dstarsboy

I know that it seems weird, but I did find that you can change your status mid-k1 if you marry during the wait and it should not have any drastic effects on interview date/time, especially early in the process. I'm travelling back to China on February and we are contemplating filling out the marriage paperwork and changing the visa to a K-3, but it seems a little troublesome for a process than can be done here in Vegas in a few minutes when she arrives instead. Thanks for the replies, I think I may go the Guangzou embassy route and if they accept it then that works out fine, if not then it is not the end of the world. Thanks again!

Although you mentioned plenty of reasons why she would miss China, you also mentioned plenty of reasons why bring her here is better. Just the whole work situation is why I'm convinced I am doing the right thing. My SO works full time and makes around 800 RMB per month... she was 15 minutes late one time and her boss halved that. No health insurance and poor health standards/medicine and I figured she would be better off with me. Don't get cocky about it though and feel like she owes you or you're saving her or something, she is giving up everything for you and you should always remember and appreciate that.

It's been a long time since I've written here, but I know you guys are always here to help me when I'm in a bind. These questions have probably been asked a few times, but I heard some changes have been made recently and I wanted to get an update. All questions pertain to attaining a Certificate of Marriagability for U.S. Citizen from the U.S. Consolate in GZ. If anyone has actual experience with this, recently, the better! 1) Is this done by appointment only? 2) What is the general cost? 3) I heard marriage filing (to foreigners) must take place in SO's city of residence (in this case, Nanning) so I was wondering how much time I should allot for attaining a Single Certificate in GZ? A couple of days stay? 4) Also, I heard that, even though the U.S. Consolate gives you a notorized (translated?) copy of single certificate, you still must get the document re-translated and re-notorized in Nanning for it to be valid. Is this true? This certificate is kicking my arse, everytime I read something about it, it seems to be this huge pain. However, I read a few testimonials by members who went to China and got married easily, with no delays or problems. What's your secret to a breezy, headache-free marriage filing?

That's too bad. I read a few posts here where people in Guangzhou have had remarkably quick wedding processes starting with nothing but their passport (few days, tops). Oh well, these were old posts so maybe times have changed or wouldn't apply to Canadians. I can always fall back on the K1, but I was just hoping to speed the process along before naturalization to the U.S. Thanks everyone.

Hey peoples, My SO and I are planning to get married in around 2-3 days in Guangzhou before I leave to come back to the U.S. From what I understand, she will have her notarized "single certificate" and her ID Card. I will have my "single certificate" from the Canadian Consulate (translated version and English version, notarized) and Canadian passport. However, at this point, I'm a little confused as to what to do next. The Canadian Consulate doesn't seem as helpful on the phone as some of you are experiencing with the U.S. Consulate. Is the next step simply going to a government building and registering for marriage? Is an appointment necessary? Is there usually a long wait? Does the marriage registration have to take place in her hometown of Nanning? Thanks in advance. Also, if anyone can give me a link to an in-depth website that has all of this information on it for me, that would be helpful.

Thanks for the very helpful responses!

It is also very easy for someone on a student visa to bring their spouse here. 239339[/snapback] Wow, I didn't know permanent residents can file for a k-3. That's great news.

Hey guys, I have a strange situation. My SO and I have been talking about a K-3 and we'd like to try and work out a marriage sometime in the fall, however, this is the stickler. I'm a Canadian citizen living in the US as a permanent resident. I did file for naturalization around 6 months ago and my latest status report indicates that it is close to being completed, however, no interview date is set yet (the final step). My question is, if, by the time I go to see my SO, I did not get naturalized yet (aka, still Canadian citizen) and I marry her in China, how many wrenches will this throw in the tire when I go to apply for a k-3 once my naturalization is complete? Thanks in advance.

Eunice, I would think $1000 per month US would buy a lot of T-shirts in China. $1000 US per month is considered more than just a comfortable life isn't it? I thought the average income in Nanning equals around $100 US per month. Is this not accurate? 236757[/snapback] Based on what my SO makes, I think that's correct. However, she did tell me of some "wealthy" friends of hers in China that make around 3k to 4k Yuan every month. Still no where near $US 1,000. But I also know the economy is crazy all over the country. In Chongqing, I'm sure one can live like a millionaire on US$ 1,000 per month (When I was there I litterally remember paying around 5 yuan for huge delicious meals in decent restaurants) but US$ 1,000 may only buy you an average living in places like Shanghai or Beijing.

What a sad story. However, if you are mature enough to pick your bed and get married then you should lay in it. I think Guangzou should have flagged something on the fact that this guy had a past criminal infraction, but, that doesn't change the fact that she decided to marry him. I think, over time, if she stays with him, everything will level out nicely.

Wow, Frugal wives rule! My SO makes roughly 800 RMB per month and you just KNOW she loves you when she spends over 200 RMB just to send me a card she made! That's a a quarter of her monthly salary on postage! However, as it may seem that my SO is very breezy with her money, I have come to learn the contrary. There's actually a Chinese custom to spending (usually) and my father, being Chinese, taught this to me as well. The rule of thumb is that you never ever spend alot of money on yourself, but if you ever go to buy someone a gift, you have better be prepared to empty your bank account!

