Tuzi and Niu

USCIS actually has a calculator for this: http://www.uscis.gov/early-filing-calculator
Just input the expiration date of your card and it will tell you the earliest date you can file (ie the start of the 90-day window).

The above poster is right, the CO did not see a relationship between you and her son and you said "....which there is none." Why not ?
Just because he is from an old BF doesn't mean you can't see him and treat him as your own and have evidence to prove that.
You should talk to him on skype or send him letters, birthday / Christmas gifts, have photos of all of you together as a family interacting.
Did you file 2 petitions for her or did you get 2 interviews on the same petition ?

Listen.....it took us 5 freaking years to be together. We filed and were denied after hanging in limbo in AP for almost 1 1/2 years.
Then we filed again and finally were approved. He is now here and we are stronger for it. We met in 2009, filed in 2010 and he came 8 months ago.
Why are you giving up ? I spend way more than $4000 and took 5 trips to visit. It takes what it takes and you didn't put enough effort into this.
If you love her then keep trying no matter how long it takes. True love doesn't give up.

Request another interview (through a senator/congressman) and fly over there if granted another interview.
Bring more evidence, you were ill prepared from what I read from your post. She needed to have the divorce decree with her at the interview, lots
of photos with you two, family if there is any and of course you both with her son. Go there, take more photos and bring everything but the kitchen sink
and I hope they grant you another interview.
If not then they will return your petition back to USCIS where it will die the death of expiration. Then you have 2 choices : File another K1
and be better prepared with evidence or marry her in her country and file a CR1.......but do not just give up like this.
She will be approved if you do this right......you said photos is not your priority and it seems staying there longer than 4 days isn't either, well
then make it your priority. Sure it costs money, get a part time job or make a loan, borrow or refinance, whatever it takes.
This takes real effort and you can do it if you love her ! Get it together.

It helps if you want to start applying for credit cards and bank accounts and getting your financial life started in America.

I am so thankful for all the support we have received from everyone on Visa Journey! We spent a lot of time discussing everything about her decision, we read everyone's posts, and my Maria did decide it was way too soon to leave the USA!
So, she has decided to stay and work thru the homesickness and keep her mind on her and I... I am so happy because without the input of everyone who took the time to leave such positive comments, I'm not sure what the outcome might have been..
I even got a deal on the airline cancellation! I was only charged $25 to cancel the flight! WOW!
Thank you everyone once again!

This is a revision of my post that is often quoted as good information on the I-693 and DS-3025 question. The DS-3025 form has changed, so this update matches the new form that looks like this http://photos.state.gov/libraries/thailand/591452/iv/ds3025.pdf
If your DS-3025 from your visa medical is sufficient to prove you have completed all required immunizations, then use it instead of seeing a Civil Surgeon. Read all this for information I have compiled.
Do I need a medical exam?
What if I am a K nonimmigrant visa holder and already had a medical exam overseas?
Source: I-693 instructions page 6 &7, Part 3 FAQ, #3
If you were admitted as a:
A. K-1 fiancé(e) or a K-2 child of a K-1 fiancé(e); or
B. K-3 spouse of a U.S. citizen or a K-4 child of a K-3 spouse of a U.S. citizen; and
C. You received a medical examination prior to admission, then:
1) You are not required to have another medical examination as long as you file your Form I-485 within one year of an overseas medical examination, and:
(a) The panel physician did not find a class A medical condition during your overseas examination; or
(b) The panel physician did find a class A medical condition, you received a waiver of inadmissibility, and you have complied with the terms and conditions of the waiver.
(2) Even if a new medical examination is not required, you must still show proof that you complied with the vaccination requirements. If the vaccination record (DS 3025) was not properly completed and included as part of the original overseas medical examination report, you will have to have the Part 7. Vaccination Record completed by a designated civil surgeon. In this case, you must submit Parts 1., 2., 4., and 7. of Form I-693.
Do you need an I-693 immunization sheet? Is my DS-3025 filled out properly?
Look at your DS-3025. If it has the ALL of the following items, you don't need an I-693 (Adults 19-49 yrs old).
1. Shots marked with a date (at least one of a series)
MMR (two are required but if you have "insufficient time interval" Code B in the last column, then you get a waiver) Td or Tdap or DT or DTP or DtaP (One date must be no longer than 10 years ago) Varicella (Either a check by "Vaccine" with a date, OR a check by "Varicella History" if you had chickenpox. History gets you a waiver) Influenza (during flu season)** see note below because you may be okay without it. If it is not flu season, the waiver in the last column is Code F. Everything else marked "not age appropriate" Code A, insufficient time interval B, not flu season F, contraindicated C...things that allow a waiver. NOTE: If you have shots missing and no waiver for them, stop here and see a Civil Surgeon. "Most of the shots" isn't complete. A note from your home country doctor won't count. All shots must be recorded on the DS-3025 or waived. You will have to take your doctor note to a Civil Surgeon and get him to record it on an official form.
2. The new form has a summary section. It may be marked:
"US vaccination requirements COMPLETE (Requesting a Blanket Waiver)"
But instructions I have seen says it is only marked for immigrant visas. I know In London they leave section 2 unmarked at K1 medicals.
3. Signed and dated by the doctor
The unknown with this new form is--will every adjudicator across the US know how to interpret the summary section? Their policy manual says:
"The officer should be aware that civil surgeons may improperly mark the boxes because they may misunderstand the meaning of these boxes. Therefore, the officer should determine, from the vaccination assessment completed by the civil surgeon, whether the applicant received all vaccines, which blanket waivers should be granted, and whether the applicant requires any ​other waivers. The officer should exercise discretion in reviewing the vaccination chart and when evaluating the results boxes at the bottom of the vaccination assessment chart. ​ ​If the civil surgeon did not check any result boxes, the officer should only return the form for corrective action if he or she is unable to ascertain whether the applicant is admissible. "
While this is not directly addressing the new form that has a "Summary" instead of a "Results" section, I believe the intent is that the adjudicator should look and see if the four required shots (or waivers) are present and accept the form even if the doctor doesn't do the summary to their liking. No guarantees, but I would certainly use the DS-3025 if I knew I had all the required shots.
**Note on flu shot: Flu shots are required for adults of all ages if your visa exam was between (Oct 1 and March 31). But if the AOS adjudicator picks up your case when it is not flu season, you will be excused. And the reverse is true. The adjudicator picks up your case during flu season, but sees it was NOT flu season when you had your medical exam, you are also excused because the date they go by is the date of your visa exam to determine if you were current on that date. Keep in mind that if you go to a civil surgeon for an I-693, then you are resetting the medical exam date for immunizations and you may have to get second doses of shots or a flu shot to become current on your new immunization date of record.
See next post for more information.

