donmerlin
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Posts posted by donmerlin
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The majority of civil surgeons do try to bamboozle you into a full medical exam. Even establishments like Camino Medical. What I'm learning is that they are not necessarily ignorant of the rule, they are basically saying that they do not provide the single service of "only vaccines" or "only transferring vaccinations records". That's their way of enforcing the medical exam, and of course, if you already have done the medical exam, you have to say "Thanks, but no thanks." Only one person on the list below had agreed to do just the transfer of information, and he quoted $70 (I get the impression that if you're a regular customer, it would be cheaper, since he asked if we'd seen him before). Now, if I could just remember which one it was. (After I heard about the Dr Arnold in Texas, I figured that was the cheapest way to go, but they said they wouldn't transfer the TB testing documentation, so now I'm back to square 1)
NOTE: Dr. Arnold does NOT handle the TB Testing, and so if you didn't get the TB Test done with your physical (which in most cases, they do NOT do the TB testing in the Guangzhou physicals), you'll have to find a different Civil Surgeon. Of course, if you fall in the earlier date range where the TB testing was not a requirement, this need not concern you, but most people now looking on the board are likely in my category, where the TB testing is required.
We got the TB testing done for free for our son, and my wife's testing is only $10. They do the skin test one day, and 3 days later we go back for the results. I have no idea why Dr Arnold cannot copy this to the I-693, but they were emphatic about not doing it. Go figure.
Hi Folks,I'm almost done filling out forms for the AOS work, just need to get the I-864, and then find a civil surgeon to handle the vaccinations. I do have a couple of questions. My wife's doctor indicated that she can get some tests done for specific immunities (i.e., proves she already has a specific vaccination). Would these records from her doctor, as well as vaccinations given by her doctor, be transferrable to the civil surgeon? Or does the civil surgeon need to administer the vaccines regardless of previous records (even if previous records are from a US doctor)?
Secondly, any recommendations for civil surgeons in the Santa Clara, CA, area? I've heard some try to lead your astray and do more than needs to be done. Here's the list I'm working from:
Dr. Roger W. Washington
885 Scott Boulevard, Suite 4
Santa Clara, CA 95050
Tel: (408)246-9926
Dr. Yingchih Jackson Lin, Santa Clara Family Practice
499 South Sunnyvale Avenue
Santa Clara, CA 94086
Tel: (408)984-0120
Dr. James Chae-Chon Son, Lakeview Premier Medical Group
1150 Scott Boulevard, Suite B-3
Santa Clara, CA 95050
Tel: (408)261-7245
Good Hand Medical Center
3466 El Camino Real
Santa Clara, CA 95051
Tel: (408)554-1400
St. Thomas Medical Clinic
1470 Halford Avenue
Santa Clara, CA 95051
Tel: (408)260-7575
Camino Medical Group, Santa Clara Clinic
2734 El Camino Real
Santa Clara, CA 95051
Tel: (408)241-3038
Hello,
We are also in the process of completing the requirements for I-485. My husband contacted a Civil Surgeon in Des Moines and he was advised that I could have the rest of my vaccination completed by the family doctor and bring the forms to her and do the paper works. I dont need to undergo the medical exam since I just had it before I came here in the US. You may want to contact the Civil Surgeon first and findout about it, maybe it is case to case basis.
Prior ot that we tried to contact the nearest Civil Surgeon in our place but the doctor will not fill-out the I693 form unless I undergo the complete medical exam and pay like $300-$600 which is ridiculous because as the intructions indicated that : Section III FAQ... 2.What if I am aK non-immigrant visa holder and already had a medical exam overseas?
C. You received a medical examination prior to admission, then-
a. You are not required to have another medical examination as long as your Form I485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust status is filed within one year of your oversease medical examination.
b.You will however, be required to complete Part 1, Information about you and submit the vaccination section of Part 2 with your adjustment of status application. A Civil Surgeon must complete the vaccination section and Part 5, the Civil Surgeon' Certification.
Some Civil Surgeon's are not really aware of this I guess but if you are not satisfied with the answers they have given you when you call, you can always try another Civil Surgeon.
Hope this helps.
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Folks, I received conflicting information today from a friend. Up until now, I thought I was okay in terms of schedule, but now I'm worried to the point of feeling sick.
