Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	K3 Vs IR1/CR1	Thank you so much for that information! God Bless! He will need to submit an I-130 You will need to obtain certified copies of marriage from NTS. You will also need to complete DS230 and send it to him. You will need a police clearance from the NBI that is good for 1 year also. I recommend getting two certified copies of each. You will need to obtain certified birth certificates He will also need certified birth certificates and divorce decrees Just follow the process and look to visa journey for help. You do not need an attorney. Because you want to bring son to US, you will need approval of father if he is on birth certificate or was involved with raising the child. Good luck Others can give you better info for child and what is required in the Philippines. It is a 10 month on average process. Sometimes the process takes longer because of the medical in Manila. They seem to fail conservatively when checking for TB. They often require aditional testing that delays you in getting the visa. You can read a lot on visa journey about that also. Good luck	bestofboston	Male	Philippines	2012-01-06 09:16:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	k3 visa	If your husband is still active duty, you can get your visa expedited. Its a lot faster for military to get visa. Lucky you! You need to complete I-130 for CR1 visa. Don't waste time with K3 visa because you are first required to submit I-130 for CR1 and it is always approved before the I-129 gets approved. The I-129 dies at the NVC if the I-130 is approved and already being processed. I wasted the time and money and the above took place.	bestofboston	Male	Philippines	2012-06-08 09:02:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	I'm starting my journey	CR1 visa is issued to married couples that are married for less than two years and is good for 2 years. IR1 visa is issued to married couples married for more than two years and is good for 10 years. Form to be sent for IR1/CR1 visa is I-130. K3 visa is no longer being issued. Don't waste time and money filing for K3 visa (I-129) because it will always die at the NVC because the IR1/CR1 visa will be processed first and it will cause the K3 visa to just die while at the NVC. I filed for both hoping the K3 visa would come first but realized later that the NOA2 for I-130 will be received first and sent to NVC. The I-129 is sent in after you reveive your NOA1 for I-130 and it usually gets approved at USCIS shortly after NOA2 for I-130 is approved. Besides it cost less to process a CR1/IR1 visa. Down side for CR1/IR1 visa is it takes longer to process compared to a K1 visa by approximately 3 months. Don't get confused between K1 and K3 visa. K1 is for couples not yet married. Plan on IR1/CR1 visa to take around 1 year to receive. See timeline on visa journey for IR1/CR1 visa from NOA1 to interview at embassy for visa for your country and plan on that time frame to be very close assuming you are prompt in getting paperwork done for each phase. USCIS, NVC, and Embassy interview Edited by bestofboston, 13 June 2012 - 09:54 AM.	bestofboston	Male	Philippines	2012-06-13 09:50:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	How often do you guys communicate with your spouses abroad	My wife and I talk 4 times a day during the weekdays. 1/2 hour while I am driving to work. Twice while at work. Once in my evening before she leaves in her morning to go to work. We also talk for much longer periods on weekends. We are 12 hours apart in time. We are able to talk frequently at no charge by way of the magic jack that I purchased the magic jack and sent to her after we got married. It have been great. We also often use yahoo messenger where we can see each other and talk. The advantage of the magic jack is she can call any phone number in the USA at no charge and talk to me. I just recently purchased two Ipod touches (the latest generation of Ipod touch)which includes facetime. We will be able to soon talk and see each other on our Ipods when wi-fi connected. Facetime is also on the new Iphones. How cool is that! Thank God for technology. I don't know what we would have done without these devices. Still I have not been able to stand being apart for so long so I have booked an airline ticket to go and see her in late November for a week. Who knows when she will finally get her visa to come here with the snail pace of the USCIS. So until then, its going to be magic jack, yahoo mesenger, skype and apples new facetime.	