ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
ChinaDidn't get Mail from GUZ

Are you doing k1?p3? If yes, mine was sent out on 21st according to dos and he still hasn't received yet. Emailed consulate three times? No response.

It's a K1, just waiting on packet 3.

Don't expect too much from the Consulate email. Each time I've received a reply it doesn't really fit our situation. I think they just have canned responses they copy and paste as a reply. I didn't really know what was going on until I spoke with the DOS and they were very helpful. I just asked the lady at DOS my status and she said " oh yes, they received your email last week and sent out another packet." I didn't tell her anything and she knew that from the notes on our file.

Edited by Rob & Lili, 30 May 2013 - 04:09 PM.



Rob & LiliMaleChina2013-05-30 16:05:00
ChinaDidn't get Mail from GUZ

recent knowledge? Mail? What ? 
 
whats up with registering on the ustraveldocs website?  
 
 



Yes so we are scheduled for June 25 for the interview. Everything's paid and ready to go. We paid with a Chinese debit card by the way, not even hers, she had a friend log onto the website and pay no problem with that.

Since she has the appointment document she's going to do the medical check next week.

So all we need is to receive P3, return it, and get the email we need to take with us.

It's somewhat out of order, but I think as long as we get P3 soon, we'll be okay.

Edited by Rob & Lili, 30 May 2013 - 03:58 PM.







Rob & LiliMaleChina2013-05-30 15:57:00
ChinaDidn't get Mail from GUZ

I also have a mail question:

 

So we had some confusion over the address, I emailed the consulate last week, and then called the DOS on Tuesday. The DOS told me that they had received the address correction and that a new packet was sent out that day, May 28. 

 

So I'm just wondering if anyone has recent knowledge of how long it takes to receive the mail now with the new system. 

 

She lives in Guangdong close to GZ so there shouldn't be much of a mail delay once it gets out of the building. 

 

I'm just hoping it doesn't take more than a couple of weeks...


Edited by Rob & Lili, 30 May 2013 - 02:17 PM.

Rob & LiliMaleChina2013-05-30 14:17:00
ChinaScheduling Interview Before P4

 

Good to know Rob, thanks for the reply and congrats on your approval!  

 

Did they ask to see the P4 Email at the embassy before they would accept your documents or let you interview?  One member said that they had to go and print the Email at a local print shop in order to get into the interview.  

 

Yes you definitely have to have the P4 email with the appointment letter, no way around that. 


Rob & LiliMaleChina2013-08-15 11:02:00
ChinaScheduling Interview Before P4

We did this. We registered for the website and scheduled the interview before even having the P3. We knew our packet was at the Consulate and our P3 had been sent out. They didn't cancel it or show any concern. We just had to sweat out getting the P3, turning it around quickly and then getting the P4 email in time. Since we had scheduled about 4 weeks later, we had time. 

 

Unfortunately we had a small problem with getting the certified translations back from the Chinese gov. I even traveled there to attend the interview. But, unfortunately we had to cancel the interview the day before since we didn't have all the documents. We didn't have any problems cancelling at the last minute, we cancelled in the afternoon the day before the interview. We had problems rescheduling because of the move in July but no problems coming from scheduling early. 

 

We just got approved August 12th. 


Rob & LiliMaleChina2013-08-15 07:20:00
ChinaHow long for Visa to be delivered after interview

Anybody know if there's a status past "Passport has been received from the consular section, and is currently being processed for delivery"?

 

I'm just wondering how many more steps before the actual mail. 

 

Just found out, the next step is: Your passport is ready for pickup.

 

Yeah!


Rob & LiliMaleChina2013-08-20 09:22:00
ChinaHow long for Visa to be delivered after interview

Anybody know if there's a status past "Passport has been received from the consular section, and is currently being processed for delivery"?

 

I'm just wondering how many more steps before the actual mail. 