Today I was told that the AOS paperwork must be filed before the I-94 expires. I thought that the rule was that we must be married before the I-94 expired (and we were). I thought that in the least, we had until the K1 visa expired before filing the AOS paperwork. The K1 visa expires 6 months from issue date, and the I-94 expires 3 months after arriving to the US.
I read the instructions for I-485, and could not find a definitive answer to my concerns.
The bottom line is that if the friend is correct, we only have 2 days to get the AOS in the hands of Homeland Security, because the I-94 expires in two days. Does it not matter that we are married? I don't see how it's possible for us to get the AOS forms in their hands, especially since we still haven't seen a civil surgeon (we're awaiting the results of titers testing to see if my wife needs the MMR vaccination).
I would really appreciate some help here. My wife is here on a K1, and our son on a K2.
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Hi Folks,
I'm almost done filling out forms for the AOS work, just need to get the I-864, and then find a civil surgeon to handle the vaccinations. I do have a couple of questions. My wife's doctor indicated that she can get some tests done for specific immunities (i.e., proves she already has a specific vaccination). Would these records from her doctor, as well as vaccinations given by her doctor, be transferrable to the civil surgeon? Or does the civil surgeon need to administer the vaccines regardless of previous records (even if previous records are from a US doctor)?
Secondly, any recommendations for civil surgeons in the Santa Clara, CA, area? I've heard some try to lead your astray and do more than needs to be done. Here's the list I'm working from:
Dr. Roger W. Washington
885 Scott Boulevard, Suite 4
Santa Clara, CA 95050
Tel: (408)246-9926
Dr. Yingchih Jackson Lin, Santa Clara Family Practice
499 South Sunnyvale Avenue
Santa Clara, CA 94086
Tel: (408)984-0120
Dr. James Chae-Chon Son, Lakeview Premier Medical Group
1150 Scott Boulevard, Suite B-3
Santa Clara, CA 95050
Tel: (408)261-7245
Good Hand Medical Center
3466 El Camino Real
Santa Clara, CA 95051
Tel: (408)554-1400
St. Thomas Medical Clinic
1470 Halford Avenue
Santa Clara, CA 95051
Tel: (408)260-7575
Camino Medical Group, Santa Clara Clinic
2734 El Camino Real
Santa Clara, CA 95051
Tel: (408)241-3038
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First, the good news. We were married on 11/22/08, and the California was nice to us. We had a beautiful outside ceremony, and everything was wonderful. We've been trying to settle down in the US, and today was the first day we took at stab at the Social Security office.
Our visit was enlightening to say the list. After a perfect track record (aka, no mistakes on my I-129F petition, no mistakes on the P3, P4 or interview), today we were clobbered with countless "you got this wrong" and "you cannot do this", etc., etc..
In no particular order:
1. At the POE, my fiancee filled out the I-94 wrong. Despite having a chinese speaking immigration official helping her, he did not give her instructions or guidance on the I-94 where it asked to fill in the name. She had entered my first name as the "family" name, and my last name as the "first" name. She thought the only mistake she made was swapping the names, but it would appear that she was supposed to put her name, not my name. She made the same mistake on her son's I-94.
2. They wouldn't even look at the application for her son, as they said he (recipient of K2) required an I-776 or I766 (or something like that), a document stating that he plans to work, despite the fact he is only 8 years old. The guy even said it seemed illogical, but it is required procedure.
3. The SSN application for my wife was turned down because they wouldn't accept a first name change. Even if we reverted to her Chinese pinyin first name (as in her passport), they wouldn't accept the last name because the marriage certificate I brought was a copy, and they require the original.
We left feeling pretty dejected. Most of the setbacks are easily resolved. We'll use her Chinese first name, and we'll get the original marriage certificate. We'll also figure out what this form is we need to fill out for her son so he can get his SSN (anybody happen to know the exact form and/or where I can get it?).
The one issue that really has me concerned is the name on the I-94. We could just cross out my name and put in the correct names, but the key is what they entered into the computer system. I would think that they would have caught this at the POE, and given that they didn't, I wonder if maybe they entered the name from the passport rather than the I-94. I have a couple of questions.
Has anyone had this happen to them having the wrong name on the I-94? If so, what did you do to resolve it?
Secondly, is there any way to find out what they entered into the computer? What's the best number to call to find out?
