tmkeith

excellent point...and you had me rolling with your intro. I apologize for misunderstanding your post.

Dan, Where in California are you? Can anyone suggest an SSA office in the Bay Area (I live in Walnut Creek) I can take my Wei to apply for her SSN when she gets here in July, where she shouldn't receive much hassle? Thanks, Trevor

I'd agree that you appear to have it all covered. Not sure if I can agree with cosmiclobster on the "tone" of the intent to marry letter. While it does show going "above and beyond", you never know which officer your SO is going to interview with...and if it's going to be asked for at all. My impression of the whole GZ process is that it's an assembly line with the outcomes in many cases already predetermined. I think a more legalistic, clear-cut, tone to the intent to marry letter would help your SO through the interview, which is a nerve-wracking process. I'm more a fan of keeping it simple with the "original" presentation of documentation, with a load of backup handy...just in case. Your SO may wind up having to explain a less-direct intent-to-marry letter, and I'm sure (s) he already has enough to worry about. A more schmaltz-y letter written around the same time, however, I think would be a good back-up in the situation, verifying the depth and truth of the relationship, if called upon. jmho Trevor

Very good post, Dan. I think so many of us are so far along in the process that we don't focus much on what would make things beter for those of us who follow in our footsteps. We're tired and frustrated, and maybe (okay, in my eyes, definitely) selfish here after all we've been through. So, my final post in this category is. K1 = K3

Amen to that, Jim. Maybe this whole process is what makes me so testy. And i apologize to anyone I've "confronted" on this board. I'm no better than anyone else here. I just want to get Wendy here, and get on with the rest of our lives. I'm sure all of us have faced the scrutiny of choosing to marry someone overseas...with even family members questioning the motives of our fiance(e) or spouse. It's not easy for any of us, but I thought CFL was a place to come together. So, I will defend my K-1 brothers/sisters...while not claiming any superiority, or criticizing the path taken by those who want to bring their love here by any other means. I just want to understand, and hopefully make things better for someone through my experience.

I give up. Must be of a lower-class in CFL because I chose the K-1 route. If people want to be narrow minded and claim that one class faces more hurdles than the other, then I'm in the wrong place. Where is your proof that either class faces more difficulty? Have more K-3s been denied than K-1s (since the inception of the K-1)? I haven't searched (as I'm focused on K-1) but is there any SINGULAR, DIRECT, OFFICIAL timeline comparing the difference between a K-1 between the date of filing and date of unconditional permanent residence? I'd love to see it. On the surface, it really appears that the questions boil down to the validity of the relationship and timing. As I see it, the K-3 has been around longer, and the K-1 can be seen more as an "amendment" or "sister" to the K-3 process.

Bob, I had one of those huge "regret" moments as soon as I sent it. This is not about you, me, or politics, and I want to apoligize to you in the same forum where I made my mistake. (PM me if you wanna strap me to the whippin' post, so this topic can return to its original intent.)

I'll keep my political viewpoints to myself. We're all victims here because we've chosen to wed (now or later) someone from another country. It doesn't matter who's in charge. (Elian Gonzales comes to mind from the previous administration.) Bottom line is that we gotta do whatever we can to understand and play by the rules here...or do what it takes to change the rules...legally. What I'm about to say is only my opinion, and I accept any criticism that comes with it. Through my consultation with immigration attorneys, my own K-1 application with my fiancee, and past history as a welfare caseworker at the us-mexico border boils down to the following: Whether it is fair or not, the US government looks at many of the visa applications of many already married couples as being "suspiciously motivated", because some feel the us has been "burned" in the past, by those who have wanted be here by any means necessary (even a fraudulent marrige.) This is especially true of spouses/fiance(e)s of countries the US hasn't had long-standing good ties with. Yes, there are political overtones to this, and those (like the poster here) may be unfairly penalized by this. The K-1 was introduced (correct me if I'm wrong), to give the CONDITIONAL "benefit of the doubt" to partnerships that may or may not be genuine. K-1 couples do face fierce scrutiny, and the same fears that an "already married" couple has. If the K-1 fiance(e) relationship isn't proven, arguably to the same standard of a K-3 spouse...the denial is just the same. No genuine marriage/relationship should be turned-down...PERIOD. But, we've chosen the route to follow our hearts, and we have some extra hurdles to jump. Let's work on making things easier for ALL of us who have chosen this route, and not point fingers.

