ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
PhilippinesCENOMAR & NBI
Hi Everybody,

For purposes of a K-1 interview and documentation, should the CENOMAR and NBI Clearance be for "Travel Abroad" or for "Immigration" purposes? I've researched the postings here, some say Travel Abroad, some say Immigration not Travel Abroad. Which one should we get, or does it even matter?

Thanks in advance for any advice.
AKteacherMalePhilippines2010-04-19 22:20:00
PhilippinesMhay is at the Embassy
Congratulations! Mhay is going to love Alaska!
AKteacherMalePhilippines2010-04-19 02:32:00
PhilippinesMhay is at the Embassy
Congratulations Scott & Mhay!

I'm so glad everything went well. Another Pinay in Alaska, hopefully mine will be here soon as well! I'm planning on being in PHL for much of the summer, and now that we have our NOA2, hopefully everything will continue to go well so she can fly back with me in July!
AKteacherMalePhilippines2010-04-16 04:17:00
PhilippinesPOE experiences
www.santraphael.com
AKteacherMalePhilippines2010-04-20 02:17:00
PhilippinesHappily Married
Congratulations! May you have a lifetime of happiness together!
AKteacherMalePhilippines2010-04-27 01:55:00
PhilippinesGot the NOA2!!!
Congratulations! Here's hoping that the rest of us will be approved quickly as well!
AKteacherMalePhilippines2010-04-06 01:36:00
PhilippinesInterview Passed !!!
Congrats! Wish us luck on June 1st!
AKteacherMalePhilippines2010-05-22 00:31:00
PhilippinesAirline Ticket
Many airlines have special discount fares for first time immigrants:

http://www.santraphael.com/home.php
AKteacherMalePhilippines2010-05-22 17:34:00
Philippinesvalid id for interview?

My wife had her NBI and an old student ID and had no problem getting in. They deal with that every day there so if you have your NBI and interview appointment letter, you should be fine :thumbs:


Was it NBI clearance, or an NBI ID?

I'm a little worried because my fiancee's interview is a week from tomorrow and all she has is her postal ID and NBI clearance. The embassy will have her passport already. Do you think this will be a problem?

Maybe we should go get an NBI ID, do you know if it is possible to get one the same week?
AKteacherMalePhilippines2010-05-22 21:01:00
Philippinesvalid id for interview?
I was wondering about this myself. Since her passport will be taken at the medical exam (and given back later by the embassy), what is an acceptable form of ID to enter the embassy? Why not postal ID?
AKteacherMalePhilippines2010-05-22 17:29:00
Philippinesgoing to the philippines.a few questions

I looked at the Wells Fargo and BPI bank transfer plan a couple years ago, and my understanding was the fee was $5.

Is there any other conditions for the $2.50 transfer, like having a mortgage loan with Wells Fargo?\

They did not do me right a couple years ago, and made me look foolish when I went to a BPI bank and tried to access my Wells acct, but based on what you are saying so far, I'm willing to look into it again.


Wells Fargo charges me $2.50/transfer, I don't know of any special conditions. Money can be sent to a name ("Will-Call", in which case they give a confirmation # like Western Union, then you send the number to the person who is claiming the money) or to another BPI bank account. Just remember this needs to be set up ahead of time (in person at your branch). Each name or BPI account requires a separate transfer agreement that you must personally sign, and the first transfer must be done from the WF branch. But once it is set up and going, then you can do transfers via the website. It's always worked very well for me. I have also been able to use my WF ATM card at any BPI branch without any problems when I am in the Philippines.
AKteacherMalePhilippines2010-05-02 13:40:00
Philippinesgoing to the philippines.a few questions

hehe thank you.500 dollars sounds about the amount i wanna carry in cash and the rest on a card if my card is usable over seas.since i dont have a bank account anymore.im just using a visa debit card any1 can get from a local store sicne i dont have to have credit to get it.i need to make sure it can be used over seas though.if not ill just have to have my dad send me money thru western union and leave my money with him.it may cost a little more but atleast its safe back home with some1 i know and can trust.also about the rides.ive been warned about that.i know what its like since i lived in mexico and they do the same there as well.thank you very much for the tip and advice


