ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
CanadaDid you ever get 'screwed' ordering from a website?
The USPS tracks things differently than UPS or FEDEX. They are actually telling the truth. I have had a few times when i track it that it just literally said at distribution and delivered. Now if it is a week and a half/two weeks then i would say you were scammed. But also remember it is getting holiday seasons so post office running a little slower.
drakkon84MalePhilippines2010-12-06 09:55:00
PhilippinesFilipinos and saving money for retirement
Also on the birth control issue. They are not taught about birth control in normal curriculm like they teach us americans in grade school it gets earlier and earlier lol. There it is not a common practice which i beleive is due to the catholic influence as well as funding issues. So most of the teenagers or young adults early 20's who do not get married or do not go to college only get hear-say and there are a lot of myths as we all know....mr. pull out. I know me and my wife had to attend a seminar before we got married over contraceptives and birth control. And for a few in teh class it was the first time they had a class on it. Not to mention contraceptives are just that expensive. I think a pack of condoms was 20 or more pesos which if you have to worry about that or some rice for dinner that night pretty sure the rice wins. And the pills are even more expensive. Yaz goes for 700 pesos or more most cannot save that much and it isn't like they have a government program that buys it for them like here.
drakkon84MalePhilippines2010-12-31 17:02:00
PhilippinesFilipinos and saving money for retirement

The Filipinos do have a culture of dependency upon the children to support them when older.


LOL that is why they say philipines biggest export is filipinos lol :) The chief source of money coming into the philippines has and probly always will be the money sent in from filipinos living abroad to thier families. I mean i send my wife money every month or so and she in turn takes her wages from her job and gives it to her family and uses the money i send her.
drakkon84MalePhilippines2010-12-31 16:51:00
PhilippinesFilipinos and saving money for retirement

I was there for 3 weeks. I noticed that wages are obviously lower, but so are the cost of things. So they balance each other out.


They do not completely balance out. I lived there for 6 months in davao. While yes for basic stuff it is cheaper by far. it still costs 2 to 3 dollars to go to mcdonalds and get a vlaue meal and even to go to chow king and get a meal and drink it was almost 2 dollars. anything better than lowest grade was not equal or balanced based on wage. I am lucky my wife and her whole family are well educated and have a good business in auto surplus parts. I lived there for 6 months in thier home. I made 700 a month for my military disability. It was enough to get the things i wanted as a spoiled american for me and my wife without relying much on her parents. And this is with helping with the bills which almost doubled cause i used the ac all the time and ran my games and computers a lot. I got my income tax and bought them a new tv and sala set. Bought myself a water heater lol. But my point is the norm is living way below what we would consider poverty here. And no it does not balance out. And I had to take showers in the morning from the barrel and bucket method and had to manually flush the toilet with the bucket. They had no running water from the early morning till early afternoon. made me really think how spoiled i can be sometimes. And in manila you cannot even drink the tap water, which made me worried to even drink it anywhere in phil. So you may not think it is as bad as described above but it is close to what it really is like there for most.
drakkon84MalePhilippines2010-12-31 16:40:00
PhilippinesWhere to buy airplane ticket? online or travel agent?
totally agree on not using china air and avoiding china if you can ;) I paid 1100 rt for mine from little rock ar to manila on orbitz. cheapest i have had in a while. Only booked month in advance. Was cheapest by far 500 dollars cheaper than anyone else. Almost my cheapest of my four trips out there. Flying Delta and i have used many carriers. But yes stay away from china airlines they are cheap for a reason and if you do ANYTHING that can be construed as wrong in China they will hold you. I had a lighter in my CHECKED baggage (refillable and empty no less) and they tried to detain me from my flight. and i did not get my bags for weeks after i returned to us. I had no problems with that before through US JAPAN TAIWAN and PHILIPPINES.
drakkon84MalePhilippines2011-05-11 11:05:00
PhilippinesSputum and new interview date
My wife got hit for a sputum test she gets her results on the 10th of June. Her original interview date was the 2nd of June. I am hoping to get her visa in enough time to get her on a plane by the 21st of July. Now I have heard conflicting information I have heard after her missed appointment i am supposed to call the interview hotline and schedule a new one. But some have also said St Luke's will do it. Who does it? As I am under a timeline so to speak i am wanting to get a new interview date as soon as possible. I am a IR1 at this point and i heard St Luke's really doesn't touch our cases for interview scheduling just the k-1's.
drakkon84MalePhilippines2011-05-23 09:44:00
PhilippinesSputum Test
Same for my wife. She got hit glad i had her go get her medical done as soon as i did. Hoping we can reschedule her interview right after the results. Her original interview date was the 2nd of June she gets her results on the 14 of June. Hoping to have her interview at least by end of June :(
drakkon84MalePhilippines2011-05-21 20:24:00
PhilippinesBeware if you travel alone to the Philippines
Well, I have never had any problems with the guards at Manila airport. In fact one time i had a 5 hour delay and i was eating alone and they invited me over and it became a party lol. Apparently one of them was a comedian for his second job. Although if you dont use airport taxi you are gonna get ripped a new one. And yeah the trick is always watch your back and ALWAYS act like you know what your doing even if you have no clue.
drakkon84MalePhilippines2011-05-14 10:17:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresnew k3 immigration policy
actually the manila embassy is not as bad as other i think we are down to a one month wait on visa interviews and as long as you have your proof and actually have everything you are supposed to have it is pretty easy. The only thing I have heard of them changing is the fees. But k-3 is administratively closed last year sometime and they kill it at nvc. My lawyer agency is one of the ones trying to fight this in court so maybe this is a turn about for this fight many have taken up. But with the faster turn arounds on majority of cr/ir's i do not see a point. used to take a year to a year and a half now they cut it to around 8 months for most. Even though i did get a lawyer this site has helped a lot in my understanding of teh process and been a valuable tool in what to expect after she gets here and giving me the knowledge to just wait the extra month or two after her probable acceptance so we get ir instead of cr save some money in the long run and hassle of aos.
drakkon84MalePhilippines2011-01-10 14:08:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresirs question

