keelec

Well, I finally got a response to my May 12 E-Mail to Moscow. For the first time ever, they haven't said that my application was undergoing "additional administrative processing". It kind of reminds me of the GZ Consulate in China..... Have one agency electronically transfer records, and it takes the Embassy 2 weeks to get the results

Are you sure about that Don?????

Well, it looks like that pretty much sums it up. Anybody other that fiacees and spouses can walk in one day with an application and walk out the next day with a visa. I wonder how they deal with the FBI Name Check which is supposed to take up to 120 days (or more) to complete?????? ---- Clifford -----

Not to mention that Canadian applicants can drive across the border anytime (at least up until the application is filed). And European Applicants are eligable for a tourist visa prior to applying for the Fiancee/Spouse visas.

P.J. ...... Welcome to the feeling of frustration and helplessness, and not knowing what the future will bring Of course, I know you are all too familiar with the feeling. I wish you all the best of luck with speedy interviews. I am sure all will be worked out soon enough.

I don't know.... If they were working on the end of January when I looked at the "official" timelines a week ago, then mid feb wouldn't be bad. There generally is an amount of randomness in dates. The Name Check isn't supposed to happen until NVC. I really don't know what it takes the service centers 2-6 months to do. In the past the speed of the service centers (NSC, TSC, CSC, MSC, and VSC) did not seem to be dependent on the country of origin, but rather on which service center one applied at. NVC used to be somewhat quicker for "western" nations. The big speed difference occured once the application left the NVC and was shipped to the consolate. Some have about a week turn-over from time the application leaves NVC until the interview occurs and the visa is granted. THAT INCLUDES TIME IN THE MAIL ----- Clifford ------

Linda Donahue is the chief of the consular section of the Guangzhou embassy. She has been somewhat responsive to the needs of applicants in the the past. However, I would recommend only using her as a resource when there are extraordinary issues directly related to GZ. In this case, hopefully she will respond to a couple of messages sent representing the issues confronted by the group. If not, then another approach is to have everyone who has an issue send a note. ----- Clifford -----

Ok, I have sent Linda Donahue's info to Hypoclear and Turtle. Hopefully they will have a chance to write to her and relay the response back to us. If she doesn't give a reasonable answer, then it would be reasonable for EVERYONE to start sending messages to her. I think they did that a year ago and at least got someone's attention. ----- Clifford -----

I believe that 6 months ago when there were significant delays with the P3 packets, we got a postive response from Linda Donahue. Perhaps the result was quicker interviews for many people for several months.... Only now does that seem to be breaking down again.

I am somewhat puzzled. GZ seems to indicate that they are so busy with visa interviews that they don't have time to schedule any more. However, starting next week, they don't have a single tourist visa appointment scheduled. And, as far as we can tell, the week after next they will run out of K1-K4, CR1 & IR1 visa interviews. Obviously there are other types of visas, but I find it odd, and frustrating that they would actually stop or drag to a halt the interviews for fiancees and spouses, perhaps prioritizing us lower than others categories. ----------------- I would suggest writing a letter to Linda Donahue listing dates of our sampling of 50 applicants (no names) who have returned their P3 packets without getting the P4. We could then request that she confirms a list of future interview appointements for Fiancee and spouse visas (K1-K4, CR1, IR1) listing dates and visa types without names for the next 3 months. If there are very few interviews scheduled, then we could request at least 20-30 interviews per day be reserved for our group of applicants. If there are approximately 200 interview days a year, that would give 4000 - 6000 interviews a year which is close to a stable based on previous research. A final issue.... According to the GZ notes on the web, the will attempt to prioritize the visa process for pregnant couples.... --->>>> Mark and Bea have patiently waited for about a year and it is time for them to be moved to the front of the list. We need a volunteer, and I can dig up Linda Donahue's contact info if necessary. ----- Clifford ------

Interesting hypothesis.... Of course, once my honey gets here, I am anticipating spending a bit extra money right here in the USA..... Until she gets here, I will continue sending money out of the USA. How much work does it really take to grant interviews to the K1-K4 applicants, perhaps 20-30 or so a day? If the interviews are 5 minutes each, then that would be around 2 hours of work a day, plus a little more to stamp the passports. All of the work could be done by just a couple of Visa Officers, especially if they had a good secretary..... Hmmm, for 30 apps a day, at $100 per app, that would bring in about $3,000 / day, enough money to hire quite a few workers.

