Search the Community
Showing results for tags 'POE'.
-
We’re finally headed to the US! I’m wondering if there’s anything we need to have prepared outside of the envelope the consulate gave us with her passport. I’ve looked at other posts about POE and it doesn’t seem like we do. I’m so used to having to prepare so many documents for every point in the process that I feel like I’m missing something. Thanks as always for helping me! I don’t know what I would do without everyone’s help!
-
So we came back from China last week through Los Angeles. We had to wait for 16 hours to get our connecting flight. Any way, we get down to the re-entry point and it has completely changed from what it used to be. You now have to go to automated check-in stations. The machines read your passport/greencard, ask customs declaration questions and then spit out a picture with your information on it. I had to ask how to use the machine, because, you know, there were no instructions that were obvious. Or maybe I missed them, after the long flight it was pretty frustrating. Now, of course this was supposedly done to make the process faster. However, after completing the task with the machine, you then go on to be interviewed by a customs and enforcement agent. They still ask the standard questions about your trip (purpose, etc.). They collect the information processed by the machine before you exit. They did not take the paper customs form and did not even ask the total dollar value of what we brought back. So I did not see where there was any benefit to the new setup. Makes me want to stop traveling at times.
-
What is the process for getting the ir1 visa? We have the cr1 visa right now. We will be married for two years in December 15, 2018. Thank you
-
My CR-1 visa has been approved (Woohoo!) My husband (the US citizen) and I have started seeking employment in the US. As he currently has a full-time position in China, we think the best way is: I find a job in the US, then he quit his job in China and come join me. This way, at least one of us would have an income at any given moment. Then it raised a few questions: 1. I read that the US spouse should be present or already in the US when the immigrant is going through POE. Is that a must? 2. If my husband must come with me to the POE, can he return to China right after and continue to work in China for a couple of months while I'm in the US? 3. The most ideal scenario is I get a job offer now (though online applications and interviews), then we go to the US together. But since I haven't gone though POE yet and I don't have a Green Card or a Social Security Number, would US employers consider my job application and make offers? Thanks, guys! Love to hear your advice.
-
My wife entered at the POE this past week, I have some family in Mexico that we would like to go visit, and was wondering, her passport was stamped with a regular entry stamp (blue in color) and the officer wrote IR-1 and signed under that. This is proof of status when it comes to coming back into the US after entering Mexico? We want to be sure she can come back, we are just going for 1 night 2 days to Mexico. Thanks Nathan
-
We're almost done (thanks in part to the great help given here). My wife and daughter have IR-1 and IR-2 visas, and we'll be going to the US in a week or so. But there's some last-minute paranoia about documents that will be required at the port of entry. The things I know about are (1) Passport (obviously) (2) Sealed envelop mailed to us after interview (3) CD with medical info (x-ray's, I suppose) But then, in some text I copied from this site (I think), it says (Following the medical exam ...) You will be given two sheets of paper, a sealed envelope, and a sealed CD. The sealed ones are to be given to the consular during the interview. Don’t open them beforehand. The other two papers will be needed when coming into the United States. What are these two sheets of paper ?? Also, we have various little yellow books documenting vaccinations. Are those needed? Anything else ??
-
So last night I met my wife's friend who was traveling from china to U.S. in the past she told me that she was detained for two hours in canada her bags were opened and was asked questions like :"do you date black men?" why don't you date black men?". this sounds like harassment my wife and i will be coming back through canada from china in october. my wife is afraid this might happen. is there anything that i can do to prevent this from happening? i tried to look for a number to call but could not find it. anyone have this kind of situation happen? -
in the Global Times - it's not clear that prostitution WAS the issue Chinese model claims she was denied entry to US on suspicion of prostitution
-
If it is sensible to ask...what might be the best port of entry in the US, as far as hassles, language barriers, and strictness be? I've heard that being able to enter into smaller cities might be an advantage, as far as crowds and so forth...and not being asked so many questions...as opposed to a large city airport such as LAX or New York. Ant ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. My friend doesn't speak much English and went through a big hassle in LA during his last visit...Thank You!
