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Started the process on 2/24 in Beijing. (See previous posts by yours truly). The missus had her interview on 5/29 in GZ and everything went smooth as could be. We showed up bright and early for the 7:15 appointment, arriving around 6ish. My only complaints about the entire process would be that the "lines" (there were supposed to be 3 for immigration visas) were pretty poorly organized, managed, and policed. It was pretty much chaos until you had your passport/appointment letter reviewed and went upstairs. Once upstairs, the wife was in and out in about 2 hours. She said it would have gone faster, but while waiting for fingerprints it took a really long time. Eventually they learned that, apparently, there was an old "peasant" woman who the staff were simply unable to fingerprint. She'd literally worked so hard all her life that her fingerprints were worn off. After trying a couple of machines, it sounds like the staff figured out the issue and moved her aside and did something else (unclear what) while processing the rest of the folks who did have fingerprints. I killed time in the expensive coffee shop outside of where you exit. Tip for folks doing that - drink as many cups as you can, since it'll average out to reasonable on a per cup basis, since refills are cheap. As an aside, we stayed with the Yangs. He was super nice (only met him) and the apartment we stayed in was fine. Nothing fancy, but honestly, if you've traveled around China beyond 1st tier cities, and especially if you've stayed with the inlaws, you've almost certainly stayed in more humble trappings. The place was relatively clean, the airconditioning worked (YES!) and its damn close to the embassy. Also, with the new system, we were in GZ less than 24 hours. Flew in late on the 28th, and flew out the evening of the 29th, same day as her interview. Passport with visa arrived in Wuhan (her hometown) at CITIC bank about 10 days later. She's schedule to fly stateside on the 29th to finally meet me (I flew back to the US after GZ). One lesson learned - when I flew back stateside, I brought a ton of her stuff with me. Thinking she'd used most of the immigration materials she'd need, I mistakenly brought the Xrays from her medical with me. Dumb mistake, as when the passport arrived in WH, it specifically noted you have to have those in hand when going thru immigration in the US. So I've had to fedex them back, to the tune of $180!!!! Expensive lesson learned. So we're really just about there - she'll be here in a week! Couple of final questions for you "old hands." How long after she arrives does it typically take to get the green card? (Assuming it comes by mail?) She's anxious to start looking for work already! And anyone know how long it usually takes to get a SSN Card from the time of application? Likewise, she's hot to get a driver's license and car, but we're told you need an SSN to apply for a license? And lastly, I think that once upon a time, when you immigrated, they asked you if you wanted to make any changes to your name (i.e. adopt a more western sounding name)? Is that an old wive's tale, or true? And if true, anyone know when they do it and how it works? Thanks so much for all the advice - this forum - and its members, have been a lifesaver. The missus and I have discussed that as soon as she gets her first paycheck, we're definitely making a donation. This board's an amazing resource for so many, and definitely saved us time, trouble, money and heartache. And, undoubtedly, we'll be back. Still have to go from conditional to permanent resident status in a couple of years... and know she'll eventually want to try to have her Mom come join us. Thanks again, Charlie

I have a question regarding the timeline. Working on a CR-1 visa for my wife (just received the form for affidavit of support today), but wondering if we can also apply for a tourist visa for her? I have my parents' 50th wedding anniversary in November, and looking through these posts, not sure if I can trust the timeline to go smoothly. Would she need to stay outside of the US during this process, or can we apply for a tourist visa simultaneously? Thanks! Sammy

I'm not sure where to post this but I'm getting worried. It'sd been 3 weeks since my wife and step-daughter arrived in the country. The green cards have yet to arrive. The Social Security cards have arrived but no green cards. What is the normal wait time for the cards to arrive? Bubba

Hi, My wife and daughter are both Japanese citizens, and I'm a US citizen. We live in China, currently, but we are considering moving back to the US during the years when my daughter goes to college. It looks like some things would be easier if my daughter had a green card while she is attending college. For example, it will be easier for her to get a part-time job, tuition might be lower, etc. Maybe there are other benefits, too?? As I understand it, getting a green card for her will be more difficult after she is 18. Is that true? Are there any other age limits that I need to worry about? She is currently 14. She is my wife's biological daughter, but not my biological daughter. Would it make any difference if I formally/legally adopt her? thanks ciao

