ning1986

Hello all,

Its been a while since I last posted on this forum. My wife and I are doing well, however I had a job change and shes still doing her MBA at a university. Unfortunately we're currently living apart, however she lives with me during spring/summer break, so hopefully that wouldn't be a problem with the immigration department. (I've filed a change of address for her online, let me know if I need to do anything else)

Anyway, I had a question with traveling to Cancun Mexico this summer for our anniversary, is there anything that I should know before going there in terms of state department? My wife holds a CR1 visa, and it's conditional residence, October is our 2 year mark for me to file a change of status.

Thanks for any help

Ning

Thanks Darnell. Yes, when I call the hotline they give me hardly any information. All they say is still pending additional information. I'll hit up the "the IV 'contact us' web portal" more often I guess......In the meantime just trying to wait patiently, well sort of........

From my experience, DOS's information aren't being updated as regularly as they should, I had better luck contacting the embassy couple times per week. You have to take account of the time difference, as well as any US/Chinese holidays. The consulate usually respond to you question within a day (my experience), sometimes you can work one to two questions per day. Do keep in mind that the response can be very generic, but once in a while they give you some good information.

PS. Try to write well mannered. Those that answers the question probably have to read hundreds everyday.

Ning

Anyway some new information, I'm hoping good news for me. As some data point for the community.

Interview Date: Aug 4-5, 2011

Blue sheet: After interview

Second Blue sheet: Aug 29, 2011

AP completed: Sept 19, 2011.

Right now waiting for the call-in letter

I'll try giving them a call using those questions on Monday, hopefully they can tell me why the case was placed under AP and maybe if its local or SAO. (I know it's not CCP)

Darnell,

It seems like you have good knowledge on where you are in different queues. I was wondering if you can give me an idea where I am in my queue.

My wife received her blue slip during interview, I've then submitted all document they required. She then receives a second blue slip via mail, stamped Aug 29 with no instructions, I was able to find out that GUZ did not require any additional information, and that our case has been placed under AP, and it's been pending in AP ever since then.

Also you've mentioned "this is actually something you can get from the DoS Hotline, if you know how to ask the question properly (to one of their Humans™) ."

Is this the information about SAO that I asked earlier or something else?

Thanks

I suspect GUZ is just backed up, I don't think they are doing background check unless they asked for resume. Keep the faith.

I just hope the background check they are doing is local, and not SAO. But if it SAO, how do one find out?

I just hope GUZ doesn't come back in couple month and ask for more documents.

incomplete direction as in, they send another blue slip to my wife (generic blue slip from guangzhou) 3 boxes were checked, 221(g), second box marked "for information and steps you can take to overcome this decision, refer to "the back of this sheet" but there is nothing marked in the second page.

So basically I had to email guangzhou to make sure the CO/VO didn't just forget to mark the second page, they replied Tuesday Sep 6, saying that they don't request anymore information and that the second blue sheet they send my wife was just letting her know that her case is placed under AP.

So right now, back to the waiting game.

Just an update, my wife got second blue slip with incomplete instructions, some people say that might just mean wait, but I want to make sure so I emailed guangzhou again, hopefully they'll get back to me after the holiday.

I emailed Guangzhou using their web email, although the answer is pretty generic, they usually respond the next day unless there are heavy volumes. I also contact DOS, however what I found was that DOS is given the same information from Guangzhou, I know this because when I call, sometimes they ask me if I received the email from Guangzhou, basically the reply email that I send to Guangzhou. DOS in my opinion is a good way to get the latest information from a real person, however they don't receive addition information, and does not have the power to expedite the process either.

Ok, here is another point of view.

Sometimes your wife may feel insecure, like any wife she may feel now that shes married to you, any imperfection that you may have, she already decided that you're the one that she'll spend her life with.

You should know your wife better than any of us here, so if she is acting strange for any reason, you'll most likely feel it.

Another way to interpret her actions could be that she is afraid to introduce you to everyone she knows, hence she block you on QQ, but as strange as it sounds, I don't think that is the only reason.

My wife was really pissed off at me because she got a blue slip on her interview (around 3 weeks ago), and now we're placed under AP after submitting all the documents, however we still made up and talk over skype and chat on QQ.

Maybe you can call your wife and let her know that you two need to talk, if there is something bothering her, tell her to let you know.

I think communication is very important.

I've read on this forum and elsewhere the some people receives another blue even after submitting all the required documents, I'm not sure which embassy/consulate, so hopefully that won't happen to you or any of us. In terms of finding out if Guangzhou has received your documents or not, I suggest emailing them, asking them if they received all the required documents and if you need to submit anything else. In my case they said that they've received all the documents and the case is now under AP of 221g National Security Act or something like that. So at least you'll know when to start your counter on days you've waited.

Generally, they ask for a resume when they need to do a SAO (Security Advisory Opinion) in DC. This is typically triggered by being a Party Member or having a technical degree. I think the resume is used to make sure they are doing the check on the right person.

And while I hope your case goes quick, we are at 2 1/2 months. The quickest I have heard is 51 days.

May I ask what information were you missing or being asked for on your blue slip?

Wow 2 and 1/2 months, that's just crazy. When they do a check, is it on me or my wife? or both?

Ok, I've send in required documents, as well as the resume for me and my wife, I don't know why they wanted my resume, but I gave it to them anyway. I had to send the resume few times as well as few missing items. But as of now, the consulate has received all the documents on Monday August 22nd, and they say it's under AP review.... so we'll see how long this will take. Somewhere I read that most AP are resolved within 60 days. Does anyone have link to that?