Ok, So as far as anybody knows, there have been essentially no P4 packets sent in about a month, and the last of the interviews are scheduled for next week. While this may be some response to the Call Center fiasco, it seems to be contrary to what GZ has been telling people. We also need to remind the powers that are involved that these are US Citizens that are waiting to reunite their families. I would say that we need to elect a few representatives to send some notes, and perhaps make a few calls up the chain, as well as perhaps schedule a meeting with the some of the higher level managers at the facility. Turtle.... obviously shows interest in the subject enough to put together a list. Resp .... Perhaps has waited the longest for the P4. Otter5535..... Also expressing an interest. olemanoman1950 .... Also vocal on the issue. Hypoclear (Mark) .... Happens to be in China now.... He would be a good candidate if we wish to arrange a meeting, although I believe he is still waiting for the P3. P.J. .... While newly awaiting for the P4, he has been a a tremendous asset to our group by creating the Candle. Who else will be in China in the next few weeks? Who wants to take the proverbial BULL BY THE HORNS?

Ok, this topic seems to be hot for now. Has anybody received a P4 from GZ in the last 2 (or 3) weeks? Members of the Candle, 001, or other BBS systems? What about P3 packets? Please post dates of the P3/P4 along with the date of the previous action such as the date the P3 was returned to GZ. Hopefully we can get an idea of what is going on. Also, let's build a list of the most recent P4 recipients and the dates that they were sent (as well as the P3 return dates). ----- Clifford -----

Wayne, The wait is hard on us all. The truth is that everyone must baton down the hatches and wait it out. Yet, that doesn't make it any easier for anybody. Perhaps the wait can be divided into "normal/expected" waits….. For example, 6 months at CSC. No amount of complaining will make a bit impact on a single case going through CSC. However, perhaps it will bring the problem to light and those following you might benefit (apparently TSC and NSC have improved, ever so slightly). With people that are now up to 3 months waiting for the P4, it has now passed from the realm of "normal" to "excessive". Thus, perhaps the issue should be taken to your congressmen and anyone who might listen. Again, this may not affect your personal cases as much as those following you. Unfortunately, the way our government seems to work. It is a bureaucratic nightmare. I've corresponded with congressional aides and senators aides. I've sent e-mails to Maura Harty, John Kerry, and even the President. Nobody above the senator's aides will even acknowledge receipt of the letter. The aides will make an inquiry about individual cases. However, nobody seems willing to step back and say…. Hmmm, maybe all these inquiries are a sign of a real problem that needs to be fixed. If the wait for an interview to be scheduled averages 4 months less at HK, or any other embassy other than GZ…. Point it out. If GZ starts taking walk-in appointments for Tourists, but is up to 6 months or more for K1/K3 processing, I think that is worthy of a complaint… Send it up the chain as high as it will go. 6 Months? - 1-2 months P3 - 2-3 months P4 - 1-2 months interview -------------------------- 4-7 months in GZ As far as patience….. Last week (May 12), I sent an e-mail to Moscow asking for a status update on my case in light of the e-mail from the FBI….. That has only been 4 days, but it still seems like an eternity waiting for a response. ----- Clifford ------

