frank1538

Just to close the loop on this, my step son received an e-mail notice today that CSC has approved his I-485 and has ordered his green card. That makes it three for three without an interview.

Some applicants work for employers who may attempt to complicate the visa process or otherwise make trouble for the applicant if it becomes known that the applicant is applying for a visa to travel to the US. Assuming the employment is not in a sensitive area where additional checking may be required, what, if anything, does the consulate do with the employment information provided by the visa applicant?

I'm going to post this question to GUZ speaks. The other mods may delete it if not appropriate.

It's all over but for the removal of conditions. Congratulations!!!

WOW, AOS is less than 2 months. Congratulations.

Personally, I would not wait beyond 180 days after the date on the I-94. There has always been a concern on my part that after I-94 date passes, the alien begins to accrue "ununlawful presence" in the US until such time as the I-485 is filed. This may have an impact on the ability to obtain advance parole and/or return to the US on advance parole. Maybe I'm being too cautious.

Question 18 is asking for information on your meeting in person. How you first made contact (internet or AFF) is not really relevant. Rather, a short statement giving the date and place and duration of the trip along Chef4u's suggestion should do the trick, but I'd probably drop the lovie dovie part. One thing though. Don't confuse question 18 with the requirement that you also submit evidence that you and your fiancé(e) have personally met within the last two years and the requirement that you provide original statements from you and your fiancee whom you plan to marry within 90 days of her admission, and copies of any evidence you wish to submit to establish your mutual intent to get married (this is from the instructions).

http://candleforlove.com/forums/index.php?...ndpost&p=182412

Welcome to CFL. I'd probably first check with the civil affairs office in your SO's hometown to see what documents it will want. Based on the link to the US consulate's website, "...Effective October 1, 2003, persons who have been married previously will no longer be asked to submit original or certified copies of final divorce or annulment decrees, or of death certificates if widowed. No health certificate will be required." The website goes on to say that the American partner to a marriage in China will generally be asked to submit a notarial certificate of marital status, but in lieu of this, the consulate will help with the preparation of a certification of marriageability and it is this last certification (by the consulate) where the consulate asks for a certified divorce decree. So, if I'm reading this correctly, you: 1. Might have a local civial affairs office that doesn't care about prior marriages. 2. Might be able to procure a notarial certificate of marital status if the local civil affairs office needs something related to prior marriages. Check with your home state where your reside and see what it would take to get such a certificate. 3. Might have to go to the consulate to get a certificate of marriageability in which event it seems likely that you will have to have a certified copy of your divorce decree. As others have said, I would not try to get the certificate of marriageability by conveniently forgetting about prior marriages. Good luck.

20 year old single malt Scotch will be just fine. Congratulations Steve and Amy.

This sounds like good information relating to the birth certificate. Maybe that's the answer. From your statement, it almost sounds like the mother is being viewed as a foster parent (caretaker?) with respect to her own child. If so and assuming there's enough time, could she formally adopt the child? If I recall, a formal adoption will terminate the parental rights of the father.

The general concensus is one of the following documents will usually be needed: 1. Nothing if the child is 18 or older. Otherwise... 2. A divorce decree stating that the mother has sole custody. 3. A sole custody order from the court. 4. A written consent from the biological father. I don't like to use the word "extortion", but sometimes a deadbeat father will want something in exchange for signing the consent. I'm a little confused about your statement "the child was listed as belong to the government before I married my wife". Maybe you could shed a little light on this. If the government somehow has terminated the father's parental rights, I would think the document that did that would be sufficient as well.

You're just about there. Good luck.

Not quite true. It may have an impact on the ability to apply for a K-3. If you remember, a K-3 is available only when an immigrant visa is not "immediately available". The priority date indicates when an immigrant visa is technically available. Despite this technicality, the various consulates use a slightly more reasonable approach to deciding when a K-3 can be filed by looking to when the I-130 paperwork actually gets to the consulate: "...May IR1 Petition Beneficiaries Opt for K3 Processing? ----------------------------------------------------- 30. According to the LIFE Act, a K3 visa may be issued when "an immigrant visa is not immediately available to the alien." To maximize the number of aliens who may benefit from the LIFE Act provisions, VO has determined that an immigrant visa is "available" only when the actual approved I-130 petition has been received by the IV- issuing consular post. If the I-130 petition is at post, or the applicant has already been interviewed and denied the IR1 by a consular officer, perhaps due to lack of the I-864 AOS, that applicant must proceed with IR1 processing and may not choose to apply instead for the K3. If the I- 130 petition remains at or is in transit from NVC, or the applicant has already commenced K3 application (by returning Packet 3 forms) when the I-130 petition arrives at post, he/she may continue to process the K3 rather than switch to IR1 processing. K3 applicants may opt at any time to process as IR1s rather than continue the K3 application..." Special thanks to tywy for finding this. His original post is contained in this thread: http://candleforlove.com/forums/index.php?...opic=11681&st=0