Dearest Candle Lovers, After almost seven years in Beijing, and two and a half years of marriage to my Chinese wife, it's finally time to leave (China, not my wife!). I just got accepted to grad school, and have to be back in the US in August, so now I am frantically trying to figure out the most efficient way to get my wife home with me by August if at all possible. I have noticed a handful of people here in the forums who managed to do the whole process in under four months, and I'm hoping that our application process can go just as smoothly (but not getting my hopes up... I know so much of it is out of our hands, but we'd like to give it our best shot and at least get everything right the first time and get things submitted as quickly as possible). I've read up as much as time has allowed over the past week since getting accepted to grad school, but I'm working every day from the butt crack of dawn to the wee hours of the morning on a big project that will require me to work every single day like this until early May. So most of my research time has been on my phone while riding the subway (and its taken me several subway rides to write these questions!). After my initial research, here are the biggest questions that I'm most anxious about at the moment, in order of priority (the first one being most urgent): 1. I want to do a DCF filing, but I've read that you must have a residence permit and a valid visa. I've lived in China for seven years, first on a student visa, then four years on a business visa, and the past two years since getting married I've been on a travel visa (since we got married in the US and didn't get our marriage license translated and notarized at Chinese consulate in US, we couldn't apply for dependency visa for me in my wife's hometown, and since we go home to US every Christmas anyway, I just make a new visa at home every year). Will a travel visa be considered a "valid visa" for a DCF application? Also, after my first year as a student here in Beijing, I've been working as a freelance photographer, and as such have been unable to find any employers to sponsor me for a work visa. Yes folks, I'm sad to say, I am an illegal alien (more about this in Question 2 about my taxes). Is this going to hurt my chances with USCIS and GUZ, or can I potentially use this to support my case for residence here in China? The other problem is that my landlord for my Beijing residence lives abroad and has the hukou book with him, so the nephew who maintains the apartment has claimed from the beginning that they can't register me at the local police station (I've pushed them on this issue and they've refused to budge). This police station pass is the "residence permit" that I need to apply for DCF, right? If I can get a Chinese friend to register me as living with him at his local police station, would that be enough to only have a residence permit valid from right before I submit the application? Otherwise I don't see any way that I can get permits for the past several years! 2. I'm a bit worried about proving my financial stability. As I mentioned above, I work freelance here in Beijing. I'm almost always paid in cash or bank transfer with no questions asked and no taxes reported on the China side. It's my understanding that Americans living abroad don't have to pay taxes on foreign income up to about $92,000 if they are a resident in that country, so I've not turned in a tax return the past several years (which I've only now realized I was supposed to do even if I didn't owe anything... DOH!). However, I do have enough money saved up to get me and my wife through the next three years of school (and I will continue to work freelance on the side in the US - legally this time! - and my wife plans to work full-time as well). So what do I do about not having any tax returns for the past several years? Can I submit now for past years not submitted (and will this look bad to visa officer)? And does USCIS and GUZ care that I was working here on the wrong visa? Also, given my situation what is the best way to prove that my wife and I will not become a financial burden to the state? If I show bank account records in China and US with a fair bit of money, will they question my not having submitted tax returns? Can I avoid this, or at least supplement my application, by having one of my parents co-sponsor us? Also, how early do I need to submit financial information in the immigration visa process? Can I go ahead and submit the I-130 form without it to get the ball rolling on our application? 3. I've read up on the DCF filing process and am pretty familiar with the procedure, but I'm still unclear on how to GET STARTED. I've seen different info about this. Do I first put together my I-130 packet and then make an appointment to drop it off? Or do I make an appointment to pay a fee, and then after paying I mail in my I-130 packet? Is the I-130 packet the first thing I need to give them, or do I have to submit something else before that? Also I've heard lots of people say that they submitted a lot of materials early on before it was asked for (and even stuff that isn't requested). Is it recommended to do this when I send in the I-130 packet if my goal (like most people I'm sure) is to expedite the process as much as possible? I apologize for the long post (and my exceedingly obvious ignorance), and if any of you brave souls have made it this far I'm already extremely grateful. Any advice at all from this great community would be much appreciated!!!

