help

[hongrun]

I hired an agency that guaranteed my finance would get a pink. Big mistake. I should have done everything myself, we practically did except fill in the blanks, they knew nothing about China. Ok, comes the interview and the VO was very nice till the end when she went through the documents and found a I-797 from another couple, the agency had sent it to her and since she had so many other papers and it looked official she just threw in the batch. The VO got someone else and they wanted to know her real name.. Then gave her a AP blue slip.

I wonder if I can go to China and go to the Monday petitioners meeting can i explain what happened? Also what time frame before she gets a denial? we have other problems, age difference and i have only been to china once,, but a 1 foot stack of skypes.

Edited August 29, 2011 by hongrun (see edit history)

[Henry and Mei]

First, sorry to hear the news.

Second, happy you found this site...but when???

 

And third, first rule of thumb with immigration lawyers and agencies, is THAT THEY CAN NEVER BE 100 PERCENT QUARANTEED ON GETTING HER A VISA.

 

You sound older. You realize some of your case weaknesses...did you front load? Did you research?

 

Got in some heated discussion before about this when I first was getting my wife her visa...BUT you are responsible for everything in your packet. EVERYTHING

 

No one is perfect. But if you have been here a while you know that you cannot check things enough. With this added petition, what else was not checked in your packet/added/left out?

 

If you did not fill in the blanks and your agency did, I hope you checked their work and have copies.

 

Probably can't hurt to go talk to GUZ. And if I remember correctly, they can't specifically discuss your case (even though each VO is different, so you can try) and/or you cannot present them with new documents/info.

 

But sounds like you want to try and explain things. Have you tried to email GUZ? What did your AGENCY tell you to do OR what are they doing to fix the problem?

 

And GUZ I am sure is looking strongly about bonafide relationship. Again, front load, how did you address?

 

I am sure she is worth it, but a flight to GUZ for not double checking? For me, tough call...

 

And a Blue slip is not a White. Have they asked for anything from you or her? Blues can change to Pink. And I do not believe there is a specific time frame. I have been reading posts from this site for years and every case is different like the VOs and how they are handled. Right now, you may just need to be patient, but I think emailing GUZ is still a good option for you. I think you can even pay to call and talk to someone, but I never did, so maybe some can help you with this option too.

 

But sincerely, Good luck!

Edited August 29, 2011 by Henry and Mei (see edit history)

[dan1984]

This is obviously a set-back for you guys, but like Henry said, it isn't a blue and it's not a total disaster or anything like that, just a set-back.

 

Also as Henry said, stay cool (for you and for your better half) in this time of uncertainty. As you do have a bonafide relationship, ideally everything should come to light in time.

 

I think first you should email GUZ and one, make them aware of the situation and ,two, by emailing and expressing your thoughts and concerns clearly you let them know you absolute care (which may or may not have an impact on if they have suspicions - I always feel like it can never hurt); you may not get the answers you want, but it definitely can't hurt, plus, maybe you would get some answers out of it. Is it necessary to make a visit personally to the Guangzhou consulate, I'll leave that to some of the more senior members of the board.

 

I don't know if there is a quick fix to the situation, but hopefully in communicating with the consulate it will all be resolved. I think the key is communicating clearly, and that will lessen any suspicion they may have. For example, if your significant other has another interview, include a letter/statement explaining why you choose to use an agency, and how the mistake was made. If you leave these type of things left unsaid, that's where the uncertainty would come in. As you said, maybe there are concerns about the age difference, etc, that's why explaining things clearly and providing the Skype stacks, pictures, etc. is important.

[tsap seui]

An e-mail from your agent of choice might help out too. Seeing as how it is THEIR screw-up that landed you in this mess.

 

Find the e-mail form for Guangzhou (probably in the FAQ's here), fill it out, and send in your e-mail with explaination as well, have the attorney send one too. He/she is your agent of choice.

 

Good luck.