bestofboston	Male	Philippines	2010-10-13 12:36:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	husband visit	I have only visited my wife once since we were married back in April,2010. I did not visit her to meet a visit quota. I went to see her because I missed her dearly. Visits are not required but it can't hurt. Making contact via phone, magic jack, email, sending money or any type of correspondence should be fine. That is what I am counting on.	bestofboston	Male	Philippines	2011-01-13 10:46:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Manila Embassy has agreed to expedite CR1 visa	Back on the 13th of December, I sent to the NVC the DS230 packet. Based on the United States Postal Service, the NVC received it on the 15th because they had to sign for it. The NVC never recorded having it and sent me an email on the 23rd of December stating that they are waiting on the DS230 packet to complete processing of the Visa. The NVC received my second DS230 packet on the 11th of Jan and they began processing the case. I sent them an email requesting that they expedite my case because they has misplaced the first DS230 packet and that cost us an additional month in getting our visa. The NVC and the Manila embassy agreed to expedite it and the NVC forwarded my case to the Embassy on the 1st of Feb. and also sent me a letter in the mail stating that the case is now being expedited by the US Embassy in Manila and to direct all further questions to the US Embassy and for the interview date. I called the NVC operator and the operator did confirm that the case had been forwarded to the embassy in Manila. Can anyone tell me how the embassy will inform my wife of the interview date? Mail, email, phone call, or does she need to contact the embassy by phone Does my wife need to contact the Embassy by phone to schedule the interview date? Can my wife go in advance of notification to get her physical done? Will the process be the same as for a non-expedited case where they will mail her packet 3? Any help would be greatly appreciated.	bestofboston	Male	Philippines	2011-02-05 11:50:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	I-134 for Full time Masters Student	I have read that only CR1 filers can use a co-sponser in the Philippines. You will be denied on a K1 visa if you require a co-sponser to meet the income requirements. Easy solution is to get married in the Philippines and then obtain co-sponser.	bestofboston	Male	Philippines	2011-04-02 06:21:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	had a USC baby to a USC fiance	You may need to have a DNA test done for the baby to prove that the USC parent is in fact the parent. I have read more than once on Visa Journey that DNA testing was required to prove who the parents are.	bestofboston	Male	Philippines	2011-04-05 06:47:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	to vote once we become USA citizens	The states that I have lived in usually will accept your drivers license when registering at your town hall. Some states will actually allow you to registar on the day of the voting such as New Hampshire.	bestofboston	Male	Philippines	2010-10-29 05:33:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	My husband is an official American citizen!!!	Next step, Jury Duty!!	bestofboston	Male	Philippines	2011-04-02 08:33:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Can you use a camera to photograph the swearing in process for US Citizen?	I noticed that during the biometrics process at the USCIS in Phoenix, that camera's were not allowed inside.  I also noticed that is is also the place in which the swearing in is done for US Citizenship.  Does anyone know if cameras are allowed to photograph the swearing in process at the USCIS in Phoenix AZ?	bestofboston	Male	Philippines	2014-08-02 17:36:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Number of days between biometrics and interview notice	My wife had her biometrics 7/31/14 and she is still waiting for her interview.  I do see that some people have already received their interview date but most have not.  I was told before my wife started the process that it would take 5 months from filing.  That time frame is looking more and more realistic for us.  I think they usually let you know 1 month before the interview date when the interview date will be.   My wife should have her interview date by or around December 7th.  We are anxious to get the process over with. Edited by bestofboston, 07 October 2014 - 08:10 PM.	bestofboston	Male	Philippines	2014-10-07 20:09:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	N-400 July 2014 Filers	My wife filed July 8, 2014 and we are still waiting for an interview date.  How long does it take to get one?  I see on the citizenship timeline that people that filed after us have had their interview, etc.  Whats up with that?	bestofboston	Male	Philippines	2014-10-23 14:42:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	N-400 July 2014 Filers	Anyone that filed in July receive their interview date notice in the mail?   We are still waiting.	bestofboston	Male	Philippines	2014-09-25 16:25:00
