biggish data

Hello,

I find I am asking people like Darnell the same questions two or three times, then I forget what they told me a couple weeks later and I do it all over and ask them the same questions again.

The reason being, this Visa terminology is a new language to me; it's like learning Mandarin all over again. So to help the newbies like myself and prevent Darnell from losing his mind or beating a Peiking Duck to death, how about some of you add to (and/or correct) my list of terms needing definitions below?

(You can just copy and paste the list in it's entirety and add to it or something)

Thanks,

notmuch88tosay

[Important Definitions]:

Hukou: every Chinese citizen has a Hukou book, a little brownish book that binds a person to an address. Usually in that little Hukou book, it lists one more persons who live in a particular address. Your wife has her Hukou book, and the address on it, is the "Hukou city".

Notarial Document: Chinese residents should go to their hukou for all notarial documents (birth, divorce, and/or single certificate, and police records). For the police record, one obtained at the hukou will cover all of China.

A notarial document will be in the standard white notarial booklet, have an official red seal, an English translation, and an attestation to the true translation.

Household Book (Re: Birth Certificate): Tell your fiancee to bring her household book to the notary office called ?Gong Zheng Chu?. that place will create a Birth Certificate for you and translate it into English.

White book: Every official document in Chinese, you have to get a ?certified translation? in English. There are ?authorized translation agencies? in China in almost every major city. The ?certified translation? they make, is the "white book". It has a white cover, and the translations inside.

A "white book" is not a notarial translation. It is legal certificate (both in Chinese and English) to prove your fiancée?s marital status, criminal history and birth.

White books contain: *certified copy of original document * notarial translation of original document * translators translation statement

While USCIS may accept a self translation or even an 'official' translation from the US. Guangzhou is usually (always?) insistent on getting the official Chinese notarization in the form of 'white books'. When it comes to the interview, make sure you have the 'white books'.

Hukuo City: Usually in the Hukou book, it lists one more persons who live in a particular address. Your wife has her Hukou book, and the address on it, is the "Hukou city".

County Seat: You will marry your fiancée not necessarily in her Hukuo city but in the "marriage office" that services that city, usually the "County Seat".

Certificate of Marriageability: Same as ?Affidavit of Marriageability? below?

Affidavit of Marriageability (Single Statement): A notarized 'Affidavit of Marriageability' is also referred to as a 'Single Statement'. This affidavit is available at the Consulate and is a sworn statement or affirmation that you are legally free to marry. You must make an appointment for notarial services.

https://evisaforms.s...e=GUZ&appcode=1

Complete the Marriageability Affidavit form but don't sign it until you arrive for the notarial services.
Affidavit of Single Status: The visit to the U.S. Embassy, will be for the "affadavit of single status", only. THEN - once you have that, take it to the ?marriage office? where you two will get married, and show it to them, ASK if it needs to be translated into CHINESE. Usually it does, so ask them WHICH OFFICE they will accept a translation from, then go to that office, and get the translation from english into Chinese, then get married. Figure 1 to 2 days for marriage office/translation office work, be certain to pay for any expedite.

Marriage Office: The place where you get married. In China - to Get Married --The 'Right' Marriage Office is the Marriage Office in the district or city where her Hukuo is registered.

Marriage Bureau: To be officially married in China, you and your fiancée will have to go to a marriage bureau and register and then be issued the marriage certificate. It does not matter what takes place first, registering at the marriage bureau or having the ceremony. Prior to making the trip, the petitioner will need an affidavit of single status.

Chinese ?Civil Affairs Office? (??? Min Zheng Ju): Where you go to register your marriage. All marriages in China must be registered with the Chinese Civil Affairs Office within the city or town where your fiancé is registered. Persons planning to marry should visit or call the appropriate office for complete details on registering your marriage. Marriage certificates are usually issued on the same day the registration takes place.

Notarial Translation: Original marriage certificates come in a little red book. In addition to the little red book, you also need the notarial translation in the white book. Bring your red original marriage certificate to a notary office in China to get a notarized certificate of marriage (a "white book").

Guangzhou only accepts these "white books" but do bring all original certificates to her interview. VO may check them.