*sigh*
(and we haven't even begun the AOS process yet)
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Our Interview Experience:
We arrived at 7:00 AM to a see of umbrellas waiting in line to get into the building. I waited with my fiancee's son, Peter, up on the steps while my fiancee, Angel, waited in the queue. After about 20 minutes, they started letting people through the queue (the 1st three lines were for the visa office, which were let through first). One at a time, they checked the visa invitation letter and passports of the people, so the line came through slowly. Once they let Angel through, Peter and I joined her up to the 4th floor, where there was a short fast-moving queue through a checkpoint. This is where I left them, to my place in the coffee shop on the other side of the wall.
As Angel and Peter went up to the 5th floor, they first went through security (no cell phones are allowed in at all). Then they sat in the area where there were rows of chairs, waiting for her name to be called. After 15 minutes, they called her name, she went to the window and provided the sealed medical results. They opened the package and checked the records, then they added these records to the original I-129F package we had originally submit for the petition (send from California to DOS to Guangzhou). Then they gave her a number, and she sat down again.
The numbers are called in random order, not numeric order (similar to how it's done at the ACH). After about 30 minutes, Angel's number was called. At this time, they only called her up for fingerprinting (using a fingerprint scan, not ink). She then went back to her seat, with the same number, to wait to be called again.
After the fingerprints were done, everyone was asked to stand up to take the US oath.
Angel and her son waiter another 35 minutes before their number was called again. Angel was engaged in conversation with her fellow applicants, and Peter was in deep reading (he loves to read). When she noticed her number had been called a few times already, she quickly grabbed the bag of forms and documents we had put together, woke Peter out of his "reading" bliss, and stammered to her assigned window.
She was greeted by an American Visa Officer, blue eyes and blonde hair. At this time, he was very serious looking, no smile at all. She was asked to scan her left and right forefingers for fingerprint verification (pretty snazzy system for ensuring there is no pass-up to a different person). And so the interview began, first in English, but later changed to Chinese (see notes):
1. When did you first meet?
Angel asked, "In person, or on internet?"
VO responded, "Internet, then in person."
Angel provided the exact date we met on the internet, and then provided the exact date we first met on my first trip to China.
2. When did you get engaged?
Angel was not sure of the English word "engaged", but she was thinking maybe she knew. I told her not to assume anything, and if she was unsure, to ask. She showed the VO her engagement ring, and asked, "Do you mean this?"
The VO responded, "Yes."
Angel has trouble remembering the month of October, which is when I gave her the ring. She stuttered an "August", quickly followed by a mis-pronounced "September", then quickly corrected again, "October, October."
NOTE: This is the point at which the VO changed to speaking Chinese. Angel then also changed her answers to Chinese, except where noted. The VO's command of the Chinese language was decent for an American, but not flawless, as the following notes will show.
3. Did you fiance get divorce?
Sensing a trick question, Angel smiled and retorted "He has never been married." Her attitude coupled with her correct response appeared to have changed his dimeaner at this stage, as a smile gleamed over his face as well.
4. How many times did your fiance come to China?
Angel responded, "Including this time trip, 7 times."
VO responded, "Did he come to the interview with you?"
She answered, "Yes".
He then replied, "Can you show me his passport?"
She give him my passport, and while he flipped through the many stamped pages, she also told him about how she met me in Hong Kong once to help me renew my Chinese visa when my first visa had expired and I couldn't enter the mainland (note, I probably provided more details here than she actually provided to the VO).
5. What is your fiance's job?
Angel responded that I was a "Computer Programmer", but as I indicated earlier, her answers were all in Chinese at this point, and he didn't understand this particular Chinese. He asked for the English translation, but Angel could not remember the English for my job. There were native Chinese speakers on-call for all of the VO's, so he consorted with the one standing behind him, and this is how he came to understand what my job was.
6. What is your job?
After the last question, Angel decided to answer this question in English, and stated "Police."
7. He asked for the I-134.
Angel gave him the I-134 forms (one for her and one for Peter). He did not want any of the documents we had put together supporting the I-134 (such as letter from employee, paycheck receipts, deed to house, tax forms, etc.).
8. He then specifically asked for a copy of my 2007 income taxes.
Angel quickly provided this (we had organized all of the documentation by category in 7 different bags, and she knew the tax forms were in the same bag as the I-134).
8. Do you have any pictures of you and your fiance together?
Angel handed him the pictures of us together. As he feathered through all pictures relatively fast, Angel was preoccupied trying to chase down Peter who, now restless, was wondering off in various directions.
