SBS
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Hi PJ
Microsoft Encarta Reference Library 2003 is really useful. you can search for any city in China and know where it is.
also i just found these websites may be useful.it has nice photos of the cities you mentioned.
http://www.chinats.com/index.htm
http://china.muzi.com/travel/city/hangzhou.htm
also each city has their own dialect. it will be hardly understand especially in most of the cities in South China. however young people can speak Mandarin well so it wont be a problem to understand each other.
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yeah PJ you are right the costs of living between various cities in China are so different. well i dont know much about other cities but we did have experences about how my husband and I spend money for living and eating here last year in Hangzhou
we got so lucky to find a really kind old man who owns two nice apartment. we had chances to stay in both of them and we really enjoy the first apartment very much. it is about 150M2 and everything is new in it. only cost 1800 RMB for one month(well but its a bit far from city center so we can only taxi each time if we wanna go somewhere). if you teach here some of the school will offer apartment for you and you wil be easier to find a good place to stay than us as a couple
Well but living is really costly in Shanghai. and it was a nightmare that we stayed in a apartment cost 4500RMB per month but shanghai monkeys were so rude to us and we left that apartment 2 days later.
people in shanghai really care money more than anything else and they will trick you since you are not local people and can;t speak chinese.
in my opinion, if you really wanna get a teaching job in China then you should try to find a city as Hangzhou , Suzhou. they are not as big as Shanghai but still they are not poor. If you work in such a big city as shanghai or Guangzhou you might be tired of crowd street all the time. but if you live in a city close to the nature then you will be able to relax your mind and really feel Chinese culture better by yourself.
well up is only my own idea because my husband and I love the living style like that.
anyway if you get a teaching job which is too busy then you will not have any free time to do anything else.
about food. if you can make your own food at home then you can save alot money. most food in resturants are oily here. we dont like them really. and they wont be healthy if you eat them everyday. you can get fresh vegeable or fruits in super market here and 600 per week is enough me for in hangzhou.
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How about passenger from China to America? I would like to carry a heavier backpack instead of suitcase
everyday i day-dream about that i am seeing my honey in the airport the next day
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the number will be over 10,000 for sure
This is really a year filled of nightmares we need peace!
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It has been so long no more news about on hold people.
it seems like a silent and dark place to us here. Are you all still keep sending Email or Fax to your congressman? Let us really collaborate with each other on contacting your congressman in your state and update your information here please.
I wonder how many people on Hold until now.
here is the one list as i know. see if it is correct.
SBS/ Orbitalpunk CR1
rfsun
Hope
Nicole K-1
Don&MuSi
rmistie
Joy&Gongfuman / Gongfuman CR1
Jason
tunger88
doqqie
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I think this is the Hotel i stayed last time when i went to GZ. You have to take taxi go to U.S. embassy. Well their buildings look great in the photo but since they are old i dont think they are as clean as Victory. their room is ok and does has windows. But i really don't like the small stree behind this hotel. it is really so crowd and dirty and a lot small resturtants there.
I really don't think i will stay there the next time if i go to pick VISA. I would rather stay on the same island where U. S. emabssy is. I think a good area is also important and you can go to Embassy only on foot then.
well this is only my opinion.
It is just not that easy to pick a good hotel as we wished during this SARS period.
also as Mick mentioned here "I think a much better choice is the Shamian Hotel. It is located near the White Swan Hotel, kind of across the street and down the block toward Lucy's Bar and Grill. You kind of have to look for it. There is a large sign over the entrance. The rooms are nice and can be had for around 250 RMB. Also, the location is great. We were able to get a discount the last two times we were there, once in February and once in March. "
i wonder if room in Shamian Hotel has windows or not
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GZ is having their holidays. but DOS or CA dont. so maybe we can hear good news after holidays from DOS
No one knows how long this name check will last. but one thing we do know is that how much we have waited. It has been half a year again since my interview. So no matter how long we still have to wait we have stayed strongly in this long peroid.
Stay strong all freinds here! PLease don't give up your hope!
at least our loved ones are safe & healthy. there is realy nothing more important than that when the world is filled of fear of SARS. take care of yourself for your loved one that is the best you can do now!
