marriage/children 4. why is her english so good 5. has she traveled outside of china to other countries

This is one of those questions where "Yes-No" cannot apply... it "depends" on so many factors based on trends; in other words, what is the pulse of the consulate and the actual VO she will get 8 months from now and what day of the week is it and did they get their morning coffee hot enough, etc. We see the completely explainable and explainable in regards to such issues. As Dan suggests, the best practice is to show knowledge of some issues with the initial filing of the I-129F. The reason this is missed by most is actually not a surprise since we do not recommend it for USCIS (who only cares if you qualify) but for GUZ, who will get the case file and thus an explanation of the issues. But at this point, it is not really necessary to talk about 'what should of been done' but rather what can be done now. In general, previous marriages and timing to that divorce, fast courtships, fast filings, age difference, her city, her lack of english, her age, your income, may be 'unwritten' considerations but interview trends over the years show they can matter in some cases... and emphasis is on a moving target called, some cases. Also in general, time together is more important than any amount of log files or emails you want to claim... 10,000 emails don't compare to a month together. So don't get any high hopes that the VOs care to see you produce 100 lbs of evidence since they don't care about evidence one wants to impress by volume; Time together is the one thing that seems to be the best indicator among the various factors at work. Since you have 2 trips already you are showing yourself to be different and that is a plus. If you can go one more time before the interview then you have set yourself apart even more. My personal opinion having tracked interviews for many, many years now is that this is the best evidence to give them, absent a long relationship; time together. We have seen them deny people in suggesting they need to spend more time together first... and file again later. It is never quote spoken that way but that is their point. They don't always trust the fast relationship given the relationships they see come through each day/month/year claiming 'new found love'. They are realists and not optimists. I advise people to play their cards the same way. What you can do: 1. Continue as you are... talk, chat and learn more about each other. Ultimately she is the one who faces the VO and answers the questions. She needs to know your life more intimately than you might think. 2. For the interview, you can prepare the kind of letter we said should go in the I-129F which is called an EOR "Evolution of Relationship". I would post it here for review (or in PM if you want to keep it private) and get some feedback... but you don't need to do this till closer to the interview as you'll have more time together at that point. 3. You should have your prior wife's complete information including contact info and SSN ready to hand over at the interview. 4. Pictures, pictures, pictures... varying settings of informal pictures are the best. She should have about 20 of the best for the interview... 5. Visit again if you can. 6. Prepare your fiancee mentally and psychologically that the interview is simply a review of the process and they will decide if it is ok to go to US now or you need to do something more... Most everyone thinks way too much like this is an entitlement; make sure you do let her simply rest on some belief that she should get this without any issue. This is not meant to be a worry to her. It is very simple: You applied and they decide something. Don't let it get emotional nor personal. Your life goal is to be together in the US and this is but one step you need to do... and the interview will let you know what is next. It is that simple. If they give the visa, she can come. If they deny or ask for info or whatever.... don't sweat it as unexpected... you do what they say to do... She needs to think of this as an important step (be prepared for the interview) and acceptance of the outcome (be prepared to pursuit the direction they say you need to go).

Nice to hear from you Dan... http://www.wisegeek....ai-feng-wan.htm These plants are considered by many practitioners of herbal medicine to have properties that cleanse the blood. The main ingredient, however, is the bones of a particular chicken commonly known in the West as a Silkie Bantam because of the soft appearance of its feathers. The typical Silkie Bantam is thought to have black bones, dark flesh, and black skin. Black foods are considered by some TCM practitioners to be very helpful for treating kidney ailments and cleansing the blood. The color in both animal and plant foods such as black beans is thought to come from an antioxidant called anthocyanins, presently considered an anti-inflammatory. -- For the last 2 years, I sample from a pot of alcohol which seeps in ginseng, deer horn, and various other animal body parts I should not put in print

It is foremost a blood cleanser and a tonic with anti-inflammatory and anti-infection ingredients... The name part "bai feng" is 'white phoenix' as eating the eggs was considered to result in longevity (ie: think improving your blood an kidney functions and reduce any inflammation/infection--you will live longer). It helps support the kidneys, liver, and spleen and is considered a yin tonic. The strong Licorice taste is from the root which is considered a great harmonizer of ingredients (it enhances another ingredient's function by balance them out). As there are 12 meridians in TCM, this actually supports really all 12 at once (think balance and harmonizer which is the most important idea in TCM). There is a joke among TCM that every chinese doctor will tell you your kidney and spleen are weak and they are probably correct 80% of the time as it is generally true of the most people, even if they don't know this to be true. Just research the ingredients: Black-bone chicken, Prepared Rehmannia Root, Rehmannia Root, Chinese Angelica root, Cyperus Tuber, Chinese Yam, Ginseng Root, White Peony Root, Red Sange Root, Sweet Wormwood, Arisaema Tuber, Chaunxiong Rhizome, Gordon Euryale Seed, Oyster Shell, Deer Horn, Ovum of Mantis, Licorice Root, Astragalus Root, StarWort Root, Honey. ---- What did I feel? There was a sense of energy (many ingredients provide this including ginseng, deer, horn, Angelica root, etc) and my digestion process greatly improved (Angelica root, licorice root, etc). Anyone who tells you that this is only for women is uninformed.

I would encourage members to realize that TCM has a very long and old history of application to life... and modern chinese are taught that Tongren Wuji Baifeng is for women... this is only a partial (but a weighted partial) truth. If one cares to study TCM and know it's ways... one will see this is for the Endocrine System... both sexes have this system at last evaluation. If your wife says this is only for women then she is a parrot of modernism... Nonetheless, I would encourage men to go through a course of a month of pills.

You are filing and applying for a chinese national to be given entry to US benefits via a green card... Almost nobody in the US is going to expedite that. You have got the wrong lawyer if they told you otherwise... this is basic information and if they don't know this then you are wasting your money. Most lawyers deal with the world of consulates but have little experience with China. Welcome to CFL..

Good point... but in china, the life is china and it varies by city... so it depends on the exact city and maybe even the specific post office... if one denies it, then go to another.

Except they are not necessarily for her

Thanks all. This concerns the famous Tongren Wuji Baifeng Wan 同仁烏鷄白鳳丸, manufactured by Tongrentan. We can find it in Orlando (and online from Hong Kong) but we're not willing to pay 4x more than what we should pay just because some asian market or online business carries it. If we wanted a small quantity then we might just go ahead but we want 30 boxes.

My wife thought she had heard there was some sort of limit to the amount of chinese medicine which can be mailed to the US? Experiences welcomed. Thanks.

Based on your actual situation, I would agree with Randy... your back in the US and she is in china. This is your reality right now. You have the history.. File K1... YOURSELF. Lawyers often much up the file. As Carl said: nobody cares about your file more than you do... you'll do the best... and ask questions here.