lilybells

9 hours ago, Villanelle said:

Im a bit confused about what the issue is here- You said 2 weeks BEFORE the interview they called you asking about the name error and you submitted a request for a correction. You were told it would take a while. You went to the interview and got the 221g for the certified copy. You are now what? Considering sending the incorrect copy? They are not going to accept the incorrect copy. They know its incorrect and they asked you for the correct (and certified) copy. I highly doubt they are going to accept the incorrect certified copy along with a note explaining its in the process of being fixed due to pandemic delays. I understand that maybe the 221g only has wording saying 'certified copy' is needed. Its implied the certified copy be correct even if it didnt specify certified and corrected copy. They definitely do not want incorrect documents certified or not.

 

You were told there would be a 10 week delay and its been a month and half (or 6 weeks). You should be getting the corrected copy in the next month or so. Just hang in there. 

 

(you could email the Embassy and ask if they would accept your incorrect copy + letter of explanation if you are so inclined however like I said I doubt they are going to say ok. You also want to avoid sending incorrect stuff because they have to process it and reject it- it will put you in a whole loop to circle through. You may end up having the correct certificate in hand but your passport is in transit back to you so now you have an additional delay. There are too many variables that you can not predict and personally I strongly feel you should be patient and wait until you have the correct stuff to respond)

4 hours ago, pushbrk said:

Yeah, I would wait and send the corrected copy.

Thank you both! I'm going to wait!

Hello! I was issued a 221-g for a missing original document at my interview. What I was missing was a certified copy of my marriage certificate (stupidly only had a non-certified copy). This was  easy enough to get.

Here's the catch: Our original marriage certificate has an issue (my father's name is in the wrong order). Two weeks before my interview I got a call from the consulate asking about this error. My husband and I immediately submitted an affidavit for correction (now a month and a half ago), but because of COVID we were told to expect a 10 week minimum wait for correction. None of this came up at the interview (in hindsight I wish I had said something). Hence, the certified copy I have of my marriage certificate and that I'm submitting to the consulate still has this error. 

Here is my question:

In my submission of this 221-g missing document, can I include a note explaining the circumstances?  I would explain that we have submitted all the paperwork necessary to fix the error, but that it's still in process of correction. Or, should I not include anything other than what was requested by the CO (certified marriage certificate and passport) and wait and see?

Thank you!

Hello!

I had my interview in Shanghai, China on September 23, 2020. I was issued a 221-g for a missing document (original marriage certificate or certified copy). There has been some backlog with receiving the document because of COVID, so I likely won't get it from my husband until next week/early the week after. That would put submission of the missing document at 3 to 3.5 weeks post interview. Other than the fact that this will delay visa issuance, should I be concerned that I've taken so long to submit my missing document? Should I explain in a letter when I finally submit my missing doc? 

Thank you! 

8 hours ago, MJ2040 said:

Hi everyone,

 

You need to bring the original I-864 (to the chinese consulate). If you don't have the I-864 form, it's fine. They will give you a letter with instructions and you can send it to them in the mail.

So interesting! They didn't ask me for an original - just a copy. They didn't even keep the copies. Looked at them, handed them back. Maybe it varies depending on the consular officer? I was approved pending my marriage certificate (didn't have a certified copy) 

On 9/19/2020 at 10:18 AM, MJ2040 said:

Thank you so much for the offer! Unfortunately, our interview is on the 22nd. My wife has the originals with her. Just wondering if she should go over it in pen, or at least my signature...

Hi! Did they ask her for the originals?

6 hours ago, MJY said:

Ahhh.

 

The agency charging 500 usd.

You could ask a friend who is in the Chinese city where your wife lived to do it for you, but it would definitely be a big ask. It's definitely an annoying process! 

With an agency, you at least have a guarantee she'll get something (the police certificate or documentation for why it's unobtainable). 

31 minutes ago, MJ2040 said:

It didn't say anything about bringing the original I-864 or a photocopy, just to bring it. The interview is in China and I've seen elsewhere that bringing a photocopy of the form to the interview is OK. The problem is that the original form I filled out, photocopied and submitted to NVC is in China and I am back in the USA. I filled the I-864 in pencil for the photocopy in case there were any mistakes with the intention of going over it in pen later. Unfortunately, I forgot before leaving...

 

I don't want to have to pay 100 bucks to send a new version there and that wouldn't match the version i submitted online. the other option is asking my wife to go over it in pen, unless of course it doesn't matter... 

 

Does anyone know for certain?

So I just went through the same concerns (my interview is in China too). After combing through a bunch of threads here, I didn't really come to a conclusion about China specifically, but it seems other consulates will ask you for the original since the consulate will only have the scanned copies that were submitted to CEAC. The interview checklist for China does say "photocopies of the affidavits of support" but for peace of mind my husband and I opted for him to just overnight me the originals (around 100 dollars, like you said). 

If your interview is after the 23rd (that's when mine is), I can PM you and let you know if they asked me for originals. 

1 hour ago, pushbrk said:

I doubt that's a problem but why not ask directly?