If my fiance's daughter is turning 18 this september, does she still qualify for the visa under the fiance visa? Do we only have to start the process before she turns 18? My fiance will be coming to the U.S. in July for 6 weeks. Is it legal for us to marry while she is here? If we marry, how does this affect the daughter coming here?

So as some of you may know, I finally officially proposed in February. We took a little bit to think about how to go about the process of getting married, and immigration. We decided it would be best to do it in China as it would be easier for her family to attend. We wanted to do it in May, but her cousin is getting married that month, and we don't want to hypothetically steal their thunder in a sense. So we were thinking of getting our certificate in May "essentially a courthouse marriage" dressing up a bit, and having a small, but nice dinner with some family members as a proto-celebration. I will then return to the United States, file for her Immigration Via CR-1, and return in October to have an official celebration and ceremony. By the time her interview comes we will have had the ceremony, and have some nice pics and so on. My question, do you think this may raise any eyebrows in the embassy? Would this create any problems?

Hi All, My wife and I were married May 2011 in China. Shortly after I returned I lost my job. I finally found a permanent position in Jan 2012. My finances did not recover until August 2012. I started become ill in September of 2012 and finally had an operation for removal of a tumor in Jan 2013. I am now recovered both financially and medically, but a lot of time has elapsed since May2011. My wife and I are concerned that immigration will hold this against us. I was wondering if any advise you can give me. I am also applying for my stepson, (he is 15 years old). Do I need to supply a separate cover letter for him or should I list his documents on the same cover letter? Regards, Chris

Everything went according to plan. My reams of paperwork paid off. Questions that were asked. To my wife: Who is your petitioner? Where are you going to live in the US? Who is Co-Sponsor? Where will your cosponsor? Are you going to work in the US? What kind of work? How many marriages have you and your husband had? Are you a member of the CCP? Where have you been with your husband? (Travel) Did you read the pamphlet? What was it about? Question for my stepdaughter: How old are are you? Favorite Subject in school? Where do you go to school? What are your hobbies? Easy interview according to the ladies? Now what do we do next? Is there anything we need to do before heading to the states?

My fiancee and I are just starting the process of immigration to the US for her and getting married. Our situation is unique with added opportunity but also some unique challenges. While we are both pretty sharp at navigating the immigration process when we know what to address, we could use help for what we don't know to address. Here is our story as it is evolving: I have never been married and have no children. She was divorced 2 years ago and has a daughter that is a junior in high school.We met mid September, 2012 on www.ChinaLoveMatch.netOur attraction for each other was very strong and fast. Emailing, chatting and video-chating almost everyday.In a few days I purchased plane tickets to China dated for mid November, 2012A few days later I purchased more plane tickets to China for late December, 2012.We met in person 11/11/2012 in her city in China. We spent 2 weeks visiting each other: her friends and business contacts near her home; then her daughter, brother's family and her parents in another city; her old classmates in yet another city; and tourists sites in Beijing.By the time we met her parents 11/17/2012 we told them of our plans to get married. They have given us their blessing.I purchased more plane tickets to China in early December dated for early March, 2013.We will be together in her city for two weeks starting 12/23/2012.We will travel South China together for two weeks starting 3/3/2013.We have completed our I-129F but have not submitted it because I'm not sure about some issues: My address is confusing and I don't want to confuse where I'm living now and where we plan to live when she gets her visa.My home is in Montana. I am a self employed Chemical Engineer and an Apartment Landlord. My Apartment Bldg. is in MT. This house is where we will live when she gets her visa.Almost all of my Chemical Engineering work is in Utah. I rent a room in a shared house there. My schedule is typically 1 week off per month. If I wasn't going to China so much I would spend most of that time off at my Montana house.It's not relevant now, but 1 year ago, similarly I lived in my small home in central WY for 3 years while I did chemical engineering work there. Utah was an opportunity I couldn't say no to when I thought I was returning to MT.In December, I started extended work trips to central Nevada. I am given shared company housing there. They are patient with all my trips to China. I think this project will last through April, 2013 but so far I have only completed two weeks so we are still developing the scope of work.Our plan is for me to keep working until at least the end of April, 2013 while we wait for her Visa but if the wait for the visa stretches much later, I am interested in living in China for 3 month intervals with about 1.5 months in the US between trips.On one hand we would like her to experience my traveling work and be part of the decision when to quit.On the other hand we would rather be together in China if the wait for the visa gets long.She is also self employed, in China of course. Her business is very valuable for the time it requires.She has a daughter that is a junior in high school at a boarding school some 400 miles away, but near her parents and her brother's family.The idea is to keep her business and home going until she can give them to her daughter after graduation.But maybe her daughter will go to University, maybe she won't.If her daughter doesn't go to University, the daughter might be better off with the business, the house, and continuing education in art and business nearby via some less conventional way. (In the US I would call it night school or community college plus private art studio training. I'm told those don't exist in China.....)Her parents are retired and are willing to keep the business and home going for some time to help transition to the daughter after she gets her visa.She would like to visit China each year between October and February to participate in the business' busy season.Our big picture plan is to live in Montana, manage the real estate investments, enjoy our home, potentially start another small business, and be snowbirds to China during the winter.Some of the annual trip to China will be to visit family.Some of the annual trip to China will be to touch base with the business.Some of the annual trip to China will be to visit south China to enjoy the weather.So while it would be nice to have a quick Visa process, what we really need is some certainty to not mess anything up while we live a somewhat transient lifestyle, and some guidance how to complete all the application paperwork in a way that doesn't alarm someone looking for “conventional stability” as part of our qualifications. In summary, some key points: On the I-129F, is it a problem for me to list different address for my current location and where she (we) intend to live in the US after she gets her visa? Of course we will live together there, but the I-129F doesn't allow us to make that clear.She has a high school junior daughter in boarding school so far away that they only see each other about once per year. She moving to the US and then being back in China for 3 months each year doesn't really change anything with their relationship but again the I-129 doesn't offer anywhere to explain (I guess it doesn't even address if the child will stay in China or not.) The daughter stays with her father during summer breaks.We would like to proactively manage my engineering business but we need some idea of time frame for her visa. 4, 8, 12, 16 months?...... there are certainly some grueling stories on www.CandleForLove.comAnd one last question, I saw that Shenyang is listed as a US consulate that can be used for visa application. Is that true or do we have to specify Guangzhou? What suggestions do you have for us?

