Djwalker60

After reading the latest Review on Guangzhou, it is really hard to determine who is really getting the blue and white slips. Are they K1 or CR1 or Work Visa's, student visa's etc... Hard to tell. But as it was pointed out in the review, Thanks toshkan, if we have all of our documents, all will be good. I do plan on going to the ACH the day before to ensure that they know of my presence and even maybe to elaborate about my wife’s pregnancy with our first child…. Good or bad idea? Question for Toshkan: How much of the photos, emails, phone bills, chat sessions etc.. did the consular officer really look at?

I’ll be leaving next week for Guangzhou.. I’m confident but yet still nervous because of the stories coming out of this Consulate.

Ok, I’ll remove the DVD from the packet of evidence.. And I’ll be sure that the wife keeps the yellow books safe. Maybe she will bring and not show to anyone unless asked for.

Thanks Again

Dan

While we are at this, I'll add my final check list to this thread.. I hope I write down everything I have brought with: Oh, I have all of these documents broken out into separate folders with tabs for the wife to find easily and quickly in the interview. For example, one folder is just for Financial Documents, then another with my documents, another with her documents, etc..

• Original I-864 for the wife
  
• 3 years tax returns, 2007, 2008 & 2009
  
• 3 years of tax transcripts 2007, 2008 & 2009
  
• Employer letter dated 25 May 2010
  
• 3 years W2 statements
  
• 1.5 years of paystubs
  
• 401K Statments
  
• Original Birth Certificate for Wife
  
• Translation for Wife's Birth Certificate
  
• Our Original Marriage Certificate
  
• Copies of Marriage Certificate - Notarized
  
• Translation of Marriage Certificate
  
• Police Reports - Originals
  
• Police Report Translations
  
• 4 passport style photos
  
• Copies of Passport Biographic page for wife
  
• Copy of My Birth Certificate - Why? Just thought I'd throw it in.. Just In Case
  
• Notarized Copy of my Divorce Decree - just in case
  
• copy of my passport with all pages - notarized... just in case
  
• Document about ex-wife -- just in case they ask for it.
  
• The original Deed to the house showing wife on the deed
  
• Insurance documents with wife as beneficiary (two polices)
  
• Name on Utility Bills
  
• Copies of Chat Records
  
• Copies of emails,,, had to slim this down.. had about 1,500 Pages
  
• Copies of all phone bills, we have about 7,500 minutes of talk time since last December
  
• Document Showing all Video Skype Sessions - about 150 hours since January
  
• Photographs from Wedding - Scaled back to 150
  
• Photographs from all trips.. Scaled Back again
  
• DVD of Wedding Video, just in case the VO wants somethig to watch
  
• New EOR - Hand Written and will get notarized at the US Consulate
  
• All receipts from all trips
  
• All boarding passes from all trips
  
• All of the wife's "White Book Documents"
  
• Yellow book for Vaccinations
  
• Medical exam results in sealed envelope
  
• X-Rays From Medical
  
• DS-230 Oringial Part 1 and Part 2
  
• P3 Supplment Form
  
• Interview Date Letter
  
• Copy of Ultrasound from Hospital with translation - wife is with our first baby now
  
• Wife's old passport
  
• All cards and letters that I sent to her via Snail Mail
  
• Immigrant visa Fee Paid Receipt
  
• Immgrant Visa Cover Document from NVC
  
• AOS Fee Paid Receipt
  
• AOS Cover Document from NVC
  
• Additonal Copies of all forms Just in case she needs them.
  
• Kitchen Sink
  

I am probably missing something on my list that either I put in, or I have failed to put in. Any thoughts? We'll next week I depart for a wonderful flight From Seattle to Taipei to Guangzhou. Difficult to find a flight to Beijing to Guangzhou this time of year, why? No idea ??? I do plan on going to the ACH, Why? We'll just to let them see my shining Smile and to reaffrim the fact that I am here supporting my wife for the interview.

Any further thoughts, or ideas or comments are greatly appreciated.

Dan

Good luck!!

Thanks,, All of these months of preperation, emotional stress, separation from the wife and more... comes down to a few minutes in front of one person...

My wife will be interviewing on June 3rd for a CR1 visa in Guangzhou as well. I will likely get a thorough reporting on the experience and will gladly relay that info to you on this thread. Best of Luck.

