freedream

Hello everyone, well, it's been a month and he still hasn't gotten his visa, nor any word about it. He faxed them 2 weeks ago and they said, "you just have to wait-- and it's natural to wait a long time and -- you might get a visa and you might not get a visa". great. that was really helpful. He faxed them again last week. The same woman called him "i will check on it and call you back" he felt she finally realized it's a little long for a visa to not be processed and sent to the beneficiary. Still no call. No word. Still no idea.

gosh, another one. How disappointing. Keep your chin up...keep moving forward. sorry to hear about it. best of luck overcoming it quickly. Hi, I went to Guangzhou twice, what is ACS & ACH. I know she paid a companyin Guanzhou Consulate building to help her for paper work and prepared her for the interview which they just asked her two questions in Chinese. She speaks very well English. Hello Ramin, Sorry to hear this. What did the white slip say? Joe hi, we don't havea bone fide relationship.

I'm sorry to hear what happened. My heart sinks when I hear these things because I know what it feels like. I hope you give helpful info and most likely some others here can really help out with suggestions because they know their stuff. Good luck-- really hope you overcome this soon!

What's that we should do? NOA2 in the fax? I will do that too if it means they might reply to my fax. Do you think I can also get them to call ME in the states? Good luck in your calls to GUZ. I've had similar experience. THERE is a "pay per call" service you can find on the website somewhere..I used it previously-- they don't have lots of info..but maybe can help? Lately, when I tried to go and pay for it using my credit card or atm card, I was told I was unable to process my order for some reason. ? Good luck! FAX. Include the NOA2 in yer fax transmittal - it will have the GUZ number printed on it. GUZ seems reticent to answer questions recently, without being able to verify that you, are you.

Omg. When I hear of your situations I really.... I mean... my heart really sinks. I am so sorry. I can understand your pain too. We are still waiting for a visa after husband went to GUZ per their invite to get his visa... now it's been almost one month and no visa (of course he had to leave and pay some guy to mail his stuff to him). I hope you are able to work this out soon -- at the least...to get answers which you deserve...everyone at least deserves that. It's inhumane enough to deny someone who shouldn't be denied-- but then to deny them any explanation is beyond inhumane. It should be illegal. Good luck to you both. I feel your pain man. I just got notified that our package (a K1)was "being returned to USCIS for review and possible revocation" This is after a 23 June 2008 interview, which went fairly well (I wasn't present). She got issued an RFE one for her info and two big ones for me. Her police records from different country took over 60 days to receive (Olympics in the middle). DHL records show the GUZ got all the info on 29 Aug 2008. I emailed a request for status, email back same day, said, processing, email 25 Oct, came back same day "case is being returned to USCIS for review or revocation" no other explanation not even one letter to me or SO after first package. This VO uses only email? GUZ has had it for one year now! My congressman is trying to find out if the package is still there, the GUZ lawer Peter Padget's office recommended this. If it is he's going to have a go at it. The rub is he's out of country till the end of Nov. B/Regards, Pete

the black hole. sounds horrific to put it too lightly. well, in this case, others around him - left and right - have been getting their visas within a very fair amount of time (2-3 days). Perhaps we've fallen into our own black hole and we're not even aware of it... I can't believe the woman who called him didn't offer him ANYTHING...couldn't even tell him if there was some problem or not... couldn't even give him an "estimate" of when the visa will be delivered. Didn't tell him diddley squat. Why couldn't she just be honest with him? It's his passport after all! What goes on in that place day to day? Doesn't anybody in that place ever feel bad for what's happening and go ahead and do the right thing? Our case, and many, many, others, were delayed due to a change in the rules midstream. It was a real nightmare to say the least. Li had her successful interview on August 20, 2002 and we finally were notified to pick up the visa in March, 2003. It was this fiasco, often referred to as the Black Hole, that caused Candle to be created in the first place. Guys like Don, tony (tonado), Tine and Ella, Robert S. are among the old timers here on the board who were around in those days. It was a real mess. I don't know if any of our old posts are still in existence, but if they are, you might go back and read a few of them. It was a nasty, gut-wrenching time for all of us. You could get no info out of GZ except boilerplate letters. I think it would be a good thing if Don or one of the mods might do a post explaining the Black Hole and the birth of Candle. It might be a educative experience for some of the newer people on the board.

