Meiji Huaren

It definitely helps to meet expats out there. Depending on where in China you will be, there may be an expat community. A large one is Shanghai Expat. I know how it feels to need to rely on your SO there but it's ok to be a little bit adventurous ... The locals won't expect you to speak Chinese. Meeting new people and making friends will make it much easier to live out there. Good luck! I wish I could do the same.

I agree, that's a good idea. I imagine that it hasn't been implemented due to profit loss. There's the cost of hiring the air marshal(s) and the opportunity cost of not selling the 1 or 2 tickets that could've been paid for by customers. It's a small price to pay for safety though. I also read an article in which a passenger passed his back pack through TSA screening without any problems. Then on the plane he realized his 4" folding knife was still in his bag. He remarked that more competent screeners were needed rather than more complex restrictions that didn't make sense.

Just downloaded it. Not a bad app. I also recommend the following free Chinese learning apps for the iPhone: http://appshopper.com/reference/dianhua-dictionary although this one requires you to be a member to use: http://appshopper.com/education/quick-review-chinesepodcom-2

We are finding that it's not easy for us to get a loan in China to buy an apartment since we are working in the US. The banks in China do not accept our US documents showing proof of income and employment. Have any of you living and working in the US been able to successfully get a loan from a Chinese bank to buy property?

I used to read that website "ChinaSmack" but stopped due to most of the ignorant comments and China bashing, etc.

englishpod.com Youtube even has some English lesson videos Or use itunes to listen to English podcast lessons

Careful with the water filters installed under the sink. We just got one installed and found out that for every cup of water poured through the filter, about 5 times as much water is wasted. A tube where the excess filtered water runs through is supposed to be drilled into the pipe to be disposed of. Instead of doing that we let it run in a bucket and found that it wastes a lot of water. This was especially unnecessary in CA's Bay Area, where tap water is clean and drinkable. You can't really tell the difference between tap water here and bottled spring water.

Wow, these all sound like good options, especially the one from "Free Planet." If you are one of those who need your conversations logged, Google Voice offers this service (as well as recording voice conversations). I believe the rate is 2 cents/min to China.

I also don't like the fact that AT&T or most US carriers force you to have a 2 year contract with them. The monthly bill for the iPhone is high, but I'm not sure which carrier has a cheap data plan. On the other hand some people say it is still cheaper to buy an iPhone in the US than an iPhone without a contract abroad. You can buy an iPhone 3G, pay 1 month of service, cancel the contract with a termination fee ($175) and it will still be cheaper than buying the un-subsidized (by AT&T) phone. Then unlock this with software (which I have already done - and it works!)

Wow, I really thought it was an iPhone at first. It's a pretty good deal at around $150 USD and I like the fact that it's dual sim. If I saw these I'd probably consider buying one as well. I'm interested to know how the hack turns out.

Definitely XP! There's a reason why Microsoft is scrapping Vista. I never liked it in the first place. It was nothing innovative since XP. just more fancy grahpics, gimmicks and a memory hog. There's so many compatibility issues. XP will give you a much smoother experience.

Great! thanks for the useful info. You're right about BrightRoam being expensive. It looked really convenient until I saw the rates. I will definitely bookmark the last website and consider this as an option. 5 RMB sounds unrealistically cheap. I just used some software to unlock my phone yesterday and look forward to using it China.

In China it's fairly simple to purchase a pre-paid sim chip at the local store put it in your cell phone and then you have instant mobile service without a contract. But do any of you know if you can purchase a pre-paid sim chip that also has data service so that I can check my emails and check the internet? I'm doubtful if this is available. If not, is it possible to buy just a 1 or 2 month data service from China Mobile or other carrier?

We will be going to China in a couple of weeks and my passport will expire in less than 6 months. I am going to use the same tourist visa to China that I used last year (which will expire in April). We plan to stay for about a couple months and leave before my visa expires. Does anyone know off the top of your head if I can enter China and return to the US with my passport close to expiring? I also hope travelling close to the visa expiration date won't be a problem. I took a look at a passport website but there was just too much jumbled information and I thought I'd better turn here for real-life experience and advice. Thanks!

I agree that there will be discrimination (everywhere), but I've also seen cases that a company will not hire someone if he/she is over-qualified for the position. Sometimes that is the case as well. When my wife arrived she went through all of the processes of adapting, getting her driver's license, etc. Her first job was at a small company owned by a Chinese lady from Taiwan. They treated all of the employees really bad regardless of what ethnicity they were. Now she works at an American company who treat her well (except for her NY co-workers who seem to be rude to the whole SF staff). Overall she enjoys her previous job in China much better, something which depends on the boss and corporate structure.

