ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
PhilippinesDo I need to bring AOS forms to my IR-1 interview?
In addition to having the originals for any copies already submitted (Birth Certificates etc) you should have updated pay stubs as additional evidence of "current sustained income".

My wife also had complete copies of everything previously filed (I-130 Petition, AOS & DS-230 Packets) just in case something got lost in the jumble.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2010-12-30 09:35:00
PhilippinesWhen can I file for a K1 during annulment
The prior marriage will not be erased, her CEMAR (Certificate of Marriage) will be amended to reflect that the marriage was annulled.

Technically she isn't free to marry until the Finality has been issued and recorded with NSO. I don't know how long it will take, sorry.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2010-12-30 14:30:00
Philippinesabout Crba Question
For the CRBA you don't need a lot of pics of him with the child. You just need to prove that you were together physically at the time of conception. If the USEM has doubts they'll request DNA. I assume your hubby can prove his trip to the Philippines when the second baby was conceived.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-01-05 08:01:00
PhilippinesCFO For Daughter
Technically the kids under a certain age (I'm not sure the cut-off age) don't need to attend the seminar but they do need the sticker in their passport. The parent will secure it upon their completion of the seminar and payment of appropriate fees.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2010-12-20 11:31:00
PhilippinesCFO For Daughter
Exit the PH/Enter the US with her US Passport and there is no need for CFO. Technically she isn't an immigrant if she's a US Citizen.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2010-12-20 09:19:00
PhilippinesOur Little Guy Said his first word today!
Well he's up to 5 words in just a few days!

In addition to "Dah-Di" he now says "Marie" (his big sister), "Eat", "More", "Please" & "Done"...

Anna is still waiting for "Mah-Ma" but I'm sure he's just holding out on her for a little while.

As long as the Insurance approvals come through in time he will be getting the second implant on Feb 8th!
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-01-10 07:53:00
PhilippinesOur Little Guy Said his first word today!
Anna just sent me the message...

After getting off the school bus and not seeing me there he got upset with her and said "Dah-Di"!!

Now she says he's repeated it several times while looking for me...

We're so happy with the results from the Cochlear Implant, we're just waiting for the Doc to give us the date for his second implant (2nd week of Feb we're thinking).
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-01-06 17:15:00
PhilippinesMessed up on getting the Affidavit
Depending on if her family has any connections, you may be able to have your ceremony before the official wedding date.

In our case, I landed in Manila on the 16th too late to get to the USEM and Monday the 19th was MLK Day so I was at the USEM on Jan 20 and we were back in the province that afternoon in time to get the Application for Marriage License filed. We had our ceremony on Jan 21 with the Mayor officiating! This allowed us to go away for our honeymoon (1 week diving in Subic Bay) while we waiting for the official paperwork.

Everything is dated for Jan 30th (10 days from the application).

We were able to do this because her uncle is long time friends with the Mayor...
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-01-11 12:44:00
PhilippinesPolitical Murder in Lemery Batangas

Is this something I might be able to file an expidite for on our K-1 visa? Anything to get her here quicker and keep her safe would be nice. Currently we have waited 4 months for NOA2 from CSC.

Nope, Visa expedition requires something on the side of the UCS such as a medical emergency.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-01-14 09:48:00
PhilippinesSending a SIM card to Philippines
I got an extra AT&T SIM card and sent it to Anna about 1 month before she got on the plane to the US. I recorded the numbers on the SIM Card before sending it to her (took a photo of both sides). Then while she was in the air I called AT&T to add a line telling them that I already had a SIM I wanted activated. They took the number from the SIM and activated it on my account.

By doing it this way the only risk was losing the cheap SIM. I put it into a card (Christmas Card IIRC) and didn't declare it on any forms.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-01-16 12:28:00
Philippineshey guys!!

Here a some Guidelines for meeting girls in PI.

Stay away from Manila

Don't marry a girl with a kid

Don't marry a girl from a dirt poor family

Make sure your girl has some type of degree so she can make you money when she gets to USA

Age range between 18 to 26

Nice if you just want a trophy wife hanging from your arm.

Otherwise, don't follow your ####### but listen to your heart and understand the difference between pity and love.

My wife already had a child and wasn't able to finis her college education due to financial difficulties but that doesn't diminish her as a person.

Your list of requirements is as shallow as a list containing body measurements, hair or eye color.

Don't marry a women because she can earn x dollars or any other item on a stupid list.

