carhil24

Hello Belinda, I apologize for not being able to help you with your question, because my wife and daughter came over on a K-1 and K-2 visa. But we are also in No. Calif and I was curious where you are. Thanks, Carl and Hongyu

We both agree here as well. My wife has been here almost 2 years, and we are still kicking around the idea about returning to China and finishing up our lives there. But it's not the country we live in, and it's not all of the people that live here, and it isn't even all of the people who have government jobs. It's only those who have government jobs and believe that this entitles them to some sort of power over the "common" people. They seem to forget who pays their wages, and they aren't really concerned about how well they do their jobs, because it basically takes an act of Congress to get one of them fired. If any of us who are in business for ourselves ran our companies that way, we would be down the tubes in no time at all, if we even were able to get out of the starting blocks. That's why I tend to believe that a letter thanking and complimenting these people is a waste of time, if you could even reach them with one anyway. Unfortunately, they do not have to depend on their customer service skills in order to draw repeat business, nor do they give a hoot if you ever come back again anyway. They have no interest whatsoever in producing a quality product nor do they have much pride in what they do. I tend to believe that some of them actually try their darndest to refuse a visa (one VO in particular comes to mind), because of their own personal agenda or beliefs. Obviously we will never be able to prove it, but I don't think that this is as far-fetched as we may think. At least in China they have it right, if you need something done, grease the wheels a little bit and it will be done accurately and promptly. Our government gets on their big white hypocritical horse and won't dare take a bribe, but allows their employees to perform their duties in a manner that would have them fired from any other private sector job. And unfortunately, we have to live with it. But that's all right, guys and gals, play the game, get through the process, and then tell them to shove it up their asses! Just make sure your SO is here and in your arms, without any chance of being sent back before you do so!

Chuck, if I understand correctly, you are there in GZ. If so, I would go inside there and raise holy hell. It doesn't matter that the guards can't speak English. Show them your passport and demand to be let into the consulate as an American citizen. I was prepared to do that if I had to, especially since our flight left the next day, but luckily for me I didn't have to. But that is one of the purposes of being there with your SO. Sometimes with government workers, you just have to throw your weight around a bit, and demand some assistance. It worked for me the time I was in Shanghai, were trying to find out the status of our case. I got tired of waiting on the normal line, and finally called the other number which gets you to a receptionist, and told her that I was an American citizen in China, and I demanded to talk to a VO. All of a sudden it was possible for me to be connected to the right department, no matter how many times she told me that it was impossible before. And it worked the same way when immediately afterwards I called the DOS in Washington DC and demanded to talk to someone who could help me. All I did was tell them I'm an American citizen in China, and I have a problem. Next thing you know I was talking to AS (the old-timers will remember him), and the rest is history. No matter who they think they are at times, the one thing they can never deny us is our rights as American citizens. Oh, they may try to trample us down sometimes, make us feel insignificant and worthless, and yes, they do have a lot of power, but in the end, you hold in your hands the rights as an American citizen. And whether they remember or know this, one of those rights is to have the government serve you as a citizen and a taxpayer. Sometimes it is a lot of work, but it can be done. Please keep in mind that it won't work if you get all emotional and lose your temper, just be firm and committed and make sure they understand that your are not going anywhere or quitting until you get a satisfactory answer or outcome. And each time you reach a person who seems to be an obstacle, don't get angry, just request their first and last name, and then ask to talk to their supervisor. Eventually, you will work your way up the chain and speak with someone who is willing to help you. Remember, the VO's, although they seem to have a lot of power, they are basically just clerks much like those at DMV. They have to answer to someone, and their superiors have to answer to someone else, and so on. And in reality, all of them have to answer to you as an American citizen. I'll never forget how much pressure was put on the personnel in the consulate, at DOS, and many politicians during the old days of this forum, and we were always counseling everyone to keep their cool, but don't give up. All lot of us became a thorn in the side of quite a few government employees, and they probably still wake up with nightmares because of it! Good luck, and I wish you and your SO the best. Don't give up, it only gets better after this! Carl & Hongyu

