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Hey Everyone, The posts here have been so helpful. I will be submitting our I-130 for IR1 visa in Beijing in July and I was wondering a few things. I used the cover letter that was suggested as a guide for all of the evidence that I have collected for this first round. I am wondering for the evolution of relationship letter, who got them notarized? I am thinking that they signature is enough, but want to hear everyones thoughts. Also, did your spouse beneficiaries also write an evolution of relationship letter? the G-325a document is no longer available correct? The new form to be filled out by the spouse is the I-130a? thank you for everyone's help

You can't even take your phone in with you at the US Embassy in Beijing so these pics may be helpful to some. Shows where this place is located on the map (blue dot) and what it looks like out front. They don't have any English signs so I wasn't sure what was inside but I had a hunch there were lockers in there and turns out I guessed right! Cost was 20 rmb

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!!!

Hi, all, First, thank you to Dan and all the mods for these great forums. My wife and I are preparing to do a DCF here in Beijing. I found this recent post (and the rest of the thread) to be very helpful in letting us know how to set up an appointment and what to expect. I am sending out the email tonight, hopefully we will be able to go in in early March to file From other posts in the forums, I expect the DCF to take about 4 months to go from filing to interview in Guangzhou. A question: when/where can we sign up for paperless notification? Is that a possibility, or does everything need to be mailed? If it's an option, I think we'll have things mailed to my wife's work address, as mail/courier delivery there is more reliable than delivery to our apartment. Once we get to Guangzhou, things are going to grind to a halt, as my wife is a Party member. She joined when she was a university student, isn't a dyed-in-the-wool commie, etc. It's unfortunate that it will add time to our processing. Thanks to the posts about what to expect, she will be prepared for "extra processing" after the interview for a CCP waiver, and will go with all supplementary documents in order. (We will both write explanatory letters, she will have a resume on hand to give to the embassy worker, and she will also already have the relevant form filled out…does that cover all the bases?) Anyway, I feel like I have a good handle on what the process will entail. Thanks again to all of you for your great, informative posts. They've really helped to make the process seem less scary! I'll keep the thread updated as our application progresses.

First post and I really wish I would have discovered this site MUCH earlier... Quick background: I met my Chinese wife when I was living in Chicago and she in Netherlands, as we work for the same MNC. My wife is a Chinese citizen but had been living in Europe for 5 years or so. We got along well, started dating and making several visits (me to NL and China, and her to US). in 2008 I found a job in Amsterdam within our company so made the move and we lived together ever since. In 2009 we were legally married in NL, and had a church ceremony wedding in Hong Kong. In 2010 our daughter was born and is now a US citizen via Consular Report of Birth Abroad. In 2010 we filed the 1-130 in Amsterdam and it was accepted. We received all the paper work and were informed to schedule an interview with the immigration officer. At that time, our company announced major investments in China, which meant job opportunities for us so we decided not to continue with the immigration process and moved to China instead (job market in US wasn't so good anyway). We've now been in Shanghai for 2 years living together and are ready to start the I-130 process again as we're ready to move to the US, with baby number 2 on the way Taxes: I was a good US citizen and filed my taxes each year. Since 2009 I have only had foreign-earned income that is less than the $92k threshold, so it's always qualified to be exclued. No taxes owed to US gov't and none owned to me. However, after we were married I filed as "Single" for tax purposes as for married it required a SSN which my wife doesn't have. Any status I used wouldn't matter because I have no US income and my foreign income is definitely lower than the threshold. Looking through these threads I think technically filing as "single" was not right. Although no impact on taxes owed or paid I'm worried that this stupid little technicallity may create a problem doing the process in China as opposed to when we started it in Amsterdam. Would a simple letter explaining my rationale for using "single" be sufficient? I understand the "single" might create an issue for bonafide marriage but I have loads of other evidence to prove it is real. And I did file my US taxes honestly and faithfully, but maybe not technically correct when I read more on this forum. Appreciate your comments. Steve

