ShanghaiAmerican

Brassmonkeychina . . . you are saying that you were basically given your visa, permanent residence in 3 months time? The entire process, from I-130 to Visa Application (online, right), interview, issuance of visa, etc. all took only 3 months and not 12 months?

I live in Shandong and required to go to Guangzhou, as you know, a long way away. Even with the new high speed train, it's a 10 hour train ride away. Flying there is actually cheaper than the best, fastest train. I want to wave to reduce the time as much as possible to get my wife's visa and thus starting with the I-130, so DCF would likely help, right, as opposed to sending my I-130 to the U.S. Chicago lockbox. My circumstances are different of course, but really, as long as the things are filled out and document provided properly, and there are no mistakes and "questioning or doubt" of some fact, I have assumed it will take 9-12 months for my wife's visa process. I consider my "situation" as being complicated - but only for the Affidavit of Support as I'm in China now too for 10+ years - so I need to return to the U.S. to restablish "domicile (residence)." But, assuming I follow the rules and instructions and have necessary documentation, and such, I'm curious how you got your visa in 3 months when people say it takes a full year.

My wife is Chinese, but I assume that makes little to no difference compared to your British citizenship.

Can you comment on your length of time or on DCF versus mailing to Chicago? I need to be efficient as possible or I'll be stuck away from my daugher and wife for (assuming) 9+ months.

Being prepared with documents and filling out forms is likely the most important thing, rather than "situation" I'm sure.

** Anyone else have experience with the Guangzhou embassy direct filing times ? **

Brassmonkeychina . . . you are saying that you were basically given your visa, permanent residence in 3 months time? The entire process, from I-130 to Visa Application (online, right), interview, issuance of visa, etc. all took only 3 months and not 12 months?

I live in Shandong and required to go to Guangzhou, as you know, a long way away. Even with the new high speed train, it's a 10 hour train ride away. Flying there is actually cheaper than the best, fastest train. I want to wave to reduce the time as much as possible to get my wife's visa and thus starting with the I-130, so DCF would likely help, right, as opposed to sending my I-130 to the U.S. Chicago lockbox. My circumstances are different of course, but really, as long as the things are filled out and document provided properly, and there are no mistakes and "questioning or doubt" of some fact, I have assumed it will take 9-12 months for my wife's visa process. I consider my "situation" as being complicated - but only for the Affidavit of Support as I'm in China now too for 10+ years - so I need to return to the U.S. to restablish "domicile (residence)." But, assuming I follow the rules and instructions and have necessary documentation, and such, I'm curious how you got your visa in 3 months when people say it takes a full year.

My wife is Chinese, but I assume that makes little to no difference compared to your British citizenship.

Can you comment on your length of time or on DCF versus mailing to Chicago? I need to be efficient as possible or I'll be stuck away from my daugher and wife for (assuming) 9+ months.

Being prepared with documents and filling out forms is likely the most important thing, rather than "situation" I'm sure.

** Anyone else have experience with the Guangzhou embassy direct filing times ? **

Brassmonkeychina . . . you are saying that you were basically given your visa, permanent residence in 3 months time? The entire process, from I-130 to Visa Application (online, right), interview, issuance of visa, etc. all took only 3 months and not 12 months?

I live in Shandong and required to go to Guangzhou, as you know, a long way away. Even with the new high speed train, it's a 10 hour train ride away. Flying there is actually cheaper than the best, fastest train. I want to wave to reduce the time as much as possible to get my wife's visa and thus starting with the I-130, so DCF would likely help, right, as opposed to sending my I-130 to the U.S. Chicago lockbox. My circumstances are different of course, but really, as long as the things are filled out and document provided properly, and there are no mistakes and "questioning or doubt" of some fact, I have assumed it will take 9-12 months for my wife's visa process. I consider my "situation" as being complicated - but only for the Affidavit of Support as I'm in China now too for 10+ years - so I need to return to the U.S. to restablish "domicile (residence)." But, assuming I follow the rules and instructions and have necessary documentation, and such, I'm curious how you got your visa in 3 months when people say it takes a full year.

My wife is Chinese, but I assume that makes little to no difference compared to your British citizenship.

Can you comment on your length of time or on DCF versus mailing to Chicago? I need to be efficient as possible or I'll be stuck away from my daugher and wife for (assuming) 9+ months.

Being prepared with documents and filling out forms is likely the most important thing, rather than "situation" I'm sure.

** Anyone else have experience with the Guangzhou embassy direct filing times ? **

My husband and I were approved through DCF in Guangzhou, China in January. At the interview my husband gave my tax filings from 2011, 2012, and 2013 that were all from me working in China. Each year was above the poverty level in USD with AGI of $0. We also provided 12 months of bank statements from my US account and his China account that showed cash of about $70,000 USD. All of this was on our lawyers advice.

Thanks Margarth! Congrats and good luck!

Thanks Randy W!!!

Hi Margarth,

My husband and I filed last week (8.12) and were told similar information after also finding times to be faster from internet reports.

Have you heard from Beijing yet about the I-130 for your husband?

Thanks!

Hello,

I am new to the forum. Last Tuesday my husband and I filed the I-130 for his CR-1 visa in Beijing. We were married July 4th in Vancouver, Canada. We had a little trouble getting us both in because we are a same-sex couple. I am American and my husband is Chinese. There 5 checkpoints where we had to show a cover letter from our US lawyer that had both of our names on it as well as both passports. Our lawyer told us that we should hear within 30 days, but the take in officer said 60-90 days. Has anyone filed their 1-130 in Beijing recently? If so, can you give any information on how long the process has taken for you?

Thanks!!