frank1538

4 months from NOA1 to P3 is pretty damn good. The P3 --> P4 --> interview times seem to be taking a lot longer than in the past. Do a search on the tracking of P3 --> P4 and you'll get an idea of the latest wait times, but I'll go out on a limb and guess your interview will be in 2004 or 2005.

It's a bit curious that they are asking for the DS-158 which relates to work history. Maybe your particular embassy/consulate reqires this of all visa applicants. The other forms appear to be in sync with what GZ asks for, so I wouldn't be too worried about the DS-157. Here's a link that explains the use of the various forms: http://www.foia.state.gov/masterdocs/09fam...am/0941103N.pdf. You'll note that some of the forms have to be used; others can be used at the consulate's/embassy's discretion. But, one thing I've noticed about the whole visa application process is that the Office of Redundancy seems to carry a lot of weight. I don't know how many times we supplied the same information - but do make sure that it is, in fact, the same information. It would be a real shame if you answered the same question differently on the various forms. I would not be too concerned about the background checks. It is rare that something pops up at the last minute requiring further checks, but I've heard about re-submissions where there was a problem with the name, etc. Seems to me that if your wife provides all of the information requested she will have done everything that was asked of her. Best of luck to you.

It is certainly good to hear that this phase of the process has ended. Now you have the honor of having to deal with yet another governmental agency, first in the states (NVC) and then in China. Hang in there and it will be over one day. Best of luck to you.

No ifs ands or buts about it. You have to sooner or later. Sorry, couldn't resist, and I don't mean to take anything away from you excellent post.

How about: in an effort to skirt the trademark Chinese manufacturer made 5,000,000 of them and simply swapped the letters around ???? I wouldn't be the least bit surprised.

The temporary/interim EAD turned out to be a gedsend for us. Jingwen's and the kids' EAD applications are still pending, and we were able to get interim EADs through the walk up service at the local Atlanta office. Because I had not gotten SSNs immediately upon their arrival, we were able to use the interim EADs for work related SSNs. Sorry to hear that your lost approvals have created a problem. And, you thought your immigration challenges were over when she got her visa. On the subject of work without pay, I have always told Jingwen that her work at home is just as important as my work away from home. My labor gives us the money, and her labor gives us a home. Each is important, but neither is enough without the other.

Thanks Frank but she lives in Illinois, outside Chicago. Sorry about that. If she needs help in Chicago, there are several pro bono organizations that might be of assistance. For example, she might try http://www.lafchicago.org/ which is non profit. DaveR hit the nail on the head about important financial documents and papers, but it sounds like she is in the dark about it all. This will certainly complicate things.

I have heard of situations where an I-134 disclosing numbers a lot less strong than yours was more than sufficient. If you're worried about it, think about a co-sponsor, but it sounds like you meet the requirements. The more important financial document will be the I-864 that you will have to execute when your wife adjusts her status after she arrives in the US. Good luck at the interview.

Maybe have her take contact Catholic Services in Portland. http://www.catholiccharitiesoregon.org/503...immigration.asp

There isn't enough capacity on all the servers in the world to hold the pictures that Jingwen has taken.

Here's my take on the category. Although Jingwen was K-1, I read the categories as follows: If you are filing for the EAD with the AOS or after you filed for AOS, your category is ( c )(9). If you are filing for the EAD before you file for AOS, your category is either (a)(6) for K-1/K-2 or (a)(9) for K-3/K-4. Where to file depends on your category, but Jingwen used category ( c )(9) and sent the EAD application along with the AOS application to the local USCIS office (Atlanta for us).

A buddy just sent these to me. Thought I'd share the out takes with the family. http://www.photohost.org/gallery/showphoto.../sort/1/cat/500

I've seen French Connection United Kingdom logos on shirts. For those of you who don't know, FCUK is a legtimate manufacturer/retailer of clothes and accessories: http://www.frenchconnection.com/index_2.htm Maybe the girl in Canada couldn't quite get the spelling right.