All, I'm another newbie to this situation needing some practical advice. I've considered retaining an immigration atty, but my concern is they'll always paint a worst-case scenario in order to encourage me to use their services. Quick background: Been living/working in China for 5 years. Met my wife about 5 years ago, have co-habitated for over 4, got engaged a year ago February, and married in December. In October of last year I was downsized by my company here in China. Have been looking for (good paying) work since, but found nothing so I'm planning to accept a position I've been offered back in the states (Georgia) and relocate. And I want my wife to go with me, of course!! She has previously travelled to the US 3 times on a B1 visa, which is currently valid and will remain so through June. So, I have a multitude of questions because of the variables. The biggies are: - From everything I've read, it looks like I should hurry up and submit the I-130 here in Beijing before I return to the US for work. My one concern is filing before I start the new job and showing up as unemployed for my current employment. Since the G-325A just asks for month/year I'm wondering if filing during the same month I'll start back in the US will do the trick. - Alternately, if that doesn't work, could I file in Beijing on a return visit. I'm planning to switch my Z visa to a Spousal visa (as the spouse of a Chinese national). While waiting for all this to settle, she'll have a place here in BJ and I'll be stateside, so I'll be running back and forth between both countries. - As many of you probably know, co-mingling finances or bills here is pretty difficult. Kinda no-such thing as a joint account, joint bills, etc. For the I-130 what is common documentation of joint residence/property/resources that others have successfully submitted or would recommend? We own an apartment in Wuhan, but its all in her name, of course, because of property ownership laws and the difficulty for a foreigner to get a mortgage here. - For afadavits is there any weighting of the types of folks I get them from? Are local business leaders or members of the American Chamber of commerce more valuable than friends or family? Landlady? (Also helps show joint residence I'm thinking?) - Any other advice on good "relevant documentation" to submit with the I-130 to establish ongoing marital union? - I've read others talk about documents of financial support, etc... is that to go with the I-130 or for the future interview in GZ? - Related to her having a B1 visa, a couple of folks have suggested that instead of doing the I-130 here, she go to the US on a legit business trip, but then we apply to have her visa status changed from the US with an I-130 and I-485. I'm a little concerned about this route pissing off Uncle Sam, though. Any thoughts or experience with this? - If we submit an I-130, will she lose her B1 visa and be unable to travel to the states for her work? And lastly, assuming we go the I-130 route, filing here before I leave, what's a realistic average time frame to expect from time we file till she can actually come to the US? Is there any avenue for her to come during the interim for visits/vacation, or will I always have to come back to China for us to actually see one another? Appreciate any advice, tips, etc... its all completely overwhelming, especially when combined with impending relocation, new job, etc. Charlie

OK, I give up on looking and I'm just going to ask you folks. Sorry if this information is posted somewhere else already and I just haven't found it... but I haven't found it. My question is: Which US embassy/consulate do I need to go to in China for my DCF? In all the documentation and instructions it seems like it's very important to go to the right consulate -- the one that has jurisdiction over your location -- and yet it's not easy to find out which consulate that is. In fact, I seem to be finding conflicting information about the jurisdictions of the various consulates, and it probably has to do with them offering different services than each other, so while you might be in one jurisdiction for some particular service, maybe you are in another jurisdiction for something else. At first I was thinking I would have to go to Guangzhou, but now I'm starting to think that's not correct. I think I was getting confused because ultimately her interview will be in Guangzhou, but that doesn't necessarily mean that's where I file the initial documents in order to get her the interview. We live in China, and want to do DCF. Of course, the official websites don't know that term. So what I'm looking for, first of all, is where to file an I-130 (right?). Then, at some point after that, she would have to do the interview in Guangzhou (I think?). So I think that my question is: where do I go to file the I-130? My wife's hukou is in Zhejiang and we live in Zhejiang. It seems like that (might?) make us under the Shanghai consulate's jurisdiction, but it looks like the Shanghai consulate doesn't do I-130s. So maybe I actually have to go to Beijing. But I'm not at all sure about this, and I don't want to take a trip all the way to Beijing and then find out I'm in the wrong place. Surely this question -- of where the consular jurisdictions are -- is one that others have run into before. So, what do you say? A little help? Thanks

