ericeblack

We had this problem. There was no birth certificate. We had to get a letter from the local PSB stating this. Again, you can not just walk there and ask. Yuo must have a connection and pay (bribe) the person in charge. You then take this letter and translate and notarize it.

About 6 weeks from now you will get a confirmation letter in the mail. A few weeks after that your wife will get an appointment letter. You need to get together all the documents listed. First off, you have been living in China for 2 years. You must prove domicile in the US. Utility bills, voter registration, or a house in the US will do. Since you were out of the US for so long you need to show that you have intended to return. Next, you need to get you wife's, birth certificate,a police report, her passport and all the other required documents that it states on the form. The big issue for you is to make sure that you can prove that you make enough money. Do not you need a sponsor? You are working in China, so there is is good chance you don't make enough money. Get your past income tax returns for the past 3 years. Did you file for the years you were working in China? Yes you still needed to file, this can be an issue if you did not file in the last few years. Finally, you need to have all the evidence that you can get that your relationship, and your marriage are genuine. Lease, wedding photos, bank amounts....everything. Make sure you have a notarized translation of your marriage certificate.

We just completed the DCF process through Guangzhou, and I had no idea that you could mail in the application. We were told that it had to be filed in person which we did and the whole process only took a few months. All the correspondence that I had with the embassy in regards to letter was received by EMS, but I was living in China through the whole process. I don't know how they will send it if your address is US based.

Most Chinese women are very realistic. They will understand the concept of a prenuptial. If they do not, you have some serious concerns.

In the posts offices you can send dollars into the US. First you need your SO to change RMB for dollars, it is a project for an American to do it. Then go to the post office, and find the Western Union window. They will immediately try and get you to send the money Western Union, simply because it is the most expensive option, but China Post has a contract with Deutsche Bank to handle international wire transfers. You simply fill out the form, you will need your bank account number and routing number, and watch them enter the info into the computer to make sure they do not make any mistakes. The first few times I went to the post office they told me it was impossible to do this. Then one day I found a person who knew what they were doing, and she explained to me that this option was available. It takes 2-3 business days and it is half the cost of Western Union for a $1000 transfer. I used this option for several months, sending most of my money to my dollar account in the States. If they tell you this is impossible, talk to a different person.

What the P4 says is that "Identify, in English, any person taken in group photos". In the Chinese version it is "Use English to note the people in your photos". Like I said, I don't think that this is a requirement, just a suggestion. I was just curious what others have done. I will try to scan the P4, I am going into Beijing in a few days. I am in my wifes hometown for the holiday and I have no access to anything like that here.

In my P4 it mentions something about writing the names of all the people in the photographs. Is this really necessary if my wife can easily explain who the people in the pictures and and what their relationship is to us? We have an awful lot of pictures with an awful lot of people, it can turn into a huge project.

I wasn't sure. I found this on the site when I was looking to download the current forms that are in packets 3 and 4. I couldn't find a date on the information that was posted there. Thanks for the update.

Does anyone know anything about this? I found this information at http://travel.state.gov/visa/laws/telegram...grams_1540.html on the DOS website. How is this going to effect those of us waiting for approval of the I-130? has anyone received any of their packets electronically? Has anyone noticed any changes yet? SUBJECT: CHANGES TO PACKET SYSTEM FOR IMMIGRANT VISA PROCESSING This message has been cleared with M/P(SEP). 1. This message describes changes to the standard information packages used to communicate with immigrant visa applicants. Briefly put, the IV packet system is being eliminated in favor of a simpler system of standardized mailings and more explicit provision for the use of Internet and other electronic resources when appropriate. The procedural notes in 9 FAM Volume 42 dealing with immigrant visa processing have been revised to reflect these changes and will be updated in the next release of Inserts. 2. Although the IV packet system has served well for over forty years with relatively few changes, the ease with which information can now be maintained and shared electronically makes the linear, rationed approach to immigrant visa information less useful. The numbered packets, many of which are no longer used by consular sections and rarely seen by applicants, were also the source of some confusion. The numbered packet system has therefore been eliminated. Packets 1, 2, 2a and 3a no longer exist. Standardized information sheets should be used to respond to queries as discussed below. The old Packet 3 has now been renamed the "Instruction Package for Immigrant Visa Applicants." Packet 4 is referred to as the "Appointment Package for Immigrant Visa Applicants." Packet 4a, important as the mailing that initiates the termination process, is now referred to as the "Follow-Up Instruction Package for Immigrant Visa Applicants." 3. Automated consular systems will continue to refer to standard information packages by their old packet numbers for the time being. 4. The DSL series information sheets are obsolete and should no longer be used. Instead, information sheets identified by title and date have been drafted and are available on the CA Intranet by clicking on the "IV" link. These information sheets are referenced in the revised FAM notes, but copies of this information will no longer be maintained in the FAM. Instead, consular personnel should consider the text available on the Intranet site to be the definitive text. Every effort will be made to ensure that content of the CA Internet site mirrors that maintained on the Intranet, but in the event of any discrepancy, posts are reminded that the Intranet remains the definitive source of visa information. These information sheets and the forms posted on the Intranet site may be e-mailed to inquirers and IV applicants as requested. They may also be printed on demand at smaller volume posts. Larger volume IV operations should use these information sheets as master documents and continue to print in bulk those most commonly used. 5. VO is working with CSD on changes to the format of Appendix C that will make it easier to maintain and share post-specific IV processing information. In the meantime, post should print country-specific portions of Appendix C from the online version of Appendix C whenever this information is requested. 6. The old OF-169 (the "Packet 3 checklist," renumbered DS-2001 last year) has been redesigned. The information concerning documents required for IV application has been separated out into an information sheet entitled "Instructions for Immigrant Visa Applicants." This document, covered by the form letter generated by the automated IV system, will become the basic component of the new "Instruction Package for Immigrant Visa Applicants." The DS-2001 has been redesigned as a one-page optional form to be used by applicants or their agents to notify post or NVC that they are ready for interview. The revised DS-2001 is now with OMB for approval and will be distributed and posted on the Intranet as soon as available. In the meantime, posts may feel free to use either the current DS-2001 or the revised "Instructions for Immigrant Visa Applicants" (posted on the CA Intranet) but should not use both forms as this would cause confusion. The new DS-2001 cannot be used until approved by OMB. 7. The 9 FAM 42 procedural notes have also been revised to remove references to "rationing" or piecemeal provision of information to IV applicants. Although IV processing posts are still required to provide the "Instruction Package" and "Appointment Package" at the appropriate stage in the IV process, this information may be provided to all inquirers, applicant or not, prepared or not, at any time. The forms and information sheets used in the IV process are public documents widely available on the Internet. Although consular officers will still need to stress to IV applicants the need to proceed through the IV process in a linear manner to avoid confusion, all information should be made available upon request. 8. Septel will provide guidance on further FAM changes concerning the definition of "documentarily qualified" and various pre-screening measures that may be used in the IV process. 9. Post comments and questions concerning these changes are welcome and should be addressed to CA/VO. 10. Minimize considered.

