Missed the P4 train

[Michael and Manyun]

I finally got a striaght answer out of DOS as to why We aren't making the current journey on the P4 train. We don't even have a ticket yet.

 

Manyun received the P3 Packet in May. There was a one week delay because despite two emails (receipt confirmed) and a fax, the packet was held at the China Post because of an incorrect address. I repeatedly asked her to get help from a certain gentleman of her acquaintance, even if we had to pay the guy, because he has helped many people with visa application forms. He is very good with english, and highly educated. Instead, She went to the son of a friend of hers.

 

While this guy helped us out tremendously during the initial phase of our relationship, he is stubborn, opinionated, and NEVER wrong. Don't believe it? Just ask him. He caused some headaches for me during my visits there, and tanked Manyun's computer because he knew how to set it up better than I did, making some changes after I left.

 

So, they got the forms completed and mailed back to GUZ. The sudden rash of Interview dates caused me to call DOS to see if we would be in the mix. Instead, I was told that Manyun was not even eligible yet. Two phone calls, two different reasons, delayed name check being one of them.

 

Well, today I called again. I was told that GUZ received her paperwork, but that she omitted one of the forms, I believe that it was Part 2 of the biometrics. I am P.O'd. So now, we've lost another month plus because of her bonehead friend. But from what I've read in the "Our Stories" section, this habit of believing a Chinese friend/relative over an SO or husband is not uncommon. Many of our "disagreements" are over what this guy does.

 

It's partly my fault, as I don't call DOS as often as many of you do. But from now on, I will make it a weekly habit. I have always been an advocate that if you want it done right, you have to do it yourself. I will also ask her more questions about what she is doing, although the damage is done.

 

Live and learn

[Guest pushbrk]

I finally got a striaght answer out of DOS as to why We aren't making the current journey on the P4 train. We don't even have a ticket yet.

 

Manyun received the P3 Packet in May. There was a one week delay because despite two emails (receipt confirmed) and a fax, the packet was held at the China Post because of an incorrect address. I repeatedly asked her to get help from a certain gentleman of her acquaintance, even if we had to pay the guy, because he has helped many people with visa application forms. He is very good with english, and highly educated. Instead, She went to the son of a friend of hers.

 

While this guy helped us out tremendously during the initial phase of our relationship, he is stubborn, opinionated, and NEVER wrong. Don't believe it? Just ask him. He caused some headaches for me during my visits there, and tanked Manyun's computer because he knew how to set it up better than I did, making some changes after I left.

 

So, they got the forms completed and mailed back to GUZ. The sudden rash of Interview dates caused me to call DOS to see if we would be in the mix. Instead, I was told that Manyun was not even eligible yet. Two phone calls, two different reasons, delayed name check being one of them.

 

Well, today I called again. I was told that GUZ received her paperwork, but that she omitted one of the forms, I believe that it was Part 2 of the biometrics. I am P.O'd. So now, we've lost another month plus because of her bonehead friend. But from what I've read in the "Our Stories" section, this habit of believing a Chinese friend/relative over an SO or husband is not uncommon. Many of our "disagreements" are over what this guy does.

 

It's partly my fault, as I don't call DOS as often as many of you do. But from now on, I will make it a weekly habit. I have always been an advocate that if you want it done right, you have to do it yourself. I will also ask her more questions about what she is doing, although the damage is done.

 

Live and learn

227446[/snapback]

I'm really sorry to hear that, Mike. I've certainly found this process to be more "hands-on" than I expected it to be. A lot of it seems like over-kill until you find a mistake or misconception.

[david_dawei]

But from what I've read in the "Our Stories" section, this habit of believing a Chinese friend/relative over an SO or husband is not uncommon. Many of our "disagreements" are over what this guy does.

...

...

I have always been an advocate that if you want it done right, you have to do it yourself. I will also ask her more questions about what she is doing, although the damage is done.