Marry a woman because her soul touches yours.

BTW, TCO I do realize that you're nothing more than a professional troll here on VJ. My response isn't for you but for anyone who might think your words have any value...

Edited by Bob 4 Anna, 16 January 2011 - 12:59 PM.

Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-01-16 12:58:00
Philippineshey guys!!

I know many say that things change after they arrive in USA but I am willing to take a chance with this one.

jr,

They all change once they get here, it's just part of the process. The thing to be concerned about isn't that they change but why they change.

Some will change simply to adapt (or cope-up as they say) to life in a different world.

Some will change as a reaction to being away from everyone they know for the first time in their life.

Some will change as they grow into their new role as wife, mother, step-mother.

The thing to worry about is those who change because they've got to the finish line of their journey [with you] once that Green Card is in hand.

The process of her adapting to life here will be difficult on her and if you're relationship isn't strong that stress alone can fracture or even tear apart what you've worked towards. Sometimes it has nothing to do with scamming and is simply a matter of the stress being stronger than the relationship.

I couldn't love Anna any more than I do but to be honest the last year (Nov 25th was her 1 year anniversary of landing in the US) has been one of the most trying times of our lives.

Don't overlook the fact that we have to adjust also. I was living as a single parent for 10 years prior to her arrival. In some ways she had to push me out of the way because I was so used to how things have been since forever.

Honestly, if I knew how difficult that first year was I would still do it all over again just to have her at my side.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2010-11-29 09:07:00
Philippineshey guys!!
Does this mean she's convinced you that the feelings you have for her are mutual yet?
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2010-11-29 02:44:00
Philippinesreturning member
We live in Algonquin, NorthWest Suburbs of Chicago...
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-01-18 08:23:00
PhilippinesMedical Cost and Interview
Manila case number and USCIS NOA-2 (a copy is fine).

Also, they should be able to go online to the Manila Embassy website and using the case number get a confirmation of the interview appointment. Print that just in case.

And don't forget the passport.

Edited by Bob 4 Anna, 20 January 2011 - 11:52 AM.

Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-01-20 11:52:00
PhilippinesMarriage license signed while abroad

What country is this?

Philippines, which is why he posted in the PI regional forum...
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-01-20 19:09:00
PhilippinesPetitioner living with Beneficiary in Manila during IR-1 process
Why didn't you just go the DCF route? It's much shorter that filing with USCIS and the only "additional things that you'd need to prove your intent to re-establish domicile in the US on or before the date your wife will POE.

I've never seen anyone mention that they needed to prove US domicile when filing through USCIS.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-01-28 11:54:00
PhilippinesPetitioner living with Beneficiary in Manila during IR-1 process
Are you maintaining a residence in the US?
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-01-25 14:31:00
PhilippinesWife wants to leave and go back home

what a disrespectful statement. hopefully you're a better man in person than you are on public internet forums.

I agree, it's a disrespectful thing to say. If I said it to my bass-fishing buddies, I would be kicked out of my bass-fishing club.

Don't just call him on what he says, join me in reporting his racist, sexist comments to the moderators. Maybe if enough of us voice our displeasure with how he defecates all over the proud people of the Philippines in this forum they will actually start doing something about it.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-02-04 14:00:00
PhilippinesSending a Balikbayan box thru Atlas Shippers International
I've sent a bout 4 BB Boxes using Atlas. The corporate operation is fine and will get your box to it's destination.

The only failing I've experienced was the idiot local store who "forgot" to call Atlas Chicago to pick up our box at the end of October. This meant it went out the end of November instead. The local store will remain out of the loop from now on (I think they closed down anyway) and We'll just pay a little extra for Atlas to pick the box up at our house now.

Their tracking system is stupid though. It will only show once you're box is received in Manila. You would think they'd be able to show once it's at the port in the US and then again when the ship is out to sea but apparently they don't care to be on top of the situation like that.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-02-03 16:31:00
PhilippinesGetting married in Manila

Don't forget to get your CENOMAR while in Manila. And better bring a wad of cash. It helps with the process.

What!?!?

CENOMAR is only for the Philippine Citizen. The affidavit from USEM in Manila is sufficient for USC.

@OP, why are you not getting married in the city where your beloved lives? Local Civil Registries are much easier to deal with (and a lot cheaper on the bribes).
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-01-06 11:03:00
PhilippinesU.S. EMBASSY ACS AND CONSULAR SECTION MOVING
I'm glad to hear that Air21 got the boot!

