CR1togo

If in a large city check out The Great Indoors (Sears spin-off) or Expo Design Centers (the Home Depot version). Both also have online websites. They have upscale/commercial and regular service appliances, vent hoods etc. Wish I could afford a set of "Viking" appliances. acw

I put related info in the thread "Medical in Shanghai" (sorry I can not seem to provide links nowadays). Depending on AGE the shots will vary. Hep shots are for the younger crowd. Wife had no shot record, about 40, and received just 3 shots here (CR-1). I SUGGEST having them done at the Health Care Centers for International Travel (they are listed on the CR-1, P-4 as being acceptable to GUZ) for your area (i.e., The HCCIT of Guangdong or Shanghai) and getting the yellow book record of such as opposed to just any ole doctor. Anhui providnce has had some reported vaccination problems- both on internet and Shanghai Consulate emails I receive . acw

GZ won't know your siblings names and it would be silly for her to know your parents names as it is disrectful in china ta address an eldr by their name. Most interviews are 4-5 simple quesions. How did you meet, where does he live, what is his work, what does he like to do, has he been married before, how many times did he visit, for how long, why do you want to marry him etc... They asked my so 6 questions--she didn't know two of the answers--what does he like to do and what are his hobbies. The good news is that GZ had no way of knowing if she was wrong. The bad news is she told them she had no idea--it was no problem 135255[/snapback] What about the family composition form- back side for USC? acw

Sawadee, I happened to notice that all the Chinese moderators are listed as "CLF"istead of "CFL". acw

David, They appear to be CR-1 to me- I-130. No P-3. No I-134, I-864 done at NVC. Vaccinations REQUIRED for CR-1, but not "K" VISAS (K-1,2,3,4). Sorry Hank I stay out of timelines- see either the member "Timeline" posts for projected P-3/4 times or individual members timelines posted. acw

As you are at NVC with BOTH petitions in about the same time- FORGET IT! (We got trapped w/ a late step child filing on the second I-130 but GUZ seemed to automatic cancel the K-3 when the wife's I-130 got to post). In addition to receiving the "green card", and if elected- a SSN mailed to you, NOT having to do AOS, EAD, Biometrics etc. there MAY be another side benefit. At least two states I have heard about will NOT start the clock counting on residency requirements for reduced (resident vs. NON resident OR international student) rates until in LPR status. acw

Congrats Ross and Gloria!, As CR-1 you don't need to do the Adjustment of Status or EAD. Gloria should have gotten a paper from GUZ saying that IF you checked the "I want a Social Security number issued and sent to me" block on the paperwork you will receive both that and her two year conditional "green card" (LPR) in the mail in a few weeks. Next thing to do: Three months before expiry you should file to remove the conditions at which time a 10 year "green card" (LPR) is issued. That's the great thing about getting a CR-1. It doesn't require AOS, EAD, additional biometrics etc. Care to fill us in on Gloria's hassles here? Was she missing the actual visa in her passport and did she return to the Consulate (access to GUZ AFTER the interview has been an issue in another thread)? Takes at least 3 years residency to file citizenship papers for someone married to a USC. acw

Roger, It is your job to pour the 5 ga. container into the wimpy little bottles. Laogong training manual section V.A.1.(a). acw

Dan and Carl, I don't know what's up. I am in China and put an English post here about two days ago after reading Don's post in the site transition forum. That post has disappeared from this forum. Last night the old CFL address quit re-directing (Shanghai Server) to the new cflgallery address, early today it was working again. acw àË ´ó¼ÒºÃ!

Change printer setting and/or cartridge to B&W OR print it with blue box and make a copy at a copy center- blue goes away. acw

The one we got in Shanghai says XXXX born on xx-xx-xxxx (date), now residing at xxxxxxxx had no record of criminal sanctions during her residence in CHINA up to (the date of) xx-xx-2005. I also believe you will find some old threads on this subject and GENERALLY GUZ accepts it for the whole country. (Someone previously was trying to get P.C.'s for multiple places in China BUT I BELIEVE that their hukou checks the reference base for the entire nation. acw

Visit the Chen Clan Academy (Also called Chen's Ancestral Hall). It would take about two hours. It's near the Chenjiaci subway station. Buildings have wood, stone & brick carvings everywhere- highly detailed. Also iron castings, bronze sculptures, crafts exhibits etc. Dr Sun Yat-sen memorial (inside of building) was closed for a meeting while we were there. Grounds were nice. Also the Liu Hua Park is near here and rather large and tropical looking. The Six Bayan Tree Temple and the Flowery Pagoda was a dissappointment- nor was the vegetarian restaurant open to the public (as our tour book says). acw Also if possible read have your S/O read the Chinese forum- Corvette has a few restaurant suggestions in GUZ. She may have some ideas on spending time there. acw

"Scott & Lai" are the one couple I recall doing it the HK way here at CFL. As he hasn't posted here for a while try visajourney.com. Last I know he was posting there. Also there are a few others at VJ- try "Hongkong" in a search, maybe? acw

History in Beijing was fascinating. Forbidden and Summer palaces, Yuanmingyuan ruins, Ming tombs, Prince Gong's garden etc. But I really liked Hangzhou for the forests outside town and lack of "hustlers" a lot more relaxing than Suzhou, Zhouzhuang, Qingdao.