 

Live and learn

227446[/snapback]

Sorry to hear this..

 

And it can be an uphill battle overcoming the advice of other chinese... but this is what they trust and will slowly [also] learn from the mistake.

 

I took the same approach after a few miscues by the visa service that helped me submit our initial petition.. I then did everything myself.. I've never regretting taking an active role, but was very patient to know that delays can happen. Just need to understand the process and how best to response to it.

 

There's some recovery to do now for you, but don't let it sit too long inside nor get upset with your SO over it. It will all seem so meaningless once your together.

[Michael and Manyun]

Wait a minute!!!!!

 

For K1/K2, isn't Part 1 the only part required? Does the K2 make the difference?

[Michael and Manyun]

Now I'm thinking that I am putting the blame in the wrong place. Only Part one of the Ds-230 is required for a K1. Looks like I let my mouth (keyboard) do my thinking for me again.

 

I need to call DOS back this afternoon. If we are being held back because of a missing Part 2, and we aren't SUPPOSED to submit Part 2, there's going to be Hell to pay.

[GaryandSherry]

Sorry to hear of this mixup Mike. Don't blame your SO. We all have to remember the customs in China and the customs in the US do differ in many ways. I do remember my SO telling me there was only one form she had to return to GUZ, so I would definately check with DOS again.

[Michael and Manyun]

Sorry to hear of this mixup Mike. Don't blame your SO. We all have to remember the customs in China and the customs in the US do differ in many ways. I do remember my SO telling me there was only one form she had to return to GUZ, so I would definately check with DOS again.

227456[/snapback]

Thanks, Gary.

 

I am sure that Dos is at lunch now, so I will wait a while. You are right about the other part to. As I said, I believe that it was a thread in the "Our Stories" that brought up the subject of why and why our SO's listed to. I hope that over time, manyun will begin to listen to more than she does to others. It is very frustrating trying to get a point across based on first hand KNOWLEDGE, arguing against a 3rd party's thoughts or opinion planted in my SO's head..

 

Mike

[Guest pushbrk]

Now I'm thinking that I am putting the blame in the wrong place. Only Part one of the Ds-230 is required for a K1. Looks like I let my mouth (keyboard) do my thinking for me again.

 

I need to call DOS back this afternoon. If we are being held back because of a missing Part 2, and we aren't SUPPOSED to submit Part 2, there's going to be Hell to pay.

227454[/snapback]

I didn't understand that by "biometrics" you meant the DS 230. For K3, only part 1 is required. I don't know about K1.

 

I would be very specific with DOS. What exactly is missing from Manyun's P3 submission?

[shyaushu]

But from what I've read in the "Our Stories" section, this habit of believing a Chinese friend/relative over an SO or husband is not uncommon. Many of our "disagreements" are over what this guy does.

...

...

I have always been an advocate that if you want it done right, you have to do it yourself. I will also ask her more questions about what she is doing, although the damage is done.

 

Live and learn

227446[/snapback]

Sorry to hear this..

 

And it can be an uphill battle overcoming the advice of other chinese... but this is what they trust and will slowly [also] learn from the mistake.

 

I took the same approach after a few miscues by the visa service that helped me submit our initial petition.. I then did everything myself.. I've never regretting taking an active role, but was very patient to know that delays can happen. Just need to understand the process and how best to response to it.

 

There's some recovery to do now for you, but don't let it sit too long inside nor get upset with your SO over it. It will all seem so meaningless once your together.

227451[/snapback]

I empathize with your frustration, of course, but couldn't agree more with David -- this is certainly not a reason to be upset with your partner. There is no doubt she is motivated by wanting the best for both of you. Sometimes it doesn't work out that way. It's only natural to want to trust the people you know.

 

I suppose we can all remember the times when we received the "next" form in the morning and rushed off to assemble the required information, complete it and get it in the mail by that afternoon. All that seems somewhat silly, now, since everything fell into place in its own time, eventually. A day or two -- even a week or two, here and there -- was never really critical. Why get grey hairs over it?