We had an issue when I sent something to her using Either UPS or FedEx and they contracted with Air21 who disregarded the Customs forms as held the package hostage for ridiculous import tariffs (despite the fact that the forms clearly stated the item was sent to the US for Repair and already owned by her in the PH). The US Carrier & Air21 dropped the ball and left me with the bill.

I'll never ship internationally with any carrier other than DHL because they always have local employees in every country they serve and will go to bat for you in cases like this.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-02-15 13:44:00
PhilippinesGot my EAD :)

on my EAD card, the expiration date would be after a year. We apply EAD together with my AOS application last Nov 19 and got an email notification and told that my EAD was approved last february 7, 2011. As it shows on my EAD card, it would be expired on February 6, 2012 meaning my EAD is valid for ONE YEAR. When your applying for AOS, EAD and Advance parole are FREE so we just tae advantage of it since I havent got yet my green card, at least now I could do the job hunting :) hope this help

Thanks for the reply, I thinks there is a lot of confusion around EAD & K-1. I've seen it stated that filing for EAD at all on K-1 is a waste because it's expiration is tied to the original I-94 expiration and I've seen it said that's only true if you apply for EAD without AOS. Your reply makes it clear the later one is true.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-02-17 15:41:00
PhilippinesGot my EAD :)
Out of curiosity, what is the expiration date on your EAD? Does it match your I-94 expiration date which by your timeline was around Thanksgiving?

I'm asking this because I've seen it said many times on VJ that applying for EAD on K-1 is useless as it is supposed to expire with your I-94.

I would just like to know if that's true or not...
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-02-17 15:07:00
Philippineswho will go to phil this month
Most airlines require you book 24 - 48 hours in advance.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-02-16 16:45:00
PhilippinesPlease help, problems with phone

thank you very much for the response, i will go search about the nettalk duo, and vonage. i do have internet connection at home, its just that we sort of want to feel like we were just so near to each other that we can text and send messages or call whereever we go. thanks again

For texting we used SunCellular's subscription service imessenger which allowed us to redirect our yahoo ym between our cell phones.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-02-24 10:31:00
PhilippinesPlease help, problems with phone
If she sends a US cell phone to you then she will have to pay international roaming which is too expensive.

Get internet at your home and then get:

1 MagicJack, $20 per year, needs a computer
2 NetTalk Duo, $100 per year, no computer needed
3 Vonage, $360 per year, no computer needed

These are the cheapest options. Each will give you a US based phone number in the Philippines.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-02-24 09:32:00
PhilippinesB2 visa question

Would borrowing money from friends to temporarily balloon their bank acct help?

Nope, they want proof that the money has been there for a while. My wife's uncle had plenty of money sitting in the bank for 6 months and they still denied him. Even told him it looks suspicious that his account balance suddenly jumped up quite a bit just months prior to the Visa application.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-02-25 17:20:00
PhilippinesB2 visa question
If her parent's presence at the wedding is that important I would suggest one of two routes:

1) Schedule a faux Wedding ceremony for about 1 week after her Visa Interview. Fly over for the ceremony and return to the US with her. Note that this MUST NOT be a legal wedding or it will invalidate the K-1 Visa.

2) Scrap the K-1, arrange to marry her in the Philippines and file for a CR-1 after the wedding.

If you are intent on your original plan then strong ties to the Philippine include:

1) Land/house ownership.
2) Lots of money in the bank.
3) Good employment.
4) A few other children (better if they're minors)

Even if they have all four items I've listed B-Class Visas from the Philippines are difficult to get due to a history of abuse from that country.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-02-25 13:12:00
PhilippinesMarriage Fraud, Divorce and a life on hold . . .

Bob, this is not correct. When a Philippine court recognizes the foreign divorce decree, she is legally free to marry, even in the Philippines. The CFO will issue the sticker once there is a court order that the divorce is recognized. They cannot disregard a court order.

With all due respect Pinay Wife you missed some of the context of my post (in my earlier replies).

I was speaking of situations where there is no Recognition of the Foreign Divorce (either due to lack of filing or because a Filipino initiated the divorce).

You are correct that where the is Legal Recognition of the Foreign Divorce then CFO will issue the Sticker.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-03-01 01:28:00
PhilippinesMarriage Fraud, Divorce and a life on hold . . .

