Randy W

Good luck - we'll be watching to see what happens!

What state? In Texas, I think all you need is an address that it can be mailed to (I know a friend whose father from China got a TDL while on a B-2 visa).

Colors change more often than Trigg's thingie. The blue vs. pink has been firly consistent lately, but you never know. Best of luck to both of you.

It is equally important to separate rumor from fact - I don't think there was any real evidence that the VO was trying to trip up the interviewee - just simply that the interviewee was on guard against the question. Just because you've heard it a dozen times on Candle doesn't make it more true than the first time.

http://tinypic.com/erfmns.gif http://tinypic.com/erfmns.gif http://tinypic.com/erfmns.gif http://tinypic.com/erfmns.gif Congratulations !! http://tinypic.com/erfmns.gif http://tinypic.com/erfmns.gif http://tinypic.com/erfmns.gif http://tinypic.com/erfmns.gif

If you're not aware of this, there are days (once a week?) at the consulate where a visa officer is on hand to answer questions - recently even to talk about specific cases. It might be a good idea to try to attend one of these after your case shows up.

Yes, these endearments should show that the two are a close couple, yet it actually can jeopardize the visa. In a way, such innocence leads to guilt. My SO said that in China, a plain ol' boyfriend/girlfriend can use the lao gong/po terminology. Yet, what matters is what the VO thinks. We have a 4 month period of using these terms very loosely and frequently, and is on all MSN Messenger talks (daily) and emails. Any suggestions what we shoudl do about this, if anything, when we present our evidence to support our relationship (and show that we are really not married)??? 166959[/snapback] If you want to go to this trouble, it is permissible to use a marker to cover personal topics. I think these names would certainly qualify.

10PM

State of Texas identification requirements Texas Driver's License I don't see the residency requirement - my friend's father, of course, would have used her address. I assume it's not possible to drive in from Louisianna and get a TDL, but I don't see where that is specified.

?I'm not sure what the residency requirement is these days - used to be you needed something with your name and address on it - they were here for 6 months visiting their daughter.

Call the DOS help-line at 603-334-0700, and give them your GUZ # (GUZ . . .) from your NOA2 (I-797). You will need to speak to a live operator.

I have a Chinese friend whose father took and passed the driver's test while here in Houston last year. You are allowed an interpreter for the written portion. The Driver's Handbook is NOT published in Chinese, although you're free to use a translated copy.

Congratulations!!

The phone records will help establish a bona-fide relationship - but no, they are not necessary, just a good idea. The messenger transcripts are also helpful, if you've been keeping them.

Hang in there - hope you have some good news soon!!

Ports of entry direct from China are LAX, SFO, (I think) Seattle, Chicago, and Newark. To come through Dallas, you must be coming through Japan, or Korea. Right? I'm not sure if this makes any difference, but there you are!

Frank's link is about marriage to a foreign resident - I'm not sure why it would be under the business section, but it is there!. I agree with you in the sense that it is hard to go wrong by claiming your wife as an exemption. The 1040A instructions refer non-resident aliens and dual status aliens to Publication 519 ("You may be able to file a joint return) Publication 519 covers the case where one spouse is not a US resident - One case where you may NOT claim your wife is if someone else is providing more than 50% of her support.

Read what Frank says about a non-resident spouse - http://candleforlove.com/forums/index.php?...ndpost&p=166336 It is one thing to file and have the return processed without being challenged - it is another to have it stand up to the scrutiny of an audit.

If you get married by the end of the year, you get an additional exemption, a larger standard deduction, and you get to use the married filing jointly tables. Grab a 1040A instruction book, and figure it out. Dollars, not per-cents, although it does depend on your tax bracket.

Quick answer - yes, but if you'll tell us which Point of Entry, someone can help with specific information.

I think the K-visas don't take any longer than any other visa (beyond a little additional paperwork) - the thing that would take the additional time is if they choose to inspect your bags, or some other customs issue. Is this correct?

Try EMS (USPS), Doug. With any carrier, be sure to write the address in Chinease characters.

I think this boils down to the fact that GUZ will accept the package when they are ready to process it. In the meantime, they can claim it is in "Customs Delay" - i.e., Out of Their Hands!

United (from Dulles and O'Hare) and Continental (from Newark) both fly the polar route to Beijing, which is a big plus in my book.

http://tinypic.com/erfmns.gif http://tinypic.com/erfmns.gif http://tinypic.com/erfmns.gif http://tinypic.com/erfmns.gif http://tinypic.com/erfmns.gif http://tinypic.com/erfmns.gif Congratulations!!