k1 expiration date passed

[Norman in Austin 0]

My fiancee's visa was issues on 3/16, but she didn't notice that the expiration date was 4/29 - less than 6 weeks, compared to the normal 6 month entry window. I didn't find out about this until traveling to guangzhou for our wedding party. It wasn't until we were on the way to the airport to fly to the US that I finally had a look at her visa and discovered the issue.

I've sent an email to the guangzhou consulate, and I've rescheduled our travel to give us some time to figure out what we can do. Does anyone have any advice on the most expedient way to get the visa corrected? Monday is a holiday, so I know there's nothing we can do tomorrow. I'm told that on thursdays US citizens can go directly to the consulate with issues. Is that the best way to go? Is there any hope of being able to correct this quickly?

[pushbrk 12,898]

My fiancee's visa was issues on 3/16, but she didn't notice that the expiration date was 4/29 - less than 6 weeks, compared to the normal 6 month entry window. I didn't find out about this until traveling to guangzhou for our wedding party. It wasn't until we were on the way to the airport to fly to the US that I finally had a look at her visa and discovered the issue.

I've sent an email to the guangzhou consulate, and I've rescheduled our travel to give us some time to figure out what we can do. Does anyone have any advice on the most expedient way to get the visa corrected? Monday is a holiday, so I know there's nothing we can do tomorrow. I'm told that on thursdays US citizens can go directly to the consulate with issues. Is that the best way to go? Is there any hope of being able to correct this quickly?

I would show up at the Consulate Tuesday morning. Go up the escalator to the fifth floor and turn left for US Citizen services. Take the passport and sealed envelope with you. As long as they are open, you'll get in. Hopefully, you can get the visa reissued and back in your hands by Thursday.

[Darnell 8,478]

You'll need appointment to get in to either ACS or ACH.

I suggest American Citizen Services - as they offer hours daily - see http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn/appointment_system_for_american_citizens_services030708.html and get an appointment.

There is no 'walk in' anymore at GUZ, for US Citizens, unless it's truly an emergency. I think yer situation is truly 'an emergency' .

ACH, American Citizen Hour, is only on Mondays.

Good Luck ! Let us know how it goes, ah ?

Edited May 30, 2010 by Darnell

[Norman in Austin 0]

Thanks. I've made an ACS appointment for myself for wednesday morning for "notarial and other services". I assume this is the best I can do, right? A friend told us that there was some option to show up in person on thursday - does anyone know about that?

Oh how I wish monday were not a holiday...

[Darnell 8,478]

I know of no 'Thursday' something, at all.

IMO, you should declare emergency, walk in on Tuesday morning.

[Norman in Austin 0]

I know of no 'Thursday' something, at all.

IMO, you should declare emergency, walk in on Tuesday morning.

As long as it won't hurt our chances in any way, I guess we'll show up bright and early tuesday. I don't know what qualifies as an "emergency", but it sure feels like one to us.

[pushbrk 12,898]

As long as it won't hurt our chances in any way, I guess we'll show up bright and early tuesday. I don't know what qualifies as an "emergency", but it sure feels like one to us.

You're in GUZ already anyway. I wouldn't let a day pass without trying.

[Norman in Austin 0]

It's 6:30 in Guangzhou. We're up for an early breakfast and then off to see the wizard of GUZ as soon as the doors open.

[Norman in Austin 0]

Well, I managed to get one answer. It seems that the reason for the short expiration date was because of her TB test results. We were delayed for a few months while waiting for the test results, and apparently in these cases entry is granted only for a short window.

The lady at citizen services was extremely friendly but could only refer us to immigration services to get the visa re-issued. That means waiting for them to respond to our email. Does anyone think there is real value in sticking around until monday for the citizens hour? I think they will tell me the same thing as the email, which doesn't seem like it is worth using a weeks worth of vacation for. But, if we can get better/faster service I think it would be time very well spent. Any thoughts?

[Darnell 8,478]

Wow - how strange. Time to fax, IMO, today (011-86-20-3884-4412) Give the GUZ #, any china cell phone #'s for them to contact you, and tell them you are THERE in Guangzhou to get it resolved in person. In the fax, tell them you want to get it cleared up for another expiration date - they can issue one at their discretion (it's never automatic, btw). And say, in the fax, you'll be at ACS on Wednesday at XX:YY time. Suggest include copy of her passport bio page and the visa page in the fax.

ACS today, also has hours in the afternoon (1:30 to 3:00 PM)- imo - it's better to go in the afternoon, as all visa interviews are done in the morning, so the visa officers are tied up in the morning times. You could try to go back this afternoon, if you want to give it another shot - you'll need to ask for a visa officer to come to the window , after talking with the first Consular Official.

If you don't get any resolution on Tuesday (today) afternoon, don't forget - You have appointment for ACS on wednesday, suggest you keep that appointment, ask for Supervisor. If you don't get satisfaction there, then I'm stumped.

Edited June 1, 2010 by Darnell

[Norman in Austin 0]

I was able to escalate to a supervisor who explained the situation to me more clearly. He wasn't able/willing to get someone from the immigration side to assist us, but he did explain the process for applying for a visa extension. We said that we could request a visa extension in writing any day from 2-3pm from the immigrant visa side. He said that in our case, because the TB test results have expired he was sure that they would require another medical exam, but that we could request the extension before getting that.

So, we'll return tomorrow at the assigned time and see if our request is granted. Considering how smoothly the original interview went and that the only reason for our delay was to accommodate guests for our wedding party, I can't imagine they would find any grounds not to approve our request. However, I'm not taking anything for granted....

I'll report back tomorrow, hopefully with good news.

[Darnell 8,478]

Cool - a defined path. I think it'll all work out.

[Norman in Austin 0]

We were successful. I thought I'd share some of my specific experiences at GUZ for those who are interested.

We were told by ACS that we could request an extension from 2-3pm M-F at consulate. We weren't entirely sure about the process, so we lined up (in the rain) outside the consulate with the 2pm appointments. When we got to the front of the line, we found out that we could have went directly to the main entry point without waiting in line. Once we got to the main entry, the guard did not want to let us enter. It took about 5 minutes of back and forth negotiation and a call upstairs before he finally relented and let Julie go upstairs. Despite the word of the ACS officer we spoke to, it felt like we weren't going about things the normal way.

Once inside, Julie went to immigrant visa section and waited at "special requests" window. I don't know exactly what that means since I wasn't upstairs, but it was different from the windows that all the normal 2pm traffic was going through. There was nobody at the window, but she waited for almost 30 minutes and eventually someone came to speak with her. She presented her information and the officer went away for at least another half an hour before coming back with the approval letter. The total time, as measured by the amount of time I sat in the coffee shop waiting, was about 90 minutes.

[Darnell 8,478]

approval letter? mmmmmmmmmmmmmm that's great news !!! what's in it? can repost the text here? I ask, because it's such an anomoly, and it'd be great to know what's in it, in case someone else, in the future, has the same need.

[Norman in Austin 0]

It was the Call-in Letter, form GUZ-LF1. I'm packing for the airport now, but I'll try and post it when I get back.