Randy W

The blank form can be downloaded from a million different web sources, but the completed form must be submitted to either the US Embassy in Bejing, or any one of the US Consulates scattered about China. They advise the form be sent to the nearest such location. For Guilin, I think the nearest US location (to send the form) is GZ. 145163[/snapback] That's why - the consulate for your location. You apply there to get an interview date, usually, I hear, within a month or two. The form, of course, can come from anywhere (as long as you make sure it's current)

. . . and be sure that he brings LOTS of proof of ties to China that will ensure his return (lease agreements, titles, pictures of family friends, etc.)

For information on whether forms are usable past their expirartion date, the USCIS website is USCIS forms. I haven't seen the equivalent for the DOS forms, but check DOS forms for the most recent.

Send him a letter of invitation affidavit of support, and have him apply at Guangzhou (your local consulate) for a B-2 vis (have him bring your wife's certificate of birth). The success rate is approximately 25% for these.

How many of us have SO's with 2 names? Chinese names are spelled with Chinese characters which are the same in most of the different dialects. But the pronunciation of those characters is different. For example, my SO's name is Wu Jiaying (the Mandarin pronunciation is the legal one, as is the Mandarin pinyin spelling). Her Cantonese name, however, is Ng Gaajing, which is what her family calls her. She wants me to use her Mandarin name.

Mine is also unemployed.

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I have problems occasionally with the line going blank (like it's waiting for another number, even when my display shows all numbers were dialed correctly), and with getting a repeating message in Chinese (which may simply tell me that her cell phone is off, or that all lines are busy, or WHATEVER), but I am happy with the service

communism is actually a social and economic system (American Heritage College dictionary). In actual practice, it usually becomes totalitarian because of the degree of government control - but I'm not disagreeing with the 'YES' advice

We're only a couple of weeks behind you (if they can manage to open her letter), even though we started (K-1) in February. Best of luck - and hoping we can both catch the next wave

Thanks for sharing the personal experience with the rest of us!

I believe that any who calls legitimately has to identify themself and the company they work for. When you buy a house, your names are on the public record, and may be picked up by illegitimate marketers.

They are delivered when the GUZ is ready for them to be delivered.

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You are right about that Randy. I am not sure if applying K3 will be faster than the fian'ce visa or the other way around. From Gene reply, it took her 13 months to get the K3. How long it will take to get the fian'ce visa? I guess it depends on where is the applicant from. What will be the best senario for us? 144338[/snapback] You have an option that most of us don't - the visa. To me, your case seems to be a question of what will keep you apart for the least amount of time. If you have to separate, and then apply for the visa, then K-1 (fiance) is usually quicker. I think that is the route to go if you want to play it absolutely safe. But if you can use your 10 yr. visa to spend some time together and explore your options, I would suggest doing that. Perhaps some, if not all, of the visa process can be spent with you here. I know that some people have come here on one type of visa, and ending up getting another more permanent one. Perhaps getting married and applying for K-3 would allow you more time together. Keep your options open, especially for staying together rather than separating for the visa process. Best wishes

But 10 years to apply for a K-3 would seem like plenty of time. It seems to me that no AOS is needed. I know quite a few people who came here on student visas, graduated, and got work permits, green cards, and/or citizenship without ever having to go back to China. I'm no lawyer, but wouldn't you be doing the same thing by applying for a K-3? If you have a multiple-entry visa, that would make it even easier if you have to make trips to your home consulate.

My SO has a letter she sent on July 19. It was signed for on July 21. They do not acknowledge receiving it until they are ready to process it, nor will it it show up on their computer (or the DOS computer)

Overstaying your present visa can cause problems later on, even with an extension. I have heard of parents getting a 6 month visa to visit their son or daughter, and getting a six month extension (all perfectly legal) on their first visit. The next time they applied, they were turned down because of the "overstay". An AOS, however, would put you in a different category (I think), if possible. My guess is that it's safest to apply for K-3 and go back home to wait out the process, or to consider the K-1 fiance route and get married here AFTER you get the K-1 visa. I think that different lawyers will tell you different things about what to do. Be careful.

If married, the US citizen petitions for the spouse to receive a K3 visa in their home country. You must leave the country when your travel visa expires, unless you can get an extension or other visa. The K-3 process takes 9 months or longer.

Good luck! Wish I could join you! How much are you asking for the popsicle stand?

Oh, and change your signature to: [SIZE=14][COLOR=green]Jim[/color][/size] well, maybe SIZE=7 would be better

. . . and I thought I would have to teach mine how to light the pilot light! When you come to Houston, turn south on the West Beltway about 5 miles to Bellaire Blvd. Then either east or west along Bellaire Blvd. Chinatown Map She'll feel right at home. If you want to look into Chinese TV, check with DirecTV, or Dish Network. They each carry, I believe, between 20 and 30 channels.

I don't know where you are in Central Texas (you said New Orleans???), but I would think that finding Chinese friends for her would take priority over 'Americanization'. Is there a Chinese community anywhere near you? Friends who have been through the same experience can be a big help, as you know from this board. Chinese TV? Either through cable, or satellite would at least give her a rest away from the constant English every where else. Take it easy on her - let her 'Americanize' at her own rate. Mine will be as Chinese as she wants to be, with my full support.

I'll definitely be watching here and calling there as soon as it looks iminnent based on this information. Thanks

Vote COW!!