Canada	Can I send in my marriage certificate now to avoid an RFE?	Wait for the RFE like others stated. You will only lose about 1 week. Do not send it without RFE. It will get lost in the system if you do.	bestofboston	Male	Philippines	2011-03-31 07:47:00
Canada	driver's license - what happens with a probationary?	You will most likely be required to take the driving test because you have a drivers license from another country. It could vary from state to state but the state of Massachusetts requires you to take the driving test.	bestofboston	Male	Philippines	2011-11-14 13:38:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	I-751 Evidence of Relationship	Many states require that your spouse be included on the deed for the propert if married when purchasing a home. That does not mean that both names need to be on the mortgage for the home, asuming you have a mortage. When I refiananced my home in my last marriage, I did not include my spouse on the loan but she still needed to sign on the loan. I would assume that your husband did not include you on the mortgage for a reason. You can have both spouses on the mortgage but only include one of them for the background credit check portion. A stay at home wife obviously would not have any credit history if she came from another country but she could be on the mortgage also.	bestofboston	Male	Philippines	2012-01-18 12:40:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	When are you eligible to remove conditions	For CR1 visa, the POE date and the green card issue date should be the same.	bestofboston	Male	Philippines	2012-06-05 12:28:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	Question number 5 I-751	You can enter "Not Applicable" if it does not apply.	bestofboston	Male	Philippines	2014-09-22 11:53:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	I don't have sworn affidavits, is that ok? Here are my other evidence	You really need to get several people that at least know that you and your spouse live together in the same home.  It does not have to be both spouses friends.  They just need to have knowledge of both of you as a couple and can say how they know at least one of them and met the other on at least one occasion.  I am sure that your situation is not unique.	bestofboston	Male	Philippines	2014-09-27 14:38:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	Where am I in the CR-1 process, and how much longer from here?	I am sorry to hear that you used an attorney.  All the information needed can be found here at Visa Journey or at the USCIS. GOV website for the IR1/CR1 process.   The only thing an attorney is good for is to add an additional time delay to the process.  Remember that attorney is more than likely processing the same info for others doing the same as you.     The best thing you can do is compare your timeline to others from Australia here on Visa Journey.   I can tell you that it takes about the same amount of time at the NVC as it did at the USCIS to process and schedule an interview.  Approx. 5 months.	bestofboston	Male	Philippines	2014-09-18 08:22:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	i nee help// Appointment	Confused about what? it says what the letter is.     Your spouse should arrive at the Embassy about 4am in the morning for her interview.  The earlier the better because it is first come - first serve and everyone scheduled that day will be there around 4 am.   She/he needs to get physical before interview at St Lukes.   You should get that done as soon as possible and bring document stating interview date to St Lukes will do physical.  Reason;  In the event that they need to to more than X-rays for TB.	bestofboston	Male	Philippines	2014-10-03 13:36:00
Philippines	Wife wants to leave and go back home	I have had a little experience with divorce (more than one) Like someone early had stated, each state may be different but an un-contested divorce is easy to get without the need for lawyers. Seek some legal advise from someone in your state and get it done there. It is extremely difficult to get divorced in the Philippines and it cost a lot more there to get it done. You should be able to get a divorce for less than %500.00 in your state. Go online and draw up your settlement papers. Get it notorized for both parties. Make sure you have at least four notorized copies. One for you, one for her and at least one for the courts. Take the settlement to the courthouse and apply for divorce hearing. Go to hearing. Divorce is done. This is an un-contested divorce. Some states such as Massachusetts has a period of time after the hearing before the divorce is considered final. Some are affective the date of the hearing. Sorry to hear it did not work out for both of you.	bestofboston	Male	Philippines	2011-02-04 09:00:00