He can certainly try this tactic (entry for overcome evidence) if he's in GUZ. In this situation I would attempt this during the overcome days/hours and wonder IF the USC would be allowed access to the IV section. Has any USC's been given access to IV lately??? Our (and another couples) experiences with the guards outside the Consulate are #^&* at best! She passed her interview but the other couple is still floundering after GUZ wanted additional info- it's a tragic comedy what has happpened to them. Gaining access after the fact is a problem for them. I will be emailing/writing to the Consular Director in GUZ about a situation WE had with one of these goons there soon. And I AM paying this A$$hole guards wages??? acw

The administrators have placed a number of these type threads in the links and resourses area last time I looked. acw

Steve, I recall you said this before and found it different from my past experiences. Also, yesterday we just bought 1 way tickets here and the prices of five agents varied from 4,200 to 5,500 RMB. The day before the 4,200 ticket WAS 3,800 at IATA. Wife was concerned with someone coming to the house the day before so we went there in person yesterday- a day and RMB 800 too late). The ticket squeeze is NOW ON FULL SCALE and prices have jumped. Consistently the low fares from Shanghai to LAX were all on China Eastern and/or Korea Air (Except for 1 Thai Int'l. flight). Best deal in town (right now) is the BIG IATA office on Changshou Road. acw

Typically, I find LAX a lot better than SFO for POE. About 2-3 at LAX and 1 at SFO for me in the past year- I always observe the immigration lines going through and often strike up a conversation w/ K-visa folks and they have EVEN beat me out of the customs area (Slow baggage issue). BTW: Ex-wife was GRILLED for 6 hours at SFO years back- maybe that's my dislike of it. Another concept is that I now buy one way tickets here in China to LAX ONLY then I book my flight from LAX to home w/ Southwest or Americawest online. Saves me about $300-400 over booking the entire flight (to final destination) with an agent. acw

I would remain "cautious" like Muddy indicates on the "domicle" issue for long term China residence holders. There are words about this issue on the Consulate or Embassy web site. Also a few recent DCFer's had a concern for this issue also- don't recall if any of the spouses was actually "grilled" about the subject. More like "Where are you planning on living?" if anything. acw

I hand carried my wife's PP to the US and had it notarized there @ The UPS Store for $3.00 (in essesence the same process as EMS or Fedexing it to US). Had to put a statement on paper something to the effect that HER passport was in my control for tax purposes and was an unaltered true original passport. Notary and I signed/dated the paper and she attached a copy. Notary here (in China) by the Embassy/Consulate is $30.00 for the first page and $20.00 for additional. Also I question whether they will allow her into the ACS section to do this as a "Chinese" national. I have NEVER been able to get my wife into the Shanghai consulate. Then file the W-7 (with HER signature) and ORIGINAL tax filing to the proper place in Pa.- not your regional IRS center. acw

David, once the person has HAD the interview they will be HARD pressed to gain access to the consulate again- other than to submit overcome documents. I am in contact w/ another couple with similar problems along this line. The Lavender slip says if any problems exist you can either email or fax the Consulate. acw

True for K-1, K-3 and CR/IR-1. They (Guz) will NOT allow the US citizen in at the present location and cite space limitations in the consulate. Some USC's in addition to moral support want to be available for an immediate overcome document submission IF the S/O does not pass the initial interview. acw

In the year I've lived here I have not seen an electrical blackout in Shanghai (better than what I've seen at my US residence!). It hit a 71 year record for the month of July two days ago- 39 degrees Cel. Because of the heat- the humidity dropped and it was no worse than a typical hot day in Sacramento, Ca. Lower humidity but HIGHER tempatures. acw

[ Any thoughts if 6 days would be enough lead time? 132037[/snapback] Depends on the day of the interview. Overcome submission is only (I believe) 1 hour per day Monday thru Wensday- also Guz CAN take two days to respond to overcome documents now. Ross just went thru a situation like this. Worst case: Interview on Wens and blue slipped, have to wait until Mon to submit overcome docs, Guz respond on Wens. subsequently pickup visa on Friday. Talking POSSIBLY 8 days or longer. Hope it's not in between the move either! GUZ receives kickbacks from the Shamain Island hotels and restaurants maybe???

Good luck JFong988, welcome to the Bay State! P.S. Thanks Tony, I am in central mass, near Worcester? Are you in Bean Town? 132764[/snapback] Welcome to CFL Lanba! Grew up in Southbridge and Woodstock, Ct.- MANY moons ago! acw