9. Where does your Peter's father live?
Still speaking in Chinese, Angel responded, "Yunan, very far away."
The VO replied, "Is that in China?"
"Yes," she answered.
10. Do you have pictures of you and your son since he was a baby?
Angel handed him a different stack of pictures showing her and her son together since he was a baby up until now.
11. Now the VO wanted to ask Peter a question. The VO's Chinese pronunciation was not spot on (what American's is?), so what Peter heard is "Ni xihuan chi mang guo?" (translates to "Do you like to eat Mango?"
Peter was confused by this question, and just looked to his mother for guidance. She quickly corrected the Chinese for him, "Ni xihuan qu Meiguo? ("Do you want to go to America?")
Once he understood the question, he replied, "Yes." The VO smiled some more.
Angel noted that the VO had a very nice smile, as he starting working on some of the paperwork. As she anticipated another question, she was also trying to corale Peter as he continued to get restless. She then heard him staple some papers together and say something in English to her. She did not understand the English. He then switched back to Chinese, "Ni de mian shi tong guo la." ("You passed your interview.")
Then he handed Anger her P4 package with the red paper stapled to it.
Thinking only of ensuring completion rather than running like the win with the red paper, she bravely asked, "You forget something?" As she said this, she handed him the notarized agreement she had obtained from Peter's father agreeing to let Peter go to the US. She didn't want any issues to arise later from not providing this. The VO looked at the document, and said "okay" as he included it with the documents that the VO kept.
Now she feels the fire of "run like the wind" before he changed his mind. "Thank you, thank you, bye bye," and off she went with most of the documents still in the bag, along with the red paper.
Meeting me down on the 4th floor coffee shop, she walked up with a serious smile. Of course, as soon as I see Peter break out in a smile after being told not to laugh, I immediately knew she was also trying to hide her smile as she tried to tell me she got the white paper (handing me an arbitrary piece of paper that happened to be white). I quickly rifled through the bag to find the red paper that had Chinese and English writing, the key phrase being "You have been approved."
We checked out of the hotel and took a train back home. I think we were in a dream state for a day or two, as the culmination of all this documentation and paperwork finally came to a head. She and her son would soon be on a plane to the US. She was still reserving some excitement until she actually saw the visa show up in her mail. A quick check of the EMS tracking website (they provide the EMS receipt) shows that it was just dispatched from Guangzhou (about 2 days after the interview). We expect to see it arrive either today or tomorrow.
Lastly, I just want to thank everyone for their advice and help during this process. I will be here to help others as much as I can while I start planning for this huge life-changing adjustment.
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I've been reading conflicting advice/suggestions regarding preparation for our K1 visa interview. From preliminary reviews of materials, it would seem that the I-134 form for support is all that is needed for the interview. However, now I'm reading some materials that indicate that 864 form is actually required, and 134 is only optional. I also noticed that the 864 form is where you make a 10 year promise of support (slightly more dramatic than the 134). Reading the 864 form carefully, I get the feeling that this form may be *after* the interview, when applying for permanent status in the US (which makes more sense to make a 10 year promise after the actual marriage). But I'm no lawyer, and cannot afford a lawyer, so I was hoping that I could get some advice the old-fashioned way... from people who have already done this.
Both before interview? Or 134 before interview and 864 when we're in the US applying for change of status?
You need the I-134 for K-1 and the I-864 for AOS.
Forgive me for asking stupid question, but what is AOS?
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I've been reading conflicting advice/suggestions regarding preparation for our K1 visa interview. From preliminary reviews of materials, it would seem that the I-134 form for support is all that is needed for the interview. However, now I'm reading some materials that indicate that 864 form is actually required, and 134 is only optional. I also noticed that the 864 form is where you make a 10 year promise of support (slightly more dramatic than the 134). Reading the 864 form carefully, I get the feeling that this form may be *after* the interview, when applying for permanent status in the US (which makes more sense to make a 10 year promise after the actual marriage). But I'm no lawyer, and cannot afford a lawyer, so I was hoping that I could get some advice the old-fashioned way... from people who have already done this.
Both before interview? Or 134 before interview and 864 when we're in the US applying for change of status?
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Looks like I'll be missing the ACH, so I thought I'd ask my questions here.
1. What are the fees? In the P3 packet describes a visa application fee of $131USD, but I thought I'd seen the cost was much higher. What are the other fees associated with the K1 visa that I should be prepared for?
