mikem

generally everything should not be older then 1 year,, However to be on the safe side 6 months or less has never been an issue. sounds like you are doing it right!! Except birth certs these do not seem to be a problem on time as long as originals and or certified

This is a tough one..

OK bud let me help here.. I can hear your frustration.. There is no easy way to do this.. You are at the mercy of the CIS for this stuff.. Let me say first we have all gone through this frustrating period.. Although it took 11months and 2 days for our visa we had started a year before that so just over 2 years to get here not all Visa related. You have to obtain all the required info you seen listed on the site here for the interview.. I know it is a pain it the xxx but we have all done it. My now LaoPo went to the interview alone I knew I could not go in with her..and due to job commitments could not be there waiting.. Although she did just fine without me.. You must have this stuff ready the things we are preaching at you is first hand knowledge.. Many have asked the same questions you have asked, I was very fortunate that I used a Visa service that has been doing this stuff for over 20 years and knows all the angles and how to get around them and much of the info found here is very similure to their work, as posted on this site. Take a deep breath and resign yourself to the wait we have all been there.. We all will answer any questions you have,, if we know the answer.

Perfect example.. Certified docs and originals don't let this happen you cannot have to much at interview. Read this posting as of today. From Guangzhou getting visa down two posts

For the birth certificate, you only need to contact the county of the state you were born in and give them your name, birth date, possibly a faxed copy of your current ID and a few bucks. They will mail an original certified copy to you. hehehe 350 pages! That'll teach them for getting petty about the small stuff!! Yeah it may hold the process up longer..

Well it sounds like you have sent more then required.. Some of it should have been used for the interview.. The problem with sending to much is it sends a flag up that because of the over amount you sent that maybe you are trying to cover something up..NOT THAT YOU ARE What is this based on.. The 911 terrorists sent much extra info to get their visas and were never questioned now they look at over documentation as... well you get the picture. You should send in only what they request in the 129 requirements.. Here is the thinking. You are sending this info into some clerk,whos job it is to check your documents and are required to do ,,so many a day.. I hate to be pesimistic but if you were that person where would you put the file that is over 2 inches thick as compared to the ones that are say a half inch thick with only the required documents to check when you are required to process x amount a day.. Unfortunatly the pictures of your apartment,phone calls back and forth are NOT proof of being there. Visas/passports can be conterfited very easy and is subject to scrutiny,, the best proofs have been listed here at CFL many times and the CIS does provide the required info although subjective in their application/instructions for the 129. Well maybe you will be all right,, I hope so..

There are services available that can aquire them for you in 2 weeks sometimes less. Also the department of vital records in your state and often let you order by mail. This usually requires a faxed copy of your driver's license, or some other proof of identity. Ditto that.. you can order off the net for most states..Its a public record I believe anyone could order it if you pay the price..

My LaoPo wanted a traditional wedding dress/white and knew she would only use one time..so don't spend to much money(her words) we searched the net and found it was cheaper to by one then to rent one(really)..However we went into JC Penny one Saturday just looking for some casual clothing for her and we stumbled upon a rack of wedding gowns that were clearance priced.. She saw one she like was her size(5) and oh boy it was perfect.. This was a all white full length gown fit like a glove no alterations needed Regular price $179/ sale 129 well we took it and she was happy..so I guess it pays to look around also one of the ladies I work with suggested going to a second hand clothing shop she said she bought her dress there for $100.. so you never know look around it could save you a few bucks..My understanding is the prices in GZ for dresses are great my LaoPo bought several chi pais while there and they are beautiful..

I agree with everyones thinking, but remember the only hindrance these guys can use against us is time. And here is the problem not sending originals or certified copies i.e. of the passport and originals of other docs such as birth certs. THEY CAN ASK YOU TO PRODUCE ORIGINALS at any time. You can get an original birth cert for about $10 bucks why take the chance of adding time to the wait. Even though the papers say send copies they can ask for originals adding another 6 or 8 weeks to the wait if they do. Everything I sent was original except the passport which was certified copies.. Do not give them a chance to shoot you down stalling is the only thing they have in their corner working for them.

What office did it go through??

Thank You!!

ok the certified copy of your main page and China Visas should be sent in your application package as proof of being in China and meeting. If not what did you send??other then boarding passses and credit card receipts.. If you are going to be at the interwiew, just hand her you passport while your waiting and if they ask she can say yes he is waiting outside did you want him to come in?? This will shoot down the provide the newspaper thing also as you are there..They know if you are waiting outside//they guess you are not dead..