Having experienced relations with several Russian/Ukrainian women over the past few years, I suspect that she was in it for the right reasons at the beginning. And I suspect that she was sincere with you regarding her intentions. Ergo, there doesn't sound like much deception there to me. However your mistake was sending her that much cash and forking over the dough for those vacations. No self respecting Russian woman would have taken that much money from you nor gone on those vacations. But like everywhere in the world, some women/people can be tempted when it is offered. Sounds like she gave into that temptation and came out a different person on the other end. And that's the "good" scenario. The worst being that you were used the entire time, but again, strictly given what you have said, I don't think so. Regardless, the person she is now is not the person you knew and it's time for you to move on.
Finally, since you don't speak much Russian and therefore I conclude you know even less about the culture, I can tell you with almost no doubt that her words and actions mean that she has moved on. And I suggest that you don't even bother to "lay into her" about the time and/or money wasted, 'cause it means very little in Russian culture, but such actions on your part would convince her without doubt that she made the right choice. And to a certain degree that would hold true in any culture in the world, assuming that you did indeed express yourself in that way.
Look, the bottom line that I tell all guys who ask my advice about dating Russian women is that you cannot think like an American when you are with them. Russians are not politically correct, there is no feminism, there are no cr@ppy catch phrases like "think outside the box" and there is no pressure for everyone to be like everyone else so we can all be the same. When things go South in a relationship, they cut it off with a hatchet and move on with their lives. There is no "let's talk about it" or any of that cr@p. Although there are always exceptions, Russians generally speaking are much more hard-core than Americans. Heck, just a couple of days ago my fiancee told me that I needed to quit sight-seeing when we were walking from the metro station. "You walk like woman, like turtle. Kick your ### little boy!" And it was yet another time I realized why I like Russian women. Bwahahahaha! They don't dance around issues, they don't couch their feelings in PC terms and they don't suffer fools. And if I may speak openly, you are being a fool with this woman now. Sorry, but I can't avoid saying that and give you good advice at the same time, even though it will sound offensive to American PC ears (which I don't care about, seeing as how I am very much opposed to anything PC, but I digress).
Ok. The problem with that for American/Western guys is that they don't realize that Russian women are raised to let a guy down easily, and I mean they are taught that like religion. So when she's telling you "maybe [whatever], maybe we can speak" or whatever else, she's trying to tell you that things are over but to let you down easily as she was taught to do. Unfortunately most Western guys don't get that and they cling onto those words, which don't mean "keep trying", they mean "go away". And maybe she has found someone else, sure, but likely not. Either way, she has moved on from you already. Now you need to move on yourself.
If you attempt this again, I would suggest that you keep your wallet closed a little more. You can't give nothing or else you look like a cheapskate who has no heart nor soul. But there is a fine line. And unfortunately my friend you crossed it far too many times. And more unfortunately you didn't have a strong enough Russian woman to refuse you and to resist that temptation. And BTW, some guys I know use this give-her-money thing as a test really ... they offer and if the girl accepts then the guy moves on. That has merit but it can also generate a false positive.
Anyway. Bottom line, get the heck out while you can. Cancel the petition with the embassy or just let it lapse, your call. I very seriously doubt if she would turn up for the interview.

