TLB

Thanks for the help and your good wishes. Yep, there's movement now; I see from the self-reported data on visajourney that most interviews for GUZ are 2-3 months from NOA2, that puts us about June. I wish there were a way to know closer, I can't really afford to go over in my previously planned May trip and then turn right around and go again in June; but I also don't want to not go this summer if the interview doesn't happen until Fall. I guess this is what everyone has to deal with, and we just do the best we can. thanks again. If I'm lucky, I'll run into Tsap runnin' through the streets of Guangzhou a-whoopin' and a-hollerin' about his lady's new visa and we can get drunk together and celebrate our good fortune. B) Tim

I thank you and my blood pressure thanks you... I get confused over all these acronyms, so I filed the I-130 that means I'm filing a CR-1/IR-1 and not a K-3 I guess (visa journey seems to conflate all of these discussions under either K-1/2 or K-3/4). No step child involved so no worries there. thanks again, I'm sure you'll have the "opportunity" to help me again as we get closer to interview time... I'll look into the electronic process. This forum is worth gold...

quick followup questions, please: 4. On visajourney.com, it says to include an "I-130 Transfer Notice" with the I-129F packet -- all I have is the NOA1, what's an I-130 Transfer Notice? 5. The I-129F asks which consulate the interview will be at, I should put Guangzhou, right? 6. I *thought* I read somewhere that I don't need to fill in the offspring data on the I-129F if there's not a son or daughter under 21, but I can't find that now. Is that right? thanks!

Hi friends, Geez, I thought I read these things, but maybe not well: I filed an I-130 back in October, got the I-797C NOA just fine back in October, been waiting until today when I got an email that the I-130 has been approved. BUT, now I'm reading through everything again and was I supposed to file an I-129F as well as the I-130? It looks like maybe I was supposed to do that after getting the NOA1 (although you'd think the NOA1 might say so if that was the case). Is that right? Questions: 1. do I need to file the I-129F AND the I-130? 2. Does the approval of the I-130 have any bearing on the I-129F? 3. Has my stupidity added some more months now to the whole process? (I guess "yes" if I have to file the I-129F) I won't ask why the H*%% I have to file the I-129F after filing the I-130, I'll just do it if I'm supposed to. thanks for your help; my joy at receiving the NOA2 lasted about 5 minutes (until I read that maybe I was supposed to have filed an I-129F and all the hassle that will mean). whew! thanks! Tim

I do my search for airfare just like Brian's example. It's like a game, and if you play it you can save a few hundred dollars, but it does take patience. I find the plane I want, with the seat I want, and watch the prices several times a day as we get close to take-off. Last year I watched it very closely and saw a price drop (ten days before take-off) late at night. Next morning I got what I wanted for $1,002 when it had been $1,400 then $1,200. It was ten days out and it only dropped for a little less than 24 hours then went right back to $1,400. That was the highest I ever paid for the 6 trips I've made, usually I paid less than $900. Now, I realize that in the future I may well be paying in the $1,200 to $1,400 range, especially to get what I want. I usually only fly on United or Continental as they have direct flights to Beijing from Dulles (outside DC), or a short hop to Newark then direct to Beijing. I don't mind paying a couple of hundred dollars more for the ease of a direct flight at 13 hours, or one stop with a total of 16 hours. Now way can I handle a stop or two which takes 18 to 20 hours ot get to Beijing, they would almost have to GIVE me those tickets. I don't look at it as saving money if I have to jack around 20 hours trying to get to momma. tsap seui LOL, Tsap, I knew you'd come on here with your amusing game; problem is Bro', I ain't got your HUEVOS!!!

