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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

Hi, To be more specific: I filed a i-130 petition in Guangzhou for my wife last thursday. It was her choice to use an agent for this process -- one based in Guangzhou -- though I'm sure I could've done it with you fine folks. The agent gave a very different answer to us re: wait times pending approval than the embassy did, though the embassy guy I spoke to tended toward dodging any direct answers to my questions of this nature. Anyways, the embassy guy said he had "heard" that the low end of the wait time for i-130 approval was "about 4 months." The lawyer, in great contrast, assured us we would have an answer in "two weeks," that at the moment application volume is low and that she does this so often that she's very aware of how long these things are taking right now. Personally, mentally, I've been splitting the difference, roughly, and assuming it will take about 1-2 months. That seems to be what most of the literature I've read has suggested, anyway. I'm just curious, since you all have been really helpful in the past, if anyone has current info on this, and could ease my anxiety-ridden mind a bit. I know all this is gonna take some time, I know that no one knows exactly how much time -- but any wisdom at all is appreciated. I had really hoped we'd be able to leave by Christmas, or at least New Years. It's, again, something our agent assures is possible. I imagine it's not likely, but having some kind of general time frame would help us plan our future a bit. For instance, I'm still not working. (On that last point, I'm here in China currently on a Q1 visa. I haven't been home to the US for over a year, and I haven't worked for the last 4 months because of my visa status, save some tutoring. This shouldn't be an issue for the public charge portion of the DCF process, however, since my grandparents have already filled out the applications of support as our joint sponsors, and their income fits the requirement.) S.

Hey everyone, So I'm at a crossroads here. My wife is a Chinese citizen. We got married while she was here in the US, and she has now returned to China. I am moving to China (Guangzhou) in 4 days to work. Given the situation, I can choose two things here: potentially go through DCF or just submit an I-130 before I leave this week. I think the safe route is to just submit the I-130 here. However, I'd really prefer DCF if I can get things to work out (for timing reasons). The key is that the embassy/consulates in China require that one lives in China for 6 months (e.g. working) before one can qualify to go through the DCF process. Does anyone have any experience with doing DCF in China more recently? I read that the rule is not always strictly enforced. If I have a work permit, will they potentially allow me to file through DCF even before the 6 month minimum? If we go through filing an I-130 now, then how long will that take? I've seen a few other people on VisaJourney forums and other places whose time between filing and entry into the US only took ~7-9 months (from China). If we can pull of the same time, then it's no problem, but it'd be rather unfortunate for us if it takes longer than that. The goal is to be able to come back to the US in July or August of 2015. Thanks, Dan

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

Hello there, I am new to the forum and am seeking some advice. I am a US Citizen, I have been working in China on a Z-visa for 3 years with a net income of about 20,000 RMB a month which is deposited into my Chinese bank account. I don't send over any money to my inactive empty American bank account. I have about 50,000 RMB in my local bank account. I don't currently have a job waiting for me back in the US and am working for a local company. My girlfriend and I have been dating for one year and we are getting our hukou in Harbin in October. After the hukou, I plan to apply for her to immigrate to America (I-130). Can anyone tell me what minimal financial standing I or she needs in order for us to to get approved? To be specific: Should I send money over to my US bank? Does she need to have any money in her own local bank account? (I deposit some money over to her every month to help pay bills/rent to the landlord) I am planning to ask my mother (home owner/ my residence in the US) and brother (high income) to apply for affidavit of support with me. Another note is I filed bankruptcy about 5 years ago but I've been maintaining several credit cards and building back my credit. All of your input is very much appreciated. Best of luck to all of us. Thank you. Julian

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

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.

I am not sure if the I-130 can be handed in at the ebmassy in Guangzhou. I saw that the USCIS has a walk-ins on Fridays from 8:30 to 10:30. Do they have to be handed in during this two hour window only on Fridays? Thanks for your help...I am just starting the process for my wife and getting my daughter registered as a US citizen.

