Beermann

So, I have to wait 3 months for them to realize it shouldn't be there and send it back to me? OMG! What if her I-94 expires before they send it back to me? Did they alter the package or just keep it the way it was, including the sealed medical envelope? I really wish there was a way to intercept the mail and have it returned. This just sucks!!

Last night I was up very late finishing assembly of the I-485 package for my wife. When reading the filing address in the I-485 Instructions, I wrote down the Nebraska Service Center's address when it was supposed to be the Lockbox address in Chicago. I mailed it out today at lunch-time, but felt funny about it all day as though something wasn't right, so I came home and verified my gut feeling. Can someone please tell me what is going to happen with this now? I'm afraid I'm going to have to start this all over again.

Thanks all for your responses. Unfortunately we have to completely forgo our trip to China now because the processing time for both I-131 and I-539 is close to 6 months from what I can see. We were supposed to leave Feb. 1st, which doesn't allow enough time for either. No way would I purchase airline tickets not even knowing when things are getting processed. I was mis-informed and didn't believe my wife when she kept telling me she wouldn't be able to come back to the states. I guess I put WAY too much stock in the I-94. I feel horrible now, as we will now just have to wait until her AOS is complete before setting sail. Live and learn as they say.

I have an interesting situation that I'm hoping others have experienced. My wife's K3 Visa was issued on February 14, 2006 and expires on February 13, 2008. She didn't enter the POA until July 17, 2006, so her I-94 obviously has that day and doesn't expire until July 16, 2008. The part that I'm very worried about here is that we are heading back to China February 1, 2008 - March 2, 2008 to see her family for Chinese New Year and her K3 Visa will expire while we are in China. We are both very scared that when we come back to the States, they won't let her back in because of this. Does this even matter anymore so long as her I-94 is still good? FYI, we are filing her I-485 tomorrow. Please someone tell me I'm worrying about NOTHING. Thanks in advance!

I hate to jump in here when the others are telling you you need a lawyer (they're right), but ask the lawyer: Would it stay off her record for the probationary period? What are her chances at trial? (My guess is there would be no witnesses against her and that the trial would be after your interview) I'm going to guess that she will need to accept the deferred judgment. Consult with an attorney TOMORROW if AT ALL possible. Here's my dilemma. I just finally got my Pre-paid legal membership so I could get a lawyer to guide us. However, today and tomorrow the law office will be closed because of the blizzard here. Our pre-trial is set for Friday. I don't know how I can get help for Friday. Do I need a Criminal Lawyer or an Immigration Lawyer? Colorado law states that domestic violence charges(3rd degree assault in our case) are grounds for deportation and she's going to get convicted almost either way as the police have evidence with photos of scratches. If she accepts the deferred judgement, she has to plead guilty. To me it sounds like a trap. What tricks do you know of that lawyers can use to get this whole thing dropped without anything? Ultimately this was a result of her medical condition, losing a baby to ectopic pregnancy, so don't know if there is anything there. Her AOS is due in a little over a year, while the deferred judgement does go on her record until finished and is for a 2 year period. Also, for immigration purposes, this charge can be considered a FELONY as it's an "act of violence". Thank you again so much!

In February, my wife passed her interview and moved together back to the states. We arrived in July and had some trouble in October. My wife had an ectopic pregnancy that started a flurry of unfortunate events. With the trauma of the surgery, the culture shock, hormonal imbalance, etc., she got very irritable and angry after the surgery. She lost her temper terribly one night about something and began yelling at me in the wee hours of the night and even scratched me up pretty good. The neighbors heard her yelling and called 911. The police came and saw blood on my neck and took her to jail for 2 nights. The D.A. pressed 3rd degree assault charges on her even though I said did not want anything to happen to her. Her last court hearing, the D.A. offered her a deferred judgement, 2 years of domestic violence classes, and then the case would be dropped. Her translator and the D.A. advised her to not make a decision that day as it may have an impact on her AOS that is due well before the judgement would even be dropped from class completion. My wife is terrified right now as she vehimenantly said she doesn't want to go to these classes for 2 years and also believes now that she cannot get her Green Card and will be sent back to China away from me. Can someone first tell me how bad our situation is immigration wise, and second what should we do as she has to tell the judge Friday what her decision is. She can either go to trial or take the deferred judgement. What impact would a decision either way have on her AOS? Thank you so much in advance! -Brent

