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This is an ongoing topic - click here for Most Recent Post from the SCMP on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/scmp/videos/458320581238822/ Huawei's CFO arrested South China Morning Post https://www.facebook.com/scmp/videos/458320581238822/ China demands clarity from US and Canada over arrest of Huawei CFO ‘for violating US sanctions on Iran’ Sabrina Meng Wanzhou was arrested in Vancouver on December 1, reportedly for violating US trade sanctions against Iran The US is seeking her extradition, and a bail hearing has been set for Friday

https://tello.com/buy/custom_plans I have friends who are happy with this service. Unlimited calls texts to USA, Canada, Mexico and China (from USA)plus 1 GB data for $10 a month. No contract can cancel after first month. I will give it a try, Good ratings for service (check the Sprint map) where I live.

from the NY Times (paywalled, unless you have free articles left) Chinese Dissidents Feel Heat of Beijing’s Wrath. Even in Canada.She thought she would be safe in Toronto. Then she began speaking out against the Chinese government and became the victim of a lurid smear campaign.

An interesting article, if you care to read it, in the NY Times. Some new revelations about his time in Hong Kong After Edward Snowden Fled U.S., Asylum Seekers in Hong Kong Took Him In

A China-born Falun Gong practitioner, whose father has been persecuted, and cut off from contact with her over her beliefs The Miss World pageant will be in Sanya in December. In the SCMP Miss World contestant puts pageant chances on the line to testify to US Congress about China's human rightsChinese-born actress Anastasia Lin no longer gets to speak with her father after she refused to stop human rights advocacy

my wife wants to go visit the Niagara falls she also like to go to Toronto on our visit. my question is with her being on her 2 year permanent resident green card will she be able to enter canada? i know she wont have to get a ETA (Electronic travel Authorization)

We're thinking about a trip to Montreal in April. I know that Chinese citizens need a Canada visa unless they have a green card. My wife's green card hasn't come in the mail yet, and we don't know if it'll get here before April. However, she does have her stamped IR-1 visa in her passport, which is supposed to act as a green card until the gc arrives. Do any of you know if she can travel to Canada on the IR-1? I would hate to be at the Quebec airport and have a border control person say the IR-1 isn't acceptable.

Hi, This is my first time posting here. I got some bad news today: My girlfriend received the results of her Canadian Study Permit Visa that we spent two months working on, and a fair amount of money (the agent I hired charged 900.00 CAD), and the result was rejection. More specifically, her visa request was denied because she had not "satisfied" the officer that she "would leave Canada at the end of her stay." I met my girlfriend a little over a year ago and we've been dating ever since. I was here teaching and taking Chinese, but I was nearing the end of my 1-year contract doing the former and preparing to return to the U.S., where I'm from. But I fell for her, and part of that I'm sure was her explaining to me that she fully planned to attend college in Toronto the following year. I, reluctantly, signed on for another 6 months at my job, even though my relationship with my verbally abusive boss was devolving into something unsustainable, and she set out on the path to get her Study Visa, by taking her IELTS (she received an overall score of 6.5). But in June, the situation at my job became so bad that I had to leave. My boss threatened both me and my girlfriend (who he had met on a few occasions) and demanded exorbitant amounts of money for my exit. As a result of this, we made a new plan: to visit my family in the U.S. for the summer, after which time she would return to China and secure her study visa, and I would come back with her (probably) on a tourist visa. But it wasn't to be. Though my girlfriend has a friend in the U.S., who offered an invitation letter and an explanation for the visit, the tourist visa was denied after an interview at the embassy in Shanghai. This was the first disappointment. Seeing the bad situation I was in, my girlfriend's parents, who I had become close with over the previous several months (after finally meeting them), invited me to come and stay with them and my girlfriend for the summer, while my girlfriend finished the paperwork for her Study Visa, so we could leave in the fall. As alluded to above, this attempt was also a failure, though a much more surprising one. I attribute it, sadly, to her age but more specifically her gender: She is 23 and unmarried, and she can not prove sufficient ties to her home country, the kind of things necessary to do this -- ownership of an apartment, a salaried job, etc. -- not being likely for anyone of her age and educational aspirations. It is exceedingly frustrating that such a seemingly qualified candidate such as herself -- scored well on IELTS, has a strong high school record, has been accepted by one the universities in Toronto that is recognized by China -- would be unable to secure her study permit, not just for the impact it potentially has on our future, but on her own. This is what she's wanted since before she was with me. Still the reality is, what's most important for both of us now, is staying together. I'm 27 myself and I've never loved anyone more than her, a realization I came to gradually but most assuredly. I find myself willing to stay in China even longer if I must, despite my immense desire to return to my family and friends Stateside (living in Toronto, where I've also been accepted into a post-grad program for what it's worth, would've at least put me a lot closer, and within visiting distance, to my home in Massachusetts). I'm considering finding a university to go to here, or getting tutoring work, but I don't especially want to teach full-time again -- I did it for over a year, it is far from my true passion, and I don't even feel especially skilled at it, which makes me feel uncomfortable returning to that field. Browsing the internet for solutions, I found this forum, and thought I would throw together a post and see what comes of it. Just looking through others' posts is something of a rude awakening, realizing that two people in love have so much difficulty being together due to the complications of immigration law. My own visa in China -- my work visa from my old job, which was never canceled -- expires here in a about 2 weeks, so there's some urgency to my situation, too. Personally, I am open to marriage, and while my girlfriend is a little younger and not as accepting of the idea, she is open to it in so much as a way to get us both out of the country. But her parents are not comfortable with us resorting to this purely for this purpose -- we have their blessing entirely as a couple, but marriage is a big step for them that they want us to spend more time building to. Additionally, the research I've done so far does not suggest that marriage would solve all our problems anyway. I wish to continue my education, and have my family's financial support in doing so; I don't wish to hold down a 9-to-5 job just to prove to some immigration officer that I can support the wife I was forced into marrying. But I imagine the reality of everything I'm saying is all to familiar to many of you, so I'll stop here. Any suggestions at all as to my situation are greatly appreciated. And any further information I can offer I will be more than happy to provide. Thanks for your time, - Sam

