for SURE this isnt the right place to ask this question, but i dont know where else to go! Even "candle for love" is evil and doesnt let me ask, and thats supposed to be for my kind of situation.

anyway.. here we go..

Im going to china on jan. 17, 2008, and i want to live there until my wife's visa (CR-1) goes through. i JUST got the NOA1 like, 2 weeks ago... that took FOREVER (month and a half at least)... so i'm probably gonna have to wait a long while in china... actually.. our wedding is march 26 in Guangzhou. I doubt the visa will even be available by that time! (but lets hope it is). anyways.. so my plan is to stay in china at least 3-6 months. and i'll NEED to exit mainland to go to HK/Macau a couple of times (3 or so) in those months. AND i would want to work too (probably illigally, as a teacher or something..but it would be nice to do so legally). anyways... i went to the chinese embassy web site and its so confusing... I wont begin to pretend to understand. but yes, ive checked it out.

the point is.. i need help! who can tell me what i should do? what i should apply for? how can i enter and exit so many times easily? or at least be allowed to stay in GZ for more then 30 days at a time. i want to live with my wife in peace.
help me VJ.com! I dont know who else to ask!

You applied for and got an NOA1 for a CR-1 visa for someone you won't be married to until March 26, 2008?

Apply for a 2-year multiple entry visa to China. With it, you can go in and out of China as many times as you like.

I was thinking the same, isn't that falsification on a government document?

How did you file the I-130 without a copy of marriage cert? I suspect you will be getting an RFE for it, and it had better be dated BEFORE the I-130 filing date.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-130instr.pdf

And what about CFL is evil? I have not seen a question like this come up, and see no member there named "Donato" unless you are using a different name.

Donato,

There are visa services within China which give a visa that is different from that given in the US. That is, even if you get an F visa from the US it will have a 30 day limit on it meaning you'll have to exit the country every 30 days or so to satisfy the visa reqirement. My suggestion is to come to China on a tourist visa. Then after you are in China seek a visa company which can change the tourist ( L ) visa to an ( F ) visa. You can get a 6 month, multi-entry or a 1 year multi-entry visa quite easily. See the following link:

http://www.visainchina.com/visa1.htm

Then you can relax in China during this time.

Regarding work, you're on you own there. I suggest staying as legal as possible to avoid trouble with your US Visa/Immigration processes.

If you are married to a Chinese Citizen you can get a multiple entry visa good for a year. I think the granted stay is 60 days but you can go to a local police station and have it extended. If all else fails, take a quick trip to Hong Kong and then reenter. Try contacting these people for assistance in obtaining a visa. http://www.visa-chinese.com/

You mention a future wedding, yet you've petitioned for a visa for a spouse. Please clarify.

I took a few months off to see my husband overseas. It may delay your case, but if you can get a job quickly (within a month) by the time the Affidavit of Support is due to be filed it is possible.

These are the things you need to do to prepare:

* Find out what forms are in the pipeline.
* Find out what fees will be due for specific forms.
* Download the forms you know will be coming up
* Start PREPARATION WORK by assembling supporting documents (marriage certificates, police records, tax papers)
* Have a family member or close friend help out by mailing stuff the the NVC for you while you are outside the US.

I found out that while I would be away, the DS-3032 would come and the Affidavit of Support invoice would come. So I had a cashier's check for the Affidavit already set aside for my mom to mail to the NVC. I downloaded the DS-3032 and when I met my husband, he signed it. I then mailed it back to the US and mom turned around and forwarded it to the NVC.

When I got back to the US, I had to find a job quick, the Affidavit of Suport was due to the NVC. So this was the major delay for me. I could not have a joint sponsor. So I needed permanent full time employment quickly. Luckily I got hired within a month of my return.

This is the biggest issue....But if you can get a joint sponsor, then you do not have to worry.

CFL evil ? I dont recall having seen you there

I copied your question to CFL, other that a few remarks about "Evil CFL", it is getting some good responses about how to live in China.

I don't know what you mean by Evil, they tend to be a very level headed group there.

http://candleforlove.com/forums/index.php?...c=27680&hl=

So how can you call the people at CFL evil? Or is your name "donahso" over there?

sorry guys. it was really late when i posted that, and i was frusterated. anyways, I am already married... but it was only a civil wedding. So now we are having a "real" wedding, (church wedding) where everyone is invited. wedding doesnt always mean getting married? haha. anyways. Im not doing anything illigal. Dont worry. Im already married! (since feb 15 2007, yay!)

I called CFL evil cause i couldnt post and i didnt know where to post my question either, so i got a little mad. but yes. . they are cool.

Anyways. hope that clears things up, and thanks for the help everyone.