In the US, there is a general rule that once an elevator has roughly 30 people in it, you and your 10 friends should not try to squish in. People can type in search words on the internet and actually get what they're looking for. Dogs eat dog food, not home cooked meals consisiting of rice, vegetables and meat. Dogs can't technically use the toilet as well as they can in China. When you go shopping, our pants have "lengths" instead of just "we'll hem them to fit once you buy them" Department stores don't have an employee for every 8 square feet of store. USA actually has a middle class Pop stars, radio DJs and singers aren't expected to do "special favors" in order to get ahead in their careers Medicine is actually approved by the FDA before selling... other than just by the store owner Cooks wash their hands We don't "share" food as well at the dinner table Wal-mart doesn't sell live eels The Zoos actually feed and bathe their animals 80% of the population is not below 100 lbs.

Another topic on here got me thinking of what my SO would like to do for a living when she comes to America. She said her dream is to teach small children, like, kindergarden to grade 3ish, I suppose. Of course, I already see a limitation being her imperfect English, but I wanted to see what the educational boundary would be. She said she has a degree in English. I have no idea what this is. I asked her if its a bachelor's, but she said no, because bachelors degrees are from universities and this degree was from a college. Hmmnn... so I asked her how many years she went to school and she said 3. Can someone tell me what this would be equivalent of in the US? Or does this not hold any value here whatsoever?

Wow, i can't believe Iraq's military budget is so low.

I always like to play a game with my SO... ask her odd things like.. would she date someone shorter than her, would she date someone who spends more time making themselves look good than her, etc etc. Of course, being such a kind sould that she is, she always says yes within reason until I asked her if she would date a man, who was excellent in every way, but he was Japanese. To put it subtly, she rattled off a few sentences worth of filth that translates loosely into "NEVER". I don't have a problem with this and I'm definitely not going to give her a lecture on equality or ethnic prejudice, but I'm wondering if everyone else's SO's hate Japanese equally as much? If so, do you think it's due in some way to the government censorship? Edit: oops, just realized there's a very similar thread about this that Dennis started. Sorry for the repost.

I have a standard shower day/night thing going on too. I think its becomming more and more common.

You are right about the the "ladies comparing notes". My SO told me that many ladies on BBS say that there man gives them hundreds and hundresds of dollars a month. I explained to her that most of that is not true. I also explained to her my financial situation and how much things cost here in the States. To take a step further, I sent her my Tax records, the amount I made. She says you make a lot, then I hit her with the bills. hahahahah ahahahah. When she finished going over what it cost to house and feed me, and then thought about adding herself and daughter. She tells me I am poor. I tell her Yes and now she understands the cost of living in Northern Virgina..... Carl 211257[/snapback] Ugh, I hate ladies! And I hate them comparing notes!

Haha, very funny. My SO likes dogs, but she thinks cats are lazy. I have 2 cats. (

I have no idea... but last time I checked, Unions = MORE MONEY AND BENEFITS! WOOT WOOT! (unless you're the business owner) But it may be a good idea to research a little before signing on the dotted line. Also, what job did you finally end up getting?

I thought that hanging your clothes out to dry (especially for a few days) in cities as polluted as the major Chinese cities are would just dirty them even more? I guess what I have read about air pollution in China must be greatly exaggerated.

No day-light saving time in China. 203722[/snapback] No day-light savings time in Arizona either. )

I dunno. I read posts on here all the time where SO's are so happy to get their first check from Walmart... which I think is a little lower than being a nanny/teacher to children. But, then again, in China they may view this the other way around. I guess it depends on how patient she is and how much she likes children. I know the nanny market in Phoenix isn't nearly as fruitful as in New York.

Certainly a lot of guys have gotten their SO's visa with only one visit to China but no doubt more visits can help. All of the other things you mention are not really necessities. I bet that Ivy knows how to be really frugal and do things by not spending a lot of money and you can be creative about it all and do that too. Actually I think those with more modest bankrolls can have more problems after your SO is here if she is not willing to accept your circumstances and yearns for more... 202956[/snapback] Roger, you are right about my SO being frugal. She can stretch a dollar a lot further than I can. I don't believe she is the kind that would go on a spending spree over here. She grew up poor and works 12 hour days so she appreciates a few more dollars to spend. In my post, I didn't mean to imply that I am poor. I have a government job and can certainly afford to bring her over here. However, I am not in the income bracket which would enable me to fly back and forth several times. I do plan to go back when she has her interview, at least for moral support. I know that will require flying from Nanning to GUZ and back. I'll face that when I get to it. Thanks everyone for replies. Maybe others would like to give their opinions as well. 203012[/snapback] I'm in the same boat as you, RLS. I believe I have the ability to support my SO once she gets here. If not, I can always get a second job. However, frequent trips to China are definitely not in my budget, so its good to hear that so many people are scoring on one or two trips.

Hahaha! "Big noses"! What a cool way to refer to us. I'll have to tell my SO about that one.

If you can drive in China, then you can drive in the U.S. Not the other way around, unless you are a road warrior :boxertwo: 201240[/snapback] I would rather rent a moped.