China Romance

General Discussion and Useful Links => Ask An Experienced Member => Topic started by: Mark_in_Canada on August 19, 2011, 03:38:21 pm

Title: Translation of supporting documents
Post by: Mark_in_Canada on August 19, 2011, 03:38:21 pm
Was wondering if anyone know's if it would be cheaper to get the translation done in China compared to home. It seems most things are
less expensive in China. Thanks, again!
Title: Re: Translation of sponsorship forms
Post by: Neil on August 19, 2011, 03:41:14 pm
200 times cheaper in China.  Probably more accurate too. 
Title: Re: Translation of sponsorship forms
Post by: Mark_in_Canada on August 19, 2011, 04:17:29 pm
Thanks Neil!!!
Title: Re: Translation of sponsorship forms
Post by: Chong on August 19, 2011, 07:34:59 pm
Your sponsorship forms don't need to be translated, unless you want your wife to read it in Chinese before answering the questions. If you're referring to supporting documents, yes, it'll probably be cheaper to translate into Chinese.

Martin and I just got it done in Toronto just to get it over and done with. The cost was included in the 'single certificate package' done by a Chinese company specializing in helping people fill out sponsorship forms.

Martin and I did our own respective sponsorship papers.
Title: Re: Translation of sponsorship supporting documents
Post by: Mark_in_Canada on August 19, 2011, 07:43:10 pm
yes, it is the supporting documents I was refering to. Chong , you must have got a good deal, did you?
Title: Re: Translation of supporting documents
Post by: Mark_in_Canada on August 19, 2011, 07:45:47 pm
it cost me $230.00 to get the single certificate in Edmonton
Title: Re: Translation of supporting documents
Post by: Rhonald on August 19, 2011, 08:30:27 pm
I will try to recall how much I paid. I believe I spent 50 dollars for a lawyer to notarize my Affidavit of Single Status. I think the cost of authenticating the signatures for both the lawyer"s signature & stamp on the affidavit, and the clerk's signature on the Divorce certificate was 10 dollars each document. I probably spent about 20 dollars mailing this to Edmonton by courier. Then at the Chinese consulate I paid 30 dollars for them to authenticate my affidavit of single status ( which ended up being an embossed hologram on the back of the document).

Eventhough the clerk said that was all I needed, as in no translation that their hologram was proof enough, once I arrived in China, the clerk at the marriage registry demanded everything to be translated. We had to hurriedly find a lawyer to get it notarized and translated into Chinese. This cost eludes me know but I would hazard a guess that I spent about 1200 RMB for it.

So in Canada I spent about 120 dollars & in China about 200 dollars.

I just checked an old pm I sent to Neil where he asked me about it. I stated that I spent about 300 dollars in China for the notarization. I believe at that time I thought the exchange rate was about 5 to 1 so that means I spent 1500 rmb for the lawyer in China.
Title: Re: Translation of supporting documents
Post by: Mark_in_Canada on August 20, 2011, 11:04:22 am
yes, I think we will get the translations and certified copies done in China. I also have two medicals that need to be done, around $1500 RMB each.
Title: Re: Translation of supporting documents
Post by: Willy The Londoner on August 23, 2011, 07:12:11 am
Why the medicals. They are no longer needed for marriage here. 

Willy
Title: Re: Translation of supporting documents
Post by: Mark_in_Canada on August 23, 2011, 07:24:45 am
Hi Willy. These are for immigration purposes. These are still required.
Title: Re: Translation of supporting documents
Post by: Willy The Londoner on August 23, 2011, 09:11:29 am
Boy - you are in a rush.  Why not wait until you actually marry before you go to all this expense.  You cannot be sure that you will connect when you meet for first time.  Or is she pressurising you to get her to Canada?

The money could be used for Plan B.  I take it there is a plan B?

Willy
Title: Re: Translation of supporting documents
Post by: Jason B on August 23, 2011, 09:51:51 pm
The only documents requiring translation were the Single certificate - prior to marriage.
For the visa applicaton - wedding certificate, her police report, birth certificate.  And maybe for others but not an issue for us prior marriage certificate and divorce/death certificate.  Others may be able to verify.