1. get a certificate of marriageability showing status, at a US Embassy/Consulate in China. Need appointment, so hit up the website, make an appointment. Bring 50 bucks USD.

2. [hukuo city] go to the marriage office in the civil affairs office, ask them WHERE TO GO for notarial translation into Chinese.

3. [hukuo city] get the chinese notarial translation of your certificate of marriageability

4. [hukuo city] go back to the marriage office, with passport and thing gotten in #3. Pay monies, register marriage.

Notary Public: There are authorized translation agencies in China in almost every major city. The certified translation they make, is the "white book". It has a white cover, and the translations inside. Just go to the notary public and they will give you the necessary information to get your required documents. if you dont know what hokou is, your fiance can explain it. this is a opportunity to familiarize yourself with the notary public.
Notary Office: Bring your red original marriage certificate to a notary office in China to get a notarized certificate of marriage (a "white book").

Do not go to an alternative notary service, as there are many of them out there. Unfortunately not all services are created equal in the eyes of the Chinese government - thus, not all are qualified for foreign affairs. You're looking for at least a city level notary.

District Office: After you file the I-130, you wait a bit. When the case file gets to NVC, she needs more white books, specifically her birth certificate and police clearance certificate (gotten at the hukuo city or the big district office ).

Hukuo-Listed Members: When getting the chinese marriage book translated into English, a notarial translation , find out how they handle that stuff from hukuo-listed members, as she's probably not going to be in that hukuo city when it's time to collect the documents. DO NOT GET THE PCC when you are in her hukuo city, as it will expire by the time you need it at NVC.

?Register your marriage??: You will register your marriage in the Chinese Civil Affairs Office (Min Zheng Ju). Not just any Civil Affairs Office, it has to be the provincial one for marriage to a foreigner, city level civil affairs office will not take you. But you still need to pay a visit to the US Embassy or Consulate, to get your Marriageability Affidavit.

After your marriage is registered, you may file an immigrant visa petition on behalf of your spouse. If you do not have a long-term Chinese residence permit, you must file a petition at your local USCIS office when you return to the United States.

The place where you register for marriage would also take a photo of you 2 together, for you, right there. So you don't need to bring photos.

Local Marriage Registration Office: Questions regarding what documents the Chinese partner must submit should be directed to the ?Local Marriage Registration Office? (Hun Yin Deng Ji Chu - (?????).

Provincial Capital: Registering for marriage in China is a relatively simple process, once you have the required documentation in hand. The registration process will only be done at the marriage bureau that has jurisdiction over her hukou, she will need to find out where the bureau of jurisdiction is located. Another thing, my wife and I registered at the marriage bureau located in the Provincial Capital, even though there may have been a marriage bureau closer to her hometown.

I also noticed that while we were waiting our turn, I noticed other Chinese/foreign couples in the same office for the same purpose. I'm surmising that this was the only marriage bureau of jurisdiction for my wife's household registration that would register a marriage where one of the parties was a foreigner.

Chinese ?Marriage Book?: * [hukuo city] get the chinese marriage book translated into English, a notarial translation (white book) at the office listed here: white books - http://www.visajourn...th-certificate/ do that before you leave China.

* scan the entire white book into a pdf file, email it to yerself, you'll need it later . Do that before you leave China . * Scan her passport and china id into pdf files, email it to yerself. Do that before you leave China .
Marriage Certificate (Red Book): A Chinese Marriage Certificate is not a piece of paper, it's a little passport type book. You obviously will NOT want to send the little book with your I-130 so you will need the Notary Office translation. Marriage certificates are usually issued on the same day the registration takes place.

Get the marriage certificate translated at the GongZhengShu (???). That is what Guangzhou is going to want. I would get at least 2-3 copies.

Form I-130, Form G-325a, Form G-1145, Form OF-169, Form OF-230 part one, Form I-864

Certificate of Naturalization: A photocopy of ?naturalization certificate? is fine now, the rules have changed. Don't send originals of such important documents.

Proof of Permanent Residency: People who are granted permanent residency in a country are usually issued some sort of documentary evidence as legal proof of this status. In the past, many countries merely stamped the person's passport indicating that the holder was admitted as a permanent resident or that he/she was exempt from immigration control and permitted to work without restriction. Other countries would issue a photo ID card, place a visa sticker or certificate of residence in the person's passport, or issue a letter to confirm their permanent resident status.

