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First off, thanks to everyone on here for all of your help in our process. A Brief overview 1. our official wedding date is 9/29/12 2. Had a CR-1 visa issued in mid april this year, with an expiration date of mid october 14 3. I had to enter the USA for school in August, but realized that if the wife entered after 9/29/2014, we would be married for over two years. As such, we planned her entry to be for October 4, 2014. It is my understanding that she should've received her non-conditional green card upon entry, even though a CR-1 visa was issued: "If you have been married for less than two years when your foreign citizen spouse enters the United States on an immigrant visa, his or her permanent resident status is considered conditional. 4. My wife just went through imigration a few minutes ago, however she claims that inspite of pointing out the marriage date, etc... to the immigration officer, he insisted that only CR could be issued. From everything we have read, it would seem that after 2 years of marriage before entry, the PR should not be conditional. Am I correct? If so, do we have any recourse? Can we have this mistake corrected, or will we have to wait the 21 months and file I-751 and pay the corresponding $505+85= $590 ? Does anyone have any suggestions for next action to take? Thanks in advance

Don't believe all you read about I-130 processing being so swift & an I-129F is not needed. Of course you must file the I-130, get a receipt number, then file the I-129F - with a copy of the receipt, & etc. I-130 processing times for a USCitizen living in the USA is 13 months. This has continually gone up every time they update. The below is a new update, finally. Processing TimesI-130, US Citizen for Spouse, at National Benefits Center.USCIS National Goal - 5.0 Month(s) USCIS National Average - 13.0 Month(s) National Benefits Center - 12.0 Month(s) Effective as of: September 30, 2013 California office is 7.7 months, so it says. Vermont is 11.4 But note the national average!!! 13 mo. I-129F Processing Times 1). I-129F, K3/K4, Texas Service CenterUSCIS National Goal - 5.0 Month(s) USCIS National Average - 5.0 Month(s) Texas Service Center - 5.0 Month(s) Effective as of: September 30, 2013 California Service Center is also at 5 months. K1/K2 is the same, 5 months.

Hello Brothers & Sisters My Brother in-law to be is Going to China soon to Get Married to my Wife's Sister . They are seeking an Agent in Guangzhou to assist them in the Process of obtaining a CR1 for his Wife . They are also looking for Couples in Shenyang or Liaoyang and in New Mexico to become friends with , Tom will join CFL very soon . I just want to help them get started , Does any one know if Roger Lynn is still in Guangzhou ? Thank You Michael-Sean

Hello everyone. Today I received the great news that my wife's visa was approved! We are very happy that it only took 5 1/2 months. I am waiting for instruction from the government. What can i expect now and how long before i can bring my wife to the US?

Greetings all, I'm going to China again on Sept 11th (3rd time now) but this time we will get married and spend our honeymoon in the Maldives for a week. I want to prepare all the paperwork ahead of time, plus the W-7 form. I've looked at a few examples online for the I-130 and the G-325A forms but some are in all caps, some are just normal (first letter cap, rest lower case). What's better? My kitchen sink so far: Cover letter G-1145 the check I-130 G-325A both her and myself passport pictures copies of our birth certificates (with translation in white book form) copies of our divorce decrees (once again, hers in white book form) copies of our passports copy of our Chinese marriage certificate (with white book) evolution of relationship letter (I'll be adding more when I get back) 3 pictures from each of the first 2 trips there (I'll be adding 3 more when I get back) copies of my airline tickets and receipts of places we went to while I was there a few emails from day one, and phone records and a good friend of hers will write an affidavit to affirm having personal knowledge of our relationship and marriage. Shwweee that's a lot of paperwork . . . . . Thanks

Hello, I'm preparing my I-130 for my wife. We live in Shanghai. I read I can file for DCF at Beijing or Guangzhou, any recommendations which one I should choose? Thank you for your feedback. Best, Julian

Just wanted to let everyone know that my wife was issued the CR1 this May, and was issued a IR1 when she arrived at the airport this July. Thanks for everyone's support. She'll be receiving her green card in the mail.

