gzbabi

Should be straight forward. My wife (Chinese) went thru this process a few years back

1) you need to find/goto the nearest DMV; Bring your identification (passport/greencard) as well as some document that shows your address (copy of rental contrast/utility bill/bank statement)

2) They will give you some info on how to study for the theoretical test, check with your DMV if they need an appointment on the test.

3) Study the rules, there are actually a few good apps out there for iPhone to help

4) Take the theoretical test, they have a few computer workstations at the DMW, where you take the test. They would give you the result immediately, if you pass (its ok to fail and do again, just a hassle) they would ask about when to do the driver tests. Probably need to schedule.

5) Take the driver test, this doesn't seem to be difficult for people that have driven in their home country before 

My wife had her interview on Friday 27th in Guangzhou together with our daughter. Process was very smoothly, its off to pack the bag. The whole process was almost 2 years, but happy to get through the finish line. I put my wife's review out below. The only thing I am upset about is that she drools about the "handsome blond foreigner VO", oh well

http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/view-dos-cis-reviews.php?entry=12409

I Saw a "Even My Wife Was Made in China" T-shirt. Now that was funny!!!

Cool, I want that shirt

congratulation, but why it took you this long really long was it any problem

When I filed in January 2012, I130, I was not a USC, I had my N400 processing at the same time. Later I needed change status to USC. That might have complicated the process a bit.

Today I got the good news. Finally the I130 for my wife and my daughter have been approved.

It had been almost one year after NOA1, filed in January 18th 2012, now I got the email stating that both petition have been approved today January 9th 2013. We could not be any happier. Now the next step of interview, more paperwork etc. starts.

Cool - they be reviewing it. Expect something soonish !

Are you calling, though? there's been some glitches in the USCIS online casefile status thingie today.

I think there was a glitch in there system yesterday. I had the same status yesterday with this weird "NGLISH" and now the text went back to what it was before.

However I hope though that you are right and they are actually doing stuff. Wishful thinking on my end.

thanks guys... i really wish il feel better soon. its my bday this week end... maybe thats the reason behind this emotional stuff. it feels so terrible..

Adjusting to a new culture is truly hard. My wife has not even arrived yet and I worry that. I think finding local similar couples will help. I already reached out to many asian-american couples in my area, so when wifey finally arrives down the road, she will be with similar other wifes to share experience.

Here is a link to a tool on the IRS website that helps you figure out your filing status:

What is my filing status?

You definitely should not file as Single since you are married.

Interesting, I had a tax accountant doing my taxes last year. As my wife never lived in the US and also does not have a SSN or TIN, he told me to file as single.

My fiancee spoke to her HR department today regarding adding me to her employer's health plan.

The monthly cost for her insurance is $134. They want an additional $716 to add a spouse!

Does that seem like it could be right or is that as excessive as it seems to me (and her)?

Thank in advance!

Sounds excessive, you could get individual insurance even with precondition for less then that.

LPR processing takes I think up to 9-10 months for NOA2. I have been in this status before before I became USC

I don't think the "eligible to work" rule for SSN is not correct. Other kids have gotten their SSN.

You can use Skype to call. My husband bought me an Unlimited World subscription and it works great! It's less than $15 a month and its unlimited.. I even have it on my smart phone. Just try it out.

I also use Skype, the unlimited makes it worthwhile, and I call every day.

... as all insurance companies view it as a 'life-changing event' and as such, she's eligible to be added once she's inside the USA.

I agree, I just had to do "open enrollment" again as I am waiting for my spouse and daughter to come here hopefully in a few months (waiting sniff). My health insurance defines "Family member leaving from or coming/returning to the US" as QLE, qualifying life-changing event.

That means, I can add them later and don't have to pay family insurance premium yet, can go with the cheaper single premium.

notmuch88tosay

My advice is, don't rush it if you don't need to. I have been through a series of crazy relationships before finding my wife. Truth is, that in the beginning all seems more ok, but after a while the real person comes out. Some other have more luck, a friend of mine found his wife also online, met quickly and then got married on K1. They are now married 8 years.

Issue is, you just don't know what person you meet. I learned, that if there is just the slightest sign of doubt, better move on. Thats actually also true the other way around. My wife best friend (also chinese girl) had a few western prospectives. Some of them also turned also out to be crazy. She kept on searching and found her husband where they live together now and expect their first child.

Your heart had been ripped out, but better now then later when its too late.

Good luck

We use QQ all the time. Very reliable and very common in China. If you have a PC though, be aware of viruses. As I am using a MAC, no problem at all.

We do video chat every day, very important during the wait.

For more info: http://www.eb5greencard.com/

Its actually true. There is the EB-5 program for people doing investments I the US. For $500,000.-- investment, the investor can get a Green Card.

No but i can't find anything.

You mean, once switched language switched to Chinese you feel like a N00b on the computer again?..... Where is the control panel, file manager, etc.

Yeah, been there

That sounds normal. It just had been a little over 2 months, right? There won't be any status update online until NOA2. The goal normally for CR-1 is 5-6 months.

Look at the bright side, every day that goes by without an RFE is a good day. Usually the RFE come early in the process.

beware that most countries consider you to be a citizen of the country on which passport you entered. if you have chinese and American passports and enter china with your chinese passport, you waive right to representation by the US embassy, should you end up in a fix. lots of chinese have found this out the hard way, and are either face down with skull ventilation or rotting in windowless cells, while the chinese gov't refuses to acknowledge their US status.

if you enter any country using your US passport you are entitled to the protection of the US embassy.

Thats true. Same is with Visas. You only enter a country with the passport that has the visa in it. Same in reverse, when returning to the US, you only can use the US passport, as the foreign passport does not have any Visa for the US. From that perspective the US considers you being a US citizen.

Is my understanding The USA doesn't not support dual nationality

Here is more about the topic....

http://travel.state....s/cis_1753.html

I just got naturalized this year. I specifically asked the question during the final interview and at other times. I am a dual citizen now.

It depends on the originating country. If the original country supports dual citizenship, then it works. The USCIS will not require to give up the other citizenship. I legally kept my other citizenship (Swiss) after becoming USC. I also asked the Swiss consulate and they confirmed its correct.

Update on this case. After I called on September 10, I received a letter int the mail, stating that the petition has now been upgraded to reflect my naturalization status. Yay!!.

I hope things go now quicker.

Where in Guangdong do you go? My wife is from Guangzhou, which is the Capital from Guangdong. I have been there 100 times over the last few years.

Just called them, they told me to give me a response within 15 days. I have a hunch. Since I filed as a permanent resident initially, then became a USC in 3/12 afterwards and we reported the status change.

Time line for USC is 5 months, for PR is 9+ months. I believe they did not move my case into the USC queue and left in the PR queue which is much slower.