China Romance
All About China => Visas, Immigration and Emigration => Topic started by: shaun on December 22, 2009, 11:04:13 pm
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I applied for my passport a few weeks ago. Today I noticed that my check cleared for the passport.
Can I assume that since the check has been cashed that my passport will arrive soon?
Shaun
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I thought I might list a few things needed to get your new wife a Visa to the US here. I need a list to check to make sure I have everything. So guys if I am missing something, post away.
G-325 A, Biographic Information document. You need 4 original forms with her original signature.
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Um...this cheque was sent to the government? HAHAHA...Don't assume anything!
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Gee, Thanks! :icon_cheesygrin:
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shaun,
when my check cleared i got my passport in 3 weeks
but of course that was 5 years ago
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You still use checks in the US? The UK banks are phasing them out in the next year or so as hardly anyone uses them here nowadays.
Willy
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Same here Willy but we are talking the US Government. We can used the Post Office to apply for the passport but the only make sure the paperwork is correct, take a picture and send it to Washington DC. The government still does the work.
I write a personal check maybe once a month or less. Business wise I write a check for everything. I could used debit but there is always a fee associated with the debit card in business.
Ted, I hope you are not correct, it has been there 4 weeks already. They said 3-6 that would be 7.
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I gotta give the Canadian Government a bit of a plug....normally I don't like to do this. When i applied for my daughters passport this past spring, it took just under two weeks to get her passport. I was absolutely blown away. The Canadian Government specializes in dragging its feet.
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Had to renew my passport last year. I phoned the UK embassy here for an application form, and it arrived the following day. Duly filled it all in and posted it the same day along with my expired passport. I received my new passport in 5 days. I could have gone to the embassy in Nicosia and received it the same day, but wasn't in any hurry this time. Another reason, the Nicosia traffic is absolute Madness during the day...lol!! (Not as Bad as in China i hasten to add..lol!!)
From what i can make out, The American passport system is somewhat antiquated compared to most other western countries, especially Europe
David.....
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i dont think you can get anything done in the USA
in 5 days. when i got mine in 3 weeks people were
amazed
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When I applied for my U.S. Passport about the middle of December of last year, it only took 5 days to receive it. Absolutely amazed me. I was told about 2 weeks when I filled out the paperwork at the Post Office.
Don
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Tomorrow is the 5 week mark. Still not passport.
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I reckon it's all down to your Homeland Security!! you must have set off some red flags ...and are now a suspicious character that needs checking out. So what have you been up too Shaun?? You can tell us mate....haha!!
David.....
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Only talking with you guys and a couple of ladies in China. So David, what do we really know about you? Why are you living in exile from England? Hmmm... When was the last time you were in China? Hmmmm...
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But do you know that in the Pentagon or some other department there is someone whose sole task day in day out is to monitor this website. As there are with thousands of other websites that have any connection with something Chinese.. The US spends millions on this.
They do the same in the UK but due to Gordon Brown cutbacks they make do with the cleaning woman doing it in her tea break!!!!
Willy
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Shhhhiitttt!!! I have to call the pentagon. Let them pay me? I'm here anyway.
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we are all in trouble then
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For those who have yet to file with Homeland Security and are planning a trip to China. Take at least 4 forms of the G-325 A, Biographic Information document. You need 4 original forms with her original signature. This can not be e-mailed. It takes the snail mail. So to cut a months time, take the form, have her sign 4 copies, bring them back, have the lawyer fill out the necessary information, and you have saved a months wait time. Sorry Scott, found this out to late to help you and I. So all you February travelers, take the forms and save time.
buzz
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Shaun,
What do you need to know about me then??
As for living in Exile, I suppose for much the same reasons as you are complaining about th US. Just got fed-up with being shafted at every turn back in the UK. That and the fact that my late wife loved the place. We had the house built about 12 years ago to our own design and always planned to retire here eventually.
I was in China last year, this time last year in fact. Basically to buy another property that the father-in-law advised us about.... Lucy however has been back 3 times, mainly on business.
David....
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David,
Just kidding man.
Shaun
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Shaun,
I didn't take it any other way Shaun.... lol!!
I would have liked to have stayed much longer in China on that visit, but had far too many obligations to deal with here. So i only managed 5 days that trip. Just enough time to check out the new apartment and sort out the finances once i agreed that it was a good buy. Lucy's father is great at sniffing out property deals and getting the asking price down to unbelievable levels.
David....
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One day short of being 7 weeks I receive my passport today. So guys, if you are planning a trip and you have not applied for an American passport then you need to allow yourself enough time to get the passport. The shortest time some have said was 3 weeks. Don't count on it. You had better plan on 7 weeks. Once you receive it your are not done because you then have to apply for the Visa. All indications look lie it may take 4 weeks. My trip is 12 weeks away so I will be in good shape. Keep in mind that it could possible take longer.