Unless you are trying to budget it all up now so you have an idea of the final costing involved for the whole saga, I would be more inclined to wait and get documents translated when/if required by your wife/gf in China, yes more cheaper and can get notarised in the same building.  Your girl will know where to go for all the required translations.

Also on the medicals (this is the Australian case maybe Canada is the same or different do not know) but the embassy/consulate will tell her when they want her to go for the medicals not before hand otherwise as Mike said they will expire before being of any use.  Also the form that Xia was given had the questions in Chinese and English and no translation was required.  This form was given to her when we put the papers in for her visa application. 
Title: Re: Translation of supporting documents
Post by: Mark_in_Canada on August 24, 2011, 12:56:43 am
Thanks for your concern Willy, actually there is no plan B. I cannot think of one reason we will not marry. We are both very confident that we are meant  to be together. I don't believe I am being naive, there is always a possibility we won't connect, but I think it is a small one.
There is absolutely no pressure from her asking to come to Canada. In fact she has said, it dosen't matter where we live as long as we are together.
She has a very nice apartment in China. Only 26 days now...
Title: Re: Translation of supporting documents
Post by: Mark_in_Canada on August 24, 2011, 01:00:22 am
Regarding the medicals, it seems like they are valid for one year. Hopefully it wont take that long to get the visa. Seems like the processing time
is about 6 months right now. It seems like all the visa come out of Beijing, is that correct?
Thanks!
Title: Re: Translation of supporting documents
Post by: john1964 on August 24, 2011, 01:53:32 am
Hi Mark, Yes the medicals do have and expiry date of around 12 months as i was told from my case officer in Shanghai, As for the visa coming from Beijing it all depends where your lady lives, My wife lives in Handan which is quite close to Beijing but her visa is being handled in Shanghai which is about three times the distance from from her home as compared to Beijing. Regards from John.
Title: Re: Translation of supporting documents
Post by: Rhonald on August 24, 2011, 08:16:33 am
It seems like all the visa come out of Beijing, is that correct?
Thanks!

Mark it depends where her household registry is from. I have attached an image that shows the area of responsibility for Hong Kong. I hope she does not need to be processed from there as the average time for Hong Kong is now 19 months.
Title: Re: Translation of supporting documents
Post by: Mark_in_Canada on August 24, 2011, 11:10:43 am
she lives in Hangzhou. When I look on the Canadian immigration website, it looks like they are all processed out of Beijing.
Title: Re: Translation of supporting documents
Post by: Chong on August 24, 2011, 06:26:13 pm
it cost me $230.00 to get the single certificate in Edmonton

It cost about the same here in Ontario but including a Chinese translation.

Lucky, you're going out of Beijing instead of Hong Kong. In my case, our HK application only took 6 months to process largely because I lived with my wife in China during the application process. Plus, I mailed them lots of photos every month. They were probably sick of seeing my mail ... LOL.

Regarding her medical, I would do it only after you two complete your application form. Getting all her hukou, police certificate etc etc takes time.

All The Best but don't rush into marriage. Make sure there's a chemistry bond, something you can't determine over the Internet or letters.
Title: Re: Translation of supporting documents
Post by: Mark_in_Canada on August 24, 2011, 10:43:45 pm
Wow, only 6 months, that was great. Regarding the medical, it states in the document check list that I need to include the reciept
to show the medical was completed. According to what is said in the guide, if all documents are not included it would be returned.
I have all the documents completed awaiting signature from her. I agree about the chemistry part, it has to be there.
I guess I won't know 100% until I go. I hope it is there, because everything else is very good.
Thanks again!
Title: Re: Translation of supporting documents
Post by: Willy The Londoner on August 24, 2011, 11:44:30 pm
Got to hand it to you Mark - you are one optimistic Guy.

