canrun

Thanks, Randy. Yeah I figured we were pretty much on our own beyond what is out there on the Net. I'll post the details when/if the transfer is approved in the new year.

Any updates from members and their experiences moving money out of China? We are going to sell my wife's parents' apartment next year (deed in her name, taxes paid) and have read about the difficulty of sending the proceeds back home. Anyone have similar experience with this process rather recently? Thanks, Aaron (Glad to see CFL is back online!)

Thanks, Randy! Much appreciated.

Does the wording of this article change what has been written previously in this thread? Thanks. https://lawandborder.com/i-130s-no-longer-accepted-by-uscis-international-offices/

I was kidding about the questions. Heh. But yes of course I'll add you for non visa-related stuff.

I assumed as such since Thailand is visa on arrival for Chinese passport holders. Thanks, Randy! (You and I could probably handle all my questions with two tin cans and a ball of yarn! Ha.) Do you use wechat?

A quick follow up question: if we get the CRBA and US passport, and decide not to visit the States, would our son be able to visit Thailand on his Chinese passport without needing an entry-exit permit? I'm assuming he would, as there are no citizenship conflicts, but I thought I'd ask to make sure. Thanks.

Sounds like a reasonable plan. Thanks Randy. We'll apply for the CRBA and SSN shortly after CNY, then hope to travel to the US later in the spring. If they tell us we need a US passport, it's not the end of the world. We can go ahead and try again the following year with either an entry-exit permit or the pro forma visa. Also considering using the HK entry permit route if we get the US passport. Too many moving parts...makes me head spin. I just want my son to meet his grandparents- no more, no less. They don't make it easy. Ha! (And the definition of "they" is fungible!)

So would we go ahead and apply for the very same kind of visa my wife will be applying for? Would it be the "pro forma" as nothing regarding the US has been filed? And do you know if applying for the CRBA only (no US passport) has any negative effect on the US visitor visa situation? Meaning, should we do NOTHING at the consulate regarding my son's birth until we are ready to leave China several years down the road? Thanks for the help!

Hey folks, I've read all about pro-forma visas, entry-exit permits, etc. for little ones on the site here, but I was wondering before I go down that road: my infant son, born in China to me, an American citizen and his Chinese citizen mother, has a Chinese passport and hukou. We have not yet filed CRBA or gotten a US passport for him. I've read we can get CRBA without also getting the US passport. As we are planning on living in China for at least another five years, would it be possible to just apply for a regular B2 (right visa name??) tourist visa for him in the Chinese passport? We want to visit the US in the spring for a short visit. We can just wait to get the US passport somewhere down the road IF he can get a regular tourist visa in his Chinese passport. I'm finding little about that scenario online. I'll explore the pro-forma if not. Thanks for any help! Aaron

Thank you, Dennis! We're always "around!" Ha! Hope things are good with you and your family! When we re-apply for the GC in about two years, you'll be hearing a LOT more from us! Ha. Have a great day! Always nice to hear from you and friends from CFL! Best, Aaron, Helen and William Brown

Not in a few years - since Feb., 2014. I see. Thank you.

Agreed. I'm gonna contact my mother's long-term CPA in Georgia about this. A bridge too far for my knowledge base.

Thank you, Randy. I will check those out now. Yes, Chodorow is a very good resource. I remember Mike from my "busy time" posting here many years ago. Is he still active on the boards?

This was a useful link I came across today. https://www.taxesforexpats.com/expat-tax-advice/foreign-spouse.html

Hey folks, I have a two-part question: My wife's parents unfortunately both passed last year. She has inherited their home and their savings account. I hope someone can give me a heads-up on our tax situation under the following scenarios: 1. We will sell the parents' home in the next 2-3 years and wire that money to our joint bank account in the US. Well, at least attempt to! Ha. What kind of tax bill will that hit us with? Do any of you have any personal experience with this scenario? (The sale of a home in China and repatriating funds.) I'm thinking several here might. Any general advice about the process is appreciated! 2. In the interim, we want to transfer the parents' savings to our US bank account. As I understand it, a Chinese national can send up to 50K US per year abroad. We would wire the full 50K. How would that transfer be taxed on the US side? As regular income? Again, if anyone has any personal experience with this kind of transaction I'd appreciate any advice on the process as well. Thanks for any help! I appreciate and general or specific advice you can give. Cheers, Aaron

Thank you for the advice, Randy. Since we have joint accounts in the US, and we are planning on re-filing for her GC in the next 3-4 years, I think we will proceed as if nothing has changed and file jointly. Thanks again. Cheers, Aaron

Thanks. We do use Turbotax. Good product.

Thank you for the reply, Randy. I always appreciate your insight. We (I) have lived mainly in China for the past twenty years...never in the US for more than two. So there will be no SS benefits, unfortunately. We will continue to live in China for the time being. However, we have joint checking accounts, investments, etc. in the US in both of our names. As I understand it, by giving up the green card she no longer has US tax obligations. But I may be wrong (and anyone please let me know if I am!) I do know she keeps her SS card (tax ID). So, I'm wondering how I should file next year- I'm assuming joint, but I'm an English teacher, not an accountant, so I'm really not sure. Hope someone can steer me in the right direction. Thanks!

The paperwork has been submitted, so I have a follow-up question: am I correct that my wife will keep her SSN and will continue to be a co-owner of our banks accounts, investments, etc? I believe that she will. If so, should we continue to file taxes jointly? I know (think?) her tax status does change somewhat. I don't know why we would not file jointly, but appreciate any insight or suggestions. I know this is likely not a typical situation here, as others are going the other way. GETTING the green card. Ha! Thanks, all. Cheers, Aaron

Then my next trip to Yulin might to be to protest, uh, a certain festival!

Thank you, Randy! I think I'll file the paperwork tomorrow. We'll be here until at least 2023 anyhow. Thanks for the reply! ...and we're just right up the highway in Liuzhou. Let me know if you're ever in the area! Best, Aaron

Hey folks, My wife and I decided to return to China permanently several years ago. We had been going back to the States every 6-8 months, but last year were blessed with the birth of our son in China. We decided to remain here for the time being to raise him. It's now been over two years since we've been home, well over the one year window. My question is this: I currently have the paperwork in-hand to abandon my wife's permanent residence (green card.) We will file again for PR status again some time down the road. Before I send the paperwork in, is there ANY reason I should NOT do this? I know it's a big step, so is there anything I am missing? Basically, is it a given that she will not be allowed into the country after being away for (two plus) years at this point? We're ok with abandonment, but just want to make sure it's the right thing to do before I send in the paperwork. Thanks everyone! I ALWAYS recommend CFL to anyone that ever needs any China-US immigration visa questions answered. Great group! Cheers, Aaron

Thanks for sharing.

Please members keep us updated here on how things ultimately pan out. Might not affect all of us, but it most definitely affects a few of us.