Rob & LiliMaleChina2013-08-20 06:54:00
ChinaHow long for Visa to be delivered after interview

Hey Fred, 

 

When is your flight? I think our fiance's Visas are being processed side by side as ours was also approved on Aug 15, and our Passport just changed to being processed for delivery as well. 

 

Our flight is booked for Aug 28th. So hopefully all goes well for both of us!

 

Rob


Edited by Rob & Lili, 19 August 2013 - 07:24 AM.

Rob & LiliMaleChina2013-08-19 07:23:00
ChinaJust Received P3- Causing conflict with fiancee

You can't schedule the interview without paying the fee. If you are using a Chinese debit card you can pay online just before you schedule

 

Lili even used a friends debit card and gave them the money the next day. 

 

I believe you can only use a Chinese debit card or pay in cash at the bank. At least that's the way it was a couple of months ago. 

 

 


Rob & LiliMaleChina2013-08-25 20:01:00
ChinaCase status changed from "Ready" to "Administrative Processing"

Passport status changed to "received passport from consulate and is processing" thursday morning China time.

Rob, do you remember how long after the status changes to that before Lili got her's back?

 

Ours went like this:

 

Interview August 12th

Issued August 15th

On August 19th status was"Passport has been received from the consular section, and is currently being processed for delivery"

August 20 or 21, it went to "Ready for pickup" really quickly. 

 

If it says ready for pickup, just go to the bank and get it!


Rob & LiliMaleChina2013-08-30 06:54:00
ChinaCase status changed from "Ready" to "Administrative Processing"

Case status just went from AP to Issued.  About DAMM TIME!  Still don't think she's going to make her flight here on 9/1 but at least it's a step in the right direction.

I never would of thought a flight booked almost a month in advance wouldn't be long enough.

 

 

Awesome! Congratulations!

 

Ours took about 4-5 business days after being "issued" to arrive. We had it delivered to the Citic location closest to the new consulate. 


Rob & LiliMaleChina2013-08-28 09:09:00
ChinaCase status changed from "Ready" to "Administrative Processing"

We also had AP at some stage before the interview and passed without any problems. Don't read it as a sign of concern, just a normal step in the process. Just helping out with my two cents, :)


Rob & LiliMaleChina2013-08-26 19:51:00
Chinaany hotel ideas?

No problem :)


Rob & LiliMaleChina2013-08-26 19:35:00
Chinaany hotel ideas?

Both of these hotels are in the same building, The T-inn Apartment Lili stayed in the night before the interview they walked to the Consulate with no problem. The HeeFun we stayed in on one of my visits before the consulate moved to that location, quite a coincidence. 

 

The wifi worked well at both places and I didn't hear any complaints from Lili about the T-inn. I think either are fine and are nice. 

 

 

Guangzhou T-inn Apartment

Room No. 808 D Building, J.Living International Apartment No.16 Xiancun Road, Zhujiang New Town, Guangzhou, China

 

 

HeeFun Apartment (J.Living Apartment)

Rm 1906, J-living Apartment Building D, No.16 XianCun Road, ZhuJiang New Town, Guangzhou, China

 

Edited by Rob & Lili, 26 August 2013 - 07:34 PM.

Rob & LiliMaleChina2013-08-26 19:27:00
ChinaApproved!

Awesome!!!  good.gif


Rob & LiliMaleChina2013-09-24 09:23:00
ChinaName change after marriage

Thanks to everyone! 

 

I think that she will keep her name legally, as Darnell mentioned it will save a lot of frustration with the legal documents. That doesn't stop us from introducing ourselves how we would like. Really there's very few incidences in every day life where the legal name is required. 

 

 


Rob & LiliMaleChina2013-09-27 07:30:00
ChinaName change after marriage

So since we will be getting married soon we have a small dilemma with the name change. If she takes my last name it would sound a bit weird to have a Chinese first name and a European/American last name. I'm sure she could use her English first name with my last name but then it would seem like she's loosing her entire identity. 

