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bobbyA

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  1. bobbyA
    How do you know "they want the parent to be there if the son or daughter is under 18"? And where did you get "They are not allowed to question minors without the parent/s present."? For your reference, my friend Tim (U.S. Citizen) petitioned his 16-year-old stepson's IR2 visa and the interview took place about 6 weeks ago in Guangzhou. Tim and his wife (10-year green card) went to Guangzhou planning to accompany the 16-year-old the entire duration from medical, interview, to POE. Tim emailed the consulate asking for permission to accompany his just-turned-16-year-old (in April) stepson at the interview. The consulate replied, "Your beneficiary reaches age 16. And only kids under age 16 is allowed to have adult accompanied." So Tim did not accompany his stepson during the interview. Tim did not give his U.S. passport to the 16-year-old because he decided to keep it in case he needed to enter the consulate himself. The 16-year-old came out of the interview smiling and told his parents he passed the interview. Interestingly, he was asked a few questions about his mother and nothing about his stepfather (the petitioner). He was asked when his mother went to the U.S. and when was the last time she came to visit him in China. So the interview went well for Tim's stepson, but they were caught in the Department of State computer crash. It delayed the visa by about 2 weeks, then they had to work the CITIC bank to release the stepson's passport because the crash caused a glut of passports after the system partially recovered. No drama at the POE, the stepson got his SS card about 11 days after POE. Still waiting on his green card; the USCIS said the card went into production two days ago. I do think letting the beneficiary show the petitioner's U.S. passport at the interview is a good thing, and that's what I did for my then-fiancee's interview. Every case is different, but at least we know from Tim's recent experience that only kids under 16 can be accompanied by an adult. But it doesn't hurt to try or to email the consulate prior to the interview since rules can change.
  2. bobbyA
    JaKa, I'm glad your "playing it safe" decision benefits us by giving your time to answer our questions. Much appreciated! So I got some more information from Tim. His CEAC status still says "Ready", and he said it also gives the following 2 dates: Immigrant Visa Case Number: GUZ2014xxxxxx 01 GUZ Case Creation Date: 17-Apr-2014 Status Updated Date: 27-May-2014 Do you know what "Case Creation Date" is? I assume "Status Updated Date" is the first day the case went "Ready"? We're still trying to guestimate when Tim's status will change to "Administrative Processing." Guangzhou consulate lists next Monday (June 2nd) as a holiday, so we're losing one work day next week. Did you get a good look of the interviewing area at the consulate? Tim is thinking about accompanying his teenage stepson to the interview. Years ago when I petitioned for my wife's k-1 visa, I went into the IV interviewing area through the American Citizen Services to give her the delayed medical report, just about a minute before she was called to the interview window. I wrote about my experience at this forum. I'm sure this new consulate is very different, so I can't give Tim any advise. Back to the "Ready" status, I was wondering what your "case creation date" was, and how soon the consulate received your "physical case file" after NVC sent it? I assume "Ready" means the day the consulate received the electronic version of the case file and "Administrative Processing" means the consulate received your "physical case file". If that's the case, it took about a week for the physical case file to be received? The is way better than the consulate's reply of "could take up to 4 months" Tim went through NVC relatively quickly because his expedite was approved about 2 weeks after NVC received his file from the USCIS. He still waited about a month between USCIS sending out the file and getting his case number. But the expedite allowed him to send paper documents to "PI Supervisor" and were processed relatively quickly. Even with a checklist for I-864 (because he didn't know he couldn't send I-864EZ with I-864A although his income alone is sufficient but filing joint tax return with his wife means he had to send in an I-864), he cleared NVC in about 3 weeks from filling out DS-261 to getting case complete. All these done with USPS Priority Mail. He was told not to enroll in EP but to mail in the forms to the attention of "PI Supervisor."
  3. bobbyA
    JaKa, Thank you very much for your prompt reply! So looks like Tim has to wait a few more days before seeing "Administrative Processing" and getting his P4 email. Hope it'll come this Friday, otherwise the holidays next week will definitely add more delays. I'll be sure to tell Tim to look in the Spam or Junk folder just in case. By the way, are you picking up your passport in Guangzhou or in your home city? Hope you'll get your passport soon.
