CR1togo

We were well versed and rehearsed before deciding. Things were a lot different a year ago in May too. The government seems to have decided OTHERWISE for us anyways! A K-1 at CSC was a VERY lenghty process (also needs advance parole- parents are elderly/ family commitment was desired). A K-3 at MSC was 3-4 months and this is what we THOUGHT we were going to get (no advance parole, solid commitment, derivative status for child). The government web site still says the K-3 is a way to get your spouse/step-child here in a timely manner awaiting the I-130 process. A CR-1 at CSC- NO WAY!- it was taking about 18 months to get the initial I-130 approval (no derivative status, too long forget it!) Guess what? We are CR-1 now. acw

I'm also a big fan of flychina BUT IF you are on this side of the pond (China) consider the two items below BEFORE BUYING them statessides (this could apply to many other booking agents also): 1) They want you to fax your credit card info to them in the US to pay for it. Finding someone in Shanghai to fax to the US is a PAIN! 2) They have ALWAYS mailed me PAPER tickets (to my US address). In other words, you will have to send them to someone in the States and THEN they will have to Fedex them here. acw

Just a few days ago my wife cruised the Chinese airline ticketing web sites found on 37021.com. Nearly ALL (1 way) tickets were RMB 2,880 BEFORE July 1 (one was 2,690). After June, 30th about 4,800 was a good price and the vary a lot more. One site did show 12-15 airlines prices and all reflected increases for summer EXCEPT Korean Air whose prices are higher than the others NOW but will be lower in the summer period and supposedly good until 10-31-05. Sorry, I forgot the KA fare. This is for Shanghai to LAX or SFO. Shopping agents locally *MAY* produce better fares. acw

Hey Chad, Just to be sure on one subject: BOTH your wife's and daughter's I-130's are at the same stage at NVC, correct??? acw

Carl BSTS (Better Safe Than Sorry). We are CR-1. There is an old thread (or two) somewhere here in the PAST where people were asked for a "Certified Copy" of the USC's divorce(s) AT INTERVIEW including ALL pages of the settlement???- blue slipped I recall. Even though WE have submitted them previously they will be available at GUZ. Per the P-4 instructions ("Bring with you all of the ORIGINAL documents.....") listed on the OF-171 (did not address USC and/or immigrant), we took mine to the medical earlier this week in Shanghai and they did NOT want them in the medical package NOR THE I-864 or ORIGINAL marriage "Redbook"- just the notarized translation. Noticed you did not list Ying's Police cert.- maybe an oversight? acw

No advance parole is required for the CR-1 and CR-2. They will get a LPR "Green card". Pretty much free to come and go (prolonged absences- exceeding 1 year and other conditions would apply if US citizenship is later desired). As to the $760 cost at NVC it is a case of pay me now (CR1/2) OR pay me later (K-3/4). I believe it is slightly cheaper for the CR-1 path. acw

Yes, they will. DCF is initially filed with the regional Embassy/Consulate for the area of residence in China. acw

Pimsleur may be fine for learning the "Emperor's Chinese" but if she uses something like the Shanghaiese accent forget it. Old thread here talks about Pimsleur and some people have reported sucess using them. acw

Ross, it depends on the local Hou kou. We have had ours done in about 3 days, someone else we've known in Shanghai was only 1 day (normal service). Expediate fees MAYBE??? There are some "unofficial" translation services about BUT I'm skeptical of them being accepted by GUZ. Another possibility is to have it done in GUZ but I know the schedule is getting real tight at this point. BEST of LUCK!!! acw

Edited original post to relect additional info and clarify a few minor details. Also it was at the exit booklet pickup today we met our first cople from CFL. In addition to CFL we used to live only 8-9 miles apart in the past. He said the above post was helpful to them for the Shanghai Med. As the International Travel place was SUPER SLOOOOOOW today it made the wait a lot shorter. BEST of LUCK to R and G on their upcoming interview!!!acw

Do some more checking Gene or maybe someone will confirm this (based on past life experiences in the 1970's). The petition, I believe, is for IMMEDIATE family members. For my nephew to come to the US we would have had the ex to 1) attain citizenship and 2) then petitioned to have her sister immigrate to the US. Possible backdoor way is to adopt the niece? Check it out closely though. acw