Willy
Title: Re: Translation of supporting documents
Post by: Martin on August 25, 2011, 10:41:04 am
I dealt with the Beijing Embassy.  It is much quicker than Hong Kong.  But like others said, I would caution you about doing the medical too early, since it is a dated document.  Also, something for you to think about...how do you think it will look to CIC if you get married one day, and submit your application the next day?  I know how it would appear to me...but that is just my opinion...not based on anything at all.

Good luck, you are determined.  I hope everything works out for you.
Title: Re: Translation of supporting documents
Post by: Neil on August 25, 2011, 03:28:27 pm
my wife did her medical first - as I read the checklist, they wanted it done first.  If they will require a new medical, we'll get it done again. 
Title: Re: Translation of supporting documents
Post by: Chong on August 25, 2011, 06:00:30 pm
  Also, something for you to think about...how do you think it will look to CIC if you get married one day, and submit your application the next day?  I know how it would appear to me...but that is just my opinion...not based on anything at all.

Good luck, you are determined.  I hope everything works out for you.

There's a question in the application stating how long you dated for ( your courtship ) ... I would wait till you come back to Canada B4 mailing your application. Also, it would give you more time to make sure this relationship is true to your heart and hers.
Title: Re: Translation of supporting documents
Post by: Mark_in_Canada on August 25, 2011, 10:12:45 pm
Thanks guys!!! Yes, I won't mail the sponsorship package until I come back from China. I just wanted to start early to see what
I was up against.  I will get the medicals done after the trip.
I do have a question regarding the police clearance. According to what I read, they are valid for 3 months. Did anyone have to redo the
police clearance while waiting for the visa?
Thanks again!!!
Title: Re: Translation of supporting documents
Post by: Willy The Londoner on August 25, 2011, 10:43:36 pm
Also, something for you to think about...how do you think it will look to CIC if you get married one day, and submit your application the next day?  I know how it would appear to me...but that is just my opinion...not based on anything at all.

Good luck, you are determined.  I hope everything works out for you.
You make an exellent point here Martin.  Even applying three weeks after marriage - ( and I may add about a month after your FIRST meeting) this will raise eyebrows in any immigration department!

As I said early you are a determined optimist so I wish you well . If things work out you will never regret it.

I expect you have read the postings at

'Information needed from anyone in Quebec who went to China to get married" 

Keep us informed they are not all eternal pessimists on here like me.

Willy

Title: Re: Translation of supporting documents
Post by: Mark_in_Canada on August 25, 2011, 11:23:26 pm
Hi Willy, I hope they will think, this guy really wants to be with his wife soon as possible, and that would be the truth.
I am from Alberta, not Quebec. So that would not apply to me. There are different requirements for people in Quebec.
I don't think you are pessemistic, just concerned. Yes I will keep you updated. She has already bought me some new shirts and
shorts for my arrival.
Title: Re: Translation of supporting documents
Post by: Martin on August 25, 2011, 11:23:43 pm
If I remember right, the police clearance is dated, but once submitted to the CPC, is accepted, and doesn't need to be re-done.  I might be wrong though.  Also, isn't the Police Clearance good for 6 months?
Title: Re: Translation of supporting documents
Post by: Mark_in_Canada on August 25, 2011, 11:34:44 pm
here is the info on police clearance

The certificate must have been issued no more than three months prior to submitting your application. If the original certificate is neither in English nor in French, submit both; the certificate and the original copy of a translation prepared by an accredited translator.

Title: Re: Translation of supporting documents
Post by: Martin on August 25, 2011, 11:36:09 pm
Right...so once submitted, it should be good...and by submitting, I mean, sent in to the Case Processing Centre.
Title: Re: Translation of supporting documents
Post by: Willy The Londoner on August 26, 2011, 01:51:38 am
She has already bought me some new shirts and
shorts for my arrival.
Lets hope they will fit! Chinese XL is like a medium for me. Have to go to specialist shops. And even the new slim line Willy cannot slip into an XL.

Willy
Title: Re: Translation of supporting documents
Post by: Mark_in_Canada on August 26, 2011, 07:37:08 am
Hi Willy, yes I 'm not sure they will fit, but she sure looked cute when demo them for me on QQ chat....haha