  4. bobbyA
    Jaka, First of all, congratulations on your visa approval! Very glad to find your posting. My friend Tim is in a somewhat similar situation as yours. Tim petitioned his teenage stepson on IR2, and his case was approved for expedite while at NVC. Tim's case was completed on May 16th, case file left NVC for Guangzhou on May 22nd. Tim said he doesn't remember when he saw "In Transit" at CEAC, but it was showing "Ready" yesterday (May 27th). He wrote Guangzhou using their contact webpage on May 24th (Saturday), and was surprised to get a reply yesterday (May 27th): The case was electronically loaded by the National Visa Center (NVC), which allows us to open the case in our system. However, we still require all of the supporting physical documentation to process this case. Currently, the file is in transit from the NVC. Due to the long delay imposed by Chinese customs, the file could take up to four months or longer to reach the Consulate. Once we receive your file, we will begin processing the case immediately and will contact you with further instructions. The whole idea of expedite is not have to wait a few months for an interview appointment. Based on your "case expedited" experience, when do you think Tim will get his P4 email and be able to schedule for an interview? Hopefully Tim will see some movement this week because next week is a Chinese holiday? How long did you case stay in "Ready", and what did you see after "Ready"? Any other information you can provide is greatly appreciated!
  5. bobbyA
    Gentlemen, Thanks for your prompt reply and clarification I learned something today!
  6. bobbyA
    My wife's been here over a year now, and she met a Chinese lady who recently came on a CR1 visa. This lady friend wants to bring her 15-year-old son to live with her in America, and I told her husband to write to the consulate asking about follow-to-join from what I read. The husband wrote the consulate: Dear Consulate, I am very happy that my wife (XYZ) is adjusting very well in America this past 3 months she’s been here. Now that she has settled down well, we would like to start the process to bring her son (my stepson), ABC (DOB: xxxxxxxx), to live with us in America. I understand he can come with “follow-to-join” eligibility. Please advise what I should do next. The consulate replied: Dear Mr. Z: The follow-to-join case must be filed with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Upon approval of the application, the case file will be forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC) for processing. This office will start processing the follow-to-join visa application as soon as receiving the physical file from the NVC. Since we don’t have a petition regarding your stepson's visa application at present, we suggest you to contact either USCIS or the NVC if you have any questions. From what I read, a follow-to-join process starts with the consulate. If that's not the case, how does one start the process? File a new I-130 for the child? Any advise? Thanks! Bobby
  7. bobbyA
    A Chinese lady friend of my wife would like to know if she can file for naturalization with her circumstances and timeline: Met her US husband who lived and worked in China in 2000 They got married in China in July 2003 (7+ years ago) Daughter born in China in March 2004 (6+ years ago). Daughter has a US passport. Applied for IR1 visa in China in April 2007 (5+ years ago) Interviewed in Guangzhou and granted IR1 visa in July 2008 Came to the US in November 2008 Got 10-year green card in December 2008 Legally separated in January 2009 Husband filed for divorce but case still not settled. She's been in the US and held her green card for a little over 3 years, and was wondering if she could file her N-400 for US citizenship now or does she have to wait 5 years because she is separated from her husband. Can someone help answer her question please. Thank you!