 

A month is a long time, granted, but not that terrible in the context of something that takes, typically, a year or more. It's an increase of something like 8% in the total application time.

 

And I think David is right on the second count, too: it will all seem meaningless once it's over. A somewhat slow-in-coming visa is a lot better than a rejection or having to scramble to overcome some disqualification.

 

Relax (if you can).

[david_dawei]

Now I'm thinking that I am putting the blame in the wrong place. Only Part one of the Ds-230 is required for a K1. Looks like I let my mouth (keyboard) do my thinking for me again.

 

I need to call DOS back this afternoon. If we are being held back because of a missing Part 2, and we aren't SUPPOSED to submit Part 2, there's going to be Hell to pay.

227454[/snapback]

I didn't understand that by "biometrics" you meant the DS 230. For K3, only part 1 is required. I don't know about K1.

 

I would be very specific with DOS. What exactly is missing from Manyun's P3 submission?

227460[/snapback]

K1 is the same... only need to do DS-230 Part I.

[Michael and Manyun]

Thanks, Wally. I appreciate your input.

 

Now this thing is taking on a whole new light each time I talk to DOS. I just now got off the phone with them after speaking with a different person than I did this morning. This guy tells me that we are not yet eligible for interview because GUZ received (logged in, I suppose) the DS-230 in early June. However, he said, that normally it takes 6 to 9 months from that point to have an interview scheduled.

 

SIX TO NINE MONTHS????? What the.....?

 

I questioned him about what I was told this morning, that I was told I was lacking Part 2 of the DS-230, but that as a K1 we don't need it. He said that he didn't know anything about that, and that he could not refute what I was told this morning. OMG!

 

I told him that I see people whose time frames are similar to mine being scheduled for August. His response? If Guz wants something else from us, they will request it. Ya know what??? BS. These are my tax dollars at work, and their ineptness (is there such a word?) has REALLY got me riled. No, this is no longer about whatever Manyun might have done/not done. I'm calmed down about that. This is now about a system that is in such disarray that no one knows nothing about anything. Four phone calls to DOS over 3 days, with 4 different responses. They must not have a single-source screen giving them all the information at once. They must have to hunt and peck for bits and pieces to try to make sense of it. And I am supposed to wait for a request from GUZ?????

 

I am going to email GUZ this afternoon to see if I can get a heads-up on what, IF ANYTHING we are lacking, or if they just have our case so bass-ackwards that they set us aside for a while, hoping it would fix itself..

 

More later.

Edited June 28, 2006 by Michael and Manyun (see edit history)

[Guest pushbrk]

Thanks, Wally. I appreciate your input.

 

Now this thing is taking on a whole new light each time I talk to DOS. I just now got off the phone with them after speaking with a different person than I did this morning. This guy tells me that we are not yet eligible for interview because GUZ received (logged in, I suppose) the DS-230 in early June. However, he said, that normally it takes 6 to 9 months from that point to have an interview scheduled.

 

SIX TO NINE MONTHS?????  What the.....?

 

 

I am going to email GUZ this afternoon to see if I can get a heads-up on what, IF ANYTHING we are lacking, or if they just have our case so bass-ackwards that they set us aside for a while, hoping it would fix itself..

 

More later.

227472[/snapback]

Mike,

 

I understand your frustration but now is the time for calm resolve. By all means email GUZ and ask them specifically what they are missing, if anything for you to be interview eligible and then how to get that to them.

 

For reference, here's my log of calls to DOS. Some were helpful and some were not. My advice is to know what you want to ask and make sure you get those specific questions answered. I would avoid mentioning previous calls.

 

Date Time Name Status

 

4/21/2006 7:45 Raquel Confirm transfer on 18th but electronic file not yet boarded

4/25/2006 6:19 ? Says case is Loaded but not received. Claims loaded date is same as transfer date

5/12/2006 8:02 Jeanette Reconfirmed loaded date. No further update. Seemed distracted. Didn't ask if I was petitioner.

