Article 5 (A5) It's better than steak sauce

We are still playing the waiting game. What else is new? I've had a lot of people ask me, "so what happens now?"  Here is your answer:

After you have received your I-800 Approval and have been cabled (and received your NVC letter), it's time for your Article 5 letter to be carried to the U.S. Embassy. This is a step that you don't really need to do anything, but it is helpful to know what is going on.

Once you have emailed your NVC letter to your agency, they will forward it to their in-China representative.

The in-China rep will take the NVC letter to the US Embassy in Guangzhou along with your DS-230 application and Parental LOA. The US Embassy only allows representatives to drop off the paperwork on certain days.

The consulate needs to review your new child's visa application (the DS-230), make sure it meets the qualifications for an immigrant visa, and then signs off that everything is in order for the adoption to be completed. This is called the Article 5 letter. My article 5 will be picked up on September 18th. You cannot obtain custody of your child until the Article 5 letter is issued!

The consulate takes a standard two weeks to complete this process. If your paperwork is dropped off on a Monday, it will be picked up from the consulate by your agency rep two Mondays later.

Once it's picked up from the consulate, it will be delivered directly to the CCCWA for Travel Approval!

Don't worry... we're almost there! We will soon be able to eat at the dining room table again.