Time flies

[elingeniero 0]

Hi, we got our interview date, June 24, about 9 months to the day from when I sent in the application. Almost 6 months of nothing, then P2, and shortly thereafter P3 and P4.

Friday I'll be sending off an express mail letter with an I-134, a 2010 W-2, some originals of my tax transcripts for 2008 and 2009 (she has faxes now, these are more readable), relationship evolution letter, and a debit card so she can withdraw money from my bank accounts to pay for fees & hotel.

My biggest concern is that I was only able to include good evidence of my second visit to be with her. After we applied, she found among her things my undated boarding pass to Dalian and her return trip train ticket, and Dalian hotel receipts showing my name but not hers.

The other issue is that NingNings hard drive crashed and took out her Skype history. So I had to transcribe 14 months of Skype call log by hand because Skype for Linux only shows the time and date for the currently selected item in the call history (let that be a lesson to you guys). I found some forensic software that helped, but the output was incomplete and needed much adjustment.

So I am concerned that the VO will think that we've only met once, consider the call log questionable at best, not bother asking for any other evidence and give her a white slip.

Her interview is on Friday, June 24th, I am afraid that gives them the whole weekend (considering they have Chinese employees who might work Saturdays) to ship the file back out to CSC.

Should I put a lawyer with an offices in Guangzhou on retainer, or wait until the white slip?

PS. Yes, I know this is closing the barn door after the horse escapes. If you don't have constructive advice kindly don't chime in.

Edited June 7, 2011 by elingeniero

[Shenzhen 34]

Hi, we got our interview date, June 24, about 9 months to the day from when I sent in the application. Almost 6 months of nothing, then P2, and shortly thereafter P3 and P4.

Friday I'll be sending off an express mail letter with an I-134, a 2010 W-2, some originals of my tax transcripts for 2008 and 2009 (she has faxes now, these are more readable), relationship evolution letter, and a debit card so she can withdraw money from my bank accounts to pay for fees & hotel.

My biggest concern is that I was only able to include good evidence of my second visit to be with her. After we applied, she found among her things my undated boarding pass to Dalian and her return trip train ticket, and Dalian hotel receipts showing my name but not hers.

The other issue is that NingNings hard drive crashed and took out her Skype history. So I had to transcribe 14 months of Skype call log by hand because Skype for Linux only shows the time and date for the currently selected item in the call history (let that be a lesson to you guys). I found some forensic software that helped, but the output was incomplete and needed much adjustment.

So I am concerned that the VO will think that we've only met once, consider the call log questionable at best, not bother asking for any other evidence and give her a white slip.

Her interview is on Friday, June 24th, I am afraid that gives them the whole weekend (considering they have Chinese employees who might work Saturdays) to ship the file back out to CSC.

You do have passport stamps for both trips right. I know they also want to see your entire passport copied including blank pages. Do you have lots of pictures together? What about emails?

Should I put a lawyer with an offices in Guangzhou on retainer, or wait until the white slip?

PS. Yes, I know this is closing the barn door after the horse escapes. If you don't have constructive advice kindly don't chime in.

[Shenzhen 34]

I can put you in touch with a Lady in Gaungzhou who can help you prep your case and also explain how to answer red flag questions. She was a great help my wife had a blue slip in her file during the 5 minute interview they switched it to pink. She is here now with me thank god it was a long wait.

[elingeniero 0]

I included 6 pictures from the 2nd trip, including one of a slightly haggard me kissing her on the cheek while she beamed into the camera.

No emails, we aren't big emailers, we'd have had to write fake emails (I venture to guess that most people who include reams of emails, are using translation services).

[elingeniero 0]

I included 6 pictures from the 2nd trip, including one of a slightly haggard me kissing her on the cheek while she beamed into the camera.

No emails, we aren't big emailers, we'd have had to write fake emails (I venture to guess that most people who include reams of emails, are using translation services).

Also included all pages of my passport, but that shows an earlier trip from before our first communtications.

[bobbyA 20]

Also included all pages of my passport, but that shows an earlier trip from before our first communtications.

First of all, congratulations on getting your interview date!!

Here's what I think:

1. It's great you let her have your debit card to pay for her expenses!! You are a gentleman
2. I hope you meant 2011 W-2's. You mentioned 2008 and 2009 but not 2010 tax transcript. You need to give her your 2010 tax transcript.
3. I use Skype to call my fiancee's cell phone, and I can log on to Skype and printout call history. We don't chat on Skype much, but I subscribe to Skype's VOIP service for $13.99 a month. I hope you can log on to your account on Skype and get a chat history like I can with my call history
4. Like you, I was not prepared during my first visit to China. We didn't know we were going to file k-1 until I returned to America. I threw away all my hotel receipts and boarding passes, not knowing I was going to need them. We almost didn't take pictures during our first visit, and fortunately we did take a handful the day before I left China. So all I submitted was credit card statements showing hotel and airlines transactions of the first trip. I got wise the second trip and kept everything.
5. From what I read, if your fiancee's English is good, you probably don't have to show much email or chat logs. I think all Guangzhou wants to know is whether you and your fiancee can communicate and how much she knows you. If she can't confirm what you wrote down on your forms and EOR, then they might grill her and ask for more evidence like email etc.
6. From what I read, VO's do look at pictures, and you have some. That's good!

We're not immigration or visa experts, and we did our best to prepare our petitions. So I'd advice your fiancee to go to the interview with confidence, knowing that you have a genuine relationship and treat the interview like a conversation with a stranger explaining her relationship with you.

Even if the outcome is not what you want come June 24, it's not the end of the world. There's always a second chance or just a slight delay and inconvenience of a blue slip

I'm cheering you on and learning from your journey!

Wishing you and your fiancee success at her interview!!

[bobbyA 20]

2. I hope you meant 2011 W-2's. You mentioned 2008 and 2009 but not 2010 tax transcript. You need to give her your 2010 tax transcript.

Oops, I typed too fast.

"I hope you meant 2010 W-2 and 2011 pay stubs (last 6 months). You mentioned 2008 and 2009 but not 2010 tax transcript. You need to give her your 2010 tax transcript."