Western Union is really super expensive! If you want to save significant money, set up an international transfer agreement with your (or you father's) bank before you leave. I use Wells Fargo, they transfer to BPI (Bank of the Philippine Islands) and the fee is only $2.50, which is like 1/10 what W.U. charges when you also consider the exchange rates they give. Once the agreement is set up, you can do this online from anywhere. Sure it takes a day instead of an hour, but considering that Western Union will keep something like 15-20% of your money in fees every time you transfer, it's really worth it.
AKteacherMalePhilippines2010-05-02 12:34:00
Philippinesgoing to the philippines.a few questions
I don't know how much all those document and marriage fees cost. The legal capacity to get married from the US Embassy in Manila might cost little or nothing, I'm not sure. I think there's also a waiting period of a week or more between application for marriage and when you can actually get married (I'm not sure how long, perhaps somebody else here on VJ can enlighten us), so allow time for that, and for counseling if it's required. Also if she's under a certain age (23 I think?) then she her parents must either consent or be notified of her marriage before it happens. What about after you're married? Remember that to bring her to the US there are substantial fees, and you must make (or have assets equivalent to) 125% of the federal poverty guidelines in order to sponsor her. You could move there to be with her, PHL is a great place to live but it's hard to make money there. Also remember that in PHL there is no such thing as divorce, so once married, it's pretty much final. There are lots of nice girls there (and lots of not-so-nice ones), so be careful and choose wisely.

Having said all that, I must also say that the Filipinas are some of the most wonderful people on earth. You could not do better than have a Filipina wife.
AKteacherMalePhilippines2010-05-01 02:57:00
Philippinesgoing to the philippines.a few questions
It really depends on your standard of comfort. I know you're not going to Manila but I can provide some prices for comparison. Down in Mindanao, many things should be cheaper than in Manila.

Given that you will not be paying for hotels, I think $1000 should be PLENTY for 3 weeks if you're frugal. You should even be able to afford some cheap dinners out and some other smaller luxuries as well. Don't forget the P750 (international) or P200 (domestic) air departure tax that must be paid (in cash) at the airport. One way plane fares are about $50-60 from Manila to Davao (just bought a ticket myself, I'm going there next week), or if you really want to save money you can take the ferry (www.superferry.com.ph) for about P2,500 roundtrip (including meals) from Manila to Cagayan de Oro, it takes 2 days or so each way though.

Everything is really cheap there, heck a decent hotel (not the Hilton but a clean, nice place anyway) is no more than about $50/night (many places that I would consider OK are even much less), and that's in Manila. You can go to markets for food and fruit and eat for $5-10/day, or less if you're really frugal. I rented an apartment in Manila (Tondo, not the nicest part of town...) for just over $100/mo. and it was an OK place. Just hunt around for deals, and bargain bargain bargain. Your fiancee should know where the best deals are near where she lives. If you're going to stop in Manila on the way there, you could stay at Friendly's guesthouse, I stayed there last summer and it was only P275/night (about $6) for a dorm bed, and it's a great location right in Malate. The LRT rail system is P15/ride (about 35 cents). Jeepneys are P7/ride. Mangoes are about P125/kilo in Manila, but about 1/2 that in Mindanao.

Butuan is in western Mindanao, so the security situation shouldn't be too bad (relatively speaking, of course, but remember you're talking to somebody who has lived in Tondo). Yes you should bring your GF a laptop if she needs one, they're about 50% more expensive there than in the states, I assume it must be because of high import taxes. I sent my GF a laptop a couple months ago (a year-old $500 netbook) and they charged over P5000 in import duties!

The Philippines is a great place for budget travel. Just take good care not to eat things that might make you sick - unpeeled fruit, weird meats, etc. I drank the tap water in Manila and ate balut and I survived, you probably will too!

Good luck!
AKteacherMalePhilippines2010-05-01 01:54:00
PhilippinesAdmendment of Passport
The Philippines now issues an "e-passport" and no longer amends older style passports. My wife has a maroon passport and we were told that she must get a new passport, which requires a personal appearance. You might check with the embassy that serves your area:

