Looking for new Guangzhou Consulate information

[RandyW 149]

. . . from anyone who's been there. I plan to share this information among CFL (candleforlove.com), CFV (www.Chinafamiilyvisa.com), and Visa Journey (www.visajourney.com).

Specifically, where it is that people line up for their interviews, which areas/buildings are restricted, which building (on the map) the interviews are held in, which building the USCIS is located in, etc., etc. My guess is that the large, T-shaped building in the images below is the "Great Hall", where everyone will go for our purposes (visa intrerviews, American Citizen Services and adoptions, and USCIS).

Where do people line up for interviews? The Consulate web page mentions "arching roof form provides shelter from the heat and rain; there is also a gathering space for those awaiting their appointments". Is this an outdoor area? Where?

Is the complex a walled, or limited access area?

From the consulate - http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn/the-plan-of-the-new-guangzhou-consulate-compound.html

Situated in a garden setting, the seven-building complex includes a consular building, an office building, a residence for U.S. Marines, a warehouse with service shops, and three entrance pavilions to welcome employees, visitors, and consular customers.

. . .

The centerpiece of the complex is a four-story Consulate office building featuring an interior “Great Hall” and 67 service windows for visa applicants and U.S. citizens.

. . .

The need to move thousands of daily applicants through a seamless, simple, and clear spatial sequence is the primary public function of the consular plaza. The arching roof form provides shelter from the heat and rain; there is also a gathering space for those awaiting their appointments, which can accommodate over 1,000 non-immigrant visa (NIV) and immigrant visa (IV) customers daily.

From Google maps

The Google satellite image pre-dates the construction. This is from Bing

[Darnell 8,478]

There's an entrance listed for visa interviews, I've posted the map from the Consulate before, and I know you've seen that map. it's on the east side, due south of the subway exit.

The map I've referenced was always from the consulate page

their link jumps you to

http://photos.state.gov/libraries/guangzhou/34611/guowz/consular%20customer%20entrance%20map_001.jpg

and the link is clickable from here:

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

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

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

[RandyW 149]

For the old consulate, we had pictures from outside the building, showing the queing area, pictures from inside, drawings showing the escalators and how to proceed up the escalators to where the guards are, the 4th floor, and the complete fifth floor layout, including the two security check points, how to get to the ACS and Adoptions area, the interview area, the USCIS office, where you sit while waiting to be called, where the bathrooms and exits are, which specific windows are NIV, IV, or ACS, and even the interview window size, showing the clearance you had to pass things underneath.

I'm hoping we can start gathering some of that same information for the new consulate. The bird's eye views that you and I are both posting don't provide any of that information. Perhaps you can help out when you're there.

Thanks in advance.

[Darnell 8,478]

IIRC, that took about 2 years to compile, the photo collection yer thinking of..

[RandyW 149]

IIRC, that took about 2 years to compile, the photo collection yer thinking of..

Yes - that's why I'm wanting to get started. Any information would be helpful - such as - WHICH building are the visa interviews in? Do they line up outside that building? At what point do they look for electronics?

My guess is that the biggest building - the one with the slight T-shape to it - is the one where we will conduct ALL of our business - visa interviews, USCIS, American Citizen Services, and Adoptions.

The consulate says there are seven buildings, although our maps show nine, including the elementary school.

Someone with a sketch pad and artistic ability could put a collection together in a day. Perhaps someone could wander around while waiting for their beneficiary. I'll be going there myself in December or January to talk to the Social Security folks, so I can add to anything we don't know by that time.

Edited September 2, 2013 by RandyW

[Darnell 8,478]

We could always check in with Eunice. She is probably ferrying folk in at least 4 times a week.

I was in touch with her about 10 days ago. You have her contact info? I do - let me know if'n you need it.

Edited September 2, 2013 by Darnell

[RandyW 149]

This is what is still on 001 - for the old consulate - http://usa.bbs.net/i...nterview_ML.htm - a pretty good level of detail.