you can get a tax number and file joint tax for the 2010 year, you will get a better refund, and it's good to show evidence of marriage,....this is what you have to do call the irs 1-800-829-1040, ask then to send you a w-7 form,tell your spouse in another country we are married us citizen, you want a itin number, that itin number eill be your tax number until you get your social security card,, but the other has to sign the w-7 form and mail back to the irs, good luck


Great post This is what I had to do file form w-7 with tax return with marriage certificate authenticated copy of passport and birth certificate of my foreign spouse. Took 6 weeks to process the tax return due to paper filing and itin processing.
drakkon84MalePhilippines2010-11-23 11:53:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFees after USCIS
After filing I-130 what are fees? I know the 88 for the income verification and 330 for NVC? Are there other fees like at the embassy ect? We are filing for ebassy manila Philippines.
drakkon84MalePhilippines2010-11-28 13:31:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresJust filed Income tax return...we are married since November 2009.....PLEASE HELP ME ON WHAT THE IRS JUST HAVE TOLD MY HUSBAND!!!

FYI, paper tax return takes up to 8 weeks AND the W-7 takes up to 8 weeks so if you file a W-7 with your tax return, it could take up to 16 weeks.
The IRS has also told me that electronic filing is much much faster than paper filing (up to 4 weeks for electronic filing but usually get done in 2 weeks)!


They say this and with w-7 it is always a paper filing. I got mine after everything was cleared up in 8 weeks total time it was about 5 weeks to get itin and 3 weeks after itin was assigned got my money. But i also filed late (july) living in phil for part of the year. So during peak season i am sure 16 weeks would be about right.....
drakkon84MalePhilippines2010-11-30 14:14:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresJust filed Income tax return...we are married since November 2009.....PLEASE HELP ME ON WHAT THE IRS JUST HAVE TOLD MY HUSBAND!!!
but then after it was all said and done they said DFA authenticated copy should have worked :( I guess I just got bad agent on my case
drakkon84MalePhilippines2010-11-30 10:30:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresJust filed Income tax return...we are married since November 2009.....PLEASE HELP ME ON WHAT THE IRS JUST HAVE TOLD MY HUSBAND!!!

Thanks George,

Our plan is to get a copy of Elsa's passport certified/notarized at the US Embassy in Manila while there and use it as proof as required to establish the right to have an ITIN and include the completed W-7 and it when I file next Spring. We'll already have our ducks in a row by the time it happens. I was under the false assumption we could pre-file but since we don't fall into an exception, the paperwork must be sent to Texas as Loto stated and you clarified for me. If I read the directions correctly, the certified copy of the passport is the only document that can stand alone for both proofs. IRS Obtaining an ITIN from Abroad Hope this helps and thanks again George,Loto!!!