5/22/2006 1:33 BJ Confirms P3 sent May 17 There is no second name check scheduled at this time.

5/26/2006 6:03 Sue P3 NOT logged as received- Case shows as "open" which is supposed to mean the physical file is present.

5/31/2006 9:01 Raquel P3 NOT logged as received- Raquel also confirms the physical file is present since May 17.

6/2/2006 11:05 ? P3 NOT logged as received

6/5/2006 10:10 Rose P3 Not Logged as received

6/7/2006 9:35 Michael P3 Not Logged as received

6/9/2006 9:20 BJ P3 Not Logged as received

6/12/2006 8:05 v spec :-) No new update This seemed to be a new person. Wouldn't give name when asked.

6/14/2006 7:35 Jennifer Document qualified, eligible for interview P3 logged 6/14/06 Interview not scheduled.

6/15/2006 6:47 Barbara No Change

6/16/2006 6:46 Raquel No Change

6/19/2006 6:18 BJ I'm sorry but no interview has been scheduled yet.

6/20/2006 7:09 BJ I'm sorry but no interview has been scheduled yet.

6/21/2006 Rose No interview yet

6/22/2006 7:36 Sue No interview yet (GUZ can take from 3 to 6 months to get interview.)

6/23/2006 6:54 BJ No interview yet

6/26/2006 6:44 Sue A K1 case with same eligible date was just assigned interview for August 30.

6/27/2006 7:01 Ola P4 today. Interview August 8.

 

One of the people in the last couple weeks quoted me the stock "could take 6 to 9 months" but I just ignored it and logged no change in status and called again the next day. I think the key to maintaining sanity in the face of all this is to be as personally informed as possible and then take control of the conversation by asking specific questions. Then do your own timeline projecting. Ignore the DOS staff's predictions. You CAN know more about GUZ than they do.

 

The day before I was informed our interview was 8/8 the woman speculated that because she had informed somebody else (probably cheffie dude) with my same eligibility date, of an 8/30 interview, ours would probably be in September or October. She went on and on about priority dates and K1's ahead of K3 etc. We know that for GUZ, all that is meaningless. They aren't FIFO. The next day I was told our interview was 8/8.

[Michael and Manyun]

Thanks, Wally. I appreciate your input.

 

Now this thing is taking on a whole new light each time I talk to DOS. I just now got off the phone with them after speaking with a different person than I did this morning. This guy tells me that we are not yet eligible for interview because GUZ received (logged in, I suppose) the DS-230 in early June. However, he said, that normally it takes 6 to 9 months from that point to have an interview scheduled.

 

SIX TO NINE MONTHS??????What the.....?

 

 

I am going to email GUZ this afternoon to see if I can get a heads-up on what, IF ANYTHING we are lacking, or if they just have our case so bass-ackwards that they set us aside for a while, hoping it would fix itself..

 

More later.

227472[/snapback]

Mike,

 

I understand your frustration but now is the time for calm resolve. By all means email GUZ and ask them specifically what they are missing, if anything for you to be interview eligible and then how to get that to them.

 

For reference, here's my log of calls to DOS. Some were helpful and some were not. My advice is to know what you want to ask and make sure you get those specific questions answered. I would avoid mentioning previous calls.

 

Date Time Name Status

 

4/21/2006 7:45 Raquel Confirm transfer on 18th but electronic file not yet boarded

4/25/2006 6:19 ? Says case is Loaded but not received. Claims loaded date is same as transfer date

5/12/2006 8:02 Jeanette Reconfirmed loaded date. No further update. Seemed distracted. Didn't ask if I was petitioner.

5/22/2006 1:33 BJ Confirms P3 sent May 17 There is no second name check scheduled at this time.

