yup, op didn't read tigers post properly either.

Ive taken my wife 2 times to Europe. I got the visa from Germany, which in hindsight is not easy. However in my case I had a invite letter from a German citizen. They even had to send their passport to the visa office!

We stayed 6 weeks and the visa was EXACTLY for the dates we arrive and leave. Not a single hour of leeway. They are very hardass with their visa stuff.

Next time we go I think much easier as my wife now has a US green card. This should give her the same as me...VOA.

bucko; Thanks for the info. I will take it under advisement.

@Dazzer. Your right. I missed his last line where he says it's first hand.

bucko, how was the green card process? what do you estimate time, and cost was? ive heard some horror stories from people that got married in china vs getting a tourist visa and getting married in home country.

@laofengzi: All I can provide is secondhand information, but I've seen a lot of it.

Basically, when applying in China, there are two routes.

The first assumes that the American spouse is based in the states. These applications are sent back home to the relevant organs, where they want to look at the spouse's salary and general good standing. These can take many months, sometimes a year or two, and if the spouse isn't currently holding a steady job in the states, can be very difficult.

The second route is specifically for couples where both spouses are currently based in China. These applications are handled by the Guangzhou Consulate. A lot of the same information is needed, but the American spouse doesn't have to currently hold a job in the states (a decent amount of savings/holdings is probably a good idea though). These applications are handled much more quickly.

You can, of course, have the Chinese spouse enter the states on a tourist visa and petition to remain in the states. I don't know much about that process. It's technically legal, but probably a pain in the ass, and doesn't make it any easier for other people in similar straits who just want to get a tourist visa.

I did the second route Xiefei describes. Almost 2 years to get it done! Not to mention the $4000 + in costs.
The catch 22 stems from you (sponser) and income. US immigration requires you prove your ability to support her. This REQUIRES you are working in the USA! Money in your bank has little to do with it. So in my case, retired, I could not qualify on the financials, even with $$ in a US Bank. I had to find a US sponsor that was employed in the USA (and paying taxes), and agrees to be responsible for her!
Also she will have to enter the USA every 6 months to keep her green card status.
In my case she got a 10 yr green card because of the length of our marriage. Normally you get a 2 yr conditional green card the first time.
If you marry in CHina 1st, be sure you inform the embassy and have them send you a notice that the USA reconizes your marriage as legal. I forget the form used, but this is very important. I also have been filing joint tax returns for the past 7 years and my tax records were beneficial to the process.

@bucko:

You said, "This REQUIRES you are working in the USA!"

That sounds to me like the first route, not the second route. The second route is specifically for people currently living abroad with their spouses, so it's assumed you're not working in the USA.

I think the problem was that you are retired, not that you weren't working in the USA.

Also, I'm not sure what form you're talking about. The federal government does not have the power to recognize marriages. That is a power reserved for the states. They explicitly avoid recognizing (or negating) marriage licenses issued by states or foreign countries.