 

tsap seui

[dnoblett]

Unfortunately there no longer is a petitioner hour at the consulate,

 

http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn/petitioner-hour-for-u.s.-citizens-to-discontinue.html

[hongrun]

thanks for all the replies, i was on this site when we started 3 years ago, the economy went south and it took me awhile to get back on my feet , then it has been a year with this agency. i could not check the packet she had because i was in the USA and they had a part time( now i find out she is just part time) girl helping hongrun. she also has a 11 year old child, so i do not think the age is as big as if she were in here twenties, she is 36 years old. we have both been married before and i was married for 36 years, before the ex left. the guarentee was not to get the visa , but a money back guarentee, i have been on too many trials as a juror to expect the law to go one way. thanks a gain for the support

[Henry and Mei]

thanks for all the replies, i was on this site when we started 3 years ago, the economy went south and it took me awhile to get back on my feet , then it has been a year with this agency. i could not check the packet she had because i was in the USA and they had a part time( now i find out she is just part time) girl helping hongrun. she also has a 11 year old child, so i do not think the age is as big as if she were in here twenties, she is 36 years old. we have both been married before and i was married for 36 years, before the ex left. the guarentee was not to get the visa , but a money back guarentee, i have been on too many trials as a juror to expect the law to go one way. thanks a gain for the support

 

Glad to see that you have looked at this site before. I did the same thing. I started reading 2 years before I joined to ask questions. So you should be well prepared for this journey. I think a lot of us felt the economy crunch and can understand. And your case does not seem overly difficult except for not reviewing what the agency sent your fiance. Always great to see when a Chinese woman completely understands this process and all the paperwork, but most need our help. Sounds like you had the agency send her the documents and not you. I would hope the agency sent you copies and I would think you would have wanted to see first. So you may want your money back, still sounds like a situation to avoid. This process is more important than money. Many have been banned from ever applying again due to others mistakes. I am sure you have read. It is a big gamble to put such an important matter into 3rd party hands especially when you sound more than capable.

 

Regardless, I thought I heard of ACS going away. But it looks like they try to handle emails quickly and you can apply as OTHER.

 

Best of luck and I hope there is no other major problems with your petition submission.

 

And like so many of us have done and is mentioned so many times is that your petition should be organized in folders and dividers in way that both you and she understands.

 

My friends and I used Cherry Blossoms to find our wives. They had a service to help with the visa process. My friend paid. They requested the material and reviewed and then sent back to my friend for submission. Seems the logical way to do this...

[Yuanyang]

Your age difference should not be of any concern at all. Many of us are 15 or more years older than our wives so put that worry out of your mind for now and focus on getting those documents along with a letter of explanation together and sent in ASAP.

Double-check everything ... several times.

Best of Luck to you two.

[hongrun]

thanks for all the replies, i was on this site when we started 3 years ago, the economy went south and it took me awhile to get back on my feet , then it has been a year with this agency. i could not check the packet she had because i was in the USA and they had a part time( now i find out she is just part time) girl helping hongrun. she also has a 11 year old child, so i do not think the age is as big as if she were in here twenties, she is 36 years old. we have both been married before and i was married for 36 years, before the ex left. the guarentee was not to get the visa , but a money back guarentee, i have been on too many trials as a juror to expect the law to go one way. thanks a gain for the support

 

Glad to see that you have looked at this site before. I did the same thing. I started reading 2 years before I joined to ask questions. So you should be well prepared for this journey. I think a lot of us felt the economy crunch and can understand. And your case does not seem overly difficult except for not reviewing what the agency sent your fiance. Always great to see when a Chinese woman completely understands this process and all the paperwork, but most need our help. Sounds like you had the agency send her the documents and not you. I would hope the agency sent you copies and I would think you would have wanted to see first. So you may want your money back, still sounds like a situation to avoid. This process is more important than money. Many have been banned from ever applying again due to others mistakes. I am sure you have read. It is a big gamble to put such an important matter into 3rd party hands especially when you sound more than capable.

 

Regardless, I thought I heard of ACS going away. But it looks like they try to handle emails quickly and you can apply as OTHER.

 

Best of luck and I hope there is no other major problems with your petition submission.

 

And like so many of us have done and is mentioned so many times is that your petition should be organized in folders and dividers in way that both you and she understands.