If you are above the required federal poverty level, just make sure it's clear -- your sources of income/proof and statement that it is above poverty level. Getting a sponsor might only serve to give you peace of mind perhaps...but that's a lot of work and it's probably not easy to get someone to agree to sponsor you. I would just be natural and go with what you have...as long as you can verify it--- it should be fine. STAY THE COURSE!! good luck!

that's great news! It's nice to hear some good news! Congratulations!

Thanks everyone! I think it was informational, in GUZ-speak. The fact that they called you to say nothing actually says something - that the case is in some sort of processing and hasn't been lost. It IS very cruel to leave your husband sitting in Guangzhou, expecting a visa when none was coming. Hopefully, this will all come to fruition soon.

well everyone, He GOT a phone call (finally) yesterday after 3 faxes and 3 e-mails...the person said: "You just have to wait" and "it's natural to wait". when my husband asked "how long" will I have to wait? she said: "I can't tell you that". When he asked "is there some problem"? she said, "i can't tell you that" When he asked "am I getting a visa or not"? She said, you might get a visa -- or -- you might NOT get a visa". ???????? WHATS THE POINT OF THAT PHONE CALL IF THEY DON'T ANSWER ANY QUESTION? what's the point? iS there some legitimate reason that they can't give any basic specifics over the phone? THE ONLY THING SHE SAID IS THAT "waiting like this is normal" and "your (passport) is not lost". ???????? The phone call wasn't very helpful to say the least. My husband gave me the person's cell phone number that came up on his phone. I would like to call that person and ask those questions myself... but would it cause problems? Would I be told simply that "we cannot verify who you are"? etc.? I wonder should I go ahead with the congressman's effort to get information? Why did they call from a phone number that shows up on someone's caller ID? Is that how others have received phone calls from them? Did they give you no info (phone call was useless)? Did you see a number show up on your phone too? Strange!! Thanks, I'm confused if there was a 'call back'; do you mean this was not the interview proper, but a call to come back for later pickup? yes a call back for "approved come get your visa"

OH MY GOSH!!!!! 7 months after ???? How did you guys cope?? My congressman's office said it has taken 2 years before but that they've never seen a case where the reason wasn't very clear... hmmm. But why would they jerk him around like that and let him come to GUZ and wait all that time for the post office to deliver?? My god!! And not say a word? AND meantime he has no idea what's happened to his passport. Well, in that case, I may go ahead with an amnio-- and ask him to forward DNA too... no guarantee, but at least it looks more pressing that he be here and proof that it's his baby...and I'm alone. It may be our only last defense in ceasing the unnecessary delays. But we'll see what the congressman's office cna find out if anything. ? :0

Randy, Yes, we both e-mailed them and got the same reply that they can't verify who we are... (which I can't understand because our e-mails are listed on documentation all the way through the application process since 2 years ago). That's really unfortunate that the "black hole" issue happened at all! Are all of those people now cleared? My gosh! Did any of them get legal assistance and WIN during that time? Help from congresspeople or Senators? geeze that's terrible!

Hi Randy W, It would seem possible that to be the case (IF) others were reporting the same thing. They're not. Everyone one who my husband ran into while in GUZ got their visa in 2 days! And we can see here at CFL that others also have gotten their visa while there at about the same time w/in 2-3 days also. So, something is wrong-- just "how wrong"? We can't know. I'm going to talk with the congressman's office today after I forwarded the docs to them and the faxes/e-mails we sent. Hopefully they can find out something for us...she told me before she can make a phone call to find out something. After all, the point is (one of them): his visa could be lost in the mail or stolen..(his passport of course with it) and he has a right (you'd think)? to find out if that's the case or what the case is...so that if it's so, he can report it lost or stolen and either locate it or get a new one.

