Please Help for right place and choice in China

[LYTX22 0]

Hey Everyone!

I have been living and teaching in China for four years. My wife and I were married last year IN China and we are just now thinking of moving back to the U.S. We are in the Shanghai consular district, but I just read that they do not handle immigrant visas...only the Guangzhou Consulate can handle that. A new term begins on Monday and we have no way of traveling to Guangzhou to apply until the summer break. Can anyone confirm this?

Also, I have a job offer at a school in the U.S. and would like to make it by August of 2008 to take the position. Is a DCF (direct consular filing) possible? I know we meet the conditions, but how and where can we accomplish this? Okay, final question and I'll get off your back: If one applies for the DCF and is rejected, do we have to start the process all over again by filing an I-130 (thus losing the mountain of money for going after the DCF)?

I really appreciate any help as I am so overwhelmed!

[youtube 0]

try PM YuandDan he will send you in right direction.

also www.candleforlove.com can give you guidance.

I believe you have to go the Guangzhou only but I could be wrong.

good luck

[youtube 0]

sorry

its pushbrk and not yuandDan

thats cfl

[LYTX22 0]

Many thanks. Yeah, we were just informed that because of our move to the Shanghai District (after having lived in the Beijing District for a year), we will have to reside for another six consecutive months before we can even apply for the CR-1 visa--and that we must do so in Guangzhou because the Shanghai Consulate only accepts NIV (non-immigrant visa) applications. Bummer. Looks like another year of teaching in China instead of the U.S.

If there is anyone else out there with our same situation, I hope you find this helpful:

*If you are residing in China and got married in China, you must apply for the immigrant visa in your consular district (unless you live in the Shanghai District b/c they don't accept I-130 apps). In other words, direct your attention to the Guangzhou Consulate by default unless you are in the Beijing District.

*However, you must provide proof that you have permission to live in that district (permanent resident or "Z" visa) and have done so for 6 CONSECUTIVE months.

*Never try for a tourist visa if you are married...no matter what (even for a family member's wedding)!

*DCF is the same as CR-1. Unless I'm mistaken, this is what I've only recently learned. They are quicker, but that is no guarantee (still expect 4-9 months--correct me if I'm wrong).

We will continue to post to try to help others, but I believe our situation has just taken a turn for the worse.