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skrunks

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Posts posted by skrunks

  1. Visitors Visa

    in General Visa Discussion & First Steps

    Posted

    we have been married since 11/29/03 and lin's mother came over when our son was born about 4 years ago -- they approved her for 6 months but denied her sister. Then, we applied last year to have her parents visit together, denied (supposedly said lack of financial stability even though I make $135K a year, same job for 7 years and with military pension of 35K). We are reapplying for her parents to come over again. I may need to enlist support! Anyway, visit to consulate coming up, any inside tips

  2. Visitors Visa

    in General Visa Discussion & First Steps

    Posted

    Okay, I need someone to tell me if I'm crazy here. My fiancee and I are imagining a future in which we can travel back and forth once a year or so between the States and China. At this point I've been to see her twice, and will go twice again in 2010. We're both in our 50s and she is retired (I will retire in two years).

     

    The more I read about getting visitor visas and the difficulties therein, the more this seems a pipedream. So, any guidance would be appreciated.

     

    First, I'd like to get her over here to visit me before we marry (no particular reason, I'd just like her to come here once instead of my going there every time). At this point we do *not* intend for her to immigrate (that might change later).

     

    Specifics info on her:

    age: 53

    employment: retired 2 years ago

    family: one son, university student in Japan

    two sisters

    both parents still living (same city as her and one sister)

    parents are self-sufficient financially, as is son (working to pay his way through college)

    financials: small pension from government (1200rmb/month)

    bank account: I don't know how much is in there, I doubt much is

    property: owns free and clear a small apartment in Liaoning Province

     

    How could we possibly ever convince the US gov't that she would return to China after a two-week visit to see me? What might help? If we put more money into her account, does that help? If I get her to go to Japan to visit her son and she returns without violating her visa there, does that help? Of the things I've seen mentioned that work to establish sufficient ties to China, these are the two I see we can maybe manipulate. We don't want to be untruthful by saying our relationship is less than it is, but again, this is *not* an immigration issue -- she wants to come as a visitor and then go back.

     

    thanks for any and all suggestions/experiences. I'm beginning to lose hope here -- and I haven't even started the process! And I'm sad to say it's my government that's the problem...

  4. Visitors Visa

    in General Visa Discussion & First Steps

    Posted

    we just received word from my wife's parents that the request for visa was approved for just one to come visit -- her mother and sister had requsted that together, but only mother was approved.

     

    She was approved for a 90 day visa, ending dec, so we'll request an extension when she is here because Lin will be having the baby in late december. Anyone know success rate on extensions and how to go about same?

  5. Vaccination supplement

    in AOS & Immigration Challenges

    Posted

    I had the same issue, but didn't realize it until we went for the AOS interview. Actually, for us, when they did her shots in China, they put a record in her file and shipped them, but none of the VOs could read chinese so we had to have a civil surgeon sign off on it.

     

    They gave us the form they wanted us to use at CIS. Finally got a county health surgeon to sign it for $35 instead of the usual $100 to $150 by all other docs.

     

    We were never told we couldn't open any doctor's envelop or anything like that, the form was one page, so that seems strange.

     

    Turned it in, got approved...... but..........still waiting on her green card.

  6. AOS

    in AOS & Immigration Challenges

    Posted

    Just to save OTHER people time and exasperation with USCIS, herewith our story from today.

     

    I called the 1-800-375-5283 number for help getting my wife her green card, which like my wife's period, is way past due.....but we are more concerned about the latter than the former.

     

    After dialing, we selected options 3,2,4.1,1,1,3,6,2,1 and I finally got to a live person (i might exaggerate, but there were a LOT of automated choices). She then transferred me to an immigration officer after I explained our situation. Spent 30 minutes talking to this officer who recommended we go back to our immigration officer who did the interview and have the request redone. No big deal, new thumb print, new picture, fill out the form and its done....we can do that!. Our immigration contact 3 -- an Officer Hebert from the AOS interview, had said to come back anytime. We called the number she left us, left her a brief message and showed up today (May 4th) to s"get things taken care of". We were to be disappointed in that venture.

     

    Two burly guards stopped us at the back door.

     

    "Do you have an appointment?

     

    "Well, no, not exactly, but Officer Hebert told us to come back and see her if we had any problems, we do, and I called yesterday, plus the national service center recommended we come back here to visit with officer Hebert so we can straighten out our problem."

     

    At this point he pulls out some list, checks it, frowns, turns around and says: "Officer Hebert has transferred."

     

    "Well do you think maybe someone should change her voice mail to indicate she has left and dial xxx-xxxx for assistance?"

     

    Blank stares from both guards.

     

    "Well, we need help, who can we talk to?"

     

    "No one without an appointment"

     

    "Well I came in before without an appointment"

     

    "Our policy has changed"

     

    At this point I looked back at the visitor parking lot. It was 2 pm and the lot was empty except for my car and one red Ford Escort.

     

    "Well, do you think maybe there is one immigration officer who could squeeze in 15 minutes to help us? Can we come in stand-by?"

     

    "Nope, not without an appointment"

     

    "You need an appointment to come in stand-by?"

     

    "No, but you need to be on the list"

     

    "What list"

     

    "This list" And the guard holds up a list of names of people who can come in without an appointment -- I think.