My husband received both a white and pink slip after his April 3 interview. The white slip, which was stamped with the date as April 2 (is this going to cause us any headaches?) states that the immigrant visa has been preliminarily approved, but additional documents are needed before the visa can be issued. The additional documents (listed on the pink slip) needed are related to my residency or the domicile issue. I should add that in fact I did have a letter to prove domicile with a student loan as well as a bank statement attached, however the letter did not provide substantial details about my future employment. In addition, he was explicitly told that they needed a more specific work plan from the petitioner (me). I am submitting my most recent bank and credit card statements, a copy of my driver's license, student loan statements, a letter explaining in detail my intentions for work and the like. Is this enough? Is this a formality or is this the same as administrative processing? Do denials happen after receiving a letter like this? When you submit any documents via CITIC bank, US Travel Docs instructs you not to seal the envelope...can anyone confirm this? I am asking because the hubby's passport will also have to be sent. Are there any fees you must pay to CITIC bank? I plan on taking care of this on Monday, April 7 as we are still on our Guangzhou/Shenzhen trip. I will also do a detailed write-up of my husband's interview once we return to Xi'an. Thanks, Marissa

Hey everyone! First post, but have been lurking for a while. This site has been a fantastic resource for my wife and I, and I'm hoping to get some help with a problem we've run into. Back in January, my wife and I filed a DCF for a CR-1 visa in Beijing. A week and a half ago, we received an email from the Guangzhou embassy informing us that our application for a CR-1 visa had been approved and had been passed on to Guangzhou for the next stage. In the email, it told us to fill out the DS-260, get photos, etc. The email also said the following: " Please follow the instructions to submit the items listed below along with this letter to the Consulate." So far, we haven't received a letter from the embassy. We're wondering if the instructions mean to print the email and submit it, or if we should wait for an actual letter from the embassy and submit that. It should only take 3-5 days for the letter to arrive by EMS (I'm assuming they would use EMS), but it's been about 10 days and still nothing. We've sent an email to the consulate, and haven't heard anything back. Any suggestions? Do we need to wait for a letter, or can we just print out the email?

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.

It's been quite awhile since I've posted around here, thanks to all my questions having readily available answers. Hubby and I had our petition approved on January 23 after submitting it on January 14 in Guangzhou. We have since submitted the DS-260 (P2 packet, correct?) and received the email to schedule the interview. First, it's my understanding that you don't receive the medical exam information until after you have scheduled the interview. Have any recent interviewees had issues getting expedited medical exam results or having the medical exam done the day before the interview? What about the fee? Second, is the hukou, or household registration needed at the interview? Third, my list of items to give the hubby to submit at the interview: - DS-260 confirmation page - my passport (does a copy suffice?) - hubby's passport - passport photos (how many?) - notarial birth certificate - white books (I thought they already collected this...do they want additional copies and/or the red books?) - police certificate - medical exam docs - sponsor's I-864 form (that's me) and last three years (2011-2013) of tax returns (I filed back taxes as I didn't owe anything) - joint sponsor's I-864 form including a copy of her birth certificate, tax transcripts, pay stubs (no W-2 as she just started her job in January), letter regarding her new employment - a letter explaining my domicile (I am also including mail sent about student loans and my US bank account) - originals of photos submitted in I-130 packet (the intake officer specifically told me to have my PDF of photos printed as actual photographs) - additional photos from our wedding and "honeymoon" trip Lastly, I'm concerned about the affidavit of financial support from the joint sponsor. My parents have sent everything via DHL. There are no W-2s (and I can't recall the reason why my mom declined to do so.) My mom just started a new job in January so she has included a letter stating her employment along with pay stubs. Most importantly, they haven't filed their 2013 taxes. Will the VO automatically make us wait for that information? My mom always files at the last possible minute, and we plan on scheduling an interview before the April 15th deadline. Any thoughts on this? I am aware that the P3 packet will provide specific instructions about what is needed and the medical exam, but if there is anything else I may be overlooking, by all means say so. I am really grateful for this forum because I would feel entirely overwhelmed without having some pros to receive sound advice from. A very big thank you in advance, Marissa in Xi'an

