ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)How does I-94 and overstay time work

As Tracy says the airlines are meant to remove them and send them in. If that doesn't happen you are meant to post them back with proof of departure. If neither happens it can be assumed you are still in the US or overstayed and it might cause you problems in the future. It also might not cause any problem at all.


My Fiancee handed her I-94 over to the airlines when she departed from the US (B2 visa). She didn't overstay, but I want to know how I can check with the gov't to see if they have an accurate record of her departure?

PS- Would a Consular record (for K1 visa) on a certain date abroad also count as proof she didn't overstay?

Thanks

Edited by Hamburger Man, 17 March 2010 - 10:27 AM.

Hamburger ManMaleChina2010-03-17 10:25:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)How does I-94 and overstay time work
It is my understanding that the US gov't doesn't check the credentials of those leaving the US, including those holding I-94 forms. How is it that these forms and departure dates get recorded with the US government?
Hamburger ManMaleChina2010-03-17 09:38:00
ChinaGot my new China Visa

Yes which consulate? My last one was same thing---1 year , multiple entry but only 30 day stays. and yes good luck along the way


New York

I put 180 days as my longest stay on the form. I have also read that if you include a letter with a compelling reason you can probably get up to 180 days.

Good luck!
Hamburger ManMaleChina2010-03-11 01:11:00
ChinaGot my new China Visa

I am confused...why does a newly issued visa sticker matter if you are just now sending in your K1 packet. What is more important are the stamps from your previous trips you should have, ya? :thumbs:


After I read my post even I was confused. haha

What I meant was:

I got my second china visa. I also sent my Fiancee a packet of docs for her interview on the 23rd. My I-129F was approved back in November.

I already have 2 stamps in my passport from 2 previous visits to China and she has 1 stamp in her passport from a visit to the US.

Clear?
Hamburger ManMaleChina2010-03-10 18:58:00
ChinaGot my new China Visa
This week I got my new China visa, just in time to copy of entire passport for the K1 packet I am about to mail off.

I was very happy I was granted the 1 year, ME, 90 day stay each time.

Wish me luck!
Hamburger ManMaleChina2010-03-10 12:27:00
ChinaPushbrk's informal visit blog

Continuing on, I made a classic dummy mistake the night before last. I was feeling body aches and chills as my wife had felt the night before. Her brother gave her some medicine and she felt fine in the morning. I was tired and not thinking, so just let her give me the same. I felt better first thing in the morning but a bit groggy. Soon my constipation "reversed" itself and I was miserable the rest of the day and evening. Later I asked my wife about the medicine. I knew one was just ibuprofen but hadn't looked at the other one. Turns out it was a pretty harsh antibiotic and I don't tolerate those well. Oh well, one perfectly beautiful day down the drain and another lesson reinforced.

After five years, my wife still forgets my digestive system was not raised in China. Posted Image The first time something like that happened, I was sure it was the jumbo peel and eat prawns that were not deveined and everybody else was sure it was the medium rare steak only I had eaten. We never have agreed on that in five years but I don't eat the peel and eat jumbo prawns anymore. Had a similar problem in New Orleans back in the 90's though so pretty sure the prawns were to blame.




Making me miss China. Posted Image

Every time I’ve been there (3 times) I always have “bathroom problems,” but man most of the food is worth it. Posted Image

Just thought I'd start a thread to post some observations. Feel free to comment.

My wife and I left for a 12 week visit to China, January 15. After getting up early Saturday morning to drive two hours to Seattle, have lunch, do some shopping and catch a 3:30 flight to LAX, several hours layover until LAX to PEK and several more hours in Beijing before continuing to Nanning, our heads hit bed pillows 48 hours (Monday afternoon in China from Saturday morning near Seattle) after leaving them.

Those who've done it know that traveling West, isn't so bad on the body for some reason as going East, so within a couple days, we felt fairly normalized. One comment on my facebook page from a friend with a wife from Chongqing asked if I'd remembered to pack my long johns. I hadn't and it was unseasonably cold our first two weeks here. Fortunately, my wife's family is in the clothing business, so long johns were delivered promptly. The home where we stay has heat in every room but the kitchen but about ten days in the unit in the living room crapped out and we're waiting for parts until after the holidays. Fortunately the temps have returned to normal and it's in the low 70's during the afternoon.

