TLB

makes sense to me... thanks!

My wife got her visa package, but a corner had been torn; I know they're not supposed to open it before POE. She says the tear is not big enough to take anything out even if she wanted to. I saw it on Skype, and she's right, but it's not a really small tear, either. Anyone had a problem at LAX due to this? I'd hate to go back to the US Embassy and ask for another package, but I will if I have to.

I admire you Carl, keep at it. As you said, it's a lot of work, especially the first one. I have a Collings OM that I dearly love; I went through his workshop here in Austin before I bought the guitar; he, like you, made a lot of his tools along the way as he figured out what he wanted to do. I'm not sure if it's true, but I'm told he bases his guitars on 1930s Martins. All I know is my Collings OM is the best steel string I've ever played. If there's anyone I admire more than great guitar players it would be the makers. https://artisanguitars.com/2009-collings-om2hg-german-spruce-indian-rosewood/ Tim

This is great info, my wife will be coming alone later in October and doesn't speak English. I came through San Francisco myself just today, and noticed that the Citizens/Residents lined up together. When I got to the front of the line, I noticed that over on one end there were two windows marked "New Immigrants." When it was my turn I asked the officer about this and he just smiled and said not to worry, if she comes through the Residents line they'll just take her over to the New Immigrants line. He seemed very relaxed about the whole thing, which certainly helped me! I think I remember that, in L.A., for connecting flights you get your luggage and basically exit the terminal (same as you would if your final destination was L.A.) -- is that right? I'll be flying to LA or SF to meet her and fly back with her. In SF, there are hallways connecting to security very close to regular check-in (after putting your bags in the "re-check bags" area) so we could meet up there. Does anyone have anything to add to that, or corrections to make?

Hi folks, I'm sure this has been covered before, but it bears repeating: we did a spousal visa, and I don't remember anywhere that the EOR letter was required for that. However, after reading here over and over, I decided (rather late in the game) to write one (still thinking it wasn't necessary). I got it notarized at the Guangzhou Embassy the day before document intake. During her interview, it never came up and the VO did not ask for it. However, we had met a couple who had been denied a fiancee visa two years ago, then married and were refiling as spousal. They were refused again. Who knows their exact circumstances outside of themselves and the VO, but the Chinese wife told my wife that the reason they were denied this time was because there was no written EOR. I don't know if this is really why they were refused, but I do think that if the EOR is required for spousal visa, that should be listed as required somewhere. If it is and I just missed it, then my bad. At any rate, I suggest that everyone have an EOR.

I can speak with some experience (today as a matter of fact) that if she doesn't speak English, your Chinese will come under close scrutiny. My wife's interview was very easy and went very quickly. Outside of a couple of standard questions (CCP member, how we met) the whole time was spent talking about my Chinese (which can't really be proven because I'm not there). If you can get some chats/emails in which you just communicate in Chinese I think it would help greatly. In my case, my Chinese skills are at least Intermediate level, so our communication is good (and getting better). I had transcripts from college of two years' worth of Chinese classes, a letter from a native speaker attesting to my Chinese ability, and logs of QQ chats and emails that were entirely in Chinese. We weren't talking philosophical theory, just chit-chat. This is just my opinion, but I think that if they think you two can't communicate without a translator, that's a problem. And by problem, I don't mean they'll deny because of it; rather, it's a place you should put special attention toward. But as you have discovered, there are many here with deep experiences and wisdom. Best of luck.

³É¹¦ÁË£¡ Success! I'll post on the Interview Results page, just wanted to thank everyone for their patience and their help; it's possible we'd have made it anyway without CFL, but I seriously doubt it, and I certainly wouldn't have felt as good about the process and as knowledgeable about what to do and to expect. You all are worth gold. Linda (see above) also got her visa, if I'm not mistaken -- she passed by while I was waiting in the coffee shop and gave me a smile and a thumbs up. Tim (soon to be with wife) in Austin Soon she'll be able to say, everyday, And, as some on here would certainly say, "let the training begin..." B)