Hi guys, I'm in a similar situation. I've been living/working in China for about a year now (have the official residence/work permit and all - Chinese GF and I met when we were both studying abroad in Europe). I'm planning to go back to the US in August (for more grad school), and am looking for the quickest way for us to get married and for her to get over to the US (I already have cosigners for the app, etc). It seems like the DCF would be the quickest, although would I still have to be in China after August? I read somewhere that if I do the DCF, I have to wait 5 years to marry an American green card holder? And also that it could take 6 months to 1.5 years for the green card through DCF? In that case, it seems like it would be best to file for K-1 / I-129F through the USCIS, etc. Also, just to make sure, when first submitting the I-129F, this requires lots of documentation (cover letter, ,etc), correct? Thanks a lot in advance ...

So we heard from GUZ today with the case number directing us (actually, directing Chinese National Husband) to go online and complete the DS-260 at https://ceac.state.gov/IV I thought I would get it started for CNH, but something weird is happening. When I log in to the site above, first I get a screen that says: "The next step in the immigration process is for each applicant to complete online form DS-260, Online Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application. The DS-260 is designed to collect information that is necessary to adjudicate your immigrant visa application. The DS-260 form may be partially completed, saved online, and finished later, or may be completed all in one session. Before starting the form, applicants should gather the 'Documents The Applicant Must Submit' because they are needed to complete the DS-260 form. To begin the DS-260, please click on the Start link below. Please note that the DS-260 can only be completed after the applicant's Immigrant Visa Fee has been paid." Ok, sounds good. But how do I pay the fee? Not sure. So I go ahead and click the "Start" link, as instructed. Then I get a screen that looks like this: Online Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application (DS-260) Application List for IV Case GUZ...(his case number) The NVC has received notification that the applicant will join the principal applicant at a later date. Given Name Surname Relationship Fee Status CNH's first and family name PRINCIPAL NOT APPLICABLE NOT AVAILABLE From this is screen, there is no way to move forward with the application that I can see... just a "Cancel" button at the bottom of the screen! I'm so confused. My spouse IS the principal applicant and there are no other family member, kids, etc. attached to this application. Does anyone know what I'm doing wrong or what this might mean? Thanks in advance, D

Dear CFL Members, Thrilled to hear from GUZ today, one month after receiving our I-130 approval notice from Beijing!! We are preparing to hop online and complete / submit the DS-260 and head to CITIC to send the required materials. Here is my question: Does my Chinese National Husband (CNH) need MY passport when he eventually goes to GUZ for his interview? I ask because I just saw a checklist posted elsewhere where this was included and it gave me pause. I've already secured a job in the US and will be heading there next month to start. The idea has always been that I will go ahead and CNH will follow as soon as we complete the DCF process. We already have all of the various materials together and a place rented in the States. I thought a copy of my passport info page was all that was needed. Of course, if I need to, I will DHL him my passport before his appointment in GUZ when we finally get it scheduled. But I don't want to do this unnecessarily. Thanks for all your help. D

