FuManChu

I can't stop looking at your avatar picture..

Tim, We stayed at the Shangri la hotel in Shenyang last time we were there. I thought for the comfort and price it was really reasonable. Cost me less than $100 USD for a 5 star Hotel (yeah same price as a Travel Lodge in the US). Anyways here is the site link below. Hope it helps. http://www.shangri-la.com/en/property/shenyang/traders

Definitely not something, I would like to ever see or even think about. The modern world would united and crack down on the US faster then a WWE wrestler. Who is going to do business with a country that doesn't honor its obligations? The collective harm to this country, that for the most part, is too soft to weather any type of hardship would be rocked into anarchy. The global economy is so tied together, its sometimes easy to forget that politicians from this side of the world or the other..are posturing. MAD was a political theory of assured destruction in nuclear arms race with the soviet union. Would this be any less absurd economically for the world?

::bites tongue:: So many things I should say...but then again maybe Good luck

I agree with Steve. Sorry, but if you can't afford a small increase of a few hundred dollars, how are you going to survive? I don't think anyone will argue that when the SO arrives in the USA there is going to be a short time, where they will be dependant on you. What are you going to do about he increase in costs associated with that? Are you going to be able to help her get an airplane ticket here? I'll bet I'm probably younger than most here, and honestly, money is not an issue for me. But by analogy, would I have 10 children if I can't afford them? What is love going to get me? The only thing I want from my government is to deliver my mail, and pick up my trash. Keep your social security, medicare, etc. I married for love. But I live in the world; not "never never land."

Brent, You need some serious help. I would contact a good immigration lawyer in your area that specializes in removal/deportation. Though all of us at CFL can give you support and well wishes, you need a professional to actuall guide you and your wife at this point. Prayers sent.

Hey Lawrence, Sorry for the late reply, but it looks like the ginsing experts have all chimed in Yes, Ginsing is a great gift to the SOs, mom! It doesn't have to be crazy expensive, as most chinese only use a small amount of the root in their cooking. I think I spent 60 dollars for 2 packages of medium sized roots, with about 8 in each package. Usually the bigger roots are more expensive than the smaller ones. As a gift for the parents, VITAMINS believe it or not make a great gift. I bought a few large bottles from COSTCO and they loved em. I guess quality multivitamins are also expensive in China. Personally I would stay away from make up or skin care products for mom or dad. First it is hard to guess their skin type, the fragrence, if they like the brand, or whether they will use it at all.

American Ginsing is huge. Don't discount it, especially if your SO is from the guangdong province. Ginsing is Expensive in China, and many older people favor it for cooking. Also a few other suggestion are fine chocolates and Hawaii Macadamian nuts.

I know one of the main reasons I married my wife was her strong ideas about "family." If my wife's family had an emergency, I would "beg, borrow, or steal" to get her the funds to visit her family. Affordable or unafforadable is sometimes a matter of sacrifice. If I didn't have the money, I would get it, even if it meant further debt, or otherwise. It's THAT important.

The two best hotels in GZ currently is the Asia International Hotel and the Garden Hotel, that are both "closer" to the embassy. This is true until the new Sheraton opens around May 2007. Really hard to find an international "5star" in GZ at the moment. Avoid the China Hotel at all costs. Listed as 5 star, but its old and dirty.

Only Dallas and JFK stamp the work authorization at the POE. No one else. So SFO will not give her any work authorization stamp. Just gonna have to apply for an EAD

The new Consulate for spouses and fiancees are now held in the Tien He District. The white swan is VERY far away from the consulate now. If you are looking for the best hotels in GZ. Give the Garden Hotel or the Asia International Hotel a try. Either will cost you less than $100 US a night, unless it is during the Canton Trade Fair. During the fair expect 300-400 USD per night at these hotels.

Sorry to hear of your troubles. My inlaws have no problem comming and going to the USA on B1 and B2 all the time. My inlaws though have a large company that does quite a bit of business between the USA and China. Seems like the richer you are in China, the easier it is to come to the USA

The information is a little dated, but my aunt is a resident of HK for the last 40 plus years. She used to hold a british passport when HK belonged to the UK, and now holds a special HK passport. My mother applied for my aunt to come to the USA based on a family based petition (green card). She had absolutely no problem to come to the USA to visit while this was pending. Now, my aunt is rich <read as millions>, and I'm not sure if it was because she could prove she had ties to HK or what. Point? She came here very easily, while an application was pending back and forth on a pleasure visa.