 

I'm just wondering if any other American/Chinese couples could share what they decided with this issue. 

 

Also if she keeps her Chinese name what are the problems/issues to consider? 

 

Thanks!


Rob & LiliMaleChina2013-09-26 11:56:00
ChinaBuying plane tickets for Chinese immigrant.

We've done this quite often and had no problems at all. We've met in different cities in China, Thailand, and she traveled to the U.S. alone this way. 

 

As long as she has her passport, a reservation number, and the passenger information is correct, you shouldn't have any issues. 

 

I've never been asked for the credit card I booked the flight with. Its not uncommon for one person to buy tickets for another.

 

 


Rob & LiliMaleChina2013-09-17 08:37:00
ChinaRecent Guangzhou DCFs - how long to get passport back

Of course the safest way is to wait for visa in hand. But once the visa status goes to "issued" it means all the paperwork has been cleared and its just a matter of delivery. If you're going to take a chance this might be the time to do it. 

 

We booked when we did because we found a really inexpensive flight which wouldn't have been there had we waited. Its just a matter or balancing the risk versus the reward. 

 

As I mentioned many other people got stung by booking the ticket early. But most of those were people who scheduled the flight even before the interview. 

 

 

 

 


Rob & LiliMaleChina2013-09-20 07:41:00
ChinaRecent Guangzhou DCFs - how long to get passport back

Yes we chose the Citic bank location closest to the Consulate. She actually lives in a sub-district and we could have had it delivered there. But she was just a short train ride away and thought it might be quicker that way. 


Rob & LiliMaleChina2013-09-18 13:47:00
ChinaRecent Guangzhou DCFs - how long to get passport back

We were K-1 but I imagine the processing time is the same? Lili interviewed on Aug 12th, the visa was issued on Aug 15th, and we received it around the 20th.

 

I waited until after the approval and bought a ticket for the 28th, which was still a gamble, but worked out for us. 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Edited by Rob & Lili, 17 September 2013 - 08:53 AM.

Rob & LiliMaleChina2013-09-17 08:51:00
ChinaResume Needed?

We had one prepared but it was never ask for. 

 

Its not exactly like a job resume. 

 

Here is the format we used: http://photos.state....erviews _2_.pdf

 

The instructions say to have it, so I didn't want to take any chances. We prepared it in both English and Chinese.


Rob & LiliMaleChina2013-09-13 11:12:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanNeed your advice please
It sounds to me like this is one of those situations where its difficult to know what the reality is when you are so close to the situation. I don't even think it matters if he's cheating or not. If they guy is into you it should be obvious, you should feel his desire to be with you, not fight for it.

I know that the Visa situation puts pressure on us all, and makes us want to hurry things as much as possible. But maybe it would be better to step back from the situation and let it breathe. If the visa wasn't an obstacle in the relationship, how would you feel about it then? Would you be so sure of the relationship that you wanted to proceed with it?

I'm sure all of us who struggle through the long distance relationship have worries now and then, especially if you're in a situation where you can't communicate as much as you would like. But there should also be times of happiness, when you get that unexpected email, or have a lovely Skype conversation, or even a romantic card in the mail once in a while. This whole process takes more dedication and commitment than does a normal relationship, so consider things very carefully. And make time your friend, not your enemy.

Edited by Rob & Lili, 22 January 2013 - 12:34 PM.

Rob & LiliMaleChina2013-01-22 12:33:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionGuanzhou Consolate K1 Visa approval to receipt time

If everything goes smoothly then 2 weeks is more then enough time. It took us 3 days to get the visa in hand.
Good Luck.


Awesome, I hope it works out for us. In my past trips the plane has always been half empty on the way back. So I hope that's the case this time as well.

Where did you pick up the Visa?

