MarcRosie

OK...We're filling out the I-131 Re-Entry Permit form. Can the 131 be expedited? If so how? we are waiting on the letter from the university she was accepted to to include this with the 131. Of course it's taking way longer for them to send it to her than they said it would take. So we're pretty much running out of time as she needs to go back to Chengdu the end of July. And unless it can be expedited..... Do we really have to have the re-entry permit if her daighter comes back to the USA before one year absence? They suggest that the re-entry permit is not required unless you stay out of the US between a year and 2 years. Sorry for all the questions on what might seem like an easy thing but I just want to make sure we're doing what we should do. And also, if really not needed no need to spend the $445 for something that might be processed too late and she's already out of the country so it was all for not. Thanks!

Wife's daughter is back in the states now. We are waiting on the acceptance letter from the university that she will be going to in Hangzhou to include this with the 131. Can the 131 be expedited? I read a couple places where advance parole can but not a re-entry permit. Also, as soon as this is approved and we hear of this (797?) can we do a walk in for the biometrics or do we have to wait until they say we can do the biometrics and then do a walk in so it can be sooner than having to wait until it's scheduled. Also, worst case scenario, they don't give us the bio approval before the daughter has to go back to China can she take it at a consulate? Have no idea why they make it so difficult. Should be able to go to the local police department take them and have them sent to USCIS. Thanks!

Hi, My wife's daughter is coming back for a short time then going back (I-131) because she's been accepted into a university in Hangzhou. Was wondering if any of you have some experience you would share with getting some medical insurance for such a situation. My company won't allow her to be put on our plan (24 years old). Thanks!

Typically yes, however there is always the possibility they can ask to interview to ask a few questions, and explain the permanent residence status and the requirements of it. Yep, that's the only thing I have any concern about. My wife has needed to travel back and forth to China to care for her parents/be there for them as much as she can. POE has always been understanding and never given her any 'grief' but you never know. And her daughter's approval for the 551 took so ridiculously long (3 years) that as usually happens in a young persons life, things came about and she needs to follow through with this great educational opportunity. Unfortunately for this process of green card/possible US citizenship/taking forever for the US government to do anything, the opportunity arose in China instead of possibly happening in the USA since she couldn't get over here for such a long time. So she got the green card and needed to go back to China to take some additional tests plus arrange housing for her time in Hangzhou. So her time here in the USA has not been very long. And by the time she gets back over here (soon) she's going to have to apply for the 131 and then it's going to be about time for her to start school in Hangzhou! So a little worried about the time spent here.

So 131's are slam dunks! Although in the instructions it does mention the chance of an interview. Maybe that's just something they throw in every set of instructions. Thanks again Dan!

Do you have any idea what the chances of an interview are? Not worried about proving anything (proof) just the timing if one would be asked for.

Thanks Dan! I guess my concern for timing (how long an I-131 takes) is that the daughter had to go back to China (in Feb.) to take some tests and get everything set for starting school (place to live, etc.) in September in Hangzhou. But as I read they will send the re-entry permit to our address here in the USA and I can send it to her in China. She plans to work here in the States after school but the opportunity to go to this school (on par with a 'Harvard' type of school here) was too much to turn down. So we're trying to make everything work out. Are people that are applying for the 131 sending in additional evidence to support their desire to get the 131? In the instructions there isn't anything that says you must, but we just want to do the best we can to make sure there aren't any issues and hopefully no interviews are required, just because of the timing of all this. My wife's mother is in the hospital with heart issues so wants to be there to help with this and caring for her father (87) and of course her daughter will be coming back to go through the biometrics and will need to go back for the start of school in September. So we just want to do all we can do to make sure everything goes smoothly. I called USCIS and as always, they just read it out of a book what you need to do ("Follow the instructions for the I-131.") and won't go into any other detail on what people are/should be sending in for the 131 other than what it asks for in the instructions. And we are looking at doing all of this online so I would assume we can attach letters from the school, etc. to that file? Sorry for all the questions. Just want to be sure. Hopefully others have dealt with these things also and can add some thoughts? Have a great day!! Rosie and Marc

Also...sorry to ask so many questions but just want to be sure of all the facts. Seems like you read what it says on uscis.com and other places and they say this and then everyone that has gone through something says something different from their experience. So...I read somewhere that you can do back to back 131's if you're going to college and it's taking longer than 2 years. Is this true? Thanks!