HOly cow! Hot car! but expensive fuel! Where do you get 100 octane anyhow? I was tempted to find a 67 Bronco and rebuild as a fun thing ...but my gosh!!! Gas prices might prohibit me. $6/gallon. yikes! :0 its a small block 400 bored 30 over cant really drive that much not very streetable has a true commpresion ratio of 13:1 runs on 100 octane minimum at 6 dollars a gallon

a big congrats! we got the same routine! 2 blues and finally a "congrats" letter. When my husband went to submit his congrats letter...he got the pink the next day..and then was told to wait 2-3 days for his visa... but he waited... and he waited.... and waited... 2 weeks. No visa. hmmm. We contacted GUZ via e-mail and fax and they responded to neither of us. I called DOS and it's back to "AP" again... hmmmm. So I contacted my congressman's office for some info. GOsh, his passport/visa for all we know is lost in the mail or stolen. We have a right to find out from them what's happened so we can try to locate it for him or get a new one-- and report it lost or stolen. I doubt you will have such plights... we seem to be the only one in this situation... I have no idea. BUT I wish you best of luck!!!

Hello ShaquaNew, He was actually given a blue at the interview (for something I had already submitted AND he tried to submit at the interview but they wouldn't take it). We answered that... Then got another blue. We answered that. (two blues total). 2.5 months later he got a "congratulations your immigrant visa has been approved" letter, which he brought to GUZ with this passport as instructed- to get his visa. And was told 2-3 days wait... but he waited... and waited.... and waited until he couldn't wait any longer-- he had to go back home to work...(as he can't risk losing his job until he has a visa)... over 2 weeks with no word. Yes, we sure did try to contact them. We both e-mailed them. He faxed them twice. I faxed them once. No response. So, I have contacted my congressman's office for help to find out what's happened. Because-- for all we know, it's lost in the mail and that's his right to find that out because that's his passport!! He needs to know so that he can try to locate it or get a new one! If it's missing, he needs to be able to report it missing or stolen. I also called DOS-- they don't have any info at all... not even that a visa has been approved. Nothing. It's actually back to "administrative processing" again after the latest info they had 2-3 weeks ago was that he'd been issued a "call-in letter" (I'm assuming that was the congratulations, your immigrant visa has been approved letter). It does sound like you're waiting longer than normal. If I understand your case correctly, it seems your partner attended the interview in Guangzhou, and was granted a visa at that time? Now, you are awaiting the issue? If that is indeed the case, I don't recall ever hearing of anyone having a case denied after it was approved in the interview. I'm guessing that you've tried contacting the office for an explanation. If so, what if anything have you heard?

Hi everyone, I am trying to find out how long others may have waited for a visa from the time they were issued a pink slip. I know the normal wait time for the visa to "arrive" at the Guangzhou post office is 2-3 days. a couple of you have mentioned it took about 10-12 days. Are there any others who took longer than that? Can it still mean there is no problem? Does it indicate it can be a serious problem? We've been through 2 blue slips after the interview and finally got a "congratulations letter" for him to come and submit his passport and get his visa. He did that and now we're still waiting...it's been more than 2 weeks now. Still no visa. ? So, just wondering if others have experienced such a long wait (or longer) and what the outcome was. Thanks!

Mick, Thanks for the kind words. All support is really appreciated.

Thanks Rob and Jin. Appreciate the words

Well, he left Guangzhou Saturday at 4pm on the train. No visa-- Everyone's telling him that something "must be wrong". It's pretty hard to stay optimistic about this... He feels there's something wrong... I'm usually more optimistic but it's hard for me not to feel something's wrong, too. Why else would it take this long? He paid some guy (not Yang) whom he found on 001 who works for a company there in the consulate bldg-- for 200 less yuan than Mr. Yang does it for-- and they'll mail it for him. I hope it will arrive soon (and I hope it's a visa that arrives-- not something else). Because I'm 18 weeks preg. now...I hope to have my husband here with me soon. It's getting nerve racking. I can't stand the thought of having the baby by myself-- how sad and lonely! (not to mention difficult it will be on my own with our 5 y/o and a new baby) -- and we thought it would be only a matter of time until he got his visa-- boy did we learn an expensive lesson-- I just hope the lesson is over and there aren't any more surprises. We have both faxed AND e-mailed the consulate-- NO REPLIES. nothing. I am tempted to contact my congressman's office and let the person who was going to help me find out what's going on-- do that-- find out what's going on... because GUZ makes it impossible for EVEN THE PETITIONER AND BENEFICIARY TO FIND OUT!!!! Now we just wait for good or bad news. who knows.

