How Many Days in Guangzhou?

[bobbyA 20]

I'm planning to file for k-1 early next month.

Looking way ahead, I was wondering how many days should I plan on being in Guangzhou if I want to be with her before, during and after her interview to give her support?

Specifically, how many days before her interview should we arrive in Guangzhou, and how many days after the interview can she receive her visa?

Do we go to the Guangzhou Consulate a few days after interview to receive her visa?

If I mail my k-1 application say on December 8th and if everything goes well, approximately which month in 2011 can she expect an interview in Guangzhou?

Thank you!

[Shenzhen 34]

I'm planning to file for k-1 early next month.

Looking way ahead, I was wondering how many days should I plan on being in Guangzhou if I want to be with her before, during and after her interview to give her support?

Specifically, how many days before her interview should we arrive in Guangzhou, and how many days after the interview can she receive her visa?

Do we go to the Guangzhou Consulate a few days after interview to receive her visa?

If I mail my k-1 application say on December 8th and if everything goes well, approximately which month in 2011 can she expect an interview in Guangzhou?

Thank you!

You can figure on waiting about 5-8 months for a k-1 interview. You can file Electronic Processing. From what I found on here about 8 days for the Visa. Do some research check LinChe's shortcuts.

Edited November 8, 2010 by Shenzhen

[Robby999 1,024]

I'm planning to file for k-1 early next month.

Looking way ahead, I was wondering how many days should I plan on being in Guangzhou if I want to be with her before, during and after her interview to give her support?

Specifically, how many days before her interview should we arrive in Guangzhou, and how many days after the interview can she receive her visa?

Do we go to the Guangzhou Consulate a few days after interview to receive her visa?

If I mail my k-1 application say on December 8th and if everything goes well, approximately which month in 2011 can she expect an interview in Guangzhou?

Thank you!

bobbyA,

My wife and I arrived in Guangzhou 2 days before her interview, her visa was at the Post Office 2 days after her interview. The wait time for the visa is the hardest to determine, the wait time can range from 2-7 days. Most people receive their visa in about 3-4 days after the interview. You might also want to decide about when she has her medical tests done, my wife had all her medical tests and shots done before I returned to China for her interview. If she wants to wait for the medical stuff until you arrive there, I would suggest you arrive in time to allow 2 business days before her interview. This will allow time to get the results back in time for her interview. Check out garfield529 timeline, I believe he filed a K-1 !

Edited November 8, 2010 by Robby999

[bobbyA 20]

You can figure on waiting about 5-8 months for a k-1 interview. You can file Electronic Processing. From what I found on here about 8 days for the Visa. Do some research check LinChe's shortcuts.

Shenzhen, thanks for your reply.

Unless I'm wrong, from what I've read, I don't think I can do Electronic Proccessing for k-1.

Also, you mentioned LinChe's shortcuts, I couldn't find it anywhere. Did you mean LingChe NVC ShortCut at http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/LingChe_NVC_ShortCut ? If so, it appears to me it is for I-130 and k3, not k-1 processing, and it mentioned nothing about Guangzhou experience. Perhaps you are trying to give me an idea of how NVC handles some of the common processes. If that is the case, thank you.

[bobbyA 20]

bobbyA,

My wife and I arrived in Guangzhou 2 days before her interview, her visa was at the Post Office 2 days after her interview. The wait time for the visa is the hardest to determine, the wait time can range from 2-7 days. Most people receive their visa in about 3-4 days after the interview. You might also want to decide about when she has her medical tests done, my wife had all her medical tests and shots done before I returned to China for her interview. If she wants to wait for the medical stuff until you arrive there, I would suggest you arrive in time to allow 2 business days before her interview. This will allow time to get the results back in time for her interview. Check out garfield529 timeline, I believe he filed a K-1 !

Robby999,

Thank you for sharing your experience in Guangzhou.

My fiancee will probably have to do her medical in Guangzhou, so is 2 business days before interview sufficient? I guess you are saying that is the minimum. Probably have to make an appointment with the medical eximiner?

Looks like we'd better plan on staying in Guangzhou for up to 7 days after the interview, or at least for her to stay there till she gets her visa in hand.

I appreciate your telling me about garfield529. I saw his timeline, and it looks like a smooth sail to me!! His I-129f was approved in 86 days from NOA1 date, and interview took 183 days from I-129F NOA1 date. That's very encouraging!!

[Eric & Jin 10]

My fiancee will probably have to do her medical in Guangzhou, so is 2 business days before interview sufficient? I guess you are saying that is the minimum. Probably have to make an appointment with the medical eximiner?