I know I'm a little too late with this reply but the iPhone can type in Chinese using pinyin. The iPhone 3G also has a new handwriting feature. The pinyin on the iPhone is much easier to use than a computer's since there are shortcuts (ie: "wsm" = Ϊʲô ) I think the unlocked iPhone can be bought in HK. If you bring a US one over it can be unlocked with something piggy-backed to the sim chip.

Try chinesepod.com They have several levels of podcasts and PDFs that you can download. It used to be free, but now there is a 1 week free trial period. You can just sign up and download as much as you can before the trial expires if you do not want to pay for new lessons.

Wow, what a somewhat entertaining thread. I would definitely not buy from her.

I left China in May and while passing through the security check at the Shanghai airport I was questioned about having a small knife in my back pack. I completely forgot about having one (one of those small swiss ones) and said I did not have one. Security opened my bag and pulled out the small pocket knife. They then took out a book and copied information from my passport into the book with a description of the contraband item that I seemingly attempted to sneak in. Most likely it's nothing to be too worried about but I am wondering if this is black list will cause the Chinese embassy to deny my visa the next time I visit China.

The iPhone can be unlocked by downloading and installing some free software from the internet. It can also be unlocked in many places in China for probably around 200 RMB. Most likely these Chinese business men want the new iPhone 3G which No one has found a way to unlock at the moment. In the US, the only way the new iPhone can be bought is with a 2 year contract from AT&T (or for a lot of $$$ on Ebay - which I do not trust for this certain product). The team who unlocked the first iPhone are still working on a way to unlock the iPhone 3G. Their progress will be updated on this website: iPhone Dev Team Portal http://wikee.iphwn.org/

I had this same issue so I had my mother co-sponsor. In addition I obtained a letter of employment from my company stating starting date and salary, etc. and everything ended up fine. (I also may have mentioned in my cover letter or "intent to marry letter" the details of my late employment which resulted in my lower earnings for the year. It seemed like a while ago so I don't quite remember - anyway the extra explanation is probably not needed.)

I've been meaning to post this up but have been too busy due to my new career. Anyway we had our interview. The officer who interviewed us was very kind. He asked the standard questions and asked us specific dates such as what day we met, what day we married, etc. He then took a look at some paperwork - mainly the financials (I-864 and pay check stubs). Before we knew it, he already told us he approved our case. We were thrilled but didn't know how to express ourselves. Rather than put a stamp in my wife's passport he expedited the resident card (green card) and we received it 2 weeks later right after the welcome letter. Since this is a conditional green card we will have to apply for a permanent one in a couple of years but all of this - our applications and worries concerning it are over. We felt we were blessed during the whole process since most things went smoothly. I thank my wife for her efforts during this whole process (including finding this CFL forum) There will of course be other challenges in life that we'll face, but everything will be fine. All of the help/advice I have received from CFL members is greatly appreciated. I will gladly try to help out as well. Thank you!

Our interview is a few days away and in a heated argument my wife tore up our NOA which is needed for the AOS interview. Whether or not she decides to make amends, did this just dramatically hurt our case? This was nearly 2 years of hard work to approach this moment, and now it's in shreds.

In Shanghai, my wife had a convenient life; she had a stable job at a law firm, lived with her family and owned a car. Now that she's here in the US she is trying to build that life again and plans to get a job (probably doing admin) and go through the painstaking processes at DMV so that she can commute to work when she gets a job. Afterwards we will see where the future takes us.