Bob


you know this is what i didn't think of if ya just get it notrized there it would work. The problem the IRS kept running orund and round with me was it needed to be a notarized copy and due to high fraud rate in phil there was not authorized notary for us tehre. But if you go to embassy have it done there I guess that solves that. That is why i had to send in all the "extra documents" because of teh no authorized notary bs.
drakkon84MalePhilippines2010-11-30 10:25:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresJust filed Income tax return...we are married since November 2009.....PLEASE HELP ME ON WHAT THE IRS JUST HAVE TOLD MY HUSBAND!!!
For the Philippines specifically as I just did this a few months ago and just got my return. You need to fill form w-7 and send it in with the tax return or an ammended return. Documents to include: NSO copies of her Birth certificate, Marriage liscence a copy of Passport both notarized by a notary and also have the spouse go to dfa and get them to authenticate true copy. This is usually a picture with the DFA putting her passport number ect and stamping it with thier raised seal. In this case considering it is already in they might just adjust status to single this is what my state did without even consulting me. But send in amended return to Austin Texas like Loto said with above documentation, w-7 and amended return. Of course you also have teh option since you are already in NVC process to just wait. It was a major pain for me as the one who processed my package was unfamiliar with phil i guess and ended up having to send her orginal passport which they lost "in the mail" but i got 3g's extra on my return because of situtation. So she had to go file and get a new passport which she finally gets the 16th of this month. But for 3 grand it was worth the trouble i guess. considering the post and a new passport only cost around 100 bucks :) If you get soemone there that says the orginal passport is needed DO NOT LISTEN! The can take DFA authenticated copy if accompanied by copy of passport notarized by notary there.
drakkon84MalePhilippines2010-11-30 10:17:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMerry Christmas! YAY!
Yea i wanted to go watch trans Siberian orchestra so bad but had to work all day Saturday. Nice to see someone else from around Arkansas going through the process. Also glad you guys got your NOA2 means maybe by the time i get back from seeing my wife toward the end of January I might be seeing mine :) Once again congratz and glad you guys get to spend the holidays together they denied my wife's tourist visa cause well she lives in Philippines and can't get over the yuo can't visit cause your married to an American :( But I will go see her next month :) Wish you a speedy NVC and interview ;)
drakkon84MalePhilippines2010-12-20 14:52:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresITIN Number
yeah we got my wife one last year and sent them the passport after they denied my first claim cause it was a notarized copy from the issuing agency in Philippines and low and behold they lost it. But at least i got an extra 2 grand out of the deal. And we have since got her passport replaced so when she has her interview everything will go smoothly.

worst case you can always wait and amend it later when she gets her ssn
drakkon84MalePhilippines2011-01-11 17:23:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMy wife's Horror Story from Guangzhou,
This is the lawyer i am using from my process they seem very knowledgeable. Free consultation. They are a little pricey, but they really answer all my questions in simple terms and step by step how to get everything you need. http://www.1-800-usa-immigration.com/ They take trouble cases maybe they can help you could at least get a free consult.
drakkon84MalePhilippines2010-12-02 13:47:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI got my Cr-1 USA visa and it says permanent resident for 1 year

Posted Image

Note that it is at the time of your POE.


Yes me and my spouse are coming up on our 2 year mark ourselves and have decided even if they approve before June, thought not likely at this point, we will wait until then as june is our 2 year mark. That way no conditions on her green card :)
drakkon84MalePhilippines2011-01-27 20:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVisiting me here in the philippines while waiting for NOA2

hello vj members!



is it fine that my fiance will visit me here while were waiting for NOA2?..what are the important things he need to bring that i can use/bring for my interview?..he misses us a lot specially our son and he cant wait for more months to be with us..so sad that the system now is to slow, it will be 5th months on dec. 19th since we received the NOA1 but still no NOA2... :(... Thank You guys!..



I am gonna be visiting my wife in phil as well in january :) but we just filed in OCT. I am only going for 1 week though :( Have to come back to my job. From what I understand no problems with the petitioner moving around back and forth just the spouse.
drakkon84MalePhilippines2010-12-02 12:13:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)I 601 WAIVER FOR MISREPRESENTATION

i think he was found ineligible.
the issue is that we do not know what he misrepresented. this forum is for help and exchange of ideas not for judgement. when he says he does not know i believe him and thats the end of it.
as his wife i will file the i 601.i am not a lawyer but i know i have to know what this misrepresentation and how should i find about it. the vo could indeed be right. he could as well be wrong. it could be simple misunderstanding , it could be a big problem.. it could also be a mistake somewhere ...
i am not blaming anyone . i just need to know. if they claim something as misrepresentation, they should provide him with a document stating so.