Hello all. I've been living in Beijing for 14 months - first on an L (travel) visa and for the past 6 months on a F (business) visa. I have registered with my local PSB and have all my registration forms of temporary residence: http://www.google.com.hk/imgres?q=temporary+residence+permit+china&um=1&hl=en&safe=strict&sa=N&tbm=isch&tbnid=tS8Jd17XeVGa3M:&imgrefurl=http://www.visa100.org/Download.html&docid=q4z93wztLLt3BM&w=1859&h=1242&ei=Za5LTuaHOYWdmQXE8YGdCA&zoom=1&biw=1280&bih=636 I have been with my girlfriend, Jian Wen, for 10 months. We have discussed marriage and that is our plan, but we are not yet engaged/married or ready to fully take that next step at this time. I spent a fair amount of time on Candle in 2006/2007 when I was involved with a woman from Liaoning, which ended in a brief and very unfortunate marriage. I'm back on Candle now and beginning to re-familiarize myself with all the difference aspects of the visa process. For our situation, when the time comes, I think the DCF method will be the most logical and simple process, as is noted in this thread: http://candleforlove.com/forums/index.php?/topic/43253-just-starting/ However, as I mentioned above, I only have my registration forms of temporary residence. Would I be able to use these, as opposed to a residence permit, to go about the DCF process?? If not, what actually is a residence permit?? From what I understand, is it just the working visa that is put in your passport?? Thanks in advance for your help, and glad to be back on Candle! Dan from Beijing via Milwaukee

Well I finally finished and turned in my I-130 application. I used DCF at the Beijing embassy. I've been living in China for three years, and I've had a residence permit since November, 2009. So I quailed for DCF. I know that everyone's situation is different so I will give tell a little about me and my wife's background. Me and my wife met online while I was in college. I was planning a trip with my classmates to come to China to study for the Summer. I met my wife after I finished the summer program, and we have been living together ever since that first day August, 2008. We didn't get married until a year later (August 2009). I've been living in China since May of 2008. I met a man who was a retired embassy worker for the Australian embassy. He has a side business of helping people fill out and get their visa. We met him around February 2010. He told us that it would be better that my wife travel to the US before I file her immigration visa. He said if my wife traveled to the US and returned without violating her visa, then she would have established a clean record at the Beijing embassy. I don't know how much of this was based in fact since so much rides on the whims of government employees. I filed an application in July of 2010 and had an interview scheduled for my wife on September 18th of that year. We had to collect a lot of paperwork including invitation letters, bank account records showing my wife had at least $10,000 USD in her account (we borrowed from her parents and mine and then gave it right back after we where done), evidence of relationship and photos. She went up to the window for her interview and less then ten seconds rejected her request for a visa! The Beijing embassy has a special time for American citizens to inquire about Visa cases. You can find the time's on there website. I went to the embassy and asked what happened. I asked, "Does the embassy not want my wife to travel? Do i have to file an immigration now?" The embassy worker looked surprised, and asked how long we had been married, and I said over a year and a half. She looked at my wife's case and asked me if my wife had a job now. I said now she does. You see my wife was between jobs when she had her first interview. Apparently the only reason she was rejected was because she did not have a job. We had set up another appointment for November 18, 2010. She got her visa that time, and we planned our trip to my home town in North Carolina. We and my wife went to America February 2011 and returned after a few weeks. I called the embassy when we got back to make an appointment to file my wife's I-30. Now one picked up the phone for two days! I left a message each day. I also wrote a email to the appropriate office. I got an email back the next day. The embassy told me the times I could make an appointment, and I asked for as soon as possible. So now if the day I turn in the application. Me and my wife have been dreading this days for years. We have heard so many horror stories, and huge wait times. I have been reading the forum for three years planning for this day. I tried everything I could do to get what the government wants from us. I pray that everything goes well with my application, and I can return home to the US soon with my wife. These are things I included with my application. * One copy of my US passport * Four copies Form G325A for myself * One ADIT photograph of myself * Four copies Form G325A for my wife * One ADIT photograph of my wife * One copy of original certified copy of our marriage certificate * One copy of original certified copy of the official translation of our marriage certificate * two copies of notarized translations of last two apartment contacts showing joint residence for the last two years * Three copies of Sworn affidavits from my mother, father and sister testify to our marriage and relationship * Photographs of me and my wife together with family and friend over the last three years (about 89 pictures) *One copy of my Evolution of Relationship letter detailing our ongoing relationship together * One copy Copies of Airline tickets when we both traveled to my home in the US * Copies Greeting Cards and accompanying envelopes from my family congratulating us on our marriage. * Copies of my bank accounts over the last three years showing my banking activity in China * Copy of a newspaper from my home town announcing our marriage.

