We got the phone call from Holt before dinner.
Our LOA from China has arrived!!!!!!!!
This is the final approval from China to adopt Lia. We’re one step closer!!!!!!!
I'm so happy we've waited so long for this day! Our I800 is prefilled out and ready to go so yes tomorrow I'll be stalking the FedEx guy!!
Please pray for us! Maybe Christmas is still a possibility!
The next few steps as I understand them are:
We have to file an I-800 with U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service. This is in order to get permission to classify Lia as an immediate relative. Approval should come within two to three weeks.
Our I-800 will be sent to the NVC (National Visa Center), who will then send us their approval. This will take about one-two weeks.
Our approved I-800 and NVC letter go back to the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou and ou we can adopt this particular child and that all Hague (international adoption) requirements are met.
After the China Center for Adoption Affairs (CCAA) receives our Article 5, we can get Travel Approval. I believe we have to go to the Chinese Consulate in Chicago to get our visas.
Our Consulate appointment will be arranged. Our travel dates will be dependent on that appointment. It will be approximately 10 days after we arrive in China (and 2 or 3 days before we leave to come home).
I think our estimate of December or January, with early January being more probable, is now pretty firm.
HOORAH - I'm thinking late December is a real possibility for you guys! Ya know - we were in China between Thanksgiving and Christmas during our 2nd trip - and we loved it! OK - they don't 'get' a thanksgiving dinner - but they really tried! And I loved Chinese Christmas songs - the words didn't fit exactly - but they were still fun!
ReplyDeleteSo excited for you guys - hugs - aus and co.
Congratulations! I am thinking December could and may be a real possibility. I will be praying for a speedy TA
ReplyDeleteMandi