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Q: Traveling abroad with your War Bride... what visa issues will you run into?

So my wife isn't a U.S. Citizen yet. She has her green card, but that's it. Since we didn't really get a chance to go on a honeymoon (outside of China, that is), I want to know what kind of issues we'll run into if I want to take her to Italy, Dubai, Poland or whatever. 

 

Anyone have experience with this? Thanks!

10 years 39 weeks ago in  Transport & Travel - China

 
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We just applied for a EU/Schengen visa for my war bride. As we are married we have to apply for family visit visa rather than a tourist visa. Different rules would apply for you two as you do not have a EU passport. There should be no difference if you apply for a visa for your wife from China or from the US, although I would guess that having a US greencard would only be a positive. The rules are the same for all Schengen countries, but the level of screwing you over with requests for documentation may differ. We have just had to go through a fun process. Step 1. Visa office requires a document from the local notary office to prove the validity of our Chinese marriage papers. Step 2. Notary office declines to issue a document as I have gotten a new passport since we got married. Step 3. Consulate issues a document saying the two passport numbers belong to the same person, document is issue. All other documentation we have provided with the visa application are just dodgy photocopies etc. Not sure why the local employees at the visa office where so querulous about marriage certificates. 

Most Chinese nationals that are declined a visa is because they have falsified information rather than not fulfilling the requirements. 

 

If you already now plan to go to some EU countries you could theoretically go to the local Consulate/Embassy and apply, but I cannot imagine it would not be easier to do from the US. 

Scandinavian:

you would of course need tourist visas, essentially you need to provide proof that you can support yourselves during your stay (in the form of pays lips for past 3 months or documenting you have money in the bank) It's about 3-400RMB per day per person + cost of accommodation. And then you need a travel insurance covering medical costs/hospitalization/home transport for up to €30000 .

10 years 39 weeks ago
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Hulk:

We get travel insurance up to $50,000 USD with most airlines. Does... does that count?


Sure seems like a damn hassle, though... that's a lot of work just to travel, but she should get her U.S. passport within a few years... I hope.

 

EDIT: Thanks for the heads up on the passport thing. I want to get a new passport soon since I'm over 100lbs heavier in the current one. I've ran into a few issues at the airport with that...

10 years 39 weeks ago
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Amonk:

Hawaii, Disneyworld/Florida, Colonial Williamsberg and D.C., Grand Canyon and Las Vegas... I wonder if you couldn't have a decent honeymoon in the US- show her how cool her new country is and all.

10 years 39 weeks ago
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Hulk:

Hawaii is indeed a good idea... hmm. I hadn't thought of that, honestly. Same with Disney World.

 

I guess I was merely thinking of places I'd  like to go and show her... but yeah, Disneyworld would be dirt cheap...

10 years 39 weeks ago
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Scandinavian:

Regarding travel insurance. This time we are just relying on the fact that my credit card company has travel insurance when purchasing the tickets using the card.  I would think the default insurance you get will work (it's just a checkmark when you book tickets right?) You will need to prove to the visa office that the insurance is in place and that it covers at least the required amount. I had my bank send me a pdf with the policy number and some text saying that Mr. Scandinavian and his spouse have unlimited medical and accident insurance coverage. Maybe the emails sent when booking will indicate you have insurance. 

Be aware that the visa office recommends just reserving air tickets when applying for visa. Most cancelation insurances will not cover if you need to cancel your ticket because of "visa failure". 

 

Regarding passports. I think the change of passport numbers are only an issue for the Chinese authorities. In the normal world it is not a problem. But technically your Chinese marriage certificate will be void. Make sure to have the passport people let you keep you old passport. My phone subscription, medical insurance etc is tied to my old passport number.

 

 

@Amok: Italy beats any place in the US. Amazing nature, AMAZING food, old crap from the Roman Empire, modern architecture, the Vatican, Venice. When you compare US to Italy, US is like China, just anther copy of the Italian originals. 
Don't get me wrong, I am completely in understanding that the US can easily provide lots of places to spend a honeymoon. Puerto Rico is on the list of most wonderful places I have visited in the world. 

10 years 39 weeks ago
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Hulk:

I've heard a lot of good things about Puerto Rico too...

10 years 39 weeks ago
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Scandinavian:

San Juan on Puerto Rico has it all. It has a small town feel, it has old buildings, new buildings, relatively cheap hotels in the good end, the birthplace of the Mojito (or a bar that claims to be, never mind the accuracy of the claim, their Mojitos are undeniably delightful. It is pretty easy to leave the city and go to the jungle. The only negative memory I have from 10 days on Puerto Rico is the last day spent on a segway tour of the old part of San Juan. Forgot sunscreen, man that sucked being in the afternoon sun with my light norther skin. It kept sucking for several days. But I did get to see a person have a funny segway accident. 

10 years 39 weeks ago
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