Dan-Juan

I want to get the visa for my wife when I go to visit family in Chicago. SO there is NO planned visit she wants the 10 years visa in her passport so that it does not have to be a hassle when she does make plans. So does anyone have CONCRETE example of what exactly will suffice for the 10 year visa for someone who got an American passport a month ago? her whole family are PRC citizens and she has a place to stay any time, but I don't want to schlep to Chicago with a half baked idea of what actually are they looking for.

My wife is still waiting for her oath ceremony so she will have a shiny new US passport and the visa hopefully will match!

So I have read this thread with some casual interest in what Chinese communities are like in the largest metro areas especially in California. I recently spoke with a Chinese who got a teaching degree and certificate in China and at some point ran out of options for job, then found a position that placed her with a work visa for a limited period of time. Since then the visa has expired and she went out of status. Not wanting to return she moved to the LA area and I really am naiive but how can she work or get a license or buy a house or all these things I see suggested here. Do they provide falsified documents? work in the "underground society" etc. Seriously I will be talking more to see exactly where she will end up, but how can this be? i mean my wife studies at the community college and now the university I work and I had to submit dozens of forms and documents to justify ability to attend and instate tuition. I mean I couldn't fake these documents how do these illegals drive work buy a house attend school etc. i am a smart fella I really am clueless in this area, my stereotype is mexican day workers and migrant agricultural workerss I never imagined them actually being above ground in any way

Maybe I was lucky this time, Sent package California Service Center. 10 Year green card in hands about 3 months (timeline in signature). My package was very streamlined this time exactly enough to assure success. No interview no RFE so needless to say great relief finally can put USCIS on the far far backburner after 3 years of rolercoasters Good luck hopefully everyone can receive good news on timely fashion

I just did this using California service center and took 3 months almost to the day. I know it varies.

Are you flying Continental flight CO88 on the 26th from Beijing?

My wife came in JFK last week and got a detailed grilling many many questions she was very upset, but as she thought when they say you can go then get get get going don't look back.

Ok Her English is ok but a long way to go. I have contacted the local literacy council and she will start some esl study as soon as they have an opening in a few weeks she would like to work at a hotel or motel that would be great except she would rather work banquet server type job than room cleaner but if we can find something it would be a great boost for her. I welcome all comments and suggestions thanks

Wow my wife has been here a week and is already to go back. How do you find a job for someone who just quit a teaching career for 8 years and suddenly is worthless (her words) and needs to send money home for a mother going through cancer treatments that are expensive in China? I feel culturally overwhelmed and have few answers!!! I am also recovering from a heart attack last month and have my own issues!

I *highly* recommend taking the train from HK to GUZ. Depending on what time your flight comes in, if it is evening I took a shuttle bus from airport to harbour plaza hotel next to the train station, stayed over night, had a really excellent buffet breakfast, and walked to the train station then took the train to GUZ and walked to the apartments ( we stayed at the other apartment not the Yangs) and the opposite on the way back. It was really easy and saved me some money even with hotels on both ends (I also went to Disneyland for a day) Good luck!

I used MSN last night and it worked fine I used msn and skype today. We type on msn but do webcam on skype since I have a mac

Hope you have success! Don't forget your visa

My experience varied, hotels always asked for passport at some point, one time hotel didnt get my passport because wife got room ahead, police ended up calling the room and wife just registered me over the phone In GZ never registered. I believe that it is good to follow the lead of your SO best results from this on all things

Mostly she had to change her career and her pet. http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v344/86/59/12463971/n12463971_44374932_3644.jpg

My wife came into the United States under a K-1 fiance visa. Unfortunatley the spouse that she intended to marry abused her and they didn't get along. They tried for a year or so it didn't work out. My wife and I met in 2002 and got married in 2003. Unfortunatley since I wasen't the petitioner on the original K-1 visa she can't adjust her status though me. We consulated multiple attorneys and each of them stated she had to leave the United States and apply for a i-601 waiver for the 10-yr bar. The waiver was approved about 3 weeks ago. She is sitting in guangzhou right now waiting to pick up her visa Thursday morning!!!!!! Congratulations!

So can you get just the sim card or do yo uhave to get another phone and take the sim out? I am on at&t Like Randy said. My wife also has a very nice Chinese cell phone she brought with her from China. She now has the same phone on T-Moblie. Works great. Ya just need to change the SIM card.

I finally found my way to an internet connection... and I'm thrilled to report... We're PINK !!!!! I'm working on a very detailed re-cap of our interview which I'll post soon in the Interview Results area. congratulation welcome to the august club!!!! great news

WOW what a great report! Congratulations !!! Your wife did superb!

Congratulations welcome to the club!!! So cool

Chicago consulate only would give me one year 90 day one mostly I had one trip to China. Now after 3 trips I bet they would give me a 2 year, I won't renew this one though wife is moving here soon, and next time I visit I want a fresh one

i have used magic jack successfully in china 3 different trips worked great calling back to usa i just plugged hotel phone into the magicjack this trip in china i tended to use my iphone and skype more cause it was easier and i coulod walk around apartment. mj is cheap you cant really go wrong in my opinion i just renewed 5 years

I use skype very good quality, cost is 0.021 cents a minute plus a connection charge, I have a magicjack when it first came out works well i prepay some credit not sure exact cost but it works well about 5 cents a minute maybe. Recently got google voice invitation this is my favorite so far. There is absolutely no connection fee flat 2 cents a minute and i can have it call any number i like cell, work whatever.

YES clothes washer is in the room very handy. my wife washed her clothes by hand me i loaded up the washer. I couldn't figure the damned thing out i think i ran every wash through 2-3 cycles but they were clean for sure! i didnt post a bathroom picture but theres some odd tile designs with some like psuedo roman renaissance figures and little cherubs. The water heater worked great, high pressure shower with 3 ways to deliver, hand shower, head shower, and some side jets look like some car wash and bless them a sit down crapper. my last trip the squat toilet was ok but this trip i had the "D" word and if i had to squat look out you would have heard me complain

I must say that after staying at Xia's for 2 weeks it was very very nice. My wife chose the place that cost 230 a night, and I think worth the money. Very quiet and comfortable good internet 2 air conditioning units worked well, and even had 2 beds. ( I snore a lot so came in handy) I got sick while there unfortunately was the only real bummer last few days. http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj98/poolman802/Guangzhou%208-2009/02967728.jpghttp://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj98/poolman802/Guangzhou%208-2009/3f6a4a4a.jpghttp://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj98/poolman802/Guangzhou%208-2009/425dbf50.jpg

OK knock it out of the park! I am home now, arrived last night and slept some. It's 4:00 AM and I am awake damn this time change! Watch the heat