Dear USGuz representative, First, I want to thank you for giving of your time to answer our questions here. I have run into confusion about the residency requirements to file an I-130 in China. I have perused USCIS-Beijing's website and e-mailed them for clarification. I have the handouts and forms including the I-130 checklist. A petitioner must have a residence permit with an X(student visa) or Z (work)visa and must wait six months before filing. It is not clear whether the six months must be consecutive. If a petitioner returns to the U.S. to visit extended family for two weeks, does the six month period begin again upon his or her return. Does the six month period begin on the date that your residence permit is issued since it can take 2 to 3 weeks for the Public Security Burea to process a residence permit or is it the day that you entered China? These requirements changed recently. Thank you.