I finally got to Guangzhou to file the I-130 for my wife. We check and rechecked and triple checked all of out forms...and good thing we did because even after we double check, my Zuo noticed on the G-325a that I had here sex marked as male...that would have looked weird waiting for approval. I spent a lot of time preparing the packet for submission. I put all of our information into a folder with address stickers on it just incase it was misplaced. I also typed a cover letter and table of contents describing what the packet contained and what we were filing for. When I got to the window at Homeland Security, they did not want any of it. Typical!!! All they wanted was my residence permit, which has only been valid for one month, the I-130 and g-325a forms and one picture of each of us. She also took copies of my passport, my wife¡¯s passport, my birth certificate, her notorial B certificate, a letter saying that my wife has no original B certificate, and our Notoraial marriage certificate. That was it. Just the basics. It was a very simple process to file and I think it only took me 5 minutes with the woman behind the window. One problem with Guangzhou is that the window to file is only open and Tues and Thurs. from 1:30-3:30 which is not much time. I was behind several people who were there rjust to ask questions, not to file anything. They would go in the room and be there for 20-30 minutes asking questions. This was disturbing for us who had traveled a long way and were prepared. I was able to file but there were others waiting who would have to come back another time because people took too long asking homeland security questions that I am no doubt sure they could find by simple internet research. So please, if you are going to file, go there prepared. Do so for the sake of everyone who has traveled a long distance to file their petitions. If you are prepared it will go very quickly.

It was helpful...thanks. I am heading to GUZ next week to file th I-130 and I am jsut trying to make sure I have absolutly everything...thanks!!

You are correct that I am about to file the CDF in Guangzhou. The USCIS offices asks for a residence permit and a "employment certificate". I have a residence permit, a contract, and a letter from a University saying that I work there, but no "employment certificate". What I do have is the small "Foreign Experts Certificate" which is just a small book with my picture and where I work and life. Is that "Foreign Experts Certificate" my "employment certificate"?

Is an "Employment Certificate" the same thing as the "Foriegn Expert Permit"?

From what I was told the USCIS office in Guangzhou has different requirements for the birth certificates than the consulate does for a visa interview. This is exactly what the instructions say. In order to file a I-130 petition at DHS-USCIS-Guangzhou, you need to submit the following documents: 1. One I-130 2 One G-325A for petitioner and one for beneficiary. 3. Petitioners US Passport and/or US birth certificate, and Valid Chinese Public Security Bureau issued permanent Resident Permit. 4. Beneficiary's original birth certificate or certificate issued with Public Security Bureau letterhead for certify original is kept in record or loss. 5. Beneficiaries Notarial Birth Certificate. 6. Nortarial Marriage Certificate 7. Original Marriage Certificate 8. 2 photos for each petitioner and each beneficiary 9. Other documents mentioned in the instruction statement of the I-130 10. All non-English documents should be translated into English 11. Beneficiaries Chinese Passport. The birth certificates are listed as separte items and dthe woman at the office said they were. I have read on here in other places that some people had gotten a letter from the PSB. I was wondering what they had received and if it was a simple piece of paper.

The best way to do this is to use your computer. First, you need to have "East Asian fonts" installed on your computer. This you can do this in the control panel under languages. You can then use Adobe to enter in the Chinese characters into that section of the form. (You can also use adobe to input all the English info so it is nice and neat). If you don't know how to use the Chinese input methods have your fianc¨¦ email you her address in the Chinese characters. Then copy it from the email and paste it on your form using adobe. It is very easy but to do this you must have East Asian fonts installed on your computer and adobe as well. If your version of adobe does not support Chinese fonts you can download the patch for free. Simply go to Google and type "adobe Chinese fonts". Download the patch and install. It is very easy. Plus in the future it will come in handy having the Chinese fonts on your computer anyways. Good Luck!