Wonderful news! Congrats!

I guess it's your personality to make bold statements about many things
without clear facts to substantiate them, and many users are noticing that about you
on many posts, including me.
Here is another expedited Philippine processing.
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/506080-fast-tsc-approval/
VJ users value this site greatly because there are so many knowledgeable
people that have gone through the processing and are providing accurate facts.
I hope you exercise more caution and sincerity, and make it clear as to which are "facts"
vs. which are "your thoughts" to avoid misleading people that are
hoping to make no mistake in this long visa journey processing.
If this site fills up mostly with your type of comments, then the accuracy and
value of this "great' site will suffer significantly.
*** I request mods and admins to review this person's postings and provide
necessary guidance to maintain the excellence of this site. ***

Mrs. T-B. attended her oath ceremony today (23 Jan 2013) and got her Certificate of Naturalization, si man. She is a citizen now, after a 5.5-year visa journey with some giant obstacles.

The story is posted in the K-1 Case Progress forum because, if you're like I was, you don't visit many of the later-stage forums or have a firm vision of the entire visa journey just yet. Indeed, I remember a buddy in my own monthly I-129F progress thread who got the NOA2 for his petition and wrote, "Can someone please direct me to the next forum?"

Some of the following might yield some perspective on "the visa journey" and perhaps help you in your visa journey.

I joined VisaJourney in mid-2007. I was overwhelmed, nervous, and bewildered by the upcoming K-1 process and the voluminous information on the site. Many of my first questions were met with patient variations of "read the Guides!"

I sent off the I-129F petition to USCIS (the CSC) via overnight mail with green reply card. I was frantic when the card didn't come back for several days.

I checked on-line case status of the I-129F at least once daily. Except for me, everyone else in the May 2007 filers group had received their NOA2 by 6 months (the timeframe then). I made several calls to USCIS (waiting on hold sometimes for hours, listening to that maddening "hold" music). I finally reached a kindly Immigration Officer who determined that my file had been sitting on a transit station for some time. I asked him to please send an e-mail to the processing floor to ask someone to move the file to the next place it ought to go. A very few days later, I got the NOA2. On this site, I reported the foregoing method of loosening the stuck petition; the message was twisted and roundly mocked by a group led by a viper who still sometimes poisons this site.

Being naive, I underestimated the consular process nearly 100% and was not on the premises during my fiancee's interview. She was kicked out after about 3 minutes, without her brought evidence having been considered, with these exact words: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!"

In subsequent correspondence, the devious consulate referred to the second interview as a "marriage interview," hiding the fact that it would be a Stokes.

The Stokes interview was not even conducted by an American, but by a Foreign Service National (a local Ecuadorian employed by the consulate). A decision was not even to be made on that day. The first interview was "not enough evidence -- go away!" and the second was "too much evidence -- go away!"

I got perhaps 45 minutes of sleep on the 5.5-hour return flight. Being home was worse.

After weeks of utter torment and of calling the State Department's visa line daily, I fought through the phone lines at the consulate by insisting on speaking with an American. After 20 minutes on hold, I ended up speaking with the Section Chief of the Immigration Visa Unit. We discussed the situation and I sent him a confirmatory e-mail. Within 72 hours, the visa was approved.  My contemporaries and I, who had all been hosed by this grossly mismanaged consulate, remained angry for years afterward.

Mrs. T-B.-to-be wrapped up her business affairs and arrived through the Port of Entry without incident, but very ill with an upper-respiratory infection. Our first week consisted of an expensive out-of-pocket medical appointment + prescriptions toward her recovery.

We married by the third week and filed for Adjustment of Status (AOS). I mailed it overnight but without extra receipt confirmation. I checked on-line case status sporadically. The NOA arrived in timely fashion, and there was no interview.

