Jump to content
jasmith

Introduction, and advice needed..

 Share

14 posts in this topic

Recommended Posts

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: China
Timeline

Hi all,

I and my fiancee Xiaodong are in the process of (hopefully) getting a K1 visa.

She is the finest person I know. We both are in our 50s and avid learners and love to share our exploration of the world of ideas and human history. I work as a software architect, and she as a language teacher. We have been a couple for two years. We really enjoy each other’s company and get along very very well. My parents love her.

I visited her and her family in China four times, she has visited me and my family (with a tourist visa) in the U.S. twice, and my mother visited her family in China. Her first trip to New York was during hurricane Sandy, and we has to survive a week without power, water, or transportation in my tiny apartment in lower Manhattan. The second time she stayed with me for five months, and every Friday, after my work, we walked to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and explored the galleries in roughly chronological order beginning with Egypt and the Near East.

Our I-129F petition was filed in February and approved late July. Our case was approved by the NVC and forwarded on to the U.S. consulate in Guangzhou on 12 August. Our I-129F approval expires on24 Nov 2013, and also some of the documents she has obtained (in particular the police report with translation) are time-limited.

The Guangzhou consulate asked Xiaodong to file an additional application for a visa, which she did, and then sent instructions by email for paying her fee, registering for an interview date, and completing the required medical exam. Xiaodong payed the fee, but apparently, according to the Department of State sponsored web site, there are no interview dates available for the foreseeable future. She has been checking the web site every day, but nothing has appeared.

The consulate does not accept calls, but it does have a web form for asking questions. I sent a message asking why there are no interview dates more than a week ago, but I have not yet received a reply. My first guess is that the consulate has stopped holding interviews in anticipation of a government shut-down. If a shut-down occurs, clearly they will also not be able to extend the expiration deadline.

Some of the posts I have read online raise another very troubling possibility. There might be a business “working the web site” and re-selling appointments. I really hope this is not the case.

The worst part of this is that before this, in the process, we knew where we stood. Now we both have no idea, and the separation is hurting both of us. We very much want to be married but we have to wait for the K1 process to finish. Also Xiaodong has put many of her own projects on hold waiting for us to be together. I am not at all sure what we can do at this point. Suggestions would be very appreciated.

In any case I will do all I can (legally) to live with Xiaodong, no matter how long it takes. She is my heart.

Thanks!

Jonathan

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: China
Timeline

hey - I wrote a longish reply to you, but I can't find it now. I just assume you double posted, and a mod hid your double post and my reply.

Sometimes my language usage seems confusing - please feel free to 'read it twice', just in case !
Ya know, you can find the answer to your question with the advanced search tool, when using a PC? Ditch the handphone, come back later on a PC, and try again.

-=-=-=-=-=R E A D ! ! !=-=-=-=-=-

Whoa Nelly ! Want NVC Info? see http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/NVC_Process

Congratulations on your approval ! We All Applaud your accomplishment with Most Wonderful Kissies !

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline

~~Reposting a response from the other removed thread. ~~

1. can set appointment via telephone with ustraveldocs call center.

2. usually a new group of 'qq ladies' forms, on qq, and they chase down appointments . suggest to your wife to join in a new group of 'qq ladies' and chase this down.

3. ultimately, if she's paid the visa application fee AND her casefile is actually OPEN at GUZ IV, then she's eligible to self-schedule. The pain and suffering you are going through right now, all hinges around the very poor website (ustraveldocs.com) and how appointment dates are released from GUZ IV into that ustraveldocs website.

4. the duration of validity, printed in the I-129F approval notice, will be automatically extended by GUZ IV - no need to 'talk' with the IV Unit about it, as long as progress is made with the IV Unit. Proof of payment is one example of progress, fwiw.

I suggest you read a bit , in the China sub-forum, and get some idea for how to handle stuff on appointment getting.