Hi CFL! I am nearly ready to DCF, for my wife in Beijing. I just wanted to ask the experienced DCF, people here for opinions and some advice on what I'll bring. Also a few questions. Quick summary first of Wife, and I. Spouse, and I have been living together in China, for nearly 8 years. Married together 4. We have a 19 month old daughter. I have been Teaching on and off, for the past 7 years. Currently unemployed. Haven't been back to the US, in 2 years. Wife and daughter, never been to the US, before. Wife got denied B2 tourist visa in 2003. (before marriage). Our plan is to bring our family back to America for a couple of years. Hopefully we can! Before I DCF, I really would like to know my chances of pink/denial after and if DCF is approved. Please give me honest opinions and advice. 1. My father will be Joint sponsoring. He is well above the 125% poverty level. 2. I am not worried about proving our marriage and relationship. 3. Wife doesn't have very strong ties in China. She is an elementary school teacher. 4. I am unemployed at the moment. 5. I am sure I will have a problem with Domicile. My Id card expired years ago. I no longer have a bank account in the US. I have never dealt with taxes. Can I deal with taxes online while being in China? I do have an annuity settlement which starts next year. Could I use that to show that I want to keep Domicile after arriving in the US, so that I can maintain the payments? What are some other things I could do to prove that I have the intentions to keep domicile? The last time I've been in the US was about 2 years ago. I have only been back twice during my 8 years in China. Should I be worried about denial because, I never maintained domicile? 6. Although it may not matter but my spouse and I are in our late 20's. We also have a very strong desire to succeed and have been putting all of our "Gong Fu" into this! Things I will bring when I DCF: Note: I will ask some questions. 1. I-130 Petition (2 Pages) 2. G-325A- Me - Do I need to print the instruction page and hand in also? 3. G-325A - Spouse - Chinese addresses are so long. Will writing them down in smaller letters be ok on the G-325a form? 4. Copy- Birth certificate and SSN Card - Me (1 page) 5. Copy - Passport cover and signature pages- Spouse (1 Page) 6. Copy - Passport cover and signature page - Me(1 Page) 7. Copy - My current Chinese (L) Visa (1 Page) I have called Beijing. and explained I am on renewable 6 month (L) visa's for the purposes of staying with family. USCIS, in Beijing said no problem. Lets hope so! 8. Copy - Our wedding certificate in Chinese (Red book for Spouse and red book for me) (2 Pages) 9. A notarized and translated copy of our wedding certificate. 10. A notarized and translated copy of Spouses, birth certificate. 11: Visa photos (2in x 2in - white background) of myself and Spouse. 12: Photos, of course to prove our relationship and marriage. How many pics would you guys say is enough? I have like hundreds... Should I also bring in wedding video? Numbers 9 and 10 are still in the process. How much did it cost for most of you to notarize and translate those docs? Anyways we are getting close to DCF. Is there anything I may be missing? I am planning on putting these files in folders, then using an accordion like folder case to organize everything. Another question that I had, is what goes in what folder? For example: Folder 1 I-130 and G-325A forms- into folder labeled (I-130 & G-325A's? LOL! much help appreciated on how to organize the folders Plus should I have my family send some invitation letters for my spouse? I really do want to thank all of you regardless if you guys reply to this post! CFL, has been very helpful and educational to me and my family!!!