 

My friends and I used Cherry Blossoms to find our wives. They had a service to help with the visa process. My friend paid. They requested the material and reviewed and then sent back to my friend for submission. Seems the logical way to do this...

so much for the agency, they now put it in the hands of thier lawyer, who said we should wait to accuse untill she really gets turned down, then he list's all the mistakes we made, they are shedding water like a duck, but we are in the same state and i can use small claims, been there done that

thanks for your support, i am sure you all know how we feel, that helps oh i did reread everything and caught some blanks that i double checked to see they did not need to be filled in. where, or why this document was sent, no one informed me. i had the original i 797 of course sent to me.

[Henry and Mei]

Sounds like you have a good handle on things. If you want, let us know how GUZ responds to your email.

 

And I write things and later read that I made a mistake like SSA when I meant SSN. And ACS when I meant ACH. We all make mistakes and I find it best when writing something really important to me, to let it rest a day and review before sending. So I hope your email explaining your situation is well received and you are seeing PINK and put the agency experience behind you.

 

Good luck!

[hongrun]

Sounds like you have a good handle on things. If you want, let us know how GUZ responds to your email.

 

And I write things and later read that I made a mistake like SSA when I meant SSN. And ACS when I meant ACH. We all make mistakes and I find it best when writing something really important to me, to let it rest a day and review before sending. So I hope your email explaining your situation is well received and you are seeing PINK and put the agency experience behind you.

 

Good luck!

thanks. i waited for 15 minutes from when i heard she got a blue slip, they responded with what i thought was a auto reply, i will wait next time and think it out, thanks for the advice ken and rose

[Henry and Mei]

Sounds like you have a good handle on things. If you want, let us know how GUZ responds to your email.

 

And I write things and later read that I made a mistake like SSA when I meant SSN. And ACS when I meant ACH. We all make mistakes and I find it best when writing something really important to me, to let it rest a day and review before sending. So I hope your email explaining your situation is well received and you are seeing PINK and put the agency experience behind you.

 

Good luck!

thanks. i waited for 15 minutes from when i heard she got a blue slip, they responded with what i thought was a auto reply, i will wait next time and think it out, thanks for the advice ken and rose

 

Since having my wife here, I have not kept up with the changes at GUZ like the removal of ACH. I have thoughts on why they did, but curious if they published PC reason with a spin like lack of funds - manpower, etc...or just simply posted the notification.

 

I spent about an hour talking to the Vice Consul when I went to ACS and she came across as very professional and dedicated.

 

In this same thread of keeping up with GUZ, I remember past members stating that the email response from GUZ seemed generic. So I was curious, if someone actually takes time to read and give a proper response especially with ACH going away and also including it in your file.

[honeybun]

I hired an agency ...

What was the name of the agency? It seems to me that their other potential clients with family in China should have the benefit of knowledge of your experience with them.

[hongrun]

I hired an agency ...

What was the name of the agency? It seems to me that their other potential clients with family in China should have the benefit of knowledge of your experience with them.

we have kissed and made up. they have said now they will stand behind their guarentee of money back. the problem is exactly what i found our here and knew before i hired them. you have a low paid clerk in charge of your life. the secretary that filled in the form was very efficent, the agents came and went, and seemwed to be low paid workers, one was a south american specialist, and even the asian agents knew nothing about the small details of china. one big problem we had that took months to resolve was her divorce papers. she finally found out what she needed from online in china. i have reseached it and come to the conclusion that 99% of the chinese are not divorced by american standards. they get the priliminary court order and move on. it once was very hard to get divorce, when rose got her's it was easier, pay money, go before a judge and do special clases. now i think it is very easy, just pay money. but rose had to go home and take the classes and contribute to the clerks finacial future, ie bribe, to get the final, final document our country needs. in the end i wish i had not used any agency, but i was so worried i would do something wrong that i wanted a expert....maybe i would have messed up other things? i hope they do not have to pay me back and i would even pay more to end this, there are some good things in china, express clerks, just throw money at them.

i just added this part, the name of the agency is irelavant, it might have just been a bad employee. i had others that said things i did not agree with and they were gone in a month.

Edited August 30, 2011 by hongrun (see edit history)

[honeybun]

if 1) someone they employ made such a blatant and careless mistake with your paperwork and 2) they know little about the special circumstances of China and GUZ then I think it is still relevant. but if you don't want to say, then I have to leave it at that.