OK I have to but in here,, its to help. From GZ point of view all photos are suspect,, of being in China,,Photos can be doctored I do not care if anybodys attorney tells you this is the way to go..with so much computer doctoring equipment around you can understand the issue. Here is the proof positive to prove you have been in China with your future Lao Po.. Even if you are just filing/starting the 129 etc include this in your submittal package... WHEN IN CHINA GO TO ANY U.S. EMBASSY/CONSULATE WITH YOUR FINACE' WALK INTO THE EMBASSY/CONSULATE AND ASK TO SEE THE NOTARY THERE. NOTARY SERVICE IS FREE TO U.S CITIZENS. HAVE THE NOTARY PREPARE A STATEMENT SUCH AS "BEFORE ME APPEARED ON THIS DAY DATE/TIME ETC(WHATEVER EMBASSY YOU ARE AT)MR, SO AND SO OF (YOUR ADDRESS AS EVIDENCED BY YOUR PASSPORT AND MS. SO AND SO AS EVIDIENCED BY HER CHINESE I.D. CARD OR PASSPORT HAVE THEM PUT YOU PASSPORT NUMBER DOWN AND YOUR FIANCEE' I.D. NUMBER DOWN AS PROOF OF YOUR I.D. HAVE THE NOTORY SIGN AND STAMP THIS WITH THE SEAL.THE PAPER THEY USE SHOULD BE THE EMBASSY LETTER HEAD. GET 2 ISSUES THERE FREE IF NOT PAY THE NOTARY FEE EVEN. This notarzation is from the U. S. Govenment and not subject to question. You really don't think they will challenge notarized info from the other embassy do you?? This is undisputable proof you have been in China and have met with the future Mrs how the hell else could you get this if not in the embassy before the notary you had to be in China with you sig other.. Second best proof is your Boarding pass from China only way you can get it is if you were there but still it only indicates you were there and did not meet with you future Lao Po. But it is seldom challenged. I went through this process without one hic-up I had a expert who has been doing this for many years as a service and I can assure you this info is water tight. And hell yes I sent a certified copy of my drivers license and SS card too, with my Fiancee' when she went into the interview at this point in the game why take a chance for want of a simple cert like this.. The VO asked four questions of her. 1) Do you speak English her reply, a littlle 2) How many times has your fiance been to China 4 times(supported by boarding passes, credit card receipts etc VO did not ask to see) 3) Where will you live in the U. S. Alabama 4)What does he do for a living Engineer They did not ask to look at ANY documentation at all took the brown envelope and told her to come back at 4PM next day to get her Visa My now wife even forced photos of us together on the VO he smiled and said nice, did not even look at them. So,, so much for photos.. Hope this clears the proof of being in China thing. Mike

Holy Shxx,, unbelievable Kept your drivers license??

you notarize your signature something you signed as signing it. you certify a copy No signature do not sign the copy you want certified..]this means true copy///just the notary signs

I supplied the main page with my photo and info numbers etc and the Chinese visa page when I did the 129.. Heres what I did..Went to my computer and typed in word //This is a true copy of passport number xxxxx belonging to Mr. xxx-xx cetified on // Date line //by line. I moved that down on the page to about a quarter of the way from the bottom and printed it out..; Now you have a blank page with that statement on it. Now turn on your color scanner and scan the passport thru to your printer(make sure you put the blank page with the statement on it in the printer so it prints the passport on that side with the ststement and you are ready to go. Take to the notary and show them your passport and have them certify if you do the copying should save you a heck of a lot.. But why pay at all go to your bank as you are a customer they should notorize for free.. Hope this helps.. Mike

I was in Beijing last December via Shanghai,, I stayed at the Crown Plaza part of Holiday Inn used my priority club points we were there for 3 nights I booked on line no problems.. The executive room cost me a few bucks extra but included a great breakfast bar on the upper exec club floor and they also had a great restaurant with European/Chinese and U.S. even fresh roast turkey hand carved, cuisine via huge buffet bar all you can eat or you can order from the menu.. It was worth it the room was absolutely gorgeous separate bath lots of marble as big as the bedroom internet desk etc, I recommend highly it was a few days before Christmas and everyone was in Santa outfits and they had the decorations tree etc. I thought I was back in the US.. We did the same things you are planning but it was cold went to Ba Da Ling do not forget Maos tomb on Tienemin You cannot bring any cameras bags into see him..also we hired a cabby for the day to go to Ba Da Ling Great Wall about $50.00 US for the day its about a 45 minute drive to the wall from Bejing..Right next to the wall Ba Da Ling is a Zoo its a bus ride type of thing you need to go, it was cheap..the best part was when they threw the chickens out the bus to the tigers// oh boy I thought the PETA people would love this but they do not allow that BS there......so far.. They also had bears wolfs all kinds of exotic animals you ride the bus through their area you are in the cage..The taxi driver waits usually sleeping while you do the wall he parks and waits for you. from there went to Xian pro nounced Che en about 1 hour flight and visited Qins terracatta solders. I have been to Guangdong/ GZ Shenzhen Ningbo Zhoushan Xian etc etc..PM if you need more help Mike

Hey bud let me see if I can help. When Jing got here on march 20, the following week I took her to local SS we got her card in two weeks They did not even look at her birth cert. Just her passport with visa. However after we got married on May 27 went to SS to get name change 1 month later got a letter from local SS rep that said she needs EAD or proof of applying for AOS and then they would do name change BCIS would not allow it to go through this is in writing from SS.. No big deal as the number does not change when you get married anyway..So had what I needed for Insurance etc. Go to the Social Security Site on the net and you can find your local SS office there. If you have about 60 days left on the visa you should be OK. If you filed your AOS from what I understand you get a letter from them saying they have recvd. you should bring that with you and you should not have any issue..