Hello Rick, I agree with Carl on this one as well. We know that GZ pre-examines all of the documents before the interview, and there can be no doubt that they have already been influenced one way or another. I would never go to the point of saying that they have already made a decision, but without a doubt after previewing the paperwork, they are leaning one way or another. It's like Carl said, you do not know what they are looking for and what they want to see when you go in. We brought mounds of emails, photos, phone bills, support documentation, etc, yet the VO didn't ask to see a thing. My fiancee at the time could not speak even one complete sentence in English, yet his only question regarding that was to ask her if I spoke Chinese. Never was there a mention of this video tape nonsense. To this day I do not know the certain answer, but I will stand behind what I have previously posted regarding this, and honestly believe that two things decided this case. 1. All of our paperwork was prepared by an Immigration Attorney (please, I do not want to delve into this subject again, I am merely stating my belief). 2. I was in GZ for the interview. So, whenever anyone asks me to recommend what to do, I will tell them to do whatever it takes to meet those two requirements. Now, would I stand here and state that this will guarantee a visa? No way, because it's impossible to delve into the minds of the VO's at GZ. Rick, my wife is also from Heilongjiang, and that's what worried me the most, because our plans were for her to leave immediately after the interview for America. I was far too worried that there would be some type of problem and a blue slip would be issued, and she would have to make that trip back to Heilongjiang and wait god knows how long for her visa (please keep in mind that at that time GZ quite often completed the interview and then sent the ladies back home to await further processing, supposedly 4-6 weeks, however often it was more like 4-6 months---some of the original Black Holers can attest to this). My wife also didn't want me to "waste" the money, but you have to understand a few things about the Chinese culture. First of all, they have a deep belief in themselves that they can overcome any obstacle set in front of them (this will really come home to you when she comes here and is ready to drive as soon as she arrives, regardless of the necessity of a written and driving test. Secondly, I think that sometimes they believe it is just a matter of money. In other words, just pay some extra money somewhere to someone, and this will enhance your chances of receiving the visa. Because this is the way most government officials work in China, they tend to believe that GZ is the same. I remember a post or two from way back where a lady was turned down and was actually blaming the petitioner for not paying "enough money." Thirdly, I believe that the typical Chinese woman does not want to be a burden on her husband. You will find out that they are very self-sufficient, and are not used to a man taking care of them, per se. So she doesn't want to cause you any undue hardship by asking you to accompany her. Now that I have laid this guilt trip on you, it is your decision to make. I understand all of the obstacles to being there (I went through much the same scenario with no vacation, etc, and ended up having to take an unpaid leave of absence), and it is a very difficult decision to make, especially if finances are tight, or your job security isn't great. But aside from the above reasons, and the fact that I agree with one of the posts which mentioned the petitioner being there helping their confidence, you will never, ever forget the feeling of seeing your SO walk out of the consulate with the visa in her hand. Forget the white slip, that didn't excite us too much. We were happy yes, but not completely comfortable until we had the visa. As I sit here and reminisce, tears still come to my eyes when I remember how excited and overjoyed we were when we were in the taxi heading to the airport (our flight actually left less than 2 hours after we picked up the visa), while examining the visa inside of the passports (my wife and her daughter's). Nothing had ever looked so beautiful. It's a feeling that I personally would be willing to go bankrupt or lose a job in order to experience, and I will never ever regret spending the extra money in order to do so. It made things a little tighter back here for the first year or so, but money is nothing compared to that moment. So, if you can somehow, someway swing it, meet her in GZ and be there for that special moment. And as you watch other people come out of the consulate with a visa in their hand and a smile on their face, you realize that these people are getting their first taste of "living the American dream," and it makes you feel honored and much more appreciative to be an American. It is no exaggeration for me to say that the 3 plus hours I waited outside the consulate for my fiancee, pacing up and down that street, that when I saw various people come out of the consulate so overwhelmed with excitement because of a simple visa to America, it really changed my life and helped me to reaffirm my firm belief that the United States of America is by far the best country in the world. Perfect? Far from it. Better than anywhere else? Damn right---just ask the hundreds of thousands of immigrants who are here. I apologize for being so long winded, its a bad habit of mine on this forum. If we were to receive a blue thinggie for total words, I think I would be at the top. Nonetheless, please accept our best wishes for you and your SO. Whether you can be there or not, I hope and pray everything goes as planned. God bless. Carl and Hongyu

Hello Mark and Leigh, First of all, congratulations on the return to the US for all of you! I still remember what it was like for us that day. Because I'm out of town for the next few days, I don't have time to respond to this thread right this instant, but I promise you I will respond when I get back. My wife (fiancee at the time) brought her 12 year old daughter with her at the time, and I think I can be of some help. Give me a couple of days, and I promise I will respond! Thanks, Carl

