In-Laws Coming for Visit

[Capstone]

I just found out that my wife's parents passed their visa interviews for their B-2 visas. They were boarding their plane in Guangzhou to go back to Xiamen when my wife called and didn't have time to say much so I don't know what types or how many questions they were asked during the interview.

We had to jump through a few more hoops for their visas than we did for my sister-in-law's visa. Since they are retired the Guangzhou Consulate 'strongly recommended' (which means they required) that I submit an I-134 and supporting financial information for them just like I did with my wife (then fiancée). I was pretty confident that they would receive their visas since they had ample proof showing strong ties to China (ownership of several apartments, a sizable bank balance, retirement pay and  2 sons & 2 grandsons living in Xiamen) but was still a little worried none the less.

This is great news to me because it means that they will get to be here when my wife gives birth in late February - my wife will greatly appreciate that as will I.

[Jeff S]

Great news, Cap. I'm sure your sweetie will appreciate having mom around when the baby comes.

[Capstone]

Great news, Cap. I'm sure your sweetie will appreciate having mom around when the baby comes.

Thanks Jeff. Yes my wife and I will be very appreciative that her parents will be around during that time. The Chinese believe that you must eat & drink very specific dishes during the month following giving birth, so it will be really nice for her parents to be able to lend a hand in that respect. I have become a pretty good hand at preparing Chinese dishes but even my wife admits that many of those dishes which she will need to eat after giving birth are real oddities. 

[jm21-2]

That's great. We are not having a wedding so to speak but thinking it might be a good idea for her mom to fly out for a week or so, meet my family, and so on. Kind of worried she would have trouble since she can't speak English though.

[Capstone]

That's great. We are not having a wedding so to speak but thinking it might be a good idea for her mom to fly out for a week or so, meet my family, and so on. Kind of worried she would have trouble since she can't speak English though.

My in-laws do not speak English either, so I am going to put them on a flight in which their POE into the US is also their final destination (Atlanta). Since there are no longer any direct flights from China to Atlanta, I am going to route them through Tokyo, probably Hong Kong-Tokyo-Atlanta.

[Bob_S]

This is great news to me because it means that they will get to be here when my wife gives birth in late February - my wife will greatly appreciate that as will I.

That's awesome to have her mom around during this difficult time.  Hopefully they'll arrive early enough to get adjusted to the time difference and learn the lay of the land (how to work the appliances!) so they aren't scrambling around figuring things out while your wife is laid up in recovery.

Oh, and before they get here, to avoid screaming arguments later, you might want to get in agreement with your better half for the ground rules for the delivery room.  The rooms are small, barely room for you, the doctor, and a nurse.  MAYBE room for the MiL.  You don't want any other female family members (your mother, sister, her sister, cousin, 3rd cousin, whoever) getting pouty and throwing hissy fits because they wanted to be there to share this special moment with your wife.  Hashing it out at the door of the delivery room will just create bad blood.  Just a word to the wise.

[Capstone]

My in-laws are back home now and my wife just got off the phone with them. They said that their interview was very easy. Although to me it was a bit weird because they asked them as many questions about my wife and I as they did about themselves. Here is what they were asked and their answers:

1. Why do you want to visit the US? To visit our daughter and her husband and to help them out whenever their baby is born in February.

2. How long do you plan to stay? We will go in February and stay 2-3 months - we need to return to China before the summer break starts because we will need to keep our grandsons in Xiamen during that time.

3. How did your daughter and her husband meet? They originally met online and then my son in law came to China to visit 4 times before they were married.

4. When did your daughter move to the US? July 2009

5. What company does your son-in-law work for? My mother-in-law gave the VO one of my business cards

6. How many family members do you have that live in China? My Mother in law had made a small photo album of family photos which she showed to the VO and briefly explained who the various people in them were.

The VO then asked to see the I-134 which I had filled out for them - she briefly scanned over it and then returned it to my in laws at which time she said - "No problem - you get the visa".

[Capstone]

Oh, and before they get here, to avoid screaming arguments later, you might want to get in agreement with your better half for the ground rules for the delivery room.  The rooms are small, barely room for you, the doctor, and a nurse.  MAYBE room for the MiL.  You don't want any other female family members (your mother, sister, her sister, cousin, 3rd cousin, whoever) getting pouty and throwing hissy fits because they wanted to be there to share this special moment with your wife.  Hashing it out at the door of the delivery room will just create bad blood.  Just a word to the wise.

That sounds like some sage advice Bob - thanks!

[Jeff S]

I dunno where your live, but around here you can hear almost as much Mandarin as you do Spanish - there are huge supermarkets, bookstores, radio, TV, newspapers, whatever. You might see about getting a newspaper deliverey, and cable TV channel subscription temporarily for them when they're here.

[Capstone]

I dunno where your live, but around here you can hear almost as much Mandarin as you do Spanish - there are huge supermarkets, bookstores, radio, TV, newspapers, whatever. You might see about getting a newspaper deliverey, and cable TV channel subscription temporarily for them when they're here.

I live in Eastern Alabama, about 80 miles from Atlanta which has a ton of Chinese supermarkets, bookstores, etc. We go into Atlanta every other weekend to shop but I guess that we may have to make that a weekly trip when her parents are here.

We have Dish Network and already subscribe to a Chinese programming package which includes 18 channels in Putonghua (Mandarin) and Taiwanese (a Min Nan Dialect which they also speak), so I am hoping that will help to keep them entertained somewhat.

[Dave H]

Great news, Cap. I'm sure your sweetie will appreciate having mom around when the baby comes.

Great timing! Your wife will be very happy! My wife's sister was in the US for the birth of our daughter, which very nice!

Dave