I have a good friend who imports furniture, porcelain, and other goods from China. He had similar problems with quality, packing, and shipping. I think he now has a trusted associate on the ground in China who oversees the purchasing and packing. He still has the occasional problem, but he is usually getting what he pays for. Do you have a friend or family member who might serve in this role? As to the immediate issue, I would certainly attempt to get his signature on a "final payment" contract as well as marking the check "payment in full".

Man, I can relate. Sometimes we take things for granted or as common sense, but then I try to remember that I've been in a car since infancy. To an American, driving is just a natural progression of one's way of life. I also try to remember that for many people, driving a car is as alien as it comes. The awareness aspect is by far the most troubling, but I am hopeful that the recognition light will come on for my family before the ambulance lights do. Carl, teaching your wife how to drive has got to be one of the most stressful aspects of any marriage, and I would bet less stressful episodes in peoples' lives have led to divorce. Your story is a testament to your love and commitment.

I had the same concerns, but they seem to have been unfounded. This leads me to believe that it is more than just the different strains of bacteria that exist in our stomachs. Jingwen has a habit of leaving leftovers out rather than putting them in the refrigerator. She just re-cooks the food, sometimes to boiling temperatures, sometimes not. Fortunately, even this has not caused any stomach problems, even for me, but it reminds me of the old rhyme: Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold. Peas porridge in the pot, nine days old. Minghao, on the other hand, learned the hard way what a cup of coffee can do to your digestive track. When he started high school, he had to start getting up early to catch the bus. I always put on a pot of coffee in the morning when I get up, so he decided that a little caffeine would help him stay awake. It was then that he realized that one cup of coffee for someone who never had any before can run through your system faster than greased lightening. He has since decided not to drink coffee.

It's good to finally see a P4. Best of luck.

My suspicion hairs are beginning to stand up too.

Man, you dodged a major bullet. Congratulations. Get out now and never look back. Looking forward to hearing the details - her divorce decree? Yours?

Not to change the subject Moon, but any updates on your quest to slay the beaucratic dragon?

You may have to change your regional settings (Start/Settings/Control Panel) to ensure that the computer can display Chinese characters. In Windows, the procedure varies from version to version, but in XP you can click on the Regional and Language Options and go to the Advanced tab and add Chinese (PRC).

Tony, my translation skills are pretty limited, but it seems to me that this woman is really seeking help in trying to decide what to do about two apparently good men. My read of the letter suggests that after Eric, she met Richard and is now is a quandry as to what to do. Isn't that the question she is asking at the end of the letter?

LMFAO

Just a quick thought, Carl. The man's reputation is at stake as well. Should Gerard want to go through another K visa process, USCIS's knowing that he had clean hands and was scammed on a prior marriage may make the task a bit easier. To sit by and not be involved may caste a very unfavorable light on him.

This is probably the crux of the issue. She did make an official claim of abuse (bogus, but has to be proven in court). So now I'm wondering if this was all planned from the beginning. Her time here was 'all about her' and really didn't show any interest in my life or a relationship. Without knowing all the facts, it is really hard to comment. I am not an immigration lawyer, but abuse for green card purposes does not have to be proved in court for there to be an initial determination. Take a look at http://uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/battered.htm for some general information on the process. The regulations also spell out what kind of supporting evidence might be needed: http://uscis.gov/lpBin/lpext.dll/inserts/s...slb-8cfrsec2042 Down around 1/4 - 1/3 of the page, you'll find the following: Evidence of abuse may include, but is not limited to, reports and affidavits from police, judges and other court officials, medical personnel, school officials, clergy, social workers, and other social service agency personnel. Persons who have obtained an order of protection against the abuser or have taken other legal steps to end the abuse are strongly encouraged to submit copies of the relating legal documents. Evidence that the abuse victim sought safe-haven in a battered women's shelter or similar refuge may be relevant, as may a combination of documents such as a photograph of the visibly injured self-petitioner supported by affidavits. Other forms of credible relevant evidence will also be considered. Documentary proof of non-qualifying abuse may only be used to establish a pattern of abuse and violence and to support a claim that qualifying abuse also occurred. Sounds to me like she might be getting advice from someone on how to scam the system but, again, I don't know all the facts.