We just got back from document hand in, everything went well. I was really more nervous about this than about the interview itself (which is tomorrow morning) because a screw-up at document hand in would probably mean I didn't do my job well enough; whereas success at the interview is pretty much out of my hands. Notes from document intake: 1. about 200 people gathered outside around noon, no use getting there earlier unless waiting outside in the sun is worth getting done about 3:00 instead of 4:00. 2. I wasn't sure I could go in with her; I searched the web and found no answer, so I assumed I could not; but someone else standing in line thought we could, so I decided to try. The citizen line was different inside, and also a different line for security check; but I was allowed through all of them. It is the American Embassy, and I'm an American, so what the heck... 3. Yesterday I had noticed that the ACS room (where I went to get the EOR notarized) was connected to the document take-in room by a hallway that was not closed off. So, today I decided to go to ACS and then just walk into the big room where everyone was congregating to wait to turn in documents. I found my wife and sat down next to her. I quickly became the talk of the area, as the other wives lamented the fact that their husbands hadn't done the same thing. I think I'm learning too much to think like a Chinese (just do what you want until someone tells you you can't, and rules and regulations are more suggestions than enforced. ) 4. I decided I'd also try to accompany my wife to the window to hand in the documents. The young lady behind the window politely but firmly told me to go back and sit down and wait, so I did (having learned a long time ago to do what women tell me to do). 5. I was reaffirmed in my belief that my wife could charm the leaves off trees; by the time her document handing in was finished, that firm young woman behind the glass was laughing and joking with her (the only smile I saw from the document intake folks, though they all seemed polite and even nice to the applicants). 6. My wife also made friends with all the people sitting around us, exchanged phone numbers, etc., and they all said she'd have no problem at the interview because I can speak Chinese... B) I learned a long time ago not to take these things seriously, and also not to take our apparent good case for granted. I do admit that I was happy when the security check guard, in taking my cell phone for holding until we exited, gave me claim number 7 (a lucky number, that being the number of the idol of my youth, Mickey Mantle) -- that all means something, right? 7. Some instructions on the GUZ website and even in the waiting room are still written as if document hand-in and interview are on the same day; that needs to be remembered (maybe that's why the appointment letter makes it sound like the interview date and time are on that letter, but really it's the document hand-in date and time, the interview will be the following morning starting at 7:30). 8. Also remember that ACS no longer has the weekly hour it used to have for sponsors to talk to someone about their case; maybe there's a time and a way now, but I couldn't find it. I ended up going to ACS for the EOR notarization, and except for that, they were pretty ignorant of what goes on in the Immigrant Visa section -- but they were all very friendly, and helped as much as they could. 9. And finally, you'll find all sorts of information on the web about how the visa can and does get delivered; note that now it can be sent via mail to pretty much anywhere in China. On to the interview tomorrow. I'm afraid to hope too much. Right now I'm just really happy that today went well. I'll use tomorrow's energy to worry about tomorrow. Whatever happens, we'll be fine and we'll be together -- this will just help us determine how soon and where.

Anyone know whether the EOR letter is needed for CR-1? I've seen it mentioned with regard to fiancee visa, but not spousal. There's someone here in Guangzhou (who seems to know a lot about the process) who says I need an EOR letter and that it should be notarized (or stamped anyway) at the US Embassy. I have the EOR letter, even though I wasn't sure I would need it; but it isn't notarized. Is this guy right and it is needed, and I need to have it notarized at the Embassy? thanks Tim haha, nevermind; I did some searching and it seems this might be asked for and might not be (great! ) so I'll spend the $50 at the Embassy and get the one I have notarized. The peace of mind will be worth it... B)

I emailed GUZ yesterday using the web form and they got back to me today; no problem. "Your beneficiary could bring a corrected one and submit it to the staff during her document intake."

Thanks Dan,I'll definitely have a corrected one for her to have at the interview.

Hi friends, I was going through documents in preparation for leaving for China for my wife's interview at GUZ, I ran across the G-325A (Biographic Information) that I had sent in for her lo these many months ago. My wife was married twice before me (one divorce, one husband died in a traffic accident). Assuming that the printout of the fillable PDF that I am looking at is identical to the one I sent in, I left off one ex-husband. It was just a mistake, no attempt to hide anything. When sending PDFs to NVC for Electronic Processing, I did send in both a divorce decree for one ex and the death certificate for the other. What I'm wondering now is: should I pro-actively take this up with the embassy when I get to China, or just let it lie? I suppose it might be possible to give them a new G-325A. I have no idea how closely they look at these things. She would certainly, if asked, confirm that she had two ex-husbands, thus exposing an error on the G-325A for her. Advice appreciated. Tim

Good luck to us indeed! PM me if you want someone to hang out with while in Guangzhou; my wife will be there Thursday the 22nd. I will be in GZ on 26th in the evening. I'm doing the medical in Beijng so I don't need to be there too early. Maybe I'll see you there. Sounds good; look for us in one of the interminable lines we'll all be in. We're both in our 50s, both tall(ish) and thin(ish). I'll have black jeans on; she'll probably be wearing black, too (she usually does).

Thanks for everyone's comments; some interesting stories were revealed! I finally found a website (Hotwire) that showed me lots more flight combinations, and I got a ticket with 2-3 hours between each flight without having to pay much more than the cheapest flights. Seems something happens every time I go over, and my blood pressure with a 50 minute layover would have been sky high. I'm amazed that the web search engines at all these places would allow this; they probably have something like a 45 minute layover minimum, so it passed the audit; for international flights they really should have about a 2 hour minimum. Geez, we're in the hands of computer programmers... On my way this Friday! Woohoo! B)

"I can't say where it is written in ink that you must provide 3 years of tax returns to the Guangzhou Consulate....but....that is THEIR rule and more than one person has gotten a 3 or 4 blue month blue slip delay for not submitting those other two years." from http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn/iv_faq.html : What documents should I bring to the visa interview? The applicant should bring the following original documents: Forms in the appointment packet Chinese passport Two visa photos Notarial birth certificate Notarial marital status certificate. If divorced before, previous divorce certificates for each marriage are required. If any child from previous marriage will also apply for visa, a divorce decree showing the child's custody is needed. Notarial police certificates are required from each visa applicant aged 16 or over issued by his/her local municipal notary office where he/she has resided for at least six months since attaining the age of sixteen. Police certificates are also required from all other countries where the applicant has resided for at least one year. Medical report Affidavit of Support - I-864 and copies of the three most recent years' tax returns if not already submitted to NVC. Relationship evidence including family photos, correspondence and household registration to prove the claimed relationship. Translations: Police certificates from other countries not in English, or in the official language of the country must be accompanied by certified English translations. Translations must be certified by a competent translator and sworn to before a notary public.

