Kyle

This response is really to everyone who has posted above also. Thanks to all, but things are still a little scetchy. Now, for the bad news. Ah Lai's visa application was approved September 22 at her interview just like we hoped. They give you a pink/red approval letter which says (and they tell you the same thing to your face) that the visa will be delivered to the local post office, which is four blocks away, in two days. Well, it has been 8 days and still no visa. The only way to communicate with the consulate is to fax them, so we did and unbelievably, they responded the next day. They said they were very busy and would get to it in a few weeks. (I will leave out the expletives that would ordinarily go here.) So, now I'll have to go back to the states on the 6th without her and wait for the consulate to do what they say they will do. Which they have a very spotty record of. Probably two more weeks. Sorry to hear that. You may want to check out this thread http://candleforlove.com/forums/index.php?...amp;hl=tracking and http://candleforlove.com/forums/index.php?...amp;hl=tracking It stinks that you have to wait. Unfortunately, waiting is not unheard of. Maybe the two posts above can give you some ideas on how to handle this. I hope everything works out!

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-751instr.pdf The instructions above includes the current I-751 fee information. Of course, things could always change. When you're ready to file to remove conditions, check on the USCIS website to see if their fees have changed. (Google "uscis i-751 instructions"). Below is a USCIS fee schedule. http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments...edule052907.pdf

http://candleforlove.com/forums/index.php?...c=38729&hl=

Yes, it seems we are in the same boat. I still think we did the right thing though. I can't imagine feeling secure in listing her new name without any supporting identification since all her documents list her maiden name in English i.e. passport, marriage certificate, etc. Perhaps the information in the thread you gave is for couples who married in the US and therefore, have official name change documentation? Did you send an email to GUZ? Any responses? Nope, we may do so, but we haven't done it yet. We may just wait and do it in the States. WIth my luck, pulling an audible would cause some sort of delay. Although, it'd be nice, it's not one of those things, at least for me, that is of the utmost urgency. I'll probably take Dan's advice and contact GUZ via email, but who knows . . . If we do, I'll be sure to let you know what we find out. Likewise, if you contact them before I do, give me a heads up, will ya?

http://candleforlove.com/forums/index.php?...c=38194&hl= Read though the above post. Looks like on the I-130 and G325A that's where you'd do it. If I'm wrong, someone will correct me. We didn't do that, so it looks like if we can't correct it before interview time, we'll have to file an I-90 and pay the <400 USD after getting to the States. Basically whenever they ask for her surname, give her married name. Under other names used, list her maiden name. I will try to find where I read this, but I think for spouses who change their name (green card and passport names do not match), people have been taking with them their marriage certificate when traveling outside the US. Upon entering, you can present it if needed, to help clear up any confusion. I will try to find where I read that. . .

That's fantastic news! Congratulations!

Yeah, it would be cool, but with over 4000 members, it would be an enormous task for one person to compile all of the information and make it presentable. As for me, I'm content in using the Contact List forum to find people who live close to us.

Have you seen the timelines of other CR-1 applicants? Timelines From what I can make out, it looks like 3 - 4 weeks after P4 is received, you could have your interview. Although this may not be a hard and fast rule, it isn't uncommon. Jingjing and I haven't been using the documents sent in the packets. We've been downloading them off of the Guangzhou Consulate website, preparing them a head of time - that way, we're able to mail the needed information back, the day after receiving our packet. For more information, visit the GUZ Con website: Forms and Packets - U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou

Yeah, I've been keeping an eye on your progress. Although there are some, I haven't come across too many other DCF IR-1's. When are you guys going to have your interview? Anyway, Jingjing and I hope everything will go smoothly for you guys!!!

Thanks Dan! Yeah, I caught my mistake about 10 minutes ago. I guess I was thinking of removal of conditions. I hate it when I have a brain fart.

It was sent, but I've never received it. The NOA2 letter is sent through snail mail, thus, it is easily lost, never reaching its final destination. Sometimes, during the DCF process, P2 is received after P3. Odd, huh?

In just over a month from filing our I-130, we've received our P3 via EMS! Opinion time: Is the interview process for IR-1, more demanding or is it about the same as CR-1? I didn't know since we get to bypass AOS, if this changes the expectations of the VO during our interview.

Nope, you're right. After getting your interview date, you can schedule a time to notarize documents (ACS) before then. ACH and ACS are two completely different things. You do not need an appointment to visit ACH, but you do need one for ACS.

I've read an awful lot on this site that suggests that it is useful to attend. Why don't you read through some of the Interview Results? Browsing through that forum can give you some insight to the usefulness of attending the hour-long Q/A for American citizens. Aside from having the opportunity to ask questions, it's an opportunity for the VO who questions you, to document that you came on your beneficiary's behalf. I've also read that it is useful to have something notarized before your beneficiary's interview (ie EOR Letter). Although I cannot give you the specific links off-hand, I have read accounts of petitioner's getting questioned during the notarizing process. This seemed to go in the petitioner's and beneficiary's favor. I'll edit this post after I find some links of accounts for both of the above things I mentioned above. Info about ACH

That's a very good point.

I understand what you're saying. If it were me, I would write up an EOR letter for your first wife, and keep it tucked in your SO's docs. I wouldn't present it unless it was requested, however, I would be ready to do so, if the VO requires it. I have read several posts, of VO's requiring letters pertaining to former US spouses.