Well, I'm married now (!!!). After the hectic-ness of last week -- with the run to Shanghai, an endless wait at the embassy (6:00AM - 1:00PM), the marriage itself, and the usual bullshit given to us by the local PSB (they sent us to the police station nearest to her residence to get a form from them approving my residence at her parents' house, then they sent us to the police station nearest to my old apartment to get my original residence information, then back to the PSB where they asked my wife to scribble down a letter of invitation for me because, as the cop put it, "i think you need that, i think it's the same as a tourist visa as it is for a marriage one") -- we're gonna take a breather at home for a week. we get my passport back in 2 weeks, hopefully with a six month visa (with the 90-day exit/entry requirement), then i have to change my residence AGAIN (to my wife's family's house, because my old residence info will have finally expired by that time), and finally, we'll start work on her immigration. So, quick question: Should we definitely use an immigration lawyer? I paid 900 CAD to an agent to help with her Canadian Student Visa, which was denied, so I'm feeling a little burned by the process. But if you all think it's 100% necessary, then I will be hiring an immigration lawyer (we'll just need to decide on if we should get someone local or based in the U.S.). I have a friend that just went through this, for Canada, and he did use a lawyer. It took him 6 months; I'm hoping we can be home for christmas... It begins! - Sam

Hi everyone, I'm about to move to Houston, TX while my wife stays in China so that I can get a job for the affidavit of support. Our documents have made it to NVC. We are waiting for the NVC to send the information to Guangzhou. My wife can't get a travel visa to visit me. We have no idea how long this process will take. Would it make sense for my wife to apply for a K-3 and then switch her status once she moves to the USA? Is this even possible? Do I even know what I'm talking about? I am in the middle of researching this. Lee

My new girlfriend has a one year "M" B-2 visa and has already been to my lovely city already. We contacted a lawyer and he said doing a CR-1 here is not too much of an issue? She has a 14 year old son, and what is quicker to bring him here my thinking is K-1? The other issue is she was CCP when she taught at a university, is that better handled in the USA or in China?

Hi, Everyone, My wife and daughter attended the interview for their CR-1 & IR-2 cases last week. They were told the cases were approved and given a white sheet. I checked the CEAC site, their cases status are "Issued". We had entered the visa delivery information on the CGI stanley site (ustraveldocs.com). How will we be notified when the passports are ready for pick up? Via a phone call or email? We are waiting for the receiving of the passport so we can book the airline tickets. In addition, I know we need to pay the "immigration fee" before enter the US. I presume they will provide the details with the passport and visa when we receive them? The last question, our two years marriage anniversary is almost there. In order to receive the IR1 status instead of the CR-1 visa she was issued, can my wife enter the US on the anniversary day to meet the two years marriage requirement or she needs to arrive a day later than the anniversary to meet the requirement? Thanks in advance! Bill

Dear member on this Forum, I am a new member of this Forumm and surprising found so many helping hands and kindness here. I got married with my wife last year when I was a green card holder in US and she is a Chinese citizen in China. We had a baby in Jan in China. We were waiting for me to become an US citizen to file their green card application, so that our family can be reunited sooner. I am ready for filing the I-130 application. One big issue I overlooked and now seems a big problem is: my wife is a memebr of the communist party. It is not because the belief, It is simply the job requirement. She is not an currupted offical, just an office manager there in a state own company. My lawyer told us not to mention she is a party member, saying they have been applying a lot of cases till now without any issue. The lawyer said if we disclose this information, the application will be delaid for very long time. However, both my wife and I are honest and afraid that we lie to the UCSIC and the consequences will be even more severe. I missed my baby very much and can't bear being apart from my wife and daughter baby any longer. Please advise what is the best way to deal with this issue? Thank you in advance! billy chang

When filling out the g-325a and i-130 should my wife be using her English name (with my last name) as the "Name" and putting her Chinese name in "Other names used" or should it be the other way around?