Thanks! :)
Rob & LiliMaleChina2013-04-24 17:00:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionGuanzhou Consolate K1 Visa approval to receipt time
Okay, let me just clarify. I know some people have had bad experiences and I know that there are many worst case scenarios out there. Trust me, I've been on the VJ website long enough to know that people are very eager to point those out. But I am not interested in living my life in a state of fear. Its not that I'm planning a wedding on a certain date or planning a party when she arrives. I would never gamble on the approval, no way.

I just want to weigh the risk of purchasing a ticket once the visa is approved. Odds are that if they take her passport and don't give her any of the dreaded paperwork, that we she would receive the passport back in a few days time. Am I willing to take the risk of losing a couple hundred dollars in change fees to have my baby sit on the plane with me? of course! that's a no brainer, as long as the risk is reasonable.

So I don't know if two weeks (which would be more like 16 days with weekends) is reasonable and i just wanted to know based on others experiences how long they had to wait when everything well.
Rob & LiliMaleChina2013-04-24 16:16:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionGuanzhou Consolate K1 Visa approval to receipt time

The visa can take any where from 3 days to a week to have in hand. In some cases it has taken months specially if you get put in AP.


Yes that's exactly why I stated that the ticket would be purchased after the approval. :bonk:

Edited by Rob & Lili, 24 April 2013 - 03:11 PM.

Rob & LiliMaleChina2013-04-24 15:11:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionGuanzhou Consolate K1 Visa approval to receipt time

You should never book a flight before your visa has been delivered, unless the airfare is refundable or you are willing to lose it.


Yes I realize that, but trying to decide if gambling is worth it. I'm sure it would be possible to reschedule the flight with a small loss if something were to happen.
Rob & LiliMaleChina2013-04-24 13:40:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionGuanzhou Consolate K1 Visa approval to receipt time
We should have our interview this coming July. I am wondering if all goes well and the Visa is approved after the interview, is there a reasonably safe amount of time to book a flight afterward, maybe 10 days? I am planning to spend two weeks in China with the Visa interview at the beginning. We are hoping she can come back on the same flight with me, but don't know how reasonable that is to expect.

Thanks!
Rob & LiliMaleChina2013-04-24 13:18:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionGuangzhou Consulate Packets

Since 19 March 2013, GUZ IV is using online services from CGI Stanley - here's some links for you. 

 

 

 

 

 

Very helpful!

 

I will try to document the steps as it will help others. Good Karma man, Good Karma. :)


Rob & LiliMaleChina2013-05-03 16:02:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionGuangzhou Consulate Packets

We are currently waiting for the NVC to send our packet to the Guangzhou Consulate.

 

Once the Consulate receives our information and they send us the packets, is there any information that has to be sent back to them right away?

 

If so what?

 

Is most of it due on the document intake day before the interview?

 

Just want to be prepared and get things turned around as soon as possible. I have already sent the Consulate instructions, DS-230, DS-156, DS-157, and DS-156K forms to my fiancee to fill out. And I have ordered my tax transcripts, am working on the I-134, can print out pay stubs easily, my employment letter won't be a problem, and have plenty of continuing evidence. Anything else I could be missing?

 

Thanks!


Rob & LiliMaleChina2013-05-03 13:51:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionGuangZhou Embassy - Police Certificate & Birth Certificate

You probably need to reschedule...We submitted ours to the China notary and it took about two weeks. We didn't want to go to the interview without the proper documents so we postponed. 

 

Also you need a single certificate, and a translation for that also... 


Rob & LiliMaleChina2014-01-20 15:16:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionHow critical is it to be engaged befor the interview???

Rings were never brought up in the interview, nor wedding plans. They were more concerned about how well Lili knew me than anything else. 

 

The best kind of evidence is pictures together, chat logs, phone logs, and best of all boarding passes with both names if you have them. 

 

IMO, having the evidence just mentioned and knowing each other well is most important. 

 

 

 

 


Rob & LiliMaleChina2014-01-23 09:26:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionwhat can be K1 denial reasons?

Personally if you're looking for a reason to be worried you'll find it. 