Hi all. I have an interesting problem and need your help. My wife's dad has a one year B-2 visa and has been here since May 24. His I94 expires Nov 23 but instead of extending we want to go to Vancouver for a visit with the thought that he'd receive a new I94 at the border upon re-entry. He'd need a Canada visitors visa making this route potentially cheaper than extending. So far so good, but here's the problem. I received notice early this month from Canada that he's approved and to send them his passport. I did this last week (along with prepaid return postage with tracking) and was hoping to receive it back this week but nothing has been mailed back from them yet. Now I'm worried that they may not return the passport in time for the departure by Nov 23. Anyone have a recommendation on what I should do? I don't want this to cause a black eye due to an overstay, but he couldn't leave the country now regardless without his passport and it appears the LA Canada Consulate General is not expedient in placing the visa sticker and mailing it as I had hoped. Much appreciate any help.

Wife is going to China for a week and returning with the inlaws as well,all on same plane(s).Airline is Air Canada,for her going as well as them (wife and her parents) coming back.I've heard that in Canadian airports that as far as cash goes (vending machines,luggage carts,etc.) that only Canadian currency is accepted.Any truth to that? Also would like to know what customs forms are requirted and if the required customs forms they will need to fill out prior to arrival here (and in Canada if applicable) are available for download so I can show wife what she needs to write (in) as well as the parents. BTW.,all will be coming to US./PHL.

Are there any customs procedures in Canada while transferring planes from China to the US? Trying to get an idea of how long a connection time needed.

My chinese wife and daughter want to visit her sister and cousin in Canada. My wife is a US Greencard holder, and her daughter is a US Citizen. Is my wife required to get a Canadian Vistitor Visa to enter/exit with her US Greencard and Chinese Passport? My daughter is a US Citizen, so I guess her US passport is all that is required ....don't need Canadian Visa? I have been reading the Canadian Embassy website and various forums on people giving advice, it's confusion. Also,her sister is on a "6 months visitor visa" from China staying with her daughter in Canada.She received her visa by requesting that she visit her daughter for college graduation, can she stay in Canada and ask for another 6 months extension on her visa, or does she have to go back to China and re-apply there to go back to Canada on another trip. What are the odds that she will be refused to enter Canada again to be with her daughter? Thankyou, Chris

My wife will be arriving from Beijing on July 10th. Beijing -Vancouver on Air Canada then Vancouver - Houston on Continental. Continetal threw me a little curve yesterday when they said my wife will pass USA customs in Vancouver, not Houston. Seems the point of entry will be Canada, I've never heard of this before. Continental told me that my wife's bags will be transferred from Air Canada to Continental automatically. When she leaves Beijing she wont see them again until she arrives in Houston. My question is, since the point of entry is now Vancover, how will customs check her bags? These bags apparently will not be in her possession. I want to make this as easy for her as I can with as little surprises to her as possible. Will USA customs process her after getting off the plane in Vancouver or before boarding the plane to Houston? Any RELIABLE thoughts or suggestions will be greatly appeciated! Steve

I need to see the boss in Calgary next month. Because there's a nice little China town there, I want to take the girls. I called the Canadian government and they said a USA green card would get the girls into Canada. ...but the person on the phone said the green card was good so quickly and off the cuff that I didn't feel confident in their answer. (I know...I know...but these are my girls I'm frettin' about so cut me some slack ) Does the answer that the green card gets them in ring true with you guys? Anyone travel recently to Canada with their wife? I don't want to get them all excited and then have to tell them they cannot come with me.