  8. bobbyA
    Note: getting vaccinated is not "Getting Drugged" A vaccination is the process of getting infected with the disease in a way that you get the immunity to the disease without coming down with the disease. There are no drugs involved.. Reasoning for getting a DS-3025 transcribed is for cases where the DS-3025 is not complete a vaccination was missed, or in cases where the visa holder was not vaccinated overseas. Again K-Visas can defer this to after coming to the USA, K-Visas are considered to be non-immigrant, so have no vaccinations requirement for the visa. In the past the med center would do the vaccination, but fail to issue a DS-3025 to K-Visa applicants, and only issue a yellow book, causing the need to do an I-693 later in the states. OK Dan, I apologize for playing on the words "vaccination" and "drugs". My wife was uncomfortable for a couple of days after her vaccination. I'm not in the medical field so I'll leave it at that. "Incomplete Vaccination" confused many people because most if not all DS-3025 will have the "incomplete" box checked. But we need to let people know about the "waiver". I for one believe that the Guangzhou medical facility knows what they're doing and they do provide what is necessary for AOS vaccination. Otherwise they would not have given us the second sealed envelop and told us it's for AOS. My post was a follow up to JJ2011's post about "sealed envelops" with my wife's k-1/AOS medical experience for future reference. If I were JJ2011, I would get vaccination after interview so they'll have a second sealed vaccination envelop for AOS. But I'd rather get vaccination (and DS-3025) in China than deal with CS (and I-693) in the USA
  9. bobbyA
    If did the vaccinations with immigrations medical prior to visa interview, the medical center may have done a DS-3025 (Vaccinations record) and sealed this in an envelope for you to file later to USCIS when adjusting status, this allows you to not have to do an I-693. Do not open the sealed envelope. Yes can do all 4 shots in one day my wife did. If you do like My wife and Carl's wife, do medical prior to interview, and then return for vaccinations after interview, getting only a yellow book, you will have to deal with a US Civil surgeon later in the states to get an I-693 done, and possibly have to deal with a doctor that wants to rip you off. Perhaps things change from time to time, but my wife (fiancee at the time) got her vaccination (3 shots) after her interview (July 2011), and she was given 4 sets of documents: (1) DS-3025 in a sealed envelop addressed "USCIS Vaccination" and was told it's to be used for AOS, (2) a copy of the DS-3025, (3) yellow book, (4) an appendix - vaccination worksheet showing doses. We filed her AOS at the end of September with her sealed DS-3025 (without going to a CS for an I-693), a photocopy of the second copy of DS-3025, and color copy of her yellow book. She got 3 NOA's dated October 3rd and did her biometrics on October 25th. Her I-485 was transferred to CSC on October 21st. Currently waiting for her EAD/AP. I know of a Canadian lady on VJ (filed k-1 AOS same day as my wife) who went to a CS and got an I-693 for her AOS. USCIS gave her an RFE because her CS made a mistake in her I-693. She said she wished she had only sent in her DS-3025. I've read a number of people who did AOS successfully by their DS-3025 alone without going to a CS, so that's what I did for my wife. We'll just deal with the RFE if and when we get one. Someone at VJ reasons, in some cases the USCIS misplace applicant's medical report and request a full medical. If that's the case, I might as well have my wife wait in case she needs to do medical and vaccination all over again. My argument is, she should only do what is necessary when it comes to medical stuff. For instance, I suggested to her that she should only get her vaccination after she passes her k-1 interview. There is no point in getting drugged if she fails her interview I don't know what is the reasoning behind transcribing a DS-3025 to I-693 anyway. Is it for a US doctor to approve what was done at a foreign USCIS authorized medical facility? Or is it to help generate revenue for US doctors? Or could it be our own misinterpretation of the poorly written I-693 instructions?
  10. bobbyA
    Thought I'd share my experience with regards to EOR and USC visiting the consulate: My original EOR letter was NOT notarized. It was mailed to USCIS with my I-129F package. I wrote a second/updated EOR (NOT notarized) and my fiancee took it to document in-take and was accepted by the Guangzhou consulate staff. Later, I was at the POE with my fiancee, and was pleasantly surprised to see my personally written EOR at the top of the pile of papers in her sealed envelope. The CBP officer took a few seconds to read it. I couldn't tell which version of my EOR was in the final sealed envelope. I'm NOT emphasizing the importance of EOR's and notarization; just sharing my personal experience. It was my experience that US passport holders can visit the consulate's American Citizen Services between 8:30am and 11:30am, then 1:30pm to 3:30pm, Monday thru Friday. The Chinese guards did not ask me for a reason. I simply showed my US passport and they let me in within those published hours. I understand appointments are needed for certain services, but I had no trouble going to ACS to see an immigration officer and asked a question. Simply go up to the 5th floor, go through a relatively relaxed security checkpoint, then proceed to take a number and wait to be called. Note: The immigration officer (male) I spoke to at the ACS was a different officer (female) who later interviewed my fiancee. I went to ask (him) if my fiancee could turn in her P4/I-134 documents and then interview the next day without her medical report. He said he doesn't see why not, just that her visa will be delayed until she turns in her medical report. He was also kind enough to confirm his answer with another officer or perhaps a supervisor.