Wow, all these "newbies" :angry: I've been waiting for my combined P3/P4 since September of 2003.... :blink: Next week, we need to ask whether anybody has gotten a P3 or a P4 recently (I don't think I saw anybody post that they had for a couple of weeks). If not, then we should send a note to the head of visa section asking what is up. Of course, I assume she will be buried in the tourist visa fiasco, but we need to let her know that fiancee and spouses are equally important (if not more important) to tourists. ----- Clifford -----

Rob, There is a list of common abbreviations on the board already. Unfortunately, K1-K4, V1-V4, and CR1 and perhaps a few other abbreviations have been left off. Actually, I think I have CR1 down, although there is probably a better definition. CR1: Family Sponsored visa (for spouse) for couples that have been married less than 2 years (I think). It is what you get when applying with the I-130. Anyway, here is the link to acronyms. http://candleforlove.com/forums/index....t=ST&f=6&t=2158 Hmmm, Are there some new acronyms that were dreamt up after the list was compiled? BCIS - Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services USCIS - Same as BCIS, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. DHS - Department of Homeland Security Ok, K1 - (nonimmigrant) Fiancee visa sponsored by US Citizen K2 - (nonimmigrant) Visa for children of Fiancee sponsored by US Citizen K3 - (nonimmigrant) Visa for spouse of US Citizen, supposed to be faster than CR1 K4 - (nonimmigrant) Visa for children of spouse of US Citizen V1 - Fiancee visa sponsored by resident alien V2 - Visa for children of fiancee of resident alien V3 - Visa for spouse of resident alien V4 - Visa for children of spouse of resident alien CR1 - Immigrant visa for spouse of US Citizen. No AOS needed.

William, Welcome.... Hopefully you will find friends here. Assuming you have the correct place. NVC - National Visa Center, New Hampshire. The typical wait recently has been less than 1 month lately. However, I would not get upset until after it is there for at least 2 months. You said that yours has been stuck for 3 months, thus a problem has been encountered. One of the big things that is done at the NVC is the FBI Name Check. The FBI compares your Fiancee's name and birthday (and perhaps other information) to their records. If the search comes up negative, a result is returned within a couple of days. However, if there is a close match, then they must evaluate it further which can take up to 120 days (or more). Call the NVC for a status update (the number is on your NOA2 reciept from BCIS), and try to get some additonal information about your case. Please post their reply. Oh, one other note. The NVC is supposed to send out a confirmation letter. These seem to be non-existant in most cases (at least they were a year ago). Again, call them to get information about your case. Oh, when you call them, also ask for the Case Number (GUZ number). Best of Luck, ----- Clifford -----

If anybody gets a live copy of the new Form DS-230, please post it. If you get it in a P3 packet, please scan it, and I might be able to clean it up a bit. The Department of State still has the 5/31/2004 version posted on their website. http://www.state.gov/m/a/dir/c4456.htm Department of State version of DS230 (named 7988)

Yes, they either checked your cash, or cashed your check The important thing is not the NOA1, but rather the receipt number. Apparently the put the receipt number on the back of the check. With that, you can track the progress of your case through the BCIS website, as well as have a number to use if you call for status updates. (www.uscis.gov). Good Luck, Clifford

Mari, Yes, I forgot about that. I think the DS-230 had an expiration date of 05/31/2004. I don't know if GZ has a transition period for changing from the old forms to the new forms. I looked at the old format forms (OF-230) the content seems to be about the same as the DS-230, but the format of the form is scrambled ever so slightly. However the OF-230 expired 3-31-2001..... That means that the next update will be the first update since 9/11/2001. ----- Clifford ------

One thing to keep in mind. Through contact with GZ, you will likely know that the P3 or P4 has been sent before it actually is delivered. It is stressful, but you can just about make up your own P3 packet from internet documents if it gets lost. I believe that Robhon never received his official packet so he just put the documents together and sent back what he had printed from the internet, and all it did was cause some bad dreams. There has actually been debate in the past whether it would be appropriate to prepare the internet docs before the P3 arrives. Then, as soon as you hear that GZ has sent the packet, send your docs back, and thus get a week's head start on the mail. VSC may be able to amend your packet, but you will have to wait until after you get the receipt number. ----- Clifford ----- P.S. Since you have hired a lawyer, ask him to just go ahead and prepare everything for your P3 now. If he can't get the P3 docs prepared ahead of time, he is not worth the money you paid him.