     

    "How do I get on that list?"

     

    "Your immigration officer puts you on it, its for return appointments"

     

    "Well, do you think that maybe since officer hebert is no longer here, her supervisor might be willing to help us?"

     

    "Not without an appointment"

     

    Worn down and not willing to trade intellectual barbs with Pithecanthrapus Erectus any longer, I asked, "OK, how do I get an appointment"

     

    "I dont know, maybe you could go over to the main CIS building it is 5 minutes away, they'll have the answers over there."

     

    I'm not exactly happy about that, but with no other choice, we go over to the CIS building which was about 5 minutes away.

     

    The hours are posted on the front door -- M-Th 8 am to 3:30 pm and something else for Friday. I check my watch, it is only 2 pm. Whew, made it.

     

    I pull on the door. Locked. I try another. Locked. A guard from inside walks out and says "We're closed."

     

    Feeling out of sorts I say "What is May 4th national CIS day or something? Because you see, I sure did miss it on my calendar."

     

    The guard did not enjoy my wit.

     

    I explained that my wife had an approved AOS some 90 days prior, and that we had not received her green card. I told the guard that I had called the national service center and they recommended I talk to an immigration officer to resubmit her request for the green card (Form I-89 according to the officer) and that we were here to do so as they did not show any receipt of the original request in whateversystemtheyusetomonitorthese things.

     

    "Well, you'll need to make an appointment, those national service center people don't know what goes on down here."

     

    I think to myself, shouldn't they so we don't waste all day wandering around?

     

    Long story, short lesson. In houston texas, no one will talk to you without an appointment. You have to do that on the web site through infopass -- www.infopass.uscis.gov

     

    As I left, the guard at CIS offered her opinion -- "It really is a good system".

     

    Yeah, right.

  7. AOS

    in AOS & Immigration Challenges

    Posted

    Her passport was stamped with

     

    Processed for I-551 temporary evidence of lawful admissions for permanent residence valid until feb 06 2006 employment authorized.

     

    Lin Keechi

    her A number

    tnen Houston #1418 Feb 07 2005

    CFI as of 2.07.05

  9. EAD photo

    in AOS & Immigration Challenges

    Posted

    hey idid my own photo using my digital camera and photo printer. There is a special paper (kodak something or other) you are supposed to use so that the foto doesn't fade over time, but EAD is short term until your green card approval so no biggie in my mind.

     

    Even if you don't have professional quality photography equipment with appropriate lighting, a lot of photo software programs will allow you to eliminate any shadowing you might have and print out the correct size photo. Or you can pay someone the $10 or $15 it costs and have them do it. Course, they need to be willing!

     

    g'luck

  11. AOS

    in AOS & Immigration Challenges

    Posted

    Need a bit of help We filed our AOS March 9, 2004 in Houston and finally were scheduled for an interview in January of 2005. My wife needed to have her shot record updated and we took care of that and the local USCIS officer approved her application and said we'd receive the green

     

    Issue: Have not recieved NOA or green card and it is now 3 months later. Who do we contact to get this resolved? She has her passport stamped but no other documents. The local office did give her a letter stating "pursuant to sec 216 of the immigration and nationality act, you have been granted conditional resident status in the United States as of 2/7/05. All rights, privileges...blah blah blah" but no NOA or green card.

     

    Who do we contact or.......is there an issue? Are they behind in processing.

  17. The BCIS runaround...

    in General Visa Discussion & First Steps

    Posted

    I would have to politely disagree with Bob in saying that while the security check is in progress no politician's will help. I have not found this to be true as I personally had to have political intervention to get name checks done. But, I imagine it varies from senator to senator...congressman to congressman. Also, yes illegals will continue to slip through the borders and stay here without using the process, and it is frustrating that "johnny the border crosser" is here and your loved one is not. But why clutter your emotions worrying about something you can do nothing about? Rather maintain positive emotions on getting your other half here and save yourself worrying is what I say.

     

    good luck on your process, i know how the waiting can wear on you.

  19. Greetings from Nanning, China

    in General Visa Discussion & First Steps

    Posted

    Been to Guilin City as well, lovely spot, and no pollution. But the night life! I was amazed it was as lively a place as it is (was?). We took the river tour, visited the caves, walked the river and took many pictures, some of my fondest were at sunset. BUT it did feel a bit strange to be the ONLY foreinger in town..or at least it seemed like it! hope your trip there was/is wonderful.

  21. Why are you guys going to the interview?

    in General Visa Discussion & First Steps

    Posted

    Good replies all. I wanted to go to the interview, but could not because of new job, finances, timing, etc. But, being here on candle gave us good information about the process and we weren't too concerned, and han lin was convinced that the interview would be easy and painless...and it was. She is touring the homeland to say adieu to her relatives and as she says "to get money" from everyone. hmmmmmmmm. I guess its not out of custom to do so. But...i digress. It is not necessary to go to the interview and problems now are much less than over the past year.

  23. Notarization

    in General Visa Discussion & First Steps

    Posted

    Back when I filed the I-129F...which was back in 2002 March....whatever originals you did NOT send in, you would possibly have to provide the original when your fiance goes to the final interview at the consulate. We however, did not have to show anything except my original passport :D I had copies of it sent to the TSC of course you dont want to send the passport! g'luck!

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