God bless you
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http://www.usembassy-china.org.cn/guangzho...cg/holiday.html
GZ is off now. GZ will go back to work until 6th this month. i just wonder why they have so many holidays.
everyone needs a holiday and i think GZ has been really working hard for everyone here. They need a good rest and come back to work again.
I really respect them because they are working while GZ is filled of SARS disease
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Hope SARS will really leave people away soon. i have been really sad reading all these reports about how bad SARS keeps going.
i pray for China & world safe and peaceful !
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here is the website of victory hotel. though i haven't got EMS but i think i will go there sooner or later. thanks for sharing your experiences here freinds!
http://www.gd-victory-hotel.com/fangjianleixing-e.htm
well i also look for a best price you can get if you want to stay in the White Swan for one night. it is 550 RMB from elong.
hope i can go to guangzhou soon and pick my visa
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zhejiang province has at 300 people for SARS by inside information but only reported 4
our city Hangzhou is filled of fear now
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"In addition, if security concerns are indicated when a name is run
through a database, an interagency review in Washington may be
required.
While fewer than 2.5 percent of visa applicants worldwide are referred
for additional background checks through interagency review, Harty
said that "glitches in interagency communications" have resulted in
significant delays for those applicants, particularly toward the end
of 2002. "
does it mean about cases like us which is put on hold
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(Assistant secretary for consular affairs comments on U.S. visa
regulations) (2250)
"Secure borders" and "open doors" -- two goals of U.S. visa policy --
are not mutually exclusive, according to Maura Harty, Assistant
Secretary for Consular Affairs at the U.S. Department of State.
Speaking April 16 at a forum on "Sustaining Exchanges While Securing
Borders" in Washington, Harty said the United States values visitors
from overseas, and she outlined government efforts taken to achieve
both security and openness.
"We are an open society. We welcome the diversity and richness of
experience that attends international exchange. We must not, as
Secretary [of State Colin Powell] Powell has said so eloquently,
become a gated America," Harty told an audience of international
educators gathered at George Washington University.
Discussing changes in U.S. visa policy since September 11, 2001, the
assistant secretary said the United States now requires more
information from all applicants and places more emphasis on the visa
interview.
In addition, if security concerns are indicated when a name is run
through a database, an interagency review in Washington may be
required.
While fewer than 2.5 percent of visa applicants worldwide are referred
for additional background checks through interagency review, Harty
said that "glitches in interagency communications" have resulted in
significant delays for those applicants, particularly toward the end
of 2002.
But she said the government has "made great strides forward" toward
solving these problems and at present 80 percent of these cases are
cleared within two weeks of application.
"We are making continued improvements in the efficiency of this
process, without sacrificing anything in thoroughness," added Harty.
The assistant secretary explained that most visa denials are based not
on security concerns but on the statutory requirement that applicants
for non-immigrant visas be presumed ineligible until they establish to
the satisfaction of a consular officer their "entitlement to a legal
nonimmigrant status."
"Most applicants who fail this test do so either because their
economic and family situation makes them seem likely to overstay their
visas or because their stated reasons for visiting the United States
do not seem credible," she said.
In response to rumors that the United States is denying all visas or
large numbers of applicants indiscriminately, Harty said, "the reality
is that the laws relevant to visa eligibility have changed only
slightly since September 11."
"While procedures have been tightened substantially, we have made
every effort to minimize inconvenience to the applicant," added Harty,
who said the United States continues to welcome legitimate visa
applicants and issue millions of visas. "We want to facilitate
legitimate travel just as we want to identify those who might want to
do this country harm," she said.
She encouraged potential visitors to visit a new Web site,
www.unitedstatesvisas.gov, designed as a single point of access to
information about U.S. visa policy and procedures.
Following is the text of Harty's remarks as prepared for delivery:
(begin text)
Remarks by Maura Harty
Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs
Open forum on "Sustaining Exchanges While Securing Borders"
The George Washington University
Washington, D.C.
April 16, 2003
I'm happy to be here today and to have this opportunity to share with
you some comments on visa regulations and educational exchange.
America's educational institutions are a national treasure and one of
the main attractions for foreign visitors, who continue to view the
United States as the premier place to study.
I believe that international educational and cultural exchange is one
of our most potent means of influencing world opinion and developing
lasting and meaningful relationships. Such exchanges add strength to
this nation in the realm of ideas and, frankly speaking, add to our
national bottom line.