Petitioner / Beneficiary: The Petitioner is the one petitioning for the immigrant spouse or fiancee (Beneficiary). The Beneficiary is the one receiving the benefit of entering the United States for residency.

Chinese Consulate / Chinese Embassy: If you will be getting married in China, you will need an Affidavit of Single Status before you and your fiancee will be able to register at the marriage bureau. There are two ways you can go about getting this, visit the US Embassy or one of the Consulates and they will provide you with one or you can obtain it stateside by following the instructions of the Chinese Consulate that has jurisdiction for the state that you reside in.

U.S. Consulate in China / U.S. Embassy in China: You can obtain the "Certificate of Marriageability" at a U.S. Consulate in China.

Edited by Captain Ewok, 29 October 2012 - 11:40 PM.
updated from future post...

notmuch88tosay

Male

China

2012-10-12 08:53:00

the master can be bribed

Darnell

Male

China

2012-10-14 16:41:00

hint:

http://www.visajourn...ivity&mid=99254

Darnell

Male

China

2012-10-13 10:46:00

It is a great idea for you to fill in the blanks on the terms. :thumbs:

Just use the forum's google search function to find the appropriate threads.Then forum administration could be contacted about putting it in a forum stickie.

A&B

Male

China

2012-10-12 09:41:00

It is a great idea for you to fill in the blanks on the terms. Just use the forum's google search function to find the appropriate threads.Then forum administration could be contacted about putting it in a forum stickie.

ditto

unlockingsky

Male

China

2012-10-12 10:56:00

So I finished this list last night at 12 midnight as my fiancee and her sister insisted on taking me on a crazy Chinese sightseeing tour during the day up a steep as hell mountain in bus where the sister was carsick and trying not to barf, my fiancee was laughing at her and I thought we were all going to die every 45 seconds at every turn. So anyway, here is the list...

Any mistakes, edits needed or additions needed, please let me know.

[Important Definitions]:

Hukou: every Chinese citizen has a Hukou book, a little brownish book that binds a person to an address. Usually in that little Hukou book, it lists one more persons who live in a particular address. Your wife has her Hukou book, and the address on it, is the "Hukou city".

Notarial Document: Chinese residents should go to their hukou for all notarial documents (birth, divorce, and/or single certificate, and police records). For the police record, one obtained at the hukou will cover all of China.

A notarial document will be in the standard white notarial booklet, have an official red seal, an English translation, and an attestation to the true translation.

Household Book (Re: Birth Certificate): Tell your fiancee to bring her household book to the notary office called ‘Gong Zheng Chu’. that place will create a Birth Certificate for you and translate it into English.

White book: Every official document in Chinese, you have to get a ‘certified translation’ in English. There are ‘authorized translation agencies’ in China in almost every major city. The ‘certified translation’ they make, is the "white book". It has a white cover, and the translations inside.

A "white book" is not a notarial translation. It is legal certificate (both in Chinese and English) to prove your fiancée’s marital status, criminal history and birth.

White books contain: *certified copy of original document * notarial translation of original document * translators translation statement

While USCIS may accept a self translation or even an 'official' translation from the US. Guangzhou is usually (always?) insistent on getting the official Chinese notarization in the form of 'white books'. When it comes to the interview, make sure you have the 'white books'.

Hukuo City: Usually in the Hukou book, it lists one more persons who live in a particular address. Your wife has her Hukou book, and the address on it, is the "Hukou city".

County Seat: You will marry your fiancée not necessarily in her Hukuo city but in the "marriage office" that services that city, usually the "County Seat".

Certificate of Marriageability: Same as “Affidavit of Marriageability” below…

Affidavit of Marriageability (Single Statement): A notarized 'Affidavit of Marriageability' is also referred to as a 'Single Statement'. This affidavit is available at the Consulate and is a sworn statement or affirmation that you are legally free to marry. You must make an appointment for notarial services.

https://evisaforms.s...e=GUZ&appcode=1

Complete the Marriageability Affidavit form but don't sign it until you arrive for the notarial services.
Affidavit of Single Status: The visit to the U.S. Embassy, will be for the "affadavit of single status", only. THEN - once you have that, take it to the ‘marriage office’ where you two will get married, and show it to them, ASK if it needs to be translated into CHINESE. Usually it does, so ask them WHICH OFFICE they will accept a translation from, then go to that office, and get the translation from english into Chinese, then get married. Figure 1 to 2 days for marriage office/translation office work, be certain to pay for any expedite.