Again, the I-134 you sent with your ORIGINAL application was NOT a requirement of the either the K-1 or K-3 process. acw

Initial K-3 application did not require the I-134- not needed until interview. acw

Have you asked about depositing it in the Bank of America or China and gradually withdrawing funds from such??? Bank of China has two NY and a LA? branch. acw

Local high school may be a good starting point. Generally Free or LOW cost, and about 4-5 hours a day if wanted- i.e., also had U.S. History for the Citizenship test. This can vary by city OR even by the teacher. Prior experience in CA.- had to raise HE!! with the school admin. on the second level ESL class as the teacher was very fond of displaying her Spanish skills despite having orientals, mid eastern people in class. Ex said there was MORE Spanish as a FIRST language than English as a second. acw

My daughter-in-law spent 18 months getting into the nursing program DESPITE having excellent academics at both high school and at THAT North Bay community college. She did get some of her prerequistes and required classes out of the way. Also I don't know the original posters location but a lot of casinos (seems they are everywhere now) employ Mandarin speakers to attact the gambling fond Chinese clients. acw

JFI: Out west, Tony, we don't typically use lawyers. The legalese, title searches and transfer of title are done by escrow and title companies. acw

Congrats on the sucess and posting the questions. Hadn't heard the aurgument one being used in quite a while- thought about crossing it off of the interview question list. acw

Based on the paperwork trial I believe this one is also authorized to do the vaccinations for a IMMIGRANT CR/IR- 1, visa (if that is appliciable to you)and issue shot and exit booklets. My expertise is with Shanghai Medical though. acw

There was a question here whether or not it was REQUIRED to pay the RMB 830 visa fee and put a copy in the MEDICAL package, i.e., would they do a exam without the visa fee receipt? They didn't care about the VISA fee payment at the Hospital in Shanghai. It is listed as a future step on the sheet and only states it MAY be paid at CITIC bank OR Guangzhou- it does not say it MUST BE paid "in advance of the interview" therefore, personally, I can not answer for this point. Also I will attempt to get a list from the hospital on Monday of SPECIFIC branches of CITIC here in Shanghai that will accept the 830 RMB visa fee (it could well be those listed on the GUZ web site). I remember some of the DCF people in Beijing seemed to have trouble on this issue also. acw

If you have resident status in China I would recommend filing an I-130 application directly with your regional US Embassy/consulate. It is nicknamed "DCF" (Direct Consulate Filing) around here and at visa journey.com. Search DCF and you might get some ideas of the process. Sure some DCF'ers will pipe in. If you plan to stay in China for one year timing it to suit might be tricky. Good Luck! acw

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts here are on sale for RMB 5.8 a Jin. WINGS??? I think are RMB 18-22. acw Pork ribs can also be the same price or MORE than good chops. acw

I may sound like a broken record: Our record is that Guz has responded to only two of four emails. We had a 13 day wait on one of them. I have sent GUZ a written letter about this in May- so far NO RESPONSE. acw

Typically the I-864 is signed by the USC. If you are in the US- any notary licensed by the state is adequate. IF getting it notarized in China you need one of the US Consulars to notarize it- NOT a Chinese notary. Normally they do NOT charge a fee for the I-864 or other immigration documents. Either way the person signing it SHOULD be physically present and ID verified. Again I don't quite see where her signature is required if she is the NON citizen? Are you trying to use her assets/employment there??? acw