  11. bobbyA
    Thanks for the update. This will be good reference of us in the future.
  12. bobbyA
    tsap seui, I'm with you 100% on this!! We had plan A, B and C just for getting my fiancee's visa after she got PINK Plan A: I stay in Guangzhou for 1 week after her interview and wait with her for her visa. Plan B: If after 1 week she hasn't received her visa and I left Guangzhou, she will stay for another 3 days. Plan C: If no visa after 10 days, she flies home to wait for visa and later flies back to Guangzhou when visa is issued. I wanted to be useful in Guangzhou: prepared to go to the consulate if we can't track our EMS 5 days after her interview. We had to deal with the weekend, otherwise it would've been a 3-day deadline before going to the consulate. We picked up her visa on the 5th day, left Guangzhou on the 6th day, and I left China on the 7th day after her interview. We made it on plan A, but it was close.
  13. bobbyA
    Vince, I waited a loooooooooong time for this Congratulations and thank you for sharing your roller coaster ride. I'm very glad Yuhong had a short lived medical anxiety at United Family unlike my fiancee's 3-day ordeal.
  14. bobbyA
    Henry, Thank you very much for sharing your experience and Dr. Wang's info. I'm like you, I try to be thorough and timely. I like to think that I sent in the kitchen sink with my I-129F and my fiancee's interview too My fiancee is still in China, but I have her Yellow Book and DS-3025. I might give Dr. Wang's office a call and see if he needs to see her in person or can he do the I-693 transcription with what I have. You said you had 2 sealed envelops from the CG's? I assume the I-693 is in the seal envelop? And your then fiancee's medical/Vaccination was over one year old when you sent in her I-485? Very happy that you and your wife are enjoying life together and are making plans for the future!! Bobby
  15. bobbyA
    Vince, thanks for letting me know you're going back in mid September!! I share your joy!!!
  16. bobbyA
    Welcome back Henry, It's wonderful that your wife got a good job, and then you got one later. Thanks for sharing your medical experience and the CG in Houston. It's an 8-hour drive to Houston for us, but if Dr. Wang is good, we'll make the trip if necessary. Otherwise, I'll just go with Dan's advice to send in what I have minus the Yellow Book. I'll send a color copy of the Yellow Book just in case.
  17. bobbyA
    Dan, our Guangzhou medical experience was one-of-a-kind from day 1 It caused us unnecessary anxiety for 4 days if you read my post So I'm not surprised I'm among the rare ones to have the sealed vaccination envelop. No wonder no one knows what I'm talking about Your advice is valuable: getting booster shots at family doctor's or health department. It is reassuring and comforting to have you agree with my wanting to avoid Civil Surgeons in the States.
  18. bobbyA
    How would you carry it if they decide to not interview? Send them the envelope, this would be the same as if you went to a US Civil surgeon to do an I-693, the doctore seals it in an envelope for you to attach to I-485 when adjusting status. Again send them the envelope, and keep the yellow book as vaccinations record. Note: it is a good idea to get the boosters done, or get tested for immunity (Titer tests) for peace of mind or in the event wish to take classes at the local college, the school will require this. OK, so I wasn't aware that we might not get interviewed. Fine, so I'll mail the sealed vaccination envelop with her I-485. Did someone else get a sealed "USCIS (Vaccination Form)" envelop or is it just us? And thanks for reminding me about the benefits of booster shots. It's just all the talk about "bad and ugly CS" that makes me want to avoid them
  19. bobbyA
    Then send the Vaccination form sealed envelope to USCIS with the I-485 AOS paperwork, keep the yellow book, for the unlikely event that somehow USCIS loses the sealed vaccinations record, or requests an I-693. Thanks Don. I'm afraid they might lose that precious sealed vaccination record, that's why I was hoping to hand carry it I appreciate your agreeing that I could file her I-485 without an I-693 and the hassle of dealing with a Civil Surgeon.
