frank1538

We essentially did this with the pictures. I can't remember the number, but we had maybe several dozen of "relationship" pictures - Jingwen and I together AND pictures of us with her family which I think is very important. For the remaining 10,765,365 pictures, I shrunk them down so that I could print maybe nine or so to a page. These went into the binder but were never looked at.

Welcome to CFL. Can you say money? Yep, money greases a lot a skids. Jingwen's hometown is medium sized by Chinese standards, but money still carries a lot a weight. She didn't have any significant problems getting her notarial documents, and getting her passport went without a hitch. Sometimes, using an intermediary keeps things low key. Jingwen is from Zhanjiang (southern Guangdong). Where is your SO's hometown? Has she transferred her hukuo to where she lives?

Yes, try using the header of "other" and type your questions in the message text. I have tried this method several times. Sometimes I get a canned response. Sometimes I get an informative response. I guess it really depends on your luck I used the "other" approach a lot when I was corresponding with GZ. In most instances, I got an actual timely (not canned) reply. Because of the screw up with Jingwen's P3, I corresponded a lot with the consulate and was beginning to believe that the same person was handling my e-mails. I doubt this was actually the case, but it made me feel better. DOS actually confirmed the interview date for me before GZ confirmed the sending of the P4.

Try a basic run of the mill seach and compare the hits in China vs. the US. I remember once getting about 200 hits using Jingwen's internet connection versus about 200,000 hits using my US Yahoo portal - a big difference.

The most requested items from the US for Jingwen's family are American ginseng and supplements (shark liver oil, vitamin E, etc.) Not very personal, but always appreciated. Apparently, Wisconsin ginseng is considered the best there is - far preferable to anything currently available in China. But, it ain't cheap. American liquor and cigarettes are also appreciated, but you may object to such gifts. Because of personal tastes, I would not recommend buying clothing. Jingwen is very particular about what she wears, and I would never presume to know what she likes.

I always wondered if there is a "proper" way - proper as in etiquette - to hold chopsticks. I've noticed that most Americans use the index finger as the primary mover of the top stick while most Chinese use the middle finger. It's like holding and using a fork. It can be done in a variety of ways, but etiquette favors one method.

Jingwen was very disappointed that the Las Vegas national thing fizzled out. Might have to consider going to Portland. Besides, someone's got to keep the Southern contingent balanced and in check.

I'll add my 2 cents. KK, my step-daughter got her green card, but her given name was misspelled - the same problem she had with her EAD. Called the number and like Mick, had to go in person via an Infopass appointment. Fortunately. we live in Atlanta. So I prepared the I-90 and attached a copy of the AOS filings as proof that the screw up was the government's, not mine. Went down today, got in line to get a number and was told we needed fingerprints despite the biometrics having been completed. Well, off to another line to get fingerprints (the old fashioned way, which is a no-no for a Chinese woman - how dare the government make me put dirty ink on my fingers.) Fortunately, no charge for the fingerprints. Then back in line to get a number so we could wait some more. After about two hours, we were finally called. and I handed the I-90 to the lady along with the copy of the I-485 and attachments. "What's that for?", she asked. "Just to show you it wasn't may mistake." "Don't need it" she said and proceed to remove the I-90 and photos from the packet. I could tell today was not her best day. After a few minutes, she said what proof do I have that it was the government's mistake. "Well, here's the I-485 and attachments that show the correct spelling of KK's name, you know that same stuff that you said wasn't necessary." We then proceed to have a discussion about the intelligence of the visa processors who can't seem to tell the difference between a "G" and a "Q". After a few minutes, she finally noted "fee waiver" on the application and then said I needed something official with her name on it. Here, take a look at the passport. "Nope won't do. Let me see her birth certificate." "Fine, it's in that packet of information that you said you didn't need." I then gave the I-485 and attachments back and opened it up to the section with KK's birth certificate in it. "But this doesn't have her name on it." 'What? A birth certificate without a name on it? How about taking a look here at the top where it says 'this is to certify that Chen Qiqi was born on...'" "Hmmph, okay." She then stamped KK's passport with an interim stamp evidencing temporary lawful admission for permanent residence. "How long to get the new green card?" "Maybe 6 months to a year." The temporary stamp is good for a year. Any bets on whether we'll be back down there next year to get another stamp? I'd love to say this little story was embellished, but the truth is often stranger than fiction.

On Jingwen's AOS, we did the following: Family Name - We showed her Chinese family name, not mine. This was the same name as shown on her passport/visa/I-94. G-325A - We showed the same number twice, once at the top and once at the bottom. G-325A - We marked the box "Status as Permanent Resident".

I agree but wonder if quality is preferable to quantity. While Jingwen and I had literally thousands of archived chats while we were waiting, I think some of the more important "continuing relationship" correspondence might have been those letters, archives, and e-mails where we discussed issues like working in the US, her dad's health, schooling for the children, how to furnish the house after her arrival, etc. I doubt if the VO would often look for these types of "quality" correspondence, but I would certainly view them as more indicative of a continuing relationship than say 1,000 e-mails that evidenced only that the parties have been in contact with one another. really good point... So, if one was following the idea of keeping the documents in separate folders... would you have the "trump" docs in a special folder to offer first, if asked by the VO for some letters? Would it be adviseable to hand a few hand written letters, particularly if you were talking about life together in the US and the plans you were making? As opposed to handing chats where an exchange is going on, which shows communication... Hadn't really thought about segregating the correspondence, but I certainly see some benefit in beinh able to focus the VO's attention on the "trump" docs.

I wholeheartedly agree with this. There is no doubt in my mind that my taking an active role in Jingwen's visa application through my e-mails, etc. with GZ was known to the VO and certainly showed my commitment.

I don't want to speak for the group but I think the consensus is that it is better to grab the interview date that was given rather than extending what was likely an already extraordinarily long wait. I think part of the reluctance in re-scheduling the interview comes from not knowing how long it would take to get back in front of the VO.

I agree but wonder if quality is preferable to quantity. While Jingwen and I had literally thousands of archived chats while we were waiting, I think some of the more important "continuing relationship" correspondence might have been those letters, archives, and e-mails where we discussed issues like working in the US, her dad's health, schooling for the children, how to furnish the house after her arrival, etc. I doubt if the VO would often look for these types of "quality" correspondence, but I would certainly view them as more indicative of a continuing relationship than say 1,000 e-mails that evidenced only that the parties have been in contact with one another.

Aw shucks. Thanks.

RM00203.500 is the policy statement regarding what visa classes are work authorized with and without an EAD. Here's the link: http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/36f3b2ee954...b4?OpenDocument

You might also consider filing an inquiry form. Of course, they want you to wait 90 days before sending in the inquiy. Here's the link. http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/g-731.htm From what I've read on the inquiry form, the I-551 is the green card.

Man, throw that roller coaster in the trash heap. Congratulations on your perseverance and best wishes to you both. You guys deserve a little sunshine.

Nicely done. Too bad we all can't use VSC. Best wishes.

It's probably the dialect, Trigg - that weird cross between that Tennessee backwoods slang attaching itself to that Chicago midwest twang.

Jingwen's EAD wasn't processed within the 90 days. We ended up having to go down to the local office and get a temporary one.

Sounds like they're starting to think in English too - no mental translation. Thanks for relating the story.

Congratulations and best of luck. You're getting close to the end.

Three cheers for the human race... we may not be perfect, but we're the best human race there is... "It's time for the human race to enter the solar system." -George W. Bush

Most excellent. Best wishes.

Congratulations and best wishes. I'm glad the mail process worked out.