The end of last week was quite a whirlwind in our adoption paperwork process. Our visa application was logged in to the National Visa Center, assigned a case number, and cabled off to the CCCWA (Chinese offices for adoption processing) IN.ONE.DAY. All on Wednesday, March 6th.
We were still breathless from the excitement and trying to wrap our brains around what our timeline could now look like, when our agency contacted us on Thursday to say that our Article 5 (the packet of paperwork for all that visa stuff and stuff meant to trigger the travel planning process) had been dropped off already by their in-country contact in Guangzhou. WOW.
So you can imagine our surprise and delight and utter terror when I say that our Article 5 HAS BEEN APPROVED!!! And is ready for pick up by our in-country contact for movement on to the Travel Approval stage of the paperchase. (Click on the highlighted link in that sentence above for an explanation of the process called Article 5.)
WHAT?! Whaaaa?
Yes. What is supposed to take a "standard" two weeks has been graciously expedited. To TWO.BUSINESS.DAYS.
OMIGOSH.
We KNOW that the Lord has intervened to show Himself strong. He has brought many kind and wonderful folks to come alongside us, not the least of which has been our Congressman's assistant. She's been so diligent and persistent and is almost as excited as we are about this whole trip.
But yeah. So now, I gotta get packing. And list-making. And cooking. And list-checking.
Current travel approvals are running as quickly as 7-10 days. Departure is usually about 2 weeks after that. The agency is working on it today (see step 12 below on the handy-dandy visual!). Like, now, today.
Gaaaaaahhhhhh. We're going to CHINA, baby!!!!
4 comments:
Yay, God!
Guess He's wanting you there sooner than later! How exciting!
Praying as the remaining details come together, as you get your TA, etc. that you continue to see His hand in each aspect of the process!
WOW!!!! I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can they let you travel any faster than two weeks after TA? Some agencies can do it in one.
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HOORAH - three weeks (give or take) to travel day - wow!!
Oh - and you've been promoted to "next traveler" - just.so.you.know.!!
Now quit typing - pack - and go get the scale to start the unpack/repack thing!!! ;)
Couldn't be any happier for y'all -
hugs and prayers - aus and co.
I LOVE your flow chart!!!! Very helpful to visualize and follow the process!
Congrats on your Article 5! We are now done with step 9 and awaiting 10. :)
Hmm, I just realized I could use the terms cabled and Article 5 and all those things in the flow chart, because I can never remember exactly what each means.
Again, congratulations!
Heather H.
Post a Comment