Thank you that would be greatly appreciate. I hope all of the consular officers in Guangzhou are in a good mood this month...

just about there, the long awaited interview date is upon us. I will be departing soon to be with the wife for her CR1 interview. Just wondering if there is any last minute advice for the interview at the US Consulate in Guangzhou.

Thanks

Dan

It'll show up - give it another day or two. There will be 2 things 'showing up' - once is receipt, another is coversheet. When those DO show up, you'll need to print to pdf file, and include in the I-864 submittal.

When NVC converts the casefile to EP, you'll receive an email about it, containing the new GZO #/

Usually AFTER the OPT IN has been accepted, the IV fee bill will show up to be paid.

DO NOT send in anything, via email, until you have GZO # . Remember you'll be doing this twice, for each set (I-864 and DS-230) as is two casefiles.

After you have GZO #, make sure the document coversheet and receipt notice, THAT YOU INCLUDE IN EACH SET (I-864, DS-230), has the new GZO # in it - removes confusion at NVC for further processing. You can check it prior to GZO conversion, and see that it has the GUZ # in it, but that's not what you want to include for email submission.

Good Luck !!! Hang in there !!

If I can add my two cents worth... When it does come time for you to send in your DS-230, you will be sending in your sons and wife's on separate emails. You will have two GZO numbers, I did. I also sent a lot of information via the DS-230 Submission email Even though the NVC did not need it the NVC WILL Forward ALL documents to the US Consulate in Guangzhou. Then I just called about 5 times a day.. Yes A lot.. but I am glade I did. I was able to push it along and even ask for a supervisor occasionally becuase as Darnell pointed out to me, a lot of the contractors for the National Visa Center still do not know the Electronic Process very good. Never let up on them... Be sure the cases are "married" so that the interview dates will be the same too.

Dan

This really depends if you want to go or not, some people say it's useless to go, but in my opinion, it's important and you should go, and ask some questions and this also gives you a chance to see the room your girl will be in during the interview (which is pretty interesting). If you are in Guangzhou anyway you should go...

I agree and I am going to go. I have heard getting a NEW Updated Evolution of Relatonship letter notarized there will be a good idea. But there is mixed thoughts on weather the new updated EOR should be hand writtend or typed? your thoughts? I was thinking handwritten, short EOR might carry more weight because if I hand write it, it proves that I worte it and not someone else typing up a letter and having me sign it. Just need to figure out about two other good questions to ask. Seeing that the wife is now 4 months pregnant and by interview time will be 5, I was thinking of bringinig this up... Such as, "because of her preganancy, can I help carry the documents to the interview room?" or something along those lines.. Any Thoughts?

Dan

For those out there who are going or have gone through the US Consulate in Guangzhou for your wife or Fiancee. Would you recommend going to American Citizen Hour prior to the Interview ?

Dan

re: emails - if the stack is over 1.5 inches 'deep' - pare it back - needs to fit through the glass window slot.

Understand, Will try and pick some from the begining -- middle and towards the end and then have the rest just incase he / she needs to see more paper.. Just want to have as much paper as possible. After she arrives, we can have a nice bonfire.

Dan

"An Immigrant visa interview has been scheduled for the applicant at the US Embassy/Consulate in GUANGZHOU ELECTRONIC on June 15, 2010 at 07:30 am" What the heck is "GUANGZHOU ELECTRONIC" ?? Odd that they use that term.

you realize these 'letters' are electronically generated, right?

there are TWO 'Consulates' for Guangzhou , from a data standpoint -

GUZ - Guangzhou and

GZO - Guangzhou Electronic

but it's from a 'data standpoint', ya? More Specifically, a 'database lookup' standpoint. IMO, a lookup was performed on letter generation, and 'that' Consulate name is xref'd from GZO as 'GUANGZHOU ELECTRONIC' . No Sweat, just my tax dollars (and yours) at work for plebe-ian database management. Just be happy you got something, don't sweat 'GUANGZHOU ELECTRONIC' at all.

Understand,, just picked up my ticket to Guangzhou.. 1,600.00 You can find cheaper about 1,500.00 on orbitz, but then is says no seats available. So I had to go to a travel agent in the local China Town... Still Hurts a lot.. Just going to read more about the interview reviews and go over all documents with the wife. Oh, you think we should have ALL Emails with her, just in case? almost like a show of how much evidence we really have to show we have a bona fide marriage.. Oh, I am sure the wife's pregnant belly will help too... .

