ShanghaiFred

Eunice, I recieved DS230 from NVC last week and it didn't have a bar code. However, the additional letter that came with it had a bar code. 233336[/snapback] CR1 is different situation. The DS 156 having a barcode does raise a new question though. Can you use the downloaded DS 156 or do you need to hand fill the barcoded one? 233341[/snapback] That's what I want to know. Is it best to take a barcoded DS-156 to the interview? Does this save time waiting in line on the day of the interview?

You make a good point about the K1, I wasnt aware its a single entry.. im guessing it doesnt immediatel get a permanent status? Whats the general wait time difference for K1 and getting married in china (k3?). What troubles do you think i would have with it? As far as I know, the documents the chinese government needs, are not difficult to get by my gf, and my certificate of ability to marry can be notarized in the embassy... 232213[/snapback] Your wait time really depends on whether you meet the Direct Consular Filing requirements. Which depends on the type of visa that you have in China. You need to get on your nearest consulate's website and check out what their requirements are to accept the paperwork...they are really picky about meeting this requirement. I have been staying in China with my wife as well waiting during the visa process. I was unable to do DCF because I only have 6-month China visas, so the consulate would not file her visa application. Bottome line is though, if you can meet their requirement, DCF is way faster. Not to mention since you are planning on staying in China, you don't have to keep sending paperwork back and forth between China and the US....let me tell you it is a huge hassle.

I have a question about the I-134 as well. Unlike the I-864 which specifically mentions the words "joint sponsor" the I-134 does not. Why is this? According to my understanding though it is possible to fill out one I-134 by the petitioner and one by the another sponsor (who would be co-sponsor), both with 3-years of federal income taxes. Does this sound right? Having a co-sponsor for I-134 is allowed, if the petitioner does not meet the minimum income requirements?

David, Thanks a lot. I found that this list in your FAQ, but then got just a bit confused while reading over some of the member's posts describing experiences in Beijing and Shanghai. This helps alot, thanks again! -Fred

My wife is preparing to go for her medical exam in Shanghai. I've been reading up on the info in the FAQ section concerning what needs to be brought to the exam, but this is still a bit confusing. According to the P4 letter, "please bring all the documents listed on the Letter to K Applicants with you to the designated clinic." I have everything ready except for the last four bullet points, namely: - Evidence of support (I-134) - Proof of relationship (photos, e-mails, etc.) - NIV application fee receipt - Proof of petitioner's residency in the United States These last four points are works in progress for me, as I collect the evidence, and I haven't gotten around to going to the appropriate bank in Shanghai to pay the visa fee. Is it ok to go ahead with the med. exam anyway without these things? What's the deal with the mystical sealed envelope?

Here is my budget for two beneficiaries and no USC, if you wish to use it as a guideline. Medical Exams 1800 Includes Expedited Service Visa Fees 1660 Visa Pickup 40 Lodging 1400 seven nights Food/Misc 900 Total 6400rmb For one beneficiary, divide the first three items by 2. If you arent' accompanying the beneficiary, divide the last item by 2 or adjust to suit the circumstances. 231329[/snapback] In my opinion 900 RMB budget for food/misc. is far too light for 2 people for 7 days. Even if you were to take KFC as the standard (for example) for 3 meals a day, that's about 20 RMB per person/meal. So 20 RMB x 2 people x 3 meals x 7 days = 840 RMB. Plus, a Chinese woman in Guangzhou is going to want to enjoy the great food there, especially under such a stressful situation as preparing for a visa interview. Misc. expenses, unless they know the bus system/ subway and are willing to put up with it in the blazing August heat, they will probably want to take an air-conditioned taxi. I know you are just making a rough calculation, but it might be a little bit too rough on the food and misc. category, just in my experience.

This may be a silly question, but will the signed employment contract from my employer be ok to use? I have the original contract with my name, term of employment, salary, and signatures from myself and the company president. Is this ok, or does this need to be in letter form, i.e. dear US Consulate Visa Officer...? Thanks!

