dan1984

Easy stress-free process and I now have my Marriageability Affidavit in hand. A couple weeks ago I made an appointment on the Beijing Embassy website in order to get this completed. Last week I sent the Embassy an email asking if I had to bring my own document, or if they have documents at the embassy. They congratulated me on my nuptials, and said they have documents there and I can fill it out after arriving. Thankfully I did not have to wait in line with the hundreds of Chinese in line for visa interviews, and I walked right into the embassy. On the 2nd floor at the American Citizens Services reception window, I said I was here for the Marriageability Affidavit, and the gentleman gave me the simple form to fill out. Basically just like all the samples referenced in this thread: I returned to the reception window with the form and was directed to go pay my $50. After waiting less than 5 minutes, I was called up by a consular officer, and we both signed the document, stamped and "punched" it, and that was it. A little small talk about where my lady is from, how long I've been in Beijing, etc., but nothing else. No questions about any past relationships or documentation or anything else - which as many have pointed out, is not necessary, because you're swearing under oath that you're single and eligible to marry. In going to the Marriage Registration Bureau (or whatever it's called), all I'll need is this affidavit and my passport, nothing else - at least in Chengdu. Although my lady is from Xichang in Sichuan province, they can't process marriages with foreigners there, so we'll be in Chengdu for a couple days to get married in the run-up to the Chinese New Year before continuing south to Xichang. We'll also be going to Lu Gu Hu for a few days - I can't wait to return to Lu Gu Hu for a visit (one of my lady's uncles married a woman from there), a small minority village in the mountains and the place where I've seen the most and brightest stars in my life, and when back in the US I'm a pretty frequent camper and National Park visitor! But I digress......... Anyways, that's my brief write-up, nothing complicated at all, and glad to have this in hand! Dan~~

I know it's probably too late now, but I renewed my Wisconsin Driver's License online from here in China a couple years ago, and then they mailed it to me - was pretty impressed with the whole operation. I don't have anything to back this up, but I think you can drive and rent a car with a Chinese Driver's License in the US for 30 days - or at least that's what friends have told me. Then again, maybe this is just what they say, and they used a friend's car or something else. Randy, very sorry to hear about your sister. All the best to you and your family at this time. Take care. Dan~

Looking back at this thread for some info, and just realized I replied to you "without replying to you," hahaha :sweating_buckets:

Thanks on all fronts, Tsapper, sincerely appreciate it! And good luck to your friend for his interview! The business is going well. If you would have told me at this time last year we'd have a profitable company and be looking forward to a hopefully even better year in 2015, I'd have thought you were insane! It was pretty stressful to say the least this year from March through July after quitting our previous work and doing preparatory work （designing our website, learning how to navigate customs, researching factories, etc.) with our only income coming from freelance translation (me) and design (her) projects. Nevertheless, we made it through, and we began to get our first customers in the fall. Still have to pinch myself and remind myself its all real. Definitely not making the big bucks yes, but, perhaps in time.........have to start somewhere.

Thanks Randy!