Our journey progresses... GOOD NEWS! After a quick trip to the US, I submitted our I-130 paperwork in Beijing on 12/19. Today we received an email with the PDF "Notice of Approval" attached, dated 12/20! We are so excited to see things quickly moving in the right direction. I'm sure you'll be hearing more from me as we wade into the paperwork abyss. Hopefully readers getting their I-130 packets together will find the following info useful. For the record, in addition to the required forms (I-130, a G-325 for each of us and the G-1145) and supporting materials, such as copies of all my Chinese visas (aka "Residence Permit" or "work visa") 2005 to present, a copy of our marriage certificate, etc., I provided: 1) English translations of our leases, 2007 to present (since they show both our names and ID info). I had a friend translate them and had him sign an attached statement attesting to the translation's accuracy and providing his name, contact info, credentials and signature (using a template gleaned from this website). Note: I also brought copies of the original Chinese leases, but the guy at the window didn't want them. 2) A one-page photocopy of the faces of US credit card that we share (I will do almost anything for air miles). I just put both the cards side-by-side, facedown on the glass and made a copy. 3) Photos of us out and about in Beijing and abroad, starting in 2005 and leading up to our wedding. I know there are different theories about how best to submit photos. Since we have everything in digital format, I simply dragged the photos (along with our wedding invitation and some old digital holiday cards we've sent out over the years) into a PPT photo album template, added some very basic labels (i.e., "X-mas 2006, Beijing") and then converted the PPT into a PDF ("Save as…"), printed it out and put a single staple in it. It was around 15 pages with maybe 45 photos total. The cover shows a pic of us at our wedding with the obvious title stating our names and that the packet is being provided in support of the I-130. I made an appointment via phone to submit the I-130 (with follow-up via email). Everyone at the embassy in BJ / USCIS was very friendly and the process was quick and easy. We are a same-sex couple and this was a non-issue. I can sometimes sense that people struggle with the terminology ("your…husband?"), but that's to be expected, as the law only recently changed and it's an adjustment for everyone. Even I'm sometimes unsure about the most PC terms. Now we are awaiting instructions from Guangzhou, which I assume will come via snail mail, hopefully within a week or so. Please someone correct me if I'm wrong. Once we hear from GZ, is this what I can expect? (I realize I'm simplifying here): >Submit D-260 online; hard copies of other forms (I-864, etc.) sent with $ via CITIC >GUZ notifies us of receipt (also via snail mail?) and we can schedule interview via website >Hubz schedules and get medical and goes for interview in GZ (with all the requisite docs on hand) >Passport with visa and not-to-be-opened packet mailed back to our address in BJ CNH (Chinese National Hubz) has already been to his hometown to get all of the materials he needs to provide. His police certificates are from July and he is concerned that they may be viewed as outdated. However, I've assured him that this isn't the case, as on the "IV Instruction DS-260 Sept2013" from GUZ it states that "Police certificates are valid for one year." I wonder if anyone has thoughts about this? From my side, I am pulling together I-864 data and other supporting docs. I also have a signed letter (on letterhead) from my new US employer stating salary and indicating that both hubz and I will be getting medical insurance benefits; also a 4-month US lease signed by the new landlord, me and hubz, clearly stating the new US address. I hope the duration of this lease doesn't raise eyebrows. Because of the uncertainty of exactly when hubz will arrive in the US, we thought it best to do a short-term rental so that we can be sure to be together when seeking more permanent accommodations. This seems reasonable to me, but let me know if you have other opinions. I welcome any and all advice regarding the various steps to come, and will be keeping our journey updated here and likely posting more questions in the weeks to come. Thanks and Happy Holidays, David

I am currently living in China and married to Chinese spouse. He has applied and been accepted to a graduate program in the US starting fall 2014. Ideally, we would like to stay in the US after he finishes his studies, but current circumstances look like it will be more likely that we return to China after he graduates. Originally, we planned to have him just apply for a student visa but after doing some research, it seems like us already being married might hurt his chances of being granted the student visa since it may be difficult to prove his intent to return to China. What we could provide to support his intent to return to China are his name on apartment deed and letter from employer stating that his job will be held. It's also difficult to find a job in the US with the program he is entering. The other thing is that his mom has recently passed away and he is an only child (Dad is still living) . Based on this information, does anyone have any thoughts on how difficult it may be for him to get the student visa? Recently I've been researching DCF and am questioning if it might be the "safer" way to go. My biggest concern right now is being able to provide the tax return info of our would be co-sponsor. 1. Am I right in that the first time tax return will be asked for is at the interview date? Our co-sponsor normally files their taxes in October. 2. If interview (or whenever the forms are needed) is after april 15, is it certain that the current year's tax return will be needed? I think this might be the most difficult document for me to get. Thanks in advance for any comments or advice!