Dan

--don't forget the original (and translated) adoption paperwork that you submitted with the DS-230.

Suggest a photo book, as well, showing the mother and child, together over 'time'. (adoption to current).

Yes, I will be sure that the wife has all original Documents with her. Yes, I did send in the P3 Supplement form with the DS-230 Document email. Sent a lot of things too. Yes, odd that the interview letter said that. It also said this:

"An Immigrant visa interview has been scheduled for the applicant at the US Embassy/Consulate in GUANGZHOU ELECTRONIC on June 15, 2010 at 07:30 am" What the heck is "GUANGZHOU ELECTRONIC" ?? Odd that they use that term.

I am getting my ticket today, prices in a word "Robbery". Should be no reason the same ticket I paid 740 for two months ago should now be 1640.00 Nuts !!!

We'll I am now reviewing notes from this website and CFL on possible questions that will be asked at the interview. We'll at least the "standard" set of questions that can be asked. Started to ask the wife all of these and will continue everyday until it is second nature.

Any other words of Wisdom at this point?

Thanks

Dan

We'll here we are 28 days from the interview and I am trying to get "prepared" for this interview. From what everything I have read on this site and others I am trying to determine exactly what we will need at the interview. From what I know (read) this is what I need:

• All Documents sent to the National Visa Center via email
  
• Passport
  
• 4 passport photos
  
• Medical exam results
  
• Lots of nice photos, we have about 120. Have over 1,000 but I think that is too much.
  
• IV Document Cover Sheet
  
• IV Fee PAID Receipts, so that they know we paid and also so we do not need to pay the addtional $45.00 fee I have read about.
  
• No OF-169
  
• oh, year P3 Supplement Form since this is for Guangzhou and not the NVC, even though I sent it to the NVC
  

Brain just went blank Oh, in the interview letter it says that the DS-230 PART II is "not Needed for this petition" Does not make sense,, Does it?

Shows this:

DS-230-II F F = This form is not necessary for this application. Does this make Sense? No matter what we are going to have it. As I think this letter is wrong because it comes from NVC and not the US Consulate Guangzhou.

We'll I've had another brain fart.. so if anyone is in the know.. Have I missed something? Lots of Coffee? Bring the laptop to sit their and try to be useful with my time while waiting? but I think my nerves will be too bad to concentrate on anything.. Oh well sorry for babbling on, but this is also a nervous time.

Thanks for Reading

Dan

Seattle Washington

Dan - she'll have some medical exemptions and waivers at the medical exam because of the pregnancy. Don't sweat those. Worst Case scenario - there will be some 'medical waiver annotation' in the visa stamp, and that will be normal.

re: airfare - have you checked in with the local asian travel agents in yer city? or checked that chinafamilyvisa.com website for travel agent listings?

I was serious, regarding getting the local chinese newspaper, the viet newspaper, and the korean newspaper. Massive discounts, but ya gotta call. If that's not working for ya, check out the stuff over at the CFV website. Most of the air ticket contacts at CFV are 'air ticket consolidators', so the discount is deeper for anything you'll find on orbitz.

Tomorrow, I am going to go to the local China Town here in Seattle and talk with the travel agent I used last time. Also, found a website called uschinatrip.com They are giving a decent price but not on the days I need. Only one so far is an odd flight, Seattle to Vancouver --> Hong Kong.. $1500.00 Like double the price from April.. What a joke... Like what has changed in 45 days..

Only other thing I found is Eva Air.. I'll be looking a lot today, Will get my ticket on Monday.

Wife Called the hospital of choice for her medical. She told me no appointment necessary, just show up at 0830 with Passport, all forms, passport style photos and our inteview letter. (got offical ones yesterday)

Now to get through the interview. I really wish we could go into the interview also. I am sure it really wouldn't be a big issue. Espcially us being US Citizens and travling 6000 miles to be there you think our government would be a bit more accomadating and in case of problems, we could address them right then.. But Noooooo..

Almost there..

dan

just got my wife's date: June 28

June 15, 2010. I did electronic filing for Guangzhou

and there ya go See See? Totally Different Queue for 'setting the appointment date'. That was FAST ! 1 to 2 days? Yum !

keep eye out for the the appointment letter - she'll need it - it's coming 'in' via email.

Yes you were correct. Got the letters in the email this afternoon. I'll talk with the wife and time for her to get the medical. I am wondering about the TB test.. Do they give this for CR1 ? Also being Pregnant, I really do not think it would be a good idea to do this either.. I guess these people will know what to do..