Thanks everyone; I think I'm homing in on what needs to be taken. One interesting form: that P3 supplement: I just noticed (for the first time) that this thing is supposed to be filled in! I just had her sign it and sent it in What a weird form to fill in, no room to fill it in and no designated fill-in space (like an underline or a box) like the other forms have...weird. B) Oh,and a question (I'd say it was the final one, but I have too much self-knowledge to promise that): at document hand-in, do they ask for specific documents, or do you just hand in all at once? And (see I told you) is it best to try to get more relationship info in at that time, or keep it (more photos, etc) for the interview itself? thanks! Tim

Thanks, this covers most of it, the civil documents at least. Interesting that (1) there's a typo at the top of the form, and (2) my form (labeled "Optional Form 169") says 2 photos are needed, not 6. Think I'll make sure we have 10 or so... Also, this doesn't address the I-864, 230, 3032, etc. Are those handed in at document hand in, too? I guess one strategy would be to make sure I take a hard copy of every form I emailed them (we did electronic processing) -- still, it would be nice to see a really comprehensive list somewhere.

Is there a good link on this site to all the docs that have to be turned in at GUZ? I have them, I'm sure, but I fear I might forget something. Besides all the packet civil documents (birth cert, divorce decree, etc) is there a handy list somewhere? I'm mostly afraid I'll forget something sent in early -- like the I-864 and supporting financial docs (remembered that today). 3032? P3 supplement? Original I-130? Thanks; on the home stretch... Tim

Good luck to us indeed! PM me if you want someone to hang out with while in Guangzhou; my wife will be there Thursday the 22nd.

Thanks, man -- Lan Meng was delighted to hear from your wife recently. At this point I'm not nervous (yet) about the interview itself; I'm more concerned that I might screw up and not take something, or not have the docs all in order; glad we're staying with the Yangs, that makes me relax some. Tim

I'm having her go on Thursday the 22nd, that will give her all day Friday for the meds and even Saturday to finish up if something doesn't go right. I'll arrive Saturday night. That still gives us Sunday (I know some things are closed) and Monday if things REALLY don't go right, but I think her having two full days there should be enough. We have doc turn in Tuesday, interview Wednesday. Anyone see a problem with this please holler. LOUDLY. B)

Hi friends, I'm going to Guangzhou later this month, just now buying ticket; all the search engines are putting me into Hong Kong at 8pm (from Chicago, mostly), and then catching an 8:50 flight to Guangzhou. Both flights are on Cathay, which seems to have a good reputation, but that 50 minute connection seems very risky to me. Does anyone here have experience with this? Will the Cathay flight to GUZ wait? I'll bet I'm not the only one on the Chicago to HK Cathay flight who will go on to GUZ. Will customs be in HK or GUZ? If in HK, this seems insane; even if not, it seems risky. Advice is welcome. Tim

Something else I noticed that seems weird to me: her letter states that her appointment is on 9/27 at 12:30. I thought the interviews were in the morning and document intake started at 12:30 (?). It clearly states that her interview date and time is 9/27 at 12:30... You will be paying an expedite fee to get medicals done that quickly. If possible plan on doing medical 2-3 days prior to document intake. In your case document intake will be the 27th, with interview on the 28th. Thanks, that makes sense (though I don't know why the letter didn't state clearly that the 27th was document intake and that there'd be an interview the next day -- well, my wife has only shown me one page via a scanned image, maybe there's more) I hear the spouses are irrelevant to the medical procedure (as in she really won't benefit by my being with her during that) -- so I'm thinking she can take care of that on Saturday and I'll arrive Saturday night. With document intake on Tuesday and interview on Wednesday, that gives us a day of buffer (not counting Sunday) in case there's a screwup or delay. Thoughts from those with experience? (I'm trying to minimize my time off work but not be manic while there) thanks

Something else I noticed that seems weird to me: her letter states that her appointment is on 9/27 at 12:30. I thought the interviews were in the morning and document intake started at 12:30 (?). It clearly states that her interview date and time is 9/27 at 12:30...

Just found out we're set for the 27th -- odd, when they set our first interview, I got an email, this time they just sent my wife a snail mail letter in English Question: the 27th is a Tuesday, I assume Monday document turn in (I'll research that again) and is Sunday okay for getting medicals? Are things all open on Sunday (and hopefully that's a stupid "what do you think they are over there, Americans?" question). I'm thinking of arriving Saturday night, medicals Sunday, documents Monday, interview Tuesday afternoon ("I'm just beginning to see, now I'm on my way...") Does that schedule sound doable? thanks Tim