Mrs. T-B.'s EAD and AP arrived in due time and without incident. We used the AP on a land border trip to Mexico. Upon our return, the CBP agent knew what AP was but had obviously never actually processed one. Parts of this were quite comical. However, having our marriage certificate with us was perhaps the chief element in our approval for re-entry. Little did we know that Mrs. T-B.'s green card was in the mail to us (and on schedule) during that very trip.

We later took a driving trip through south Texas. The CBP agents at the internal checkpoints most certainly would have given us huge trouble had Mrs. T-B. not had her green card with her. The experience taught us to keep it -- and our marriage certificate -- with her at all times.

We filed for Removal of Conditions (ROC) as soon as Mrs. T-B. was eligible. I had taken others' advice and, since AOS, had taken appropriate pieces of evidence and thrown them into a box. By ROC time, there was more than enough support of our merged financial & personal lives through the span of our marriage. I mailed the package first-class with delivery confirmation (yellow sticker). I never signed up for on-line case status. The NOAs were timely, and approval was timely and without interview.

About a week before we filed for ROC, Mini-Bone was born, made of genuine U.S. & Ecuadorian parts.

We filed for Naturalization (citizenship) somewhat after Mrs. T-B. became eligible. I mailed the package regular first-class mail and never even thought about signing up for on-line case status. The NOA2 was timely, the process was uneventful, and her interview was easy. The Oath Ceremony featured 2,272 new citizens from 126 countries.

Lessons learned and insights gained from this visa journey and from spending it as a member of VisaJourney:

1. It's not necessary to freak out over how to mail the petitions or how to assemble the packages. Just include what the VJ Guides recommend, plus what knowledgeable members before you recommend (for example, front-loading evidence for tough consulates).

2. Rely upon advice from the most knowledgeable, trustworthy VJ members. Chief among these for me were JimVaPhuong, pushbrk (who thankfully is still active here), and Kathryn41.  I read every post of theirs that I happened across, and I invariably learn something.  When he was alive, geowrian was well worth heeding, and his posts remain valuable. Jan22 is a blessing to this site.

3. The squeaky wheel truly can get the grease. If your USCIS filing is grossly out of timeline, or if you have truly been wronged at the consulate, polite phone calls might yield action. (NOTE: "Grossly out of timeline" means exactly that. It does not refer to "I want my fiance(e) here NOW, no matter what. I have no patience or circumspection about the petition process, and I don't WANT any patience or circumspection!" Read the VJ forums thoroughly to see what objective factors might be influencing the processing of petitions. As hard as it can be, avoid "ready, fire, aim" reactions during this stage.)

4. Procedures, policies, and outcomes at the Manila embassy are, chances are, unique to Manila and not automatically transferable to other consular experiences. Go atop any VJ page and click "Embassy Info" and "Reviews: Embassy." Read the reviews for YOUR consulate, attending particularly to the WORST stories. Prepare accordingly. Also pay attention to general cautions offered by experienced members who did not deal with your consulate. Take offerings of "No worries -- you will be fine!" with a large grain of salt -- yes, the interview might turn out fine, but no one can assure you of this in advance.

5. Never EVER underestimate the consular phase of the process! The consular officers have 100% power over the continuation of your visa journey. Treating the consular phase casually can be like loading a revolver with 5 bullets, spinning the cylinder, and putting the gun to your temple and pulling the trigger. Bear in mind that a previously "easy" consulate's policies and procedures can change without notice if a new Section Chief is transferred in. Expect the best outcome, sure, but prepare for the worst conceivable.

6. We never got an RFE. However, an RFE is a golden opportunity to provide not just what USCIS requests to satisfy the RFE, but also to add additional evidence of bona fide relationship for the consular officer's eyes, later. Everything that you submit to USCIS goes to the consulate after the petition is approved. Front-loading (or, later, "loading along with an RFE") ensures that key information that you want the consul to see is there before the beneficiary's interview at a tough consulate.

7. There is never a disadvantage to a petitioner's being on the consular premises while the beneficiary is being interviewed. In fact, the advantages are many and distinct. Emotional support for the beneficiary is the minimum. If you the petitioner are on the premises or within range, the consul can call you in to ask questions.  Your ability to provide answers "on the scene" can ward off the issuance of a 221(g) and prevent a return trip to the consulate.

8. As outrageous as this may sound (and as outrageous as it would have sounded to me during the I-129F wait), it indeed can be a relief to return to dealing with USCIS after having dealt with a consulate. Nevertheless, to this day, if I'm on hold on a business call and the music is the same as USCIS's "hold" music, my heart begins pounding faster.

