Beachey

Just happened to stop by, my wife's 'birth certificate" was really more a notarized copy of what it said in her Hoku. Among other things it said her mother is deceased. Hope you had good luck.

When my wife and I came back from Italy, they had the same machines at Washington Dulles. I 'passed' but my wife had to go to secondary inspection. I asked the officer if it was due to my wife's green card, he insisted it was random but I don't completely buy it. I also agree the machines were not super easy to use. I can can see where for 'most' people it might be better but it appears the technology needs to be improved.

My wife has got two Schengen Visas, one to study abroad in Prague, Czech Republic and the other when we went to Italy last year. Typically a proposed itinerary is good enough. Hotel Reservations are refundable anyway. For Italy, my wife did need a letter from her employer indicating she had approved time off. Also, even though we have full medical insurance through my employer, I bought her Schengen Medical Insurance for about ~$100 as it was simpler than trying to argue she was already covered. The big issue there is they want to make sure you have evacuation coverage if you need to be medically transported out. The hardest part is you typically do have to apply in person. We had to go to Los Angeles when we lived in Phoenix for Prague and NYC as we now live in Upstate NY for Italy. You normally have to apply in person.

My wife has got two Schengen Visas, one to study abroad in Prague, Czech Republic and the other when we went to Italy last year. Typically a proposed itinerary is good enough. Hotel Reservations are refundable anyway. For Italy, my wife did need a letter from her employer indicating she had approved time off. Also, even though we have full medical insurance through my employer, I bought her Schengen Medical Insurance for about ~$100 as it was simpler than trying to argue she was already covered. The big issue there is they want to make sure you have evacuation coverage if you need to be medically transported out. The hardest part is you typically do have to apply in person. We had to go to Los Angeles when we lived in Phoenix for Prague and NYC as we now live in Upstate NY for Italy. You normally have to apply in person.

As these things change all the time, does anyone have a best way to get small sums of money to China on a monthly basis. I am thinking around $500. My wife is in China right now and she is withdrawing money from her BofA US account from China Construction Bank ATM. We are getting charged 3% on each transaction. At one point it was free but I called BofA and they said the 3% is standard though they are waiving an ATM fee. Normally, she leaves her ATM card with a relative who can continue to withdraw the money. We are going to need to send about $500 a month once she gets back. Does anyone have a method that would be cheaper? Thanks in advance.

Has anyone been able to get a Schengen Visa (we are specifically going to Italy) through a service. I am trying to avoid a trip down to NYC and having to go to the Consulate ourselves. A service anyone can recommend?

Thanks Randy

My father-in-law arrived yesterday from China for a three month stay. He speaks no English so it appears his discussion with the Border Officer was limited. This is his third visit and second visit on his present 10 year visa. He had a copy of his itinerary so I would guess the Officer looked at it to see his return flight. (late June) Here is my question while they stamped his passport the officer did not write down how long he was admitted for, he just initialed it. So the question is how long is my father-in-law admitted for? If no date does it mean six months? Is there a way to look it up online? Or some other way? Or am I safe to assume it is six months? Unless something unforeseen happens, he will be leaving in three months but I just want to make sure he does not overstay. Any advice?

Did this last night for Baba, went through in about 10 minutes. Do I have to give the confirmation number to the airline? Does he need it when he checks in? How are the airlines verifying enrollment?

Hey Guys, life is going well but I wanted to see if my interpretation of the I-864 Obligation Fulfillment is correct. You need to have 40 credits but my understanding is this can be combined. My wife and I just celebrated our six anniversary in December, we married in Dec 2010 and she became a LPR in 2011. I can be credit with 4 Social Security Credits in 2010,2011,2012,2013,2014,2015,2016,2017( by the end of the month). 8 Years x 4 = 32 My wife has earned 4 credits in 2015, 2016, 2017 (by the end of the month). 3 Years x 4 = 12 32 + 12 = 44 > 40. So is the I-864 Obligation fulfilled?

It won't come to that because creditors are highly unlikely to go to China to sue her in the first place. I had a Chinese co-worker tell me the same thing, in the unfortunate occurrence that something would happen, don't sign anything and you are not liable. However, while the hospital would have to treat them, would the care be the same as if they had insurance? The first time my father-in-law came I bought an insurance but the second time I did not. I did not the second time because when I read the fine print it appeared the only thing it would likely cover is something unexpected like a car accident and just about any medical issue (like a heart attack) would be considered pre-existing and not covered so I figured it was a waste of money. Has anyone ever bought a policy and had to use it?

I would expect that the PSB Entry and Exit bureau could sell you a NEW visa with a one year validity, and no length of stay limitation (no border runs needed), or, at the very least, that they could extend your existing length of stay to 120 days. A Q2 "family reunion" visa, purchased from the consulate in the U.S., would allow up to a 180 day stay (extendable at the PSB), and be good for up to 10 years. Appears a Q1 Visa might be the best option, though it appears you then need to go to the PSB as Randy indicates. http://losangeles.china-consulate.org/eng/visa/chinavisa/t907679.htm

You should be able to create an intinary on Expedia or another travel site, just don't hit the purchase button. I got a 10 year visa over a year ago I still haven't used, I think that is what I did.

We just had to have a friend of my wife get more original copies of my wife's birth certificate. I agree in many cases a copy will work but some professional licensing especially when it involves children require an original certified copy. I think 3 or 4 extra copies is prudent.

I have seen the advice to get multiple copies of the Chinese White Books before you leave China. We may have one or two around but probably not enough..... The documents we need are our Chinese Marriage Certificate (married in Shenyang, Liaoning) and my wife's birth certificate (or really the info from her Hokou). My questions? If my wife has her Hokou and our certificate, any chance the Chinese consulate in NYC could do this? Does the office in Shenyang have to do our marriage certificate? I believe the birth certificate is done in the city of her Hokou which is different than her birth hometown? Luckily, my wife just updated her Hokou but unluckily I just found out we need these after she just came back from China? Any experience with this or are we going to have to get her family to help us out? Thanks in advance. Beachey.