Hi friends, Just starting to plan a trip to Liaoning this summer; dates are somewhat flexible, I can move things a few weeks if it will save some money. Here's what I just saw on flychina.com: I need to leave on a Sunday afternoon and return Saturday two weeks later to minimize effects on my two jobs: These prices are Austin Tx to Dalian (I'll check Shenyang too but there's usually not much difference) leaving May 15 $1212 leaving May 22 $1237 leaving May 29 $1505 leaving June 6 $1750 Here's my question: that's quite a difference between leaving May 15th and leaving June 6th. Is that due mainly to how far out June 6 still is from today, or is it due to the airlines' attitudes about high season versus low season (middle of May maybe still being low season)? thanks -- I'm in that place I always end up where I have to decide whether to lock in a price now, or wait and hope prices go down ($1200 sounds pretty good compared to last year). Oh, and BTW, all this doesn't matter really -- I'll end up making the wrong decision anyway...

Thanks, I had actually read this, but on second viewing (I've read so many!) I see I need to attach a statement to the tax return. "A declaration that one spouse was a nonresident alien and the other spouse a U.S. citizen or resident alien on the last day of your tax year, and that you choose to be treated as U.S. residents for the entire tax year." I am having my wife send her passport to me; I'll have a copy made, have the copy notarized, and send that in with the return. Let me know if anyone sees a problem with that.

I have a notarized copy of her passport, but it's a Notarial Certificate from the Notary Public Office in her city (Yingkou, Liaoning) -- did I read somewhere that the IRS would only accept a passport notarized in the US or at the US consulate?

They'd have to pay me a LOT of money to stand there in the middle of the road and let those cars weave by me on two wheels...

Tim, like cuzin' Chawls I filed a W-7 for the ITIN number. I also sent in a power of attorney form signed by lil' rabbit. The orher proof (and easiest form of proof of who she is and where she lives) that you'll need for the W-7 is a certified copy of her passport. I never heard of needing to get denied a SS card to apply. You can send the W-7 with the tax return or send it to the address shown on the W-7 directions down in Texas, that is where the W-7 is going ot wind up no matter what.. They say it takes weeks 6-8??? to generate the ITIN number. Just apply for it and write "ITIN applied for" in the space for her SS#. Good luck. tsap seui thanks guys, that sounds good. I talked with the IRS again (different person) and this time the guy on the phone said it might be useful to have that letter of denial, but he said if it were him, and he didn't have the letter, he'd send in the W-7 and tax return anyway. Worst case it might hold things up while they go see if she's eligible, or they'd ask for it at that time during processing. If that happens, I'll still have what I want, which is to show married filing joint on my 2010 return when she goes for her visa interview (hopefully this spring) -- I'm hoping that might help with the bona fides. thanks!

Hi, I want to file 2010 taxes using "married filing joint" status. Any help would be appreciated. The IRS told me (on the phone) that I can do this, I would have to include any income she has, since the IRS will consider her a "resident alien" for tax purposes. We'll pay the taxes on her income; also I need to file a form W-7 along with the tax return so she can get an ITIN in place of an SSN. This is where it is getting interesting: the IRS person on the phone said that I needed to first apply for an SSN card for her, which they will deny, and then attach the denial letter with the W-7. I did finally find some text on one of the IRS web pages that backs that up. "Complete Form W-7 only if the Social Security Administration (SSA) notifies you that a SSN cannot be issued." Problem is, now I'm looking at the SS-5-FS for applying for the sure-to-be-denied SS card, and it says (in the Citizenship section) that if I check "Other" (which I would), I "must provide a document from a U.S. Federal, State, or local government agency that explains why you need a Social Security number..." hunh? Now I need to go back to the IRS to get a letter from them to explain to the SSA why she's applying for an SSN she's sure to be denied? Anyone gone through this and can help me understand? thanks! Tim

With all the talk about the currency exchange rate and its future (and I know this has been a topic before), I'm wondering if some of you more experienced folks have a strategy. Assuming that the yuan will either stay where it is or strengthen against the dollar, are you moving money to China for your future use (or even just to play the game)? If so, what are your plans/strategy/thoughts on this? And what instrument are you using? I'm thinking about gradually moving money over (not everything though) bit by bit as a hedge against future rising of the RMB against the US dollar. I used to use Xoom.com but they don't serve China anymore. I'm thinking about Western Union, if you go in person to one of their places it's only $15-$20 to send several thousand $US. But I want to make sure when she gets it it's in RMB and not US dollars. I also might need to start thinking about that talk with the fiancee that starts out with "you remember how much money I told you we'd have in China from my US pension after I retire?" All thoughts appreciated. Tim

