alec_bauserman

Not quite sure what that means...I think it may be the name check b/c as I recall that is the only process they run between recieving your P3 and sending out the P4. Maybe David or some of the other more experienced folks could answer this one. What number did you call for the DOS? Was it stateside or in GUZ? Im here in China and Id like to call and see if Elf's P3 has been entered into the system.

Jacky I just went through this same process so maybe I can help. - You only need to send back the completed DS-240 part 1 and the OF-169. The OF-169 is the checklist paper. You are technically supposed to have all these items when you mail it back, but since it takes several months to get the P4 back and then the interview, many people send the OF-169 back immediately and use the intervening time to get the necessary papers. So, NO, you dont need to attach copies or even actually have the papers when you return the OF-169. Just check off the boxes and send it back. However if for whatever reason you DO NOT have these documents by the time of your interview, it will NOT BE GOOD. The embassy will not reschedule and you will have to reapply for an interview all over again. If time is not an important factor and you are unsure as to whether you can get these papers or not, it would be best to hold off on sending back the OF-169 until you actually have the papers in hand. -As for the DS-230 part saying page 1 of 4 and 2 of 4, yes I think youre right. I believe page 3 and 4 are part of the P4 packet. I havent gotten my P4 yet so I dont know for sure. -You mentioned you may have trouble getting documents dealing with your Affidavit of Support (AOS). Will you be able to meet the poverty guidleines yourself or will you need a co-sponsor? If there is any doubt about getting these papers, DO NOT send in the OF-169. Better to play it safe in my opinion. -I dont see why you couldnt hand these papers in personally. However unless you are in Guangzhou, just mail them.

I sure hope so. We have a pretty straightforward case - no previous marriage, no children, no criminal history, no Party affiliation, etc. However anything can go wrong between now and June. Even so, we're cautiously optimistic... Spring Festival is coming up soon so we'll go back to her home town - Meitan, Guizhou. Its really small (by Chinese standards at least! lol) but its in a beautiful area of China. My roommate and I are going to do a little hiking then Ill go on to Elf's house in Meitan. Should be fun...cant be worse than last year *shudder* Try to imagine a father and three uncles, all Chinese versions of Tony Soprano, staring you down with eyes that say "I know what your up to..."

Hey everybody! Im seeking a CR-1 visa for my wife Elf and we did a DCF in November. Today we are returning the complete P3 packet (DS-230 part 1 and the OF-169 checklist). From looking at other people's timelines, it takes about 4 months to get the P4 back and have an interview date set which is usually a month later. I must be back in the US by June 10th to take a teacher's qualification test. I cant take it online, at a later date, etc. Here's my question: in your personal opinion, do you think it is possible for us to get the P4, take the interview and get the visa BEFORE June 10th? Will the embassy take our situation into consideration i.e. can they set an earlier interview date or anything like that? If the interview date is after June 10th, can Elf legally enter the USA by herself? Obviously we desperately want to go home together but I MUST take this test to get the job.

When filing an I-864 Affidavit of Support and the petitioner is unable to meet the poverty guidelines it seems they have two options: 1) find a joint sponsor(s) who will also file an I-864 or 2) get a household member to file an I-864A. "A 'household member' is any person ( a ) sharing a residence with the sponsor for at least the last 6 months who is related to the sponsor by birth, marriage, or adoption, or ( b ) whom the sponsor has lawfully claimed as a dependent on the sponsor's most recent federal income tax return even if that person does not live at the same residence as the sponsor..." If one files an I-130 via Direct Consular Filing that means they are currently living in the foreign country. Does that mean they are ineligible to have family co-sign as household members? If the USC "shared a residence for at least the last 6 months" prior to living in the foreign country, would they still be eligible? Do future plans for living arrangements have any bearing i.e. the USC and petitioning alien will live with household members upon return to the United States?

Youre right. Its tempting to take the easy way but if i get caught ... *shudder* My dad always said "if your gonna do something, do it right." I guess this is one of those times. I cant use the I-864A because thats for household members only. Since I am not a household member anymore, me and my parents will have to file seperate I-864s and be "joint sponsors." Man, how messed up is that? The Government can now define who is a member of my own household...

