jkobman

The P3 (Packet 3)is submitted by your fiancee to GZ. GZ will mail it to your fiancee via China Post Express Mail. I found the forms on the Internet, pre-completed them and sent them to Sarah. It helped her to fill them out and return them to GZ. Completing them ASAP and mailing them seems to help. P4 (Packet 4) is sent by GZ when they schedule your appointment. Your fiancee will complete these forms and bring them to the interview. There should be copies of the P3 and P4 somewhere on CFL or on a related site. I hope this helps. Jeff

I think I put tourist and that I would stay with friends in Nanjing. I also EMailed the US Consulate (in my case, Shanghai) to tell them where I would be staying.

GRRRRREAT!!!

Here in the US, I find it normal to talk to people who I really don't know. Sarah keeps calling me a "talkman" and that I talk, talk, talk. I told her that this is done in the US. So, I guess I am a "talkman."

entered US 9/02/04 married10/02/04 civil surgeon stuff 10/20/04 will file AOS this week in Norfolk VA - I sure am glas I did not have to go to Arlington. I am in Fredericksburg, VA and just made the "cut-off" line to go to Norfolk

This is good! ..... and CONGRATS!!

GRRRRRRREATT!!!![/color] ...and the cleaning/moving - when in doubt, throw it out!! This is just palin wonderful! J

THANKS!!!!!!

Here is the link for the Health and Human Services (HHS) Frederal Poverty Guidelines http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/04poverty.shtml Hope this helps someone! http://www.st-barths.com/shopping/flying_money_fade2.gif

I am filling out the I-485. It asks for the Nonimmigrant visa number on page 2. Is the Nonimmigrant visa number the little red number in the lower right corner or the Control Number in the upper right corner? THANKS!

I was with you in the Citizen's Section at GZ and we went to the hotel together. EMail me if you have a chance. I'll keep you two in my thoughts.

I sent my passport in and told her to hold it in her hand when she spoke to the Visa Officer.

An official at GZ told me that visa processing is controlled by "manpower" - they allot so many people in the K visa section to do all of the work. Whatever the number of employees is, they do all of the work. If there is a dumptruck full of applications, they are processed by the number of people. If GZ had 10 zillion applications, they are worked on one at a time. AND the holidays also adds to the crunch in time. I kept saying, "hurry up and wait...." If you get anxious, welcome to the club. If you feel/express your frustrations here, we all understand. I did it time after time. ( while I was in the "hurry up and wait" mode). Sarah and my stepson Xiao Xiao are now here. We are family building and experiencing the frustrations and joys (gee this sounds like Dr. Phil!!) of married/family life!

Just saw on Northwest Airline's website this morning: (multiply the price 2x as this price is based on one-way) Great Sale Fares to Asia We have extended our fall sale to Asia, so great fares are still available! Fares must be purchased by October 29, 2004 for travel through December 9, 2004. [/u]Sample Each-way Fares[/u] Portland - Hong Kong $324 Washington D.C. - Taipei $344 Chicago - Shanghai $374 Boston - Osaka $374 New York (JFK) - Bangkok $389 http://www.nwa.com/cgi-bin/weeklyoffers.cg...074&link=030405 Also, NWA also flies to GZ via Japan.

Sarah and her son had no problem in SFO - less than one hr. People directed her and were polite.

Jarrod is right, get the 325A signed. I sat at the table with Sarah and we filled it out. Time-consuming, but worth it. You can buy nice 24k rings. But, go to a reputable store. Sarah knew where to take me and I let her choose one for each of us. She bought a ring she liked. Also, look at a wedding dress. Sarah found a dress for about $39 and it was beautiful at our wedding. Sorry, no pictures. I would goof up a zillion times in manners/Chinese/ etc. and give them the "I'm just another stupid American" look and we would all laugh. Practice using chopsticks. My Chi. family were pleased that I could use them, in spite of my woeful abilities. Don't besurprised when you are corrected on almost everything. As a friend of my sister-in-law said, "Chinese will say anything to you" - including your appearance, your finances, etc. Don't lick your finger before turning pages (one of my bad habits). You can spit out bones when you are eating chicken/fish/pork/etc Rest. are cheap by our standards - have her tell you where to go eat. People will argue with you about who is going to pay for the meal. Be self-deprecating - "thank you so much, but my house is very simple" My wife and all of her family - take shoes off in the house and wear slippers. Everyone takes showers before going to bed and I take one in the morning before work, etc. A smile works wonders when you are feeling non-communicative or frustrated. Often people will look away, don't worry, it's a Chi. thing. Don't be surprised if you hear NO English being spoken, especially if you are not in the city center. And, don't be surprised if people walk up to you and say "Hallo" - that may be the extent of their English or they have a few rudimentary words. Anyways, best of luck!!!

I HATE BLUE SLIPS!! (but they are conquerable!) Interview in GZ - 8/16/2004 Blue Slip issued- 8/16/2004 Made videotape to satisfy VO's request- 8/16/2004 Returned videotape to VO at Consulate - 8/17/2004 Visa Issued - 8/19/2004 I knew what to do because the CFL people shared their experiences. The Blue Slip was a shock, but I had thought it out, made a plan in case the VO issued one and went into action when I saw that nasty Blue Slip in her hand!

http://mathforum.org/dmpow/images/20001002.celebrate.GIF

To restate the obvious: So much of this stuff is a pain in the neck, "unknowable" and confusing (besides knowing that the "Paperwork Reduction Notice" statement is a jokey farce!). As we stand together and help each other - we will continue to succeed and find our way through this "FUN FUN FUN" maze. Maybe the Temptations song "Ball of Confusion" fits the bill! AND, when Sarah was blu-slipped in GZ and we had to make a 15 minute "speak English with your fiancee" tape - I knew exactly what to do because Carl (you go Carl!!!!!!!! - you da' man!!) had gone through it only weeks before. AGAIN, THANKS EVERYONE!! AND AND, Newbies, stay here, hang in and keep absorbing/doing/learning - CFL is probably the best source for our wonderful working relationship with all of my friends ay the GZ Consulate.

I think the Victory Annex is good and a bit less $$ that the regular Victory Hotel. We stayed at the Shamian Hotel - not the best, but the price is a bit better. I think the Customs House is OK - it's near the coffee shop and the Catholic Church. The white restraunt outside the White Swan is good and not expensive. There is another rest. over on the river, evening specials and reasonable.

I called the National Service Center and they said Norfolk VA (my office) requires that we send the physical at the time that we file. I think I might call back and see if I get a different answer. I had a more complicated question so the phone guy bumped me up one level to someone a bit higher up. The answers seemed right, BUT a call-back cannot hurt. THANKS GUYS!

OK - that makes sense - I'll look. So much of the K visa, AOS, etc. stuf seems like a "cottage industry" where we fly by the seat of our pants. We help each other to (hopefully) figure this stuff out as we go. THANKS FRANK!!

The USCIS National Help Center said I need tovisit a civil surgeon and get a supplemental I-693. Anyone have any thoughts/help/experiences about filing this? Also, what vaccinations do they require? Sarah had some done in GZ. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

The directions asked for 1 year of bank statements, etc. Did anyone file 1 years worth or did you file a one monthly statement showng the balance/value on the date on the statement? Thanks!

Sarh left her card with her family.