DCF Guangzhou Experience Monday March 11, 2013 Appt time:12:30 Arrived for the line around 11:15, already over 100 people in line, there were 2 or more lines, as mentioned in prior posts, we had to ask which one was immigration, but found the correct one. 12:15 they started checking the appt letter and passports, handing people green/blue/black cards to proceed upstairs to the security check. I followed up to the first check, mainly because I was curious, but ducked out of line before the next one. First check is just basic screen, second check on the next floor is the full check with removal of belt, shoes, etc. Document hand in was relatively easy, the girl at the counter didn’t really ask for the documents because my husband just kept handing her one document after the other. She did however ask my husband questions about the documents such as, oh I see you have a co-signer and the wife, what is her name (he answered), where did you meet your wife, when did you get married, she also had us give our original marriage certificate and my husbands original birth declaration certificate… Documents submitted on the Doc intake day: -Original passport -Photos -Birth documents, baptismal card, affidavit of hospital closure, affidavit from father, national population certificate (notorial copy and original), affidavit of age declaration C This is all due to husbands birth country - medical forms (not the x-ray) - Marriage certificate (both notorial copy and original) - I-864 of petitioner with 3 years tax transcripts and job offer letter, I-864 of co-sponsor and I-864A for spouse of co-sponsor along with 3 years tax transcripts, 3 most recent paystubs, letter from current employer, copy of co-sponsor’s passport (proof of US domicile returned and was not looked at or asked for during both interview days) - Original police clearance for both home country and China Went to the cashier window and paid the $230 (note they DO NOT accept Chinese bank cards, someone had to leave and withdraw cash for this), waited for the number to be called again at the original window to give the payment receipt. She stamped the appointment letter with the return at 7:30am tomorrow stamp. They also stapled an EMS slip to be filled out by us and instruction sheet to be returned tomorrow during our interview along with a pamphlet on domestic abuse and further procedure for visa and AOS Waited some more time to be called for finger printing, seemed to take a while to get all the fingerprints completed. Left around 3:30pm Tuesday March 12, 2013 Appt time: 7:30am Arrived around 6:45am, not many people were there yet, but many more lines today than yesterday. They made 2 lines (green dot, and none) along with other lines for what I could tell were just normal visa appointments. They let the people with the green dots in first, then let in the other appointment lines, and then back to the people (like us) that had their letter stamped without a green dot. A little note, people that arrived later than 7:30 with a green dot were made to wait for other lines to be checked). At about 7:45am we were inside the building waiting in a much longer security line than yesterday. It was quite fast, but again I ducked out before the first check. Everyone entered the hall and took an oath, in Chinese, then sat and waited for their numbers to be called. (The VO wanted my husband to do it again in English, but said he did it in Chinese already) The number was called, walked up to the counter and the VO greeted my husband first with a good morning, do you remember me? My husband said yes, she said, yeah I finger printed you yesterday, I remember you. And from there the conversation took off. She scanned the bar code and waited for the case to come on the computer. He handed our passports, she returned mine without looking. She then asked about the relationship, will he live in this state? Where? The VO was from the same state so they shared some commentary on that. She also seemed to review the documents from the intake yesterday as she asked if my husband came to live with me in November as stated from dates on the police certificate (he clarified with other documents). She asked if we had pictures, my husband handed her a binder with both wedding and relationship pictures, which she loved, and commented on the colors of our wedding, traditional dress, etc. The VO was very friendly and commented that our file was very organized and she’d never seen a file like it before. She then half jokingly said, oh, are you a member of the CCP, my husband said no. She then said CONGRATULATIONS!! took the EMS slip and handed him an APPROVAL LETTER with his case number and Alien number, the copy of EMS form, and instructions on how to pay the $165 online before entering the states, and our original marriage and population cert. 10:40am he walked out with the approval My husband said he enjoyed the talk with the officer so much that when he came out he told me that she didn’t ask any questions…then later said she was quite sneaky with them! He also noted that a lot of people seemed to have received the blue slip and knew of some denials as well. My advice is to stay calm, get your ducks in a row, and you’ll be fine! 2 days later EMS states the package is in the sorting center

