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Green cards for xmas. If only Santa were so kind to all of us. Hehe.

If you are in doubt, then why not just do it. I don't think it can hurt anyway.

I got an email before I got the actual p2 as well. It sounds like everything is moving along for you guys. Get ready for the package to be sent to GUZ. Hope that it doesn't get stuck in customs! Good luck.

What a nightmare. Everything is prepared and still this. We need to treat people better than this. Completely unacceptable. I'm speechless.

For all those learning Chinese, Start with the pinyin and the tones first. The problem with most non-native speakers is that they don't understand the importance of the tone. If you pronounce one wrong or not clearly enough, Mandarin speakers will have no idea what you are saying. The good news is there are only 4 tones plus a neutral/or no tone. It's absolutely essential that you get those down. Have your wife go over them with you until they sound right, even if you think they are right you need to work on them! Think of them like notes, and if you don't hit the note you aren't speaking correctly. Once you have the tones down, move on to pinyin. Again, learn all the initial and final syllables and how to write and pronounce them. (There aren't that many and most are similar to English, it's the lack of syllables that makes Chinese is so confusing later). Here they all are: http://www.chinese-outpost.com/language/pr...als-table-1.asp After you learn the pinyin, you can start learning the characters which are essential because so many sounds are the same, but with different characters. Take it slow, and learn a little bit at a time. If you use this method, it doesn't really matter what material you use to learn. Once you have the basics you can learn anything. Just ask your wife to write out the sentence in characters with pinyin above it and you'll be able to pronounce it. Listening is harder, and it will take you a while to understand anything. But, being able to speak properly will help you along. Good luck.

Mine is convinced that I walk wrong as well. But, no orders about getting foot surgery. It sounds like you are having a lot of serious issues. Did you think about marriage counseling? If you think it is too drastic, try reading up on some of the literature out there. It sounds like the wife might be having trouble adjusting and is taking it out on you. The solution might not lie in the actual issues of ordering you, but in some other hidden problem. Good luck.

Try to learn some Chinese. It will take you forever to even scratch the surface of the language, but learning some of it will help you immensely in understanding the culture. Also, your wife will be pleased that you are taking an interest in her side of things, and will have a good laugh at you as you are struggling with pronunciation. I know you don't have a lot of time for it, but if you can do a little bit each day, it might help you understand her point of view.

Mine got hers from her hometown, and not from Beijing where she has lived for the last 5 years. She says that you get it from wherever your ID says. (that is the hukou).

Good luck guys. We'll be heading back to BJ tomorrow after our successful interview. Hope you guys follow our lead!

Just got done with the interview. PINK! Here's the breakdown: Waited outside the consulate in a chaotic line from 7:00am. Finally let us in at 7:50 (our appointment letter said 7:30). Daniel goes up to fourth floor and waits in coffee shop. 1. How did you guys meet? 2. What does your fiance do? 3. When did he come to China the first time, and what did he do in China? 4. How many times has he visited you since then? Then the VO asks to see the pictures, looks: 5. Do you have a picture with his family? Iris hands over the pics: Asks: Do you need any phone records or emails? VO: No, that's fine, just the pictures. Then she pulls out a pink slip. Iris is surprised because it looks more orangeish. She says, "that's it"? Yep, you passed. (VO didn't ask for any financial info!) Tips: Iris didn't have 20 rmb with her to pay the ems fee for the visa, but luckily some kind soul gave her the money in line. Agree on a meeting point before you go in, because you can't bring your phone in.

Great news. Good luck to you guys in America!

I've been to China too many times as well. Thanks for the heads up. And good luck to you both!

Great news! Always nice to hear someone have success. Good luck in America.

Good job guys! Good luck with life in America.

Yes, I second everyone's comments. It's not that difficult to start the process now. Figure out who your co-sponsor is going to be and ask them to get their tax transcripts for the last 3 years. You also need letters from your employers and start collecting recent pay stubs. Download the I-134 and take a look at it. You can get this stuff done early because the interview comes up quickly once you get near.

I just had a copy of my passport notarized at the embassy in Beijing. The woman was reluctant to do it at first, but then I explained that it was just a pre-caution for the interview. She threw away the copy I had made already, made a new copy and sealed it together notarizing the front page.

I can only sympathize with you wait2long. I can't imagine the stress and frustration you must be feeling now. We were in the same position a while back I remember. You can't get any information from DOS and your file is sitting somewhere at the port waiting for customs clearance. One interesting thing a visa specialist told me. She said they are doing it on purpose, just to piss us off. (withholding random packages). I know from experience after living in Beijing for 5 years now, sometimes packages get held up for extremely long amounts of time for no particular reason. It seems like you just caught some really bad luck. I think I've told you before, but when I was in that situation, I asked if there was something I could do and that I had heard after 120 days you could do something. The specialist told me to call back the next week, and I got the p3 before that. That's all I can tell you, but I'm hoping you hear something soon.

Please erase my last comment. Just got the p4. I should be more optimistic

Actually, we are worried about this situation happening to us too. I just found out from DOS that our interview is on Dec. 17. They said our p4 was mailed out on Nov 23 but we haven't received it yet. I'm sure it will probably arrive in a few days, but does anyone know how to get the EMS tracking number? We don't want to leave it to the last minute.

Oh my goooooooddddddddd! Just called DOS, and the interview is December 17th at 7:30am. That's only 3 weeks away. Looks like our luck turned around after waiting for the p3. We're so excited!

By the way, IllinoisDave How's everything going back in Illinois? Everybody adjusting ok? We are soooooo jealous!

Thanks everyone.

I was just looking through the kitchen sink list. I noticed it says one of the reasons for a possible blue slip is petitioner's passport not certified. Does this mean that it must be notarized? Last time I read all the info on this I came to the conclusion that since I will be in GZ at the interview and my SO will have my passport in hand that it doesn't need to be notarized. What does certified mean? Any suggestions?

Olia and Wait2long, I was calling DOS every week. The next to last call I made, the visa specialist told me that something could be done after 120 days. The last call I made on Wednesday, I asked about the 120 day mark, and the specialist muttered something about asking the supervisor. Then, yesterday we got the P3. Not sure, if that helps.

We'v just gotten the P3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!