I'd be more interested in what people can post about their own experiences, but anything at all would be helpful.

[Daveykins 17]

There's no real protection from "sun or rain" like they make you believe. The building that they claim provides this cover is post-security.

I can't decipher that bing image since it's from before it's completed as you said, but from my experience 4 weeks ago I can help.

The consulate is broken into 2 areas, the right side if for non-immigrant and was swamped even at 6am when we got there. Easily a couple hundred people lined up already.

The left side is for immigrant visas, and people were already lined up at 6am when we arrived for the 7:30am time slot. They lined up under a bit of an awning, but didn't help much since the back wall is glass looking into the consulate compound. Since we have an 8:30am time slot, we lined up immediately to the right of the security entrance waiting for the 7:30 people to go in.

When it was our turn to go in, my Fiancee had to give me all of her electronic devices for me to hold since there's no lockers or anything to rent like I heard was the case at the old consulate.

She went through a magnetometer and they checked the plastic bag of all the originals.
Once she was through security, she went into the building immediately past security on the left side is the entrance for immigrant visas.

Per Darnell's tip, I went in during the ACS hours to get my EoR notorized the afternoon before her interview and got a peek at the inside of the building so I can provide some more insight on that. ACS is upstairs from IV unit, so we entered on the left side of the building, and followed the signs to go upstairs.

During my exit, I loitered around the IV unit to take a closer look since you walk right past it on the way to the exit. There's maybe 15 windows for the interviews, you take a number and wait for your number to be called, and you have about a 12"x2" gap under the bullet resistant glass to slide any paperwork to the VO.

Sorry I can't be any help on where the USCIS office is, though I did see a sign that said it was around the corner to the left when looking at consulate in front.

Hope this helps!

[RandyW 149]

By "entrance", are you referring to the spot marked "A" on Darnell's map, or do you mean the entrance to one of the buildings inside the compound?

When you say "consulate" - is everybody in the same building, or are there separate IV and NIV buildings? I believe you're referring to the "Great Hall" building - yes?

Thanks a LOT for responding - anything you or others can help with would be (and is) appreciated.

As an aside, though, American citizens should be allowed access at all times simply by showing their passport - but of course you can't do that if you given it to your other as proof of your presence.

[Darnell 8,478]

Randy, are you picking Eunice's brain, as well?

[RandyW 149]

Randy, are you picking Eunice's brain, as well?

I'd love to hear from her again, but she hasn't been on these sites in a few years, so I'm a little reluctant to nudge her in that direction. Do you have her email?

I've added the subway stop, and the "Consular Customer Entrance (Point "A") from your map to the Bing Satellite view.

The borders of the consulate complex, as far as I could tell, I've highlighted in green. The blue outline shows what I'm calling the "T-shaped" building, and that I'm guessing is the "Great Hall", what everyone is referring to as "the consulate".

There seems to be roads in there, as well, to the left (west) of the "T-shaped" building.

Anyone - please jump in with corrections or additional information.

[Darnell 8,478]

I'd love to hear from her again, but she hasn't been on these sites in a few years, so I'm a little reluctant to nudge her in that direction. Do you have her email?

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/451846-looking-for-new-guangzhou-consulate-information/#entry6484539

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/451846-looking-for-new-guangzhou-consulate-information/#entry6484539

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/451846-looking-for-new-guangzhou-consulate-information/#entry6484539

[RandyW 149]

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/451846-looking-for-new-guangzhou-consulate-information/#entry6484539

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/451846-looking-for-new-guangzhou-consulate-information/#entry6484539

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/451846-looking-for-new-guangzhou-consulate-information/#entry6484539

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Maybe PM me? Besides, I'm sure I'll be busy for the next 24 hours (at least) studying the photo in your signature.

[Darnell 8,478]

huh? you read my profile? the top bits?

[RandyW 149]

huh? you read my profile? the top bits?

No, I didn't - I simply tried to PM you. Anyway, got your PM over on CFV. Thanks