Looks like the CO has questions regarding financial stability, hence the requests for past tax docs, and your wifes work plan. After you get the docs, should be a couple weeks and you will hear from the Embassy again regarding next steps. "additional processing" administrative processing, some are security checks some are regular processing or ironing out any questions.

So would my situation be be considered as AP or just request for more information? I've included multiple documents now showing my 2009 2010 W-2, as well as letter explaining why I don't have 2008 since I was still in college, I've also included a verification of employment from my company stating my hiring date, my position, my annual salary and that I was attending college before employment. I hope all these is sufficient, because I heard horror stories where if your application is placed under AP, it'll take months at a time.

Ning

IRS Tax Transcripts, original version, were sufficient. Since it's a blue slip, you now need to submit originals, as you not wish to have any further goofs in the process - blue slip overcome submittals are scrutinized, not the same as prior submittal with the I-864. Worst case scenario on this? Yer asked to get the IRS copies of the tax return, for each year, and those cost $$ and the IRS takes 2 to 3 months to produce them.

FWIW, GUZ IV is expecting to see 3 tax years. Don't have 3 tax years worth? Time to do the documentation dance, and suggest you 'dance well'.

On the blue slip 221g is marked, as well as additional information.

On the lines below, they wrote in hand writing information that they require "2008, 2009 tax statement/or proof of income/ or personal circumstance letter.

I email Guangzhou IV, per email they said that photocopies of tax statement for 2008 2009 years are acceptable, and my personal circumstance letter need to be signed. I've mailed the letter the day after her refusal, so it should got to her by now, and she'll print out the photocopy of scanned tax statement. On top of that the blue paper also said "or proof of income" which I included scan copy of Verification of Employment from my company stating the position hiring date, and currently salary. I've also included all the weekly pay stub that shows how much I'm making per week. Those 2 should be enough as proof of income.

This is what I provided them.

2009 W-2 from college

2010 W-2 from college

2010 W-2 from work

photocopy of university transcript showing that I was attending school from 2006-2010.

letter explaining why I don't have 2008 tax return and 2009 tax return, and stating my personal circumstance

letter from my company, Verification of Employment

46 weeks of pay stub

2010 Income return.

I hope with all these, they'll be satisfied.

I've also called DOS today, and according to them, all I need is letter why I didn't pay 2008 and 2009 taxes. Which was explained in the personal circumstance letter I've included.

So does anyone know if my circumstance is a simple one where I just need to submit those paper work and hopefully whoever is reviewing will be satisfied? or would it take months at a time? does my situation count as AP? or just simply verification of document because the VO was curious?

Hi all,

I've posted on the Chinese section, but I think this is more appropriate.

The interview for my wife went well, but they handed her the blue slip, 221 g is marked along with I instruction to overcome this decision, which is for me to send in 2009 taxes, 2008 taxes or proof of income and/or statement stating personal circumstance. It also asks my wife for Resume and submit that separately to GuangzhouIVAddInfo@state.gov explaining her travel history and work plan in both Chinese and English. That should be easy to do.

The question is, how fast can you hear a reply after you submit the blue slip for these kinds of situations.

First of all, it'll take about a weekish for NVC to send stuff to GZ, usually they send them in batches. Call NVC to check if they send it or not. The hard part is for GZ to receive the physical package. Due to Chinese customs, it can take anywhere from 2-4 months, hopefully less. Once GZ receives the package maybe a week or 2.

Even though the forms say one year of tax transcripts/returns. Guangzhou almost always wants three years. I would include the original from the IRS and write a detailed letter for the year you didn't have to file taxes.

Honestly, it is entirely at the VO's discretion. A friend of mine got a blue slip for tax documents that they already submitted and after re-submitting go another blue slip requesting he get a co-sponsor even though his income is more than double the required amount. This is their second attempt. The first resulted in a blue slip and a rejection. Others have gotten blue slips and then pink so it just depends on if they are satisfied with the petition or not.

So it's not required but nice to have a co-sponsor, how do I attach a document to get a co-sponsor even though my annual salary is more than 3x of whats required. Is having a co-sponsor always a safety net?

Lastly, do you know how long it takes for your friend to receive notice after he submit required doc on blue slip?

sorry it did not allow me to edit my old post.

For all those that have experienced the horror of blue slip, do they require original tax statement and letter or do they accept scanned document as long as your provide them all the required information?

Thanks

I found out via reply from Guangzhou that they accept photocopy of tax statements, however the personal circumstance letter should be original.

On another note, many people have experienced the blue slip, do Guangzhou typically approve the visa if you send them what they asked for on the blue slip?

sorry it did not allow me to edit my old post.

For all those that have experienced the horror of blue slip, do they require original tax statement and letter or do they accept scanned document as long as your provide them all the required information?

Thanks

There may be an email address on the blue slip where you can send the info. They asked us to send in my wife's resume and provided an email address. I am not sure how they handle I-864 issues.

do you know if all the blue slips are generic or different? my wife is on her way from guangzhou back home, and she didn't get a chance to scan the paper yet.

I will obtain a letter tomorrow asap from my company. I will also include 46 weeks of pay stub and a letter explaining what each documents, and why I didn't have 2008 tax return etc. As for sending the information in, did you send it from US to Guangzhou using Fedex or UPS or did you send it to your wife/husband then have them send it to Guangzhou along with the blue slip? I'm sorry to see tat your blue slip still have not progressed. Hang in there!