Department of Commerce data places U.S. Higher education as the
country's fifth largest service sector export. International students
contribute some $12 billion annually to this nation's economy in the
form of tuition, living expenses and related costs. Nearly 75% of
student funding comes from personal and family sources outside the
United States. The national interest in encouraging this exchange is
obvious.
I think however that it is important for you to hear me repeat what
Secretary Powell has said many times since the terrible attacks of
September 11, 2001. Consular officers serve in the front line of this
nation's defense as they interview visa applicants around the world.
They do their job with security in mind first. But they are also
mindful of the great strengths of this country which must be nurtured
and preserved. We are an open society. We welcome the diversity and
richness of experience that attends international exchange. We must
not, as Secretary Powell has said so eloquently, become a gated
America.
Our policy toward the visa function is best summarized in the phrase,
"secure borders, open doors."
Let me talk first about secure borders. The events of September 11
made clear to the public something that consular officers have long
keenly felt: the moment of visa adjudication is the first and best
opportunity we have to keep dangerous people out of the United States.
Since September 11, we have redoubled our efforts to use that
opportunity to best effect.
Security review procedures in place before September 11, 2001, are
still in effect, with some additional procedures now also in place. We
are requiring more information from all visa applicants, and
scrutinizing every application more closely. We are placing more
emphasis on the visa interview, as an opportunity to assess the
applicant's credibility face to face. We have established additional
screening requirements in many cases, whereby the consular officer
must refer certain categories of applications for an interagency
review in Washington. Working closely with other U.S. Government
agencies, we have vastly expanded the visa lookout database, against
which every applicant is checked before visa issuance. We have also
taken steps toward implementing a statutory mandate to incorporate
biometric identifiers in U.S. Visas.
I should point out that most visa denials are based not on security
concerns, but rather on the statutory requirement that each applicant
for a non-immigrant visa must be presumed ineligible until he or she
establishes to the satisfaction of a consular officer his or her
entitlement to a legal nonimmigrant status. Most applicants who fail
this test do so either because their economic and family situation
makes them seem likely to overstay their visas, or because their
stated reasons for visiting the U.S. do not seem credible.
To sum up our "secure borders" policy, our goal is to make sure that
the visa issuance process is as secure as possible and supports our
overall security and counter-terrorism efforts, taking into account
all intelligence and law enforcement information available to the U.S.
Government, so that -- with the addition of the immigration check and
review at the border, and taking advantage of the enhanced
capabilities of the new Department of Homeland Security -- it will
form a coordinated and interlocking network of border security in
which the American people and our many foreign visitors can have
confidence.
The other aspect of our approach to visa work is, I suspect, also of
great interest to this group. Open doors.
We in the Department of State, who study foreign languages and live
and work abroad for extended periods, are acutely aware of the
importance to our country of international exchange. We deal with
foreigners every day, and we know from experience that the vast
majority of visa applicants harbor no ill intent. On the contrary,
they seek to come for family reasons, tourism, business, studies, and
cultural exchange. They generally support and admire the United
States, and they tend to return to their home countries with a
favorable impression, spreading their views to others.
Visa demand was strong throughout the last decade, rising from 7
million in 1993 to 9.5 million in 2000. Since 9/11 that trend has gone
into reverse; demand fell off immediately after September 11, and
although visa applications are up in some countries, overall demand
has declined dramatically. For planning purposes we project 6 million
applications for the current fiscal year.
What are the reasons for this decline?
Travelers are concerned about the risk of terrorist attacks on
airplanes or airports.
Some may be put off by greater security measures at airports.
Some may fear that foreigners are less welcome in the U.S. today than
at other times in our history.
Some decide not to travel because of the global economic downturn.
Some may stay away because of antipathy toward a particular U.S.
Foreign policy.
With these possible reasons, and I am sure many others, it is
impossible for us to tell to what extent people are deterred from
coming to the U.S. by concerns about the perceived difficulty of the
visa process.
Many applicants have heard stories about long delays in visa approval.
It is true that, during the latter part of 2002, we experienced real
glitches in interagency communications, resulting in significant
delays for those travelers whose visas required referral to
Washington. While we have not entirely solved these problems, we have
made major strides forward. At this point, more than 80 percent of
such cases are cleared within two weeks of application, and we are
making continued improvements in the efficiency of this process,
without sacrificing anything in thoroughness.
