Yulian

We were approved on July 1 2017 on i601 waiver. then interviewed on August 15 in GUZ. since it was more than 1 year since prior interview we needed new medical, and police updates. We also did AOS i864 but it was not necessary. only a few questions and interview was speedy. Little left to question after i130, 601A, and 601 approvals over 3 yrs. .Process was as described by others here, from years before. After interview the wait was lengthy to get IV immigrant visa. it was 16 days. During this time wife waited in Hyatt and Mariott hotel. quite costly but it was all day to travel to NE China, and we expected the Visa in 3 or 4 or 5 days. We had delivery to Citibank, the EMS service may take an additional 2-5 days to remote areas. that describes us. there are no lines or delay to pickup. We went there every morning at 9am. They say an email or cell phone call will alert you. True, but it may be 24 or 36 hrs. My wife was on plane to New York by the time of email. With Visa you get about 100 pages. POE NY took about 3 hrs. largely due to understaffing and 800 non US citizens arriving. Today she is home safe after 16 months. We are married 7 yrs now, 12 years in US, and she was denied on a 601A. be careful if you exit US with approved "invitation" from DOS. if denied you may face 10 yr bar. we were lucky? at only 16 months. thank you Dan and Randy and all who contribute. if I can help sometime I will. Tom

This is Tom. Our history here at 'Candles' is a denial on 601A last year. But now 16 months later, we got APPROVED on a 601. Thank God! Our 601 appeal was 400pp. My Question: When do we get the Immigrant Visa? interview was Aug 15, today is Aug 23. Yulian just visited the Citi-Bank in Guangzhou at 10am on the 24th local time. Is this long wait normal. She has been sitting in a hotel 15 days, including the early medical appt. It seems there is no way to move the embassy printer to prepare and deliver the docs. Or am I missing something? As soon as she gets it it is off to the airport. the waiting never gets easy. Thanks to all on this site, Randy ,Dan, for ideas and emotional support. it helps!

Update to Yulian post. As of august 10, 2017. My wife is now is Guangzhou for the 2nd interview. Dan was correct that after 1 yr, a new interview is required. She seems to be well prepared. Police certs, a new passport due to less than 8 months expiration on old passport, medical was done yesterday in GUZ, it was easier the 2nd time, i864 complete with 3 yrs taxes attached. Assuming Visa is granted how long does it take to get it after the interview? The interview is scheduled for 1pm on Tuesday will we have it by Thurs? We are separated 16 months now. it is painful. Thanks for all your counsel and caring. Tom

Finally something easy to do. Since I'm an old CPA, I got the financial forms covered. thanks Dan

Dan, You point out another variable I did not think about. Our case was sent to USA, Lincoln Nebraska for i601 approval. Dated June 29, 2017 However the approval letter says "Approval Notice Consulate: Guangzhou " also "if you are IV applicant USCIS has notified the Embassy or consulate above about the waiver approval. "This completes all USCIS action. If you have questions about Visa contact Consulate directly" It appears that we need to hear from Guangzhou with an interview letter/appointment . Thanks for the link to Travel... it is a comprehensive checklist. I appreciate your help, thanks Tom

Dan, I hope you are correct that we can simply mail in the docs. But the medical will involve travel since Yulian lives in NE China, close to N.Korea and Russia. However after working on this since 2013, I'll not quibble over where the Visa is, she will just go for it. Thank you much. Your insight is keen and practical, everyone here is so grateful. thanks for the time and compassion you share. Tom.

Randy; thanks for you speedy and informative response. I appreciate it very much Tom