Ages past (or rather, earlier in the year) - a K-1 visa chaser could not get scheduled without the casefile being actually opened at the IV Unit. The casefile is shipped from NVC to GUZ IV, but (per treaty) all consular documents are held in a China Customs warehouse prior, anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months. There's nothing you can do to expedite the release, it's just what it is. IMO, that's still the case, even with ustraveldocs being involved. So, ultimately, when the casefile is released from the China Customs Warehouse, then sent on to GUZ IV, GUZ IV still has to log it, then open it, then review it.

When the casefile is opened at GUZ IV, is 'safe' to self-schedule, IMO.


hey - I wrote a longish reply to you, but I can't find it now. I just assume you double posted, and a mod hid your double post and my reply.

Hi Darnell I reposted your response, the other thread was removed for personal info.

Edited by Ontarkie
Spoiler

Met Playing Everquest in 2005
Engaged 9-15-2006
K-1 & 4 K-2'S
Filed 05-09-07
Interview 03-12-08
Visa received 04-21-08
Entry 05-06-08
Married 06-21-08
AOS X5
Filed 07-08-08
Cards Received01-22-09
Roc X5
Filed 10-17-10
Cards Received02-22-11
Citizenship
Filed 10-17-11
Interview 01-12-12
Oath 06-29-12

Citizenship for older 2 boys

Filed 03/08/2014

NOA/fee waiver 03/19/2014

Biometrics 04/15/14

Interview 05/29/14

In line for Oath 06/20/14

Oath 09/19/2014 We are all done! All USC no more USCIS

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: China
Timeline

Sorry Darnell, Your very helpful post ended up getting hidden in the shuffle.

1. Should we just call the phone numbers on the site and ask for an interview date? We emailed the ustraveldocs site and they just replied to us that the consulate sets up the interview dates, that they had no control over when those were released. (And you are very right, the web site is pretty bad.)

2. How can we know when her file is open .. made it out of the customs warehouse?

3. How do we self-schedule?

I very very much appreciate your help.

Jonathan

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Mexico
Timeline

~ Moved from Introducing Our Members to China regional forum- topic is not so much an intro as needing advice specific to China and that forum is the place to get the best answers ~

Link to K-1 instructions for Ciudad Juarez, Mexico > https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/K1/CDJ_Ciudad-Juarez-2-22-2021.pdf

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: China
Timeline

2. DoS Hotline knows all. call DoS Hotline once a week, until you hear 'casefile opened' as casefile status.

3. study a bit in the China forum - you've a screen shot showing the 'right place' to self-schedule - so that's a plus, you know WHERE in that PoS website to self-schedule.

Sometimes my language usage seems confusing - please feel free to 'read it twice', just in case !
Ya know, you can find the answer to your question with the advanced search tool, when using a PC? Ditch the handphone, come back later on a PC, and try again.

-=-=-=-=-=R E A D ! ! !=-=-=-=-=-

Whoa Nelly ! Want NVC Info? see http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/NVC_Process

Congratulations on your approval ! We All Applaud your accomplishment with Most Wonderful Kissies !

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: China
Timeline

Hi Darnell I reposted your response, the other thread was removed for personal info.

Thanks for doing this. You rock, and stuff. Tell yer friends I said so.

Sometimes my language usage seems confusing - please feel free to 'read it twice', just in case !
Ya know, you can find the answer to your question with the advanced search tool, when using a PC? Ditch the handphone, come back later on a PC, and try again.

-=-=-=-=-=R E A D ! ! !=-=-=-=-=-

Whoa Nelly ! Want NVC Info? see http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/NVC_Process

Congratulations on your approval ! We All Applaud your accomplishment with Most Wonderful Kissies !

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: China
Timeline

eh - send some pm's around to the k-1 visa chasers that post in the China forum. They'll give you a number or two for the prior groups - maybe even a current group.

Sometimes my language usage seems confusing - please feel free to 'read it twice', just in case !
Ya know, you can find the answer to your question with the advanced search tool, when using a PC? Ditch the handphone, come back later on a PC, and try again.