Thanks Dan! So do we need letters from her university (daughter) and from a doctor (for her parents) stating these situations? Never says anyplace if such things are needed but just wondered if it helps. Also, how long of a process is this? Send in the 131 and how long before she/they would have biometrics and be able to go back to China? Her Mom isn't doing very well so her having to come back here to take care of all of this is not what we want to do but looks like we must. Sounds like after the biometrics you would be allowed to go back to China as they just send out the re-entry letter to here and I can send it over to her for when she comes back. Thanks again!! Rosie and Marc

Hi! Hope all of you are doing well. Haven't been in here for some time because everything seemed to be going smoothly. Now I have a question though about the I-131. My wife's parents are 87 and 79 years old. Have some significant health issues and her Mom is in and out of the hospital it seems each week. Her Dad has issues with walking and has had a few small strokes. They have lived with my wife in her home for the past 12 years. As you all know, caring for your parents is one of the most important parts of Chinese culture and my wife wants to be there with them to help care for them as much as she can. Is it possible for her to get the I-131 for this purpose? Also, my wife's daughter just got her green card (yeah!) but she has been offered an opportunity to attend one of the premier universities in Hangzhou (in September of this year) for the opportunity to study in a field that only allows a few students each year to attend. Very prestigious. So we were looking to go the I-131 route with her also as this has a 2 year curriculum. I looked at the I-131 and it really doesn't suggest needing anything specific as far as why you want the I-131. Will they need letters from the university or hospital to prove the reason for asking for the I-131? How long of a process is the I-131? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!! and have a great day!!! Rosie and Marc

Thanks! On the USCIS site it says.... "The receipt number is a unique 13-character identifier that USCIS provides for each application or petition it receives. The agency uses it to identify and track its cases. The receipt number consists of three letters-for example, EAC, WAC, LIN, SRC, NBC, MSC or IOE-and 10 numbers. You can find it on notices of action USCIS has sent you." We have one that starts with IOE but it says it's not found. Been a couple weeks now since she got here. Maybe the 797 will be here soon.

Thanks Dan! Another question. I went to the USCIS page to check on the status of her green card. Put in the Receipt # I have and they say it doesn't match any of their records. It's the receipt # printed on the receipt we got for paying the $165 immigration fee but references her GZO# and A#. Is this the one they're wanting so you can check the status of the gc?

My wife is a worrier...but I understand as she's/we've had a lot of things happen with this whole process of her coming here and then all the things with her daughter coming here also. Here's what she wants me to check on. Daughter came through Chicago as the POE. Visa is an F22. Under her photo it says... "UPON ENDORSEMENT SERVES AS TEMPORARY I-551 EVIDENCING PERMANENT RESIDENCE FOR 1 YEAR" They stamped over the top edge of the visa that she was admitted JAN 12 2015. Under it it looks like they put K22 but I'm thinking it's actually F22. Then her A# under that. So has this been 'endorsed'? Do we have to do anything else? Thanks!

Thanks Dan! I paid the 'immigration fee' of $165 on August 25, 2014. The Case Receipt Notice from USCIS dated Aug. 25, 2014 said "The USCIS Immigrant Fee you submitted has been received by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for the following applicants and is in process:" That fee was debited from my account Aug. 26, 2014. It was paid before the interview, not just after the interview, unless there's another immigration fee I'm not aware of? Also, and sorry for all the questions, since this will be a 10 year green card, what are the laws for her to get her American citizenship? Is it still 3 years until she can do this like it is for a 2 year green card holder?

Well she made it over...finally! They actually had her go into another room and asked her a few questions. Wondered why she had gone back after she was issued the K2 and she explained. And wondered how she got this visa being 23 years old when she should've aged out. She explained that and the child protection law that allowed it to happen. But a couple more questions. Immigration Fee was paid ($165) but they said at the POE that we would have to pay $20 for something? Card production or something like that. Never heard of that one. Also, when could we expect the actual green card and can we push the social security card process? We went down to the SS office for my wife's card. Is this necessary to move things along and get that ASAP or will it come when it comes. Thanks!!

Happy New Year! Hope all had a nice time with family and frieinds! Wife's daughter is soon making the trip over. She had some things to take care of there in China before she could come over. Question. What papers will she need at POE when she arrives? She has the I-551 stamped in her visa. But what actual papers will she need as she comes through? Any help would be greatly appreciated? Marc

