American citizen at Guangzhou

[diamondeve21 0]

Hi,

For those of you who went to the embassy in person and was able to inquire about your spouse's immigration case, how did u do so? I made an appointment for American Citizen Services but when I go there, the Chinese officer at the window would not tell me anything. They said they only do passport services which is totally separate from the immigration unit. I asked to see an immigration officer but they said there is no such thing and I would have to send all inquires by email. I seen it in the forums that some people were able to get some useful information when they appear in person. I would appreciate it if someone can tell me where should I go and who should I speak with.

Thank you very much!

[Darnell 8,478]

ACH (American Citizen Hour) - that time slot where USCitizens talk with a Visa Officer about stuff related to visas, is no more.

ACS (American Citizen Services) MOSTLY have no Visa Officers there, unless you are LUCKY to get an appointment right after the IV unit handles their time slots for IV interviews. Study the scheduling of IV stuff vs ACS stuff, you should see the two edges on the timeslots..

You might want to visit at candleforlove.com and study a bit on how to 'get in' - also noting the methods have changed over time.

good luck !

[bigdog 376]

Darnell pegged it like usual, my wife said the same thing, let us know how you do.

[bobbyA 20]

Hi,

For those of you who went to the embassy in person and was able to inquire about your spouse's immigration case, how did u do so? I made an appointment for American Citizen Services but when I go there, the Chinese officer at the window would not tell me anything. They said they only do passport services which is totally separate from the immigration unit. I asked to see an immigration officer but they said there is no such thing and I would have to send all inquires by email. I seen it in the forums that some people were able to get some useful information when they appear in person. I would appreciate it if someone can tell me where should I go and who should I speak with.

Thank you very much!

Anna,

May be I was lucky getting to speak to an immigration officer back in July 2011.

I did not make an appointment. I just went to ACS, took a number, then waited for my number to be called. I gave the Chinese staff my passport and my fiancee's interview appointment letter. At first the Chinese staff tried to tell me they can't help me, but I told her I need to speak to an immigration officer. From what I can tell, there were 2 American immigration officers at the ACS helping American citizens and permanent residents with their issues. The Chinese staff was at window 29 or 30, and the immigration officers where at 32 to 35, as I vaguely recall.

I know the ACS is not specifically set up to deal with k-1 or other petitions, but my experience told me if I can get pass the Chinese staff and speak to an immigration officer, then I might get the help I need. I don't think the Chinese staff can deny an American citizen's request to speak to an immigration officer.

I would go back there and tell them nicely you need to speak to an immigration officer. If you get the opportunity to speak to an American officer, tell him/her you came to China to try to get an update on your petition because you have not heard anything about your petition for X months. Be sincere and plea for your case, hoping to find some answer before you leave China.

I remember overhearing the Chinese staff telling an American man and his Chinese wife to go to ACH at 3:30pm to ask questions about how to file a petition for his wife to come to America. I wish I remember which window it was they were told to go to. I wasn't paying attention, sorry. It might have been a low number window in the teens at the other end of ACS.

I would also write an email via the consulates website: http://guangzhou.use...t-question.html

It's almost Chinese New Year as I understand, so I don't know how many working days you have in Guangzhou.

Again, I'm no expert, I'm just sharing with you what I learned in July 2011.

I wish you success!!

[Loueikun 5]

I got same response from ACS email that immigration unit is totally seperate and they told me to use the webform,

I was not asking about immigration, I just simply asked about notarizing the EOR, but they thought I would want more services in relation to it

[diamondeve21 0]

ACH (American Citizen Hour) - that time slot where USCitizens talk with a Visa Officer about stuff related to visas, is no more.

ACS (American Citizen Services) MOSTLY have no Visa Officers there, unless you are LUCKY to get an appointment right after the IV unit handles their time slots for IV interviews. Study the scheduling of IV stuff vs ACS stuff, you should see the two edges on the timeslots..

You might want to visit at candleforlove.com and study a bit on how to 'get in' - also noting the methods have changed over time.

good luck !

Hi Darnell,

Where can I find more information regarding the time slots? Its my last day in Guangzhou and I will make one last attempt today.

[diamondeve21 0]

Thanks for all the replies. This is my last day in Guangzhou and I will make some more attempts to see if I could speak with someone.

[Darnell 8,478]

how did it go ? any result ?

[diamondeve21 0]

how did it go ? any result ?

Sorry for the late reply. Although I wasn't able to speak with anyone at Guangzhou, however, our visa did get approved a week after I left Guangzhou. Not sure if my appearance made a difference or maybe it did...

I guess a good thing that will be happening is that my husband will be receiving the 10 year green card instead of the conditional green card. Due to this hold up, we rolled past our 2 year marriage mark.

Edited March 16, 2012 by diamondeve21

[Darnell 8,478]

great news at last ! yay !

double bonus for no ROC 'stuff' 2 years down a road.

Congratulations !

[diamondeve21 0]

great news at last ! yay !

double bonus for no ROC 'stuff' 2 years down a road.

Congratulations !

Whats ROC?

[Robby999 1,024]

Whats ROC?

Removal of Conditions on the Permanent Residence Card (CR-1). If you and him have already been married 2 years before his entry to the US he should receive an IR-1 visa and you will not have to worry about ROC.

Edited March 16, 2012 by Robby999

[diamondeve21 0]

Removal of Conditions on the Permanent Residence Card (CR-1). If you and him have already been married 2 years before his entry to the US he should receive an IR-1 visa and you will not have to worry about ROC.

I see... I emailed the consulate yesterday but they said they just issue a visa and it is the officer at the POE who decides which type of green card gets issued? I am confused...

[diamondeve21 0]

Removal of Conditions on the Permanent Residence Card (CR-1). If you and him have already been married 2 years before his entry to the US he should receive an IR-1 visa and you will not have to worry about ROC.

Sorry... I just re-read their response and they are saying they just issue a permanent resident visa and it is the officer at the POE who decided whether he gets ADIMITTED as a legal permanent resident. (This makes much more sense)

From their response, it seemed to me that after my husband enters the US, I should contact USCIS regarding the type of green card.

This was their reply...

Thank you for your inquiry.

Once your husband's case is ready for issuance, he will receive an immigrant visa. An immigrant visa is a document issued by a U.S. consular officer abroad that allows the immigrant visa applicant to travel to the United States and apply for admission as a legal permanent resident (LPR).

An immigration inspector of U.S. Customs and Border Protection of the Department of Homeland Security makes the final decision as to whether or not to admit the immigrant visa holder as an LPR.

Once applicants are admitted as an LPR, they generally have the right to live and work in the United States permanently. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services of the Department of Homeland Security will mail the permanent resident card (often called a “green card”) to the applicant's new address in the United States, usually within three months of applicant's entry into the United States.

If you have any questions regarding green card, you should contact your local USCIS office.

Sincerely,

Immigrant Visa Unit

U.S. Consulate General Guangzhou

1 Shamian South Street

Guangzhou, Guangdong 510133

PRC

Edited March 16, 2012 by diamondeve21

[Darnell 8,478]

i love how this answer not clarify IR-1 or CR-1 visa type.

Stupid Chinese Workers at GUZ IV.

So, with that as the answer, what was the question?