xiaoheather

I think that providing copies of your tax returns won't be enough for domicile though (as it's also another requirement on the form). You really need to have something else... or else I think you can probably expect a blue slip. Steve faced big problems with domicile, as he can attest. For me, I only provided a driver's license (but I see your ID has expired). I also have US bank accounts, and I had copies of the statements that were mailed to my mom's house. Do you get any mail anywhere in the US? Good luck!

You're too kind, Steve! By the way, I'll let you guys know which mailbox the green card ends up in.

I hadn't filed taxes for the three years I lived in China... and then I read the requirements and went, "Eeek!". I ended up filing them late -- and with no penalty since I didn't actually have to pay anything. (You can file up to three years late with no penalties as long as you don't own anything.) Go to IRS.gov, and download the 1040 and Form 2555 (foreign income exclusion form). Photocopy it and mail it in. Also, include a tax transcript request (the address on the form is different, but I just included it with my tax forms and a transcript came to me in the mail). You might not get the tax transcript in time, but all you really need is the copies of the forms. I say do it!

Got it! He ended up putting down the new address, but I'll fill out the form online as well. It's only day 1, so I still have 9 days. So happy to have him with me... even if he's been snoozing on and off all day.

Sounds wonderful! Congrats!!

He can try for a tourist visa. My husband was able to get one, even after we submitted his immigrant visa petition. (Note: Have him use your sisters financial/salary information as proof as well.) However, it takes a few weeks to get the interview. I don't think this would be considered an emergency in the eyes of the consulate.

My husband is coming in two days! Yeah!! In our applications for the CR1 visa, we listed my mom's address as the address where he would be residing. However, I'm getting settled in Evanston, IL quicker than expected, and I've just signed a lease to an apartment. When Tyler goes through immigration, can he put the new address? Do we have to fill out a form to change the address? I'm thinking as a sponsor, I need to fill out form I-865 to show my change in address. But what about him? Is it enough for him to just give the new address when he enters the country? Thanks a bundle!

Thanks. He flew back to Shanghai in the interim... wants to make last-minute prep before the big trip (his flight is scheduled on Sept 10). I hope that it's really ready on Wednesday. The fact that they didn't put him on the list makes me nervous and pisses me off a bit. Maybe it's organized internally, but the people we've recently come in contact with at the consulate don't seem to know anything about anything. On several occasions, our "emails" never got responded to. They were pretty good about this at first, so I thought it was their responsibility to respond, but I guess not. Anyway, hoping that it will come to a close and he can keep it in his pants. And thanks, Steve, for your warm wishes.

I am not as excited this go around for the pink, just because until he has that visa in his passport (and makes it to the States without losing it), I can't really exhale. Apparently Tyler had to wait with the Overcome people this afternoon. Everyone's name was called, but not his. Finally the officer called him over and asked him his name. He told her he was there to get a replacement, and she looked him up and gave him pink. Scary that they didn't have his records up there. (He had gone Wednesday, and they gave him an appt letter for Friday.) Then, they told him it wouldn't be until Wednesday that he would get the visa at the post office. Is this long wait normal?

Haha. They DO drive differently! However, as far as I can tell, the rules in the big city are fairly similar. They just break them all the time. I agree that going over the traffic rules, looking over the different signs, explaining that they *must* follow them... it's definitely important!! I was once driving around two Chinese friends in the States, and they said "wow, you drive really safe". No.. I drive normal. I've been prepping my husband for this for a while, telling him how driving is different. One thing I can't remember is "yield" signs over there ... I think they'd be pretty futile if there were some. Thanks again all.

Thanks guys. I didn't mean to sound rude at all in my last post, so hope it didn't sound like I was trying to argue. It's just that I had heard something along the lines of what I read this morning -- that the Chinese license can (in some cases) satisfy requirements for driving for a couple months. So, I didn't expect to hear that it couldn't. Also, it was very helpful to know it varies from state to state. I had looked in some Louisiana info before, but didn't see anything about it. Anyway, thanks guys for helping clear everything up. I'm still going to double-check before I let my hubby behind the wheel. We didn't have a car in China, so he'll need some refresher lessons anyway. Thank goodness Chicago has great public transport! FYI, for those who know my situation, my husband is in Guangzhou now. Went today during the overcome time to submit his passport for a replacement visa. However, they told him he won't know until Friday whether or not he can get it. Don't ya love it!

I'm not sure if I completely agree with your comments about it not being valid based on what I have just read. This is for the State of Illinois, from the official guide of the DMV: "Sometimes you may drive in Illinois without a valid Illinois driver¡¯s license. You are exempt if you: • move to Illinois and have a valid driver¡¯s license from your home state or country. You may drive with that license for 90 days." http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publicat...of_road2001.pdf It says nothing about holding the "international driver's license". I'll look more into it before he starts driving, and I'll talk with my Chinese friends who rent cars in the US on their biz trips. Surely a rental car place would not let someone who isn't allowed to drive rent a car.

Does anyone know if a Chinese drivers license is valid temporarily in the US in the place of a US license? Most of you probably didn't encounter this, but my husband has a license in China and I've heard he can drive on that for about three months. I know my Shanghai colleagues with licenses could rent cars and drive on business trips in the US, so I assume my husband can on a green card. Just can't find it in writing. Thanks!

I remember that flights to Sanya, Hainan weren't too expensive from Guangzhou on ctrip.com. Pack a swimsuit and plan a romantic excursion if you have the holiday to kill. The Sheraton, Hilton and Marriott are all fabulous on Yalong Bay in Sanya. The beach was amazing. Good Luck! Heather

Hi guys... Wanted to thank you all for your support and advice over the last few months. After losing his passport with the CR1 visa on June 5, we finally got a notice saying that he can come get his replacement visa on any upcoming Mon, Tues, or Wed. Unfortunately, they told him to bring with him a police certificate that is valid through September 19 (even though he could go to the consulate this Monday), and his police certificate is only valid through September 11. I didn't realize they were that close to being expired, or I would've made him go get another one earlier. As it stands now, I guess he can get his notarized police certificate in three weeks or so, spend another week getting the visa and making last minute arrangements, and then come in the second week of September. Actually, it's pretty good timing, because I was just accepted in a Master's program at Northwestern in Chicago. Mom and I plan to drive up from New Orleans labor day weekend and get me settled.... and just after she leaves, my hubby can come. Sorry for the rambling! But I wanted to say that even though the consulate never replied to the senator's office that contacted them, I have a hunch it helped get things moving along. Thanks everyone!!! Heather