[lynnellen]

We got our log-in date today... it's March 2nd! Counting six months out, and then figuring when we will travel, it looks like it could be October. What does this mean as far as that being a "busy season" because of other events happening in Guangzhou at that same time? Will our travel dates be pushed back, or will we be paying higher prices for hotel, in-country travel, etc.?

[pvnew]

I was in the Yahoo adoption and understand the last two weeks in China may be expensive due to trade shows.

PAtty

OUr DTC is 2/25 with LID of 3/17. We'll likely travel in October too. We read that September is also a high season for travel and can be expensive. There is the national Holiday October 1 and of course the Trade show. I've ready varying reports that contradict one another, that the normal room price doubles in October and another report that it didn't change at all. The danger of forums (and i've been reading a lot of them) is they're quite often based on rumor and sometimes extreme experience - but not always fact or average experience. I'm anxious to find out myself about cost - but at this stage, it won't really make a difference.
it's interesting to read everyone's take on things though, i will admit.

[seahawkgrad]

I agree with good2know about the rumor mill and extreme. However, I did present this to my agency and I was told they try not to send families during that time because of the increased travel expenses. Many of the boards I've read have had similar responses from other folks from other agencies.

My agency did tell me, however, that you can travel up to 90 days (I believe that's right - don't quote me). DH is a reservist in Iraq and we had a concern about him being home and they told me I could travel with another group if he wasn't home when our group went and I didn't want to go without him.


Susan

[CHG]

I sure hope the six month referral time will continue to be the norm. I spoke to my agency a few days ago and the director said that she didn't know if ours would come in six months now or not because there has been a big influx of folks choosing China now instead of Russia due to the referral problems they are experiencing there now. Hopefully, the Chinese officials will hire more staff for the increased work load.

Good luck.
Cynthia

[Sean&Shan]

Ditto... our agency is now experiencing record high applictions/ dossiers for China and I do think it is slowing things down a bit.