I just saw a user named "USCONGUZ" and they work for the Consulate. They answered someone's questions and were very helpful and knowlegable. From what Ive heard the phone hotline is not very helpful so if I have a detailed question, could I just send a private message to USCONGUZ? Has anyone talked to them via CFL? What was the result? Were they helpful? I dont want to bug them with questions then have them get pissed off and "accidentally" lose my file...

Elf and I will move back to my hometown - Winchester, Virginia. It is my permanent mailing address and my parents address as well. In reality they spend a lot of their time at my grandparents farm in WV but as far as the governemnt is concerned, we will all live together in Winchester. My mom is a psychologist and she works out of the house. My dad is a financial planner (thank God for that...those I-864s are a nightmare) and he works right next door. So yeah, we will be living together for a year or so until we get our own place. On the I-864A it says for us to be "household members" we have to have lived together for the previous 6 months. It doesnt mention anything about future plans. Thats prety stupid IMO. I have lived here in China for the last year and a half so technically we are not eligible, but when we go back we WILL live together for a year or so. Is there any way we can still qualify as household members?

David - Wow, great information. Thanks! EVERYONE - go to the link and check this out if you have any questions about the I864 . Its very helpful. Here is a quote from the website: "It is important to differentiate between household members and joint sponsors. To meet the 125 percent income requirement, a petitioner may count his/her income and assets and/and the income and assets of household members (as defined in Paras 20 and 25) in the same Affidavit of Support. As long as the household members are included in the same Affidavit of Support and have signed Form I-864a (see Para 21), they are not considered joint sponsors. Anyone outside the household, as defined by the act, must submit a separate Affidavit of Support and will be considered separately as a joint sponsor. Joint sponsors may similarly include the income and assets of their own qualified household members to meet the income requirement." OK. Im broke and I have no job (I know I know...Im quite a catch ) . I cannot meet the poverty guidlines so I need my parents to co-sign. Because they are family members, I can include their assets and income in my Affadavit of Support. They have to fill out and sign the I-864A but they dont need to do their own AOS. Is that right? It sounds like this is much better than them filing as joint-sponsors and having to do their own I-864's.... On the I-864A, here is the definition of a household member: "A 'household member'' is any person ( a ) sharing a residence with the sponsor for at least the last 6 months who is related to the sponsor by birth, marriage, or adoption, or ( b ) whom the sponsor has lawfully claimed as a dependent on the sponsor's most recent federal income tax return even if that person does not live at the same residence as the sponsor, and whose income and/or assets will be used to demonstrate the sponsor's ability to maintain the sponsored immigrant(s) at an annual income at the level specified in section 213A(f)(1)(E) or 213A(f)(3) of the Act." CRAP. By that definition, I CANT use my parents as household members. I have been living here in China for the last year and half. Before I came here, though, we lived together for 6 months. Also, we will live together for a year, techinically at least, when Elf and I come back to the States. Is there any way to still qualify as "household members" ? Is it up to the VO at the interview or are their hands tied? Thanks for the help everybody.

Had a few real basic ones, just to triple check everything before I mail my packet. Im sending in the DS-230 (part 1) with the OF-169 and nothing else. No money, no I-864, nothing. Wanted to make sure this was right. Also, had a few more specific questions. 1) Does Elf need an exit visa from the Chinese government if/when we pass the interview and get the American visa? 2) On the I-864, it asks for evidence of current employment. I have a job here in China teaching English but (obviously) the pay is not enough to meet American poverty standards. I have job lined up at home teaching Biology but there's a catch: I cant get the job til I go back to the states and pass a qualifying test. Until then, Im unemployed. So...on the I-864 should I just show my employment here in China? 3) My parents are signing as cosponsors and I have all their financial info. Will I have to prove their "self-employment" or just show the tax returns, bank statements, and birth certs? 4) Is there any difference between an Affidavit of Support and an I-864? 5) Why is this so hard? Why do they make legal immigrants like us bust our ass and get ulcers from the stress while other people just walk or swim into the country? Thanks for your help everybody. -Alec

Hi folks, I was wondering if anyone has called the GZ hotline to ask questions? My P3 listed a phone number and the rates (about 50 rmb for 12 minutes) so I want to give them a call and get some answers straight from the horses mouth. Has anyone done this? Was it worthwhile? I know I could get better, friendlier advice here on CFL but time is running short and I need to send in my P3 tomorrow. Thanks. -Alec

I filed an I-130 (DCF) for my wife in November and we just got our P3 with a DS-230, OF-169 and a Affidavit of Support. This AOS is the SAME THING as the I-864 right? Also, we didnt get a bill of any kind. Did they forget to put it in, or is this something we pay at the interview? Last question - I am employed here in China teaching English. The income is NOT enough to meet the poverty guidlines. My parents are filing as cosposnors and their income is enough to cover us. I have a job lined up back in Virginia but I cant/wont be hired until after I go back. Therefore, I am unable to give proof of "current employment or self employment." What should I do?