Hi there, Thanks, everyone, for your thoughtful replies to my previous posts! Here we go again... Just wondering if anyone has experience opting in for the Optional Electronic Processing when DCF-ing in GUZ? Details here: http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_5163.html Looks like by opting in, we can pay all fees / submit all docs electronically. I guess we would email the consulate (NVCElectronic@state.gov) to register BEFORE submitting the electronic DS-260s? I would *think* that scanning and emailing docs would be faster than processing stuff through CITIC, but I just wanted to check in with those on the board who may have tried it. Best, David

I just booked my appointment for December 31st to hand in my I-130 petition. I have a few questions regarding the petition and my upcoming trip to Guangzhou. On the G-325A form, there is space for 5 addresses for my residence the last five years. I have moved A LOT over the last five years, and I definitely have had more than 5 addresses. Should I include more than 5 addresses? If I leave out an address, can it come back to bite me? Also, is it better to fly or take the train? I haven't gotten my tickets yet because I wanted to make sure I could get an appointment. I live in Jiangsu Province. I really don't mind taking a long trip if the train ride isn't too bad and I can save a little money. Does anyone have any recommendations relating to the city? I have never been to Guangzhou. For those of you who have been there, are there any hotels, restaurants, attractions I should consider/avoid? I will only be staying for two nights and don't want to break the bank during this trip. (The $355 Petition fee is bad enough). I would appreciate any help! -Dave

I have another urgent DCF question about paying the $230 fee to process the DS-260. From what I understand, there is an I-130 filing fee of $420 (which we already paid), and then another $230 to process the DS-260, and then finally a fee of $165 after you get your visa and before you enter the US. My husband just had his interview and passed (yay!), but didn't see a place on the 3rd floor of the Guangzhou Consulate to pay the fee. I previously emailed the Guangzhou Consulate, and they emailed back saying that the fee could only be paid on the day of the interview at the Consulate. However, he said that he asked several people who worked there, and they all said that he either didn't have to pay the fee, or he could pay the fee at a CITIC bank. Others who also passed the interview said that the fee wasn't necessary because he already passed. However, I read a story on Candle For Love about a couple who didn't have to pay, then went back to Yunnan and found out they had to come back to pay the fee. We're in Guangzhou for a few more days so I'd like to take care of this before we leave if we need to. Please help! Specifically people who have interviewed there recently and paid the fee at the Consulate.

First, HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to Andelu! May all our immigration journeys end so happily. Now my question. I have scheduled an appointment to file the I-130 petition paperwork on behalf of my husband later this month in Beijing. I also have a job offer in San Francisco and we have already rented a place there. Since DCF depends on us both being in Beijing, will it be a factor if, during our immigration visa application process, I relocate prior to my husband's appointment in GUZ? We are both on the lease of our Beijing apartment (have been for six years) and are currently paid through March 2014 on rent; my residence / work permit is good through fall 2014 etc., so there is a paper trail for my being rooted here, but I may need to start the new job a few weeks prior to hubz completing the interview process. Trying to get all the various timetables to align so we can start our new life asap. Thanks for all your help, David

Hello and thanks million to this website and its many helpful members? I have been living and sometimes working here in China for the last 12 years. I met my wife in my 3rd week here and we have been together ever since. I never planned to go back to the US, it was my dream to live and die here in the central kingdom, but now that our child is 5 and is already being influenced by the so called education system here I realise, as my mum said there is only one "i" in the word family and she deserves better... My main concern in filing the I-130 is not proving we are married or that I am a citizen, but my past, current and future income(s)?..aka the I-864... My family state side is all but broken after the Bush era..(all below poverty level) Although we will have a place to stay and the rental income from the family owns will be enough to survive, it is still below the amount required for a family of three.. What can one do if the have no cosponsor? Has anyone ever made it back with out one and no job stateside? I will be able to get one once I obtain my Acupuncture license... Thanks and Sorry for the negative nature of this my first post also I have been off the grid since 1992 (no 1040s filed)