-=-=-=-=-=R E A D ! ! !=-=-=-=-=-

Whoa Nelly ! Want NVC Info? see http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/NVC_Process

Congratulations on your approval ! We All Applaud your accomplishment with Most Wonderful Kissies !

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: China
Timeline

Check some recent threads in the China regional forum for QQ group numbers. There have been some numbers posted recently. Try using the site's Google custom search function.

Don't waste your time trying to call the Guangzhou consulate, their preferred method of communication is by email. They can be slow to respond, but they do respond.

http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn/contactiv.html

Follow Darnell's advice, he is the man! :thumbs: To contact DOS: (202) 663-1225, press 1, then 0. Like he said keep calling them until they say that your "case file is opened."

Completed: K1/K2 (271 days) - AOS/EAD/AP (134 days) - ROC (279 days)

"Si vis amari, ama" - Seneca

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: China
Timeline

oh - DoS Has a new # - I need to update my profile page sad.png

Sometimes my language usage seems confusing - please feel free to 'read it twice', just in case !
Ya know, you can find the answer to your question with the advanced search tool, when using a PC? Ditch the handphone, come back later on a PC, and try again.

-=-=-=-=-=R E A D ! ! !=-=-=-=-=-

Whoa Nelly ! Want NVC Info? see http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/NVC_Process

Congratulations on your approval ! We All Applaud your accomplishment with Most Wonderful Kissies !

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: China
Timeline

OH...right......is (202) 485-7600 the new number?

http://travel.state.gov/visa/about/how/how_1463.html

Completed: K1/K2 (271 days) - AOS/EAD/AP (134 days) - ROC (279 days)

"Si vis amari, ama" - Seneca

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: China
Timeline

OH...right......is (202) 485-7600 the new number?

http://travel.state.gov/visa/about/how/how_1463.html

Can they actually help with scheduling?

I've only heard of folks self scheduling on CGI Stanley's website. I see Darnell mentioned calling the call center for an appointment...is that possible?

USCIS / VSC
3/08/2013: Sent I-129F to Dallas Lockbox
3/12/2013: NOA1 Issued
3/15/2013: NOA1 Received (VCS)

7/10/2013: Transferred to TCS

7/25/2013: RFE

7/31/2013: RFE Response Received
8/07/2013: NOA2

NVC

8/16/2013: Sent to NVC
8/21/2013: NVC received
8/26/2013: Case number

US Consulate Guangzhou

8/28/2013: P3
9/14/2013: P3 Sent
9/16/2013: P3 received by GUZ

9/24/2013: P4 received via email

10/22/2013: Interview - Approved

10/24/2013: Visa Issued

10/30/2013: Passport available for pickup.

USCIS California

6/17/2016 I-751 Sent

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: China
Timeline

Sometimes my language usage seems confusing - please feel free to 'read it twice', just in case !
Ya know, you can find the answer to your question with the advanced search tool, when using a PC? Ditch the handphone, come back later on a PC, and try again.

-=-=-=-=-=R E A D ! ! !=-=-=-=-=-

Whoa Nelly ! Want NVC Info? see http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/NVC_Process

Congratulations on your approval ! We All Applaud your accomplishment with Most Wonderful Kissies !

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
- Back to Top -

Important Disclaimer: Please read carefully the Visajourney.com Terms of Service. If you do not agree to the Terms of Service you should not access or view any page (including this page) on VisaJourney.com. Answers and comments provided on Visajourney.com Forums are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Visajourney.com does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. VisaJourney.com does not condone immigration fraud in any way, shape or manner. VisaJourney.com recommends that if any member or user knows directly of someone involved in fraudulent or illegal activity, that they report such activity directly to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. You can contact ICE via email at Immigration.Reply@dhs.gov or you can telephone ICE at 1-866-347-2423. All reported threads/posts containing reference to immigration fraud or illegal activities will be removed from this board. If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by contacting us here with a url link to that content. Thank you.
×
×
  • Create New...