dvs7310

Yea, Fee increase, same lousy service. It would be nice to hear that the processing times got shorter if they were taking more money to do the same job.

We sent my brother in-law a copy of the K3 Visa and Denise's passport and he took it to the Bank of China in Urumqi. They said they need the original to change the money. This makes no sense to me, if we have the original (meaning us being there) why do we need to change money? I know someone mentioned before that the bank would allow you to remit a few times per year... so someone must be able to do this for us rather than us being present in China to do it. It sounds like we're going to have him send it to a friend of ours in Guangzhou then change it there since she has a friend in the bank that will do it. This is just another one of those things that really frustrates me about China. It is nearly impossible to get anything done.

We've changed RMB many times in HK, this is never an issue. I've never been asked for a Passport in HK to change money either. Since my brother in law is in Xin Jiang now, crossing the southern border isn't a possibility. He's closer to Kazakhstan and Mongolia than anything else, but I know he doens' t have a passport so couldn't go across the border there either. How risky is the black market I wonder?

I searched and found a couple of threads about sending US$ to China, but we are trying to wire RMB from China to the US. My brother in law wants to send us some money, but is in Xin Jiang on business for a few months. He went to the agriculture bank to send to us, but they told him he needs a foreign passport to exchange RMB for US$ and then to send. I remember once before someone mentioned their wife's family wiring money from China to the US, so I'm hoping for some expertise here. How does my brother in law exchange to RMB or can he just wire RMB and will it be converted at my bank? Thanks

The way it looks here, I guess depending on your regional office, you might get her Adjustment of status almost as quick as an employment authorization. Unless she is just itching to work as soon as possible, I'd check out the time frame for your local office. Here in Kansas City, they appear to be similar time frames.

another good site to try is http://www.airlineconsolidator.com/infobook_fs.html I've found some consolidator fares on there that can't be found on other websites. Also if anyone ever needs a one way from Hong Kong to the US, try: http://www.aerohkg.com I actually used them before, when we came back together from Hong Kong last time. They are super cheap if you need a ticket originating in HKG. The building in Sheung Wan is a little tricky to find, but worth it.

When we did our interview in Hong Kong the lady doing the interview certainly asked to see mine, it was at the China relations something or other office though, getting my Chinese visa. Fortunatly I had some copies with me, they were satisfied with those. The consulate in HK is a little different, the spouse or fiancee is welcomed and encouraged to be part of the interview.

If you are going to get married, you'll need two sets of the G325a forms. One set for the I130 and one set for the I129f. You'll save yourself a lot of time by having 2 sets prepared with your wifes sig. on them.

Yes, you can buy Cigs very cheap in China. My friend asked me to bring him a pack, we paid about 2.6 RMB (about $.30 US)... these were certainly not the most expensive, but not the cheapest either. This was some local Guandong brand.

Ok, stupid question probably, but I'm not sure what we need to declare to Customs when we come trought the POE? For personal items Denise is bringing into the country, is it just nothing to delcare? Same line I normally go through, or do we actually need to delare her things since she has never lived in the US before? Thanks

Well, everything in Hong Kong went pretty well. After finding out that I accidentally entered Denise's birthday wrong on the I-129, they let it slide. We didn't have to see the consular, we presented so much evidence that he just approved the visa. Interesting thing was, in Hong Kong I was invited to the interview with her. They actually interviewed both of us (the interviewer isn't the consular, just an employee to collect info). I thought this was quite a change from what I heard from the people going to Guangzhou. The interview in Hong Kong is actually quite intense, but we were well prepared. There was only one other k-3 there that day, the rest were all regular immigrants. Most had to go see the consular officer after the interview including the other k-3... I'll follow up after I get home in a few days with some questions that they asked us when I have more time. I'm sitting in a net cafe in Guangzhou right now. We're going to Hong Kong tomorrow to start the long trip back to Kansas City. Wish everyone else well.. Damian

I'm heading off for Hong Kong tomorrow. Denise and I will be back in GZ on the 16th. Anyone else going to be there during that time? I think that is Friday... We'll be there a few days before heading back to Hong Kong for our flight to the US. Would be cool to meet up with some couples from here for a dinner.

Hong Kong marriage is quick and painless. The best thing is, if you have to go the K3 route insted of CR1, it cuts a couple of months off the process from the way it looks on average. I know the marriage laws in China are a lot more relaxed than they were before but that doens't help with getting the visa... you're ultimate goal.

Half of the people in Guangzhou live there unofficially. Don't sweat it too much. The system in China is old and outdated. It was to prevent people from moving from one place to the city, however no one seems to pay much attention any more. But yes, she is right, it will cost a lot of money to get here changed to a Guangzhou resident.

Congrats... sounds like it was pretty easy during the interview. I hope ours is that easy next week. I'm sure neither of us will get much sleep the night before (OK, maybe me becuase of the jet lag)...