Andelu

I tried to forego the employer letter and at the interview my husband was required to submit "offer of employment for petitioner" for his visa to be issued. The employment letter wasn't an issue since I will be working for the same firm once we move to the States and I should have pro-actively submitted with the I-864. But assumed that since I included tax transcripts, evidence of US domilce included US house deed, bank statements and evidence of funds to support both of us for years without employment and our China property deed that would be sufficient but it was not.

When my husband made his interview appointment online on 10/24 (with me watching over his shoulder) there was no option to pay on the CGI website nor a direction to pay via CITIC bank. He had his visa interview on Nov 4th and was required to pay by cash or an American credit card at the Consulate the visa fee. Chinese credit cards are not accepted - at least they would not take his China Merchants Visa Card for payment on 11/4. The fee was $230USD, paid by a US-issued American Express card at the Consulate the day of the interview. The link several have posted about the fees now says: "All Immigrant Visa fees are payable in U.S. dollars or Chinese Renminbi (RMB) at the Consulate's exchange rate on the day of the applicant's interview." The site is not clear that Chinese cards are not accepted as it states: "..."logoed" credit/debit card: Visa, Master Card, American Express, and Discover." There are Chinese credit cards with each of these logos except Discover...

Congrats! You're on a faster track then we had and I was happy with our 3 weeks or so for the I-130 approval.

I think I will have the tougher adjustment moving back to the States after 11 years living in Shenzhen...

Happy to report that the interview was essentially a success as received a White Form. On the front side:....the Consulate requires additional action from you to continue processing your immigrant application...On the back side: Your Immigrant visa applicaiton has been approved. Needed a differnt type of Birth Certificate - which we were guessing might happen. Have to submit Nortarized Birth Certificate. Was obtained yesterday by PL's father in his hometown and we should receive by EMS today or tomorrow. Other - Offer of employment for petitioner. Me. Crazy as I thought my I-864 Affadivt of Support was sound. Though I had negative AGI for 2 of last 3 years (due to Foreign Earned Income Credit) I had my IRS Tax Transcripts, bank statements, copy of house deed, etc that showed clear proof of funds. Nonetheless, have had my company provide an offer of employment for me in the States and will be submitting along with the Notarized Birth Certificate on Monday via CITIC Bank. Anticiapte having visa by month end. US House hunting trip booked for January! Thought not quite finished, really feel a burdened lifted as almost there. Thanks so much for your support. Once finished will recap our timeline and antedotes in a seperate poste. Andy

HI Lane - We submited our DS-260 online on 10/1, the documents required through CITIC Bank on 10/5 (I think - it was still during the National Day Holiday and first day bank open). On 10/24 recieved an email from IVAppointment Guangzhou advising that: This office is ready to begin final processing - approval to schedule inteview. That evening we went online and there were interview appointments available as early as 10/31 and througout November. As can only get the medical exam after this notice and must have before the interview it was not possible to take advantage of the earliest appointment. My husband, Pei Lin, had his phyiscal 10/31 in Guangzhou and picked up results same day. Interview was 11/4, first appointment at 7:45am. He was out by 10:30am. application approved - but have to send in 2 additional documents which we now have and will submit on 11/11 via CITIC Bank with his passport so should have visa within 2-3 weeks. So yes, can choose own date. At the time we logged on there was available appointments beginning one week away through 5 weeks out. Yes, the notice of submitting DS-260 is the P3. Somewhere on the form it seems it said P3 somewhere. I had the same question at the time. My suggestion would be to submit everything and then wait for notification to proceed with scheduling interview. Good Luck. Andy

Received "Immigrant Visa Instructions" email today for Pei Lin to schedule his visa interview. First appointment was 10/31, he scheduled 7:45am on 11/4 as traveling next week for work. Excited, anxious and hope visa interview goes as smooth.

Congrats Jennifer on getting to the interview stage! What is the date on the status when you check? We received our P3 on 9/29 and when I checked the online status after receipt (because the P3 had the case number) the case was created on 9/16 and the Status Updated Date was 9/25. Your notice is probably just in the mail and you will recieve soon...Interesting you said you filled out the DS-230 as my spouse had to fill out a DS-260 which is the new online version of the DS-230 from what I understand. Are you going through Beijing? We are filing through GZ.. Andy

JTC - no acknowledgment has been received (been a week) and status online hasn't changed since 9/25 which was a few days before we received the P3.

