L.G.

When I filed they told me that if I did not hear back by the 60th day, the preferred way to contact them was email and to provide not only what dnoblett mentions above, but also a scan of your passport ID page so they can confirm it is in fact you emailing them.

I just received an email today asking us to complete the DS-260. It's only been two weeks since we filed the i-130 so we are thrilled to be moving along so quickly.

Figured I would share my experience in case anyone is curious as to the process once in Guangzhou. I took the metro/subway (Line 3, Zhujiang New Town stop) and the consulate is directly across the street from the B-1 exit. You will be facing the consulate as you walk out of the exit. I flew in that morning and my return flight was the same evening, so I had no hotel or place to store my electronics during my appointment (they are not allowed in the consulate). I had a few hours before my appointment, so did some exploring. I can confirm there are no grocery stores with lockers in the area for storing items. I also tried a few hotels and they all refused to hold items for non guests. There is a newspaper/drink/snack stand directly next to the consulate (and also directly across from the B-1 exit) that will hold your items for you and issue you a receipt showing what they are holding. They charged me 30 rmb. I was a bit nervous about this with my new iphone and ipad (hence the search for an alternative) but after seeing about 15 people use the service figured they were OK to use. No problems in the end. My appointment was scheduled for 2:30 and I headed back to the consulate around 1:45. In front of the consulate there were crowds of local Chinese waiting to go inside. I took my paper showing my appointment time to the security guards, and they let me pass without having to wait in the line. I then had to be let into the building by another guard who looked like he matched my passport up with his list of scheduled appointments (not sure what they do if you are a walk in). I passed through a security check/scan and then had to go into another building and up to the 3F where USCIS is located. There were about 8-10 people sitting and waiting and I took my appointment confirmation directly to the window, where they took my passport, and asked me to take a seat and wait to be called. After about 5 minutes of waiting they called my name and directed me to a room where I sat with an immigration officer across from me. She then took all of my documentation (both copies and originals). For the copies she verified against the originals, stamped the copies, and then initialed/signed the copies. After making sure all was in order and returning the original documents, she gave me an invoice and asked me to take it to the cashier, pay, and bring back. The cashier was located on the 2nd floor, I paid, and then brought the receipt back to the 3rd floor. The gentlemen at the window took my receipt, gave all the documents a final lookover, and told me to expect a physical response to be sent within 60 days. I mentioned to him that I filed the form for e-notification. He told me they still send the physical notification and that the email actually gets sent by the visa center once they get notified of the approval. And that was it. I was done by 2:25 which was before my actual appointment time. Documents I submitted to them: - Cover letter - g-1145 e-notification - g-325a for myself with passport photo attached - g-325a for the wife with passport photo attached - i-130 - copy of my passport (entire thing) - copy of wife's passport (photo page) - marriage certificate notarization and translation (white book, i submit both mine and hers though i've seen only one is needed) - wife's birth certificate notarization and translation (white book) - photos of wedding and various trips we have taken together, as well as screen prints of us posting photos on facebook along with family/friend comments - emails from family/friends to both of us regarding trips we took home and our wedding - letters from friends who attended the wedding stating how long they have known each of us and that they attended our wedding

The guardhouse (security) on the USCIS side (where you will go) has cubbyholes where you can check these things (I left a knife there) - the visa side may or may not have these same cubbyholes. Not sure how large they can store things, but you might try. You might be able to carry the backpack inside, but leave the electronics with the guards (they will give you a claim card for it). When you walk up to the security building, you need to stand at the entrance until someone (inside) comes to let you in. Ignore all the Chinese people waiting in line to go in - you go first. I'm not kidding - they have the building roped off so it looks like you can't get there, but they will let you in. There is also a little stand directly opposite the B-1 subway entrance that will allow you to check valuables. There are no large stores in the area that would have lockers like that (although you might find one if you looked hard enough) Great, thank you. Nice to know there might be a few options. The situation sounds exaclty like when we went to the consulate in Shanghai for her travel Visa a few years back (lines of Chinese and getting to go in first)

Hi - I have my appointment for filing the I-130 tomorrow and just had two small questions. Is there anywhere near the consulate where I can store a backpack and my phone? I will be flying in tomorrow morning and leaving the same night, so no hotel where I can store these things and per the website they are not allowed in. My wife suggested trying to find a grocery store with some lockers. Anyone know of one in the area or have a better suggestion? Should I add my wife's English name as one of her "Other" names on our forms? Since this wouldn't be on any official documentation I did not include it but just had the idea pop up today when going through everything one final time.

Hi Everyone, Just getting started on the immigration process for my wife, and currently filling out the I-130. Few questions here, I did a few searches of the site and couldn't find specific answers but assuming you can all help: Box C2 - Does this address need to match any of our documents (her Hukou, my residence permit, etc). I ask because I tend to use our office address in China (same company for both of us) for mailing, since we have a very competent mail room which I can't say the same for about my apartment complex. Box C17 - Do I need to list myself as her spouse again here or is this redundant since I am filing on her behalf as her spouse? Documentation - My birth certificate is in a box somewhere back home in the US. I do have my Passport and Social Security card here with me in China. Will these be sufficient or will I need to get the birth certificate? More documentation - we had her Chinese documents translated and notarized about 6 months ago, and the translator told her that they would expire in 6 months (now). However, there is no expiration date on the documents and I can't find anything online about these expiring. Does anyone know if they would remain valid? Last question (for now!). We live in Hangzhou, so based on all I've seen here we will be going to Guangzhou for DCF. Please correct me if wrong. thanks ahead of time