Marriage Office: The place where you get married. In China - to Get Married --The 'Right' Marriage Office is the Marriage Office in the district or city where her Hukuo is registered.

Marriage Bureau: To be officially married in China, you and your fiancée will have to go to a marriage bureau and register and then be issued the marriage certificate. It does not matter what takes place first, registering at the marriage bureau or having the ceremony. Prior to making the trip, the petitioner will need an affidavit of single status.

Chinese ‘Civil Affairs Office’ (??? Min Zheng Ju): Where you go to register your marriage. All marriages in China must be registered with the Chinese Civil Affairs Office within the city or town where your fiancé is registered. Persons planning to marry should visit or call the appropriate office for complete details on registering your marriage. Marriage certificates are usually issued on the same day the registration takes place.

Notarial Translation: Original marriage certificates come in a little red book. In addition to the little red book, you also need the notarial translation in the white book. Bring your red original marriage certificate to a notary office in China to get a notarized certificate of marriage (a "white book").

Guangzhou only accepts these "white books" but do bring all original certificates to her interview. VO may check them.

1. get a certificate of marriageability showing status, at a US Embassy/Consulate in China. Need appointment, so hit up the website, make an appointment. Bring 50 bucks USD.

2. [hukuo city] go to the marriage office in the civil affairs office, ask them WHERE TO GO for notarial translation into Chinese.

3. [hukuo city] get the chinese notarial translation of your certificate of marriageability

4. [hukuo city] go back to the marriage office, with passport and thing gotten in #3. Pay monies, register marriage.

Notary Public: There are authorized translation agencies in China in almost every major city. The certified translation they make, is the "white book". It has a white cover, and the translations inside. Just go to the notary public and they will give you the necessary information to get your required documents. if you dont know what hokou is, your fiance can explain it. this is a opportunity to familiarize yourself with the notary public.
Notary Office: Bring your red original marriage certificate to a notary office in China to get a notarized certificate of marriage (a "white book").

Do not go to an alternative notary service, as there are many of them out there. Unfortunately not all services are created equal in the eyes of the Chinese government - thus, not all are qualified for foreign affairs. You're looking for at least a city level notary.

District Office: After you file the I-130, you wait a bit. When the case file gets to NVC, she needs more white books, specifically her birth certificate and police clearance certificate (gotten at the hukuo city or the big district office ).

Hukuo-Listed Members: When getting the chinese marriage book translated into English, a notarial translation , find out how they handle that stuff from hukuo-listed members, as she's probably not going to be in that hukuo city when it's time to collect the documents. DO NOT GET THE PCC when you are in her hukuo city, as it will expire by the time you need it at NVC.

“Register your marriage…”: You will register your marriage in the Chinese Civil Affairs Office (Min Zheng Ju). Not just any Civil Affairs Office, it has to be the provincial one for marriage to a foreigner, city level civil affairs office will not take you. But you still need to pay a visit to the US Embassy or Consulate, to get your Marriageability Affidavit.

After your marriage is registered, you may file an immigrant visa petition on behalf of your spouse. If you do not have a long-term Chinese residence permit, you must file a petition at your local USCIS office when you return to the United States.

The place where you register for marriage would also take a photo of you 2 together, for you, right there. So you don't need to bring photos.

Local Marriage Registration Office: Questions regarding what documents the Chinese partner must submit should be directed to the “Local Marriage Registration Office” (Hun Yin Deng Ji Chu - (?????).

Provincial Capital: Registering for marriage in China is a relatively simple process, once you have the required documentation in hand. The registration process will only be done at the marriage bureau that has jurisdiction over her hukou, she will need to find out where the bureau of jurisdiction is located. Another thing, my wife and I registered at the marriage bureau located in the Provincial Capital, even though there may have been a marriage bureau closer to her hometown.