Glad it worked out to walk-in, probably about the only day it would be empty due to the holiday. FYI - our I-130 approval came by snail mail. Went on 8/27 and recieved on 9/22. There was a US and a China holiday in there so hopefully yours will be quicker. Then the P3 came on 9/29 right before the National Day holiday by EMS.

Congratulations Blue Rock! Did you end up doing the walk-in on Friday, October 4th? Already received your approval?

Thanks for the congratulations Dennis. We are excited about this journey and the next chapters in our lives together in the States. We are still living in China and are filing through DCF. I moved to Shenzhen in early 2003 and can certainly relate to your comment that many Chinese do not believe gays exist in China. Unlike in America, the issue with homosexuality in China is not religious based. The reality is that due to the culture gays have largely lived "underground" or "second lives" though that has gradually changed over the last few years and there is continuing to be more awareness and acceptance in society. Most of us expats in Shenzhen often say that Shenzhen (and certainly the suburb Shekou) is not the real China. This city was built by immigrants from all over China and there is an energy and openness that doesn't exist anywhere else that I have seen in my travels over the last decade throughout the country. We have been very fortuante that our group of both western and Chinese friends have accepted and welcomed us into their circles. We've been together for over 7 years and were just married in July in New York. We only told a couple close friends of our plan to marry during a week trip to the States and when we returned they had organized a celebration party for us - that was so special it brought tears to our eyes. The majority of those in attendance are western man/Chinese wife couples. It is interesting to note that many of those Chinese wives (ranging from mid-20's to late 50's) felt the same way you mentioned - that gays didn't exist and they never knew one before us. It is amazing how those same women over the last few years have become our closest friends, biggest supporters and the first ones to defend or explain us to others who "don't understand". My husband's family has also been very supportive and welcomed years ago me as a new son to their family in a very public and embarassing holiday dinner. Now that is not the norm I can assure you but one that we feel so blessed to have. My in-laws have spent the last two Spring Festivals (Chinese New Year) with us in Shenzhen and this year stayed 3 months. I couldn't feel more loved than by my own parents. Initially, they were not thrilled they would not have grandchildren I think more than anything (or assumed they wouldn't but that is a whole different topic/discussion.). My husband's sister has also been very supportive. As for our workplaces, my husband works for an American HR consulting company so his being out is not a threat to his career. In my business, I never lie but am somewhat guarded with my personal life. Again, we are fortunate in our circumstances but everyone has different situations and needs to determine what is best for them. Being gay in China has not been as challenging as so many other aspects of living and working in China and is just one aspect of us and our lives. We are excited about starting a new chapter in America but will be sad to leave what has been our home together for 7 years. Shenzhen is longest place I have ever lived in my life at 11 years + in the same city by the time we hope to move sometime next year and it will be difficult to say "See you soon" (as I hate goodbye's)... Maybe not the right forum/place in the forum for sharing some of our story but hope that answers your questions.

As a follow up to my post on 9/27 above - we received our P3 notice on 9/29; submitted online on 10/1; hard copy requested information sent through Citic bank today, 10/4.

I-130 submitted on 8/27; approval received 9/22; P3 received by courier on 9/29.

On Sunday 9/29 we received what I believe is Packet 3(?!) by EMS (China Overnight Courier). It was the request to submit DS-260 online (Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application Confirmation), copy of bio page in passport and passport photos. Form filled out today and the hard copy confirmation with photos and passport copy sent through Citic bank today.

We received our instructions on Sunday, 9/29 right before the China National Day hoilday it was to submit a DS-260. The form was filled and submitted electronically today; the 3 forms required to be printed off and mailed sent today through Citic Bank Branch in downtown Shenzhen.

Congrats Jennifer. Question - when did you file your I-130? We filed ours on August 27th but didn't receive until September 21...It was stamped approved on August 29th and there were two holidays in there so certainly not complaining...Just curious as to when you filed yours as it only took a week. We are anxiously awaiting the next news from the Consulate and have all our documents ready to go...

Blue Rock - When we made our appointment in mid-August it only showed appointments for the next two weeks. There might not be any appointment availablity showing because of the holiday next week. Just keep checking. Note the same appointment availaibilty applies for ACS (American Citizen Services) for those who need passport pages, renewals, etc... As for walking in - I wouldn't try it on Tuesday or Thursday unless you want to get frustrated. My name was not on the list and they were not going to let me in for my appointment. Luckily I had the printed confirmation of my appointment time and insisted they check and confirm my appointment. It took 10 minutes before the security guard verified I had an appointment and let me in the building. There was an American citizen who wanted to renew his passport and he was not allowed in without an appointment - you wanna talk about being frustrated... If you want to take your chances with a walk-in I would only suggest doing so on the days listed - which is currently only Friday.