Philippines	What am I doing wrong!!!	Go to the Manila US Embassy website and obtain phone number for booking an appointment. I think its under the K1 section. Call Texas area code phone number and select Manila Embassy and you can talk to someone there in Manila Embassy for booking an appointment over the phone.	bestofboston	Male	Philippines	2011-03-22 09:17:00
Philippines	Anyone here from the Philippines?	I went to my Senator instead of going to a Congressman. He was elected to office last fall and we were most likely the first couple to ask the new Senator for help. It was approved the next day!!!!!!!!!!	bestofboston	Male	Philippines	2011-03-22 08:24:00
Philippines	buying land in PI	You can only own land if you are married to a Filipino which is the case. There is a website you can search on that has a lot of info about this. Good luck Talk to some Americans while you are there that own land.	bestofboston	Male	Philippines	2011-04-02 10:46:00
Philippines	Does Filipino Teacher require approval to immigrate to US	okay, from what it looks like, she has to pay 1,620 pesos for travel tax and another 750 pesos for airport fee. Any other surprises?	bestofboston	Male	Philippines	2011-04-03 07:43:00
Philippines	Does Filipino Teacher require approval to immigrate to US	April 4th is the end of the school year for her. She will resign effective April 8th.	bestofboston	Male	Philippines	2011-04-02 10:51:00
Philippines	Does Filipino Teacher require approval to immigrate to US	My fiancee is also a teacher in the Philippines - I have no idea what you are referring to when you mention "approval from the government after she resigns". If you are referring to some specific articles, would you please post those here. My fiancee just asked me, do I want her to renew her contract for the upcoming school year. Since it is likely that she will be here before the end of the year (if VSC would just hurry up), I told her she probably shouldn't. PLEASE clue me in on what you know, because it seems I am missing something. I don't know your fiancee's financial situation, but mine basicaly has no ssvings (as PH government often delayed and shortchanged her salary). So in the months after her contract ends, and until she comes here, I will be the one providing her with living expenses. We just didnt think she should be tied up in any contracts when it was time to leave. My wife still lives with her parents and she gives all of her money to the family. She has a sister in the USA that sends money to the family every month to help out. I told her not to expect that from me when she comes to live here. I have my own children that I would help first. I told her that if she wants to work and send say $100 per month back home, that is okay with me. Keep in mind that most people in the Philippines own their land and home with no mortgages. I would be glad to help my wifes family, (parents and sister that still lives there) more if I had no mortgage also. Although we sound wealthy to them, they seem to fail to realize how expensive it is here in the USA to live. Especially around Boston. And finally because Massachusetts is a socialist state, I have to support those who somehow think they are entitled to suck money from hard working people.	bestofboston	Male	Philippines	2011-04-02 08:19:00
Philippines	Does Filipino Teacher require approval to immigrate to US	An Administrative worker for her school told my wife that my wife required government approval to leave the country because she is a school teacher. Has anyone ever heard of such nonsense? I told my wife that after she resigns from her teaching position from the elementary school in the city she lives in that she will no longer will be considered a government employee and that it should not apply to her if such a requirement actually exist. It seems that no one is familiar with this requirement. Her cousin which was also a school teacher imigrated to Canada about 5 years ago did not have to obtain anything before leaving. Her cousin took a leave of absense instead of resigning. My wife would have taken a leave of absense but found out that she should have applied for a leave of absense a month ago therefore she is resigning because there is no processing period, just a few signatures for a resignation. I told her that it is unlikely that we will return to the Philippines to live because I have a very difficult time dealing with the heat and humidity there so resigning should never be an issue. Besides if we do decide to live in the Philippines after I retire, I want her to have her US Citizenship first before we retire so she can come and go from either country without problems. That requires her to live in the USA for 3 years. Edited by bestofboston, 02 April 2011 - 08:11 AM.	bestofboston	Male	Philippines	2011-04-02 08:07:00
