Tom2009

The agent said it was a "visitor visa" when I applied Tuesday. Friday I was issued a 10 year mutliple entry Q2 visa with 120 day stay. I had my brother-in-law do the invite letter. What I gave the agent was my visa app, the invite letter from my brother-in-law with a copy of his ID, copies of previous visas from my old passport (just got a new passport, so I had no visas in that one), copy of flight intinerary. I didn't give a copy of my marriage certificate. Maybe the marriage certificate would have boosted the durattion of the stay, but with 120, I'm not complaining

Thanks for your help, everyone! I visited the China visa office in DC today. I got the 10 yr multiple entry visitor visa, and my wife got her Hong Kong entry permit/visa for 2 entry up to a 14 day stay. The only questionable thing was on my wife's application for the HK entry was that her passport is signed in Chinese, but she signed the application in English. The agent said it may not be a problem and would contact me by phone if it was a problem. So, I can pick up the visas this Friday. The process at the office was smooth. Workers were friendly and helpful.

Hey everyone, The wife and I are planing to fly back to China for the entire month of May. We were looking at flights from JFK to Hong Kong, stay in HK for a few days before going by bus to the Mainland where we'll be spending most of the trip, then leaving from HK to come back to the States. My question is which visa to apply for? The embassy website shows, of course, the L visa, but the Q1 visa shows as an option for foreigners who have family in China who are Chinese citizens (parents-in-law included in the qualifying list). I was wondering if any of you have chosen one Q1, or am I mistaken that we qualify for that visa? Also, I'm wondering about flying into HK with our outbound date 30 days later? Will that be a problem for my wife? The reason we're flying into HK is so that we can do a few days of touring around. I know they put restrictions on Mainlanders. When I flew over for her interview, we both flew out from HK, but it was no problem because we weren't staying and had an outbound flight ticket in hand. Thanks for your help, as always! Tom and Ling

Thanks, guys. That's our plan.. renew the passport, then get the visa. Thanks again!

Hey! The wife and I are flying back to China in March, staying till early April. RT tickets at $791 each out of JFK. My passport expires mid-May 2015, our return flight will be April 4. My 2 year visa has expired and I'll be getting another within the next month or so. My question is, with my passport expiring about a month after our return to the USA, and with getting a new visa, will this be a problem? I thought I heard some time ago that you had to have a certain amount of time left on your passport for traveling, like 6 months at least from your departure back to the states. We're prepared to buy the tickets, but if I have to get a new passport, I'll have to wait to buy the tickets because the passport number will change, etc. Any ideas, guys? Thank so much! Tom I'm thinking I should probably just renew my passport, then get the 10 yr visa.

Yes, a GIANT relief

Thanks to all of you. This forum helped me tremendously. Quick note - We had RFE because I didn't send sufficient info showing a marriage relationship for the entire 2 years of marriage, for example, they mentioned I sent only a few monthy joint bank statements rather than statements covering the 2 years. So I went to the bank and had them print a copies of statements from the time I added Ling to present. Instead of only a few copies of health insurance, assets, etc etc. I sent everything I had covering the two year period which has both our names. If I can offer any advice, it would be get everything possible in both names and keep monthly copies. Ling got her 10 yr GC on the 24th. Such a relief Thanks again, everyone.

4 months is fast! Congrats to you both!

Thanks guys. We are awaiting an answer for her 10 year green card. Nothing has changed but her cell #. I'll check into creating an account. Thanks again for the advice.

My wife has a new cell number. I checked USCIS online, but couldn't find out where to change the contact info other than the address change. Is it neccessary to change the cell number? Maybe I'll give them a call on Monday.

Robert, how's married life? Remember our wives had the same interview date and we waited together in the coffee shop. Hope you're both doing well.

We are booked! China Eastern total for two is $1944.

Dan, yes we have our biometrics appointment on July 31st (need to update my timeline). We have been waiting for that letter before we planned our trip. Good info on the stamp.. thanks! I will see about getting that done.

Yes, Asiana....

Now the wife and I are bickering about whether or not her passport will suffice as it has her maiden name on it. I'm saying that we book the tickets as her name appears on her passport. She's saying we have to change her passport. I'm saying she has her green card and paper stating her 10 year is in process. hmm...

Guess I'd better jump on it!

Hey friends, Ling and I are planning our trip back to China in October. The best price we've found is through CheapOAir for $966 per round trip ticket, departing JFK, layover in Seoul for 4 1/2 hours, then arriving in Guangzhou. We considered flying into HK then taking a bus to Guangzhou, but I can't seem to get a good price. Anyone know or have any connections to get cheap tickets?

Thanks Dan. Will do.

We have everything together, just wondering your experience as to how to package the form and supporting docs. I'm thinking a folder that easily slips the papers in and out? Or perhaps a ring binder with clear protective pockets for each document?

Thanks for the advice, guys! I really appreciate it. Tom

Hey friends, Ling and I are planning to travel back to China at the beginning of February. We found a decent price for airline tickets via China Eastern at $897 per round trip ticket. I was wondering if we need to change her passport to her married name? She is currently holding her 2 year green card w/ married name and her original Chinese passport with her given name. Thanks! Tom

My last flight was from JFK to HK. When I arrived at the HK airport, I took the bus to GZ. A few hours ride. When you leave Hong Kong the bus stops at a customs building. It was late at night and by the time I got through and exited the building on the other side, my bus left me. A real adventure! My cell phone losing power, not many there speaking good English, a young police officer took care of me and got me on a local bus. I had no idea where I was going from there, but I made it to the bus stop at a big hotel and went inside to call my fiance and the clerk spoke with her, got me in a cab and told the driver where to take me. haha. I was very exciting. Yea, 50 minutes isn't enough time between flights. If you decide to take the bus from the airport, just be sure the driver doesn't leave you at customs. Other than that, it would have been smooth sailing.

:clapping:

Woo! Congratulations! My wife still has her X-Rays in the tube. No one ever asked for it. It's been in our closet since last February

I'm not sure I can offer any advice, but I do hope you get the visa at your next interview. You have already overcome to have this 2nd opportunity. Good luck to you and best wishes! Tom & Xiaoling