With the new visa regulations in place for the 10 year travel visa to the U.S., last month my lady (Jian Wen) decided to apply for one. In September 2013 we had previously traveled back to my home in Milwaukee together for about 15 days to meet and visit with my friends and family. For this reason we did not have to apply at the U.S. Embassy, but instead directly dropped off the materials at the bank. She first filled out and submitted the DS-160 form online. We could have paid the fee for the visa online, but for some reason we were having computer problems, so went directly to the bank to pay. After paying we returned home to print out the Drop Box Confirmation Letter (which could only be printed after paying) and went back to the bank with this confirmation letter, passport, her passport pictures, her printed out DS-160 form, and we also wrote up with an intended itinerary for our next visit. Did not submit anything else. Painless and very easy procedure, well, except for our computer problems and having to first make a trip to the bank to pay. She submitted everything at the bank on December 16. In checking the status of the visa application online each day, 12/17 - no status 12/18 - no status 12/19 - ready 12/20 - ready 12/21 - ready 12/22 - administrative processing 12/23 - issued Upon seeing the visa was issued on the online updates, we were ecstatic. At the start of the process, we were told that when the visa arrived back in Beijing at the bank, the bank would call us and we could go pick it up. Apparently all applications submitted in this manner directly to banks across China are then sent to Guangzhou for processing, and then mailed back to the bank after the visa is issued. However, after about a week of not being contacted, yesterday we called the bank and asked if they had any updates, and they said her passport arrived at the bank on December 24, and we could come pick it up anytime. Don't know why we were not informed we could go pick it up, but, hmmmm, oh well, just happy to have the visa! We plan to get married in February in returning back to Jian Wen's home in Sichuan during the Spring Festival, but thereafter will remain in China for the next few years to continue to build up our business. So, having this 10 year U.S. visa already in passport is amazing, and be it just traveling or reasons otherwise (health problems for family members or whatever), we can buy plane tickets and be on a plane the next day without having to worry about her visa. Also, in her travel visa application materials last year and once again last month, we were completely honest and did not try and play any games. In her application last year, we stated that we were traveling back to my hometown together, plan to visit my friends and family, and then return back to Beijing together because that's where our lives and jobs are currently; even though it was 'just' a travel visa, we submitted evidence as if we were going through the DCF process in order to prove our relationship, and at the same time paint the picture that at this moment in time Beijing is where our lives are. We did this to show that even though Jian Wen is young, not married but in a relationship with me, renters, no car, etc., we were just traveling to the US for a visit and had no intention of using the travel visa for other purposes. Thankfully, all went smoothly with the application and her interview, and we got the visa! Hmmmm, I think that is about it. Just thought I'd share our experience if there is anybody else out there looking to apply for a US travel visa.

Thanks for the info Tsapper! And yes, it looks like we're probably going to 'finally' make this official after 4+ years. Hahaha. As I am obviously a foreigner, we'll have to get married in the city where her hukou is located, which is in Xi Chang in Sichuan. However, because Xi Chang doesn't have the means or whatever the case may be to process marriages involving foreigners, we have to do it in the provincial capital - Chengdu. SO, in returning back to Sichuan for the Chinese New Year in a couple months, we will probably fly from Beijing to Chengdu and while there take advantage of the opportunity to, ahem, make this official. Then from there it will be a 5-6 hour bus ride down to Xi Chang, or catching a ride with friends/family if there are people heading out at the same time. Pretty exciting, but also kind of, well, stomach-turning! But, I'm ready for it, and can't wait. Will be a great start to the Spring Festival, and after 10-12 days in Sichuan, we're flying from Chengdu to Bangkok for 18 days in Thailand! In all my years here I've only ever had one visitor, my best buddy from back in the US and his wife (also one of my best friends). They visited me in 2011 and were ready to buy tickets for a second excursion into China. However, in thinking about it some more, taking all this time and effort and money to travel to the other side of the world for a couple weeks, why not try a new country. So, Thailand it is! Going to be a month to remember come a number of decades in the future. Happy holidays to you and yours there, and all the best!

Ok, got it, makes sense, thanks Randy and Dan!

Does anybody know if this is the same for the Embassy in Beijing? Bring your own document or will you fill out a form there? I will be doing this in the next couple weeks and will report back either way.

Oh man, I've thought about this many times before! Not to do myself, since I should be nowhere near the kitchen, but if Beijing had a restaurant like this, ummmmmm, I have to admit, I'd make trips there every so often!

Absolutely true! I don't think we've opened up our mailbox since this past summer. Everything is delivered straight to the door, and most times with a call first to check if you're home or not.