You can start here: http://www.tankless-water-heater.net/index.php I've been considering going tankless if my current tank craps out on us. There are two approaches that I've considered. The "Chinese way" which has a small unit for each hot water outlet and the "American way" which has one or more larger units serving several hot water outlets. One of the problems is trying to figure out exactly how many units you will actually need, particularly in my family where we can have three showers, the dishwasher, and the washing machine all going at once on any given day. While the energy savings are reputed to be good, the cost is still high. I remember once though I was looking at an old house to purchase. While in the basement, I saw this cast iron water heater with a door. It was about the same size as a 50 gallon tank. I opened the door and to my surprise I saw a coil of copper pipe. I asked the agent what the heck it was, and he said it was an old style water heater. The water flow triggered the natural gas flame which heated the water as in wound its way through the coiled pipe. The gas flame went back to pilot (probably pilotless these days) when the water flow stopped. It was just this one unit for the whole house. Now that's efficient - almost felt like I could build one of them myself.

Wow. That's amazing. You both should be very proud. If it won't violate copyright, how about posting a few pages/pics. If not, maybe the jacket if it has one. I can't wait.

Time for Tony to update the leader board. Congratulations.

http://peteyeep.com/WSH11.jpg 184593[/snapback] The White Swan hotel is a very classy hotel that is next door to the old consulate. It's expensive by Chinese standards but has an excellent lobby with large fountains and streams and wood carvings and high end shops. The hotel would often receive packages that were addressed to the consulate and hold them temporarily as a courtesy. If you go to Shamian Island, which is pretty nice by itself, then you should definately check out the White Swan also! 184620[/snapback] The White Swan used to be the collection point for EMS headed to the consulate. I don't know if it still functions as such.

Good point. Sorry if I confused anyone.

I hate to be the bearer of potentially bad news but take a look at http://uscis.gov/lpBin/lpext.dll/inserts/s....htm#slb-act203 : Sec 203(g): "...The Secretary of State shall terminate the registration of any alien who fails to apply for an immigrant visa within one year following notification to the alien of the availability of such visa, but the Secretary shall reinstate the registration of any such alien who establishes within 2 years following the date of notification of the availability of such visa that such failure to apply was due to circumstances beyond the alien's control." This MAY be what happened. I'm not sure this section applies since K-1 visas are technically nonimmigrant visas but treated like immigrant visas, but if it does, it certainly suggests that if you don't actually apply for the visa within one year of availability (priority date? NOA2 date?), you may have to re-apply or ask for reinstatement. I hope I'm wrong.

The general rule is 5 years of residency, but there is an exception for spouses of US citizens which reduces the time to 3 years: http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/natz/Special.htm : "Spouses of U.S. Citizens Generally, certain lawful permanent residents married to a U.S. citizen may file for naturalization after residing continuously in the United States for three years if immediately preceding the filing of the application: - the applicant has been married to and living in a valid marital union with the same U.S. citizen spouse for all three years; - the U.S. spouse has been a citizen for all three years and meets all physical presence and residence requirements; and - the applicant meets all other naturalization requirements." The clock starts ticking from the date of the green card, whether conditional or permanent: http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/natz/faq.htm#q4 : "Your time as a Permanent Resident begins on the date you were granted permanent resident status. This date is on your Permanent Resident Card (formerly known as Alien Registration Card)."

I'm going to move the thread to the AOS & Immigration Challenges forum. From a visa/immigration/LPR standpoint. You have two choices. 1. You can file for adjustment of status now (1-485), apply for your social security card, and apply for your EAD (Employment Authroization Document - I-765) if needed. The AOS should result in the issuance of the green card. An EAD is not needed after issuance of the green card (or the temporary I-551 stamp in the passport). 2. You can skip the AOS and wait for the I-130 to finish processing. You'll have to return to China for the interview. If successful, the IR-1 or CR-1 visa will be issued and on re-entry into the US, you'll become a legal permanent resident. Usually, the passport is then stamped with the I-551 stamp, and the green card should arrive sometime later. While you are waiting for the I-130 processing to finish, you might consider filing for and EAD if needed and applying for the social security card.

Welcome to CFL. I would think a faxed copy of the W-2 is ok, or you can request a copy directly from IRS. I had to do that as well. I was able to walk in and get a copy on the spot, but you're being in China may make this difficult unless you give a power of attorney to someone stateside. Not having copies of the P3 documents, etc. should not be a problem. Just keep your fingers crossed that the consulate hasn't lost anything.

Du tell. Another birthday. Have a happy one.

That's a wrap!!! Congratulations.