Randy W

Jiaying's was looked at by a security guard at her AOS interview. He cracked the seal just enough to peak in and see that it was actually an x-ray. Her son also broke the seal on his. I told her not to worry about it. If it's convenient enough for her to drop by and get a new envelope, it's probably a good idea. Otherwise, I'd say just go with it as is.

He is asking for his wife, who would be a Chinese learning English. ESL Online from warpedboard and don't forget Kingsoft, which sells a Chinese version.

If your son is not going to accompany you to the US, normally all he has to do is to simply not show up at the interview. If something in your application indicated that he would, then I letter explaining that he won't and that your ex has custody should be enough. But it's unclear what the VO is thinking.

Okay - here you are

Try going tomorrow with the appointment letter. I believe it was Jim Julian who did that without any problem. They are fairly flexible.

Yes - there are viewers of varying quality such as QuickView. I would not know, however, if that one is still available. Check any shareware site for "viewer" or "file viewer"

Yes - 78 it is. I have the thermostat programmed for 78 when she's home alone, 75 when I'm home. Our "thermostat wars" consist of her setting the fan to "Auto", or me setting it to "On". I sweat at 78.

Great info! Can you add 2005 to the mix? I think you posted 2003 twice by mistake Thanks! Just change the 3 to a 5 http://travel.state.gov/pdf/fy%202005%20ni...%20category.pdf

Any job where speaking Chinese would be an advantage - this would mean any job in a nearby Chinatown, or a Chinese restaurant.

1) Schools must be approved by the USCIS to accept F-1 visa students. Many will actively seek foreign students (although I'm sure you have a better feel than I do for how many are actually approved)?2) The financial support affidavit shows that the student aready has sufficient funds for his/her support during the period of study. This means a scholarship and/or sufficient support from a sponsor willing to fill out an I-864.?3) The F-1 specifically allows a F-1 student to remain in the US by obtaining an H-1B visa (although the VO may look at this differently)

??Wow, Dennis! What did you do to his cornflakes???

and they further economize by not reviewing anything before the interview (according to USCONGUZ) Dear CFL Members, The results of visa interviews are not pre-determined. Due to the large volume of visa interviews every day, consular officers unfortunately do not generally have time to review individual cases before the interview. Immigrant Visa Unit, U.S. Consulate, Guangzhou, China

Considering that Chinese ladies are even attracted to pre-Texans, I think that David's attempts to inject doo-doo into this thread are extremely mis-guided.

We tend to always emphasize that the I693 is not needed for the AOS interview (only the vaccination supplement). But there are two cases where it IS needed - if the original I693 for the K visa was more than a year old, or if it is missing or delayed somewhere. Or if required by the physician. Basically, it doesn't hurt to have the full I693 physical, may save the bother of finding a physician who will do only the supplement, and guaranties that a fresh I693 will be at the interview.

Am I the only one who didn't have any trouble? (except for a run-in with the basketball pole) She is very level-headed, careful, and observant. The only thing I worry about is a ticket since she kinda cuts corners on a turn and sometimes doesn't completely stop at a stop sign. She drives to Chinatown and the grocery store, including through what has been listed as one of the most dangerous intersections in the country. She had only driven a scooter in China. She had a Cantonese-speaking instructor help her study for the written exam, and then hired him again for 2 hours instruction on how to operate her new car when we bought that. Then I was her driving practice instructor until she felt comfortable enough to take the test. I think she's ruled out driving on the freeway because of the subtleties of slowing down and/or speeding up to change lanes. The day of her first test was, unfortunately, garbage day. She got stuck behind a slow garbage truck, and passed him "on a narrow road". The second attempt did the trick.

We came back using the AP on Sunday. In Beijing, the (Continental ticket agent) lady noticed that the K-1 had been used. She wanted the original AP form and looked closely at both sides before handing it back. On the plane, you need one Customs declaration form and one I-94 - don't let the stewardess tell you otherwise. The flight was late and we had 55 minutes before our connecting flight was scheduled. In Newark, I handed the IO both passports and the copy of the AP form. The AP triggered a second IO to come over and take her to the separate office. He told me that our flight was late and that I should go get the luggage while he processed her. When he got her in the office, he realized that he didn't know what was going on and that she didn't speak English. When they came to get me, I had retrieved 3 of our 4 items, but Jiaying made me toss one back since it wasn't ours. The IO (Immigration Officer) asked me what our relationship was - I had a stack of backup documents that I just handed to him, including Marriage License, I-797C for the AOS, and the original for the AP I-512L. So I went back to fetch the luggage and, unfortunately, he kept the original AP. The one remaining obstacle was another IO who couldn't understand why I didn't have a passport, customs form, or anything other than 4 luggage tags (w/luggage) and a desire to catch up to my wife. Right then, Jiaying shows up all processed and ready to go. I tell the IO "Fine thank you bye" and we head off for our connecting flight. We made it just in time to run down the jet-way to the plane at the scheduled take-off time and sit for another 15 minutes. Whew! and 3 out of 4 of our suitcases made the plane also! Reccommend - keep a copy of the Marriage License and I-797C with the AP and copy to hand to the IO at the POE together (and hopefully be there to get the original back). We got 2 originals, so we are still good to go. But Jiaying and I agreed that we've both had enough of China for at least another 5 years.

For my wife, it was me!

Yes, you can. Also, check CFL forms for more recent forms.

It is not up to DOS to specify to a foreign government the format their documentation must take. The documents were as supplied by the hukou. It is up to the VO to interpret them correctly. It sounds to me like everyone did their jobs. Congratulations!

Two questions: 1) What is the petioner's CFL logon name (Randy W) 2) Pictures? Just kidding - it was "petitioner's name (Randy)" Jiaying had talked with another kid (about18) who had gotten blue-slipped. He was asked "petitioner's name" and "date of marriage". So I ran upstairs and rehearsed those with him, showed him where they were in the documents, and left our passports with him to show that we were there. (The other kids parents had stayed in the US).

If you want to definitely travel, get the AP. Greencards are being held up frequently these days for an "FBI background check". If you can wait until whenever the green card comes, then you don't need the AP. We probably will renew the EAD, but not the AP, if the green card doesn't come by January. Yes, I believe you can file for AP at any time (after the I-485).

At GUZ on Friday, Jiaying said the crowd was about half what it was last Nov when she was interviewed.

Many people simply give up and go with the full exam, rather than find one who will give you only the vaccination supplement. Ours cost only $10 for the supplement at the first surgeon we tried (in Chinatown). The surgeon will have the I-693 form on hand. I don't remember the form numbers - I think I-131 is for Advanced Parole - if he may want to leave the country before the green card is approved, you may want to apply for this. I'll mention the EAD form also, if he wants to work. Yes - send in a copy of the Marriage License. Send in copies for now, bring originals and copies with you to the interview. The copies will make sure they don't keep any originals.

Any work authorization that may/may not come with the K-1 status would expire at the end of 90 days. This applies to the stamp, as well as what the SSA folks consider 'work authorization" to allow getting a SSN. Few employers are willing to hire based on a 90-day work authorization. In other words, the K-1 is good for a Social Security number, with or without the stamp that the folks at JFK give you. When you get here, like everyone has said, you must apply for EAD.

Wow, are we jealous! I just hope I won't have to apply to extend her EAD next year!!?!