You will never get your wife into the US on a tourist visa. I went to the consulate in Chengdu and was politely told that, Yes, I could apply (and pay the fee) but the whole time the official was shaking her head to tell me no. I showed her my wifes' house deeds and business and bank documents and told her that we would be leaving our son in China and she politely looked at them and told me that she couldn't tell me "no" but still kept shaking her head to indicate that it wouldn't happen. I was a little surprised and upon returning to the states checked with a lawyer who said that no, my wife wouldn't be granted a tourist visa-ever! Whatever documents I could provide,it just wasn't going to happen. The reason given was "Why would she ever want to go back?"He said that we would never be able to provide enough "proof" to the consule official who has sole discretion over the decision. Our only option, he explained, was to go for an immigrant visa. We did the paperwork ourselves and after a few thousand dollars and a few years of waiting we finally got green cards for my wife and son. The time frame was the same as if I had paid a lawyer $5000-$8000 to get them here. When we went to Guangzhou for the immigration interview, we did find a few people who had managed to get their wives some sort of business visa but they then were having all kinds of trouble getting an immigration visa.We found that the most of the interviewing officials in Guangzhou were not fluent in Chinese and were using interpreters. The interpreters were incredibly rude to the potential Chinese immigrants, asking the immigrant applicants questions in a manner that was different from the way it was asked in english and then then giving the answer back to the official in a way that was different than was said in chinese. We were lucky and got a relatively new official who wasn't "burnt out" yet and who was fluent in chinese and both my wife and son could speak enough english to answer his questions in both english and chinese. As an American, I could not be present for the interview, but my wife said she saw very few of the hundreds of applicants getting approved. She also said the American officials were very rude for the most part. For some of these people, this was their second and third try at getting a visa. Some had been married for 5 or more years. Most of their failures were due to the fact they could not speak adequate english, did not know very much about their spouse, their spouses' family and details about their spouses' life in the US. My advice would be to take the immigrant route, take lots of photos with friends and family and make sure that your wife can recite your address in the states, street,city and state, explain what your occupation is,can list most of your immediate relatives and pick them out of photos and PRACTICE YOUR ENGLISH!

Good luck!

lil farmer - sent you a PM with Phils' contact details.

I don't think it's that hard to do. We do a family of 3 on 5000 RMB/month. Our life is not lacking in any way . 5000 RMB covers our gym passes(2 people) and classes(3 people/4 days a week) that we take. We eat out 4-5 times/week,sometimes more. Not noodles or rice but chicken,beef,pizza,etc. The food we eat at home is excellent,but definitely local in flavorand pretty healthy. We shop primarily in the markets not Metro or Carrefour. We take our vitamins and we take the bus. Granted, I have not included flights out of the country but most of your jobs pay for this anyway,nor have I included travel and vacations. We own our house, so we have no rent,but housing,too is included in many of your contracts.Utilities and Internet are ours. Like I said, I don't think it's that hard to do.It's really just a matter of lifestyle and needs/wants.

1.1.1.33 When pedestrians are crossing a crosswalk, the motorized vehicle should _________.

A. Stop and yield
B. Bypass
C. Honk continuously and pass
D. Speed up in advance and pass
Answer: A

I was actually surprised by this answer in the drivers manual. I have been assured by numerous Chinese people(with drivers licenses) that the motor vehicle has the right of way is this situation.

Just as I was equally surprised by this:

1.1.1.38 When the police car, fire engine, ambulance and wrecker are executing an emergency task, other vehicles _____________________.
A. May speed up and join them
B. May overtake with care
C. May yield depending on circumstances
D. Should yield
Answer: D

Living quite near a hospital with ambulances passing by all the time,I've yet to see a vehicle yield to an emergency vehicle with lights flashing and siren blaring.Yes, I was assured by these same drivers that cars do not have to yield to emergency vehicles. They do tend to yield to Party Officials in cars and buses with flashing lights,though.

Please post your experience, if you get a chance. Entry point, were the officials civil at Customs,etc. I'd really love to hear. I've never been hassled too bad personally, outside of some questions that I felt were really none of their business as a U.S. born American citizen, but I've seen others singled out for "special" treatment when they peeked the inspectors interest. Anybody else have experiences with US Customs that they would like to share?