We started our application process in earnest back in September 2013, finishing up in Jan 2014 (pending submission of one more document, probably next month). We've lived in Shanghai since 2004, have been married since 2006, and have 3 kids. Disclaimer: the immigrant visa application process is not static, it evolves, especially recently with the move to the new consulate building and online with ustraveldocs.com. So don't take the story below as a recipe for what the application process should look like; at best, let it serve as inspiration and a rough guide. This first post is the TLDR version; if you want a more in-depth story, jump to post #2 below. MICAH AND JODI'S DCF IR1 VISA ADVENTURE 2013/2014 – TLDR version I-130 Sep 8-9: E-mailed back and forth with USCIS in Beijing and made appointment. Collected these materials: * I-130, signed * Micah's G-325A, signed * Jodi's G-325A, signed * Marriage Certificate Notarial Translation (white book) * Passport photos, with names written lightly on the back in pencil * Rental contract showing common tenancy * Birth certificates of daughters * Photos of major life events together * Timeline of the relationship, including meeting, wedding, honeymoon, birth of children, trips to the US Sep 16-17: Travelled to Beijing, submitted documents. Paid the $420 fee. Sep 23: Received e-mail from USCIS with an attached scanned notice of petition approval, and a follow-up paper copy by mail. * Tip: There are a dozen print/copy shops on Xiaoyun Rd just north of the consulate. * Tip: Don't wait in line at the embassy; show your passport and waltz to the front of the line. * Tip: Deposit your backpack across the street from the embassy. DS-260 Oct 15: Received a phone call from Guangzhou asking for my e-mail address, and ten minutes later an e-mail with instructions for submitting these documents to CITIC: * Document Submission Letter (with download link) * DS-260 confirmation page print-out (filled out online) * One copy of biographical page of applicant passport * Two US-style passport photos of applicant Oct 25: Submited docs to CITIC at 331 Caoxi Rd, Xujiahui Metro exit 5 behind BuyNow. * Tip: Print out *every* piece of communication/documentation/attachment from Guangzhou. Interview Nov 5: Received E-mail from Guangzhou with case number, interview appointment instructions, and a link to a checklist on ustraveldocs.com of documents to prepare for the interview. Began to file back-taxes, find co-sponsor, collect documents on the checklist. Jan 6: Made an appointment through ustraveldocs.com for Jan 23 at 8:45am, the earliest interview date and time available. Jan 21: Travelled to Guangzhou Jan 22: Went to do medical check-up. Prepared: * Printout of P-3 email ("invitation letter") * Printout of the interview confirmation attachment * Applicant's passport * Any previous vaccination records * 5 photos Doors opened at 7:30, checked-in by 8:30, check-up was done by 9:30, report ready the same day at 3pm. Jan 23: Arrived at the consulate gate at 8am, let in at 8:15, lined up outside security for 30 minutes. Wife went in, I stayed outside. Documents submitted: see checklist on traveldocs.com, we went strictly by it. Result: Approved, conditional on submitting a new police report (ours was from Jan 2013, considered too old). * Tip: Make an appointment with ACS for same day so you can go inside the consulate; otherwise, you wait outside. * Tip: Check your bag/phone at the newspaper stand down the street. * Tip: For the consulate -- implement a more secure way for people to check bags, give line priority to babies/kids/elderly, and either prepare more change or use round numbers for the visa fee. Lessons learned Overall impressions carried away from this process: * Just follow the instructions from the consulate. * Don't try to do it all at once. * Keep good records, helps be consistent in filling out forms.