Hello again. I last posted in June 2016 after going to China and being denied IV on I-601a at the interview. My wife remains in China while I am in US. Good news is 3 weeks ago we got I-601 approved. My lawyer says a second interview is not required but she has been wrong before. such as the 601a denial. We went to GUZ May5, 2016 for the original interview. approval of new 601 was 6/29/2017. that is more than one year. From what I read, on FB and Candle, a new interview is needed. Is that true? And #2 question: can I set up the date or must I wait for US Consulate to assign date? Furthermore I expect if an Interview is required then I also need: Medical, Police report, Biometrics, Photos. Affidavit of Support and also what? all supporting documents from first interview? My wife is nervous, ( like an alligator in a belt factory) to face another interview, after the dreaded denial last year. I say, our case has been 'adjudicated' approved and inadmissibility Waived, there is nothing to worry about. Background info: there was unlawful presence and entry. the I-601a apparently covered "unlawful presence" but not entry. it was a single entry by 'wave through' in 2003. It should have been included. That is in the past for us, however others may be helped to know it. the I-601A, must clearly address everything. My previous story, post, is: " Visa denied at interview with 601a" I can tell others that I-601 approvals now take 1 year, it used to be 4-6 months, but they slowed way down. also "expedited processing" is a no go. they get so many requests that they do not even bother to say No. just assume you did not get it. it appears that only very extreme medical issues will get it. in Sum my questions are interview required? can I set-up interview? medical? will I need whole file & docs, again? Is adjudication on I-601 final or are we at risk? Any idea if I-601 follows same typical timeline to complete? thank you so much. This is a wonderful site and service, it is a blessing to us lost souls. God bless Carl. Tom

We had a disaster in Guangzhou. our visa was denied by Consular Officer. My wife was in the US for 13 yrs, we are married 6. with attorney help we filed 601a and I did previous i130, 864 and DS 260. all approved. Lawyer said no problem, we always get visa, only a couple of relationship questions. we were ambushed by CO, not a nice guy. he was aggressive in questions, zeroing in on entry to US issues. My wife was nervous and intimidated. Slammed -denied without any written or verbal explanation. no name of CO, no supervisor review. She is now stranded in China, me back in US alone. I'm dying w/o her. Warning DO NOT leave US for consular interview. be 110% certain. get second legal opinions. this is clearly my lawyers fault. the interview prep mentioned none of these possibilities. I would give up the green card we don't have to get her back. The GC is not necessary to be comfortable in US, especially if older. there are many incompetent lawyers, many turn over work to ignorant paralegals. I hope and expect to get 601 prepared & approved, but I got to figure out exactly where the wheels came off this time. I read the processing times run 9 months. consider your risks. they will deny very easily, w/o compassion or legal representation. tom

​ We have similar problem. Appt May 5, 2016 but there is 3 day holiday before. can we get medical certificate in 1 day? Can we go to interview without medical cert? what happened with your wife? Can we Expedite to Same day medical results? thanks yulian & tom Helpful replies: Randy and Dan give good advice. I would also recommend going to the interview. That being said, here is my personal experience. My wife's interview was December 9th of last year. She scheduled her medical exam herself by calling them - not by using UStravel docs. She went in late November, and stayed in Guangzhou to wait for the results. She had them in 2 days. So it is possible that if your wife/fiance calls the medical center, she may be able to schedule the exam earlier. I would recommend that she get there quite early - about 6:45. My wife did this and was waiting in the lobby upstairs. By 7:30, the line was out the door, and folks were not able to get on the elevator. They had to line up downstairs, and that line was a madhouse. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The topic can be found here: http://candleforlove.com/forums/topic/48186-what-happens-if-medical-exam-results-not-available-for-day-of-interview/?view=getnewpost Contact medical center, in my wife's case we had to pay expedite fee for same day service, had to do medical first thing when office open, had no choice, Med center was closed for holiday reopening the day before visa interview. But in any case if cannot get report before interview, go to interview, they will place case into AP requesting you to drop off the medical packet after interview. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For the latest information on medical examination appointments and instructions, please visit this panel physician’s website www.gdwbzx.com the only problem here is, it is in Chinese. I did find it in English but now I cannot. Though I know it is out there. Previously on the medical center site I found a page to make an appt for the day and hour for the exam. They seem to book 1-2 weeks in advance. With new weeks opening 5 days at once. There are detailed instructions on confirming appt by mobile phone and password codes. It appears to be a good system, but I am not able to book for May yet. I am very happy to find this forum and thank all who visit and share. It relieves stress. Tom & Yulian

Medical Exam not available for interview. contacted Guangzhou medical center by telephone. they say it takes four - 4 days for results. "goodbyeshanghai" reply. ​ we have similar problem. Appt May 5, 2016 but there is 3 day holiday before. can we get medical certificate in 1 day? Can we go to interview without medical cert? what happened with your wife? Can we Expedite to Same day medical results? thanks yulian & tom