Oh one other thing.. On the train ride. It had been a long time since I had been on a train and went from Shanghai to Bejing during Christmas last. about 15 hours. So I splurged and went for a stateroom about $200 for both one way but the private room TV bath etc was well worth it. I had always traveled in the US on a regular seat and the stateroom was far superior. I am not sure haw many hours from Nanning to GZ but if it is going to be some time they offer different seat rate the cheapest is hard seat yeah hard seat then soft seat etc. Soooo if you are going to be on there for extended period of time you might want to think about sleeping etc. If you get an open birth it is open and while you are sleeping people pass back and forth sooo you decide I choose a room..Dinning accomadations are available in the car too and was very nice and limited to stateroom passengers. Now my Lao Po is cheap and I think most Chinese ladies are "thrifty" and may not want you to spend that kinda money but you can talk her into it and boy will you be a hero..You even wait in a deluxe lounge etc while waiting for the train coffee is severed along with snacks at reasonable Chinese price. And dinning car food is extra we had breakfast scrambled eggs coffee juice etc for about $5.00 for both. Just FYI

yeah I know them trips,,All right when you go to the Consulate. Walk in and ask for the notary they provide this sevice to American citizen.. Appear before the notary and ask them to notarize the appearance before them of Mr Carey XXXX//address of USA and Ms XXXX XXXXaddress PR China as apearing berfore them in person on such and such a date at the US embassy in GZ. This is the best positive proof for being in China and they would never dispute you being there at least once as required to meet in two years. Hey you may not need but if you are going there what the heck..Then make some copies or have them make two ( your tax dollars at work for you) and give Call ahead to verify that you can see the Notary any time or what ever day they allow. Give one of the originals to the Lao Po (wife) or wife to be and have that as part of your document package when she goes to the interview when they ask how many times has your fiance been here she can show that along with what ever other proof you have preferably boarding passes(they may not even ask to see) Victory Hotel although I have never been there my now wife was and said it was very nice she got an annex room she said small but comfortable clean and all amenities for I believe I paid and booked over the net for $38.00 US per night and they are a 4 star. About a 10 minute walk to the embassy/clincs/hospitals too that do the physicals.. She also bought several Chi Pais there to bring back to US at very reasonable prices and said all the food she had while there was excellent.. Good luck have a great trip.. I have not been back to China since January 2004 but thats OK cause she is here now.. B) B)

Interresting,, I allways registered on line at that DOS/Embassy site.. I would be in China from to etc.. Never thought abut it helping though,, Sure as hell can't hurt.. Good info..

Well Bud I hate to burst your bubble but they will probably not even ask or look at it. We, us oldies have come to the conclusion that the Visa is pre-approved or rejected even prior to the interview.. The interview is a formality and they may not ask,, but brother you better have them there just to be sure. Heres how you do. When she goes to the hospital for her physical they will put the necessary papers in the brown envelope the Hospitals in GZ know what to do as they are picked by the embassey. Go to Office Max and get some vinyl clear document holders 3 ring type these are like presentation pages. Put all you document into these pages generally two to the page/holder with the info facing out so you can see which doc. is which. Pick up the clear/opiac 3 ring binder by Avery and put the pages into that. Label in English and Chinese if you can with page tabs,you can get there too so you can put your fingers on docs quickly. Put all your documents together pictures(I got the 3 to the page picture holder for 4x6 photos for ring binder type and put 6 pictures per page three on each side.) e-mail telephone bill taxes etc into this. Appear at the interview this way and chances are they won't even ask to see. The concensus is the more paper and the larger the bundle of papers you carry into the interview the better. We have heard stories of those being rejected with only a small amount of docs with them, so MORE IS BETTER. Hell I even made copies or my drivers license and SS card just in case, all certified copies, at that point of the game I did not want to take a chance on any crazy question not being answered. The Hospital will remove what needs to go into the envelope. My now wife had to force the VO she had, to look at the together pictures he did not want to see anything other then what was in the envelope..He asked four question do you speak english ,what does he do for a living ,where are you going to live in US(state) how many times has he been to China. You cannot go into the embassy with any bags i.e that are solid in color brief case etc they have to be clear so that is why you need everything in clear bag etc for the security guards no cell phones either. Almost all docs belonging to you are just looked at and returned,, if asked for, ,they only keep what they need the brown envelope the pictures for the visa etc. Hope this clears the air for you..I am sure some of the other "old timers" here will chip in with info as well.

Well I have a little story to tell you on this..As you may or may not know. It is traditional in China to pay Mama for the hand of the daughter. Dowery type deal only thing the Fiance pays and this can be up to $25K to Mama. My fiance' now wife told her mother "you no ask Mike for this" I guess she is serious.. Or maybe I am just LUCKY!! My wife told this to me after she got here.

As I said she needs the P4 to get in..All(except the P4) the documents are put into a brown envelope(manila) and the corner is cut off(dog eared) for inspection purposes(by security at the consulate) so actually the envelope is open and the VO will take out what they need..if they even bother..She is just not to open the envelope..

She needs her P4 letter to get in!