First and foremost, I am still hoping to get AN INTERVIEW SCHEDULED FOR IRINA Second, I would like to be with her for the interview. By the time the interview is scheduled, it will be nearly a year since I've seen her, and it is just time for me to go back there to be with her. I think the request for a video is relatively rare. Perhaps 1 in 50. It only occurs if your fiancee's/spouses's English is considered to be marginal. However, if you are planning to take a single trip to see your loved one in China before applying, and not returning until after the process is complete, then it might be reasonable to make a video tape while you are there. Once you get back to the USA, there will be plenty of opportunities to get it converted into the correct format, VHS, PAL or NTFS???? And, of course, with the video, you will have more memories to help the wait go easier. Ok, now here is the tricky part. Have your fiancee keep the video in the hotel, and NOT tell the VO that it exists. If a bluseslip is given, the fiancee can go back to the hotel, chug a few beers (or a few bottles of Vodka if she is Russian), then bring the video back the next day and hopefully get the visa. What happened in Carl and Bing's case is that they had an internet video which may or may not have been acceptable. However, since she was told that it was not acceptable as evidence by the interviewing VO, she was unable to bring it back the next day. ----- Clifford -----

Jason, Good luck for a speedy application process..... With a little luck, you will have the visa in less time that it is taking me And, of course, if my luck doesn't change, you may have it before my fiancee gets hers. ----- Clifford ------

Hmmm???? They have all the paperwork, birthdates are on the applications. They also require pictures of both people, and now that passport pictures and drivers license pictures are electronic, they can probably be downloaded too. Generally couples also submit pictures of themselves together (not sure if this is a requirement, but it is expected). Seeing the old dude may drive it home, but his being there isn't the only thing that would show an age difference. And, can you really base a relationship on some numbers? The average age difference in international marriages with Russian-American and Chinese-American couples is likely higher than average in the USA. However, it is not uncommon for American men to marry younger American women in their second or third marriages. --------------------------------- If they really wanted a real interview…. Observe the couple in the waiting room…. Then, put them together in a private room and observe them….. Then interview the couple together…. Finally separate the two, and interview them separately…. Send them back into the waiting room (or the private room) and observe them a bit longer. Finally compile the data, and make a decision. It might take about an hour or so to make a well informed decision. Let's see, it costs $100 for an interview. That should pay for at least an hour of time. Heck, with a bit of practice, I bet an astute interviewer should be able to predict over 95% of the "false" relationships, as well as those that are headed for divorce within the next decade. Of course, perhaps giving them the tools they really need would give them too much power…. I want them to be able to determine whether they think I have a valid relationship NOW, not whether the relationship has a chance to dissolve in the future. ----- Clifford -----

David, This topic came up only a few weeks ago. Here is the link: http://candleforlove.com/forums/index....t=ST&f=1&t=5125 As I understand, a pregnancy might give you a slight edge, but it may be extremely minimal. Here is GZ's official position on the issue: However, we have had a few people on the Candle with similar situations. Robhon's wife was pregnant and had her baby in China. As a son of a US Citizen, he got his passport as an infant. However, he was a few months old before his mother could get her visa.... Stories of Rob leaving the two of them behind in China were heartbreaking. Did GZ expedite his application? I believe it took him over 4 months from the time the app left NVC until he got his P3..... The P4 and interview were several months later..... Perhaps that is their definition of expediting. Mark's wife, Bea is pregnant now. They are anticipating getting the visa shortly before the baby is born, too late to get her on insurance in the USA, too early for them to stay in China. I would not plan to use pregnancy as a crutch. ---- Clifford -----