bob&haiqing

Hey Randy, thanks! We're hoping to make it to your neck of the woods sometime the end of August ... see you then B) Hey George, I guess I wasn't specific about it being AOS after a K-1 visa ... different process, different speed record ... right? So anyone faster than 11 weeks on a K-1? Have a terrific evening guys! Bob

Hey Everybody, Last week Haiqing and our son received their Permanent Resident Cards exactly 11 weeks to the day from when the USCIS received the applications. Has anyone had it happen so quickly before? We weren't expecting to see them for another couple months but we're certainly happy their here A terrific evening to all! Bob

Yes - although what happens most often is that they either overlook it when thumbing through your file, or just flat don't expect it (and so don't take a close look) in the middle of the stuff from the consulate. I'll bet most visa-types that they deal with have their medical done over here But, bottom line is that it's really easy to ask them to take another look, but if they still don't find it, you may just want to go ahead and get another one. Hi Randy, I figured you'd have some input here What about using a copy of the Red Health Certificate and Yellow Vaccination Certificate received at GUZ during the medical exam as proof? Haiqing recieved both and I made copies of them just in case we'd need them later ... Dale's situation sounds like one of those "just in case" times ... maybe a faxed copy or pdf file emailed to the USCIS will help Good luck Dale! Bob

Hey Dale, You did it correctly! We just filed all our forms for AOS last week and the instructions for the I-693 specifically state that a K-1, K-2 visa holder who has had a medical exam for obtaining that visa within the last year does not need a new medical exam to adjust status. It says you only need to fill out section 1 and have the civil surgeon fill out section 2 & 5 which is exactly what we did. My understanding is that the medical form for the medical exam that a K-1, K-2 visa recipient receives in GUZ is inside the sealed brown envelope that you gave the customs officer at POE. This envelope is then forwarded to the USCIS where it is united with your I-485 package for processing. I'm not 100% certain about that so maybe someone who knows for sure can confirm this. Sounds to me like someone along the line may have misplaced your original medical exam forms that were done in GUZ ... hence the request for a new I-693 Hope you get it sorted out easily Bob

Hey Dylan and Wendy ... a belated CONGRATULATIONS to you guys!!! Since Haiqing, our son and I came home to the USA 3-1/2 weeks ago I've been so busy that I haven't been on CFL at all until a few days ago Haiqing and I were glad to hear you are both back here and happy together ... I'm sure you're both just as busy as we are starting your new life together in America Enjoy! Bob

Just my thought for what it's worth ... I've mentioned before on a couple of occasions on CFL that the visa process is NOT about love ... it's a legal process and understanding and preparing for it to the best of ones abilities will go a long way towards a successful outcome even though it won't guarantee it. I wouldn't take a drivers test without reading and studying the book ... or take the driven test without some practice before hand ... or go for a job interview (although not always a legal process but you get the idea) without dressing appropriately, knowing about the company, resume up to date and polished, ready to answer all questions unless I really wasn't interested in success The visa process is like that ... on no form we filled out did it ask if we loved each other but they certainly wanted to know if we were legally in a position to receive the benefit of a visa ... could I care for and provide for her ... background checks ... etc. ... and be able to prove any of it. We personally know a couple here in China who have been married for three years and love each other very much. They figured being married for such a long period of time and being able to prove it was enough to ensure them the benefit of a visa so they didn't prepare properly for the process. Their outcome? ... a white slip and a lot of heartache. I think the best three words of advice I could give anyone going through this is READ, RESEARCH and PREPARE! ... and with a little bit of luck you'll get what you want Best of luck to everyone! Bob

Hey Hawaiibear, I'm self employed also, been in business for almost 30 years and one of the things I did in preparation for Haiqing's interview that wasn't listed in the kitchen sink was to provide copies of my Schedule C (Profit or Loss from Business) for every five years since 1980 just to prove longevity and stability. I don't know whether or not it made a big difference but they did keep it along with the other financial documents and we did get pink at the interview Might be a good thing for other's who are self employed to consider doing Sounds like you're on your way to pink with just a minor time delay Good luck! Bob