any thing that my wife should prepare for?? tips or comments?

My wife had a very simple interview where most of the things that she brought were not even looked at. Questions were: 1. How is your English? 2. Would you rather we use Mandarin? 3. How long have you and your husband been together? 4. Where did you and him meet? And then a "congrats you're visa is approved". My wife and I split to Hong Kong for a few days to celebrate and yesterday on the train back to Beijing her mother called her and said the envelope with her passport and stuff had arrived and that they'd be shipping it up to us to Beijing today. All in all a very anti-climatic ending to a process that was very nerve-wracking. Like someone here says, "everyone gets the visa. It's just a matter of how long it takes." I'd say that's about right. Follow the directions on the forms and you'll be just great. All told, from the day I petitioned via DCF in Beijing last September 15th, or so until the visa was approved in Guangzhou on January 18 was just about 4 months to the day. Much faster than I had anticipated. So that wraps up the immigration journey for my wife and I. This has been and continues to be a great forum for people like me who just a few months ago were pretty clueless about how to go about getting my wife a green card. Thanks everyone who helped out along the way!

hi everyone. now that my wife has her visa in hand and will be in the states on dec. 8th what comes after that? does she need to apply for a green card right away? can we get her a state ID card with the visa? we have been so absorbed in the visa process we never stopped to think about what comes after the visa. and help/hints/advice will be greatly appreciated. BTW...i was informed last night that we will not be using the heat just need to buy thick quilts and wear more clothes in the house. lol. i live in the mountains....we will see how that goes

I'm in the process of helping my brother fill out the I-130 form for his spouse in China. As far as I know, she doesn't have an English name, and her name is printed in Chinese characters on the marriage certificate. How do I fill out the I-130 form for her name and address? Do I have to get them translated? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

My boyfriend has just proposed to me and now I need to decide whether we should get a fiancee visa and get married in US or if I should go to China and get married there and then bring him here as my husband. I understand that fiancee visa may be faster, but my concern is that I am significantly older than my boyfriend. Will this raise a red flag for a fiancee visa?