 

There are some things you can't get passed such as sufficient income, having met in the last two years, having a real relationship and the evidence to prove it. I would also say ability to communicate is also important. 

 

Visiting often is helpful it shows that you're serious about the relationship. Just save all the receipts, tickets, boarding passes that you can. 

 

Also the ability to communicate in English is a real bonus.

 

The Visa process can cause a lot of worry and will drive you crazy if you let it.

 

Don't look for more reasons to worry, focus on being organized, filling out the forms correctly, and meeting the requirements they ask for, anything else is just someone's opinion. If your relationship is for real it will work out. 

 

Good luck to you!

 

 

 

 


Rob & LiliMaleChina2013-08-26 20:20:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionpolice certificate
QUOTE (Abu&Asha @ Dec 20 2007, 01:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I finaly got an answer from the national visa center after i shipped packet 3. i am woundering aren't they suppose to send it to the montreal embassy?but the later came from the national visa center. did anyone go through this? well anyways i recieved a latter stating that "messing decuments and they said police certificate and original merriage certificate. . I thought your only suppose to have the police certificate when you go to the interview not the national visa center? whats going on does anyone know? the RCMP said is gonna take like 5 months or something i don"t know i pray not.........cuz then it would almost a year and something months of waiting.


Unless you have a criminal record, just get the name check done. Depending on where you live, it could be the Commissionaires, the RCMP or the local city police. Check for your area. You can get your police clearance certificate while you wait. The document should confirm that your history was verified through CPIC (Canadian Police Information Centre). If you have a criminal record, along with any court documents you must bring to your interview, you need to have a fingerprinting check done. This would be where your lengthy wait time would come in.

Edited by one_day_at_a_time, 21 December 2007 - 10:36 AM.

one_day_at_a_timeMaleCanada2007-12-21 10:35:00
CanadaPassport in Married Name
I'd like advise on whether it's absolutely necessary to order a new passport with my married name. My passport is not even one year old. Ordered obviously with my previous surname for the I-129 process. I just returned from a trip to Canada yesterday for the first time since receiving my AP and the U.S. Border Agent accepted everything as is - my AP (I-512) in my married name and my passport with my previous surname. They made a note of both names when they stamped my passport, AP and new I-94. I figure I'm good for now?

Thoughts please. Thanks

Edited by one_day_at_a_time, 17 January 2008 - 08:34 AM.

one_day_at_a_timeMaleCanada2008-01-17 08:32:00
Canadavisa havent received yet!
QUOTE (sheree @ Feb 14 2008, 08:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi guys,

I am so worried about my passpost and visa until now I didnt get it yet.

I had my interview on Feb 01. We forgot to buy envelope and used my fiance's credit card instead., the charge has not been noted so far in his statement, and checked the reference number on the canadapost link, and even called them but no record about it.

I mailed the US consulate yesterday and didnt get any reply yet. I am quiet worried people who had their interview before me already got their visa. ONE MORE DILEMMA; I didnt ask for signature on delivery.

pls help.....what should I do? is there any number to call them?


I had my interview in Montreal on Aug 15/07, was approved that day, and the visa was issued Sept 6/07
one_day_at_a_timeMaleCanada2008-02-14 20:54:00
CanadaFiling 2007 taxes in the US
So I'm reading up on this page, http://www.irs.gov/b...d=96960,00.html, trying to get a little clarity regarding Form 2555. It's obvious that I qualify under Bona Fide Residence since my residence began the day I was born until I moved to the U.S. last October and included an uninterrupted period that includes an entire tax year. However, for the sake of the 2007 tax year, I would like some input on how any of you folks filled out line 14, columns (a) - (d). I had a small part time job for the year (for which I'm taking the exclusion) and I was fortunate to be able to visit my fiancee for a few extended periods throughout the year up until October. I understand that I must make a list of these visits on line 14.
one_day_at_a_timeMaleCanada2008-02-20 12:01:00
CanadaTax question
QUOTE (one_day_at_a_time @ Mar 20 2008, 09:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (trailmix @ Mar 4 2008, 08:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Allie @ Mar 4 2008, 02:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I just started filling out my Canada income tax. I have the package they normally would send to me in Canada T1 Special
I cannot find on this thing where it asks for a date when I left Canada. Does anyone know where I would find this or is it even on the tax forms