Spent about 8 months in Guangzhou in the past, really liked the city. Great food, friendly people, lots of places close by for day trips (be it Hong Kong or getting out of the city), BUT, as a born and bred Wisconsin guy, I actually missed my cold and snow in the winter - wearing shorts for Christmas, unheard of!

and I believe that Part III of Schedule B will refer you to the FBAR requirements. In reading through the ongoing "IRS Publications for 2014" thread, I thought back to this thread about FATCA regulations. This is a really really stupid question, but for this point: "2. The aggregate value of all foreign financial accounts exceeded $10,000 at any time during the calendar year to be reported." Does calendar year mean January 1 through December 31?? So basically if at any time from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014 my accounts in China totaled over $10,000, by June 30, 2015 I have to report this?? I'm pretty sure this is the case, just want to make sure. Thanks! Yes - calendar year is Jan 1 through Dec 31. If your balance was $10001 or more on ANY date during the year, you are required to report this. yes, it's due on June 30, and must be filed electronically - http://candleforlove.com/forums/topic/46983-beijing-to-back-united-states-over-new-fatca-law-against-tax-evasion/?p=616235 Thanks Randy, got it! This is what I assumed, and thanks for confirming it. Also, yes, I have accounts with 3 banks here, and at all of them I can print out my account activity - the trick is picking the right time in which there is paper in the ATM printer :sweating_buckets:

and I believe that Part III of Schedule B will refer you to the FBAR requirements. In reading through the ongoing "IRS Publications for 2014" thread, I thought back to this thread about FATCA regulations. This is a really really stupid question, but for this point: "2. The aggregate value of all foreign financial accounts exceeded $10,000 at any time during the calendar year to be reported." Does calendar year mean January 1 through December 31?? So basically if at any time from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014 my accounts in China totaled over $10,000, by June 30, 2015 I have to report this?? I'm pretty sure this is the case, just want to make sure. Thanks!

There are tons of these services out there, be it products from the US, Japan, South Korea, etc. There is some money to be made, but competition is really an issue, and a couple of my friends doing this now believe it's more work than the money is worth. However, when done the right way and in the right situation, probably still could make some decent money........

Awesome!! Where did you apply?

Thanks Tsapper! Two days in and have had no time to see any sights, but the food is most definitely hitting the spot! :happydance:

Just arrived in Xiamen this morning for a 5 day business trip. First impressions, glad I packed my shorts! Had a big bowl of local Fujian style noodles from a small place by my hotel, absolutely loved it - I guess kind of like Yunan "mi xian," but definitely with its own unique twist. Not as modern of a city as I would have expected (or maybe that's just cause I've been here 3 hours and haven't been to any other parts of the city yet), but it definitely has a nice charm to it - kind of almost what I guess Taiwan would be like. Anyways, going to be busy for the next few days, but just wondering if anybody has any off the beaten path Xiamen suggestions for places to go or things to do....? Thanks!

Great news!

Awesome news, congrats!!

I have a friend whose travel visa happens to be up next week (been in China for probably 4 or 5 years on a couple student and now travel visas). He plans to apply here in Beijing for this new 10 year visa, and I'll let you all know how it goes.

Oasis china visa I just tried to file out the online form and for Application type: it shows Visa - Multiple Entries 10 years validity. Is there an option for choosing time of each stay/duration?

Just stopping in to say best of luck, and welcome! My name is Dan and I'm from up in Milwaukee (Bears still suck! Sorry........). I first came to Beijing in 2005, and after about 2 years of living in China and time spent back in the US thereafter, I've been in Beijing continuously since 2010. I guess our situations are quite similar in many aspects. Like you I met my lady while over here and we've been together for *gasp* 4 years now already. We aren't married yet, but we're moving in that direction. I've also been thinking about some of the same questions as you, and to be honest, I guess I haven't been doing anything out of the norm - besides saving train/plane tickets, hotel receipts, tickets to parks or sights from when traveling, etc. in case they come in handy in the future. Other than that, I think it's just living life as normal and trying to build a strong relationship - which in an ideal and fair world will be easy for the visa office to see and act as the best evidence of all! However, life's not always fair.............and to that end, I'm not sure if I have any good advice, which is why I say live life as you would normally, continue to build a strong relationship, and, get ready for the ride. Anyways, just wanted to say welcome and good luck with everything! dan~

Glad to hear!!! Congrats!! :victory: :victory:

Good luck Randy! Please keep us updated!