My brother worked in the office of a Congressman and his contacts there said they would be happy to help us with the case. Also, a staffer of the Congressman for my hometown also said she would help. My question is, would this make ANY difference to my processing time? Or would it simply piss of the case workers: "Oh...Alec...he thinks he's SOOOOO important. Getting help from the government *pft* *drops case in trash*" What do you think? Has anyone gotten help from a Congressman? Was it helpful in any way? Thanks! -Alec

add Zhang Qian and I. We should be sending the P3 (DS-230 and OF-169) back to GZ within 2-3 days.

Beijingjenny - So my application will never go back to the states, its all handled in GZ? Thats ... ok I guess. My brother works in a Congressman's office and he said he would give us a hand in expediting this whole affair, but if it just stays in GZ Im not sure it would help. What do you think? Actually, I should just open a new thread for this. Other people might like to know. One thing I noticed - you had a fast turnaround from submitting P3 to getting P4 then the interview. I thought it took many months. -Alec p.s. Those are the two cutest kids I have ever seen! Congrats!

OK, lemme make sure I got this right: I mail back my DS-230 and the OF-169 back to the Guangzhou embassy but nothing else. I get all the paperwork rounded up (I-864 + supporting documents, criminal history, birth certificate, etc). It should take a few months for the paperwork to get processed. This is the point where it goes to the USA's Visa Center. They do their thing, then they send me a P4 packet and set an interview date. Is this right? Man I know this should be so simple and clear but its like my brain is on fire after reading all these forms and numbers. I researched, researched, researched for 3 months this summer, submitted the papers in November, and basically everythiing I learned went out the window. Its like I have to learn it all over again. Thanks for the help everybody. -Alec

In the packet was the DS-230, the OF-169, and the I-864. I only need to send back the DS-230 and the OF-169 right? I keep the I-864 for the interview...? God, my head feels like oatmeal. -Alec

OK, heres my situation. I did a DCF through the Chengdu embassy and filed the I-130 plus a mountain of other papers on November 15th. On December 15th I got a notice from the Beijing main office saying they recieved my application, said it looked good, and forwarded it to the application center at the Guangzhou embassy. On Jan 7th I got a packet of documents from Guangzhou. They sent me a DS-230 plus a checkoff sheet. I got real sick last week and Im finally back on my feet and ready to tackle this. So....here are my questions. 1) My letter from Beijing was my NOA 1 (my first Notice of Action) and the 2nd letter + documents from Guangzhou was my 2nd NOA, right? 2) I have to fill out the DS-230. On the bottom of the paper it says "1 of 4" and the back (its double sided) says "2 of 4." There is no 3 or 4 of 4. Whats up with that? Is that the DS-230 part two that comes later? 3) Do I (Alec, the American citizen, the petitioner) fill out a DS-230 as well, or only one for Elf (my wife, Chinese citizen, the beneficiary)? 4) On the instructions, it says: "Complete and send the enclosed form DS-230 Part 1, Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration as well as this document (Form 169). Obtain the following documents on his checklist that pertain to you. As you obtain each document, check the box before each item. Do NOT send the actual documents to the Consular office, as well will have to destroy them. You will not be scheduled for an appointment until you sbmit these forms." OK, so basically this says I just need to fill out the DS-230 plus the checklist and send ONLY THESE TWO THINGS back to Guangzhou. The other things on the checklist (criminal record, marriage cert, 1-864, etc) need to be gathered but NOT SENT IN with the DS-230, I just need them for the interview. Is this correct? 5) Most important, where does the I-864 come into all this? Im sorry I sound like such a stupid mook. This whole process is Hell On Earth and I dont want to mess up a single step. Thanks in advance for all your help everybody! -Alec