9. Like me, you'll start with close friends who post regularly and support you in public and private. Sadly, many will fall away from VJ along the way. Some of my earliest friends who are no longer around are:
StillThePrettiest - last log-in, 6 Aug 2010;
Toshtishtash - 7 Oct 2011;
Jeraly - 23 Aug 2012;
DanielParul (of incomparable support during my consulate torment) - 15 June 2010.

10. As I wrote to Captain Ewok privately tonight, I could not have negotiated this visa journey -- either procedurally or emotionally -- without the help of this site and the good people on it.

I hope that the foregoing will confer some helpful circumspection at this early stage of your visa journey, si man.

You can see reviews for your consulate/embassy here:
http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/index.php?cnty=Austria

We haven't scheduled the interview yet, but my fiance just made the payment online. Her tips are to either make the payment through a CITIC ATM if it is available. If not, a payment can be made online, but your fiancee will need to have a debit card that can do online payment.
Good luck!

What a mess.
If as originally posted--if everything is true--the guy ought to be strung up.
But the "if" is such a big thing.
At first--I was almost certain that this was about me and my wife--who abruptly left me on January 8th and whose whereabouts are unknown except.....and--get this--whose last call was from Mesa, Arizona, where the OP lives.
When Juliet left--seeing the misery ahead--I did create a paper and asked her to at least jointly end the marriage. And seeing the similarity I became almost certain that the OP was fronting for my Juliet. People repeatedly had warned me: "expect a VAWA." Have no doubt--that is a fear-inducing thought.
Yet--later the OP talked about the immigrant having taught for 15 years--so that knocks my case out--or so it seems.
Does she have a case: Yes, No, Maybe so...VAWA seems notorious for not verifying what is claimed. From what I hear, often the "accused" or rather "the one who does not even know he/she is accused) and yes, VAWA is used by males against females too. Read up on it VAWA IS abused by immigrants. Constitutional Rights go right out the window. In fact some allege that VAWA is used purposely by seditious elements as a means to gain entry to the US, sort of by a back door. I don't care to debate that--but after reading on VAWA--I see so very many problem and it seems more often to me that the immigrant side can misuse it intentionally. IMHO VAWA needs to be tightened--investigative improvements need to be made.
But how terribly sad to have come to America to find something remarkably different than what was promised and expected.. My heart goes out to this woman if things are as OP says.
And yet, my Juliet come to America--rushed to file for a SS Card--rushed to get married, and rushed to get notice that AOS was accepted by USCIS--unbeknownst to me opens a new account here and asks just two questions: When does AOS get accepted? And then then then, within hours of USCIS acceptance of AOS she split. Gone. What am I to think?
Split as in: "Thank you," at the airport. No tears, no looking back--no response for days--until I made a plea on Facebook whereupon I got a:" I"m ok, than you for your consideration." Huh? What about "to love and cherish till death do us part?" Did I miss something, was it "to love and cherish until United Air takes off?"
I still expect a VAWA claim, though I would fight it tooth and nail and have tons of evidence that would disprove such a claim such as: I called Woman's Protective Services and asked them to intervene because I was so fearful that I might accidentally not protect her, or that dropping her off at the airport would constitute "abandonment" = cruel abuse. Or that by her standing outside in 5 degree weather without a coat to force me to take her to the airport required action on my part.
VAWA is good--nobody should be abused, but from what I have read VAWA often--very often--never even makes an effort to analyze evidence objectively.
What a sad mess--while most K-1's come and go--with more or less a normal amount of friction and arguments, and ultimately successful and healthy relationships--clearly there are abusive elements on both sides. We cannot tell in this case.

In my case Ate (elder sister), or so as my Juliet says lives here undocumented (illegally) and has for many years. She works enough to have, or so the evidence seems, purchased two houses in Cebu and land in Bohol, Philippines, and to build a house in Cebu. Juliet says Ate works under-the-table as an LNA (Licensed Nurses Assintance) but nursing records are public--and I looked them up--wrong! Ate has failed the LNA 4x--she is not a licensed LNA but yet appears to be working in the health field. Put this together and I cannot wonder if it is that Ate is coaching my Juliet--and that in time, or perhaps already--(unlike most cases--accused often do not even have an idea) and that a VAWA claim is in action of forthcoming. How can I even tell?
Clearly VAWA could be effective IF the system could truly investigate the facts and weed out the real abusers and also weed out the scammers.
And please--anyone who gets involved--be very careful. Demand objective facts. Please don't be an enabler, yet on the other hand--when you see true abuse--if you can, be an advocate.
OP I do hope this gets sorted out--life is too short and you are correct--if the woman taught for 15 years, even if she is only 35--she will ilkely never get a job in the Phils--age discrimination is rampant--to a degree that most American cannot fathom.
And yet I look at my almost friend who is an immigrant in NH, my state and see the wondrous photos of her lovely daughter--and the smiles of the father--and I think, even if some us us unwittingly fall by the wayside--it is worth it--and I will edure, no matter what. Of this I am certain.