I definitely will! I haven't been able to get a clear answer on the phone and just wanted to hear if anyone else had experienced this is all. 

Hello! I am a Chilean national living in Shanghai, China. My CR-1 interview will be taking place on September 23 in the Guangzhou consulate. Since I have to fly back to Shanghai after my interview and I am a foreign national here, I won't be able to leave my passport with the consulate because I need to to fly. Instead, my understanding is I would mail it to them once I'm back. Here's my dilemma: I have a domestic trip scheduled the week after (October 2-5) and I will need my passport to travel. Could I mail them back my passport once I am back from that trip? I am in no huge rush for my visa provided I get it back before my medical expires (February 2021), since I don't plan on leaving Shanghai until I finish my work contract here in January. But, would I be jeopardizing anything by holding off on sending the Guangzhou consulate my passport (it would be an ~12 day delay)? Should I cancel my trip so I can send it to them immediately? 

Thank you in advance!  

Hello!

I am getting ready for my interview on September 23rd at the Guangzhou Consulate in China. 

I was wondering - should I add more evidence to what we already submitted a year ago on our I-130? We have more call logs, texts, and some new photos (not as many because of COVID and cancelled visits). Additionally, there is more correspondence between me and my husband's family and my husband with mine. We've also bought each other gifts in the past year and have receipts we can present. 

I'm asking because our original evidence of a bona fide marriage packet was 76 pages long with proof of relationship. Is adding more worth it/necessary? 

Thanks in advance!

Hello! 

I am scheduled for an interview in three weeks at the US consulate in Guangzhou, China. This afternoon I got a call from someone on the consulate saying my dad's name on the DS-260 and my marriage certificate don't match my dad's name on my birth certificate. And indeed, I checked and they don't match (it's a very long story, but my dad refers to and writes his surnames in a particular order but they are legally, aka on his IDs and on my birth certificate, in a different order). This is entirely my fault and I am looking to fix it. I can get my marriage certificate amended to reflect the correct name, but I won't be able to do it in time for the interview. With COVID delays, it would take about six weeks to get the certificate re-issued and then extra time for my husband to send it from the US to China. The person I spoke to did just say I can mention the errors (on the marriage certificate and the DS-260) in the interview if I can't correct the mistake in time, but I'm really worried it'll be an issue. I'm also going to try calling the consulate again tomorrow to let them know I am planning on getting it amended but it won't be ready in time. 

Has anyone been in a situation like this before? I've seen threads on people talking about mistakes on the DS-260 and even birth/marriage certificates, but nothing on mistakes on two of them and an interview already scheduled 😔

Thank you in advance!!

Hey all - thought I'd update for those wondering about interviews in Guangzhou. We were documentarily qualified 13 days ago and received our interview date yesterday (12 day turnaround). Our interview is in less than a month! We're shocked at how fast it was and considered delaying the interview but don't want to risk having to wait months if we do that. I'll post a consulate review after the interview! 

33 minutes ago, xbbssd said:

NVC submitted July 27

DQ August 11

Exact two weeks.

Exactly the same with us! Submitted July 27th, got DQ today. Congratulations! We're one step closer. 

17 hours ago, retry said:

I also sent them an email and they confirmed they have partially resumed visa services as of July 6th.  They said the following:

 

That's good news! 

Awesome! Thanks for sharing. 

Now just have to wait and see how long the COVID-19 interview backlog will take... 

3 hours ago, Constantinople said:

Thank you so much for your help. This was quite helpful. We were able to secure the police certificate. Luckily, we had a friend who was bilingual and fluent in both Chinese and English.  Got it notarized and translated and cost only about 300 RMB. 

So glad to hear  

On 7/17/2020 at 2:36 AM, Constantinople said:

Hello All,

 

Has anyone had experience obtaining a police certificate in china. It has become a bit complex for a foreigner currently living in china seeking to obtain a police certificate. If there is anyone who has had first had experience obtaining same. Can you post the steps. I have read several things online but it has lead to nowhere . Based in Shaanxi province. 

Hi! 

I just did the process in Shanghai. 

First, I went to a Notary Public Office to find out the exact requirements. Looks like it varies by city. I went with a Chinese friend, just to have some backup. They asked me for the following:

1. Tax statements from the entire time I've lived in China (was only able to obtain the last three years). I went to my district's tax bureau and they printed them out for me.

2. Original labor contract and/or work permit from any jobs I've had during the time I've lived here (was only able to obtain it from my current job) and a photocopy of each

3. Dated letter from my current employer with a company seal stating I have no criminal record

4. Original passport and any other passports I have had visas in as well as photocopies of all stamps/visas from these

5. Temporary housing registration form and photocopy

I was fully prepared to only get a partial police certificate since I had no proof other than my residence permits that I was actually employed by my previous employer - they no longer had my original labor contract or work permit. Just in case you are in a similar issue, I would record every instance you tried to get the necessary paperwork for your police certificate, with dates and times. I was prepared to submit this to show proof as to why I couldn't obtain a full PCC. However, I got lucky and had a very kind notary public officer assigned to my case when I went in with all my paperwork. He agreed to issue me a PCC for the full time I was there. I requested it about a week ago and he said it would take 2-3 weeks, so I am still waiting to pick it up. I paid around 200 RMB for it. 