I know getting a tourist VISA to the states is almost impossible but my step mother lives in Canada. Is it easier for her to try to get a VISA to visit in Canada. We are still waiting for NOA2 so I don't know if that will do any harm if she left China for 2 weeks? Thanks

Hi All, I was wondering if anyone could share some experience.... My Wife (Chinese Citizen with 2yr conditional green card) and I are currently living in Seattle WA area. Her Chinese passport is going to expire Fall 2009 and will need a renewal soon. The Chinese consulate covering WA is way down in San Francisco. A much closer (about 1/6th the distance) major city with consulate is Vancouver BC Canada. It would work out nicely to renew the passport there as we like to visit Vancouver. Has anyone renewed a Chinese passport in a third party country while visiting, not a resident? Is it allowed by Chinese consulate?

I've followed several posts regarding transit visa for Chinese SO's through Canada to/from US. Our situation: - spouse is K1 (AOS submitted and still waiting) - has Advance Parole (AP) from I-131 in hand - has EAD in hand (worthless for travel, but nice to have as gov ID) - we live north of Seattle, WA and wish to consider flying to/from China via Vancouver Questions: 1/ Where does one find application for Canada transit visa? I seem to only find commercial sites seeking to make money from being in the middle. Anyone have a direct link to Canada Immigration? 2/ Where does the application get submitted and how long does it take to process? 3/ If we fly through Vancouver on the way over and on the way back do we need 2 transit visas? 4/ Will the transit visa allow driving across the border to fly out of Vancouver, or is it only good for transit through the airport? Same question would apply for return. If anyone has experience with such questions, I'd really appreciate your thoughts. Thanks very much, David

On July 27th, me and Kathy tried to come to the US together. Unfortunately, they would not let Kathy fly and I had to come home alone, again. She didn't have the required Canadian transit visa. I have flow from China to the US with a stop in Canada before and of course I didn't have any problems. Once you dissembark the plane in Canada, you proceed directly to US customs/immigration. I thought because we never go through Canada customs/immigation and we are in 'international space', that she would not need any kind of visa. However, Canada still requires the transit visa. I wouldn't have guessed you'd need a visa for a country in which you do not pass through customs/immigation for. I certainly never get a canada stamp in my passport when I make this layover. In any case, I'm done ranting. I just wanted to warn others so they don't make the same mistake I did. On the positive, other arrangements have been made and she'll be here soon.

Wife has received 2-year Green card in June. We plan to go on a road trip to Ontario Canada during this long weekend. What are needed in order to pass through Canadian Custom? and Will wife be able to return to US with just Green card? Just want to make sure before we actually go on this trip. Please advise. Thank you!

The good news first is that Liwen's parents went to Beijing last week and both got visitor visas. We followed the guidelines here fairly closely and made a good case for them and visited last month and took lots of pics. Now we are trying to get them good price tickets to fly to Portland Oregon where we would meet them. The cheapest option is for them to fly to Vancouver BC and then to Portland. Is there a problem with them flying first to Canada? Do they also need to get a Canadian visitor visa? Also we thought maybe we could take the train up there and meet them. Could they as an option take a train from Canada to USA or would there be problems? Any advice would be appreciated.

I'm sure this has been asked before, but we decided on the spur of the moment to visit friends in Toronto over the long weekend, and I need a quick answer. Will Lily and our son have any trouble entering Canada or re-entering the U.S. with their Green Cards and chinese passports? Thanks

Hey all, Juxin recently received the conditional permanent resident stamp thing (a.k.a. the temporary green card stamp) in the back of her Chinese passport. As such we thought it would be nice to drive up to Vancouver BC next weekend. There's no doubt that she will be able to get back into the US. But what about getting into Canada? Will they let her in? Does she have to apply for a Canadian tourist visa, or will they treat her as a "regular" permanent resident since she has the stamp in her Chinese passport? FYI, she also has her official State of Oregon DMV-issued identification card that shows her last name the same as mine. Can she get into Canada with that??