I also noticed that while we were waiting our turn, I noticed other Chinese/foreign couples in the same office for the same purpose. I'm surmising that this was the only marriage bureau of jurisdiction for my wife's household registration that would register a marriage where one of the parties was a foreigner.

Chinese ‘Marriage Book’: * [hukuo city] get the chinese marriage book translated into English, a notarial translation (white book) at the office listed here: white books - http://www.visajourn...th-certificate/ do that before you leave China.

* scan the entire white book into a pdf file, email it to yerself, you'll need it later . Do that before you leave China . * Scan her passport and china id into pdf files, email it to yerself. Do that before you leave China .
Marriage Certificate (Red Book): A Chinese Marriage Certificate is not a piece of paper, it's a little passport type book. You obviously will NOT want to send the little book with your I-130 so you will need the Notary Office translation. Marriage certificates are usually issued on the same day the registration takes place.

Get the marriage certificate translated at the GongZhengShu (???). That is what Guangzhou is going to want. I would get at least 2-3 copies.

Form I-130, Form G-325a, Form G-1145, Form OF-169, Form OF-230 part one, Form I-864

Certificate of Naturalization: A photocopy of ‘naturalization certificate’ is fine now, the rules have changed. Don't send originals of such important documents.

Proof of Permanent Residency: People who are granted permanent residency in a country are usually issued some sort of documentary evidence as legal proof of this status. In the past, many countries merely stamped the person's passport indicating that the holder was admitted as a permanent resident or that he/she was exempt from immigration control and permitted to work without restriction. Other countries would issue a photo ID card, place a visa sticker or certificate of residence in the person's passport, or issue a letter to confirm their permanent resident status.

Petitioner / Beneficiary: The Petitioner is the one petitioning for the immigrant spouse or fiancee (Beneficiary). The Beneficiary is the one receiving the benefit of entering the United States for residency.

Chinese Consulate / Chinese Embassy: If you will be getting married in China, you will need an Affidavit of Single Status before you and your fiancee will be able to register at the marriage bureau. There are two ways you can go about getting this, visit the US Embassy or one of the Consulates and they will provide you with one or you can obtain it stateside by following the instructions of the Chinese Consulate that has jurisdiction for the state that you reside in.

U.S. Consulate in China / U.S. Embassy in China: You can obtain the "Certificate of Marriageability" at a U.S. Consulate in China.

Edited by notmuch88tosay, 14 October 2012 - 05:24 PM.

notmuch88tosay

Male

China

2012-10-14 17:17:00

the master can be bribed

I can offer 4 Chinese Pigeons, 2 Pieking Ducks and a Chinese Snake.

notmuch88tosay

notmuch88tosay

Male

China

2012-10-14 17:11:00

hint:

http://www.visajourn...ivity&mid=99254

Aaahhh, you provide the path to the top of the mountain where the great master of Chinese knowledge awaits those who seek to know with a thirst of great hunger for the truth.

Thanks,

notmuch88tosay

notmuch88tosay

Male

China

2012-10-13 19:19:00

Thanks for your reply A&B and unlockingsky,

I will do so as soon as I can find the time. I think maybe some definitions also might be found at wikipedia.org

Won't know unless I go there and have a looksy. I am determined to save as many Peiking Ducks as I can, so I will.

notmuch88tosay

notmuch88tosay

Male

China

2012-10-12 17:02:00

GZO Electronic Processing with CGI Stanley schedule interview

sorry, GGI/Stanly assume no EP , when writing the instructions, so it's a boondoggle.

you have interview letter, interview appointment.

HOWEVER - still must register with CGI/Stanley/ ustraveldocs.com/cn , get a document delivery coversheet generated,

it's required to turn in on interview day.

what's it for? visa packet delivery, back to the CITIC Bank location that you've chosen, via CITIC Bank Courier, after the visa packet is generated in Guangzhou.

But no, not need to schedule anything via CGI/Stanley/ustraveldocs.com at all.

Darnell

Male

China

2014-09-01 10:56:00

for my instructional piece? yes.

for anything yer doing? no.

Darnell

Male

China

2014-09-30 16:15:00

OK. but when the instructions mention photocopies, what caused you to send off an original whitebook?

