Potential Guangzhou schedule

[phwang 0]

I know there are many posts already talking about how much time you should spend in Guangzhou for your interview. So I'm afraid that everyone's gonna tell me that this is too short. My fiancee just got her Packet 4 letter (dated 10/13), and her interview is scheduled for 11/3. Instead of asking for a reschedule and possibly delaying the interview, we're going to keep it, even if it means I can't fly out there for support.

She's thinking of heading out to Guangzhou from Shanghai on 11/1, arriving by 11/2 10am. Then she'll leave either the Friday after the actual interview or that Saturday. She has limited days off from work. Not to mention that if I were to fly out there moral support, I'd also have to leave by the next Sunday. Horrible timing all around.

She lives in Shanghai, so she'll be doing the medical in Shanghai, and it sounds like GUZ can mail the passport/visa to Shanghai addresses, provided she passes. Failing this, she has an aunt that lives in Guangzhou. Hopefully the consulate will let a relative pick it up?

Anyone have insight into whether we're overlooking something? Since her medical will be done in Shanghai, we don't need to go early for that. We'll probably have to miss getting the EOR letter notarized, unless I go, and we can schedule it for 11/2. I remember reading that American Citizens Hour is not being done anymore, so no reason to plan for that. And if they can mail the passport to her in Shanghai, there's no reason that we'd have to stick around.

Thanks for any feedback. I was really expecting to have a month or two notice. Not 2.5 weeks.

[bobbyA 20]

I know there are many posts already talking about how much time you should spend in Guangzhou for your interview. So I'm afraid that everyone's gonna tell me that this is too short. My fiancee just got her Packet 4 letter (dated 10/13), and her interview is scheduled for 11/3. Instead of asking for a reschedule and possibly delaying the interview, we're going to keep it, even if it means I can't fly out there for support.

She's thinking of heading out to Guangzhou from Shanghai on 11/1, arriving by 11/2 10am. Then she'll leave either the Friday after the actual interview or that Saturday. She has limited days off from work. Not to mention that if I were to fly out there moral support, I'd also have to leave by the next Sunday. Horrible timing all around.

She lives in Shanghai, so she'll be doing the medical in Shanghai, and it sounds like GUZ can mail the passport/visa to Shanghai addresses, provided she passes. Failing this, she has an aunt that lives in Guangzhou. Hopefully the consulate will let a relative pick it up?

Anyone have insight into whether we're overlooking something? Since her medical will be done in Shanghai, we don't need to go early for that. We'll probably have to miss getting the EOR letter notarized, unless I go, and we can schedule it for 11/2. I remember reading that American Citizens Hour is not being done anymore, so no reason to plan for that. And if they can mail the passport to her in Shanghai, there's no reason that we'd have to stick around.

Thanks for any feedback. I was really expecting to have a month or two notice. Not 2.5 weeks.

Peter,

My EOR letter was not notarized. It was accepted by the Guangzhou consulate and later included in my then fiancee's sealed package for POE.

I don't see any problem with your plan for Guangzhou. Your fiancee can leave Guangzhou the afternoon of the interview. Her interview should be done by 12 noon, so she could catch a flight late afternoon or in the evening back to Shanghai.

Just make sure your fiancee gets her medical done in Shanghai as soon as possible because I don't know if Shanghai can produce her medical report as quickly as Guangzhou.

If your fiancee chooses, she can have her vaccination done after her interview in China or after she comes to America. My fiancee got her vaccination after her interview in Guangzhou.

It is my experience that US passport holders can visit the consulate's American Citizen Services between 8:30am and 11:30am, then 1:30pm to 3:30pm, Monday thru Friday. The Chinese guards will not ask you for a reason. Just show your passport and they'll let you in within those hours.

Hope that helps.

[phwang 0]

Thanks, I just ended up booking a ticket out there. The crazy things you do. I'm reading up on the whole vaccination thing now so that we don't have to deal with the civil surgeons here.

And now I'm making an appointment for ACS so I can get my EOR letter notarized. Thanks again.

[Casprd 167]

Since she can do the medical in Shanghai that takes one day out of the mix (make sure that the hospital is accepted by the consulate in Guangzhou though). As for the visa pickup, you can either have it mailed or pick it up, but not do an either or option. We had my wife's set to be mailed to a friend in Guangzhou, but it was ready before we left so we tried to pick it up, but you must have the original EMS shipping receipt or you they won't give it to you. As of August 1st, they will now mail the passport to any city in China (I believe Shanghai was one of the pilot cities).

Don't bother with getting the EOR notarized at the ACS. If you are going to be there then have her take your passport in with you and have the EOR folded in half and stuck inside your passport.

In any event, it sounds like the timing is fine. No need for her to wait in Guangzhou since they will mail the passport anywhere now.

[Palladin 18]

Thanks, I just ended up booking a ticket out there. The crazy things you do. I'm reading up on the whole vaccination thing now so that we don't have to deal with the civil surgeons here.

And now I'm making an appointment for ACS so I can get my EOR letter notarized. Thanks again.

Notarizing an EOR at the consulate is expensive. There is no need to notarize it. My suggestion is show up any way and then tell them your wife is to be interviewed in a few days and you are there to support her, and then ask them whether it is necessary to notarize the document. They probably say no but then they know you presented it to them.

Of course, the mere fact that your wife brings your US passport to her interview is enough to show that you are there.

[Dan & Juan 12]

Of course, the mere fact that your wife brings your US passport to her interview is enough to show that you are there.

This is the golden advice. One of the questions asked at interview for us ws first question "is your husband here with you" answer yes here is his passport. That goes a long way!!