Ellen R

Thank you. I was told that not only would his ties to China be important (I am concerned about his independent contractor status) but also my ties to China as well since we are traveling together to the USA. If that is the case, I am hoping the fact that I have been living and working there for almost 7 years now, have a lease, etc. would show that I have strong enough ties that I am not looking to bring him to the USA or change status once we get there to see my family and attend a conference.

I am an American citizen who has been living and working in China for 6 years and living with my Chinese BF for 2 years. We would like to travel to the USA to visit my family together and during the same trip to attend a work related conference for him. A few questions I have: Would it be helpful to have travel plans, (plane tickets, conference prepaid, hotels, etc) beforehand? Some of the costs are high so not sure we would be expected to have these before approval? My current work visa ends before our expected trip. I generally get a new visa a week or two before it expires. Will the fact that my visa will not be renewed until after his interview raise any issues? I know that bringing documents are generally not helpful but just in case they will look at any, what would be most helpful? He is an independent contractor doing consulting work in China, will the fact that he does not have a tie to one specific company be a potential issue? Does the fact that he will be traveling with me help or hurt the application given that I have been living and working in China? The application asks who will be paying for the trip. Does it matter if it is him, me or both of us? We could do it any way. Will be asked to show proof of who is paying? Anyone care to weigh in what the possibility is that he will be successful? Thanks for any input.