First, some of the info about our story: -Married for 5 years -One Child and a second one is on the way -Hubby has lived with me in China and Japan over the course of our marriage -We are not DCF cuz we were residing in Japan at the time, then we returned to China to get all the necessary documents for the interview. Documents we prepared: -Passport -The Updated AOS package(with 2013 tax returns) we sent to NVC: including Sponsor and Joint Sponsor's I864 and required ID proofs and other evidence(Like w2s, bank statements, etc.) -IV package: All notarized copies of my birth certificate, marriage certificate, and non criminal record, plus my Japanese Police clearance. -2 Visa photos -Sealed yellow envelope of medical report The following docs have NOT been accepted or even looked at( Just to give you an idea): -Hubby's Domicile proof: Job offers, school application and acceptance letter, possible health care for application once we land, research of maternity hospital/OBGYN near where we are going to stay, etc.. -More relationship evidence: A copy of my ITIN from IRS, matching visa stamps, First-born's CBRA, Japanese residence cards, pics over these years, plane tickets travelled together, etc.. -Resumes both in English and Chinese On the day of Interview, 5/27/2014: Appointment was at 8:15am, we got to the consulate at 7:40 and there were A LOT of people there already! After pass the guards in the front, I lined up in the line for immigration visa. Wait, then went thru security check. Then into the next building. Step one: Get a number This was the longest wait actually. You only line up and wait for your turn to the window. Nothing difficult. Then wait in the A Zone. The big screen will show the number and which window to go to. Very straightforward, no mystery here. Step Two: Documents hand-in When my number showed, I went to the window. The staff behind the window was polite, patient, and thorough. I submitted each document as he asked. And he asked if I have brought money to pay for the IV. I answered him I ve paid all the fees when at NVC, and I have brought both payment receipts ( AOS and DS260). He said in his system it doesn't show, but later on, he said it cleared. He asked me two questions: who is petitioning for you? Have you lived in another country than Japan? Then I was sent to B Zone to wait again. Step Three: Interview Just after I sat down, for like not even 2 minutes, my number showed up on the big screen again. I walked to the window, having no idea this was the actual interview. I thought they must have some other questions about the docs, because it was so quick. And For this whole time, I was picturing a room with tables and stuff like that. Till the American Consular Officer took my fingerprints and asked me to swear all these documents and answers are true, I then realized "Crap, this is it!" So he was just looking thru all my documents, with a stern face. Didn't say a word. He literally had NO facial expression whatsoever. He DIDNOT ask me wether I wanted to conduct the interview in English or Chinese, but spoke Chinese the whole time. His Chinese was very good. So I switched to Chinese too. He asked questions: 1. Where are you from? Which city? 3. How many children do you guys have? 4. Have you been to the US? 5. Have you joined the Party? Then he said, your visa has been approved! He gave me a white A4 paper with instructions on it. I COULDN'T believe that was it! I was like"So what do I do now? Do I just leave?" He was like "Yeah!" So I thanked him with gratitude and left! Then I read on the white A4 paper, the first line was "Congratulation! Your visa has been approved!" Then I believed it! So, don't expect a pink slip! The white one does it too as long as it says "your visa has been approved!" That was a short and pleasant experience. I was nervously calm. I had confidence when I went in. So I think if your marriage is legit, and you have the correct documents and they are not expired, you have nothing to worry about. Tips: 1. Organize all your papers into different folders with description penned on the covers. They don't take your folders, so they won't read it. Organize them by yourself, so you clearly know where what paper is! And even if you are freaked out a bit at the window, you can still find your papers by reading the covers. 2. Don't panic! I heard people ask the most stupid and brain dead questions! It's not necessary that you let the nerves get the best of you! You are not committing a crime here, but you just want to reunite with your spouse or family! Nothing shameful! 3. The CGI Stanley staff in red tshirts don't have the greatest manner or attitude when it comes to overly nervous people asking stupid questions. One staff kept telling people to sit down, like preschool teachers, seriously, and "look up at the screen"! To me, she was pretty rude. But it might be the best way to get thru to those nervous folks. They can tell you where the bathroom is, but beyond that, they won't be helpful about any specific documents. 4. Get fully prepared, don't forget anything! You are not allowed to go outside if you have come in to the building. Someone left some paper outside and wanted to go out and get it, but was told by CGI Stanley staff that once she gets out that door, she will have to make another appointment to have the interview. There is no coming in and going out once you are in. A day after the interview, on 5/28, our CEAC status changed from "Administrative Processing" to "ISSUED"!!! Now waiting for CITI bank to call me for picking up my passport!

Hey, guys! I just transferred from VJ to here cause our case was received by GUZ consulate two days ago. Here s where I am confused about: Our case was expedited at NVC and NVC notified us (per a call) that they can no longer provide info on our case since our case has been sent to the consulate. And on CEAC, our case was received on May 5 and it changed from "in transit" to "ready". But we have not received ANY email from the consulate about an IV date or any instructions (P4?). HOwever, I searched on VJ and found many members have received the famous P4 email on the same day as their case was received by the consulate. SHould I be worried? I called CGI Stanley earlier and got the "robot" standard answer. We are doing EP. Does anyone know whats going on? Or How long do we still have to wait? Thanks for your answers! We really appreciate it!

Yay!!!!! I just went thru the interview and got approved!!! It was super easy and short for me!! I ll write up a post about how it went once we get home. But Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!y A year waiting and wondering if this will ever gets done is now coming to an end!! We were not DCFed. So, it took us a year from USCIS to NVC then to this point. Thank you all for the help and knowledge! Now, the interviewee took my passport and how long do you guys think I will be waiting for the CEAC status changes to "Issued" ? Right now, it is still " Administrative process" updated today!

Hi All, I'm so glad to have found this community and hope to share and support one another! I'm flying over to Shanghai this Thursday for 2 weeks to spend time with my girlfriend and meeting her family. If all goes well, I will propose to her I need a little guidance on what's the best way and the general SOP (standard operating procedure) of getting her over here so we can start a life together. Quick background: I am a naturalized Chinese-American citizen - I'm full bilingual in Mandarin and English. I met my girlfriend October of 2012 while backpacking through China. She (A Chinese citizen, no connection to USA) was a fellow traveler as well. The chemistry between us was off the charts and we knew there was something special between us. We spent some time together and I flew home after 2 months in China. Since then we have chatted through social media, talked on the phone etc. almost daily. Then she came to visit the US October of 2013.(California) with a friend and I met them there and vacationed with them for 2 week. Sparks flew even more and by the time her vacation ended we knew we would be life partners. Again, we have kept in touch almost daily since then. So my question is, can someone give me a general overview of what my next steps should be? I should apply for a K-1 visa for her to come visit and get married within 90 days, correct? Any gotchas with the process? Through third hand information I heard I should take as much photos with her and her family to prove our relationship is not a fraud? Thank you everyone - if you could impart any wisdom I'd very much appreciate it!