http://www.philippineembassy-usa.org/
AKteacherMalePhilippines2010-09-29 09:59:00
PhilippinesLet me ask what Hotel walking distance from U S Embassy
I like the Blackstump, (02) 523-8167, corner of Del Pilar & Padre Faura, above the Iseya Restaurant, about 2 blocks from the Embassy. Rooms are 1200PHP/night, with A/C, fridge, etc. It's not the Hilton but it's cheap, reasonably nice, especially the rooftop restaurant/bar. It's a busy corner, but the rooms in back and higher up (4th/5th floor) are quiet.
AKteacherMalePhilippines2010-10-07 23:03:00
PhilippinesGoing to interview with fiancee?
I attended my fiancee's interview in Manila this past summer. They interviewed us both together, it was no problem, a piece of cake really. We had our paperwork in very good order and I'm sure she would have passed anyway, but it did help her stress level to have me there.
AKteacherMalePhilippines2010-10-17 20:19:00
PhilippinesSome Q's about the Medical and Interview in Manila- help!
I attended my fiancee's interview in Manila this past June. When I was there, they allowed all US citizens into the embassy (and as far as I know the interviews as well). Our paperwork was in good order, and although I'm sure she would have passed without me there, it certainly did help her anxiety level. The interview was no problem, very easy really. I had "front-loaded" our application with some evidence and they only asked for photos at the interview. Just relax, and make sure you have all the evidence you can, in case they decide to ask for it.
AKteacherMalePhilippines2010-10-26 09:38:00
PhilippinesRoundtrip tickets to Philippines
Holiday tickets are definitely more expensive. I paid $1,900 RT from Alaska-Manila last year. $2,000+ RT from the east coast is probably about the best deal you'll get, considering it's around the holidays. But I will say that Christmas is the best time to go! It's cooler, drier, and there are so many festivities! New Years Eve was a real blast too, Manila was like a war zone because of all the fireworks!
AKteacherMalePhilippines2010-10-05 22:16:00
PhilippinesChristmas Plans...
Last Christmas we were in the Philippines, this year we'll be snuggling up nice & warm at the Top O' The World here in Barrow, Alaska! Quite a change but nice all the same! :)
AKteacherMalePhilippines2010-10-28 00:57:00
Philippinestravel warnings
I was in Mindanao twice this past summer. Davao, Cagayan De Oro, Malaybalay, Valencia City, Maramag, Kadingilan, and some other towns and villages around the Kadingilan area. I took the public buses, and then rented a motorcycle and took various side trips around. Areas I was told to watch out for: anywhere west of General Santos City (I didn't go to any of those areas). There are some areas that I definitely wouldn't go, such as Cotabato City.

Overall, the experience was really great! It's probably safer there (st least where I was), than in many areas of Manila. Mindanao is much less westernized than Manila, Boracay, or Cebu. It was a very different experience, no beggars (outside of Davao City anyway), and not a McDonalds or KFC in sight! The people were very friendly, and curious about foreigners. Just be careful and watch your back like anywhere else. Of course it helps to know people who live there, but even if I didn't know anybody I would still feel reasonably safe.
AKteacherMalePhilippines2010-11-01 22:43:00
PhilippinesAirfares to Philippines
A Filipino friend of mine recommended a place called Star Tours, and I've used them twice in the past year. Both times they were able to get me better availability at lower fares than I could find on the web. Ask for Vicki - vstartours@integra.net

Star Tours
224 Puyallup Ave
Tacoma, WA 98402
Tel: 253-572-4566
Toll: 1-888-838-8318
Fax: 253-572-7654
AKteacherMalePhilippines2010-10-25 04:27:00
PhilippinesPassport Renewal: Catch-22?
I have a question about renewing my wife's passport, and I'm wondering if anybody out there has faced a similar situation?

My wife is Filipina. She now has one of the old maroon passports with her maiden name. When she renews her passport next year, she wants it to be in her married name, which is the name that will be on her green card, etc. The Philippine consulate no longer amends older passports and now issues only the new e-passport, which requires a personal appearance. The problem is that we would have to travel to San Francisco, which is very far away from where we live (northern Alaska) - it would cost us a minimum of $2,000 (RT for both of us) to make the trip, and I would have to take time off work, etc. So I am thinking it would be much easier and cheaper to renew while we are in the Philippines next summer. But if she has a round-trip plane ticket, then when she returns her new passport will have her married name which won't match the return portion of the round-trip plane ticket.

Will this be a problem? What's the solution? I could buy 2 OW tickets, but that's really expensive too! Her current passport is valid for a couple more years, so there's no immediate emergency, but sooner or later we'll have to renew it somehow.

Thanks in advance for any advice.
AKteacherMalePhilippines2010-11-21 00:15:00
PhilippinesRestaurants/Coffee Shops near US Embassy
The rooftop bar/cafe at the Blackstump Hotel is open 24 hrs. They have nice Aussie breakfasts, coffee, etc. They have free wifi (might be for hotel guests only, I'm not sure). Corner of Del Pilar and Padre Faura.
AKteacherMalePhilippines2010-11-24 00:13:00
Philippineswho will go to phil this month

Go to the website of Philippine Airline and book directly on their website. They have nonstop flights from LA, San Fransisco, and Honolulu for around $1000.


Yeah, problem is that the $300+ fuel surcharge and taxes take it up to about $1400 on PAL.