Today we started the medical exam in Shanghai. In view of recent posts and some confusion on a few subjects- here are our experiences. Questions about visa fee payment, doing exam in advance, appointment letter, vaccinations and time it takes are below. Arrived slightly before 8 AM at Shanghai First People's Hospital, #585 Jiu Long Road, Hong Kou District (a few blocks away from the Entry/Exit Bureau @ 333 Wusong Lu), Shanghai. Tel: (021) 63240090. Hours: M-F 8:00- 10AM and 1:00- 3:00PM. They required a copy of the GUZ P-4 appointment letter (so no doing it beforehand, I guess). Cost: RMB 900 for a adult/ RMB 600 for a child (See below for additional HIV fee). REGULAR service is 1 week/ expediated 2 day service is another RMB 400 (see HIV below). This is somewhat on the high end, cost wise, of the 7 authorized hospitals on the list. The two places in GUZ and Taishan range 600 to 800 (both Beijing hospitals are listed as US$130, Fujian RMB1,000). We spent 45 minutes on lines and paperwork (filling out the heading of the med exam sheet and a couple internal hospital forms) with name, passport #, date of birth, GUZ file #, today's date and trimming TWO of our offical 2" x 2" Passport photos down to typical Chinese size and pasting them to two of the forms (for sizing- see the Med exam sheet from GUZ in the P-4 ). Typical payment of fees; go here get a stamp, go there, pay money, go BACK to the first desk and get receipt from the SAME person as before. Next, very basic eye exam and blood pressure check at the same desk as where initial forms are turned in. (Busy lady). Then Medical history, blood test, urine test, go down stairs for the Xray and ECG. Done here about 10:10 AM The CURVE BALL: HIV TESTING It is done WAY across town at the Shanghai INSTITUTE OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE office NOT the main building Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Address: 1382 (NOT 1380) Zhong Shan Xi (Road). Phones: 62758710- 1108, 62751144. Took about 40 minutes by taxi in moderate traffic to get there. Don't think you can do this the same day using a bus(es) or Metro. Return trip Wens.: It's located about 12-15 minutes walk from the Hong Qiao #3 Metro line station. Exit Metro, head westerly on Hong Ciao Road, a turn left on Zhong Shan Xi and to the center at 1382. HOURS: M-W-F only! 8:45 AM to 11:00 only! Fee: ANOTHER RMB 50. It takes a minimum of two days to get the results, i.e. test Monday get results Wens. The reason it takes a MINIMUM of TWO days even with the expediated service. One must also return here FIRST, get the results (even with regular service), and return it to the hospital. (Sidenote: to score points with S/O- suggest she talk to others at the hospital and share a taxi to HIV testing. Four of us arrived at the HIV center in SEPERATE taxis within a few minutes of each other. Taxi meter fares ranged from RMB 30 to 40. "We should have shared a taxi" brought out a few laughs/scowls.) Vaccinations: Hospital letter states K1, K3, V visa applicants are exempt but others (i.e., CR/IR-1/2) are required to have them. Determination and shots are at 15 Jin Bang Lu (Turn left at 1701 Ha Mi Lu (Road)). It uses both addresses and there are blue street signs near it. Hours: M-F 8-11:00, 1-3:00PM., Phones: 62686428, 62688851. Shots will be given here, a yellow book issued and hand carried back to 1st People's Hosp. BEFORE they will complete the Med. exam- if required (i.e., CR/IR-1). Also noted: After the physical the person will have to return to the Health Care Center of Shanghai International Travel office for an exit booklet "Certficate of Health Examination"- an ugly orange colored booklet. EDIT 6-7-05: Found this place to be quite distant from the 1st peoples Hosp. and somewhat far from the HIV place. Vicinity of the Shanghai Zoo. Wife is over 19 but less than 65 years of age and no EXISTING shot record. She was given three injections today- expected more but that's it. Shots received: Td Primary series, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) and Varicella. She was told she needs a second dose at 42-60 days from now. Can be done in China OR US. Fee was RMB 296. Paperwork put in package for GUZ at 1st People's on 6-13-05 for a CR-1 Two MORE (total of 4) photos, DS-230 Part II, Divorce document (IMMIGRANT'S only), police, marriage, and birth certs, and A COPY of the bio. pages of the passport- actual PP was checked and returned (if applicable police record), Family Composition form (for 16 and older), medical exam certification sheet. Also received the xray. 830 RMB Visa fee, for "K" and "V" visas: So far it states that this fee *may* be paid in advance at CITIC banks (Sorry, but NO SPECIFIC Branches in Shanghai were given to us) OR paid at GUZ. It is NOT required by this Hosp. to do the Medical. After completion of the medical at 1st People's we were given a handful of medical reports and were told we could get the "Certficate of Health Examination" nicknamed the "exit booklet" today also. Again at the Health Care Center of Shanghai International Travel Office- the vaccination place. It costs RMB12 and you will need 1 additional photo.