5/26/2006 6:03 Sue P3 NOT logged as received- Case shows as "open" which is supposed to mean the physical file is present.

5/31/2006 9:01 Raquel P3 NOT logged as received- Raquel also confirms the physical file is present since May 17.

6/2/2006 11:05 ? P3 NOT logged as received

6/5/2006 10:10 Rose P3 Not Logged as received

6/7/2006 9:35 Michael P3 Not Logged as received

6/9/2006 9:20 BJ P3 Not Logged as received

6/12/2006 8:05 v spec :-) No new update This seemed to be a new person. Wouldn't give name when asked.

6/14/2006 7:35 Jennifer Document qualified, eligible for interview P3 logged 6/14/06 Interview not scheduled.

6/15/2006 6:47 Barbara No Change

6/16/2006 6:46 Raquel No Change

6/19/2006 6:18 BJ I'm sorry but no interview has been scheduled yet.

6/20/2006 7:09 BJ I'm sorry but no interview has been scheduled yet.

6/21/2006 Rose No interview yet

6/22/2006 7:36 Sue No interview yet (GUZ can take from 3 to 6 months to get interview.)

6/23/2006 6:54 BJ No interview yet

6/26/2006 6:44 Sue A K1 case with same eligible date was just assigned interview for August 30.

6/27/2006 7:01 Ola P4 today. Interview August 8.

 

One of the people in the last couple weeks quoted me the stock "could take 6 to 9 months" but I just ignored it and logged no change in status and called again the next day. I think the key to maintaining sanity in the face of all this is to be as personally informed as possible and then take control of the conversation by asking specific questions. Then do your own timeline projecting. Ignore the DOS staff's predictions. You CAN know more about GUZ than they do.

 

The day before I was informed our interview was 8/8 the woman speculated that because she had informed somebody else (probably cheffie dude) with my same eligibility date, of an 8/30 interview, ours would probably be in September or October. She went on and on about priority dates and K1's ahead of K3 etc. We know that for GUZ, all that is meaningless. They aren't FIFO. The next day I was told our interview was 8/8.

227484[/snapback]

Thanks, Mike

 

The email has been sent to GUZ. I explained the situation in my most professional writing style, told them the responses that I have gotten, and requested the true status of my case as they see it.

 

The last guy I talked to didn't even indicate that there WAS anything missing from the submittal, just that it was many months too soon to expect anything to happen.

 

Hey, everyone knows that I am a calm, laid-back guy, right Ron (RLS)?

 

[Guest ShaQuaNew]

You know Michael, this just blows huge green, red, and orange chunks! Trying to work with a partner thousands of miles away while making sure things are done properly, expeditiously, and without entering into misunderstanding with a partner would be a challenge akin that given to the knights of the round table.

 

Now, with that said, there are a few services in China that for under $400.00 will make sure all your stuff gets done with minimal intrusion. While I've studied the immigration system from stem to stern, I daily realize just how much there is to know and how easy it is to screw just one little thing up so that it causes delays, denials, or worse.

 

While there are many services in China that will take your money and happily screw you without consent, there are a few that will do it for you. I'm not talking an attorney, I'm talking services akin to a US paralegal. Chef4U found one in Nanning, who would likely be able to refer to others....

[RLS]

Thanks, Wally. I appreciate your input.

 

Now this thing is taking on a whole new light each time I talk to DOS. I just now got off the phone with them after speaking with a different person than I did this morning. This guy tells me that we are not yet eligible for interview because GUZ received (logged in, I suppose) the DS-230 in early June. However, he said, that normally it takes 6 to 9 months from that point to have an interview scheduled.

 

SIX TO NINE MONTHS??????What the.....?

 

 

I am going to email GUZ this afternoon to see if I can get a heads-up on what, IF ANYTHING we are lacking, or if they just have our case so bass-ackwards that they set us aside for a while, hoping it would fix itself..

 

More later.