Is KAL the best deal out there right now?
AKteacherMalePhilippines2011-02-19 01:41:00
PhilippinesAffortable/safe hotel in Malate
If you want to save money, the Blackstump Hotel (+63(2)5238167) has rooms for approx. P1300/night, it's at the corner of Padre Faura & Del Pilar, just a couple blocks from USEM and a few blocks from Robinson's. I stayed there last summer and was quite happy. It's not the Hilton, but the rooms have A/C, fridge, and there's a nice indoor/outdoor rooftop lounge with decent food. The rooms in front have a good street view, or if you want peace & quiet then request one of the back rooms.

Another good place is 1775 Adriatico Suites (www.adriaticosuites.com), an apartelle in Malate near Remedios Circle. I have stayed there as well, it's really nice, the rooms are suites and have A/C, fridge, cooking utensils, etc. It's a little farther from USEM (5 min taxi ride, P7 jeepney, or get some exercise and walk along the waterfront), and it's at a better location for restaurants and entertainment. I paid $495 for 15 days (about $33/night), much less expensive for a hotel of comparable quality.
AKteacherMalePhilippines2010-05-01 17:38:00
PhilippinesStay in hotel or not needed?
Make sure to arrive early. The worst mistake you could make is to try to arrive right at the appointment time, then traffic or something else causes a delay and you are late. There are also a lot of pre-appointment lines and processing. We arrived at 5:30am for a 7:00am appointment, and there was already a long line. Make sure to arrive early! This is a very important event and you do not want to miss your appointment.
AKteacherMalePhilippines2011-03-20 14:35:00
Philippinespick-up the visa at us embassy manila
We picked up her passport (with visa inside) at the Embassy last summer (June 2010). It was no problem, but it did take until about 1.5 weeks after the interview.
AKteacherMalePhilippines2011-05-01 10:44:00
Philippinescomplicated passport issue; please help
I suppose you could go to the Philippines, pick up your child, apply for another passport at the DFA if the one they issued was lost or stolen, take the passport to the embassy to get the visa issued, and bring him back to the US to live with you. Can't really tell you how to handle your own mother. Sometimes if you want something done right, you've got to do it yourself.
AKteacherMalePhilippines2011-05-01 10:55:00
PhilippinesCFO seminar
The CFO sticker is absolutely needed. There have been people who miss their flight because they don;t have this sticker. Don't be one of them! :)
AKteacherMalePhilippines2011-04-30 21:53:00
PhilippinesOne Week in Manila
I would think you would want to prove it's you. Just because somebody has your SS# doesn't mean they can steal your money. It's not exactly a state secret and they're available out there anyway. If you're that concerned about it, then I would recommend that you put a fraud alert on your credit reports with the major credit bureaus. That will prevent anyone from opening new accounts without taking extra steps to prove your identity.
AKteacherMalePhilippines2011-05-01 14:38:00
PhilippinesOne Week in Manila


It looks like this is probably the best option for us. She does not know anyone in Manila, but her father will accompany there - he has been there in his youth. So I suppose she can do the Medical and Interview in a week. Then go home and wait, and if a visa is issued, then I can have her go back to Manila for the CFO thing and fly out of Manila. Thanks everyone, for your replies!

Oh, one more question. For accompanying proof related to the Affidavit of Support, can I block out my Social Security Number?

Wow, AKteacher, how did you get a Filipina to move to Alaska? My fiance is cold when it is like 70 degrees there.


Why would you want to block out your SS#? I would think it would be part of the proof that it is YOU who is making the money.

Yes I brought a Pinay to Alaska! In fact, we live on the North Slope. There are many other Filipinos here, and she actually likes it. The humidity is low, so it doesn't feel as cold as it actually is, and of course we keep each other warm at night! ;)
AKteacherMalePhilippines2011-05-01 12:01:00
PhilippinesOne Week in Manila
I went with my fiancee (now wife) through the whole process in Manila last summer. She should be able to do everything EXCEPT the CFO process in a week. In order to complete everything, she'll almost certainly have to stay longer.

The CFO is a 2-step process at 2 separate locations. My wife used PRISM - I would recommend this because it is the fastest. But I don't think you'll be able to do everything in 1 week. First of all, they keep her passport at the medical exam and she gets it back later from the embassy with the visa inside. So she will not have her passport after the medical exam. You can do the first part of the CFO (the seminar-which is in Paco near the intersection of Quirino Ave. & the South Superhighway) before the medical and with the passport but no visa. However, in order to get the sticker (which comes at the counseling session, at the other location which is at Taft Ave. near Vito Cruz), she must have her passport back with the visa inside.