I guess you are right. Who really knows anybody?? I am in the same boat as you. I was happily married for 16 years, then I was surprised as well. I live in a smaller community that has a smaller Chinese population. There are three Chinese restruants that employ mostly Chinese people. I work with a bunch of Cambodian people that eat much of the same food as my fiancee eats and they are looking forward to meeting Lili and becoming friends with her. I am willing to do anything so Lili and her daughter are happy here. I hope they can tell me exactly how they feel, but I fear that they will have a difficult time telling me and eventually just give up. Carl gives good advice. You really don't know; right now you're all aglow in your imagination about her and being in love again -- nothing wrong with that! As long as you realize it doesn't automatically translate into happily ever after. Different cultures adds spice but also challenges. Get to know her by being next to her and then you can see. Be aware of all she will be going through and giving up. Get to know her preferences: does she adapt to change easily? What expectations of America does she have? Does she love the hustle and bustle of crowded Chinese cities? Has she ever tasted any food except Chinese? What does she think of traditional Chinese ways, like Chinese medicine? How much are you willing to change to meet her halfway on various issues of child-raising, money, relationships? How well do YOU get along with someone who holds different values on certain things? Your interest in all these things ahead of time bodes well for the two of you. I wish you well.

Haha, I don't think she will have trouble "injecting" her Chinese-ness into your marriage at all! David's posting (as always) gives much to consider -- and please David, post that thread already! (stop debating!) Addressing DD's points: 1. Stuck at home. This is very interesting I think; I'd love to hear others' experiences here. I would assume that learning to drive and having an available car would prove immensely liberating -- is that what you all have experienced with your wives that have come to the West? 2. Doesn't listen to her. This is difficult for husbands who want a relationship between equals (and that would include I think most American men). The dividing up of areas of authority is an important topic but probably will be learned slowly. My wife (she's still in China) is pretty traditional in her ways, and that means she wants me to listen to her when she tells me to do something (usually involving my health, sleeping, eating, etc.); but when it comes to things like arranging for our trips together, that is my deal, and my early attempts to, say, send her photos of various hotels to get her feedback only annoyed her. I thought her "you do it, whatever you do is fine with me" was just talk; it seems she really wants me to decide those things. I'm still learning, but slowly... B) 3. Doesn't take care of her in what she needs. This one scares me, in that I'm still just learning what she needs, and where she wants authority (or at least negotiation) and where she doesn't want it (either because it should be her call or it should be mine and she doesn't want to be bothered about it). I have definitely noticed that she pays close attention to me when we're together and has already learned an astonishing amount about me; I think she wants that in return, and have seen some evidence to support that notion. Having said that, if she comes to America and weds an American man, she needs to understand that things won't be just as they would with a Chinese man. If she doesn't get that, you will have to become who she wants you to be, or there will be a rocky future. Some people are more flexible than others. I think it's a great thing that you're asking these questions and it looks like your intentions are true and heartfelt. That's a good start.

Very important to say I think is for you to take care of her for awhile. One wouldn't think that had to be said, but I've certainly seen some threads from disgruntled and disillusioned spouses who left everything they knew to come here, arriving disoriented, tired, and scared, only to find they were expected to immediately begin cooking and cleaning for their wonderful American husbands.

I just bought my first iPhone, it's a 3GS; I can receive Chinese character text messages from my wife in China, and I can input Chinese characters on my phone, but when I send texts to her using them she doesn't receive them. I'm in the US and have AT&T. I still have to use Pinyin to send texts to her. Any ideas? I'm not sure what her cell phone company in China is.

Throwing my second in with this comment; not appropriate for her, not fair for him; this friend is trouble.