Hey Doug, Sorry to hear about your situation but feel assured that you're in the right place now and there are ways to get what you want. There are many wonderful, knowledgeable people here on CFL who can answer your questions about how to proceed from where you are now. Remember one thing, the visa process is NOT about Love. It's a legal process and needs to be handled in that fashion so the more information you glean from this site the better prepared you'll be to have a successful outcome Have a terrific day! Bob

CONGRATULATIONS! To you guys Joe, I'm so happy to hear about your wonderful outcome As soon as you have the visa in hand you can relax and enjoy the fruits of your efforts ... nicely done! Have a terrific Chinese New Year celebrating your success for nows the time to Bob

Great post ShaQuaNew! I won't be spending as much time here as you will, only six months in the last year , so I love hearing your perspective as you're actually out in the employment world where my being in my own business doesn't expose me to the same level of intensity that you're experiencing ... ... keep the story going! Bob

Thanks everyone for sharing ... I love reading your stories, thoughts and hopes for Chinese New Year and the future. Yesterday the kids were at it again with the fire crackers while a couple of men in suits unrolled long, narrow red posters with Chinese sayings and stuck them to both sides of the entryways to all the buildings in the complex. They meticulously unrolled them, careful not to bend them while removing the multitudes of waxed paper tabs covering the sticky adhesive strips ... these were immediately disposed of by throwing them on the ground Now one would think how odd that they put up these beautiful decorations and right in front of them on the ground are dozens of pieces of waxed paper strips littering the scene ... but one only has to be patient in China ... several hours later the woman who sweeps the complex came by with her broom and dustpan to tidy up the mess ... I've often compared China's way of doing things to an ant hill ... what appears to be mass confusion is really organized confusion and things do get done I am so amused by and love the little differences here Today it is quiet ... no firecrackers yet but it's only early afternoon and the kids aren't home from school yet ... later I'm sure they'll be at it again Bob

Haiqing and I were in downtown Shenzhen Monday night between 8:30 pm and 10:30 pm and I was amazed at how many people there were on the street at that time of night. While it's not unusual for so many people to be out, it was unusual on a work day and at that time of night ... unemployed perhaps Most of the people seemed to be young ... 20's - 30's and I detected and edginess that I have not seen in China before as they seemed to wander somewhat aimlessly through the streets. The stores by contrast were mostly empty so it made me wonder what were all these people doing? Haiqing seems confident that everything in China will be ok, but then again she has a good secure job so her perspective is different than what others in China are experiencing. She was not aware of the mass layoffs or riots here in China as it's not in the newspapers here. By contrast she is aware of the financial hardships in the USA as that does make the papers here. We have talked about the financial challenges the US and China face and I've told her that being in the US would be a safer place to be as the threat of mass riots in the US are much less as people there have an underlying faith in the government and system that things will eventually correct themselves. Here in China if the people's faith in the government and the system gets too low I think it could be a recipe for all hell to break loose ... all I know is that I'll be glad to get on the plane back to the good ole USA in 28 days! Have a terrific day everyone! Bob

Hey Rick, I have never done it but I have heard that if you go early enough in the morning in Hong Kong to apply for a Chinese visa that you can receive it later in the afternoon on the same day. I'm not sure where to go to get the visa but I would guess that any large hotel could tell you. B) Good luck! Bob

Hey nabeshin, Good to hear from you and nice to hear things are going well! Like you and Batmaniac, who's probably home by now, we'll be on our way back to the US in 28 days ... I can't wait to show her life on the other side of this rock! B) Post some pictures of you guys in the US when you get a chance. Have a terrific day! Bob

B) CONGRATULATIONS!! Have a terrific future! Bob

Best wishes for you guys Joe ... go get that PINK! B) I second Lee's words and miss your intelligent contributions! Have a PINK day! Bob

