Mick

Sorry to say that I don't think employment skills will speed up the process one iota. My wife was highly educated and highly employable. The powers that be paid no attention to that. I think Frank laid out your options pretty well in the above post. I lived in China for five years and waited out our visa for a long 19 months back in 2001-2003. Things are much faster now, but the process can, indeed, be agonizing. Which ever option you choose, you will need patience as to the wait, tolerance as to government screw ups and a healthy dose of of optimism, no matter how long it may take. I would suggest that you do your best to adjust yourself to life in China, even though it may be difficult. Granted, some things are hard to deal with, but, overall, being with your loved one beats waiting by yourself at home. Also, the fact that you were together in China for so long goes a long way toward convincing the visa officers that your relationship is a legitimate one. When my wife had her interview, the first thing the VO said was that he was surprised that we had been together in China for so many years. He approved the visa without looking at any of the paperwork, at least while she was there. (He may have looked at it beforehand). I know things can be exasperating but hang in there. You have some critical choices to make as to which route to take. I wish you the best in any case. Candle is a great place, not only for information, but for support and friendship. Welcome!

This is a great compilation of information David. Thanks. I think it will be helpful for those heading for AOS interviews. Like most things in this process, I think different officers do thing in different ways so it is hard to know what to expect. Our interview, for example, was really informal and the officer really didn't ask any questions. Just wanted to know if we still lived at the same address. He played with the baby for a few minutes and approved everything. I will also mention that he had our file on his desk. The thing was close to three inches thick! About the only thing he really wanted to know was how the food was in Shantou, where we lived during our last four years in China. I guess we were lucky in that regard. Thanks again for compiling all this. It will be a boon to many.

When I taught English in China, most of the students in my classes either selected, or already had, English names. Some of them were quite original, some funny, some down right weird. Quite a few girls like the name Wing. I had one girl who chose the name Hot Rain and said it had something to do with sex. I had one guy who called himself "Stick Wood" and tried to explain that it was somehow related to his penis when erect. Then there was the girl who called herself "Methane." A chemistry major no doubt. I tried to explain to her the connection of her name with bovine flatulence, but it didn't take.

Actually, if she understood 20 percent of your Mandarin, you did pretty well. I lived in China for five years and had trouble hitting that high a mark.

I am so sorry to hear of this. I am afraid I don't have much advice to add, other that what others have said about perhaps getting legal advice. Time and time again it irks me so much that when folks try to follow all the rules and do things legally, they run into constant hassles. However, people come in illegally, have few problems, and in some cases, even get government benefits such as health care. Please, keep us posted as you go through this process. I am certain your experience will be helpful to others in the future. In the meantime, hang in there. Our prayers and best wishes are with you.

I totally agree. Frank is a gentleman and offers much wisdom and sage advice. I always treasure his posts. As to junk posts....well, just look in today's posts in Twisted Candle. Just kidding! Frank is a great asset to this site.

When viewing the posters I thought of all the pain and humiliation many Chinese suffered during those difficult times, particularly in the Cultural Revolution. During the years I lived in China, I had the occasion to talk to many Chinese my age who went through the worst of that era. They told stories that would truly break your heart. My wife's mother and grandmother particularly had it difficult because one of the family members, a cousin I think, had married a Japanese. Oh, but how times have changed. When I was living in Shantou, I attended the grand opening ceremony of the opening of the new Wal Mart. It was on the first two floors of a sparkling new high rise that housed other shops, mostly selling high tech gear and electronics. At the opening ceremony out front, they had a rock band on one stage belting out heavy metal tunes. On another stage was a band dressed up like the old rock group Kiss, complete with their tongues hanging out. On the center stage was a fashion show, with young girls either skimpily clad or wearing bikinis (Shantou is a seaside city). I remember taking all this in and wondering what the old Chairman would think if he could see this spectacle. Yes indeed. Times have surely changed.

Welcome Patrick. I think you will find Candle a great place for not only information, but also moral support in this sometimes drawn out process. Hope all goes well in processing the denial. I trust that if you hang in there, love will eventually prevail. Welcome aboard, indeed.

Li, in fact, was an English teacher in Middle School for over nine years. She was teaching English when we met for the first time, way back in '97. During my time in China, I observed that almost all middle schools taught English, and quite a few primary schools.

Congrats and best wishes for a great life together. You deserve it! So when ya bringing her home?

Dan, by NOA notice of approval, do you mean the letter USCIS sends confirming that your application for AOS has been received? I was not aware that they didn't send this anymore. If they don't, I am not sure what to tell you as that document was essential to show that she was still of legal status. It would seem, to a rational agency, that the marriage license should suffice but I learned a long time ago in this process, one cannot assume rationality. Could you possible call USCIS and explain the situation and ASK THEM what your lady needs to do to prove she is legal?

What???? I thought you were hillbilly 148828[/snapback] Southern Greece! 148861[/snapback] So You must be a Greek Hill Billy aren't there some hills near Nashville ? 158441[/snapback] Yup, I'm a greasy hillbilly! 158454[/snapback] Believe it or not, Nashville even has the Parthenon and a giant statue of Athena. B)

Congrats and best wishes!!!! Another hurdle crossed. Now, where is that Wahoooo guy when ya need him, heh?

Li also received her green card about two weeks after the AOS interview. Interestingly, when she returned to the States after visiting China back in November, the folks at the POE never even asked for her green card. Just looked at the stamp in her passport. She even asked them if they wanted to see her green card and they said no.

Congratulations and now enjoy a great life together!

Yes, the R sound often comes out as L. Just don't let her watch Elmer Fudd cartoons. Then they may start coming out like w.

You are on a roll Frank! Congrats!!!!

Having lived with those types of hot water heaters for over five years, I can say that they are less expensive but there are also drawbacks. The first year, in Hefei, our apartment had one that would blast you with very hot water unexpectedly, then turn cold at a moments notice. The one we had down in Shantou was located in the dining room of all places. If you got in the shower and needed to adjust the temp, you had to get out of the shower, walk down the hall and change the setting. It was a hassle to say the least. I found, overall, showering in China labor intensive.

Big moves are often exciting and anxiety provoking at the same time. I lived in Mainland China for over five years and not in such a progressive area as Shanghai. Still, I loved it for the most part. Hope you have a great time there and look forward to hearing about your experiences.

It do make ya wonder sometimes, don't it. We have been for fingerprints and biometrics a total of five times now. And, I wouldn't be at all surprised if a notice showed up, telling us to go again.

Me too; five times now!

Ah, a wonderful dissertation indeed. Informative, riveting and to the point. I am certain, although I have never counted, that I blast more than 14 a day. Now, where did I put that stroke counter I used to carry when I played golf? I smell a poll coming. How many times per day do you cut the cheese?

I have never heard that term used, either. Can't imagine what they are talking about. As has been suggested, call again and try to see what another person says.

The Disney version of the Mulan story came out in 1997 I think. I saw it not too long before I left for China in 1998. Yes, the issue of familial piety runs deep and goes back to the teachings of Confucius. One of the trends I noticed, however, when teaching in the university, was that this was gradually beginning to change as many of the younger generation students questioned these traditional values. One thing that factored into this change was the new economic realities. In the old days (meaning 10-15 years ago), many children remained in their hometown for life. These days, this in increasingly rare. Most of my students did not return to their hometown, or even their home province after graduation. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out over the next 20 years or so.

Congrats on completing another step in the long, winding process.