Hi everyone, I was reading over some past posts concerning the payment of visa fees and am getting a little confused, and was wondering if anyone can shed some light based on recent experience. I am a K3 case, I know that I need to pay the RMB 830 at one of the designated banks. But my question is how much cash does my wife need to bring to the actual interview? Are there any extra fees for biometrics etc. being payed at the interview? I read some previous posts where members described paying RMB 3,154 at the interview, but wasn't sure which type of case this was for. Other than this do I need to bring receipts for payments to NVC? Sorry if this question is a bit of a repeat from previous posts from other members. I am a bit lost on what I have actually paid, since my parents have been helping me take care of all the payments thus far from the US. Thanks, Fred

I think I will go to ACH after all, I figure it can't hurt. We will do the medical here in Shanghai though, just because both of us are totally unfamiliar with GUZ. Regarding the domicile/residency issue, I think that I can prove that I live with my wife in China by showing my employment letter here, business cards, bank account, mail addressed to me here etc. My case was not a DCF because the Shanghai consulate would not accept my application because I don't have the right visa. My company gives me 6-month multiple entry F visas. But I think for DCF you must have a 1-year visa. Regarding the point of proof of petitioner's residency in the United States the P4 says "Proof can include lease / deed / mortgage / bank statements, utility bills, and copies of ID cards." - My permanent residence would still be my parents' home since I haven't yet bought a house. This is what I have been listing as my address on all of the paperwork. I still have a bank account in the US, and a US drivers' license. Is this enough to prove residency in the US? Does this in anyway conflict with proving that I also live in the China with my wife?

Dear fellow CFLers, As part of the recent wave of P4's I'm making my list of things to do and checking it twice. My mom will be coming out to China to meet us in August and help us calm our nerves on the big interview day. I graduated from college just two years ago, and have been studying in China and working since then. This past year is my first year of employment, and therefore my folks are acting as our sponsor for the affidavit of support. I think having my mom as well as me in Guangzhou for the interview date will be one more testament of the legitimate and loving relationship that I have with my wife. I have read many posts concerning attending the ACH on Fridays as a way to talk to the VOs and show the human side of each case. I was wanting to get some more feedback on how useful this is. Some have said that attending ACH is recorded in the file and the officer can see this during the interview. If this is so, and it is really helpful I think my mom and I might go down there to attend ACH. But if ACH is just a Q&A session...then I feel that CFL already has us prepared. The only reason that I hestitate going is that my wife's interview is on a Tuesday. So that means staying in Guangzhou for nearly a week in total just to spend a few minutes talking with a visa officer. Ideally my wife and I would like to show my mom some more parts of China than just the Guangzhou area. But if going to ACH is what must be done, then it shall be done. Any feedback from those who have gone before? Thanks! And good luck to all those preparing for the upcoming interviews! -Fred

Got the word last night from my folks calling DOS last night... P4 was sent out to us 06/27/06, interview date coming up 08/22/06! Pretty excited, for the big date. The interview date just about marks the end of my second year here in China. I am finishing up my work over here at the end of July, so I will have about three weeks to help prepare my wife prepare our kitchen sink full of evidence.

I really feel for you. I've been watching your situation all day from work, and saying prayers for you. I can't believe the outcome. As far as I understand you can go in for overcomes as many times as needed, they just keep asking you to bring in more information. Is the blue slip clear as to what else you need to bring in? Best regards during these hard times.

Hey Marc, Just wanted to say big congrats on your P3! I remember the both of us got our NOA2's at about the same time. I ended up having about a 3 month wait at NVC, while you were held up for about the same time on the P3. Hoping that my P3 will come through here pretty soon. Best wishes for a speedy P4. -Fred

ShaQua, I actually found out the same thing just yesterday when I called DOS. Although my package has been "Stamped" by the GUZ for almost two weeks now. The woman told me that the packages had to be filtered through several rooms in the consulate, and that these activities happen on Saturdays. Although it was nice to hear an update as to what is going on and why no P3 yet, it was also quite disappointing to hear about these procedures of which I was unaware. Hopefully they will keep busy and send out those P3s soon.....because I really REALLY want to get out of Shanghai. Two years straight in China, and I look forward to seeing blue skies stateside sometime soon.

Happy "San Ba Fu Nv Jie"! Just got word from DOS that my I-129F has been sent to Guangzhou last week. Not really sure what date exactly but guessing March 1st. I started using the DHL site to track packages around this date. It appears that the “customs delay” is still in full swing, as there are packages from late January still awaiting the STAMP. It seems like continuing to watch the DHL site might be unproductive, as I’ve read from recent posts that GUZ begins some of the processing procedures before receiving the hard copy. Just wondering if there are any members out there leaving NVC at about this same time. And also from others, any up to date estimates on the timeframe that I can expect from leaving NVC to P3 receipt?