Hello all, Because I do a fair amount of hiring from time to time, I am very familiar with the I-9 requirements regarding this subject. In order for your K-1 applicant to work, she needs an EAD card, or a SSN card without the "Not Valid For Employment" stamp. But in order to get the normal SSN card, you must have the EAD card first (at least that's what we were told in Calif). If you apply for the SSN card first, you will get the "Not Valid For Employment" stamp SSN card, which does not allow you to work. And since the EAD card is only good for a year, you must reapply for the normal SSN card and be able to submit it to your employer BEFORE the expiration date of your EAD card, or you have to apply for an extension to your EAD card which I believe is somewhat costly. So it's entirely up to you as to how you want to proceed. There are pros and cons to both methods. In some instances you can use the "Not Valid For Employment" SSN card for identification, such as opening a checking account, tax purposes, etc. However, for tax purposes you can also request a Taxpayer Identification Number which you will need if your wife (or K-2 minor under 15-1/2) does not have a SSN. But the EAD card is also great for ID as it has a photo on it as well, and it does allow her to work (the I-9 requirement is the EAD card and a current passport) as soon as she receives it, even though you must apply for the normal SSN card as soon possible afterwards in order to receive it before the EAD expires. Good luck!

Keith, I apologize, but I keep having these additional thoughts come to mind after I've sent the post. Regarding the passport, it is also another method of proving to GZ that your wife has full custody of her daughter, as the local passport issuing agency will not issue a passport to a minor (not sure of the age requirement) without proof of full custody by the parent requesting the passport for the minor. Again, this is one of the hurdles we faced, and subsequently overcame, because for awhile, my wife's daughter's real father was fighting to not allow her to come to America. That was my introduction to the Chinese legal system, but that's another story. Good luck! Thanks, Carl

Keith, One other thing. There is an age requirement as to when they must have a passport, and I'm not sure what that is. At that time, we were told that my wife's daughter had to have a passport (she was 12 at the time), and therefore had to be at the interview with her passport in order to receive the visa, which is printed inside of the passport. Since that time, however, I believe I have read differently regarding the passport, but I am not sure. However, if she is able to get a passport in China, it does help over here for ID, especially for school registration, the Immunization Supplement, and SSN (Tax ID for minors) applications. Even if it is not required (and I'm not sure about this), I would recommend her getting the passport in China, attending the interview, and getting the visa placed into her passport. After all, you paid for it! Thanks, Carl

Hello Keith, When we went through the process nearly 2 years ago, my wife's daughter, who was 12 at the time, had to attend the interview and was required to have the medical examination, which wasn't quite as extensive as the exam for my wife. She also had to have several immunizations as well. I believe you can wait and have the immunizations over here as well, but they are considerably cheaper in China. Now, that being said, I'm not sure what the age requirement is, but I believe at that time it was 12 and over. Maybe someone has completed this process more recently, and can tell you for sure, but at that time we were required to bring her daughter along for the ride! Thanks, Carl

That's right, us Californians on this forum have to stick together against the overwhelming odds of Oregonians. By the way, everyone does know why all of us in California are always wearing sunglasses, right? It's not solely because of the sun, but because of all of the Oregonians coming down on vacation, and the first thing they do is put on shorts and take off shirts, and without sunglasses, all of that white skin is truly blinding!

Okay two things: As usual, every other state is copying us again!

I only have one reply: "Hasta La Vista, Baby!"

And if you are a good enough driver, you don't need to have auto insurance, but......it sure feels good to have it when you need it! But here in California, we don't have a choice! Of course, that's because of all of the Oregonians who come down to see what the sun looks like, and don't understand that the big "70" on the speed limit signs on I-5 actually mean you can drive over 55! That's for you, Carl, Don, and the rest of you web-footed tourists! And before this post is deleted, please remember two things: 1. I am a former Oregonian and I still root for the Oregon Ducks! 2. I am just kidding---don't take it so seriously!

No, I'm sorry if I muddied the waters a bit. You will still have to sign all of the forms, but they will tell you which forms are needed and where to sign. And it will still be up to you, and your fiancee (or wife) to gather all of the information. What they do, acting on your behalf (therefore the need for the Power of Attorney) is file the paperwork, make sure it is accurate, etc, etc. What the Power of Attorney does, is allow them to file the paperwork for you, as well as make inquiries if necessary, at the Service Centers, at DOS, at GZ, on your behalf of course. I feel that it is just a little more professional and possibly adds a little more legitimacy to the entire process, so when the mound of paperwork finally arrives at the VO's desk, it won't bring up any red flags and/or cause him to think this is anything but legitimate. Of course, once again I want everyone to understand, there is no proof that an attorney makes a difference one way or another, just a gut feeling I have, along with some comments made by individuals in a position to know. Please, do not make a decision based on what my gut feeling is, do whatever you think is best for your case and situation. I am just trying to explain to everyone why I feel a good Immigration Attorney is a good idea, much like a good insurance policy is, if you can afford it! Good luck!