Needless to say I am excited and cannot wait to tell Peggy.
Shaun
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It takes you four weeks to get a chinese visa? That sounds a bit long... Up here it takes me a week (give or take a day) and that's because I get my travel agent to process it. If I were to do it myself, I think I could cut it down to 3 or 4 days (but I HATE driving into downtown Toronto)
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Had to renew my passport last year. I phoned the UK embassy here for an application form, and it arrived the following day. Duly filled it all in and posted it the same day along with my expired passport. I received my new passport in 5 days. I could have gone to the embassy in Nicosia and received it the same day, but wasn't in any hurry this time. Another reason, the Nicosia traffic is absolute Madness during the day...lol!! (Not as Bad as in China i hasten to add..lol!!)
From what i can make out, The American passport system is somewhat antiquated compared to most other western countries, especially Europe
David.....
Be aware that for your first passport it will take 6-7 weeks and you have to go for an interview to confirm your identity etc, britain is quite long winded and backwards, slow! to say the least.
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Shaun read the posts.When members post on your thread.Visa express can get it done for you in 24 hours if need be.Or 10 days and just about anything in between.They want like 30.00 on up to get your visa.It really depends on what time frame your looking at.And how much money your willing to spend.If you go this route.Use Fed ex to ship it to the visa company.And have them ship it back the same way.Last time I did this Fed ex charged me like 30.00.
If push comes to shove you can walk your passport threw the process at the nearest Chinese consulate.I don't remember what the consulate fees are.
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Had to renew my passport last year. I phoned the UK embassy here for an application form, and it arrived the following day. Duly filled it all in and posted it the same day along with my expired passport. I received my new passport in 5 days. I could have gone to the embassy in Nicosia and received it the same day, but wasn't in any hurry this time. Another reason, the Nicosia traffic is absolute Madness during the day...lol!! (Not as Bad as in China i hasten to add..lol!!)
From what i can make out, The American passport system is somewhat antiquated compared to most other western countries, especially Europe
David.....
Be aware that for your first passport it will take 6-7 weeks and you have to go for an interview to confirm your identity etc, britain is quite long winded and backwards, slow! to say the least.
This is my 3rd passport. The second on expired but they used it for processing.
Maxx, I am planning to leave March 31st so I have time. Thanks for the info. I decided to not rush it this time and wind up with a round trip ticket of $4000.00. Also the Chinese consulate said on the internet last night 4 weeks. I do read what is posted on my threads and others. I am not trying to do anything but passing along current information and experiences for those who are possibly thinking of going.
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Dwayne.Dibley,
Depends where you live in the UK and when you apply for it!! If you apply during the peek weeks, it could very well take 6 weeks...
So since when have you needed an interview?? I took my nephew to Petty France passport office in London to acquire his first Passport last March, as he wanted to return with me to Cyprus for a couple of weeks, ....No interview, or any hint of an Interview, (and a new passport in his hand walking out of the building). Just wanted to know why he didn't go the postal route.
You must be a shady looking character!! ....hahaha!!!
David.....
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Also the Chinese consulate said on the internet last night 4 weeks. I do read what is posted on my threads and others. I am not trying to do anything but passing along current information and experiences for those who are possibly thinking of going.
Shaun, I used the China Visa Service Center from Houston Texas. The biggest difference was that it took only a week. I also got unlimited entrances for the same amout of money. go to WWW.MyChinaVisa.com. very pleased with the sevice.
buzz
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Dwayne.Dibley,
Depends where you live in the UK and when you apply for it!! If you apply during the peek weeks, it could very well take 6 weeks...
So since when have you needed an interview?? I took my nephew to Petty France passport office in London to acquire his first Passport last March, as he wanted to return with me to Cyprus for a couple of weeks, ....No interview, or any hint of an Interview, (and a new passport in his hand walking out of the building). Just wanted to know why he didn't go the postal route.
You must be a shady looking character!! ....hahaha!!!
David.....
As per http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Passports/Applicationinformation/DG_174153
Passport interviews are a new part of the application process if you are applying for a first adult passport. This means your application will take longer than in the past – you should allow six weeks. Interviews are held at offices around the country and each one takes around 30 minutes.
It has been that way for a few months now, luckily you missed it by a month (started at the end of april)
6 weeks is the standard time now, but dependant on the interview it can take anywher from 8 to 10 weeks.
You must be a shady looking character!! ....hahaha!!!
:angel:
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To get your passport renewed at the UK embassy in Beijing takes 10 days and you have to produce your original birth certificate. I've got to do mine in a few weeks.