2. We are applying for K1 and K2 (for her son who is 7 years old). Her son cannot speak English. Is he required to go to the interview? He is, after all, one of the applicants. If it's optional, is it favorable that he attends (from the POV of the consulate)?
3. Part of the P4 packet, there are DS-156, DS-156K, and DS-157. Which one of these do we need to complete?
Thanks in advance!
The fee for the visa is $131 for each which you will pay prior to the interview and take the receipt with you, P3 should tell you where to pay the fee, it is usually a local bank. After she arrives you will file for AOS and that is $1010.00 maybe that is the higher fee you referred to. The fee for her son is $600 IF you file both at the same time.
Her son does not have to go to the interview. Under age 14 and they do not have to go. The consulate does not care one way or the other. In Kiev our "interview" was really nothing except returning her original documents and giving her the "pink slip" so I can see why they don't require it.
You will need TWO copies of DS-156 for EACH her and her son and passport photos for each. You will need an I-134 for her son also. You will need ONE copy of DS-156K for HER only. And she will not sign this until at the consulate. She can sign all documents for her son. Have her sign her name and write "for (name of son) minor child" This is how we did ours. I do not know what form DS-157 is, never heard of it.
Thank you, that was very helpful! What does AOS stand for? Is that the medical exams?
The 157 is a supplemental form for 156 (one page only).
Thanks for much for your response!
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My fiancee just received her P4 with interview date in Guangzhou. We received it on 8/8/08... lucky number 888!
To our surprise, the interview date is 9/3/08, which is way earlier than we anticipated. I already have a vacation planned to visit her from 8/14-8/25, and now I just bought another ticket for 9/1-9/7.
Looks like I won't be there for the American Citizen Day, since that is on a Friday only, correct?
Wish us luck!
(and if you have suggestions you want to share, now is the time
)good luck!!!! I went last june, joan's interview was on tuesday the 3rd, and the meeting at the embassy was on mondays at 2:00p.m, I went there and had a very good talk with them, maybe the day has been changed again. hope it all works out.
dan
Thank you.
Regarding the ACH, I have confirmed it is still on Monday at 2:00 PM. Unfortunately, I do not get into China until Monday at 6:00 PM, so it is unlikely that I'll attend. I might attend this month. I suppose it doesn't matter how far in advance I attend.
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Looks like I'll be missing the ACH, so I thought I'd ask my questions here.
1. What are the fees? In the P3 packet describes a visa application fee of $131USD, but I thought I'd seen the cost was much higher. What are the other fees associated with the K1 visa that I should be prepared for?
2. We are applying for K1 and K2 (for her son who is 7 years old). Her son cannot speak English. Is he required to go to the interview? He is, after all, one of the applicants. If it's optional, is it favorable that he attends (from the POV of the consulate)?
3. Part of the P4 packet, there are DS-156, DS-156K, and DS-157. Which one of these do we need to complete?
Thanks in advance!
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my fiance said she needs a receipt , she said the the hospital where she is getting her exam told her this. the list says she needs a NIV application fee receipt. does anybody know what this is?
She needs to pay the visa fee at a branch of Bank of China and bring the receipt.
Just to make sure I understand you correctly, you are saying that we can go to any Bank of China branch prior to the interview, and pay for the visa fee there?
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My fiancee just received her P4 with interview date in Guangzhou. We received it on 8/8/08... lucky number 888!
To our surprise, the interview date is 9/3/08, which is way earlier than we anticipated. I already have a vacation planned to visit her from 8/14-8/25, and now I just bought another ticket for 9/1-9/7.
Looks like I won't be there for the American Citizen Day, since that is on a Friday only, correct?
Wish us luck!
(and if you have suggestions you want to share, now is the time
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I once read something about that it takes 2 to 3 months for packages from NVC to be sent to Guangzhou embassy due to the fact that Chinese custom is restricting how much official documents go through every day. That's why there is such a long delay.
Took mine two months. My fiancee just received her P3. Now we are wondering, do we need to send form 230 for her and a separate one for her son?
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Hi Don,
I got a letter from the bank and a letter from my employer. I only had to wait a day for the bank letter. It wasn't that big of a deal. I just talked to the branch manager, and she did it for me. Same thing for employer.
Employer letter not a problem.