If your wife has or can get an ATM card for her account at Bank of China, you can simply withdraw the cash at an ATM in the US. If not, then open an account at a bank that will issue such a card and have the rent deposited there. Wire transfers are expensive. 216889[/snapback] She has the Great Wall card at Bank of China. It is an international debit/credit card/ATM card. But, the catch is it cannot be tied to your bank account. You must specifically put money/credit on the card to access any funds. I'm not sure if a tenant can deposit money directly onto the card versus depositing into her account...hmmm

Before my wife and I leave for the States, we will be renting out her apartment. Most likely will give the tenant her Bank of China bank book to deposit the rent money on. So, my question is, what is the best way to get the money back in the U.S. each month? Is it possible to do an online bank transfer to a U.S. account using Bank of China's Online Banking or is there a better way? We can rent the apartment for a quite significant amount, so it would be very useful to us bank in the States. Thanks! -Brent

Bring as much as you want. If you bring more than $10k each in US Currency, you'll need to declare it. The paperwork takes only a few minutes. There is not tax or duty of any kind. If you lie and they catch you, the money is subject to siezure. However, there are limits to how much you can convert at a time. Check with the Bank of China on that so you don't run out of time before you complete the conversion. 215244[/snapback] Thank you SOOO much for the reply! This is GREAT news for us as we didn't want to risk sending electronically overseas. -Brent

My parents are coming to Shanghai soon to help us move and we are trying to see what is the best way to take my wife's money with us. Ideally we would like to convert the money to USD before we go and then split it up 4 ways and put it in our carry-on bags. Or can we get Traveler's Checks issued at a Chinese bank? Does anyone know what the maximum per person is we can get through Customs? Also, is there anything else we should know about such as taxation or anything? I couldn't imagine being taxed as it is already our money and has been taxed in China. Thanks!

Thank you so much for the help and replies! I believe i have a handle on this now. CFL is so wonderful to me and I can honestly say we wouldn't have passed the interview if it wasn't for CFL.

I have a what seems to be difficult question to get an answer for. I've been residing with my wife and her family in China since October of last year. I registered with the local police and obtained a temporary residence permit. So, all seems well as long as I remain at that residence. My wife and I are trying to see all of China before she comes to the U.S. so we are traveling on a cheap budget and are often staying in youth hostels and places that cannot even be called a "hotel", maybe just a room with a bed at best. The problem is everywhere we go, the issue keeps arising about me being a foreigner and getting the landlord in trouble. I refuse to sleep in a 4-star hotel every night for month after month of traveling around China while neither of us are working and funds are tight. Who knows the law in China concerning this particular situation? Currently we are in Lhasa and having troubles AGAIN. Yes, we are carrying both of our passports and Chinese marriage license. Thank you!!! -Brent

You can amend ours as interview passed as well...

Would you be kind enough to share what you learned from the answers to your questions? 190301[/snapback] Basically, we mostly talked about the financial side of our case. I was worried because I don't have a co-sponsor and have been an intern for the last 3 years and only recenly got a job offer, so technically, I don't meet the AOS requirements. The end result of this conversation was that I was encouraged to start preparing for the worst, but if she answered the initial questions well enough and showed conclusive evidence of a bonefide relationship that the VO will likely overlook the financial side of our case. She said that if she was the VO handling my case, she would likely approve it because we have been living together in China since last October. Additionally, I mentioned that we had a photo album and she told me to bring it, but inform my wife to be prepared to remove any pictures she may ask for and slide under the window. Hope this helps!

I went to GUZ Friday to get my I-134 notarized at about 2:30pm and waited at American Citizen Services until about 3:05pm to get my notarized form back. Having been very friendly and making the man laugh while talking with him, I asked him about ACH and he said it was over at 3:00pm. However, he was extremely kind to me and walked over to one of the VO's, asked for a favor and then told me to go to her window to get a number. It was the last number issued for the day and I didn't get out of the Consulate until almost 5:00pm after talking for over 30 minutes to what everyone seems to refer to as the "Black Pearl." I will note here that she is extremely kind and friendly. I really enjoyed talking with her as she answered even minor questions about organizing my paperwork.