Thanks Randy! Pretty down on immigration lawyers. I've done more on my own and with the help of others than the lawyer we had ever did for us. Not saying all are bad as I know that's not true. My big question, and wondering if anyone had heard or had knowledge, is of this 10 year tourist visa. What are the limits? How long/short can you stay in the US? How many times each year can you come and go? She does not want to give up her ability to come to the US as part of the opportunity that's come up requires her to travel to the US. But sometimes it might be for a month, sometimes it might be for 6 months, sometimes it might be for 2 weeks. So we're just wondering what latitude you have. How flexible is this visa? And if a LPR wants to give up the green card is it more readily available to someone that has had the green card since they went through everything to get it? I've looked for info about this but haven't really been able to come up with much. Thanks!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Hope everyone had a great day with family and friends. Question. My wife heard that the new 10 year tourist visa deal Obama's talking about now is the way to go instead of a green card if you aren't looking to become a US citizen. It's been suggested to her that instead of being limited to traveling back and forth and having to stay in the USA for 6+ months under the green card, it is not an issue anymore as you could, under this 10 year visa, travel back and forth as many times as you wanted i.e. come here for 2 months, go back to China, come back for a month, go back to China, etc. (As an example). So what's the deal? She has had an opportunity arise in China that would require her to travel back and forth, but with the green card, although she hasn't had any issues yet from her numerous trips back and forth, we feel it's going to be an issue at some point. Any thoughts? Thanks! Rosie and Marc

And I thought I was done with all this visa...stuff. Just wondering if anyone (Chinese national holding China passport with US green card) has gone through the process of getting a tourist (General) visa for the UK? Seems pretty straight forward but they are requiring we enter a hotel with contact information before the application can be confirmed...BUT...they say numerous times to not book a hotel or airline BEFORE YOU ARE APPROVED! Tried calling the UK consulate here in the USA but they will not give visa information out through their information center. Anyone gone through this? Thanks!

Re-entry permit is not going to work as it takes months to get it from what I read. Emails would be the only thing we'd have plus all the messages she sends back and forth via her smart phone. She for sure could get a letter stating what she was in China for from the company starting the museum. Think this would suffice? Need to be sure. Don't want her to have issues coming through the POE as she's flying from La Crosse to Chicago and then back to Chicago and then to La Crosse. So will be going through the POE in Chicago and I wouldn't be there in case some problem occurred. If me being there would even make a difference.

So would she be required to give any proof that she was going for business? And she actually was away from the USA for 6 months, came back to stay until next year when she'd go back to care for her parents again, and then come back. But now this meeting has come up. Still OK? I'm thinking it would actually be considered a business meeting as it is to conduct the business of working to get this new art museum going, which will promote the culture of artists from all over the world.

Wife needs to go to China for a few weeks for some business she needs to attend to concerning her art and the museum she is part of starting up. She just got back into the states August 3rd. Needs to go back pretty quickly as a meeting was scheduled and the only time it can happen is soon and is critical to making this project all come together. Sooo...what's going to happen if she goes back and then comes back in a few weeks. Or can she even do this. Has her 10 green card. Been back to China a few of times since getting her 2 year green card to care for her parents. Any suggestions? Thanks!

HEY..another question. We are talking of the requirements for US citizenship for my wife. We read on the USCIS site where it says: •Be physically present in the United States for at least 18 months out of the 3 years immediately preceding the date of filing the application This last time she was out of the US for 189 days. Was so because of her daughter's visa interview in Guangzhou otherwise she would've been back before the 180 days. Does she need to start over now to have 3 years without her being out for more than 180 days or is the 180 day deal not...a deal breaker. By what it says in the above it's just 18 months out of the 3 years. She easily has this. But read all kinds of things about her having to give up Chinese citizenship. I told her this and she said, "WOW China is bad!" I laughed and just said that it is just different than America. Are ther any exceptions to having to give up Chinese citizenship if you're an American citizen? THANKS! Rosie and Marc

Found it! F22 Child (under 21 years of age) of a lawful permanent resident alien (subject to country limitations).

Well...wife's daughter has her visa in hand!!!! I seriously never thought this would happen. Here's the question. On the visa it has IV Category as F22. Tried to find what this meant and all I can find is that it's basically an F2A applicant that got their visa. Anyone know what this means specifically? CSPA as we saw, did come into play. So many people, even experts (lawyers/congressional reps) said sorry there was no way it was going to help and that she'd be switched to the F2B. Her Priority Date was Dec. 6, 2010, her 21st bd was 1/16/2011 and when she went for the interview she had just turned 24. Documentation and staying on top of the situation (and the government process) was key in this case. Plus, all of you guys helped soooooo much. So our prayers were answered! THANK YOU GOD!!! and THANK YOU Candle for Love!! And also, persistance does pay off sometimes, even though at times it seems the barracades the government put in front of us are insurmountable. Remember...Jjí de sko!! Have a great day! Rosie and Ashley and Marc