I can work from wherever my laptop and Blackberry are, so it's just a split shift for me calling back to the states. My Blackberry's WIFI calling feature is a great money saver. I have a Chinese SIM card for a separate phone but if you turn off the network (talking to the phone towers) and just turn on the WIFI, the T-Mobile or AT&T networks treat you like you're in the USA with regard to charges. Most of my calls are early morning in China calling back to the States during the preceding evening and then a few late at night in China calling that morning in the USA.

We've been trying to buy a home and thought we were ready to sign papers on one that won't be ready for about two years. Turns out my wife didn't ask enough questions and we didn't really have enough cash for the down payment. It was more house than we needed anyway. We're now waiting until after the holidays to make an offer on a smaller one in a different complex. We may be able to obtain a lower cost per square meter than quoted, so have some "contacts" working on that for us in the meantime.

For those who haven't been to China during the Spring Festival (This is my first time.) it's something to behold. The fireworks alone (now ongoing for several days at all hours from about 8AM to 4AM) are incredible. The strings of hundreds or thousands of firecrackers going off from just outside the window to a mile or more away are beyond description. Of course, Midnight Wednesday was the peak. It's amazing just how much left over red paper is laying all over the place from the firecrackers, even though it seems to be cleaned up every day.

More later.


Can you post some pictures of your trip?
Hamburger ManMaleChina2011-02-14 18:30:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionK1 Interview Countdown

Good Luck Burger Man! Hoping to hear good news!


I am Skyping with her to practice the interview. I'll keep all of your tips in mind.

I'll keep you all updated!

Thanks!
Hamburger ManMaleChina2010-03-17 06:47:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionK1 Interview Countdown

-----
Notorized birth certificate from China Gov't
Notorized police certificate from China Gov't
Notorized single certificate from China Gov't

make sure these are the NOTARIAL TRANSLATION sets, usually called a 'white book' because of the fact the documents are bound into a thin A4 sized book, and the cover is white.

The COPY of the chinese document is inside , along with the translated-to-english version, as well as the translators attestation and signature, with any red stamps/seals from 'that' office.

This attestation usually says:

1. the copy inside is copy of the actual document and
2. the translation is accurate.

so - for 'official' purposes - this notice about the copy is what makes 'the copy' inside of the white book 'official' - as it's supposed to be 'the original' or a 'certified copy, certified from the issuing authority'. The translation office that prepared the white book, is rarely the 'issuing authority' - but GUZ IV recognizes the white book as official - certified copy, with certified translation - so all is good if IN white book format.


She has the English translated versions (in white books) along with the official gov't copies. It's all put together with red and white raised notarial marks throughout. She went to the police station and asked them which service to use so I'm sure it's legit.
Hamburger ManMaleChina2010-03-17 06:29:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionK1 Interview Countdown

Duplicate thread removed


Thank you! Had some problems with the website. :ot2:
Hamburger ManMaleChina2010-03-16 20:19:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionK1 Interview Countdown

My Fiancee has her K1 interview on March 23rd, 2010 in Guangzhou, China. That is only a little less than 7 days from now.

I sent her:

  • Notarized copy of my entire passport
  • Notarized copy of my birth certificate
  • I-134 Affidavit of Support
  • Employment Letter
  • 6 Months Paystubs
  • 3 Years 1040 + W2s (2007, 2008, 2009)
  • Original bank statements for savings, brokerage and 401k accounts
  • 2 months worth of mortgage statements
  • 3 months worth of gas/electricity bills
  • Copy of I-129F
  • Copy of 325A for each of us
  • Notorized updated letter of intent to marry her
  • Notarized Evolution of Relationship (EoR) Letter from me using a timeline-paragraph format
  • Notarized letter from my dad supporting our relationship
  • Letter from my sister and mom supporting our relationship
  • Greeting card to encourage her on interview day