One area in which we are still experiencing longer delays involves
vetting of applicants whose travel raises concerns of possible harmful
transfer of high technology. Of course, we recognize that this part of
the process will often affect scholars and exchange students.
Let me assure you that we are working closely with other federal
agencies, such as the departments of Homeland Security and Justice, to
implement a process for tracking the status of foreign students that
is minimally disruptive and less time-consuming.
I know that you are concerned with the impact that the implementation
of the Department of Homeland Security's SEVIS (Student and Exchange
Visitor Information System) database has had on our ability to issue
visas to students, exchange visitors and their dependents in a timely
manner.
First, let me give you the good news; at this time, well over 400,000
SEVIS records have been posted to our consular consolidated database.
This data is made available to consular officers around the world for
adjudication, record keeping and reporting. We have issued tens of
thousands of student and exchange visitor visas since the full
implementation of SEVIS on February 15.
And while we, too, know that some SEVIS records are still not being
made available to our embassies and consulates, due to technical
glitches, I can tell you that state and DHS data technicians cooperate
daily to locate, correct, if necessary, and forward these SEVIS files
to our consular consolidated database. This is a small number of
cases, and they are receiving a great deal of attention.
Many unsubstantiated rumors have circulated, indicating that we are
denying all visas, or large groups of applicants, indiscriminately.
The reality is that the laws relevant to visa eligibility have changed
only slightly since September 11. While procedures have been tightened
substantially, we have made every effort to minimize inconvenience to
the applicant.
Yes, there are new name check procedures in some cases. To put the
issue of special clearances into perspective though, it is important
for you to know that fewer than 2.5% of visa applicants worldwide are
subject to additional background and security checks. The other 97.5%,
if otherwise eligible and approved for issuance, generally receive
their visas in one or two days.
The most important thing we can do to dispel unwarranted concerns
about the visa process is to provide information and predictability.
We want the public to know that we continue to welcome legitimate visa
applicants, and we continue to issue millions of visas. We want to
facilitate legitimate travel just as we want to identify those who
might want to do this country harm.
The state department has established a web site,
www.UnitedStatesVisas.gov, to provide public information about visa
policy and procedures. I would encourage you and your foreign
interlocutors to check this site, as well as our main site,
www.travel.state.gov.
You in the academic community occupy key positions in promoting the
public image of the United States abroad. I have no doubt that you
understand the reasons for our primary emphasis in the visa process on
"secure borders," and I hope that you also are clear that we remain
strongly committed to the "open doors" aspect of visa work.
We want the world to know that we value our visitors and that we want
them to come to the United States to enjoy the richness our country
has to offer in so many areas. We want them and our own citizens to be
safe while they are here. Toward that end we are taking extra
precautions, but America remains an open and welcoming country.
I do not believe that we need to choose between secure borders and
open doors. Together with our partners and colleagues in other
agencies of government, we at the Department of State are committed to
achieving both goals. We hope that the very valuable asset of
international exchange continues to thrive -- in a nation that is both
open and secure for its citizens as well as those who would join us
here.
Thank you.
(end text)
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Hi All,
Well, it looks like I will have an opportunity to work as a Software Engineer in Xiamen. The interview went well, and they want to proceed with salary requirements, start date, etc.
However, I would like to get some advice and insight from everyone. Ummm ... is this a bad idea? Seems like a lot of people are in a hurry to get *out* of southern China.
Next, they seem to want a one-year committment ... is this normal for jobs in China?!
Someone recommended to me that if I am interested in going over for an extended period of time that I teach English. Do they want long committments for that as well?! Also, is the salary for that comparable to software engineering? I'm not looking to make a lot of money and build some sort of nest egg, this would purely be about the experience ... I would want to make enough to live comfortably for a while, basically spend what I make and get out and see the world.
Seriously, I am wanting to go out, see a new culture, experience life. I don't know. Maybe this is my way of dealing with a previous bad experience. Maybe I'm just bored. But at the same time, I am really scared about the idea of leaving my comfort zone, and lifestyle.
I would be very grateful for thoughts, insight, and advice that y'all could provide!!!
Thanks,
P.J.