From someone who has experienced a lot of life, a long "until death did us part" marriage, and has a more mature point of view now with hindsight....
Pick your battles carefully. Not mailing something the date you said is not battle worthy.
Be secure in your relationship or you will be miserable. If you immediately assume she isn't interested in the visa because of not going to the post office then that reeks of insecurity. If you don't really think that, then why the heck bring it up? Find a partner who thinks you are the most wonderful person they could find, and vice-versa. Insecurity leads to suspicion, jealousy, possessiveness and a weak, if not doomed, relationship.
Immigration is not in a hurry. A month is a short time to them. The fact that you paid a huge amount of money to overnight something to the US shows you still think one day matters. So then you get angry because you spent that money, only to have your fiancé delay 4 days. Overnighting the submission to USCIS is another failure to understand that one day is not really worth the cost. Get the application perfect, then settle in for a wait. If petitions dated 6 weeks apart get approved at the same time, USCIS thinks that's normal. Don't feel cheated by seeing people days behind you get approved first.
If you start checking your status daily, you will have daily disappointment. If you check it 10 times a day, you will be disappointed 10 times a day. They email or text you if anything changes. Save yourself some disappointment and the negative emotion it creates.
A needy, depressed fiancée isn't a good life partner. She will be worse as a wife. If she is just pouting to make you feel bad then she is manipulative and high maintenance. Not fun.
I know this isn't what you wanted to hear, but I said it. I believe it.

OP, my Chinese wife has not yet come to the US or even visited, but I've spent almost a full year's worth of time in China over the years we have been in a relationship and now married. This is my 2 cents on what I've learned from my 7 year relationship with my Chinese wife. TL;DR: Your wife and you need to learn how to compromise and respect each other's cultures.
In a multicultural relationship, the very first thing we had to do as a couple was to make the realization that although we are both human beings, we have different cultures and values. I am an American Born Chinese (ABC), and so the culture gap was not as wide, but I still do things in an American way (OMG, soap is not poison!!).
The second step was to accept the differences and concede the small stuff. When I get sick, I'd rather take an ibuprofen than the crapshoot known as kanlangen, which my wife swears by. That's fine, you take your medicine, and I'll take mine. Your mom wants to live with us in our house when you're pregnant? Sorry, not going to happen, but I can compromise by renting her a modest condo or room nearby. Does it cost more cash? Yes, but it shows that I respect her culture (filial piety) while at the same time respecting mine (independence).
Finally, the third step was to integrate each other's cultures as much as possible. I am not great at it, but I'm learning Chinese. In fact, I'm typing this out here in Shanghai on a business trip speaking (bad) Chinese everyday to my coworkers. It's uncomfortable and tiring speaking a foreign language, but you know what? My wife does it with me everyday, and it isn't much easier, especially after she moves to the US.
OP, to put it frankly, your wife came to the US without the intent to integrate into American culture. I can see it from her actions and her life compartmentalization. She wants a Chinese life in the States. There will need to be those compromises between both of you (e.g. the mother-in-law living in an apartment you paid for) and those times where you just look the other way (e.g. me finding kanlangen for my wife when she's sick in the States). But in order to successfully acculturate to the US, your wife also needs to integrate into American society by find a job or hobby that helps her rub shoulders with Americans, and in time, she will come to understand and respect your American ways of living (in America!). She needs to be the one who chooses this path or the ticket home.