227472[/snapback]

Mike,

 

I understand your frustration but now is the time for calm resolve. By all means email GUZ and ask them specifically what they are missing, if anything for you to be interview eligible and then how to get that to them.

 

For reference, here's my log of calls to DOS. Some were helpful and some were not. My advice is to know what you want to ask and make sure you get those specific questions answered. I would avoid mentioning previous calls.

 

Date Time Name Status

 

4/21/2006 7:45 Raquel Confirm transfer on 18th but electronic file not yet boarded

4/25/2006 6:19 ? Says case is Loaded but not received. Claims loaded date is same as transfer date

5/12/2006 8:02 Jeanette Reconfirmed loaded date. No further update. Seemed distracted. Didn't ask if I was petitioner.

5/22/2006 1:33 BJ Confirms P3 sent May 17 There is no second name check scheduled at this time.

5/26/2006 6:03 Sue P3 NOT logged as received- Case shows as "open" which is supposed to mean the physical file is present.

5/31/2006 9:01 Raquel P3 NOT logged as received- Raquel also confirms the physical file is present since May 17.

6/2/2006 11:05 ? P3 NOT logged as received

6/5/2006 10:10 Rose P3 Not Logged as received

6/7/2006 9:35 Michael P3 Not Logged as received

6/9/2006 9:20 BJ P3 Not Logged as received

6/12/2006 8:05 v spec :-) No new update This seemed to be a new person. Wouldn't give name when asked.

6/14/2006 7:35 Jennifer Document qualified, eligible for interview P3 logged 6/14/06 Interview not scheduled.

6/15/2006 6:47 Barbara No Change

6/16/2006 6:46 Raquel No Change

6/19/2006 6:18 BJ I'm sorry but no interview has been scheduled yet.

6/20/2006 7:09 BJ I'm sorry but no interview has been scheduled yet.

6/21/2006 Rose No interview yet

6/22/2006 7:36 Sue No interview yet (GUZ can take from 3 to 6 months to get interview.)

6/23/2006 6:54 BJ No interview yet

6/26/2006 6:44 Sue A K1 case with same eligible date was just assigned interview for August 30.

6/27/2006 7:01 Ola P4 today. Interview August 8.

 

One of the people in the last couple weeks quoted me the stock "could take 6 to 9 months" but I just ignored it and logged no change in status and called again the next day. I think the key to maintaining sanity in the face of all this is to be as personally informed as possible and then take control of the conversation by asking specific questions. Then do your own timeline projecting. Ignore the DOS staff's predictions. You CAN know more about GUZ than they do.

 

The day before I was informed our interview was 8/8 the woman speculated that because she had informed somebody else (probably cheffie dude) with my same eligibility date, of an 8/30 interview, ours would probably be in September or October. She went on and on about priority dates and K1's ahead of K3 etc. We know that for GUZ, all that is meaningless. They aren't FIFO. The next day I was told our interview was 8/8.

227484[/snapback]

Thanks, Mike

 

The email has been sent to GUZ. I explained the situation in my most professional writing style, told them the responses that I have gotten, and requested the true status of my case as they see it.

 

The last guy I talked to didn't even indicate that there WAS anything missing from the submittal, just that it was many months too soon to expect anything to happen.

 

Hey, everyone knows that I am a calm, laid-back guy, right Ron (RLS)?

 

227489[/snapback]

Heck yea! I know that!

Mike, I truly hope you get to the bottom of this and get some action. How confusing can they make it? Now, your opening post has got me to thinking about my contact in China. How much can I rely on him to guide my SO through all this stuff? I guess there is no way of knowing. I hired him on recommedations from others here. Anyway, this is not about me. Good luck, Mike and I hope you get some answers and soon.

 

 

I'm talking services akin to a US paralegal. Chef4U found one in Nanning, who would likely be able to refer to others....

Probably the same guy I hired. Edited June 28, 2006 by RLS (see edit history)