She is providing:

  • Notorized birth certificate from China Gov't
  • Notorized police certificate from China Gov't
  • Notorized single certificate from China Gov't
  • 1000+ pictures from 3 trips (2 in Beijing, 1 Philadelphia)
  • Completed medical exam
  • Completed immunization record (all done as per guidlines)
  • 3 books of 400 pages each of Skype and QQ logs
  • Call logs from June 2009 - March 2010 showing about 2000 phone calls between that time
  • Her EoR letter
  • Letter (in English) from her sister and brother-in-law supporting our relationship

Anything seem like it's missing?


She is also providing P4 packet: DS-157, DS-157K, DS-158, first half of DS-230
and also $131 paid for nonimmigrant application (receipt)
Hamburger ManMaleChina2010-03-16 20:08:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionK1 Interview Countdown
My Fiancee has her K1 interview on March 23rd, 2010 in Guangzhou, China. That is only a little less than 7 days from now.

I sent her:

  • Notarized copy of my entire passport
  • Notarized copy of my birth certificate
  • I-134 Affidavit of Support
  • Employment Letter
  • 6 Months Paystubs
  • 3 Years 1040 + W2s (2007, 2008, 2009)
  • Original bank statements for savings, brokerage and 401k accounts
  • 2 months worth of mortgage statements
  • 3 months worth of gas/electricity bills
  • Copy of I-129F
  • Copy of 325A for each of us
  • Notorized updated letter of intent to marry her
  • Notarized Evolution of Relationship (EoR) Letter from me using a timeline-paragraph format
  • Notarized letter from my dad supporting our relationship
  • Letter from my sister and mom supporting our relationship
  • Greeting card to encourage her on interview day

She is providing:

  • Notorized birth certificate from China Gov't
  • Notorized police certificate from China Gov't
  • Notorized single certificate from China Gov't
  • 1000+ pictures from 3 trips (2 in Beijing, 1 Philadelphia)
  • Completed medical exam
  • Completed immunization record (all done as per guidlines)
  • 3 books of 400 pages each of Skype and QQ logs
  • Call logs from June 2009 - March 2010 showing about 2000 phone calls between that time
  • Her EoR letter
  • Letter (in English) from her sister and brother-in-law supporting our relationship

Anything seem like it's missing?

Edited by Hamburger Man, 16 March 2010 - 08:04 PM.

Hamburger ManMaleChina2010-03-16 20:00:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionDS-160 online, what the heck?
/bump

No one has any clue about this?
Hamburger ManMaleChina2010-04-07 08:59:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionDS-160 online, what the heck?
I am trying to help my Fiancee (K1 holder) to fill out the DS-160 online so her parents, sister and brother-in-law can come to the US for our wedding on B2. Everything is going great until I get to a page on the second person's application asking about middle school and high schools attended. I don't remember seeing this for the first application I did so I saved the application and pulled up the save file of the first application. Sure enough there are no middle and high school questions. Then I go back to the second application I was working on (from saved file) and now there is no middle school or high school questions on there either. WTH.

Will this information not being provided because it is not available to be answered on the website cause any problems? Has anyone run into this?

Thanks.

Edited by Hamburger Man, 06 April 2010 - 10:24 PM.

Hamburger ManMaleChina2010-04-06 22:22:00
CanadaChina -> Canada -> USA
My Chinese Fiancee got her K1 this week WOOHOO Posted Image!

Anyway, I was looking at cheap airline flights and one of them goes from Beijing to Canada to US. If she is not leaving the airport and will only be going from one international flight to another, does she need a transit visa for Canada?

Thanks!

Edited by Hamburger Man, 27 March 2010 - 11:23 AM.

Hamburger ManMaleChina2010-03-27 11:22:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsBeijing, China: B2 Approved After I-129F NOA2
I'm not sure if this is in the correct forum, but I know the question is asked a lot by K visa applicants, so I put it here.