Philippines	Does Filipino Teacher require approval to immigrate to US	My wife is resigning from her teaching position in the Philippines to come to the USA to live with me. Does she require approval from the government after she resigns from her teaching position in order to leave the Philippines to immigrate to the USA? Is there an additional tax charged to Filipinos who immigrate to another country at the airport beyond the 750 peso international flight tax? Can someone help on these subjects? Edited by bestofboston, 01 April 2011 - 04:32 PM.	bestofboston	Male	Philippines	2011-04-01 16:31:00
Philippines	2go services	Just wanted everyone to know that once the 2go delivery service receives the visa from the embassy, using your NVC number for tracking to verify that 2go actually has it and it is now in transit actually works. Go to e-trace and enter NVC number if you are not already familiar with process. It will not recognize the number until 2go has the VISA package from the US Embassy. It usually takes 1 week after the interview before 2go actually receives it. Edited by bestofboston, 04 April 2011 - 06:00 AM.	bestofboston	Male	Philippines	2011-04-04 05:58:00
Philippines	visa delivery	It takes typically 1 week after interview before the visa goes to 2go.com Go to e-trace at 2go.com.ph. Enter NVC number. When 2go recognizes the number, it will be in transit. My wife interviewed on 3/25/11. We just found out this morning my time that the Visa is now in transit. Before today, the NVC number was not recognized by 2go tracking system. Good luck Expect it by mid week next week.	bestofboston	Male	Philippines	2011-04-04 13:13:00
Philippines	whose filipino?	I can't tell the difference between Filipinos and most other Asians and I am married to a Filipino. Everytime I see someone here in the USA that I think may be Filipino and I ask them, I have been wrong. Everytime! Maybe I will guess right some day down the road. Did you know that Filipinos have the same problem as me. They have a hard time telling if the person is from America, England, or Australia. Imagine that!	bestofboston	Male	Philippines	2011-04-06 07:46:00
Philippines	Looming US Government Shutdown	It is not clear but indications are that a lot of what happened during the 1995 government shutdown will occur again. I am not sure what this means. Are they referring to the NVC processing center, the USCIS, and the Embassies or one or two of these government facilities? This is from the Wall Street Journal today. VISAS and PASSPORTS: Applications for U.S. passports and for visas to enter the U.S. went unprocessed in the 1995 shutdown, to the frustration of travelers, airlines and travel agents. It looks like you will be okay if you already have your Visa.	bestofboston	Male	Philippines	2011-04-06 13:11:00
Philippines	Yellow envelope/visa packet received but with rips	I agree with several that you should not worry. The POE is the only point of concern and they should be able to tell the difference between handling damage and you tampering witht the packet. Besides you already have your ticket and there is no time for it to go back to the embassy. Good luck.	bestofboston	Male	Philippines	2011-03-30 09:21:00
Philippines	Yellow envelope/visa packet received but with rips	What city did you have your Visa delivered to? That was very fast. How did you get it so quickly? As far as the tear goes on the envelope, I suggest that you call the embassy and ask them and describe to them the extent of the tear. Anything after that is a guess and you are looking for facts. Sorry I can not help you more. Congradulations on receiving your Visa. Our Visa is not in the 2go system yet.	bestofboston	Male	Philippines	2011-03-30 05:26:00
Philippines	How can I track the delivery of the Visa	To anyone that wants to know how to track the visa Go to 2go website e-trace 2go.com.ph Enter NVC number. It will show invalid until 2go receives it from embassy. Usually 1 week after interview. In my case it was 10 days after interview when the 2go tracking recognized NVC number. The next day it was delivered to my wifes home.	bestofboston	Male	Philippines	2011-04-05 08:48:00
Philippines	How can I track the delivery of the Visa	Thanks for the help. That makes be feel a lot better! Thanks again.	bestofboston	Male	Philippines	2011-03-31 12:26:00
Philippines	How can I track the delivery of the Visa	Can anyone confirm that the number to enter is your NVC case number?	bestofboston	Male	Philippines	2011-03-31 09:10:00