Bob4Anna,
Thanks for the help . . . . I might be reading too much into this . . . but it seems that if she got the K1, and left to go to a country on a vacation that doesn't require an RP Visa, she could then jump on a airplane from that country and enter the US with her K1 visa -right? I'm assuming that a K1 Visa holder is it is not required to go directly to the US, but can do a vacation . . .but once in the US - they must marry, or leave, or file for an extension of some kind. If that's the case, then as a Plan B, option 1 does have some merit - no?
The Poodle Guy

Once she has a US Immigrant Visa in her Passport she will need the CFO Sticker to leave the Philippines. If she is living/working abroad and has met the residency requirements for the foreign country then she can get a K-1 through the US Embassy in that country. Note that she must not return to the Philippines until she is a US Citizen though or she will get stuck in the Philippines unable to leave without the CFO Clearance.

The best route is to be patient and file for the recognition of foreign divorce.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-02-26 07:05:00
PhilippinesMarriage Fraud, Divorce and a life on hold . . .

2) Since the US recognizes Philippine Marriage AND Japanese divorce, a K1 fiance visa can be issued to her. The K3 visa cannot be issued, because obviously she can't get remarried in the RP if #1 is not true. No CENOMAR issued or needed. I've read mixed results on this tact, and it appears to be heavily dependent on the 'luck of the draw' as to how the issue handled at the embassy.

Since everyone else has addressed other parts of your post I'll address this.
You're right & wrong on this scenario.

The US Embassy will accept her Japanese divorce (regardless of who initiated it or if it's been filed with the Philippines courts for recognition in the Philippines). This means that she could get a K-1 Visa issued. That's the YES part.

Here's the NO part: To leave the Philippines with a US K-1 Visa in her passport she will need a CFO Certificate and sticker clearing her to leave the country. CFO will not issue her the certificate & sticker because in order to get it she must prove that she is free to marry but by Philippine Law she isn't.

So, while she may get the K-1 issued she will not be able to use it.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-02-26 00:35:00
PhilippinesWere we are right now in this process
You can always delay the interview but honestly you should have updated the passport right after your marriage.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-03-02 13:32:00
PhilippinesNaturalization of Illegitimate Child?
Once your wife naturalizes her daughter will become a US Citizen if she is already a LPR.

The legitimization clause is regarding illegitimate children of US Citizens.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-03-02 16:06:00
PhilippinesInterview date has been set can we go to st. lukes now?

damn.... "Platinum Member"? I wish i could be one some day....

Ha, I'm not even sure how many posts or how long you have to be on VJ to get that title.

I think I've changed the title to something more appropriate.

Edited by Bob 4 Anna, 03 March 2011 - 02:20 PM.

Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-03-03 14:19:00
PhilippinesInterview date has been set can we go to st. lukes now?
Mikhail,

I've noticed that you're starting a lot of new threads asking simple questions that have been answered time and time and time and time again.

With just a little bit of looking around (search is your friend) you could easily find the answers.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-03-03 13:36:00
PhilippinesManila: Wedding Date on Marriage Cert differ from actual

Thank you everyone for your responses!

I believe my situation is similar to 'Bob 4 Anna'. The 10 day waiting period is what its all about. Also, for NSO purposes, we used 01/31/11 as our official wedding date as written on the marriage certificate.


Then you will use 1/31/11 as your wedding date on all documents that ask for it regardless of if it's for immigration purposes or otherwise.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-03-07 20:41:00
PhilippinesManila: Wedding Date on Marriage Cert differ from actual
You really have not given enough details to get a proper answer.

Sometimes the dates just don't match for valid reasons, example:

In our case, we had our ceremony on Jan 21th. The documents were all signed on that day. The Mayor officiated and we left that afternoon for our honeymoon.

Our "Official" wedding date in Jan 30 because we just filled out the license application on Jan 20th! This means we couldn't legally be officially married until the 30th.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-03-07 10:36:00
PhilippinesMy beautiful wife is very irresponsible

Why? Once she becomes a USC, her parents jump to the front of the line.

Parents do but not the siblings!
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-03-08 17:15:00
PhilippinesMy beautiful wife is very irresponsible

Trust me I have thought about that too. It might be worse for me and my wife if they are here if they still decide not to work. Anybody have any great experiences when they brought their in-laws to the U.S.?


You do realize that it's pretty much a moot point as it would take like 20 years, right?
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-03-08 15:45:00