For my bank (really, Credit Union), they want me to come to the office (far away) and also pay $5. From what I have read, it appears that my salary / employment will be good enough, since it is far above poverty level.
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I'm reviewing the instructions for form I-134 with regards to supporting evidence. Previously, I thought that a bank statement and copies of paychecks would suffice, but the instructions explicitly state:
A. Statement from an officer of the bank ...
B. Statement of your employer on business stationery...
For those that have submit their I-134 already (aka, had their interview), did you have letters from a bank officer and your employer (as prescribed above), or did you just provide pay stubs and bank account records? This would probably be a good question to ask at the consulate, but I don't want to wait until the interview to get the answer. All insight is appreciated.
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If you answer based on the premise that you include any previous petitions filed on or before the date of the signing of the affidavit... your answer becomes much clearer.
So, in other words, I should include the petition I have filed for this case.
I received an opposite response in the CFL forums, but they didn't sound for sure. I was hoping to hear from the countless hordes who have already completed the form... successfully. (i.e., how did you response to this question?)
Exactly like this:
http://www.visajourney.com/examples/Form-I-134.pdf
Perfect! Exactly what I'm looking for. Thank you!
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If you answer based on the premise that you include any previous petitions filed on or before the date of the signing of the affidavit... your answer becomes much clearer.
So, in other words, I should include the petition I have filed for this case.
I received an opposite response in the CFL forums, but they didn't sound for sure. I was hoping to hear from the countless hordes who have already completed the form... successfully. (i.e., how did you response to this question?)
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Hi all,
I just sent the I-129F petition this morning by certified mail to the CSC. Now comes the long wait. Wish me luck and thanks again for the helpful posts on this website.
What was the initial problem with the first I-129F rejection?
NOTE: Even with your initial delay, your processing is a lot faster than many of us who filed in Oct '07, so maybe that gave yours some priority due to the original mishap.
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Hi All,
I'm filling out the I-134, and I'm not feeling confident that I'm interpreting question 10 correctly. I will list questions 9 and 10:
9. I have previously submitted affidavit(s) of support for the following person(s). If none, state none.
10. I have submitted a visa petition(s) to USCIS on behalf of the following person(s). If none, state none.
Taking question 10 at face value, my first inclination is to enter the name of my fiancee who I have submitted a petition for. But given that it's following question 9, and question 9 is referring to "previously" submitted forms, I'm now unsure whether question 10 is also referring to "previously" submitted petitions (even though it does not say "previously"). Logic dictates that I should just take it at face value and enter the name of my fiancee, but if the intention of this question is to see if I have done previous petitions, then entering a name might be a bad thing. I figured enough of you have already filled out this form, so perhaps you can give me a scoop on the correct interpretation.
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Guangzhou recevied my packet from NVC, April 19th 2008, no P3, yet..
When did NVC actually send out your packet? I'm looking for the delay between NVC and Guangzhou receiving.
Around the 24th-26th February 2008..
Okay, so that's about 2 months just before the consulate receives it. I guess I have another month to wait before they receive it, and even longer to wait before the P3 is sent.
What is your section number? This is the number after the GUZ2008 on your NVC letter. My section is 62.
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I read about something about P3 & P4 but still have no idea about them.
What documents are included in P3 package and what do we should send back to Guangzhou Embassy?
What is P4? When do we need get medical inspection? Right before Visa Interview? So many questions, thanks a lot for your help.
Lucy
You can download the P3 and P4 forms now:
http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn/fo...and_packets.htm
I recommend waiting for the P3 and P4 sent from the consulate just to make sure you have the latest, but the downloadable versions will at least give you a good idea of what to expect.
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Guangzhou recevied my packet from NVC, April 19th 2008, no P3, yet..
When did NVC actually send out your packet? I'm looking for the delay between NVC and Guangzhou receiving.
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Hi All,
After a long long wait of getting our NOA2 approved, now I find myself checking the DHL status of my petition's delivery to the Guangzhou consulate daily. It actually arrived in Guangzhou on 5/11, and here it is 6/9, and DHL's status still shows "Clearance Delay" (meaning that the consulate has not yet even accepted the documents). DHL indicated that the weight had a factor (my petition came in a 53 pound box of other petitions and documents from the US State Dept), but it's almost a month now. It seems unreasonable to me.
I was just wondering if others had experienced wait periods this long. How long did it take between NVC sending your petition and the consulate actually receiving and processing the delivery?
Thanks!