Sounds like she's flying China Southern, Charles. This is standard operating procedure with CS, as they will hold back flights if they don't have a full plane. In the future, book your tickets with this SoCal Chinese agency who will email you immediately if/when there's a change in CS schedules. Travel Depot 223 E Garvey Ave # 138 Monterey Park, CA 91755-1861 (626) 280-2198 traveldepot@ymail.com travel_depot@yahoo.com It's a family business ran by 'Sarah' and 'Henry'. Like all SoCal Chinese agents, they buy blocks of tickets from China Southern and China Eastern mostly and some for China Air. They can book flights from LAX to China at a discount and give excellent service in notifying of schedule changes. Thanks Dennis, I'll have to remember this. I had that experience with CS last year going to Hainan, they probably changed my flight three times -- it didn't end up being a big hassle, but it kind of scared me.

Congratulations! Interesting comment on taking trips together: I'll be taking my 4th trip to China this Christmas, and on 3 of them we'll have gone on trips together (Dalian, Hainan, Hong Kong), and I was thinking that might not be good -- that the VO would think "trips are great, but what about just hanging out together day to day, isn't that more what a real marriage will be like?" I'll remember to get more pictures of us with other folks if I can this trip (though that's hard to do on trips, as we don't see people we know there!) Congratulations again, and thanks for sharing your experience.

I think she may never "get how important it is" if that means her having adopted the American point of view on this. You have to decide how big a deal you want to make of this. Is it worth harming the relationship over? Read your signature quote; what is your response to not understanding her point of view? Having said this, I admit I also felt a twinge of hurt/offense when I first noticed (via skype) that my wife often does not wear her wedding ring (she wanted it, I could have cared less whether we had them). I think you might be right on with your assessment of its meaning for her; your decision is do you accept that, or do you want to continue to struggle to change her into who you want her to be?

Thanks; I'll look into this. I *really* don't want to show up at the border and have her turned away, as I'll then lose a lot of money I've put down on apartments for our stay. I guess then she'd have the opportunity to see me at my worst...

I wasn't clear enough: she is not in transit, unless you consider going from Liaoning to HK for 12 days and then back to Liaoning "in transit". And she *is* going to "see a relative" (me!) but not one that lives in HK... thus my confusion...

My wife and I would like to go to HK for 12 days this Christmas. She and I are both confused about her visa requirements; she says there's a 7 day limit -- I can find reference to 7 days limit for those transiting through HK (and not needing visa for that). Anyone here with experience in this? I guess I was thinking of HK as part of China -- turns out it's easier for me to go there than for her B) . Is it the case that we should view HK like we view western countries, in that vacationing there for a PRC citizen is difficult (i.e., they think she wants to move there on the sly)? Thanks for advice -- if we need to change our plans I'll want to do so soon; I'm fine with staying on the mainland, I was just looking for a nice warm climate to get together over Christmas.

The best way is submitting some evidence of that with the I-130. Since you guys have "time" as well, you should of submitted some spread across that time. If her english is good enough to do the interview, then they will see that. Time we do have, and thanks for the reminder to make this a part of the I-130; I've included an explicit statement that we communicate in Mandarin, and included emails going back to February of 2009, all in Mandarin (they should be able to tell from my mistakes that I didn't write in English and then use an automatic or hired translator ). She speaks very little English and I don't expect that even by interview time that her English would be good enough to use there. Let me know if you all think this will be a problem and I'll insist that she start taking formal classes (at this point she listens to tapes and we exchange a few words in English, but very few -- my Mandarin level is lower Advanced, from what I can tell by online placement tests and the site where I study, chinesepod.com).

Wow, this scares the hell out of me; is it required that she speak English well? The language of communication we use is Chinese (Mandarin) -- should we even be trying this? If they know that you share a common language "Chinese" and the VO has a problem with communicating in Chinese, then the VO has no reason being there doing interviews, and requiring English. Here is the deal, if you will be in China for your wife's interview, which you SHOULD, then attend ACH before the interview and get this known that you will not tolerate this kind of treatment, and perhaps demonstrate that you are a fluent mandarin speaker. They should then note this in the computer for interview. Thanks so much -- I am certainly planning on being there, and was wondering how they might become convinced that our communication level is fine. This sounds like a good plan. I also made a special note in my I-130 to that affect (as an addendum), so maybe that will help.