So she should be able to do the medical and Embassy interview, but will have to wait for the CFO sticker until she already has her visa. Because Manila can be relatively expensive, most people go there for the medical and interview, then go home and wait for the passport to be delivered with the visa in it. Then they do the CFO process afterward. Otherwise she'll be hanging around Manila, waiting for the visa in Manila in order to complete the CFO process. That's what we did, and it took 3 weeks from start to finish. Not a problem for us, because I used to live in Manila and we have friends and relatives there. But if she doesn't know anybody and is tight on money, then hanging around Manila that long might not be a good idea. If she's from a small town out in some province, she should be cautioned to be careful around Manila. Most areas are not terribly dangerous, but there are plenty of things to watch out for.

The expenses mentioned above will keep her very comfortable. These can be reduced considerably if she's willing to really budget. If time is not an issue, she could take a ferry instead of an airplane. Hotels can be had for less than 2,000 per night (sure it's not the Hyatt but who cares), or a boarding house for MUCH less. Taxi fare from the Ninoy Aquino Airport to the Ermita area runs about 400-500 pesos for a coupon taxi (recommended for safety even though the price is quite high), or you can take a jeepney to Baclaran and take the LRT to UN Avenue for a total one-way cost of about 50 pesos per person (just travel light, and watch your luggage on the LRT).

Hope this helps. If you have any more questions, let me know.
AKteacherMalePhilippines2011-04-30 20:36:00
Philippinescheap condo rental in manila

how much was it per night? or weekly or monthly? sorry, dint see rates on the website :bonk:


The rate depends on the length of stay. The longer you stay the less it is per day. I rented a place there for 2 weeks, and it came to about $33/night for a nice 1-bedroom apartment with a kitchenette, fully furnished and with all kitchen utensils. That was December 2009, so the price might be a little higher now. The location was great - between Remedios Circle and the Malate Church, and it's off the street so it was quiet as well.
AKteacherMalePhilippines2011-05-21 02:20:00
Philippinescheap condo rental in manila
http://adriaticosuit...condos/home.php
AKteacherMalePhilippines2011-05-20 15:28:00
PhilippinesCity Garden Hotel- Manila

hummm casa bocobo hotel is best..my daughter and i stayed there for 2 weeks during our medical and interview days...may 12 til 26 '11 (1950/day inclusive buffet breakfast).its just walking distance to st.lukes and embassy..


Yes, the Bocobo is nice, decent morning buffet, the rooms are modern but also quite small. Soriente is a little older but the rooms are MUCH larger (think couch, fridge, table & chairs, etc.). My wife likes it better than the Bocobo. Puregold and the BBQ chicken stand next door easily make up for the 250 pesos you save by not getting breakfast.

I'd recommend either place, it just depends on your taste. We're here tonight because Casa Bocobo was full, but I'm glad things turned out this way! :)
AKteacherMalePhilippines2011-06-27 10:27:00
PhilippinesCity Garden Hotel- Manila
I am reading your post from - my room at the Hotel Soriente! Just discovered it today. It's on J. Bocobo Street just south of UN Avenue (next to Puregold). Big rooms and clean, nice staff. 1700/nt, the best deal I've found lately.
AKteacherMalePhilippines2011-06-27 10:13:00
PhilippinesScams in Manila

It was my experience that the "shady" money changes in Manila/Makati were offering the best exchange rates. Not sure if it can be considered a scam if I get a good deal on my transaction.



I second that one. The money changers have the best rates. In my opinion, common sense dictates one would want to use the shops and not on the streets... and of course count the money immediately.

Probably a bigger danger are the crooked taxi drivers on the way out of NAIA. I've had a few hassles with them, and one guy I know was actually robbed and beaten. My advice (unless you crave "adventure") is to take the coupon taxi, even though they charge 2-3x the usual fare. Or take your chances with taxis in the arrival area (not recommended except for the adventurous, heck I survived but it is dangerous). Just take the coupon taxi.
AKteacherMalePhilippines2011-07-06 04:22:00
PhilippinesAirport taxes and fees
The Philippine travel tax (Php 1,620.00) is waived if the Philippines passport holder has a permanent resident card from another country (i.e. a US green card).
AKteacherMalePhilippines2011-07-17 23:43:00
Philippinesvisa pickup
Last summer ('10), we had the embassy hold the visa for pickup. It took nearly 2 weeks after the interview until the visa was available for pickup. So unless you want to wait around Manila (which was not a problem for us, since I have lived there and we have family/friends), then I would say go ahead back to her province. And for sure don't book plane tickets until you have the visa IN HAND.

Edited by AKteacher, 30 July 2011 - 01:05 PM.

AKteacherMalePhilippines2011-07-30 13:04:00