Elf and I flew to Chengdu and 24 hours later we had the certificate in hand. Add to that a hamburger, pancakes, and REAL spaghetti and Id call it a successful trip! Anyway, here is what we did. Sunday, July 17th - Flew from Guiyang to Chengdu. Price ~ 640 RMB/ticket. Took a bus to Renmin Nanlu (4th section...its a LONG road) and walked 5 min to the US embassy. Found a hotel across the street, the Friendship Hotel. I would reccomend it; only 120 for a room but it had 3 TINY beds. Oh well. I called the embassy and they said to bring 1) Elf 2) her ID card 3) my passport 4) and $30. I didnt have US currency but they took my 249 RMB without a problem. Monday, July 18th - The embassy opens at 8:30am and by 7:30 there was a line stretching around the corner. I called the embassy and they said no worries, Im an American so I can walk right in. The line is for the locals. US citizens can come after 1:30 pm so I did. The staff and guards were all very professional and helpful. Went inside, signed this and that, and 20 minutes later I had my certificate. They couldnt give me answers to any other questions and one worker warned me a DCF would take about a year. I took that with a big grain of salt...most of the DCF's here on this forum have reported 3-5 months. Took a flight home at 7:30. Price ~ 440/Ticket. Anyway, it was quick and painless.The total cost for two 2-way tickets, hotel, and lots of good western food was almost 3000. NOT CHEAP but well worth it if it gets my baby home. Next step - tying the knot, Guizhou-style. Speaking of which, I STILL dont know whether we must get married in her hometown or the province capital. Ive heard both from many people. Does anybody have a definitive answer? PLEASE get back to me asap if you do. We need to get married within the next two weeks or it will add a few months to our stay here.

The above quoted parent's permission and fingerprints went out the window Oct. 1, 2003. In regards to the rest of it are you planning a direct Consualte Filing of the I-130 (Do you have a Chinese residents card to do so?) acw 136302[/snapback] Togo Yeah, we will do a DCF. I am an english teacher with a resident permit. We will file in Chengdu around August 3rd or 4th. -Alec & Elf

One more thing - If you dont have anyone who can make the call for you, give me an email or PM me. We'd be happy to help out. -Alec & Elf

For everyone coming to China from abroad, keep this in mind: PRICES ARE NEGOTIABLE ... even on "set" things like bus tickets or hotel rooms. Get a native speaker to call and make the reservation in their name, and watch the price drop like a rock! I have gotten up to 50% discounts, even on major holidays. If you call and say "Hi, my names Bob Smith and Im from America. Do yall speak English?" the price will DOUBLE. -Alec & Elf

Hey glad to hear things are moving along! Whats the story with the consulate declaring yall frauds!? You said some 3rd party may have had a hand in this...? -Alec & Elf

Ok, so here is what I assume to be the proper timeline - 1) I go to Chengdu and sign a certificate of marriagibility (sp?) 2) Elf goes to her hometown to fetch her "file" i.e. family records, criminal history, etc 3) We get married 4) Finish I-130, G-325A, return to Chengdu and hand in all papers 5) Go on vacation for a month with my brother and try not to stress out 6) Come home to Guiyang and find many papers with lots of strange letters and numbers to fill out. Sound right? -Alec & Elf p.s. One last question - I just now (literally 30 sec ago) saw that my fiancee will need A SIGNED, HANDWRITTEN LETTER from her parents giving her permission to marry, along with FINGERPRINTS. WTF!? I havent seen this on any other webpage discussing Chinese marriage law but thats what the consulate in Shenyang says. Anyone know anything about this?

OK, I got another question for you guys - My fiancee and I are going to get married here and apply for a visa via a DCF. The question is: does it matter where we get married? She is a student currently living in Guiyang, Guizhou but her family (and permament home address) are 4 hours away in another city, Meitan. Elf seems to think we need to get married THERE and cant do it in Guiyang. I have looked over Chinese marriage law but I havent seen any a definite answer one way or the other. She says she has to go home to get her "file" i.e. family history, criminal record, etc, which sounds rational, but as far as marriage is concerned, shouldnt we be able to do it here in Guiyang? Katrina...bjjenny...anyone have a good answer for me? THANKS! -Alec & Elf