I am emailing you right now. hold on
My husband and i did look for teaching job in china last year. I would like to share our experence with you
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Just received this reply from Harty's office:
We join you in hoping that your waiting period ends soon. We are doing
everything that we can to conclude this case, but we ask you to understand that parts of the process are entirely outside our control. For that reason, a meeting with us would not resolve the problems that are
delaying this visa application.
Sincerely,
Kathryn Cabral
Chief
Public Inquiries Division
Visa Services
After some thinnking, this is probably something we should do or ask, since KC says they are doing everything they can, and they cannot trace individual cases during that process...
1. what they can do, as a category, for "on-hold" cases? and what they've done?
2. as a standard procedure, they could at least issue a memo requesting infomration from that government agency and they should get a response not matter what.
3. To move up the food chain, we should contact Colin Powell, or the Congress Judiciary committee...
We never contented with Congress Judiciary Committee before. What can they do for us?
Do they have much more power than DOS?
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i really can;t remember the name of this Form anymore.
Anyone can help me please?
It's form DS-230 Part 1
Application for immigrant visa and alien registration
Don't email Harty about this. Email the consulate. You probably can resend a corrected one by marking it "amended submission for form DS-230" or something like that.
Thank you Eric and ttlee_99. yeah it is DS-230 Part 1 which i wrote wrong name of the university i worked.
Well I wish they will give me a chance to explain my mistake and correct it. I can only think this as a reason why my case on hold right now.
I appreciate your help freinds!
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I just found out i wrote my worked university's name wrong on the Form in packet 3
Can it cost trouble on my case???
I am going yo write email to Harty but does anyone can tell me what the name of this form? i can;t find it really from website. you should received it in Packet and you only filled out Part One that time. and then send it back to GZ. then in packet you will get Part Two which you will fill out and bring it to interview.
i really can;t remember the name of this Form anymore. Anyone can help me please?
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We dont know why our case is put on hold too. No one can really get a real answer from CA or FBI
Does it really mean an unknown waiting?
It has already been 2 months after we were told our case put on hold
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this was letter from DOS's answer. yesterday I got a answer from vice president but it was a form letter. I think he was too busy and no time to care of us.
Dear Mr. xxxx
This is in response to your e-mail of April 7 to Lisa Piascik and to Ms.
xxxxxs e-mail of March 20 to Maura Harty, both of which requested
information about Ms. xxxxfiancée visa application. Our last
communication to you about this matter was dated March 18.
You inquired about a resubmission of the clearance request for your fiancée.
We routinely resubmit such requests when a response has not been received in
a timely manner. In this case, however, the problem is not lack of a
response, but the placing of a "hold" on the process by another government
agency. A resubmission will not solve this problem.
We use the term "hold" to mean that a government agency has informed us that
it needs more time to reach a decision on an individual case. We do not
know why a hold was put on Ms. xxxxs case, and we are unable to predict
when the hold will be lifted.
We understand that this waiting period is very difficult for you, and we
hope that it ends soon. However, we cannot issue a fiancée visa to Ms.
xxxx until the interagency clearance process has been completed. The
Consulate will notify her when it is able to resume processing her visa
application.
I regret that our reply could not be more favorable.
Sincerely,
Kathryn Cabral
Chief
Public Inquiries Division
Visa Services
I am really sorry to read this kind of form letter again.
we need more information than just sorry from them!
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Thank you for everyone pay attention on us!
We really need to wake them up and let DOS and CA know our cases are important!
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Does anyone have any idea how long this on hold case will last?
seems no really good news still
I haven't send any email to DOS or CA for two weeks. just because it seems useless. Should i start to send again ?
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My husband and I really appreciate of your reply Blennon! Thank you very much!
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Woo Hoo!!!
Please update our (blennon) status to: EMS Recieved - March 29
It is a happy, happy day... more later (it's past bedtime).
Could you please tell us your visa TYPE?
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God this is really a good news to all our put on hold cases!!
but one thing i wonder Why you didn;t get any information before you get EMS?
CA or DOS may tell you that your case has sent to GZ before you get EMS. does it mean CA or DOS can;t really check from their comptuer?
Who is still ON-HOLD?
in General Visa Discussion & First Steps
Posted
Congratulate!!!! wow evrything moves so fast Nicole. what it happened on your on hold case. Could you tell us more detail.
wish the others good luck too