thanks Rob and Jin, Your information is helpful. Unfortunately, my husband is a VERY stubborn man and also careful not to lose his job at this point -- can't risk losing it until he has a visa in-hand. I know you're right about the Yangs -- he should have done that. but my husband said he doesn't want to "waste any more money or time". He described it as a lengthy and difficult process in itself to have them be able to mail it to him. ? I hope he's just angry and reactionary right now but will think... He's so disgusted right now that he didn't call me all day or night and even closed his phone on ME when I called him and doesn't even want to talk to ME. He's very grumpy right now. Oh well.... I'm helpless here in CA for the moment. I'll prepare a fax to GUZ for their morning (or will fax it soon) in hopes that it will help get us some answer before my husband LEAVES on the train. That's all I can do. I can't even reach my husband to try to talk him out of this. These situations can really put a strain on a relationship-- not easy...

I would recommend trying to go see her-- be with her. Perhaps after you get your bearings about that white paper and what you'll do legally next. One thing I would recommend is to GET YOUR LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE INVOLVED IMMEDIATELY and have them check this situation out. I would mention that the VO did not do their job because if they doubted the relationship was bonafide, they should have asked to see the rest of the evidence your wife was carrying (e-mails, etc. all the communication and pics, etc.). That is key I believe. Perhaps if you act quickly you can get something done? hang in there! So maddening. THe power those people have and they can sleep at night? Do they not understand the depth of the human emotions involved in this process -- especially as the interview approaches and ensues? My God! They don't ever stop to think what damage they do when they make a careless *(RECKLESS) decision like that without having DONE THEIR JOB? I can empathize with you. I believe if the VO has ANY DOUBT whatsoever, they SHOULD request for MORE EVIDENCE AT THE WINDOW-- anything the petitioner is holding should be reviewed to MAKE CERTAIN FIRST that their determination is accurate or at BEST, REASONABLE!!!! The fact that - that VO can breathe easy after doing something like that NOT DOING THEIR JOB!!!! I feel letters need to be written!!!! PEOPLE NOT DOING THEIR JOB SHOULD BE FIRED. where is the oversight? Just stick with the process but don't be afraid to "professionally" address the issue of the VO not doing their job and for causing a lot of wasted time, money and stress/grief with the family. Sorry to hear about this.

sorry to hear that.... when I hear these things I feel sad but somehow not surprised because of so many inconsistencies in how matters are handled there. Just work through it best you can and stay strong...even when it seems impossible-- you just have to do it and the day WILL arrive when she is here with you. Be POSITIVE. (i can attest to the fact that - that's not always easy-- like right now) hang in there!

Hope it goes smoothly for you-- It hasn't always been that way for us. It was ultra smooth all the way up until it got to GUZ. Then things started to go wrong. But we are kind of a rare case. Good luck!!

homersimpsons, Interesting. I'm not sure why they need our e-mail verified-- and why can't they verify it-- it's on every piece of paper I supplied to them along the way (my e-mail and my husband's e-mail). I was extremely thorough in doing that.-- amounts to nothing I suppose. One reason I'm so frustrated is that my husband is really planning to leave tomorrow if there's no visa...and I can't seem to stop him....I'm not in China and can't help him adn he's got to get back to work (his boss is not happy and told him to get back) and without a visa, he can't really risk losing his job-- and also his parents are needing his help right now-- it's stressing him out so he said, "I have to go tomorrow". There's nothing I can do. I asked him to just start the process to have GUZ mail it to him but it's supposedly not an easy thing to do? He has to do some paperwork and sign something and have Mr. Yang sign something or whatever...not easy and not quick-- could also take a few more days and he doesn't have the time. Oh well. ?