Well, I didn't want to say anything since I don't know the guy, but combining GF and K3 in the same sentence had me a bit confused. Maybe his GF is married to some other USC while he has a very understanding wife... Hey Jon, No confusion ... he and his GF are probably discussing future alternatives ... you know ... K1 or K3 B) I know Mark, he's doing it right and taking things one step at a time Have a terrific day! Bob

the red decorations are starting to show up all over town and the flowers are being arranged. I was here for four months last year at this time also, even though I had been to China many times before, that was my first Chinese New Year here. A few days before you'd hear fireworks every now and again, the anticipation of the special day made it too tempting for some to resist setting off a few. About ten minutes to midnight the barrage began, thousands for fireworks being set off all across the city of Shenzhen all at the same time, not slowing in pace for about a half hour. Some of the fireworks were huge ... an enormous flash of light about a mile away and I could feel the concussion of the blast ... the car alarms in the parking lot below our home whining in response ... surely these were legal! The fireworks continued every night until I left a few days before the Spring Festival's official end. Haiqing told me the last night was much like the first, thousands of fireworks going off to signal the Gods to return to heaven until next years celebration. I'll be experiencing my second Chinese New Year in China this coming weekend and I'm wondering if it will be similar to last year. I know the dumplings will be prepared as the arrangements with her mom have already been made. As for the rest, I won't know for sure as Haiqing and I won't be in Shenzhen, we're leaving to go up north the end of this week to celebrate with family I will get to experience Chinese New Year in another city which I'm looking forward to and we'll be back here for the close of the Spring Festival in a couple weeks so I will get to experience that which I missed last year. Right now there is a small group of about six children between the ages of 8 and 12 setting off fireworks in the driveway that leads up to our building. These aren't small little "snap" or sparklers ... these have a good bang to them! They've been at it for several hours now ... not an adult in sight ... reminds me of being a kid Have a terrific day everyone! Bob

Hey Dylan, What I did with Haiqing at the P3 stage was to start reviewing the 95 interview questions on a regualr basis. We'd get on yahoo IM so we could talk, turn on our webcams and the interview would begin. We'd go through each question and talk about what answers would be good to give and why. As she became more comfortable with answering the questions I mixed them up so the order didn't follow a logical path. I'd change the wording and throw in questions that weren't on the list trying to confuse her so she would become used to that sort of thing. We did this religiously for weeks before the interview and by the time she was facing the VO, she was confident in her ability to handle any question she was asked and it paid off because her interview lasted for almost a half hour and she answered every question well and without hesitation. Time to play the drill insructor and grill Wendy B) ... get ready Wendy Best to you both! Bob

Hey Batmaniac, Thanks for the info about going through customs, we'll be making that same trip in 30 days We knew you were leaving the 20th and Haiqing and I were going to call you guys on Ying's cell phone this evening when she gets home from work to wish you a good safe trip to the US. B) Since you guys are already in Hong Kong you probably can't get the call so we'll wish you all the best here. You have our phone numbers so give us a call once the dust has settled ... I'm sure Haiqing would love hearing Ying's experience of traveling to the US. The 22nd to the 29th we'll be up north visiting family for Chinese New Year so you won't be able to reach us then. Have a great flight! Bob & Haiqing

Sounds like you're doing a great job Dylan You and Wendy deserve to be successful ... best of luck to you guys Have a terrific weekend! Bob

CONGRATULATIONS! Good first post on CFL, welcome! Bob

Hey jhammer, I agree with what Rob, Randy, Batmaniac and David have said here. Now is not the time to complain about the process, now is the time to educate yourself and prepair for having a successful outcome. Also remember something, this is a public forum and GUZ can and sometimes will read your posts . Yesterday afternoon here in China I saw GUZ was online so I know they do visit! Be careful not to drill holes in your own boat Good luck! Bob

Hey Rick, Welcome to CFL! We did like others have mentioned, lots of photos with family, friends, at home, traveling ... etc. and organized them accordingly in small flexible photo albums notated with dates and locations ... about 200 pictures total in six albums ... all for naught as the VO never asked to see our pictures I think the reason this may have happened is because we did like Roger and front loaded our original petition package with about a dozen of our best pictures. Haiqing noticed during the interview that the VO looked at those original pictures and never asked to see any others! I think it's a good idea to include some candid pictures of the two of you fooling around and having fun together ... I think non-posed pictures show a deeper level of intimacy so we included some in our original petition package ... I guess it worked Good luck! Bob

She lets you buy frozen vegetables Charles??? Sounds like you're in for more training! Bob