On the I-129F, did you list your first wife on part A-9? Since, you probably did, I would think a letter explaining your relationship with her would be useful in keeping any potential problems from arising.

Congratulations! Our NOA2 has been sent, but we haven't received it yet. Sounds like you're going to have a busy week. I remember gearing up for our Chinese wedding. I seem to recall repeating the phrase, "Yes Dear, that will be fine." over-and-over. Other than that, I just showed up on time. Really that's all they'd let me do. Congratulations to you both!

http://i34.tinypic.com/2ur8ro1.jpg Jingjing and I live in Wuhan. I used to teach English my first three years in China. From July 2007 to present, I've been studying Chinese full-time at a language school. If Jingjing and I are still in China, we'd love to hang out. Sure you can pick our brains. I have to be honest, depending on when she gets her GC, we will only have a limited amount of time before we have to move to the States. We're still not certain if we're going to wait out the entire 6 month entry allotment.

Depends on what you're wanting to do. Jingjing and I do not live extravagantly, but we also take time to enjoy a date night or something like that. For the last two months our total for expenses (including, rent, water, natural gas, electricity) came to: AUG: 311.57 USD Water: 2.34 USD Elec: 89.60 USD Rent: 219.65 USD JUL: 305.10 USD Expenses were similar to AUG JUN: 261.28 USD Weather was mild, so we didn't use the AC as much. These figures simply give you an idea of the utilities and rent. I'm sure while you're in China you'll want to eat, so you also will have to allot for food, but usually you can do that fairly cheaply, as I'm sure you already know. Visas, will be another expense, and well as phone communication. Jingjing and I may spend 100 RMB a month each on our mobile phones. That comes to about 30 bucks extra each month. I hope this gives you an idea. Jingjing and I live in Wuhan, which is a city more mainland, and less developed than the coastal international cities like Guangzhou, Hong Kong, or Shanghai. Cost-of-living in Wuhan is cheaper than these cities. I actually don't think you'll be too far from Wuhan. If we're still here, we'll have to plan for a meeting!

For us, that included the translation and notary.

Jingjing said she paid around 200 RMB. That is in Wuhan though. I'm almost certain prices will vary throughout China, but at least this will give you an idea. You will only need one copy; police certs are good for one year from the date of issuance.

Kansas City, MO China Town Food Market 202 Grand Blvd Kansas City, MO 64106 (816) 472-6363 It's not so much of a Chinatown as it is a China building. My wife was excited that she could find the majority of her cooking spices and sauces there.

I haven't made it to the interview yet, but we did take her hukou when we submitted her I-130, we even took photocopies. They didn't even look at them, nor did they want them. There has been some talk about the hukou, and I'm not sure it is all that important, because your name wouldn't be on it anyways. Only Chinese citizens have have their names in the residence book. What Jingjing and I are doing is getting a letter from the Wuhan residence bureau stating that we've been living at the same residence from such-and-such time, then we'll get it notarized (white book) Others may have alternative advice, but this is what has been suggested for us, and it makes sense, since both of our names can be on the same document. I'm curious, what address did you use for her when you filled out the I-130? I accompanied my in-laws when they updated their hukou. Her family should be able to do it within a week or two - so their is still time if that is your main concern. I'm sure Jingjing and I will take it with us to the interview, just in case. It would be my luck, the one thing that we didn't bring, would be the thing they will ask for. This is an English version of what we're going to give to the residence bureau, which they'll sign, date, and red-stamp. Certificate of Residence This is to certify that Kyle (middle and last name) (Passport No. : *********) and (surname) Jingjing (Passport No.: *********) live at (current address) Wuhan, Hubei Province, P.R.China since (date moved in together) till present. (current date)

NewDay2006, I wish I knew you well enough to call you by your name (Are you Charles?) Your post was well put, and after reading it, I feel I cannot really add anything of significant value. I live on the outskirts of Wuhan (mainland), where most people are older have never reached any level of higher education (although I'm not certain that that makes a huge difference). During my time here, I have noticed people looking at me strangely, often making what they feel are innocent comments. At first it did bother me, because of my personality, I really didn't like being signaled out. As somewhat of an introvert, I prefer to live quietly and try to not draw attention to myself (or to do safely behind a computer ). Before I continue, please let me say this: I believe Chinese people, for the most part, are a kind and genuine people (most of us here would probably agree on this ), but every now-and-then there are people that I come across, mostly when I'm walking down the street holding my wife's hand, that are less than civil. Being Caucasian, it was new for me being the minority in a sea of Chinese, and it was disheartening being the subject of such words (concerning race and nationality), especially in front of my wife. I'm thankful for my time in China. It has forced me to reexamine my own culture through the eyes of someone who faced issues of rejection solely based on the color of their skin. Again, I must state that whatever I have gone though, in no way touches the extent of what many Afro-Americans face (or have faced) in the US, but it did give me a little insight to the problem, although better than 60 years ago, still plagues our country today. In my opinion, Americans all too often make fleeting comments, which may be socially acceptable, but still have an undertone that suggests inequality. This is a shame. My parents both raised me to have respect for people of all races. Although my negative instances in China have been few-and-far in between, I feel that my mind has been sharpened to identify with the problem that still exists, even in my hometown. I admit, after reading the wealth of good comments on this thread, I feel somewhat inadequate in posting my thoughts. It's just my two cents, when in actuality many only be worth half that. Thank you to the OP for opening this discussion,as it has been thought-provoking in many ways.