Going for the CR-1 & 2. My new wife was actually born in Viet Nam. Her Chinese parents lived there when most of their kids were born. 2-3 children died there. Parents move back to China. They go to the government to register all the kids. They get the birthdays mixed up with her dead sister. They don't bother to register the dead. She has a document showing she was born in a Chinese city in China with the wrong birthdate. Her and her parents were told by the Chinese government that there is no way to correct the birthdate. She has no way to get any record from Viet Nam, if one even exists. So, I am thinking of just getting the translation of the birth paper showing all in China. If I mention all this mix up Viet Nam business will that open a can of worms? On all documents she has in China it has the wrong birthdate and she just keeps it going that way. Only a Guangxi has a work record book showing Viet Nam as place of birth, but that is over 5 years ago, and we don't have to report that. Also that is only because she told them she was born there. Again no Chinese government record, although that book is a record since all her work career has been with a province or a team, civil servant. ONTHE OTHER HAND, I like to be honest. But man if one cannot get records? What to do? (maybe it is a way to get her true birthday on American records? Not that it matters to either of us.) Any advice is appreciated.

Hi folks, It's been a few years since I last posted....the disappointment and humiliation of my GF's (now wife) 2nd B2 visa denial in Beijing really took the wind out of our sails. Since that time we got married (2 yrs next month) and relocated to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam where I currently work. We've been together for 6 years and still no chance for her to visit the USA and now that we're married I know that a B2 visa is out of the question. Looking for any solution I consulted an experienced American immigration lawyer in BKK who covers SE Asia. His advice was to go the CR-1 route, that she'd get the IV visa and then just use it to vist the States, then surrender the green card (since we're not actually immigrating) and that would prove non-intent to immigrate making it easier to get a B2. Such is the convoluted logic that this process brings about. So......good advice, really bad advice, practical advice? Has anyone here gone this route? Just wanted to visit, got an IV then didn't actually immigrate? In case you are wondering....we've already applied....we were case complete at the NVC on Aug 14 so just waiting for an interview date which we expect to be assigned any day now (for interview in HCMC....by the way, my wife is Chinese) What has me worried now is proof of immigration intent and domicile. The lawyer downplays this....just need an address in the states...only need to show reasonable intent to immigrate within the validity of the IV. While I am looking for employment back in the States it's not likely to happen in the next 7 months anyway. I work here in VN, don't own a home in the US (using my mother's address to receive mail, etc). I have a valid driver's license, bank account, my children from a previous marriage live there (which is my main motivation for wanting to repatriate anyway) etc....would like to bring my wife back so I can get her name on my bank account, etc. So....are we going to be denied for this? Needless to say.....a rejection this time would be devastating....my wife thinks America is already effed up as it is with this process (how come it's so damn easy for me to live in China but she can't even visit the US) and my only hope to convince her otherwise is a chance to show her how lovely the States really is. of course, the thing that makes it worse is that I try to follow the rules and she hears all the time from other Chinese how they manage to lie/finagle their way to a visa of some sort. so it's frustrating..... anyway......would appreciate your comments and moral support.......thanks Regards Will

Well i can already see I'm going to have GOLD thingies before i know it at this rate. As some may know I'm helping my sister in-law and her new guy with the paper work I-130 ( Could be a red flag right out of the gate) For the last few days i have been searching CFL for up to date info. Most current (That i could find was 2009-2010) and most were White slips. I understand the process is faster but is GUZ still saying NO!!! This guy ( Sister in-laws future husband) is a very nice guy BUT lives back in the stone ages. He is very smart and has a great job. The thing is, He has a real problem with technology (Computers, smart phones, web cams and so on) and this is why I'm doing everything for them. (another red flag) How he found my sister in-law in the first place? God only knows! I could really use some help from current members and or the ones that just finished the process. don't matter, K1, K3, CR1, IR1 what ever. I could also use some current info of front loading. Back in 06 when hong and i stared this process i only gave what they asked for and nothing else. We back loaded on interview day. ( kitchen sink,) and it worked, Kinda. ( See time line) As i said most current info is from 2009-2010 and most if not all were for a INA 221(g) not a valid relationship. I would love to here from ya all what is going on with GUZ now days 2012. Thanks. Mike