This was sent to me by my attorney. This is the format I am following right now and wanted to share with all of you. Please feel free to comment or let us know of any changes or updates to this checklist. (one thing I might add is that I am wary of having my so apply for I-131 Advanced Parole since I have heard this has delayed the issue of the green card. Thanks. AOS Documentation Checklist (K1/K2) Prepare the following documents in the order provided: • Form I-485 Application to Adjust Status. • Fees: The link immediately above (Form I-485) includes the current I-485 filing fee and current Biometrics fee. Each Foreign Applicant, age 14 to 79, must complete Biometric fingerprinting which will be scheduled at a later time after filing for AOS. Right now you only need to submit the fee (even if fingerprinted as part of K visa processing). Staple separate cashier¡¯s checks or money orders payable to ¡°Department of Homeland Security¡± to the face page of the form I-485. • Copy of your I-797, Notice of Action. The USCIS mailed a brown sheet directly to you at the time of USCIS approval. We also provided you our green sheet original when we mailed financial materials to you as part of K visa processing. You may copy either form. • Copies of the following: U.S. Citizen¡¯s Birth Certificate U.S. Citizen¡¯s Naturalization Certificate or Certificate of Birth Abroad, if born abroad Foreign Applicant¡¯s Birth Certificate Adoption Certificate if the Foreigner Applicant is a K2 Visa dependant child and was adopted Foreign Applicant¡¯s Passport photo and signature page and nonimmigrant K visa page Form I-94 Arrival and Departure Record, which is the white, perforated 3 x 5 card that was inserted into the foreigner¡¯s passport upon arrival in the U.S. In some cases, the foreigner received a green I-95 card instead. Divorce decrees of U.S. Citizen showing legal termination of all other marriages. Divorce decrees of Foreign Applicant showing legal termination of all other marriages. • Police Clearances: Not required for foreigners who entered on a K Visa. • Medical Exam: Not required for foreigners who entered on a K Visa. • Vaccination Supplement: If the Foreign Applicant had vaccinations completed overseas as part of K Visa processing, and if the vaccination results were forwarded to the Consulate, then no further proof of vaccinations are required. However, if vaccinations were not undertaken as part of K Visa processing, then the Foreign Applicant must have the I-693 Supplement completed by a U.S. Immigration certified physician. You can locate a doctor nearest you by reviewing information published by your local USCIS District office. Check your Local USCIS District Office to find your nearest USCIS office. Foreign Language Documents: Any foreign language documents must be translated into English along with a Notarized Certificate of Translation. • Form G-325 Biographical Information for the U.S. Citizen. Include one original signed form. The Foreign Applicant¡¯s information goes in the bottom box. Passport Photo: Staple one Passport Photo for the U.S. Citizen to the front of the form G-325. Attached is a Passport Photo specification sheet. • Form G-325A Biographical Information for the Foreign Applicant. Include one original signed form and one copy of the signed form. If the Foreign Applicant is a child under the age of 14 years of age, the foreigner¡¯s parent may sign for the child. Passport Photo: Staple one Passport Photo for the Foreign Applicant to the front of the form G-325A. See attached Passport Photo specification sheet. • Form I-864 Affidavit of Support. This form must be completed even though you also completed Affidavit of Support form I-134 as part of K visa processing. • Fees: The above link includes the current filing fee. Staple the filing fee together with the other two checks on the facing page of the form I-485. Most recent Federal Income Tax return showing income of at least 125% more than current Federal Poverty Guidelines. Line 22 of your tax returns must show more than the minimum required. Capital gains does not count, nor does passive income from investments. The USCIS is looking for an ongoing stream of income from wages, retirement, and the like. Note: If you are on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, then you are subject to 100% of poverty guidelines, not 125%: Proof of your active military status W-2s or 1099s if you are an employee Letter from Employer if you are an employee Several recent pay stubs if you are an employee Recent bank statement: You should include minimal evidence of liquid assets, but proof of assets is not required provided you meet minimum income requirements For Child Foreign Applicants: You may include the original, signed form I-864 with the Foreign Spouses AOS and a copy of the I-864 with supporting documents with the child¡¯s AOS. Financial Co-Sponsor: If you do not meet income requirements, then you must still complete form I-864, with supporting documents. In this case you must also have a U.S. citizen (or Lawful Permanent Resident) who is residing in the U.S. act as a financial co-sponsor. The co-sponsor will complete a separate form I-864, with supporting documents of the co-sponsor. In addition, the co-sponsor must include a copy of proof of U.S. Citizenship or LPR status. A copy of a birth certificate or passport photo and signature page will do. If the co-sponsor is an LPR, then include a copy of his or her green card. Somewhere in the margins on the front of the co-sponsor¡¯s form I-864 write the name of the Foreign Applicant for ease of reference. In addition, we highly recommend the following two filings that are not required. Request for travel permission and work authorization are each separate filings that will go in the same envelope as the I-485 AOS. Travel Permission • Form I-131 Advance Parole. The K1 and K2 fiancee visas are single entry visas. If your spouse wants to depart the U.S. prior to the AOS interview, she must have received an approved Form I-131 before departing the U.S. This document is normally processed and approved within three months and will allow her to re-enter the U.S. Your fiancee cannot leave the U.S. (and get back in) until she has married you and either passed her AOS interview or received an approved Travel Document from the USCIS. • Filing Fees: The above link includes the current filing fee. Staple the filing fee to the facing page of the form I-131. Passport Photo: Staple two Passport Photos for the Foreign Applicant to the front of the form I-131. Work Authorization • Form I-765 Authorization for Employment (if seeking employment while AOS is pending) Even if your spouse or children do not intend to work, they can use USCIS work authorization to obtain a Social Security number that is useful for many different purposes. A Social Security number is often available to a foreigner on a K visa if obtained within 30 days of arrival in the U.S. Check with your local Social Security Administration office. • Filing Fee: The above link includes the current filing fee. Staple the filing fee to the facing page of the form I-765. Passport Photo: Staple two Passport Photos for the Foreign Applicant to the front of the form I-765.