Wanted to report that my Fiancee (and her father) received a B2 (tourist visa) with 1 year validity earlier this month. She said the Beijing consulate was very nice to her and he even sounded excited when my Fiancee showed him a copy of our I-129F NOA2. She explained to him that she was coming to visit me for 16 days and then needed to return to China to finish her degree (she is a senior at her University). Three days later both passports arrived (with approved B2s inside) in the mail. good.gif

Edited by Hamburger Man, 28 November 2009 - 01:58 AM.

Hamburger ManMaleChina2009-11-28 01:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsFiancee's K1 interview is this morning (China time)

Best Wishes and Good Luck !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Thank you!

I will keep everyone updated in this thread!


Hamburger ManMaleChina2010-03-22 16:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsFiancee's K1 interview is this morning (China time)
Fiancee's K1 interview is at 7:15AM (Mainland China Time)...

She is armed to the teeth with papers of all kinds and 3 trips (2 to Beijing and 1 to US) under our belt.

I am standing by to await the answer...
Hamburger ManMaleChina2010-03-22 16:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsK1 Visa Approved

Excellent news!! When is she coming over? Yi and I were checking on flights and the best deal we found was through Asiana with her buying the ticket (4435rmb). Good luck with your next steps and AOS. :)



She is graduating from her University in June. The tentative plan is I am going to attend her graduation in China and stick around until July at which time my family will come over for 2 weeks. We will have a pre-wedding party in Beijing and then return to the US in early August. Her family is going to accompany her back to the US on B2 visas (maybe 2 weeks) for the actual wedding (which we plan for August 28th, 2010).
Hamburger ManMaleChina2010-03-24 05:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsK1 Visa Approved
I just got off the phone with Fiancee. After 5+ months of planning and many sleepless nights my baby finally got approval for her K1 Visa!

Posted ImagePosted ImagePosted ImagePosted ImagePosted ImagePosted ImagePosted ImagePosted ImagePosted Image
Hamburger ManMaleChina2010-03-22 21:20:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMy wife's Horror Story from Guangzhou,
I'm so sorry for your denial. The first thing you should do is IMMEDIATELY contact your congressman to see if they can keep the I-130 in China and maybe speak to the Chief Consulate about the denial. Failing that, the best thing to do now would be to re-file a new petition because typically they sit on the petitions until they expire and even if they don't USCIS can take up to 12 months to reaffirm or issue a final denial on them.

What do you think the denial was all about? How many visits to see each other? How long have you been married?

Best of Luck!

Edited by Hamburger Man, 02 December 2010 - 01:37 PM.

Hamburger ManMaleChina2010-12-02 13:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNon-VWP, B2 with I-129F Approved
Hey folks,

New to VJ.com.

I am happy to report I just received our I-129F, NOA2 (approval letter)!

My question is this: my Fiancee wants to come for a visit from China in Feb 2010 for about 16 days so she can meet my parents, see the house I bought for us, etc. She also wants her dad to come along. I know they both will need significant proof about their ties to China so they will return. She also have family in China and they own a house. They are a nice middle class family.

She is a senior at her university and must return to China after the visit to finish up her school so she can graduate in June 2010. Would this be considered significant ties? How about for her father? He has a business he runs in Beijing.

If the significant ties can be proven what realistically are both their chances of getting a B2 visa for the Feb trip?

Thanks,

Phillip

Hamburger ManMaleChina2009-10-22 19:23:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNon-VWP, B2 with I-129F Approved
Hey folks,

New to VJ.com.

I am happy to report I just received our I-129F, NOA2 (approval letter)!

My question is this: my Fiancee wants to come for a visit from China in Feb 2010 for about 16 days so she can meet my parents, see the house I bought for us, etc. I know she will need significant proof about her ties to China so she will return.

She is a senior at her university and must return to China after the visit to finish up her school so she can graduate in June 2010. Would this be considered significant ties?

If the significant ties can be proven what realistically are her chances of getting a B2 visa for the Feb trip?

Thanks,

Phillip

Edited by Hamburger Man, 22 October 2009 - 07:14 PM.