Maybe the mods can lock this thread please. It is getting political again, just like in the TC. If not, I have already stated my liking of the comprehensive immmigration approach as a nice balance of practicality and compassion for those already here. 'Cheers!

Christmas is by far the most prominently displayed holiday in China. No, it is not about the Christian faith at all, and the Chinese couldn't care less about the religious connotations. Christmas as celebrated in China is an excuse to engage in many of the worst aspects of Christmas, such as commercialism, and excessive celebration. I have spent the last 4 Christmases in China, and that's all they think it is: one big party. Last year was especially bad, as Christmas fell on the weekend. Thousands of mainland Chinese fled to HK to see the "nice displays" and engage in shopping sprees. To a lesser extent, this also happens during Valentine's Day.

Jon, Not meaning to criticize you, but all your posts on CFL to day have been "suggesting" that you and your SO want to go to the USA prior to any substantial commitment. I think its pretty clear that each case will stand on its own merits. But you gonna be hard pressed to convince any Visa Officer that it's a good idea to let a single chinese girl into the USA with no other relatives or business in the USA besides to sightsee with her US Boyfriend. If you want to bring her to the USA as a fiancee or wife, there are a lot of options available to you, as you imply you are in China. DCF is reasonably fast, in the grand scheme of immigrant visas. Unfortunately your "rights" as a US citizen as it concerns the visa issuing process of significant other, are about zero. Whine, bitch, complain if it makes you feel better, but thats all its going to amount to. If she wants to go to the "West" to visit, Europe is lovely this time of year

My understanding is that you need SS# AND EAD for a K1. The basis would be (a)(6). --- JEff posted this on AAC a short time back and gave me permission to copy it here. It is one of the best overviews I've seen. With regard to applying for EA - A K1 is EA while they are in K1 status. But, unless they entered at JFK (or possibly a few other POEs) they will not have an EAD to document it. If they want to have an EAD they need to apply for it, and they do so on the basis of (a)(6). - A K2 is not EA. If a K2 wants to be EA (or just have an EAD) they also need to apply. While they are in K2 status they apply on the basis of (a) (6). - K3 and K4 are not EA. If they want to be EA (or just have an EAD) they need to apply. If they have not applied for adjustment of status, they applu on the basis of (a)(9). - Any Kx who has applied for adjustment of status and who wants to be EA (or just have an EAD) needs to apply, and they do so on the basis of ©(9). With regard to applying for a SS card, - A K1 who is still in K1 status, and has more than 14 days in status remaining, may apply for and be issued a SS card. The SSA does not need to see an EAD as evidence of status, they will accept the I-94 as evidence with confirmation either from the SAVE data base or paper inquiry to the USCIS. - K2, K3, and K4, since they are not EA incident to status, must obtain EA (and with it an EAD) in order to apply for and be issued a SS card. Confirmation required via either the SAVE data base or paper inquiry to the USCIS. With regard to employment, - All Kx (and many other classes of aliens) are required to show an employer an EAD. Unlike the SSA, for K1s an emplyer cannot accept an I-94 indicating a person's K1 status as evidence of EA. I think that's an accurate high-level summary of the various aspects of employment authorization for K visa entrants. For reference, an employer must fill out an I-9 on each person they hire. Here are the links to the I-9 and the employer's handbook.

What type of Chinese food? Cantonese, Sichuan, Hunan, Yunan?

Beef is Austrialian, angus, or Japanese Kobe. Same price everywhere in the world. You aint eating skinny field cows.

By taxi it is 35 minutes. I always pay a taxi. It is direct, I don't like piling in the busses at the airport. It is especially bad if you are the last ones on, as room is limited. Also not "English" friendly. But to each his own 15 bucks for my own trip, aint too bad.

Shutter, If you are in the mood for some fantastic Thai food, there is a chain, called Banana Leaf, the same one in HK. THe curry is out of this world. There are at least 4 locations in GZ. There are 3 very close to the Friendship store across the street from the Garden Hotel. Give it a try, The curry crab is to die for

If you are looking for an american type steakhouse, try Madison's. They are located on the small street next to the garden hotel. Very good steaks, but not cheap though in the 30-50 US dollar price range.

Rick, You guys are flying. From your inception to Interview eligible has only been 6 months. That's like greased lightening! Especially from Nebraska Service Center! I echo the sentiments above. Don't tell her anything till you can get a firm answer. I would take the bet that it will not be 10 months. Maybe 4 at the MAX.

haha, cheap but not that cheap. 100RMB=12 bucks or so ish