Randy - Point A is simply the center of the block, it is not an actual entrance. There are two entrances to the building at the tip of the red arrow both along Huaxia Street. Any one wanting services from the Consulate will only visit this building. The buidling outlined in blue will not be visited by anyone attending a visa interview, submitting a petition, needing American Citizen Services, etc. If someone exits the subway exit, all one has to do is cross the street and they will see crowds along Huaxia lined up for one of the two entrances at the US Consulate. Both entrances are signed as to who belongs in which entrance/line. There are also lots of people willing to point where to go if asked. I parked in the middle of the block on the south side of your picture above and walked the entire wrong way around the block, past the school to point A in 15 mintues. It is impossible to get lost on the block or go to the wrong entrance without being told where to go. There were only 2 other entrances that I recall on the entire block to the entry of the US Consulate, besides the school located at the left corner of your picture. One marked staff only bottom left. One official entrance for official government vistiors clearly marked at the bottom right and if you go in that small security building without an appointment will be clearly told you are in the wrong place. AMA - Good luck with your travel. I much prefer to take the fast trains these days if one is available rather than flying as flights are delayed out of Shenzhen seems like 90% of the time...

The signage is excellent. While there may be 7 buildings in the compound there is only 1 side of the block with any entrances that anyone attending the Consulate for American Services or Visa Interviews can access and the building is virtually the length of that side of the block and was 4 stories tall I believe. The entrance for non-Americans to enter (for visa interviews, fingerprinting, etc) is the single closest entrance to the subway exit as in the maps above. The ACS entrance (same side of block) is at the opposite end of that block side and about a 3 minute walk.

Yes, referring to a single building. There are two entrances, one for ACS (American Citizen Services) and the other for visa interviews, appointments, etc. Both at the same end of the block along Huaxia Road. Refer to "A" in the map at this link. http://www.lostlaowai.com/news/new-u-s-consulate-in-guangzhou-to-open-soon/ or this map at the conulate page: http://photos.state.gov/libraries/guangzhou/34611/guowz/consular%20customer%20entrance%20map_001.jpg http://photos.state.gov/libraries/guangzhou/34611/guowz/consular%20customer%20entrance%20map_001.jpg

Received our approved visa petition today!! Filed 8/27, stamped approved 8/29; postmarked 9/10; received 9/22. A US and China holiday in there...

We are beginning to feel the winds in Shenzhen. Hong Kong just raised the T8 and the wort is expected to be about 2-4am. Stay dry...

Have used the CFL site for some excellent research over the last few weeks and want to say thank you for this thread. I am a USC who has lived in China for over 10 years and been with my Chinese partner for more than 7 years. After the recent Supreme Court decision we flew to the States to get married (in New York State) and start the immigration process for my husband. I submitted the I-130 through Guangzhou Consular Process on August 27th look forward to sharing our journey. I do believe I was the first, at least with the staffer who reviewed my petition, to submit a same sex marriage I-130 in Guangzhou as everything was fine until the staffter looked at the biometric page of my husband's passport and realized he was a he...After quickly excusing himself to go check something, assume he spoke to someone who said it was okay, he returned a few minutes later and finished checking all the documents as if nothing had happend.

You can make an appointment at the Guangzhou consulate for Tuesdays and Thursdays to file your I-130 if you are filing through Consular Process and the province in which you are studying falls under the Guangzhou consulate area.I would recommend this rather than showing up to take your chances for the window on Friday. I filed our I-130 on Tuesday August 27 and made the appointment the week before - there were only afternoon appointments available for 8/27 when I made mine but on 8/29 there were both morning and afternoon appointments. The website only showed appointments for the next two weeks, there was nothing for the week of 9/9 (this week) so not sure if they only show a few weeks at a time or not. The consulate employee reviewing my documents did verify that I had a current resident permit (former Z visa) in my passport. I've lived in China legally since 2003 so wasn't too worried about meeting the requirement. I also had my work permit but was not asked to show it. Sounds like your residence permit is a separate book (like my work permit) which is different than Shenzhen/Guangdong province where the residence permit is the visa. Make sure you know you cannot take in your mobile phone, or any electronics, and there is no place to check them at the new GZ consulate.