Bill
PS: Here's a terrific slideshow on the heroes of Sichuan.
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I wish I could say with confidence this was true, but it's not certain. My fiancee's father was traveling through Sichuan during the time of the earthquake, and her family has not heard from her dad for 4 days now. We could really use everyone's prayers.
So sorry to hear this. I wish your extended family the very best.
Well, here's the story (for those who may be interested)...
The China earthquake was 7.9, with the epicenter in Sichuan province. With over 32,000 dead, they are expecting the total to exceed 50,000 since many are still unaccounted for. 100's of thousands are insured, and millions are homeless. It's incredibly bad.
I just left China the day before the earthquake hit, and I talked to my girlfriend the next day. I knew her parents were in Kaifeng, and she lived in southern China, so I didn't think there was any worry to her family. However, I found out that her father, for the first time in many years, decided to go traveling. His wife was unable to travel, so he went alone with a tour group, and they happened to stop in Sichuan province the day of the earthquake. Talk about bad timing!
For several days, no one in my fiancee's family had heard from him, and all were beginning to worry that they lost him to the quake. They were having dreams that they interpreted to mean he was gone. After a few days, my fiancee and her brother flew to Chengdu to look for their dad. Mind you, Chengdu was not actually hit nearly as bad as the rest of the province (i.e., the topic of this thread really should be "MAJOR earthquake in Sichuan province").
For many days, it felt hopeless. Death and destruction were all around them, and they still did not hear any word from their dad, even after many telephone services were brought back up. Finally, on Saturday (a week after the quake hit, and after 3000+ after shocks), they were able to track down the tour bus guide's phone number, and talked to him. He told my fiancee that all 30 travelers on the bus were safe, including her father. This was a great relief, of course, but now they need to get him home.
A couple of things that some of us may not be aware of. One is that the government was giving first priority to foreigners in trying to get people home. If you are a foreigner, or a family of a foreigner traveling in the area, this is probably a good thing. But if you are Chinese, and have Chinese family stuck in the area, this feels like a stab in the back by your own government. Also, while my fiancee waited in her Chengdu hotel, she continued to watch the news and began to notice that they were only showing the good stories, and replaying them day after day. Her and her brother would exclaim, "this is the same story from two days ago!" They wanted to see the latest, untainted stories. They knew things were still bad because they were in the area, and had friends on the police that told them what was going on. This angered them, because all they could do was wait and watch the news, but the news was not providing them any useful updates.
There was also a shortage of fuel in the area, so they could not fuel the bus to move the travelers. I forget the city where her father was stranded, but it was 130 miles from Chengdu, and the roads to Chengdu were impassable. They had to bus them to a different airport (one that was 500 miles away from Chengdu), and then put them on a plane to Chengdu. After finally get the fuel, and making the bus ride to the airport, they had to sleep at the airport due to not having flights available. Again, earthquake relief and foreigners were taking precedence. Then, at last, her father got on a plane and was reunited with his family in Chengdu. My fiancee said he was very dirty (no shower for over a week) and very hungry. Then, just as he thought he was finally going to get to sleep in a bed, they heard from the hotel management that everyone in the hotel had to be evacuated that night due to the increase in after shocks. So once more, he had to sleep outside, along with his son and daughter.
The next day the were unable to get train tickets (sold out), so they stayed in Chengdu another night, this time they did sleep in the hotel. They finally were able to get train tickets the next day, and her father and brother took a train home to Keifeng last night. My fiancee took a flight home the same night, and is now back with her son. Due to the stress and lack of sleep, she ended up getting sick, but she still feels extremely lucky to have her dad back, in good health, and their homes in tact. A lot of people were not so lucky.
Civil Surgeons in Santa Clara
in Adjustment of Status (Green Card) from K1 and K3 Family Based Visas
Posted
I am pretty sure the place we went to was in Sunnyvale (right next to Santa Clara), or maybe it was in Santa Clara. Unfortunately, I didn't save the receipts or anything that would indicate the name of the place or doctor. I just remember that they transcribed without requiring my wife to have a physical, and we are also quite certain that the doctor was Korean. I would suggest calling all the numbers I listed until you find the "one" (there weren't many listed). I realize that none on the list have Sunnyvale addresses, which either means it was in Santa Clara, or it was a place that wasn't on that list. That was almost 2 years ago. If I were to see the place again, I'd know it.
Good luck!