As I previous posted, this is my full review of our journey to America. I like to first thank to those of you who post tremendous amount of knowledge post on immigration and especially, thank you, Darnell. Also thanks for the kindly service from Eunice ( Marc Ellis’s assistance).
I am going to divide this into two sections, first will be overview bullet point for those just want a quick view. And second a detail summary… Feel free to pm me or post if you have question this, I think it’s fair to give and take. Something back to community.
Part A: Quick overview
Me: Born in Fujian China (fluent in Chinese) Male, Age-29, And Occupation: Global Technology Consultant (income high above federal poverty level) Marriage history: Previously Married and Divorced, no children. My prior (first) was arranged marriage from parent. Ex-wife from Fujian (Red Flag), , China. I petition her in 2005 through K1. Divorced in 2010.
My Current wife: Female, Age 29 Occupation: in house accountant. Marriage history: No previous marriage or children. From Fujian (Red Flag),, China.
Meet my wife after my divorced, dated for a year and flew back at least 6 times before our marriage in 2011. Son was born in Dec 2012.
Filed CR1/Spousal Visa in Oct 2012, applied my son’s passport in March 2013. POE Chicago on Oct 23. (go my timeline for details)
China Visit: total 13 trips to China (I got many mileages from work travel). SAVED ALL BOARDING PASS
Part B: Detail Summary
I first met wife online in August, 2010 through Tencent QQ -- an online messenger. She lives in Fujian China. As mentioned, my ex also is from Fujian Province. Anyway, my first marriage was arranged and was a disaster. Also we were both too young but then (ages of 22 and 21) to sustain a marriage. So the divorce was finalized in July 2010. She remarried in 2011.
As I have mentioned above, I was trying to start a new life after the divorce and my wife was introduced to me by my cousin at the time. We started our first web chat in August, 2010. We talked about our lives, our past experiences, childhood, music, etc … So our daily webcat and skype continue every day at lest 2-3 hours for 4-5 months (KEPT all the chat log and screenshot of the webcat). We met in person in Feb 2011 for Chinese Year. We pretty much decided the moment we saw each other.
However, we both know that my first marriage failed from rushing into marriage. So we both agreed to take some time to continue building our relationship before marriage. We continue dating for a year and was planning to get marry in February of 2012. (took a lot of pictures on my wedding)
As I mentioned I travel a lot, so got enough mileages to fly back almost every other or 3rd month. And since I usually can work from home, each trip I usually stayed in China for 2 weeks. At one point, I actually did try find client or work in China so I can be with my wife. But that didn’t go well, I was getting offer for a fourth of my current salary in China. So I gave up that plan and glad I did.
So I was told many times that petition Fujian twice is A MAJOR red flag. I hired Mar Ellis and his assistance Eunice. After reviewing my case, I was told that since my wife was pregnant, we may have a good shoot with the baby’s US passport during the interview. So as planned, I started my petition process during my wife’s 6 months into pregnancy. Anyway took me almost to get everything ready and send it ( SO I would advise to start prepping early and use VJ’s knowledge post as advantage.)
During the process of waiting for NOA2 approval, I called the office (number from your NOA1 letter) daily. I also went to Chicago Lockbox, asking for status. Anyway somehow after my visit to local office, my case was approved forward to NVC. Then I was calling NVC every other day or every week at least. I signed up electronic process as help from Darnell’s post and VJ wiki page. My case got hold up during the last step when my PDF file got corrupt (according to NVC), which I had to re send 3 times (same file) and finally it was done and got forward to GUZ. Now come to think, my last PDF file sent to NVC was a printed copy and then scanned back as email attachment.
Waited 2 months, then comes interview in GUZ which went very smooth. My wife was asked 3 questions and passed! (see below my timeline for details)
Also one more thing to mention is that the current visa shipping process kinda sucks. I was calling and checking status every day and things are not always updated. Basically my wife’s visa was issued the day after she passed, but we didn’t have status update for two weeks. So wife ended up just showing up at CTIC bank 2 weeks after she passed and the package was there. They said they were trying to call us but we have not receive any calls….even though we thought web status should be updated….anyway we are happy now. Feels so good to have family here this year during holidays!!! J
swzeng got a reaction from Darnell in Summary of my Journey (POE 10/23/13)
swzeng got a reaction from NikLR in October 2012 I-130 Filers