All
After receiving the K1 visa approval for my fiancee’ in GZ this week, and the celebrating done with for now, we wanted to share insights and advice on the steps taken to reach this outcome, as many in the past have shared their journey as well.
First, each visa journey is different. In our case, we met at work in China, are both college educated (she speaks English fluently, he speaks Mandarin better after some years in China), and have very supportive families behind us. There is a mild age difference (decade), and a divorce in the case file. She studied / worked outside the PRC, and he has worked both in the States and China. Simply put, we are the typical, 30-something middle class ‘couple-to-be’ who met at work, and just happen to come from two different countries.
Second, like everyone we started with only a few clues how to proceed. Online research helped, including the VJ website, which were helpful. Though for every useful website, there was a contradictory one. Best advice, check and compare answers found online, and look for dates / times of those messages as the process seems to constantly change. We did engage an immigration attorney in the States who was referred by another attorney / friend, and that was helpful in the first phase (getting the paperwork in order for the USCIS filing I-129F).
Not sure about the costs of a lawyer? Think carefully about whether you have the time and patience to navigate the various government forms and agencies. Yes it is a cost, and so is your time and patience if things are missed. Also, a lawyer is not a guarantee of approval for NOA1 or NOA2 (notice of action for those new here). It comes down to what you feel comfortable doing, have the time to do, and are willing to wait for. Also, the lawyer only goes so far, you have to do the leg work and paper gathering yourself, especially once it gets to P3 and P4 stage in China.
Third, be ready to wait. What seems to be a simple process on paper / screen, can be at least 9 months (some experience 2+ years) and has many side steps which the government can put up. There are different agencies / websites involved these days. You will want to become familiar with UStraveldocs and the CEAC website (research here those links in VJ). And definitely the US State department website itself, related to immigration of fiancée.
Fourth, it seems the processing goes much quicker once the case file is approved in the States (NVC), and is punted to Guangzhou for in country conclusoin Yes, there are some horrendous stories of lost files and paperwork. It can, and still will, likely happen to some. It did not for us, and we are eternally thankful. That said, make triple copies of everything you submit or receive. Do not flake on this, it will help you sleep at night.
Five – follow the steps they give you. Once GZ IV is ready to go to the next step - packet 3 does come to your ‘better half’ in English / Chinese via registered mail these days. And to note – the DS160 for K1 filers is all that is required since October 2013. Interesting for us, the post office called and confirmed the delivery, and made sure the English address was translated to Chinese for sake of assured delivery. When you submit P3 – be sure to include her / his email address in China and their mobile #. This will ensure P4 happens properly.
For those in the States, you will need to demonstrate ability to support (economically). I-134 is the form, download it and gather your supporting documents (bank statements, W2, tax forms which have been filed in the past years, confirmation of employment and salary at work). This can take weeks to chase down, so best to get started while he/she is processing the P3 in China.
Sixth - Packet 4 is an email– the letter noted you are confirmed to schedule your appointment and advising gather the materials. Follow the instructions to the letter (e.g. if your better half studied / worked outside China, get the police in that country / city to confirm a clean record as well as the local China home town). The ‘white books’ contains translated and certified copies of birth certificates, ability to marry, etc. Take this requirement seriously and check the translation of the documents.
Evidence of relationship – yes every time you and your better half interact, document it. Start now, and go back to when you first become a couple. Pictures, letters, emails, online chat sessions, etc. Print them out. If you travel to China, keep the ticket stubs and receipts (hotels, restaurants, cabs, etc.) The thicker the binder submitted (for I-129 at the beginning or P3 or for the interview), the better. Keep track of your evidence in a single place. Also – make color copies of everything. Just in case. Remember, 3 copies!
If you can both afford it – get a scanner / printer on both ends and have access to a trustworthy laptop and Internet access. This helps immensely in sharing material, etc.
Seventh, interview scheduling upon P4 notice- via the UStraveldocs website - the interview will be scheduled / confirmed (USTravelDocs registration is how you do that, after P4 email is received) – also here is where you pay your registration amount in RMB for the domestic processing (usually he/she will do in China via CITIC bank or some other means – UnionPay card for example). The dates available are released without clear structure – so do not assume you can ‘freely book’ any day you want in a week / month. Also, scheduling wise, remember your better half in China goes to the doctor for the medical check (do not open the sealed file!) a week or two before the actual interview in China.
Finally - On the week of the interview she / he will travel to Guangzhou the day or two before the interview. Realize it is nerve racking for her / him, be helpful / supportive (go and support them in GZ if you are able to take time / afford to). The hotels in GZ are affordable to westerners (300 to 600 RMB per night /$50 to $100 per night US gets you a Best Western / La Quinta equiv. experience or better).
The consulate in Guangzhou is now in the heart of the business district (think downtown San Francisco, Atlanta, Chicago, NYC) – tall office buildings with thousands of people walking in and around all day long. There is a line which forms outside the brand new consulate building for all sorts of visa matters each morning by 7 am (get there by 7). The building is well appointed, and the area itself is fairly nice and definitely safe.
Across the street (four to six lanes of traffic) directly is an office building with a Starbucks in the lobby which opens at 7 am, there is another around the corner of the consulate on an adjoining street, and within 5 minutes walk a McDonalds, three domestic coffee shops, a Four Seasons hotel (built last year), and any number of parks to sit in. All have free and clean washrooms. All indoors spaces are air-conditioned heavily (summer or winter). Take a jacket, and an umbrella if you are sitting and waiting for your better half.
The interview process is like any government activity / visit – long line, security screening, paperwork processing, given a number, sit and wait, and called for the interview to a window with the consulate officer looking at a screen. Nothing can be taken inside but paperwork (no phones, no laptop, no bags, - just her / his paperwork). This may be tough for you both – wondering how things are going and when will they emerge. Make a plan where you will meet afterwards just in case you miss each other.
Finally, the interview. The interview process, as we have come to learn, is important to the US government to ensure there is no fraud occurring (Marriage or government benefits). Which means, they will ask some personal and at times, tough questions. There is no predicting the ‘type’ of consulate officer (some seem happy, some are tough, some are great poker players). All will speak Mandarin fluently, your better half being able to speak both English and Mandarin in the interview seems helpful, though not required.
Some of the questions we have seen reported here and elsewhere to prepare for:

