[babystork]

Hello everyone,

I am currently with the Vietnam program which is not going well. I am thinking of starting a second adoption from China either way if Vietnam fails or not.

Can anyone give me some insight if you would recommend waiting until things settle down with the long waiting periods, or start now and expect to wait a few years?

Or would you recommend China at all? It seems like every country has major issues at the moment.

thanks

[lnaughto]

IMO, you should probably go ahead and start the process for China since it will take a while for the backlog of LID's to clear...

BTW, I'm curious as to what the issues are with the Vietnam program? We were thinking of Vietnam for a possible 2nd adoption in a few years.

Thanx,
Lee

[specialk4b]

Here is a statement by the US Deparment of State on concerns regarding International Adoption from Vietnam. VIETNAM INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTION CONCERNS

babystork, if you can stomach the wait and won't be made anxious by speculations, then you might want to start a China adoption now, with the goal to finalize in 3 years or so.

[amyfk]

We finished our adoption over a year ago. I am still active on these boards. I really feel for the PAPs. It seems like in the past year, most of the big "sending countries" have had issues. There are many good families who want to be parents, but dont know where to turn. I wish everyone the best.
Amy K, NJ

[lnaughto]

SpecialK4B...

Your avatars crack me up!!!

[babystork]

Thanks everyone. The only thing though that scares me almost more than the wait is the constant updating of expired paperwork. That must be expensive after a while. Or does that work differently with China?

[specialk4b]

For China, once your dossier goes to China, you don't have to update it. The only exception is the 171h approval from USCIS (US immigration). That must be valid at the time of travel. It's good for 18 months and you are given one free renewal (as long as you renew before it expires), so that gives you three years.

I've heard that some states require you to have an up-to-date homestudy while waiting, but our state doesn't so I don't know about that.

[Sheba]

We are currently updating our 171H for China. We live in Michigan and because the economy is doing so terrible, the government is having us do a new homestudy update, health reports, letters of employment, references, and a copy of last years taxes. we are lucky because our SW is only charging us $400 for the update but I know others that are paying more. She also has to rerun our clearances. So this year will be cheap but next year we would have to pay almost $1000 for the 171H and then another homstudy update.

So we are just waiting and hoping things pick up after the Olympics

[Couchkat]

Another thought: SN program, especially if you don't have your heart set on a girl. The wait appears to be pretty short for boys with minor SN such as cleft lip.

Sorry about the Vietnam program!

[Norsk]

If your plan is to adopt two anyway, you might as well wait in the China line as waiting next to it, because if/when things speed up, there'll be many new applications again for China, I expect.
This time they referred 8 days and people seem a bit more optimistic with maybe 14 day batches next time.
Good luck!
Sorry about Vietnam. We went China to Vietnam to Thailand, where we have decided to wait for our child without changing countries again.

[babystork]

Not to change the subject, but how is Thailand working for you?

[Norsk]

Originally Posted by babystork

Not to change the subject, but how is Thailand working for you?

I have only heard positive comments about it. (Almost finished with our HS, so don't have any personal experience yet) The only thing is that the wait is 18-22 months untill referral and then 9-12 months until travel, which is a long time to wait. However, you get updates while you wait and may send care packages as well.

Here are some blogs about Thai adoption:

International Adoption Family Sites: THAILAND ADOPTION

To us, Thailand is actually the country it will be easiest to continue a relationship to as well, at least since it's a popular holiday destination.

[babystork]

Sounds promising and I wish you all the best.

[jessibird]

I like the idea that things may pick up after the business of the Olympics is over~it gives me a little hope that the slow down will speed up :-) Its does seem from the news that China is very consumed with it and are taking everything very personally when it comes to hosting it. It should be a good Olympic games!

[Trace7]

Originally Posted by Norsk

To us, Thailand is actually the country it will be easiest to continue a relationship to as well, at least since it's a popular holiday destination.

Phuket, Thailand is definitely a great holiday destination - we spent part of our honeymoon in Phuket and cannot wait to go back. On one of our trips back to China (and we hope to take many), we plan to get over to Thailand again, too.