Dan de mingzi

Yes that is correct. Beijing takes appointments but for GUZ there is a two-hour walk-in window. I would email them first to confirm this and to ask exactly where to go and what to ask for when you get there. Otherwise from 9-10:30 you will be wandering around trying to figure out where to go and by the time you get to the DHS window it will be too late until next week Thanks; just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing some easier way to do it. Unfortunately it creates a pretty significant problem for me, but I guess there's no way around it. I'm thinking maybe someday I'll get a job at the Guangzhou consulate; the working hours sound extremely lenient!

I hope I am wrong on this, but I suspect I am right: I want to file the I-130 petition (DCF process) in Guangzhou. Reading on the website it appears I can only file during public walk in hours, and those hours are only for a whole 2 hours every week, Fridays from 9am - 11am. Is that accurate; I can only file during those two hours and it is not possible to make an appointment? Sources: http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn/cis.html https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=of...atecode=Bangkok

Great info; thanks. Hope the process continues to go well for you!

Your consulate is in Shanghai, not Guangzhou. You will file at the USCIS office in Shanghai, they will do the initial processing, and forward it to the DOS consulate in GUZ. Yes, you can get married anywhere you wish. Do NOT have her stay in the US after the visa runs out. Your evidence counts as relationship evidence. When a couple lives together in China, there is rarely a problem gathering enough. Others who have done that can help with your other questions. Welcome to CFL Thanks Randy FYI: I checked with the Shanghai consulate about if I could file the initial DCF paperwork there instead of in Guangzhou; this is their response: "Unfortunately, the U.S. Consulate in Shanghai can only accept payments. You would need to mail the documents yourself. Sincerely, Shanghai ACS" So it looks like anyone in SH will need to send their paperwork to GZ directly.

Your consulate is in Shanghai, not Guangzhou. You will file at the USCIS office in Shanghai, they will do the initial processing, and forward it to the DOS consulate in GUZ. Yes, you can get married anywhere you wish. Do NOT have her stay in the US after the visa runs out. Your evidence counts as relationship evidence. When a couple lives together in China, there is rarely a problem gathering enough. Others who have done that can help with your other questions. Welcome to CFL Thanks Randy

This is my first post here; just wanted to start by saying thanks to everyone who maintains/contributes to this site; it is a fantastic source of information and is greatly appreciated! I am just getting started on planning a DCF process and have a few questions I haven't been able to find answers to. Thanks in advance for any information you may know: 1) We received a US tourist visa for my Chinese gf, and are planning a trip there in about a week for her to see the country a bit and meet my family. One option would be for us to get married while there (as opposed to getting married back here in China when we return). For the DCF process, is there any benefit or drawback to getting married in the US vs. in China? Do they "believe" the paperwork any more if it comes from the US? 2) I am living in Shanghai presently (but will be moving back to the US soon for a new job). I know the SH consulate doesn't handle immigration visas, so I need to go through GZ. To file the initial paperwork, do I need to actually go to GZ in person, or can I send it in mail? Or are they nice enough to let me file in SH and send it to GZ for me? 3) I have been in China almost three years now, but need to prove my residency. I assume showing a Chinese resident permit in my passport is enough? I can also show company registration papers for the business I started in China (I was the head of the R.O.) if needed. 4) Proof of relationship: I don't know exactly how to "prove" this; since we have both been living in the country, most of our interactions have been either face to face or on the phone, not something I have records for. I guess I can print out some old emails or photos (which seem strange as "proof" since those can be easily faked). Did anyone doing a DCF have any problems with this? 5) Another website recommended contacting the consulate directly early in the process for information or to let them know what you will do. However I have found the GZ consulate not exactly easy to reach for a friendly chat on the phone. Is this part necessary/advisable? If so, how did anyone actually get hold of a live person there? Some background info: I have lived/worked in several cities in China for almost three years now, but will be returning to the US in October for a new job. I am taking my gf to the US for a visit in about a week, then we will both return to China (we are planning on marrying either while in the US or upon returning to China). It seems the DCF is the fastest process to get her visa; I had looked at the K1 but from this site it appears that is usually a 8 month or so process compared with a 4 month or so process for the DCF. Thanks again; this process is really complex but it helps a lot knowing others have navigated it before me.