Arriving in Guangzhou 2 days prior to the interview should be fine - that is exactly what my wife and I did. Yes, definitely make an appointment for the medical exam - you may also want to consider having it done at one of the facilities which offers same day results. My wife got her medical exam done at the Guangzhou United Family Clinic which offers same day results as part of their regular service at no extra charge. Her appointment was at 9:30 am and we were out the door with results in hand by 1:00pm.

[bobbyA 20]

Arriving in Guangzhou 2 days prior to the interview should be fine - that is exactly what my wife and I did. Yes, definitely make an appointment for the medical exam - you may also want to consider having it done at one of the facilities which offers same day results. My wife got her medical exam done at the Guangzhou United Family Clinic which offers same day results as part of their regular service at no extra charge. Her appointment was at 9:30 am and we were out the door with results in hand by 1:00pm.

Eric,

Thank you for your helpful tip!! I definitely want same day service and a reliable one at that. I'll use the Guangzhou United Family Clinic since you are happy with them.

[rongnjohn 1]

You also need to pay the fees at the Citic bank before the interview in cash. The ATM's in China would only let me take out 2500 RMB per day so you may have to plan ahead. She will need her passport, GUZ number etc. when paying at Citic. We arrived on Monday and had the interview Wednesday. Take a few pics and have them printed out and include them in the photo album. Make sure she has your passport during the interview too. In all we had a great experience.

Good luck, John

[bobbyA 20]

You also need to pay the fees at the Citic bank before the interview in cash. The ATM's in China would only let me take out 2500 RMB per day so you may have to plan ahead. She will need her passport, GUZ number etc. when paying at Citic. We arrived on Monday and had the interview Wednesday. Take a few pics and have them printed out and include them in the photo album. Make sure she has your passport during the interview too. In all we had a great experience.

Good luck, John

John,

Congratualtions on your visa approval!!

Thanks for the tip on paying cash for the fee. I assume they take either RMB or USD?

Speaking of taking pictures and getting them printed out, do you have a place (photo studio or shop) around the consulate do that for you?

[rongnjohn 1]

Yes, there was a Kodak shop, 1/2 hour service that we used. My sense of direction was terrible over there, the easiest way to find the Kodak shop and Citic Bank is to walk across the street from the consulate front steps, turn left at the park and follow the side walk to the end of the park. The left hand side of the Plaza is the Kodak shop, you need to walk around and behind for the Citic. We did not try Paying the Citic in USD, only RMB. My bank charged something rediculously low 1.5 USD transaction fee per 2500 RMB, so I only used the ATM and RMB. BTW, call your bank and let them know you will be in China between X date and Y date and will use your card. China is a cash society. I think we paid 1 or 2 RMB per pic at kodak.

Good luck, we had a very good GUZ experience. If you sit in the 4th floor coffee shop while she is in her interview, be prepared to pay 55 to 58 RMB for the first cup of coffee!

John

[Darnell 8,478]

You can figure on waiting about 5-8 months for a k-1 interview. You can file Electronic Processing. From what I found on here about 8 days for the Visa. Do some research check LinChe's shortcuts.

Is no (repeat NO) EP for a K-1. The K-1 might get over quickly because of a SafeFile transmission, and that's about it. Might/maybe - 50/50 chance. Won't know for certain until the USC fiance tracks down status between NVC and DoS (see http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/264972-shortcuts-when-checking-for-updates-from-the-nvc-and-dos/ - Dodi's posted how to call, and further down, I've posted what you can get, and when)

FWIW, LingChe's Shortcuts are for CR-1/IR-1 visa hopefuls, not K-1 visas.

Edited November 9, 2010 by Darnell

[Darnell 8,478]

Eric,

Thank you for your helpful tip!! I definitely want same day service and a reliable one at that. I'll use the Guangzhou United Family Clinic since you are happy with them.

You asked about 'how many days should I plan in GZ' -

and I say -

about 10 to 12 .

First - figure out the medical exam 'stuff' prior to interview day - pick a clinic that is safe, clean, on the list, and offers same day or next day turn-around for the paperwork.

Second - do you wish to attend ACS for any notary work, perhaps for the Evolution of Relationship letter? If so - plan accordingly - it's never done on the day of the interview - it's to be done prior - and thankfully - ACS occurs several days during the week (American Citizen Services) . FWIW, ACH will be dead by the time her interview rolls around (ACH = American Citizen Hour) as somehow, is rumour GUZ IV is killing ACH after the 15th of November, 2010.