My wife and I went to Mr. Xie's apartment last night to look, but there wasn't room for us at the time. The apartment is very comfortable and I really wish we could have made it our home while here. Even though we didn't stay, we still received a ton of great help from Angela and Mr. Xie in the few hours we were there and are very appreciative. Being with other people going through the same process and being able to talk with them is invaluable. Thank You! If we had it to do all over again, we would try to stay there, no questions asked.

I've read posts in the FAQ's that the ACH is Friday at two different times, morning and afternoon. However, the GUZ website states that it's on Mondays. I'm in Guangzhou right now awaiting our interview Monday and really want to go to this tomorrow and sign in. Could someone please provide some updated information concerning this that could be useful to to everyone. Thank you!

Anyone in the know of what to do here, I would greatly be appreciative of your help. I'm in China now waiting for our P4... I haven't been working this year and I've been in China most of the time. I do not qualify and getting a co-sponsor from here would be a nightmare, so we would like to have my wife qualify herself as the beneficiary. What do we need to do? What are the requirements for her? I think she can qualify as she has quite a bit saved and owns her realestate in Shanghai free and clear. Thank you!

Thank you everyone for your replies! I actually just called my wife and she called Air China's Beijing office for me. Here is the official rule straight from the horses mouth if anyone cares to know. The China domestic baggage limitations are waived for your first 12 hours upon your international arrival. Beyond 12 hours, you are officially subject to China's stringent baggage limitations and will be charged for the excess baggage. Light Speed Ahead! -Brent

I really need some help and clarification on my upcoming flight Monday. In the past, I've flown United to China and have packed according to their baggage limitations, 2 large checked suitcases up to 50lbs each, one carry-on sized suitcase, and a personal item such as a laptop bag or briefcase. This time I'm only flying United from Denver to L.A. and then Air China to Beijing and then to Zhengzhou. I went to Air China's website and it says that the free baggage allowance is one bag with a maximum of 45 lbs and no carry-on bag. I'm going to be in China for 5 to 6 months and there's no way on God's Green Earth I can meet those guidelines. I already have one carry-on sized suitcase packed full of candy per my wife's request for our wedding candy and that bag alone would maximize what Air China says I can have. Help ME!!!!

good point... the form 1040 "gross" / total income line includes the Schedule C business [Net] income... 159285[/snapback] Ok, now this has me VERY concerned. Being an independent contractor/self-employed, my father obviously uses a Schedule C with 1099s. The income on his 1099s is plenty sufficient, but after his business expenses and other deductions on his Schedule C, his Net Profit is very low and this becomes his AGI. Basically, he "spends" a lot of money trying to grow his business. In fact, what is so strange is that the majority of his Schedule C deductions are mileage, which brings the Net Profit WAY down. How will this impact the I-134? It would seem that being self-employed and being a sponsor is almost impossible for most people if it's based off of the AGI because most people I know don't pay much in taxes when they are self-employed or own their own business. Thanks! -Brent

Just go to DHL's website and track by reference....put I-730 as the reference and pick your shipment date...then scroll down to the shipment sent to Guangzhou and voila, you've got all the details...I've been religiously tracking hoping that I'm somehow going to make it go faster! Also, I've been tracking many other dates trying to monitor for patterns or simply to get an idea of when mine will be delivered next...

I've been tracking all of the packages sent on either side of 2 weeks of mine and have been observing something very very disturbing. The package of cases that went out on August 29th went through the one month aging crap and was finally taken to GUZ to be delivered. However, it was not accepted for the 4th day running!! The package weighs 7 pounds and it seems almost inevitable that whoever's cases are in that package are going to get returned to NVC and subject to doing this all over again...

Thank you Frank!!! For the life of me I couldn't find that! Now I can take a deep breathe and relax a little and not worry about the AOS...

I'm getting ready to prepare my I-134s and am running into some confusion. My situation is this... My father and I are both self-employed and actually work together. However, I haven't really worked at all in 2005 as I've been in China and just focusing on this stuff, and don't meet the minimum poverty guidelines. So, I must have my father co-sponsor for me as he has worked this year. Here's where I'm very concerned with this. His 1099ed income far exceeds the guidelines in addition he has Social InSecurity, but when he files his taxes his "net" income is insufficient after applying all of his deductions on his Schedule C. Basically, his deductions nearly zero out his taxable income leaving only his Social InSecurity remaining as the bulk of his "net". Nowhere do I see if the income requirements are for "gross" or "net". Any experts on this? Thanks much!