if you have any idea please let me know.
if you just gonna say your husband know... please dont respond.


they do not have to tell you nothing ok .We filed our 601 in july and you do not do it he has to ok. You can fill out all the papers but he has got to sign it him self or they will send it to morocco and each 601 is $585.00 so do mess up that will cost you more money and more time . i have had a lawyer threw all of our time dealing with these crazy mess. and she fill out all and sent it to me .But one its not me that sign it . Its thie husband . it will be in his name and they will give you a new number for this . we sent ours to AZ lock box . I wish you the best of luck . I know they are handing the waivers out like candy . They found a new way to make more money off of us.
Laila54FemaleMorocco2012-09-27 03:34:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)I 601 WAIVER FOR MISREPRESENTATION

my husband cant think of anything like that. already did he does not know what they are talking about.


I'm sor ry to hear they did this to you and your husband they did the same to my husband as well. They also gave us our file back at the interview and told him to file for this waiver . if they gave him his file back tell him to look threw it good . ok cause my husband did and only to wake me up at a crazy hour of a morning .He was so shock at what he had found in our file. found that my sister called and said we were fraud .... why she wrote a letter and she said we changed it ... Wrong we did not she emailed it to my husband and to me and gave me the letter . and she emailed a copy to casa. so that we have proof of . and we also had the letter of the first interview that the Co did and typed it up and send it back with our first case. I thank them for giving us our file back .what a great gift. One thing if he does not know why or what it is get a lawyer to help you with this . I do have a lawyer she is so shock as we are they ask us to do this when we have all there papers showing there wrong doing . I wish you the very best .
Laila54FemaleMorocco2012-09-27 03:23:00
Middle East and North AfricaMarriage in Morocco
QUOTE (slbois @ Nov 23 2008, 01:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE
first go to

Annexe du Ministrere des Affaires Etrangeres
Zankat Zallagh,
Agdal, Rabat

and

Ministere de la Justice Sections des Marriages
Place de la Mamounia, Rabat

(we did both in the same day while in Rabat be prepared for a long day and a long line unless you know someone wink wink)


There are guys standing around outside looking for people who want to forego the lines. It's worth it to pay them 25-30 bucks (dirham equivalents). They took care of our paperwork at these places. I can't remember every detail that we went through only the fatigue from all the walking and of course the long wait. We also had "connections". This is how all Moroccans get business done. Anyone and everyone including officials can be bought. We bought our way through all the paperwork and still waited forever. sad.gif

(That is one thing for sure take extra money with you they all want money from you there when i went to morocco to marry last year it cost at every office an it took us 2 1/2 weeks , but the greatest time was then now we just waite on nvc to do there part an hope you the very best, its not as bad as it seams really, good luck to you. meemeeeD
Laila54FemaleMorocco2008-11-23 21:32:00
Middle East and North AfricaMoroccan MENA members!!!

Name: Connie
Where you're from: Bessemer, Alabama
SO's name: Tariq
Where they are from in Morocco: Khemisset
Anything else you want to add: Will be with my SO 6 weeks from today



hi connie my name is dorothy and i am married to a man in morocco , khemisset small world , i just came home in june i got to stay 3 months and i plan to go back in sept and stay till he gets his visa , we have been married for 3 years now . you have a great night..... dorothy/khemisset
Laila54FemaleMorocco2010-07-08 22:01:00
Middle East and North AfricaReturning Petitions to the United States via 221g
QUOTE (chiquita @ Feb 28 2006, 11:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Dixie_Peach @ Feb 28 2006, 10:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Morocco4ever @ Feb 28 2006, 10:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This is just a thought, and maybe no one else will want to do this, but what are the chances that everyone here going through Casa that had their petitions sent back to the CIS without a resonable explanation would want to send a copy of their 221(g) in one letter to Maura Harty? This way she could see that many people have them sent back without a reasonable explanation as to why, thus sparking an investigation of Morocco.

Whats your thoughts ladies?



Ok... I am all for this if it will help... but I have a silly question... WHO exactly is Maura Harty?




Maura Harty is Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Consular Affairs


Link to her Bio>>>

http://www.state.gov...i/biog/6297.htm



If it would help i would do it too . I have a question ? who had the Blonde lady at their interview ? why i ask i am trying to find out her bage number? and her name any one know please let me know , Meemee D
Laila54FemaleMorocco2009-08-24 15:38:00