Hamburger ManMaleChina2009-10-22 19:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresapply for tourist visa before K-1

My fiance and I are having a dilemma on whether it's safe for her to apply for a tourist visa before we apply for K-1. One lawyer we consulted said that it's best not to apply for any other visa types if we intend to go for the K-1 route. But I would want to know experiences of other people here.

My fiance and I have been together for almost 2 years now and it's always me visiting her in the Philippines.
Before I met her, she has been denied of a tourist visa 2x (because her previous husband was a US LPR - a Filipino) and when she was already annulled, she was again refused a tourist visa (just last November 2009). Total of 3 tourist visa denials in the past 3 years.

She hasn't met my family yet and I want her to see my hometown and spend time with my parents and brothers before she goes here for the 90-day marrying period on K-1. The only way we can do that is if she applies for a tourist visa. But like I said, some people advise against doing that.

To be honest, I want her to go here on vacation first and see where we want to live before she actually goes here for our marriage later on.
I can't always be in the Philippines to visit her during the waiting period for K-1 visa so it would be great for us if she has the capacity to visit me too.

I hope to see others with a similar experience share it with us and others who would benefit with the stories too.

Thanks!


I don't know if this is helpful, but...

My Chinese Fiancee applied for and got approved for B2 at the Beijing US Embassy; She even used the I-129F NOA2 as "proof" to show that she was already in the midst of the K1 process. She argued that I wouldn't have filed for K1 and wasted my money (time, etc...) if she was going to get B2 and try to immigrate illegally anyway.

PS - She was admitted with no problems at Newark Airport (PoE).

Hope that helps.

Good Luck! :thumbs:

Edited by Hamburger Man, 07 March 2010 - 01:03 PM.

Hamburger ManMaleChina2010-03-07 13:02:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresEvolution of Relationship Letter
My Fiancee's interview is scheduled in Guangzhou for March 23rd, 2010. I'm really nervous, and I can't be with her even though I really want to, so I prepared this letter on my behalf.

I'm looking for feedback. Thanks!

-----------------------------------------

Dear Consulate:

My name is Phillip R. Bxxxxx and I am Feifei Fxxxx Fiance and I-129F petitioner. I really wanted to be here today to support Feifei during her interview, but I have used up all my vacation time visiting her two times in Beijing in 2009 and taking off more time to host her and her dad on a 17 day trip the US just this past February 2010.

I met Feifei Fxxxx on a casual chat site called omegle.com. It is NOT a dating site and neither Feifei or myself where looking for a love interest. I’ll never forget that day: May 28th, 2009--Dragon Boat Festival Day in China. Feifei told me she was from China. I had never talked to anyone from China before so this peaked my interest. I asked Feifei for her picture and we exchanged emails (I sent her my picture as well) because I wanted to know who I was talking to. At first we had some problems with the email and I thought she had seen my picture but didn’t like me. Looking back on it now it’s very funny, because as it turns out I met the love of my life that day.

After our pictures where exchanged Feifei suggested that we should do a live video chat. We both had Skype so we each started that up and connected. Wow! I was live chatting with a Chinese girl living in mainland China. When I first saw her on video that day I knew she was a kind, loving and romantic person. The first night we chatted for five (5) hours! The next day I counted the hours until I could connect with her again. We video chatted again, this time for six hours (6) hours. I found her fascinating, and couldn’t bring myself to end the video chat--neither could she. The second told I told her I felt a magic connection and typed my first (of many) chinese words to her: love.

She felt perplexed about this and didn’t know what to do or say to me. She didn’t outright reject me, but told me she needed more time and wanted to see how she felt. I’ll be honest and tell you I was pretty hurt. Here I found what I thought was the love of my life and she was telling me “no.” I told her I had to get to leave for work and rather abruptly ended the video chat. I didn’t know it at the time, but later she told me that night she felt very sad and came to realize that when I left our video chat she felt regret and realized she felt something more for me than just friends.