Thanks in advance for your answer - I won't be using it to ding you, but using it for future instructions.

Darnell

Male

China

2014-09-30 16:02:00

Hello,

Since I am making a packet, I am wondering how to bind the whitebooks together with the rest of my forms I am submitting for my K-1 application. What did you guys do?

Thank you

based on yer timeline -

I sincerely hope you actually put through photocopies of any white books,

originals not needed on I-129F submittal.

can tell us ? what did you do ?

Darnell

Male

China

2014-09-30 15:35:00

ok - I-130 and I-485 are together -

usually not need interview for approving I-130

may be need interview for approving the I-485

so - if casefile needing interview, then going to local office, adjudicator at a local office,

and

maybe nothing is approved until the interview , day of or a few weeks later.

so, for MSC queue , I say don't bother with it - yer on the right track to study the field office queue.

You can always inquire with the local office, ask if they have the A-File or the casefile yet... [usually done via infopass]

Darnell

Male

China

2014-10-09 15:22:00

yes. I-131 is AP. However - I would be wary of her using it, until she has green card in hand,

leaving the USA whilst the I-485 is still processing ---mostly likely USCIS will see the departure as abandonment of the green card application.

Darnell

Male

China

2014-10-08 15:20:00

combo AP/EAD card? I-131 already approved, so stop trying to link stuff that ain't linkable.

IMO, the issuance of the AP/EAD combo card has NOTHING to do with I-485 adjudication queue. I hope you can adopt the same opinion.

Darnell

Male

China

2014-10-08 12:49:00

confusion about ds-160

it's embassy-specific instructions - she needs to do it - it gets her into the next queue.

Darnell

Male

China

2014-10-14 22:30:00

ya, 'body exam' = 'medical exam' - is easy to go get, aye?

Go Get Em, and Good Luck !

Darnell

Male

China

2014-10-21 17:34:00

As an April Filer, please let us know about this blue slip?

it's probably , even most likely, not pertinent to your beneficiary's visa application, as she's not a CCP member in China, no interview in China.

Right ?

Darnell

Male

China

2014-08-07 10:13:00

http://guangzhou.use....cn/iv_faqs.htm

US Consulate, IV Unit, FAQs section, old version:

I note this isn't clickable or findable anymore from the newly redesigned IV page.

Darnell

Male

China

2013-09-09 16:54:00

seems complete. Yay.

vomiting sisters can be fun, if you can help to aim the spew to those staring PRC people

Darnell

Male

China

2012-10-14 17:36:00

Days to issue CR-1 visa in Guangzhou China

*** Country-specific thread moved from the CR-1 Process forum to the China regional subforum. ***

TBoneTX

Male

Ecuador

2014-10-11 00:44:00

That is what I understand. What was the length of stay you requested?

Unlike the US if you apply for one type of visa they might issue you another that they feel is more appropriate. The US will just flat out deny it.

49 days for me and my daughter was the length of stay requested per the invitation letter. They gave me 60 days of authorized stay and her 90 days of authorized stay.

Ryan H

Male

China

2014-10-24 06:43:00

Not everyone who applies for a Q visa will get it. My daughter and I both applied for Q visas to go visit my wife's family; however, we were both issued L visas.

Edited by Ryan H, 23 October 2014 - 08:41 AM.

Ryan H

Male

China

2014-10-23 08:41:00

Thread closed to additional discussion; pinned topics are meant for information and not general Q & A. If you have a question, please start your own thread.

Ryan H

Male

China

2013-11-16 06:48:00

Process for Preserving K2 Visa Rights

Welcome to the forum.

Take a look at the DOS Nonimmigrant Visa for a Fiance(e) (K1) FAQs for more information: http://travel.state....nce-k-1.html#15

It might be a good idea to mention the situation to the CO at the K1 visa interview in Guangzhou for specific guidance.

Good luck on your immigration journey.

~Moved from K1 Process to China Regional Forum~

~Instructions/requirements can be consulate-specific at this stage of the process~

A&B

Male

China

2014-09-23 09:11:00

Let them punch or rearrange however THEY want to, we just put everything in order, rubber banded together and put in an envelope. Keep it simple...... :thumbs:

A&B

Male

China

2014-09-16 16:13:00

We left our White Books intact.