-
Hi I am an expat in China and my Chinese wife was granted her IR1 Visa.We will be coming to America in a few weeks . I was looking over the customs declaration form 6059B which I have filled out before when traveling.When you are just bringing back to the U.S. a few gifts customs isn't a big deal. However, you are required to declare everything you have bought overseas that will stay in America. That pretty much means everything my wife is bringing over since it was all bought in China. Quite a few things for me too. Does this mean we have to provide pages and pages of lists of items and their estimated values. We figure we can group some items together like clothes. I just have this feeling because she is an immigrant she will be scrutinized more. What experiences has anyone had with their foreign spouses and customs. Have they been pulled aside and had bags inspected. Did you have to pay much in duty taxes? I realize older household goods may be exempt but you still need to declare everything. I have actually found in my travels that U.S. customs is stricter and individuals scrutinized more than China which just uses the red/green lane system. Thanks, William
-
All - I have a general question about an applicant's travel to the USA prior to having her interview at GUZ. My wife and I are in the middle of completing DS-260. My wife and live in Shanghai. I quit my job in Shanghai and we spent most of 2015 traveling. Last summer my wife received a 10 year tourist visa for the USA and we spent 2 and half months touring around the USA. After we returned to Shanghai we decided that we wanted to move to the US and thus needed to start her immigration process. We also applied for my wife's ITIN in order to file a joint tax return for 2015 and amend my taxes for the previous years we were married. So I got a big refund check for 2015 with both my wife's and my name on it. Problem: We are unable to deposit the check because it has both our names on it and the bank requires that we have a joint bank account. The Patriot Act has prevented us from adding her to account unless we go to the bank in person. So, would we create any problems with NVC if she were to come with me to the USA for a week to add her to my bank account after we submit the DS-260? Thanks! -
Does anyone know if the K-1 VISA allows the fiance to take off from Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) instead of an airport in mainland China? I heard that they are allow to do so and stay in Hong Kong for at most 7 days, but have yet to find the source of that information. Or does the fiance need to have a separate valid permit to enter Hong Kong to board a flight at HKG? Thank you -
Has anyone flown out of CHina to canada using their chinese passport and us green card? I know a visa is not needed but does the Chinese Exit Police know this? -
Hi Friends- I've seen conflicting information about which line my husband needs to go through with his green card paperwork (IR-1). Is it possible for us to go through together? (We are traveling back together). We will be landing at a big airport and without any mobile devices to connect with each other, just waiting at baggage sounds dicey. Can anyone with experience give us some tips? Thanks so much! Zhen W. -
how long did it take to get your spouse green card please list if you did fiance visa or cr1 visa my wife got hers 45 days
-
I was wondering if its ok to travel back to China after entering US on CR-1 visa but before green card is issued. My wife will come here after interview for a month using her vacation time then travel back to China for 1 month to tie up looses ends and retire then return back to US. Its all about timing and maximizing vacation and retirement date will this be a problem for her to return back to US before green card? I was told it takes about 3 months to get green card now. I wasn't sure if the Visa they put in passport was just a one time use.. Anybody have an answer for this...We just got through the USICS and NVC stages sooner than we thought and now waiting for interview date, thinking interview will be in early October. -
Please note these are ground crossings by car, if entry by air starting in September Canada will require an electronic travel authorization before entry into Canada, see: http://candleforlove.com/forums/topic/48686-visiting-or-transiting-through-canada-by-air/ not sure if this requirement will also be applied to the road crossings at some point. My mum-in-law arrived in the states two weeks ago on an IR-5 visa and entered through JFK where they endorsed her visa. We paid the immigrant fee and are waiting to the actual green-card to arrive in the mail. We had planned on going to a Scottish games we like to attend every year up in Maxville ON, which was on our calendar long before Mum would come, and the timing was such that she would be here in time to go with us, but before she would get her card. I decided that the I-551 notation should be sufficient for the Canadian POE so we took the chance. Our hotel was in Massena NY so would cross at Cornwall ON and return same day, and then make another crossing the following day at Ogdensburg NY in order to visit family in Kingston ON. So Saturday we crossed at Cornwall ON, the border guard was a little confused asked if mum had a visa to visit Canada, so I pointed out that the notation at the bottom of visa indicates that it serves as a green-card until her actual card arrives, the guard then consulted her supervisor by phone and Ok'd the entry for us, we had a great time at the games and then returned to NY the American POE understood we were waiting for her green-card and waved us on. On Sunday we drove from Massena NY down to Ogdensburg and crossed into Canada again, this time the Canadian border officer was a little less confused, he questioned that Mum's visa expired on the 26th, I had to explain that it was endorsed at JFK and again the endorsed visa acts as a green-card until her actual card arrives, this time no call to the supervisor, the guard accepted my explanation and allowed entry to Canada. We then visited Kingston and decided to shoot over to Toronto for dinner before returning to NY by way of Niagara Falls. -
Hi, Everyone- We are packing up and getting ready to buy plane tickets. I have a couple of questions about immunizations. We do not currently live near the immunization/medical centers in China, but when we arrive in the US, it will be after the 8 week mark listed on the immunization sheet as the window to receive the 2nd round of shots. Can we get the shots after we return to the States and have them still be effective? (It will be about 9-10 weeks.) Will we encounter any problems at immigration/customs without the 2nd shots? Thank so much!