Where do you work? Where does he / she work? Where were you born? What do your families do? Where did you meet? When? How often have you made contact? In person or online only? What are your job plans if given an entry visa? How do your families feel about the relationship? Does (insert future spouse name) prior divorce worry you? What do you know about that divorce? When will you come to the US if approved? What sort of meals do you enjoy together? What does he / she like to eat? How do you communicate (if you both do not speak the same language fluently) Where do you plan to live once you come to the US? How did he/she propose? When and where?
We would encourage practicing the questions a few times and take it seriously. You will benefit from this once the actual day comes (the anxious ride in the taxi, and jump into the line at the consulate seems to wipe a lot of preparations out of one’s head).


With all that said, do not let the time it takes, or the paperwork, deter you. If you love someone and they will make a difference in your world, it should not matter. Be patient, do not avoid doing the paperwork, and support each other.


Good luck to all who follow. Long post, hope it helps calm the nerves and clarifies a few things for those who follow. And Darnell and others here who routinely support the questions ask by so many, god bless you for your good works.

No, the USCIS does not have the final say if the relationship is genuine or not. A K1 gets returned and the USCIS lets it expire.
USCIS used to deny returned K1's many years ago and that placed a fraud marker automatically on the couple.
This was fought against in court and since then USCIS allows the cases to expire and they send you a letter saying you
can re file without prejudice. The only benefit is that there is no automatic fraud marker with expiration, they don't reaffirm
nor deny but expire the case.
Regulations state that the CO must have factual evidence to refuse the visa.
They aren't supposed to speculate, make a judgement call on personal bias or make assumptions.
They are not supposed to re adjudicate an approved petition unless there is something that the USCIS was not aware of and
that new evidence surfaced or has been discovered that would render the beneficiary ineligible.
They also have broad discretionary freedom to refuse the visa and here is where it gets grey.
They refuse with "lack of bona fide" which is in many cases the umbrella of whatever the CO perceives, not factual evidence.
We hear day in and day out that plenty of quality relationship evidence gets submitted but still the "lack of bona fide" song and dance
gets played.
What the regulation says and what really goes on are two different things, a grey area shrouded in mystery to say the least, that
leaves thousands of K1 couples baffled. They try again and they succeed. This happens mostly in high fraud countries.
I believe they go by their fraud indicators guidelines set for these countries and lean a bit too heavy on their personal bias.
Therefore no reason can be found out except the canned "lack of bona fide" response if you get one at all.
Examples: Petitioner travels only one time to see beneficiary and a quick engagement happens and they file right away.
In high risk countries this is a red flag as they assume the beneficiary wants only the immigration benefit and not the petitioner.
In European countries it is no problem.
So the "assumption" is already there. The burden of proof is with the beneficiary and if the CO "feels" he is just someone wanting
to immigrate (without having concrete evidence) then bang he gets the "lack of bona fide" ramble.
CO assumes, USCIS expires. Case closed. File again.
With a returned CR1, since it is an immigrant visa and more solid so to speak, they really do need to come up with a reason
and a NOIR/NOID letter has to be send out so the couple can address the issue of the refusal and submit their rebuttal.
While USCIS and DOS can play ping pong back and forth and reaffirm and return, most of the time the CO will approve after
the first reaffirmation. Unfortunately a K1 is weak(er) and gets tossed in comparison.
Some think that the embassy sits on it too long before they return it and that such is the reason it expires,
but it goes to a USCIS warehouse to be stored after it has been returned, then gets pulled for official expiration.

Yes WAC is California Service Center.

As a data point, we just got the approval letter tonight, it took 90 days after my wife's interview. AP was for CCP Membership.
We had the CCP statement at the interview but sent in a resume about two weeks later.
Needless to say, my wife and I are relieved.

Mailed my I-129F on April 8. Good luck!