What's the quality? I get great tracking on callingcard.com (3.5 cents/min), but not much of a guarantee on the call quality, especially when mobile phones are involved.

Dammit, Paul! you beat me to the punch on that one. But let's not detract from the question at hand. Is there a child on the way? Surely someone can help here. I never considered having a child abroad. Personally, I'd be kicking and screaming to ensure the child was born a US citizen. Seems there are more nightmares in bringing someone over to the US. My reasoning is that if something were to hapen to me or our relationship, I'd want our child to have every opportunity possible, while trusting my wife in the decision making process. Sometimes, circumstances dictate otherwise, and if that's the case, I hope someone can help you answer your questions. Trevor

I'd say you'll have plenty of time after the P4 arrives to prep for the Medical exam (in most cases.) I'd focus more now on finding a provider with a good reputation whom you're comfortable with. As I understand it, the purpose of the medical exam is to ensure the SO isn't bringing any communicable diseases to the US. The potential problem lies more in the possibility of an unscrupulous examiner trying to extort money out of an applicant.

Honestly, Victoria's Secret went over pretty well for me during my last 2 visits. Nothing too racy, but Wei was thrilled, and was even showing her girlfriends, whose SOs never do anything romantic for them. If you go with anything electronic, make sure you know your SO's 'Made in China' vs 'Made in Japan' preference (i.e. Canon). Skin care products seem to be a hit, too.

If you want to apply for the tourist visa, you should lodge your application before your K1/k3. Otherwise, you are unlikely to be issued the B2, because K visas and B2 are contradictory in some aspect. His coming to China is much easier than your going to the States. I can add a bit to that. The "contradiction" between the B2 and K visas comes in the "intent to immigrate" to the US. If there's an active K application on file, which is (ultimately) to immigrate, the B application sends a mixed signal, with only a 'visitor' purpose. Same thing goes for "visitor" type visas when one has an outstanding employment-based visa application out there...or so I'm told.

I would only add that you don't expect USCIS to accept anything on good faith. If you can get something certified, it carries much more weight. Whether or not it was the case, my SO and I expected them to be suspicious of whatever they sent. She was well-prepared for the interview, and it was a breeze. Best of luck!!!

Here's a link to an employment-based immigration attorney site in SF that'll give you the quick-and-dirty on what to do for a move. I'll be facing the same issue myself when my SO gets here. http://www.usabal.com/generalinfo/regulations.html Hope this helps, Trevor

Seems they'll take the certificate, as long as it's notarized.. Get what you can. I know there's a diff between the local police certificate and your SO's national record, in the eyes of the consulate, so get whatever you can.

they're just looking to be sure she/he is not bringing any communicable diseases to the US. Just make sure your SO is honest.

Thank all of you for this very important information. I didn't understand all of the posts about people wanting to meet in the hotels in GZ, but now I do. Safety is found in numbers. I've given my WeiWei the warning. She knows it's dangerous in GZ, but at this point in our lives, I don't want to take any chances. She's overcome the "black pearl" on Friday, but I don't want her to think she's invincible. Trevor & Wendy

Please forgive my ignorance if this post seems to be out of line, but to me, this appears to be a situation where some public/political attention could do a world of help. She came here legitimately, with a child, and suffered a tragedy. Why not try to get this into the view of a local representative or high-profile immigration attorney? Just another point of view. She and the child deserve to be here and not be allowed to just fall through the cracks. I welcome criticism. Like most of us, I know little about how this process really works, but those who play by the rules should be allowed to be heard just as much as those who sneak over here and have advocates stumping for them on the six-o-clock news. That seems like a drastic, last-resort type suggestion, but if she wants to stay here, as she rightfully should be allowed to, I'm sure every option should be explored. Trevor & Wendy filed K1 3/2/04, interviewed by the "black pearl" on 3/25/05 and got the white slip.