Beachey

I know the wait is very hard, the one advantage to the CCP delay is the expected delay is reasonably well known. You are about 3.5 months in. My wife's case took 3 months. The longest I know of was a couple who interviewed the same day as my wife who was approved 7 months after her interview. She was a manager at a State-owned company which is why I think it took so long. My advice is to ask your fiance to email the GUZ consulate on about two week intervals. You say they have your passport? That is a little unusual but likely a good sign. The one thing to keep in mind is your medical will expire the end of March. It sounds like you are ready to go within a few weeks but if it goes much longer you may need to get your medical redone.

This is the "catch" that I didn't understand until recently, and explains why expats to Saudi Arabia like it. I didn't realize that I had to pay China tax, I thought I only paid US tax, and got to ignore the first 90,000$. If I have to pay the foreign country tax, then I don't see the point in the foreign income exclusion. You can always deduct the foreign tax you paid from what you owe the IRS, so the foreign exclusion is a mute point. Right? The only case it would make a difference would be if the foreign country tax rate was significantly lower than the US tax rate. (Saudi tax rate is zero) First off, $90,000 is a lot of money in China. This would put you in the Chinese 2%. This is one reason most foreign companies who send expats to China (including in my case) pay their employees Chinese taxes and make them only responsible for the US tax obligation. I also think the Chinese taxation system is highly progressive so if you are making say $30K your Chinese obligation is not that significant. I think the reason for the $90K exclusion is this coves a significant amount of US nationals overseas who the double taxation system would effect and simplifies the process to comply.

Yes but my understanding is this has no effect on what benefits you receive. I realize some divorces are very nasty but I have no issue with this law.

Actually, this is a good point, you really want them to pay your Chinese taxes if they are paying you American-scale wages. My Chinese taxes were about 2-3X what my US federal tax liability was.

For non-invasive care, you should be OK in Shanghai. If you need surgery or other invasive medical procedures you likely will want to go to Hong Kong or maybe Australia. Depending on your age and health status, this might not be a major concern but something to keep in mind. The same goes for dental care, when I was there my company told us to have any dental work done before we left or when we were back on a visit.

I have read through this thread on Visa Journey. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/220440-i-751-evidence/page__view__findpost__p__3353837 This is where I formed my opinion on Affidavits. You notice in Dan's link it says affidavits must be supported by evidence above. I do not interpret that to mean they are required.

Thoughts 1. What level of medical care will you have access to? Just the local Chinese medical system or will you be able to go to Hong Kong or something similar? 2. Local Transportation? It is not unheard of to be provided a car and driver. 3. What is the housing? The typical Chinese standard of living is not up to a US Standard. You might want to look into a service apartment aimed at expats. 4. Depending on how much you want to travel, 2-3 weeks is not a lot. It is cheap to travel in China. 5. Also language assistance or some form of relocation consultant? My driver was invaluable for this when in China though my wife helped out later :-)

We are about 7 months away but I already have what I consider more than ample evidence for my wife's ROC. I have no intention of getting affidavits. In certain cases, typically where you are living with family, people get them because their evidence is sparse. I am sure there are some who will disagree with me but if you are comfortable with the rest of your evidence, I don't see where they would tip the balance. Personally, I think in many cases affadavits are rather self-serving since you can do exactly what you described. As for Biometrics, I think it is rare for the biometrics to be waived. I read somewhere that if you have them done within a certain time window at a USCIS office for another reason it does not have to be repeated. I would plan on having to have it done. The actual interview as part of ROC is however often waived.

That is common. My wife was a teacher in China before we came back to the States. Almost all Holidays, when the kids have the day(s) off during the week, they would go to school on the weekend before or after to make it up. Kinda makes you wonder what is the point of the Holiday.

http://www.eturbonews.com/32819/shanghai-extends-visa-free-stays-72-hours-passengers-45-countrie?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=t.co Add Shanghai to the list

There really is not a "Do-It-Yourself" Culture in China. I would recommend you shop around for a decoration company that will do it for you. Doing it yourself is not really any cheaper. Others can chime in to what you might want to do first before you decorate. I do know that many of the standard chemicals and materials used outgas for quite a while making the apartment unlivable for months so you might want to see if there is a way to avoid that.

I am 6'4" and I had no problem sleeping on Chinese trains. Though my wife always made sure to get me a bottom bunk.

I Found this on the Shenyang US Consulate We Site, this might be what you need: http://shenyang.usembassy-china.org.cn/notary-services.html

The interview can come fast and by returning the P3 you are stating you already have the police check and birth certificate. The birth certificate is good indefinitely and the police check is good for a year. I would go get them now rather than wait, you never know what Chinese bueracracy you will run into. The medical is only good for 180 days and you need the appointment letter so waiting until your appointment is set makes sense.

I did the same thing, what I got from the Consulate was titled a certified copy but that was 2 years ago and it sounds like things may have changed.

I personally think you emailing them would be more effective since the consulate for all its faults does have a mandate to serve US citizens. I think once a week is enough though I suspect you should see something soon. I also think they mail in bulk so if you miss one week it can take another week to see anything.

Packages have been known to sit in the GUZ mail room. Every time I emailed to inquire I usually saw some response within a few days. Coincidence? Keep in mind the consulate will be closed for Thanksgiving which will add to your wait.

I have a different impression. When they ask for a resume they do so because they need a Security Advisory Opinion. The most common reasons being membership in the Communist Party or having an advanced technical degree. They are trying to determine if you are a security threat to the US if allowed to enter. I don't see how a resume would allow them to judge whether your marriage is bona-fide or not. You could have a bona-fide marriage and still be considered a security threat.

You must have taken those photos of West lake pretty early, the two times I have been there, as usual, it was just mobbed with people.

When we DCF'd we got a case number, I think it came with P3. If you didn't get one I might email the link on the GUZ website and ask.

There are the 10 questions, not all comments are included but i was trying to find a quick way to post this without eating up too much storage space. Thanks again to all who contributed, it is greatly appreciated.

Q10: Do you think because the U.S. does not have a very long history this makes U.S. people less concerned about history and traditions than people from countries with a long history? Yes - 23 •Most people from the US are from other countries and carry on the traditions from their home countries. •I think some people have an equally short and distorted vision of history as a result of this. No – 25 •Most Americans seem more obsessed with such matters than citizens of older societies. •Americans long for a history often tracing it back to other countries

Q9:Do you think women and men have the equal rights and receive the same level of respect in U.S.? Yes - 22 • •In general yes. This is especially true when compared to other countries. •I feel the situation is improving; however, there is a lot of work that needs to be done for this issue. I feel my company is taking the correct steps by providing paths and social networks for women. •there is room for much improvement with equal rights •100% no, but getting closer.

Q8:Did you move out of your parents’ home after completing high school/secondary school? Yes - 34 • •ASAP!!! •I got kicked out when I was 18. Dispute over money/rent. •went to college No – 15 •I went to a local college and saved money by staying at home. •Not until I was done with college.

Q7:Do U.S. parents teach their children how to use money even when they are only 5 or 6 years old? Yes - 32 •I did and one child learned and the other ignored my advice •I taught my daughter this trait at 5 and 6 years of age No – 16 •Children that age are not capable of that level of reasoning. Nor, for that matter, are many adults. •We try, but for the most part we don't even know how to use money properly