Brought up a couple of times in the forums. http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_2993.html#4 Over the past year or so USCIS has been tying the two petitions together and approving them at the same time, and sending both to NVC at the same time. The above statement by DOS makes sense, the whole reason the "Life-ACT" K-3 was developed was for the Spouse of US citizen to be able to enter the USA and WAIT for I-130 approval, at the time K-3 was developed the I-130 was taking a VERY long time to process through USCIS to approval, and the I-129F for non-immigrant fiance visa was fairly quick, so it was setup so that a spouse waiting for approval of their visa petition can be treated like a fiancee and come to the USA in about the same time as a fiancee. I guess all the extra fees paid to USCIS has actually resulted in some improvement in service, the I-130 no longer is taking years to approve so the K-3 is starting to become a thing of the past.[/url]

Hi everyone this is my first post. I am posting for a friend of mine who's going through this problem. Here's the situation: - My friend is a naturalized US Citizen. He was married with his wife in China, and they are living there, for over 2 years. - My friend applied for his wife to come to US, by filing I-130 stateside. It was filed around March 2013. It was approved and sent to NVC just recently, March 2014. -They had a baby girl born on July 2013 in China. - My friend thought his baby could get US Citizenship automatically. But when he went to the embassy, he found out she can't. Because he did not meet the "5-year US residency" requirement. - My friend will have to file for I-130 for his baby to come to US. Then, once the baby sets foot in the US, she can become citizen right away. Now, apparently, we would want the baby and the mother to come to US together. If my friend files I-130 stateside, it would take a whooping 12 months + for process. The baby cannot be separated from her parents that long. Again, the mother's case is now in NVC, and they were just starting to file I-864 and DS-260 etc for the mother. What can we do for the child? How can we get the baby to come with the mother? Please help. Thank you.

I bet this question has been asked many times but searching did not reveal an answer. I am wondering which is the safer way to go, K1 or CR1. Thanks, Brad

I've been married to my SO for over a year and a half but she couldn't move here yet due to family/work commitments. She's visited a half dozen times on tourist visas, though. She finally finished everything and was ready to move here for good and we were looking at starting the paperwork for her K visa, however, since she still had 8 months or so left on her tourist visa, I told her to just fly over and we'll just start on the next step. She arrived last week but now I'm sort of lost on what exactly that next step is. I was reading up on the "adjustment of status" but I think that's for K visas? Can anyone point me in the right direction? I hope I didn't make a mistake by having her come here... I apologize if this is a very common question, I've searched the forum a little for something similar but had no luck.

Hi all, this is my first post. The site was recommended when I had some questions, so I hope you can help me. I'm Alex, an American. Vivienne is my wife, she is Chinese. We want to move to the US in August/September of this year. We're hoping to get a CR-1 visa for her. Our situation is really complicated, so I will do my best to explain it... I moved to Beijing on an F visa in February of 2012. In June of 2012, I moved to Hong Kong on a work permit. Since September, I have lived in Xiamen, first on a long-term F visa (I was at Xiamen University) and now on one of those you-must-leave-the-country-every-30-days business travel visa (Vivienne owns a small market research firm in HK, and sponsored me for this visa) Our combined income should be sufficient to fill out the I-864, but only for 2013, so I'm asking my parents to fill one out as well, which brings me to my first question, 1) If I fill out an I-864, does that make my parents "the only joint sponsor" or the "first / second of two joint sponsors"? 2) Am I eligible to apply through the Guangzhou consulate? I have lived in Greater China for two years now. I have a Chinese and Hong Kong bank account, and together with Vivienne I rent an apartment here (though the lease is in her name). 3) If I'm not eligible because of my F visa, I have an opportunity to apply for a Q1 visa here while Vivienne and I head to her hometown for Spring Festival. Once I'm on a Q1, could I apply right away for the CR-1, or would I have wait until I've been here for six months? Of course, I'd much rather be on a Z visa, but it's hard to find work when you won't be around for a year. I think that's it.. Please let me know if you have any advice. Sincerely, Alexander & Vivienne

Hi, I am ready to mail in my I-130 petition. I want to confirm that I DON'T mail in the I-864. Also, is it ok, for the pictures and communication, to send only a disk? Should I send a few pictures without the disk?