I haven't seen a T1 Special for a while, however it probably doesn't have the fields for leaving/arriving in Canada - it's a simplified form for uncomplicated tax returns. You will probably need to use the regular T1 this year:

http://www.cra-arc.g...ral/menu-e.html

Or you can always do it online - I use ufile: http://www.ufile.ca/default.asp

This is the area to be filled out on the T1:




When I finish putting in my current address, residence information and my emigrating date (in U-file), I get a final return on a T1 General - Income Tax and Benefit Return for Non-Residents and Deemed Residents of Canada. And the part "If you became or ceased to be a resident of Canada in 2007, . . ." is not showing up on this copy. As well, U-file is calculating Prov Tax as a 48% surtax on Line 46 of Schedule 1. I was under the impression from other sources, that my Tax Return should be on a Standard T1 General - Income Tax and Benefit Return with my emigrating date clearly noted and any Ontario Provincial Taxes separately calculated on Form 428.

Input from anyone else would be much appreciated.


Forget that. I always seem to get my answers after I have posed the question! I managed to fix it.
one_day_at_a_timeMaleCanada2008-03-20 08:52:00
CanadaTax question
QUOTE (trailmix @ Mar 4 2008, 08:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Allie @ Mar 4 2008, 02:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I just started filling out my Canada income tax. I have the package they normally would send to me in Canada T1 Special
I cannot find on this thing where it asks for a date when I left Canada. Does anyone know where I would find this or is it even on the tax forms


I haven't seen a T1 Special for a while, however it probably doesn't have the fields for leaving/arriving in Canada - it's a simplified form for uncomplicated tax returns. You will probably need to use the regular T1 this year:

http://www.cra-arc.g...ral/menu-e.html

Or you can always do it online - I use ufile: http://www.ufile.ca/default.asp

This is the area to be filled out on the T1:




When I finish putting in my current address, residence information and my emigrating date (in U-file), I get a final return on a T1 General - Income Tax and Benefit Return for Non-Residents and Deemed Residents of Canada. And the part "If you became or ceased to be a resident of Canada in 2007, . . ." is not showing up on this copy. As well, U-file is calculating Prov Tax as a 48% surtax on Line 46 of Schedule 1. I was under the impression from other sources, that my Tax Return should be on a Standard T1 General - Income Tax and Benefit Return with my emigrating date clearly noted and any Ontario Provincial Taxes separately calculated on Form 428.

Input from anyone else would be much appreciated.
one_day_at_a_timeMaleCanada2008-03-20 08:40:00
CanadaTax question
QUOTE (Allie @ Mar 17 2008, 01:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I just did my taxes using Ufile and it calculates a nice refund to me. I was looking over the print off and noticed there wasn't any Provincial taxes owed deducted in the calculations just the Federal tax owed. Can someone enlighten me on this, are Prov. taxes exempt on this non-resident return


I, too, am a little perplexed. I noticed that no Prov. taxes were calculated in, but what you should notice on Schedule 1 under line 46, a surtax of 48%.

I found this note at http://www.drtax.ca/...rds/t1/g421.htm - If your client is a deemed non-resident, he has to pay the 48% surtax instead of tax to a provincial jurisdiction.

Can I ask how you identified yourself in U-file, i.e. did you put in your old Cdn or current U.S. address, did you you count yourself as a non-resident? deemed resident? or did you put in a province of resident.

Input from anyone else would be much appreciated.
one_day_at_a_timeMaleCanada2008-03-18 11:33:00