Q. 1.3 What are the requirements to directly file at the consulate?
A.1.3.1

As a general rule, the petitioner must reside in the consular district but the residence or even physical presence of the beneficiary is immaterial. The petitioner must execute the petition in person before the consular officer.

A.1.3.2

You do not need to wait 6 months after you get your residence book. I only had my residence book for a few weeks before I filed. And I know people who filed the day after they got their residence book.

A.1.3.3

I am only familiar with DCF and the process has taken roughly 7-8 months to get to the interview. I am already married and we filed the I-130. See, we weren't any different once we sent the P3 back, before that, you save a lot of time by avoiding the American centers. If one is truly determined, get married in China, live there for two years and then come America.

A.1.3.4

The employer takes care of obtaining a work permit (z-visa) and a residence book. Usually takes 2-3 weeks including a medical examination. As soon as you get a residence book, you can file DCF and immediately leave China if you want (although you might face penalties if you are tied into a contract).

A.1.3.5

I believe the big requirement is the residency permit. I don't think they care about the kind of visa. They did want to see a Z visa when we filed, but when I showed them the permit (I think I was on an X visa), they didn't seem to care about the visa…

A few things, You will find more expert and knowledgeable answers on A Candle For Love, http://candleforlove.com

Example from their extensive FAQ section:
http://cflgallery.com/FAQ/CFL_FAQ_DCF_Final1.htm#Q1_3
http://candleforlove.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=19303

David on CFL is THE EXPERT about all things regarding how the consulates in China work.

A notarial Birth Cert is obtained at the Notarial office that has jurisdiction over where your SO lives, the Notorial office can also translate the certificate to English, and bind the translation in the book, they can also do this with other things like marriage certificate, and police certificate.

I highly recomend that you join CFL, and use their resources, no site is better for asking questions, and preparing for immigration from China.

I Use CFL but I find this site easier to find answers. So, is this new law going to affect what GUZ has received already? From what date will it affect us?

Thanks,

I don't know to what new law you refer but you can still file DCF in China with any consulate that still has a USCIS office attached.

Not true, you can now file once again at most every consulate regardless of whether they have a USCIS outpost attached. In Kiev for example, you can file the I-130 and the consulate sends it to the USCIS outpost in Moscow.

I don't know to what new law you refer but you can still file DCF in China with any consulate that still has a USCIS office attached.

Notarial Documents are secured at an office called Gong Zheng Chu. We generally refer to them as Notarial Translations of official documents. Birth certificates, marriage certificates, police reports and any other Chinese document you must submit will require obtaining Notarial Translations from teh Gong Zheng Chu. I advise getting at least three originals done for each document you need. The birth certificate is something you may need after arrival in the US.

The Gong Zheng Chu in Nanning is easy to find. I've been there several times. The people are fast and efficient an you can negotiate expedited service for an extra fee.

I do not know what DCF is. This is my wifes first marriage. Our I-129 and I-130 were both approved. We are waiting for GUZ. It is so frustrating that they take so long.

In regards to the new law, I thought I read on this site about the consulates not accepting the approved I-130's. I don't think that would matter to me because I also have an approved I-129.

Thanks,

Yeah, well they all end up in Guangzhou after the USCIS finishes with the petition anyway and as I recall, all five Consulates in China have USCIS offices. I was just hedging. It's always good to check directly with the Consulate for the latest procedure as they do change from time to time.