A&B

Male

China

2014-09-15 21:05:00

~Moved from China Regional Forum to WST-based AOS Progress Forum~

~Inquiry about AOS case status, adjusting from visitor (tourist) visa~

Hopefully you will get more pertinent responses at this forum.

A&B

Male

China

2014-10-08 12:22:00

question about waiting in which line outside Guangzhou Embassy

K-1 is a "non-immigrant" visa, but with immigrant intent. That is, the ultimate result, after Adjustment of Status, is a green card. Therefore, it is processed by the Immigrant Visa department at Guangzhou.

Have her get in the Immigrant Visa line

Agree with Randy. :thumbs: USCIS is part of Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS). The NVC is part of the Dept. of State (DOS), not DHS. If you are at the US consulate you are dealing with the DOS. The DOS handles the K1 visa as an immigrant visa. It can get confusing, just try to remember which government department you are dealing with. :idea:

Good luck on your immigration journey.

A&B

Male

China

2014-10-12 10:04:00

question about waiting in which line outside Guangzhou Embassy

Hi, my K-1 Fiancee says that there are 2 lines outside Guangzhou Embassy: immigrant and non-immigrant. USCIS treats K-1 as non-immigrant, but NVC treats K-1 as immigrant. I am just wondering which line she should be waiting in for her interview.

Immigrant line since you are dealing with the Department of State (DOS), not USCIS.

Edited by A&B, 12 October 2014 - 10:05 AM.

A&B

Male

China

2014-10-12 09:56:00

Official Stamp for Tourist Visa

It sounds like your friend is speaking about obtaining a Chinese visa, likely an "L" visa, from the PRC embassy or consulates in the US. He should review the "Introduction" information about visas and visa requirements from the Chinese embassy in Washington, DC. Your friend will likely need to go to the servicing embassy/consulate to obtain the required visa. There are firms that will do this for you, for a fee. I am certain that there are even some that will provide expedited service, for an additional fee. Do a Google search for such firms. I have no idea what is meant by an "official stamp"? The Chinese visa requirements have been changing the last couple of years, generally with more requirements.

http://www.china-emb...gqz/t943855.htm

Good luck.

A&B

Male

China

2014-10-16 11:44:00

~Moved from K1 Progress to China Regional Forum~

~Inquiry is country-specific~

A&B

Male

China

2014-08-05 11:43:00

CCP membership often results in Administrative Processing of undetermined length. This site has some useful information about CCP membership and navigating through the immigration process as a result of membership: http://candleforlove...bout-ccp/page-4

A&B

Male

China

2014-08-05 11:07:00

Best way to call China from US

Our mother in law has an I pad, real easy to use.

bigdog

Male

China

2014-09-03 05:45:00

Process for Preserving K2 Visa Rights

Nothing needs to be done , a child listed as follow to join has 1 year to do so. No less, no more If the father changes his mind in 2 years the child will need his own I130

NigeriaorBust

Not Telling

Nigeria

2014-09-22 19:33:00

Official Stamp for Tourist Visa

Hi there-

Thought I would try my luck here and see what I get. Basically:

I have a friend who is Chinese but has American citizenship. His uncle died and he's trying to go back for the funeral, but the embassy is telling him he needs 11ty docs to even get a visa into the country. He's got most of the paperwork besides the birth cert of the "family sponsor" and if he gets that (which he will), they're still saying it needs an "official stamp". What is that and how does he get it?

I know that's a frank statement of the situation but he's got to get this in tomorrow for processing and obviously they won't work over the weekends. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Novembro

Female

United Kingdom

2014-10-15 20:13:00

Not everyone who applies for a Q visa will get it. My daughter and I both applied for Q visas to go visit my wife's family; however, we were both issued L visas.

That is what I understand. What was the length of stay you requested?

Unlike the US if you apply for one type of visa they might issue you another that they feel is more appropriate. The US will just flat out deny it.

Operator

Male

China

2014-10-23 08:52:00

We were thinking that we might have to use my MIL for for the sponsorship.

Did you need a notarized (apostille) copy of your marriage certificate?

Operator

Male

China

2014-10-13 19:11:00