  20. bobbyA
    Sealed Envelope? You mean the one that is turned in at the POE, this contains medical report, and USCIS will have it and is aware of it, this is normal for K-Visa AOS process. Note AOS from a K-1 in many cases get approved without interview. Sorry for the confusion. I mentioned 2 sealed envelops in my original post. The bigger white sealed envelop was for her medical which she turned in at her consulate interview, and I assume it is now in her brown envelop for her POE. The other was a smaller white sealed envelop from her vaccination. It is addressed to "USCIS (Vaccination Form)". It was given to her with her Yellow Book. It's good to know that we may not need an interview to get AOS approval.
  21. bobbyA
    Boosters not needed for doctor to sign off on an I-693. Age 18 - 64 are required to have: MMRTdVariccella (AKA Chicken Pox)The FLU if in season If the DS-3025 shows the above, then send a copy of this with the I-485 package and see how it goes, USCIS may or may not accept it, if they don't, they will send you an RFE requesting an I-693. Yes Don, the DS-3025 shows the first 3 shots. I guess we're not in flu season yet, so she wasn't given the flu shot. Thanks for confirming that boosters are not needed. Besides sending copies of her Yellow Book and DS-3025, I'm going to mention the sealed envelop in my cover letter and also enclose a color copy of the front and back of that sealed envelop in her I-485 package. I'll say that we will present it at the interview. I'll also be calling some Civil Surgeons. If they are reasonable, we'll get her I-693 transcription. Otherwise, we'll just take our chances with what we got. I don't want to subject my fiancee to anymore unnecessary tests and shots.
  22. bobbyA
    When it says "DS-3025 form marked "Vaccination History Incomplete:" this typically means take the Yellow book to a US Civil surgeon and get this record compleated and transferred to an I-693.. http://i949.photobucket.com/albums/ad334/dnoblett/Immigration%20Stuff/I-693_1.png (Note C. b. about incomplete vaccination record.) http://i949.photobucket.com/albums/ad334/dnoblett/Immigration%20Stuff/I-693_2.png Thanks Don, but it also says "Applicant may be eligible for blanket waivers because vaccinations not medically appropriate (as indicated above)". In my fiancee's case, all she's missing are booster shots with waiting period. So does she have to get the booster shots before the Civil Surgeon signs off her I-693? Did your fiancee (now wife) also get a sealed envelope addressed to "USCIS" after her shots in China?
  23. bobbyA
    Now that my fiancee has her k-1 visa in her passport and looking at early September POE, I'm beginning to research I-693 and AOS material. Here's our situation: My fiancee had her medical done at Guangzhou United Family Clinic, got a seal envelop from the clinic and turned it in during her consulate interview. After her interview (PINK), she went to the Health Care Center of Guangzhou International Travel for her shots. She was given 4 items: a Yellow Book, a DS-3025 form marked "Vaccination History Incomplete: Applicant may be eligible for blanket waivers because vaccinations not medically appropriate (as indicated above)", a sealed envelop addressed to "USCIS (Vaccination Form)", and a sheet titled "Appendix C. Vaccines To Complete for Adults". From what I read here and VJ, I assume my fiancee is good to go for filing AOS without needing an I-693 or Civil Surgeon? The only thing missing is a copy of her medical done at the Guangzhou United Family Clinic, which I read somewhere we could ask the POE CBP officer for a copy? Your comments and advice please. Thanks!!
  24. bobbyA
    Thanks tsap seui and congratulations Vince! I got back from China last night. Good to be back. I'm going to China again early September to pick her up and accompany her at the POE Bobby
  25. bobbyA
    Got my fiancee's visa today!! We miss read a digit on her EMS label all these time.
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