Yes. The Electronic processing was very good, if your documents are in line.. will be quick. Only way to go.. But Airfare... I think I am the one getting HiJacked here !!! From 1600 - 2100.. Ouch !!! Big Ouch.. then I will need to buy two more tickets here.. another 3K.. !!

Dan

Called National Visa Center today at 0637 PST, Interview Date Set: 15 June 2010 @ 0730.. Let the nerves get worse now.. Worst Part... Air Fare !! Ouch.. I am going to be with her for the interview...

Dan

Yup - Serco 'works' MOST NVC 'front-facing' things.

Call in to NVC? Yer talking to a Serco Contractor.

They seem better than the contractor for USCIS... There is a wonderful group of individuals.

that's the official 'case complete' thingie. Yay ! Recheck that email, should be 'inside of it', a date - so compare that date to when you received the email - I'm guessing is some offset in dates. Not a big deal, just some errata .

Just a note, but as you pointed out earlier.... Yet another contractor. "SERCO INC"

NVC Document Review Team

National Visa Center

Serco Inc.

Support Contractor

NVCElectronic@state.gov

Dan

Just received this email:

Dear Sir/Madam:

All documentation necessary to complete the National Visa Center's processing of your case has been received. As soon as an interview date has been scheduled, the applicant, petitioner and attorney (if applicable) will be notified.

The applicant should NOT make any travel arrangements, sell property, or give up employment until the US Embassy or Consulate General has issued a visa.

The US Embassy or Consulate General may require additional documentation at the time of the interview.

Regards,

NVC Document Review Team

National Visa Center

Serco Inc.

Support Contractor

NVCElectronic@state.gov

NOW we are Offically "Case Completed" Next email will be interview date. If anyone is filing a CR1 / I-130.. Do Electronic Processing...

Dan

I predict you'll get 'appointment date set' either Saturday or Monday.

While drinking my latte this morning, I started my daily dialing routine.. As of now still waiting on interview date. "they" said by Firday because they are scheduling Interviews for June now..

Sound right? Now time to get nervous about the interview,,, So what that said. Do you have any words of wisdom about the interview? Do's and Do Not's?

Dan

ah?? you gots a 'case complete' on both casefiles? Ya?

Yes,,Finally but only after talking with the supervisor.. It actually cleared up the case. The guy Brad said, now waiting for a interview date. Then he started up in the dialog.. "Your case can be assigned a interview date in May, we wil... blah ... blah......." had to stop him...

So, how long before date..??? By Friday ???

D-

Thanks as always.. BTW,, You think it would be helpful for me to write up my experience from I-130 submission to this point? Would like to help others also..

I'll call again this afternoon to see what the next person has to say about our case.

Dan

Called my "friends" at NVC yet again.. Heck they know me by name. At anyrate, as of this afternoon cases are done and now waiting for interview date.

Dan

So what I am understand is that regardless of what time of month it is, within 4 - 5 days of our case completion we will get an interview date, correct? - Correct - solely because of Guangzhou-bound NVC-EP. Different queue, never mixed in with that '2nd week of the month' crowd. Ever.

Thanks as always.. BTW,, You think it would be helpful for me to write up my experience from I-130 submission to this point? Would like to help others also..

I'll call again this afternoon to see what the next person has to say about our case.

Dan

no, I am speaking specifically of Guangzhou-bound casefiles, using NVC Electronic Processing, to 'get an appointment date'.

Is different queue, different priority, is incomparable to any other country, any other casefile.

Within 4 to 5 days of 'case complete' - appointment date is set.

----

Now, According to the NVC Supervisor I spoke with, June interviews are set this week and if everything is done this week we will get a interview for June is officially the 2nd week of the Month - and NVC sets appointments for MOST of the Consular Posts, during the 2nd week of the month. Since 'this is happening now', IMO, that's what's on the Supervisor's mind, and has no bearing, whatsoever, on your two casefiles - as NVC-EP for Guangzhou absolutely has different queue than 'the rest' who are being handled during 2nd week of the month.

-----

If not they will get us an interview as soon as possible because US Citizen cases "DO" (as you mentioned) get priority when it comes to interview dates. I did not mention this. What I did mention, however, is that Guangzhou-bound NVC-EP casefiles have different priority, different queue. This queue is unlike any other queue at NVC, has nothing to do with 'US Citizen cases' but has everything to do with 'Guanghzou-bound NVC-EP casefile'. Words are important here - so be sure to wade through exactly what yer hearing from the Supervisor.

