Interesting. What was their rationale for not "honoring" your "evidence" of an ongoing relationship? If you don't mind my asking, what was the nature of this "evidence?"

My understanding is that it isn't terribly hard to qualify for a K-1 visa if you simply jump through the hoops. I know a couple of folks who have gone through the exercise and while it was a bit of a hassle gathering the paperwork, they weren't denied.

Cheers,

There is no criminal check necessary to get married in China. The only things you need are a form from the embassy stating that you are eligible to be married, your passport with valid Visa and your birth certificate. You must get married in the capital of the province where her hukou is. Once you are married you go to the police station in her town or city of residence and apply for another L visa that lists you as a visiting relative. You can get this as a 1 year single entry or 1 year multiple entry Visa. Only the cost is different. There should be absolutely no problem with continuing to do your work from China since it has no involvement with China. However if you live in a small city beware of the internet connection speed and availability. If you do need a job don't worry about working, especially in a small city. You can work for most schools and tutor english at home. Even without an "official" job in China you can make more from tutoring at home than most of the locals earn.

Actually, you do not need your birth certificate. You need the swore statement from the consulate where you swear your elegibility to get married and your valid passport. You also do not need to get married in the capital city of the province where your wife has her hukou. You can get married in any city where your wife has her hukou even if it is not the provincial capital.

After you get your Chinese marriage certificate, you can go to the PSB Entry & Exit Administration to apply for a one-year spousal L visa. You ned to do this, also, in the city where yourt wife has her hukou or at least where she has a registered temporary residence -- such as those who work in Beijing, but have hukou elsewhere.

Because of the Olympics there have been cases of the PSB refusing to issue a spousal L visa or placing shorter time restrictions. Some cities / provinces do not even issue these spousal L visas at all.

You are not allowed to work on an L visa. If you are inclined to work anyhow on your L visa, I'd wait until the Olympic period is over as during this time the chances of getting caught are a bit higher and if caught the chances of getting kicked out are very high. After the Olympics things might revert back to the old "business as usual" style.