Our Easy Approval via DCF

[Andrew and Zhuli]

Dear Candleforlove,

 

I have been helped by you, now it's my turn to return the favor.

 

If you look at my signature, it will give you a general outline of our process. I am an English teacher in China who has a wonderful Chinese wife.

 

1. I first payed the I-130 fee in Shanghai where I live, but now I think one must go to Beijing to pay if they are filing a DCF. That was in August of 2011. I prepared the following and sent it on December 26th 2011 with my I-130 (my wife became pregnant so we waited a while before mailing the I-130). This is the table of contents:

 

1. Receipt of payment for I-130

2. Form I-130 Petition for Alien Relative

3. Copy of unexpired passport and all pages (petitioner)

4. Form G-325a (petitioner)

5. Passport sized photo (petitioner)

6. Form G-325a (beneficiary)

7. Passport sized photo (beneficiary)

8. Copy of US birth certificate (petitioner)

9. Copy of valid US driver's license and Social Security card (petitioner)

10. Evidence of a Bona Fide marriage:

• Copy of notarized translated marriage certificate (petitioner and beneficiary)
  
• Copy of Chinese marriage certificate (petitioner and beneficiary)
  
• Relationship overview
  
• Copy of coinciding flight tickets (petitioner and beneficiary)
  
• Copy of coinciding visas (petitioner and beneficiary)
  
• Copy of coinciding entry/exit stamps (petitioner and beneficiary)
  
• Photos of us throughout the years including wedding photos (petitioner and beneficiary)
  

2. We received a Notice of Approval of Relative Immigrant Visa Petition, form OF-169, form DS-230 and form I-864 from USCIS on March 10th, 2012.

 

3. Gathered all documents needed as stated in form OF-169

 

4. Mailed forms OF-169 and DS-230 (both parts) on June 11th, 2012. (note our son was born during this time so we delayed everything for about 2 months)

 

5. Received an email from Guangzhou on June 21st, 2012 as an appointment letter. The appointment was for July 18th, 2012 at 12:30 p.m.

 

6. Had the medical check done in Shanghai (the city we live in) on July 3rd, 2011. We had to bring the appointment letter, a copy of my wife's passport bio page and six US passport sized photos. Received the results of the health check a week later.

 

7. Prepared the following documents to give to the consulate (my table of contents):

• Copy of wife's passport bio page
  
• Six US passport sized photos
  
• Notarized marriage certificate
  
• Notarized birth certificate
  
• Notarized Chinese and Korean police reports
  
• Copy of my passport bio page
  
• I-864 (mine)
  
• Three year's of tax 1040s (mine)
  
• Letter of Salary from current company
  
• My bank statements (US and Chinese accounts in English and in USD)
  
• Copy of father's passport bio page
  
• I-864A (father's)
  
• Three year's of tax 1040s (father's)
  
• Relationship overview (letter)
  
• Coinciding visas and entry/exit stamps
  
• My Chinese Residence Permits
  
• Photos
  
• US Consular Birth Certificate of our son
  
• Copy of son's passport bio page
  
• Copy of valid driver's license
  
• My property deed in the US
  

8. Went to interview on July 18th, 2012 and my wife was finger printed, filled out a EMS delivery slip with our address in China. She then signed part II of the DS-230 and handed in the following documents:

 

• Copy of wife's passport bio page
  
• Six US passport sized photos
  
• Notarized marriage certificate
  
• Notarized birth certificate
  
• Notarized Chinese and Korean police reports
  
• I-864 (mine)
  
• Three year's of tax 1040s (mine)
  
• Letter of Salary from current company
  
• My bank statements (US and Chinese accounts in English and in USD)
  
• I-864A (father's)
  
• Three year's of tax 1040s (father's)
  

9. Returned at 7:30 a.m. on July the 19th 2012 for the interview. She was asked the following questions (less than 2 minutes):

1. Where did you and your husband meet?
   
2. When did you get married?
   
3. How long have you been working and living in China together?
   
4. Does your son have a US passport?
   
5. How long did you stay in America on your B1 (visitor's) visa?
   

 

10. Handed her a white page saying congratulations and she would get the visa in a week.

 

So, that was the entire process for us. I think we were blessed to have everything go so smoothly. So for all you other DCF'ers, good luck.

[dan1984]

Congratulations!!!

 

And, thanks for the write-up, I've marked it for future reference!

 

Dan