Hopefully you have all the relevant paperwork and won't feel the stress I did!!!

I'd suggest you go in with a friend (if your Chinese isn't fluent) and have as much paperwork ready as possible!! Hopefully you won't even need everything they asked from me. 

Hey all! Just wanted to let you all know that I added the official Guangzhou Consulate WeChat (which I got from the official consulate website) and spoke to someone on staff this morning. Immigrant visa services have partially reopened (I was specifically asking about CR-1/IR-1, and the person confirmed that interviews for these are beginning again - not sure about other visa types :/). Hopefully this is good news for anyone else wondering!!

21 minutes ago, Anishatt said:

Hi,in what condition the holder of CR1 visa get 10 years green card directly ?

If you've been married for more than two years at time of POE. In that case it would be an IR-1, not CR-1. 

A CR-1 visa holder would only get a 10 year green card after removing conditions (which can only happen once you've been married for more that two years) if I'm not mistaken. 

9 hours ago, pushbrk said:

Correction.  There's only one immigrant visa unit in China.  It's in Guangzhou, not Shanghai.

9 hours ago, Ryan H said:

 

OP, what was posted above by pushbrk is more accurately worded.

My apologies - yes, I meant Guangzhou. And thank you - I am at the beginning of what has been a very convoluted and frustrating process of getting my police certificate here (as I know many have experienced) so I wasn't sure what the end product will look like. 

6 hours ago, pushbrk said:

However, if the original document is in Spanish and you are interviewing in Chile, no translation of Birth Certificate is needed anyway.

Thanks, I'm actually interviewing in Shanghai, where I live. 

But, this does bring up the question, should I get my Chinese police certificate translated if I'm interviewing here? I notice you have China as your country on your profile! Thanks in advance  

10 hours ago, TBoneTX said:

Not a silly question at all.

You're right -- the translation would remain the same regardless of date.

Thank you!!! So much of this process has made me question myself haha.

Hello! 

I am in the process of uploading civil documents to NVC. Last year my husband got my birth certificate translated. It has a stamp date of translation from July 2019. I am wondering if I can upload the same translated document? Obviously my birth certificate hasn't change, but not sure if a translation done a year ago will result in an RFE? Like I said, this is probably a silly question...

12 hours ago, Melc said:

You're entirely correct in that you don't have to provide police certificates for those stays. 

Someone else might be more experienced  in telling you how they did it, but a document confirming the dates you  moved there & total time spent there, and that it was less than 12 months, should do the trick!

Thank you so much!!

6 hours ago, digitalegg said:

Hello - we had the same issue, for the ones where we were traveling or on vacation or not living there legally, so we just wrote that in the comments section and included the purpose of our stay (vacation or travel) and the duration of our stay (30-60 days) and did not upload anything -- there were about 4 counties of 10 listed that we did this for and this was accepted and our application was transfer to the US Embassy. The other 6 we legitimately needed to provide PCs for.   

 

My partner has his Visa interview this week in Brussels, so I will write back if anything comes of this but this send to be the safest way to go.  

 

Good luck! 

 

DM

This is great to hear - thank you so much!

Hello everyone!

I recently completed the DS-260. By my estimates, I should be expected to submit THREE police certificates: one from Chile, where I was born and raised, one from the UAE where I attended university, and one from China, where I currently live. 

Throughout my university period, I studied abroad in the UK (5 months), Hong Kong (3 months), and Italy (1 month). I listed all these addresses as I was living in those locations during different times. CEAC is asking me to submit police certificates for all three of these in addition to the places I've actually lived (see screenshot)

However, according to the official webpage on travel.state.gov I should not be having to submit any of these as the time does not exceed a year, let alone 6 months, in any of those locations (see screenshot) 

Can I simply not upload them and upload a document for each of these police certificates explaining why?

Or, am I SOL and have to get all of these (the Italy one blows my mind - I was there for 30 days only!!)? 

9 hours ago, Punisher said:

It is unlikely anybody will notice this until consular interview, if at all. That discrepancy is not important and easy to explain. Police Certificate (and it's coverage) is the key though.

 

While technically you were initially just a "tourist" you have never left the place and switched to residency. Therefore it may be a bit awkward trying to explain you haven't resided in that country from the time you arrived (as tourist). The safest bet would be to have Police Certificate covering your entire stay there, unless it is impossible to get that way then keep it as it is and if CO asks then explain it to them. 

 

Regarding Police Certificate make sure you follow directly local embassy requirements in that matter.

Thank you so much! That's what I was leaning toward. Unfortunately, it's impossible to get my police certificate to cover the entire stay as they only have records from when I officially became a resident, but I'll make sure to make a note of that when I submit my police clearance and explain it at the interview if needed.