----

As a beneficiary of a US Citizen Visa Numbers are always "immediately" avaliable to the beneficiary - this is a feature of filing an I-130 for a spouse, with priority date assigned as 'immediate' when the I-130 casefile is received at USCIS.

----

Unlike those of permanent residence, which in case there are only limited amount of visa numbers available. Why? Who knows, yet another political decision of the US Government. Why? It's in the regs, that's why. Nothing Political about it. Permanent Residents who file for family members have lower priority dates, per the regs. Lower Priority Date? You Must Wait until yer priority date becomes 'available'.

----

So with all of that said, it appears that the normal operator was unable to properly read the notes on the screen. I mentioned this, early on. A Normal Operator has 2 issues - a) not very well trained and b) can't see all, minimal level of access on that computer screen.

----

Additionally I was told that "Everything" you email to the National visa center gets forwarded to Guangzhou, or any other electronic processing Consulate. She told me that for me to send in all that i did was good because GUZ will see it and she says our case has no issues. So a note for others out there.. DO Front Load !! Even when Electronic Processing... Send more proof, it will be seen at the consulate level. - I dunno - this is some grey area - I am fan of front-loading on initial I-130 submittal, but, IMO, 'bonafide marriage evidence' gets tossed at NVC, when the casefile is converted to EP case. I'm easily swayed, though, if indeed that's NOT the case.

----

When I spoke with the supervisor, she told me the stepdaughter name check was completed yesterday and the wife's name check completed today - Ah - still with the namechecks. Alrighty then - it ain't over till it's over.

So what I am understand is that regardless of what time of month it is, within 4 - 5 days of our case completion we will get an interview date, correct? So, once all of the name checks are done, (I hope today) we will finally be offically Completed.

As far as the "other" documents that I sent in and she said are forwarded, she told me that they only can see the documents necessary for their part of the processing. But ALL documents received are forwarded to Guangzhou electronically. No Mail here......

Last tidbit, I was told that NVC acutally has two shifts working on cases, unlike USCIS has only one shift. Yet another reason they could be faster.. But I am just babling on.

What an experience. Once I get done I was thinking of writing an entire thread about my entire experience from day I sent in the I-130 to Interview.. Maybe, just maybe it can help others doing this.

Dan

If it was really 'case complete' today , then expect 'appointment date set' by this Friday.

errata - suggest you get any supervisor, from this point on, and be adamant about:

1. casefiles married / bound to each other

2. pregnant wife bits

3. appointment date for same day, for the two casefiles.

IMO, that 'line' yer waiting in, is a small one - as GUZ-bound EP cases get special queue for 'appointment date set'.

We'll I called again and this time I spoke with a supervisor, as suggested and it did shed a lot of light on what is happening. It appears that some of the operators where not "reading" the screen and the case notes properly. When I spoke with the supervisor, she told me the stepdaughter name check was completed yesterday and the wife's name check completed today. NOW, the case is set to be sent through the final checks to ensure that everything is done and that there are no missing documents. Once this is completed, NVC will assign a interview date. Now, According to the NVC Supervisor I spoke with, June interviews are set this week and if everything is done this week we will get a interview for June. If not they will get us an interview as soon as possible because US Citizen cases "DO" (as you mentioned) get priority when it comes to interview dates. As a beneficiary of a US Citizen Visa Numbers are always "immediately" avaliable to the beneficiary. Unlike those of permanent residence, which in case there are only limited amount of visa numbers available. Why? Who knows, yet another political decision of the US Government.

So with all of that said, it appears that the normal operator was unable to properly read the notes on the screen. The supervisor told me that there are no issues with the name checks, so as I said previously, cases will be done today, tomorrow at latest.. As you prediciated (close to it) case done 100% this week.

Sure takes a lot to get the right answer. All of this because people are too dam lazy to look at each case note carefully before opening mouth and inserting foot.

Additionally I was told that "Everything" you email to the National visa center gets forwarded to Guangzhou, or any other electronic processing Consulate. She told me that for me to send in all that i did was good because GUZ will see it and she says our case has no issues. So a note for others out there.. DO Front Load !! Even when Electronic Processing... Send more proof, it will be seen at the consulate level.

Thanks for reading..

Dan