D. wayne are you an Alabama 3 fan? :icon_cheesygrin:
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Dwayne.Dibley,
Wow!! First I've heard about that little bombshell!!
I guess this is all down to our friends from the Indian continent, There obviously doing what they have been doing in there own countries for years!! But we can't single them out for this interview crap, ...oh no!! that might upset them, so make the whole population go through this crap...
It's unreal what we put up with in the UK, seems as if we bend over backwards to please these immigrants these days. Even to the point of having these immigrants embarrass the UK by involvement in terrorist acts, and the news blurting out ''British Citizen'' .....Then they read out his or her name, ....then ALL becomes clear, there not British at all, ...but just another Pakistani/Bangladeshi etc, immigrant...with a British Passport!!!
Anyway Dwayne, perhaps your not such a shady character after all. ...haha!!
David.......
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I waited to send off for my Visa. Why? I don't know but I express mailed it this past Thursday to Visa Express in Houston. They notified me of its arrival and I should have it back this coming Friday. Plenty of time left but kind of stupid to wait so long.
I was reading over the airplane ticket requirements a little while ago and it talked about a health permit. I read a little on it and think I do not need one. Am I right?
If you cannot tell Peggy is working tonight and it leaves me with nothing to do but read and ask questions. :(
Shaun
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I waited to send off for my Visa. Why? I don't know but I express mailed it this past Thursday to Visa Express in Houston. They notified me of its arrival and I should have it back this coming Friday. Plenty of time left but kind of stupid to wait so long.
I was reading over the airplane ticket requirements a little while ago and it talked about a health permit. I read a little on it and think I do not need one. Am I right?
If you cannot tell Peggy is working tonight and it leaves me with nothing to do but read and ask questions. :(
Shaun
Unless the rules are different between Canada and the US, you shouldn't. That said, my doctor advised me of two things before my first trip... first, make sure you've had your hepatitis shots (you need to get on this soon as the first two shots need to be two weeks apart). Second is that you also consider taking dukarol (diarrea medication) before you head there...I didn't do the second one, but the hepatitis shots I got.
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Mike,
Yes I really forgot. There is so much going on here that I overlooked it. I was at work Wednesday afternoon when it hit me that I had not done it and when I got home I did it and mailed it out Thursday morning. I am guessing that I have read so much on this site that my subconscious kicked in and knew what to do. I applied for the 12 month multiple entry.
My whole focus right now is motivated by Peggy. I moved into a duplex, am still moving things. Last week I moved my store into a smaller but cornerstone place within the market where I am at. If all indications from this weekend are true it will be one of best business decisions I have made. The traffic more than tripled and sales were up. You know what they say; location - location - location. Peggy wants to work at the store with me when we can get her here. After my divorce I focused on what kind of woman I wanted for my next wife and came up with a list of qualities that were absolutes and working with me in the business was one of them. I didn't even have to tell her, she asked me if she could. That the kind of woman I want.
Mustfocus,
The hepatitis shot is a good idea. I can go in tomorrow and start it. I joked a lot about owning stock in Viagra but I think my father when he was alive must have owned stock in imodium. When I cleaned out his place I found thousands of pills. Most of them are still in date so I am good there. I will take them as a backup plan. As much noise as I made about yogurt I had better used that as my first mode of defense. I have already informed Peggy. Her comment? Hmmm... Healthy.
Shaun
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It is a shame that there isn't a smile that is dancing. (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-dance005.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)
There I feel much better now.
Well boys there is not turning back now. I got My Visa today.
12 month - multiple entry - 60 days max per entry
Now that is what I am talking about!!!!!!!! (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-dance019.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-dance018.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)
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congrats Shaun now i have a job to do
keep an eye on you and Willy lol
god i will be tired after that lol:icon_cheesygrin:
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Ted,
Since this will be my first time with Peggy I will more than likely be on good behavior. It all depends on how Peggy responds. :dodgy:
Shaun
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She will look on your favourably. She may want you to grow your beard long and wispy - no thick beards here - goatee or not.
If my wifes Hong Kong entry and exit permit arrives in time then I may be there at the same time as you.
Willy
Just remind me how many days now???????:icon_lol:
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dont forget the jerky Shaun and i will buy the dumplings :icon_cheesygrin:
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19 Willy 19
Ted it is on my list. I have been waiting for a fresh shipment. :icon_cheesygrin:
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17 days and 22 hours now lol
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:icon_cheesygrin::icon_cheesygrin: YES :icon_cheesygrin:
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Mike,
I am counting the days and not the hours. YET!!! 24 - 48 hours out I might. I've got so much to do I don't know what will happen. I've had to hire a person to help me finish. Deadlines on contracts I have.
Shaun