Passed the Guangzhou K-1 Visa Interview!
We submitted our K-1 visa application in July 2010. Now it’s March 2011, and the wait is finally over. My fiancee went to Guangzhou for her visa interview last week. While there, she had to get a medical exam on Friday, turn the results and some other paperwork into the consulate on Monday, then attend the actual interview on Tuesday. The visa officer only asked her three things:
1. What is your fiance’s name?
2. How long did you two work together?
3. What pictures did you bring?
Then he said, “Your English is excellent,” and approved her for the visa!
But… it’s like… all this work, all this preparation, and the interview was about a minute long with three questions?! We had a rock solid case, though, and you know they’ve already made up their mind whether or not someone is going to pass. The only thing that would change that is if the person showed up and couldn’t speak any English. At that point, the applicant would just be asked to come back with proof that the American petitioner can at least speak Chinese.
So the interview is done, but Sarah still has to stay in Guangzhou until the end of the week before they issue the visa to her. And she probably won’t come to the US for another month so she can get things ready. Still, it’s nice to have the worst of it over with and know for certain she’s coming this year. It’s been a long, difficult journey, but we did it.
For a view of the overall process, you can check out the visas tag on this website.
Responses to “Passed the Guangzhou K-1 Visa Interview!”
Comments RSS Feed – All CommentsKim — 2 March 2011 @ 8:25 am
Congratulations!! I’m so glad things FINALLY came together. You two have been EXTREMELY patient. I can’t wait to meet her! So, when’s the wedding?
Hopfrog — 2 March 2011 @ 9:33 pm
Congrats! I know you were sweating the lack of photos, but sometimes its pretty obvious who is legit and who is not.
Johnny Sun — 4 March 2011 @ 1:05 am
Congratulations to both of you. Let’s witness an amazing and for ever happiness transnational combination.
Any ceremony in Changzhou?
Clark — 5 March 2011 @ 1:49 pm
No wedding date yet, because we’re not sure when the best time for her to come will be. There will probably be a reception in Changzhou at a later date.
teac77 — 8 March 2011 @ 12:16 pm
Congratulations, that is wonderful news!
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Former Teacher — 23 April 2011 @ 4:50 am
Hey Clark, I’m in the exact same situation as you. I met my fiancée while teaching English in China and I’m going through the K1 process right now. Everything you wrote on your blog pertaining to China resonates with me, and hopefully my fiancée will get her visa. I totally relate to you on staying in China for too long. As much as I love my fiancée, Chinese culture really does wear an American out. The smoking, spitting, and pushing. Good luck and may you and your wife have a beautiful life together. BTW, found your blog while researching the issuance of the K1 visa.
oceanodunes — 31 January 2012 @ 11:38 pm
I went thru the same process as you, with the same results. Less than five minutes interview.
My wife at the time did not speak English. I did not speak Chinese. She did have her translator with her. But he spoke good Chinese.
She had a suitcase full of Emails, Pictures, travel documents.
I think he reviewed the case before she ever saw him. Saw that my income was very high. (income tax records, 1099s, SS) Saw that I had supported her and her son.
That she was not a communist.
He smiled and said you passed.
However, My friend Mike went to his interview with his finacee’ and she was denied because of his income. He roared back in and make the supervisor look again at his records. Being retired his income came from investments, social security, and other retirements. sufficient to meet income minimums. The officer did not know how to evaluate his evidence. The officer was also late for lunch.
It was the old story of the hound and the hare. The hare got away. When asked the hound said, “I was running for a meal the hare was running for his life”.
Sometimes lunch is more important than your life together. The officers are human and have to have their breaks or lunch.
My suggestion is to take cookies just like they are Santa Claus. Or take an apple like i did my teacher.
Clark — 1 February 2012 @ 9:18 am
Thanks for sharing your story. How did your friend’s case turn out? Did they have to reapply?
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