-
A few things regarding visiting and transiting Canada. First: If traveling to Canada by air, non US Citizens will need what is called an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) this seems to only for entry via air, not via a land crossing. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/tourist.asp Second: If transiting Canada via two airports, Chinese citizens who are just connecting can transit without a visa. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/tools/temp/visa/china.asp
-
Okay, Tomorrow I return to the States with my wife. We got the green card while we were in the States. We came back to China for 10 months because of her parent's health issues and the fact I got a great job for 10 months. The time we have been out of the States has been about 340 days. But we did file joint taxes while in China. What kinds of questions may we expect when we return to SFO? What kinds of potential questions may we face? What is the worst that could happen? She was mostly overseas because she was with me, and my job was in China. -
I noticed that on my Immigrant Document Summary, the Final address in the U.S. contains old address instead of the updated/new address. We had the DS-260 updated with the new address but somehow this change is not reflected on Immigrant Document Summary sheet. Did anyone had the similar situation? How can we correct this? I have read in forums that we should update this at the POE. For some it worked and for some it still turned out that GC and SSN were sent to the wrong addresses. Are there any other ways which can confirm that GC and SSN would be sent to the correct/new/updated address? -
We're living in China, and my immigrant spouse completed her medical examination last week, and 3 weeks from now she'll have her interview at the US Consulate in Guangzhou. We're expecting that she'll be granted an Immigrant Visa. So, we have a 6 month window to enter a US Port of Entry with her Immigrant Visa. Within 12 months, we're planning to permanently relocate to our US residence because we currently have job obligations in China to finish up. We're unable to relocate to the US within 6 months. So, we're planning a short trip to Guam within 6 months to fulfill her US POE with Immigrant Visa requirement. Guam is only 5 hours away, and a lot less expensive than flying to San Francisco. Questions: Randy, you mentioned in another thread you initially went to the Guam POE in 2011, but needed to be processed again when you entered San Francisco. What did the USCIS require from you in San Francisco? How big of deal was that 2nd processing? Anyone, Does anyone know what Form we fill-out to get the Green Card after we've gone through the US POE? Do we fill this Form out online, or do we make an appointment to get biometrics done? If we need to make an appointment, then I should check to see if this appointment can happen in Guam, too. I'm assuming we should have the Green Card mailed to my permanent US address (my parent's home), and then my family can FedEX it to us in China. Then my spouse can enter the US with it next time. -
Here was my father-in-law's experience yesterday, maybe a few lessons learned and one question. We flew my father-in-law from Guangzhou into LAX on China Southern's A380. Due to a bunch of stuff going on with us we only bought a one-way ticket (less than half what a round trip normally costs) with the full intention that he will stay six months and go back, exactly how to be determined. This is his second visit here and so I honestly was not very worried as he got though customs last year relatively easily. He said last year that the immigration officer just grabbed another passenger to translate as my father-in-law speaks no English. My wife and I drove to LA from Phoenix and arrived before the plane was scheduled to land but the flight was a little early so we got there about 15 minutes after he landed. I told my wife given the size of the A380 and based upon last year I figured it would take a good hour for him to clear customs. Well after no Baba after an hour and a half , my wife finally got a phone call from immigration (he had her number on him) inquiring asking her a bunch of questions including what was his name, who she was and how long we have lived in LA (we don't, we live in Phoenix) and why he was flying to only LA when we lived in Phoenix. The last question being I can't imagine my father-in-law successfully transferring planes in almost any US airport let alone LAX which for those unfamiliar is 8 separate terminals so the only option is for us to do the six hour drive there and back. Finally they said he would be out in 20 minutes and after two plus hours he comes out. He had been taken to secondary inspection and been there for over an hour. He said the original line he got in had had a Mandarin speaker who seems to have been pretty harsh. It appears the issue was not having a return ticket. My father-in-law also have a a couple thousand dollars in his wallet (much less than $10K) that is my wife's money that he had converted in US dollars in China. During the conversation, he brought out his wallet to show the officer my daughter's picture but I am sure the officer saw the money. In retrospect, I am sure the office is thinking my father-in-law could plan on disappearing into LA never to heard from again. He told my father-in-law that he would give him two months or he could get back on the plane back to China. My father-in-law said he needed longer which got him to secondary inspection. Given this was his second trip, I expected no issues but never again will he come without a return ticket booked. On top of that, they opened each of his bags and confiscated about 300 RMB of Harbin Sausage that he had brought for my wife and I don't think he declared it. Are you really not supposed to bring in meat into the US? I have never been stopped at all but I am a US citizen. So I think my father-in-law was pretty shaken by the experience but he was focusing on the sausage. I told my wife to tell him I really don't care about the sausage but he did a good job as a two month stay would have have been an issue. Made a long day even longer but we got home safely at 4:30 this morning and he is here, gets to see his granddaughter and I guess we will have to wait until we go back to China for Harbin Sausage.
-
Well my sister in law and her son received there passports with the new visas today. next step is paying the Green card fees (165.00$) online at ELIS site. Note the last paragraph. Does this mean ONLY my sister in law can pay the fees? Or can the petitioner open an account and pay the fees himself? Mike
-
My wife will be flying out tomorrow (finally!) and entering the US through San Francisco. Which line should she use when going through immigration, the US resident line because of her CR-1 visa or the non-resident line because it will be the first time entering with the CR-1 and sealed packet? Any other tips or things we should know?