The next day we talked on video again and both agreed that we wanted to be closer with each other. We exchanged phone numbers and physical addresses. From that point on we have spoken to each other by phone, QQ instant messenger or Skype video chat EVERY DAY (sometimes two (2) times a day)!

At first Feifei’s family was very skeptical of me. After all, I lived half a world away and we met on the internet. Who would believe this could be true love? The next milestone was when I gave Feifei a call at her sister Jie Mei’s house. She couldn’t believe I was actually calling her! Her mom and sister where both there and they kept yelling at Feifei to get off the phone and not to talk to me. We didn’t let this discourage us. We kept talking everyday by phone, video and instant messenger. A few weeks later I gave Feifei a call at her Dad’s place of business. Her dad and I talked on the phone and Feifei assisted with translation. After about 15 minutes of chatting with her dad he was laughing and gave his initial approval of our relationship.

A few more weeks passed and Feifei was chatting with me on Skype as we did daily when her mom poked her head into the video frame. At first her mom was very shy and didn’t want to talk to me. Eventually she relaxed and Feifei assisted with a translation between her mom and me. After chatting a while her mom also gave her initial approval of our relationship. It was time to plan my trip to China.

I got my China visa and booked my plane tickets. I arrived in China on August 10th, 2009. Feifei, her mom and dad met me at the airport. When I saw her smiling face at the arrivals gate I knew the long trip had been worth it. She called my name “Phillip … Phillip…” I’ll never forget that day. I dropped all my things and ran over to hug her. I never felt so much love from another human being as I did that day. We spent 14 wonderful days in Beijing together. I got to know her, her family and more about China. The warm feelings I felt for her and her family told me this was the girl I really wanted to spend the rest of my life with. The last weekend I was there (August 22nd, 2009) I took Feifei and her parents to The Great Wall. We climbed the wall, and once at the top I asked Feifei to marry me. She said yes! The next day her dad had an impromptu engagement party and about 20 or so of the family and closest friends where there. I returned to the US with a Fiancee and started the I-129F petition.

Feifei and I continued to talk by phone and video every day. As each day passed I felt very sad she and I weren’t together. I decided I would return to China again in November 2009. I arrived in China again on October 31, 2009. Feifei was still going to school so Feifei’s mom and I spent a lot of time together. My Mandarin Chinese really got a boost from speaking it everyday with her Mom. Her mom and I also cemented our relationship which I need feel is very strong (even better than the one I have with my mom). On November 10th, 2009 we said our sad goodbyes at Beijing International and I again returned to the US.

We began planning our next meeting: this time it would be in the US on January 31, 2010. Feifei and her dad got their B2 tourist visas and arrived in the US as scheduled. My dad and I met them at the airport. When we saw each other we embraced so tight.

While in the US Feifei and her Dad met my family and friends. My mom, dad, and sister all loved Feifei and approved of our relationship. I showed her and her dad the sights and exposed them to American culture.

What I want is to be with Feifei permanently and all I ask is you grant her a K1 visa so we can start our life together and won’t have to part ever again, my heart can’t bare the distance!

Thank you!

Phillip R. Bxxxx
Petitioner

Edited by Hamburger Man, 01 March 2010 - 04:10 PM.

Hamburger ManMaleChina2010-03-01 16:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresUSCIS said he CANNOT visit

I just called USCIS to verify that my G-28 was properly attached to my 129 (we have been having problems with getting information mixed up since they received it). While on the phone with her I mentioned him coming to visit for the holidays and she informed me that he IS NOT allowed to visit while the fiance visa is in the process of approving, under NO circumstances.
She said he WILL be turned away, and it might count against us as him trying to illegally enter the country.

What is the story here? I'm seeing other people visiting, I don't get it :(


If it makes you feel any better, my Chinese Fiancee (now wife) had an approved I-129F petition in the system when she went for a B-2 interview. She showed the consulate her I-129F NOA2 and 3 days later she STILL was granted a B-2 visa. Surely China has higher rates of fraud than the UK. I wouldn't worry so much. It's doable.
Hamburger ManMaleChina2010-11-09 18:55:00