Hi, I'm a foreigner living in Beijing, married to an American citizen. I know this forum is dedicated towards Americans with Chinese spouses, however, I figured I’m still likely to get the most helpful responses here. First, I'm a bit confused in regards to the waiting times for each stage and the overall process. We just submitted the I-130 package at the Beijing USCIS office 2 days ago. When we asked how long it would take we were told we should expect to hear back from them within 3 months and that the whole process could take up to a year or even longer. We are hoping to move to the US sometime around June-August, which leaves us less than a year. I recently came across several posts, where people claimed the process within China took them up to 6 months and even less at times, so needless to say, I was a bit shocked at their response. Have things changed recently or am I treated differently for being a foreigner perhaps? Also, I’d really appreciate it if someone could explain to me in detail the next steps that follow the USCIS I-130 petition or direct me to a useful link. I’m not quite clear as to what exactly needs to be submitted from now on and where. I would like to start preparing everything so that we can continue with the process as soon as the petition is approved. As for the evidence of support, due to the fact that my husband didn’t live in the US throughout his adult life, he never filed tax returns. Therefore, we have quite a lot of work cut out for us. Is anyone familiar with a good American accountant in Beijing who they can recommend? Last but not least, my current workplace isn’t able to provide me with a working visa and so I have been working on a spousal visa as of late, which I know isn’t exactly legal. Could that be held against me at any stage? I could always say that I work as a consultant or freelancer. Any advice, information and tips on expediting this process from this great community would be much appreciated!!!

Dear Candle for Love Community, After several months of reading and learning from so many of you, my husband and I are ready to start the DCF process. We are excited and nervous, and thank you all in advance for all the invaluable help this site offers. About us: We are a recently married same-sex couple (two guys) who have been together in Beijing for the last 8 years—cohabiting for the last six. We have been wanting to marry for some time but were waiting for the Supreme Court to give us their blessing. This summer, they did, so we tied the knot in the US. Like clockwork, I now have a job offer in the US (and a lead on a rental) and we feel we are ready to pull the trigger and DCF. Assembling the materials for the first step has raised some questions and I suspect this will be the first of several posts as we muck our way through the process. Hopefully others can also learn from our shared experiences. While I don't anticipate that being a same-sex couple will change our process, I'll post here if I find it does. Right now, the initial filing packet is looks like this (I have highlighted items in red that I'm unsure about): I. USCIS Forms: I-130G-1145G-325A (husband’s)G-325A (mine) II. Docs to prove my US citizenship: Copy of my current passport’s biodata pageCopy of my prior passport’s biodata page (Since some of our previously leases and my residency permits are keyed to this passport number—should this be a concern? How best to avoid confusion?)Copy of my birth certificate (Is this needed if I have the passport copy? Does it need to be notarized? The original is in storage in the US) III. Docs proving marriage bona fides: Copy of our marriage certificateCopy of “official” translations of our leases (2007 to present)Letter from friend attesting to our relationship (Do these letters need to be notarized?)Letter from relative attesting to our relationshipLetter from relative attesting to our relationshipPhotos dating our relationship from 2005 to present (may include some travel docs, too, since we have many pics to trips to the US, Europe, Asia, etc. over the years) IV. Docs to prove my residency in jurisdiction covered by Beijing American embassy to be eligible for direct filing: Copies of my Chinese residency permits (2005 to present) V. Other documents Copy of hub’s passport biodata pageCopy of notarized English translation of hub’s hukou2 passport photos of me2 passport photos of my husband Also: For the scheduled appointment at the US Embassy in Beijing for filing all this, do we both have to be present? I would appreciate it if any of you could weigh in about the items in red—and anything else we might be missing or doing wrong. I will keep everyone appraised of our process, from start to finish, as I suspect this is the first of many posts. Thanks so much for your help, D

I just married my Chinese wife and I am getting started with the necesary paper work so she can come with me to America next summer. I believe I have all the documents ready for the I-130 petition. I just have a few questions. 1. We dont have any documents showing co-mingling of our finances. Is this a problem? 2. I have a sworn affidavit from my wife's uncle where he stated he has knowledge of our marraige. Unfortunately, he spelled my name wrong at the end. Does this matter? He spelled me name correctly in the beginning. 3. I am planning on getting another sworn affidavit from my mom. Is this OK. How many is enough? 4. Is it worth it to include QQ conversations and QQ zone photos of my wife and I dating back to last year? 5. I was told by someone I can mail the I-130 petition to Chicago. Is this OK? I live in Jiangsu, China with my wife. Do I need to deliver the documents in person in Guangzhou. This would be inconvenient. I would appreciate help with any of my questions! I hope to help more people here in the future as well. -Dave