Denny&yan

My late but real advice. We bought a 2nd floor condo in Jiangmen with a balcony on exterior facing a street (other floors have only interior balconies facing the courtyard, so ours balcony extended out farther than the upper floors. We found out quickly that Chinese like to through their trash out the window, not caring that it lands on our balcony. We had to buy a cover for the balcony. In addition, the first level is retail. We were fine until a butcher shop opened up in one of the stores near us. We awake 6 am each morning when the cleavers start chopping pork. So, I would never buy a second floor again; however, at least we don't have to use the elevator that is often broken. Another downside is we still have to pay an equal portion of the repairs.

We have a home in Jiangmen, so on several occasions we have taken a bus to Zhuhia. I just to walk thru customs to Macao and then immiediately return to Zhuhai while my wife waits for me. so the short answer, no minimum time, except the time to exit customs, fill out a new form and re-enter China.

I think this might depend on the province or city. I wanted to stay longer than 60 days in Jiangmen. Jiangmen officials told us that they used to allow 1 year stays but no longer allow more than 60 days. Fortunately, Jiangmen is 1 1/2 hours bus ride to Macao, I can easily go to Macao and return for 60 more days.

No babies, I am 56 and she is 43.... too, too late!

Congratulations! Good luck with your new life!

My wife had her interview on 1/7/10 and passed!!! I will be returning to China later this month and she will return with me in May. We purchased a house in Jiangmen, so still plan to spend as much time in China as possible. I want to thank everyone that provided Q&As! I know it helped my wife to know the types of questions she would be asked. The only sticking point was fact that she had worked in Cambodia for one year. They had many questions about that because we could not get a police report from there without her returning in person. It also appeared that the process there took weeks and she would have to return to get the report. She said the interview was with a heavy set white lady who was very friendly and nice. She said the lady did not speak Chinese, so when my wife did not understand a question she would ask another lady to interpret. Although my wife's English is not very good, she was able to answer the standard questions in English thanks to the help we received at this site. The questions other than Cambodian-related were: Do you speak English? ans: I speak some English but have trouble understanding when other people speak English. How did you meet your husband? ans: On the internet at aff. When did you meet your husband? ans: July 2006 How do you communicate? ans: My husband speaks Chinese, she gave copy of my diploma from the Defense Language Institute, WC. The interview looked at diploma. Where is your husband now? ans: in the USA What is his address: ans: she gave address When was your husband most recently in China? ans: He left in December, he has been here 7 times. My wife also gave her a summary of the dates of my trips and a copy of my passport. The interviewer looked at these items. Interviewer then asked for photos, she did not want to see the book of marriage photos; only photos from our trips. We had photos of trips with our nieces, so she asked "who are these girls?". Then she returned the photos and gave my wife the pink slip. My wife asked, "do you mean I can go to the US to be with my husband?" The lady said yes, and my wife said "thank you" and left. My wife said there were six interviewers, 4 white and 2 black. My wife's friend waited outside and talked to some people as they left. She said many of the people that did not pass had been interviewed by the the black man and woman interviewers. Don't know the reason for that, perhaps they just got more "questionable" cases? Thanks, again to all of the posters, and good luck to all that are in still in the process! Denny & Yan

We have been married over 2 years. When I filed it was less than 2 years. In the last request for "more information" I asked NVC why my application was still for CR1 when we were married more than 2 years. they did not reply? Can anyone help me? do I just immediately file for IR1 when she arrives? Thanks, wish I knew about you guys a couple of years ago, would not have waited for 9 months without emailing because I relied on the stupid toll free stooges that said "just wait". I did not know that they sent a request for info 8 months earlier that got lost in the China mail.. I had them send info to our address in China because I spent most of my time there since our marriage. IF any newbies read this... Don't ever waste time on toll free number for NVC they are useless clerks that just read policy statement to you after you wait for 20 minutes on your phone... always sent emails! nvcinquiry.com thanks for your help in advance for answering my question. you guys are a great resource... thanks!!. Denny

Yes, add her to your credit cards. I added my wife last year even before she has had her inteview. Add to all your cc's if you trust her, but make sure you trust totally before you give her the cards! then those cc's will add to her credit history. Denny

good luck, I, also, am hoping for the best on 1/7 with my wife's interview; however, I love China and will be sad to have to be in the USA for so long if she gets her Visa. Now I only spend 1-2 months of every 6 in the US.

i have always received prompt replies to emails from NVC and Guangzhou, so don't dispair. Our appl was approved by NVC on 9/15. got interview letter on 12/15 (3 months what do they do in "china customs" anyway for 1/7 interview.

i have always received prompt replies to emails from NVC and Guangzhou, so don't dispair. Our appl was approved by NVC on 9/15. got interview letter on 12/15 (3 months what do they do in "china customs" anyway for 1/7 interview.

Funny My wife lives in Jiangmen. We called the Jiangmen place on Monday, Dec 14 because we got the interview letter on Sunday, and they said they could give the shots just not the medical exam, since we had to go to Guangzhou anyway, we just went to the Healthcare Center of Guangzhou International Travel. They don't mention that the shots are 440 RMB in addition to the 800 RMB exam. Arrived at about 9am in/out in just over 2 hours, but had to wait until 2:30pm to get the all of the documents.

Just found this site. My wife is scheduled for January 7th