Nail biting… lots of nail biting going on.
First, thanks for the nice comments on my last post. And thanks for not calling us crazy.
As I am finding out, the China process is much different than the Russian process. Same “bones” but many different details. We still have to do home study and dossier, but the requirements are different. The dossier is MUCH smaller, but the authentication process is quite different (and more expensive).
China is a Hague Convention country. What this means is that all your i’s have to be dotted and t’s have to be crossed the same exact way both in China and the US. It actually means a whole heck of a lot more, but that’s about as complex as my brain can get. Comparing it to Russia (which I have a feeling I’ll be doing quite often), it’s actually kind of nice because there is a standard for everything. I remember doing my first dossier with my 1st agency and I think I had 26 documents. We switched to our 2nd agency and had 12. No rhyme, no reason.
So where are we with i dotting and t crossing? Well, our home study is being reviewed by our placing agency. As soon as it is approved, we will be sending it off to USCIS along with our I-800A application. Here’s the problem and thus the nail biting. China has some new rules that are coming into effect on October 1st. One of those rules is that your home study MUST be written by a Hague approved/accredited agency. Guess what? Yep. Our home study agency is NOT Hague approved/accredited. If our dossier is NOT logged in by October 1st, we have the great pleasure of having a brand new home study done. Awesome, right?
So, here is the timeline that needs to occur in the perfect world that exists in my head:
- By Thursday, June 30th – overnight i-800A and home study to USCIS
- July 1st – September 1st – USCIS reviews and approves (and we get our fingerprints done). Problem: USCIS was taking approximately 60 days to approve, but now it appears to be closer to 70 something. Note to self: adjust perfect world scenario.
- July 1s – September 1st – Complete dossier and all authentication.
- September something – overnight USCIS approval for authentication
- September something – overnight completed dossier to agency
- September 15th-ish – dossier is sent to china
- Before October 1st – dossier is logged in to China.
Anyone see any issues with this plan?!?!?! Oh yeah, I don’t have a single day wiggle room. If USCIS requests additional info, that will add time. If our officer goes on vacation, that will add time. I think my plan is to start compiling the documents needed for a 2nd home study just in case it is needed.
On a happier note, I did find out that we can post pics AND we can send a care package to our newest little cutie! Want to see the picture that we fell in love with? Our own little Rockstar! He’s much smaller in this picture than the latest ones we have, but I love that mischievous smile… so contagious!
Toodles!
Becky
10 comments:
What a sweet little face! How precious! It's wonderful that you can send him a care package. I hope your process goes VERY smoothly and easily.
Love the rockstar photo! I have a feeling your house is going be a (delightfully) wild place with this little guy and Andrew running around together. Will keep your family in our prayers as you sprint for October 1 (you can do it!). I saw the reference to his heart condition under the photo, and will especially be praying for his health.
I knew it was him!!!!!!!! He is so stinkin cute and spunky! What a perfect match for his big brother :)
If you are zoned for the Chinese consulate in Houston I will walk them in for you.That would shave off a bit of time . Also when you get your fingerprinting appointment try to walk in and get it done early. We did that and it was fine. We then called my officer and USCIS and let her know that they were done and got approval the same day. Then I asked her to email a copy of the approval to me. We had all of that done in 1 day!!!!
This process is so different then Russia but the worst part is looking at that sweet photo and having to wait! Nail biting but so worth every second!Try to google his orphanage you might be surprised with some photos of him!!!
Congrats again,
Nicole
My hubby is driving to pick up our home study right now. I800a goes out the door about an hour after he gets home!
Good luck get yours soon!!
BECKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am SO HAPPY FOR YOUR ALL!!!! Wow! this is exciting.
Rockstar is amazing and will be an incredible little brother.
Wow, wow, wow!
Ok...just wait until 6 is your number...hahahaha...hey, it happens! trust me ;) I know from experience! lol
I hope he likes nerf launchers too!! Won't that be fun!!!
I would def. try to talk to the USCIS officer and if you can't get anywhere try your representative for Congress - that's how we finally got movement. It won't hurt!
And BTW - I like your "perfect world"!!
I'll say it again, CONGRATS! What a cutie little rock star!
Ahh yes, the process of comparing! It can't be helped, I still do it with my 2 boys.
Of course, with your last post, I followed the link and looked through your friends blog and the kids she posted about, and I wondered if it was him! Becky, he just takes my breath away! What a cutie-patootie!! I can't wait to see him with Andrew! Brotherhood just grew by 1 in your house!
Praying for God-speed in every detail!!
Does he have a name yet? ;o)
He is adorable! Congrats! He is going to fit right in with Andrew. I compared the process with our boys and they are both from Russia and only adopted less than 2 years apart.
Best wishes to you and your family. I am so very happy for you!
Myra
eek! He is SO cute! What a cute grin he has!! Hope everything goes according to your schedule!
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