Third - after the interview - assume GUZ IV staffers in the mail room are brain dead, stupid, can't get the @#$@ing paperwork/Visa Packet out the door to EMS in a timely fashion. Figure a week for this - a full 7 days , if you MUST stay in Guangzhou (unless you live , rather - SHE lives, in an area that handles EMS mail service for Visas from the IV unit at Guangzhou ) .

Good Luck ! When you have a moment (or really, two hours) , read the GUZ IV red flag list over at http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/234971-red-flag-list-for-visa-denial/page__hl__appointment

[bobbyA 20]

Yes, there was a Kodak shop, 1/2 hour service that we used. My sense of direction was terrible over there, the easiest way to find the Kodak shop and Citic Bank is to walk across the street from the consulate front steps, turn left at the park and follow the side walk to the end of the park. The left hand side of the Plaza is the Kodak shop, you need to walk around and behind for the Citic. We did not try Paying the Citic in USD, only RMB. My bank charged something rediculously low 1.5 USD transaction fee per 2500 RMB, so I only used the ATM and RMB. BTW, call your bank and let them know you will be in China between X date and Y date and will use your card. China is a cash society. I think we paid 1 or 2 RMB per pic at kodak.

Good luck, we had a very good GUZ experience. If you sit in the 4th floor coffee shop while she is in her interview, be prepared to pay 55 to 58 RMB for the first cup of coffee!

John

John,

Your replies are always helpful and to the point!! I appreciate it very much!!

The directions you gave on the Kodak shop and Citic Bank are just what I needed!! Like you, my sense of direction is terrible, so your instructions are just perfect.

Thanks also for sharing on a different thread about Changes to Immigrant Visa Processing http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn/changes-to-immigrant-visa-processing.html

I'm very glad you had a very good experience in Guangzhou. Hopefully the 4th floor coffee shop has bottled water, because I don't drink coffee or tea

Thanks once again!!

[bobbyA 20]

You asked about 'how many days should I plan in GZ' -

and I say -

about 10 to 12 .

First - figure out the medical exam 'stuff' prior to interview day - pick a clinic that is safe, clean, on the list, and offers same day or next day turn-around for the paperwork.

Second - do you wish to attend ACS for any notary work, perhaps for the Evolution of Relationship letter? If so - plan accordingly - it's never done on the day of the interview - it's to be done prior - and thankfully - ACS occurs several days during the week (American Citizen Services) . FWIW, ACH will be dead by the time her interview rolls around (ACH = American Citizen Hour) as somehow, is rumour GUZ IV is killing ACH after the 15th of November, 2010.

Third - after the interview - assume GUZ IV staffers in the mail room are brain dead, stupid, can't get the @#$@ing paperwork/Visa Packet out the door to EMS in a timely fashion. Figure a week for this - a full 7 days , if you MUST stay in Guangzhou (unless you live , rather - SHE lives, in an area that handles EMS mail service for Visas from the IV unit at Guangzhou ) .

Good Luck ! When you have a moment (or really, two hours) , read the GUZ IV red flag list over at http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/234971-red-flag-list-for-visa-denial/page__hl__appointment

Darnell,

First of all, thank you for confirming my doubt about Shenzhen's recommendation with regards to EP and LingChe's Shortcuts. I appreciate your clarifying ths confusion.

Your suggestion of 10 to 12 days in Guangzhou is great because I want to make sure I see the visa in her (our) hands. I am conservative, and I always try to make sure I have more of everything rather than not enough of something. That is why I posted the question "how many days should I plan on being in Guangzhou?" even before I mailed my I-129F. I am preparing my petition for a PINK and not a blue or white

I'll plan on arriving 3 days in advance, get settled, get her medical if not already, get my Evolution of Relationship letter notarized, hope for a PINK, and wait patiently for her visa.

I want to look ahead, since I have a job and need to take time off work to be with her during interview. I am also planning my next visit to China to go with her to Guangzhou to familiarize ourselves with the surrounding, know where things are, etc.

I am very appreciative of members of this forum sharing personal experiences so generously to help us Newbies. And yes, your "Red Flag" link was very helpful. I saw it in the past, and I'll read it again to make sure I cover all the bases.

[bobbyA 20]

Good luck, we had a very good GUZ experience. If you sit in the 4th floor coffee shop while she is in her interview, be prepared to pay 55 to 58 RMB for the first cup of coffee!

John

John,

I'm revisiting your old reply to me a while back.

Since you've been to the consulate in Guangzhou, can you please tell me a little about this expensive coffee shop on the 4th floor?

1. Did you have to go through security to get to the coffee shop?
2. Can you have your cell phone and computer/electronic device at the coffee shop?
3. Besides the coffee shop, what else is there on the 4th floor?

Thanks!!