Looking for advice about DCF- China

[MeAndMrD 0]

I'm debating whether to choose K-1 or DCF in Guangzhou. I have some questions. I just found out about Direct Filing and there's not a lot on the ustraveldocs website. If anybody is an expert or has filed already please advise!

1. Is it true it only takes (estimated) 3 months? Is this TOTAL or just between filing and interview time?

2. Should I mail the i-130 and G-325A bio forms directly to Guangzhou consulate? I don't have to send anything to USCIS in America?

3. What about bonafides of marriage - can i have the Chinese officer doing the marriage sign an affidavit?

4. What does the consulate use for translation standard? Do I need to get the marriage certificate translated and certified at the consulate or can i just hire any translator?

5. How do you pay the filing fee?

Thanks, Community...

[szapilot 1]

you should go to the Guangzhou consulate website. There is a lot of information on the site. You will have to spend some time finding everything though.

1 .As for the time frame, it doesn't look like it will be that fast for us. We had the I-130 approved April 22 but haven't heard anything since.

2. The forms cannot be mailed, the must be presented in person.

3. No idea about that one

4. Documemts are required to be translated to English for submission.

5. Filing fee is paid when they accept your documents in person.

Good Luck

Edited June 3, 2013 by szapilot

[MeAndMrD 0]

Thanks szapilot (also Florida!). Good luck to you guys too. Maybe that stupid 'white powder' scare slowed them down last month.

I've emailed the GZ consulate but they take a long time to answer and rarely give a straight answer. Usually they refer me to their website but I've done the due diligence there. I'll keep digging through their website, although this one is FAR more informative

Does anyone know where to translate documents? There must be a preferred place..

Also "Bonafides of Marriage" - has anyone used Affidavits for this part? We don't have a lease together. Should the affidavits be from relatives or non-relatives?

[Ryan H 3,812]

Does anyone know where to translate documents? There must be a preferred place..

There is only one acceptable translation for civil documents, it is at the notary office (公证处) where your spouse's hukou is located. The translated document that is issued is commonly referred to as a white book.

Also "Bonafides of Marriage" - has anyone used Affidavits for this part? We don't have a lease together. Should the affidavits be from relatives or non-relatives?

Such affidavits carry little to zero weight; however, if you choose to include them, they should be from people who know and interatcted with you both as a couple on some level. Having a lease together or co-mingled financial accounts is not required. Your best evidence is evidence of time spent together in person.

[MeAndMrD 0]

Thanks, Ryan H!

Since you are an expert, I might as well also ask about some specifics to our case...

Will my spouse be required to show a birth certificate at the visa interview? He wasn't born in a city hospital so he doesn't have one, although he does have hukou / govn ID. Do they require this?

Also re: Police Certificates, is it necessary to show that he has no criminal record in every city he's lived in? Four cities could take a long time

[MeAndMrD 0]

"

Translation Requirements

All documents not written in English, or in the official language of the country in which application for a visa is being made, must be accompanied by certified translations and submitted to the NVC. The translation must include a statement signed by the translator stating that the:

• Translation is accurate, and
• Translator is competent to translate."

Does this mean one does not need to translate Chinese documents (Such as Marriage Certificate) because applying in Guangzhou, can use "in the official language of the country in which application for a visa is being made?"

[Darnell 8,478]

all things possible with a hukuo book - see http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/433494-certified-police-reports-required-by-guangzhou-us-consulate/?view=findpost&p=6265195

[Ryan H 3,812]

Will my spouse be required to show a birth certificate at the visa interview? He wasn't born in a city hospital so he doesn't have one, although he does have hukou / govn ID. Do they require this?

Also re: Police Certificates, is it necessary to show that he has no criminal record in every city he's lived in? Four cities could take a long time

Only one police certificate is needed, it is valid for the entire country. A birth certificate is required and it can be obtained from the notary office where is hukou is located.

"

Translation Requirements

All documents not written in English, or in the official language of the country in which application for a visa is being made, must be accompanied by certified translations and submitted to the NVC. The translation must include a statement signed by the translator stating that the:

• Translation is accurate, and
• Translator is competent to translate."

Does this mean one does not need to translate Chinese documents (Such as Marriage Certificate) because applying in Guangzhou, can use "in the official language of the country in which application for a visa is being made?"

Document translations for civil documents are required for China and the white books that I referenced in a prior post are issued with the acceptable translations.

[Ontarkie 14,221]

~~~~Thread split to keep questions from mixing up with the others.~~~~

[TexasHoldEm 0]

Hi there

DCF time frames depend on the embassy: some smaller ones in Central Europe do really only take 3 months total. Here in England it takes a little longer because it is a very busy embassy. They told me it will take 3-6 months to process my I-130, then another 3 months from then until the interview date.

So far I am ahead of schedule but not by much. It depends on the time of the year and when you file; however I found DCF much simpler and cheaper than the regular route: I can call the embassy directly if I have questions and don't need to try to speak to DOS. I send all my documents to the embassy directly as well.

As for translations: you need to get everything translated by an official translator and then a notary has to confirm the translations are correct. Most translation agencies offer notarisation services as well. I have not gotten to the interview stage yet so I can't tell you what to take to the interview exactly: I only know I need to take the affidavit of support with me, marriage certificate, passport and 2 photos. Hope that helps!

[Ryan H 3,812]

As for translations: you need to get everything translated by an official translator and then a notary has to confirm the translations are correct. Most translation agencies offer notarisation services as well. I have not gotten to the interview stage yet so I can't tell you what to take to the interview exactly: I only know I need to take the affidavit of support with me, marriage certificate, passport and 2 photos. Hope that helps!

Document translation requirements for China are very specific, Darnell and I have provided the OP with proper information in this regard.

[Talsi 0]

I have a question regarding the different addresses that need to be filled out in the I-130 form, such as residence and employer's address. Do those need to be written in Chinese or in Pinyin?

Thanks

[Talsi 0]

As for the marriage certificates, is the white booklet from the notary office enough, or does it also need to be authenticated by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and then by the US Consulate?