Hi, guys... My girlfriend and I would like to start the K1 process this year and I'm a bit confused about our options. We met in China in December 2010 and were together up until February of 2012. Then I left for Europe for a few months and we just spent this summer together, two months to be exact. Now I'm back in New York and she's in Wuhan and we'd like to apply for the K1 right away. What I'd really like to know is what can we do to ensure we have the best possible chance of getting this thing? I have seen some people say it's best to do it all yourself, but bureaucrats make me nervous, no matter how meticulously I fill out their forms and jump through their hoops. The reason I found this forum, actually, was by seeing Marc Ellis' name mentioned frequently when I did searches on this topic, and I traced him back here. Long story short, I'm heavily leaning toward just hiring a good, recommended lawyer and letting him advise and guide us through the process. This way I can concentrate on what I'm doing now (starting a new job) and, also, he can help prepare my girlfriend for the interview, when the time comes. I know this all sounds jumbled. I feel...worried, I guess. I'd just like to find a thread to latch on to so that I can just get this started. Do you guys think, in your experience, that getting a lawyer is a good step? Also, how much would one cost? I've seen prices ranging from $1,000 to $1,500. Also, lawyer fees aside, how much do the actual application processing fees cost on the government's side? That information I haven't been able to find anywhere. Pardon the long post. I really appreciate your advice.

Hi! I an American living in Yunnan for 8 years and married the love of my life (together for 5 years). My wife and I run a tea business here in Kunming and we are wanting to be able to spend 3 or 4 months a year in the USA to expand our business and spend time with my father who is getting on in years. It seems the fastest and most appropriate way is the CR-1 visa, but I am not sure if that will work for us since both my wife and I need to be in China for much of the year. I am here on a Z visa for more than 3 of the 8 years I have resided in China. So my questions are: 1. Can my wife and I travel back and forth between China on this visa? Are there some kind of time requirements for staying in the US after she gets it? 2. For income... does the USCIS look at the gross adjusted income or total income? In other words, will they look at my income after the Foreign Earned Income credit has been deducted or before? I remember in 2010 when I was shopping for a mortgage the banks refused to acknowledge FEI credit and said I was making $35,000 a year when in fact it was closer to $125,000 a year. I own a house in the US (rental), land and other assets exceeding $250,000 in value. My wife and I have been working our butts off here in China and want to spend more time in the US for a change of scene. Thanks in advance... - Yunnan Puer

Just an update on my specific situation: I've been living in China for about 5 years now and I recently got married here and I'm working on filling out the I-130 to petition for my wife to be able to immigrate to America so we can move back to the US. While filling out the form I had a couple questions that weren't really covered on the instructions page. First quesion: Question 21 on the form says, "If filing for your husband/wife, give last address at which you lived together." We are now married and currently living together at this address so for the date should I type the word "present" in or write the same date as the date I'm filling out the form? Second question: Question C.2. on the form asks for her address. Should this be the address of her parents where she was living before moving in with me or should it be our current address? Thanks in advance for any advice you guys are able to give. -Darren

New questions folks. Years ago back in 06 when hong and i went down this road. We filed together the I-130 and the I-129f. The horse race ended with a I-129f blue slip But ended up with a I-130 PINK (See my time line) In order to help my sister in-law i have a few questions. They will marry in China (Chongqing) 1) Can they file the I-130 ONLY and forget the I-129F? 2) What has changed from then to now? 3) Is the process any quicker/faster than before (Timeline) 4) Not a question but with the new forum lay out i can't find any old info like i did back in 06 Mike

Hello All, I've been reading through this forum, and it has been very helpful, though has made me very anxious about this process. I have been with my girlfriend for almost 2 years now, and have been living together for over 1 year. We love each other very much, and hope to get married and move back to the U.S. together. However, after research, it seems the best way is to first get a K-1

I have been in China for a year now under a Z visa for work as an English teacher. I have been living with my girlfriend for six months now. We would like to get married but are unsure of where we should get married. Would it be better to get married in the US with a K1 visa? Or get married here in China and apply for a K3 visa? Which process would be faster? We would also be applying for a K2 visa for her 15 year old daughter. What is DCF and do I qualify or do I file the paper work in the US? I have never attempted anything like this before so this is kind of overwhelming for me. Would appreciate any advice you can give and also a list of documents that I will need. I have downloaded and have started filling out the G-325A, I-134, I-129F, DS-230 I Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated.