ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
PhilippinesCFO: 12 slots per day?!
Wow those seem like big changes. I would love to read about people's experience at Cebu vs Manila and in general of their experiences doing the sessions at CFO instead of at SMEF-COW. I've read horror stories about SMEF-COW (particularly Cebu but also some about Manila) so I wonder if these are a little more rational than those? I read some people have spent weeks or months trying to get SMEF-COW approval. If this new process is more of an educational in-out in 3 hours session then that would be nice to know about.
newbsterMalePhilippines2012-07-27 01:03:00
PhilippinesForms of ID

Voter's id, PRC license, SSS id


What is PRC and SSS? Thanks.
newbsterMalePhilippines2012-08-02 09:23:00
PhilippinesForms of ID
I think she definitely doesn't have a driver's license. Passport yes. Postal ID I've never heard of, will ask him. School/work I'll ask as well. If anyone thinks of others let me know. TY.
newbsterMalePhilippines2012-08-02 08:53:00
PhilippinesForms of ID
A friend asked me what 2 forms of ID with photo his Filipina fiance can use if required.

I have no idea. What forms of ID are available and commonly used in Phils?

Thanks
newbsterMalePhilippines2012-08-02 08:42:00
Philippineshours of operation of CFO seminar office
Are they doing Cebu classes at both SMEF-COW and the CFO office itself now? Does anyone know if the experience is better at CFO Cebu than at SMEF-COW?

Thanks
newbsterMalePhilippines2012-08-03 13:35:00
PhilippinesNVC Completed What's Next

Have a few question. Nvc case just completed for my adopted child.
I know the medical,interview, and CFO are left. Is there anything else I'm leaving out for travel back to the U.S?
Has anybody made or seen a check list of things to bring for medical or interview?
Is your passport sent to you after the interview? Or will they have it ready for you before you leave USEM? If they don't give it back at that time, and you've decided to take your CFO class before hand, do you have to travel back to Manila to receive your CFO sticker when you get your passport? If so does it have to be at the same location where you took the class? Does anybody have any opions on the best place to take your CFO classes?
Thanks for all your help


Congrats on getting this far. This question is asked about once a week I think. I searched back 5 pages on this forum and found the last time it was asked. Read this to get your questions answered.
http://www.visajourn...038-got-my-mnl/

Also the short answer to your questions are:
No, you aren't leaving anything out
Yes, people have made lists many times - read stickies on this forum and look back about 10 pages to get everything answered
Yes, passport is sent.
Yes, you have to go to where you took CFO to get sticker on your passport.

Have fun. :)
newbsterMalePhilippines2012-08-07 16:50:00
PhilippinesCFO SEMINAR
Is PRISM still open or have they closed classes there?
newbsterMalePhilippines2012-08-01 22:51:00
PhilippinesCFO Cebu; K1/K2 visa

She doesnt need to bring her child at the seminar.. I already had my seminar last week i did not bring my son too. he is 9 yo.. I called before i went there.. CFO office is different from where you will have the seminar.. Let her call first.
CFO office tel #: 255-5253
SMEF-COW office tel#: 235-3745 .. this is where she will have the seminar..

try to look at this link for detailed info.

http://www.visajourn...cfo-experience/

Hi AlohaBabes,

Thanks for posting. I heard that the seminar can now be done in Cebu at SMEF-COW or at the CFO office itself. Do you know if that's right?

Where did you do your seminar? How long did it take and what time did you show up there to get in line? Were people turned away because the class was already full?

Are there any tips you'd give?

Thanks for any comments on the experience. :)
newbsterMalePhilippines2012-08-13 09:39:00
PhilippinesNVC doing investigation about lost I-129F packet....
My friend found out last night from the investigation that the packet has reached NVC but there is no MNL# generated. Perhaps it is lost. We'll see I guess.
newbsterMalePhilippines2012-08-14 08:46:00
PhilippinesNVC doing investigation about lost I-129F packet....
Hi,

My friend's K-1 packet didn't arrive at NVC from California Service Center. It's been 15 days and they asked him to fax his NOA2 letter to them so they can do an investigation.

Has anyone heard of this? Any idea how long it might take to find it? My fiance didn't want to travel to Manila alone from Cebu so we've been waiting a few weeks for my friend to get his MNL# so she could travel from Cebu with his fiance but now if it's going to be weeks or months she might go on alone.

So any idea how long an investigation might take?

Thanks
newbsterMalePhilippines2012-08-13 20:59:00
PhilippinesFYI - Embassy K-1 dates
I think it's smarter than that. I had to create a login so it knows who I am. I wonder if anyone else has ideas? I will try to call them as well I think.
newbsterMalePhilippines2012-08-15 00:43:00
PhilippinesFYI - Embassy K-1 dates
How do you do that. I booked online. Can you reschedule online? Is that possible? Or do you have to phone them? Can I phone them or only my fiance who is going for the interview? Pls educate me because I'd LOVE to get an earlier date. Your help would be so nice here.

When I go online and click "reschedule" it says I must first cancel the appointment. But I don't want to lose the October 1st date and have to go even later....what is the way to do it?

Thank you

Edited by newbster, 14 August 2012 - 10:51 PM.

newbsterMalePhilippines2012-08-14 22:49:00
PhilippinesFYI - Embassy K-1 dates
I just booked our date and the earliest available was October 1st.
newbsterMalePhilippines2012-08-14 20:33:00
PhilippinesBringing Yaya ( Baby sitter ) in the US
To the guys who are coming down hard in this thread with criticism, please back off. One of the things I've been impressed by on vj is that people really don't judge others when they ask questions. This is a place for sharing information and encouraging others...not judging other people or criticizing them when they innocently ask questions. You don't know Eternal Love's situation. Maybe they can't afford to pay and their yaya will do it for free? Maybe their yaya is a close family friend and they miss her. There could be so many reasons or explanations but it's not our place to try to figure it out - it's Eternal Love's decision. And one thing I've learned in life is that beating up on one person about something doesn't change the world, it just makes that one person's life and your own less happy.

Would you like it if people posted on your fiance thread that you shouldn't marry someone from another country because there are women or men in the U.S. who are unmarried and wish they had a husband or wife?

Come on, be nice please.

To Eternal Love: I'm sure you can do this. There are women in my neighborhood who are here as au pairs from other countries. I'm 100% sure of this. I've met them at the park taking my toddler there to play. I'm not sure how you do it but it's possible - just check out those sites I mentioned. It may take a long time though, not sure. Good luck. :)

Edited by newbster, 13 August 2012 - 05:27 PM.

newbsterMalePhilippines2012-08-13 17:20:00
PhilippinesBringing Yaya ( Baby sitter ) in the US
I think it's possible to do this. You can do some research on sites like greataupair.com and care.com. What you want is to bring an "au pair" or "nanny" to the U.S. from PI. This is possible. Research on those sites how to do it. It's a work visa of some sort. I meet people all the time in my neighborhood who have au pairs from other countries, usually south/central america and the caribbean but I've heard of au pairs from Phils as well. You can click on "partners" on the greataupair.com site to find a list of other companies to work with to get an au pair brought to the U.S. One example is this company. http://www.aupairinamerica.com/

Anyway, good luck and if all else fails google it. :)

Edited by newbster, 13 August 2012 - 02:01 PM.

newbsterMalePhilippines2012-08-13 13:56:00
PhilippinesManila CFO account
Yes that's how it works mygrc. You go back to get sticker in your Visa.
newbsterMalePhilippines2012-08-14 11:49:00
PhilippinesSLEC skin test question

Yup, SLEC website should have that info but they did not put it up there. only found out about it during my immunization interview. we had to stay in manila for two weeks just for the medical. I have two kids.

Did either of the skin tests show positive? I read that most Phils kids show positive due to some vaccination they get.
newbsterMalePhilippines2012-08-16 23:51:00
PhilippinesSLEC skin test question

It does say on the website that TST is given to those 2-14 years of age, and that it is supposed to be read within 48-72 hours. It also says not to go for medicals on Thursdays if you are to undergo TST since there's no way they can read that within the required timeframe, being that it will fall on a weekend.


Ah I didn't see that. Even though it says that it should also inform people that they will need to return yet another day after that for the x-ray result if TB test is positive and that many children in Phils are positive due to BCG vaccination....so really going on any day but a Tuesday or Monday with kids is a silly idea.

By the way sparkygirl. I'm really sorry to hear you had to take 2 weeks. That must have been very expensive.

Edited by newbster, 16 August 2012 - 10:58 PM.

newbsterMalePhilippines2012-08-16 22:49:00
PhilippinesSLEC skin test question
You know I just thought of this. Anyone who has a child should know to only go to the medical on Mon or Tue so there is time to come back that same week for TB skin test reading then if necessary get X-ray and come back for that result on Friday. This would save anyone a lot of money. As it stands now we have to pay for 3(!) trips to Manila instead of 1 since I didn't know this.
newbsterMalePhilippines2012-08-16 21:51:00
PhilippinesSLEC skin test question

if skin test is done on tuesday (tuesday is a holiday tho),the result will be read two days after so that will be thursday. If the skin test comes out positive, the girl will have to do an xray and they are usually asked to return the next day for the xray result.


Thank you. I had the date wrong. It's Wed Aug 22 so she'll have to return Friday. I just called SLEC and they said if she needs chest x-ray she'll get it Friday but have to come back Monday. Wow is all of this travel expensive. :(
newbsterMalePhilippines2012-08-16 21:44:00
PhilippinesSLEC skin test question
Hi, can anyone weigh in here? The travel costs are already so high. I'd like to book the correct trip length to Manila. If a 5 year old girl goes to SLEC on Tuesday at 9am for TB skin test. How long should she plan to stay in Manila? Is it 3 more days to get TB results on Friday? Or should the trip home be booked for Tuesday night then if necessary she will come back some later day/week? Thanks!
newbsterMalePhilippines2012-08-16 14:05:00
PhilippinesSLEC skin test question
So for the next trip should we book at 3 day trip if she goes on Tues Aug 22 that means she has to go back for a reading or x-ray on Friday Aug 25?

Thanks
newbsterMalePhilippines2012-08-16 09:40:00
PhilippinesSLEC skin test question
Hi,

My fiance had her medical today and they told her she is done in 1 day. I hadn't heard of that happening. Don't you usually have to go back on day 2 for shots?

But her 5 year old daughter they want to come back on Aug 22 for a TB skin test. What does that mean?

Thanks
newbsterMalePhilippines2012-08-16 07:54:00
PhilippinesWhat to do?
I know I'll be in the minority here but the situation may be more nuanced than it first appears. I'm trying to think about this logically and not have an emotional reaction of hurt affect the decision.

First how reliable is the information you have? Maybe it's exaggerated?

Second, maybe she still feels bad for this guy somehow, pities him, likes him, has some lingering feeling and wanted to make him feel better so she said that to him even though she has no intention or wish to take it anywhere.

I don't know if I'd take the extreme measure of cutting relations with your wife. Talk to her about it. Figure out what really happened. Go from there. If my wife actually cheated on me (and my ex-wife actually did) then ya I'd say goodbye quickly. But that's not what happened here, figure it out before doing anything drastic. That's what I think. :)
newbsterMalePhilippines2012-08-14 15:27:00
Philippinesmed, interview,and CFO experience

djames95...Thank you for sharing your experience. I enjoyed reading your story. :thumbs:

Yup...paragraphs would have helped. :idea:



newbster...Thanks for sharing your story too. :thumbs:

...and thanks for the paragraphs. :)



Bookmarked !!! :yes:


Just to be clear it's not my story. I merely took the original post and re-formatted it so everyone could read it easier because I couldn't read it myself without doing that. So I formatted on my own PC then put it up to help eveyrone else read it too. My story is still ongoing - we aren't to med and embassy yet - just got NOA2 ;-)
newbsterMalePhilippines2012-07-21 21:46:00
Canadaextending wife's stay while she's here in the states
Hello VJ'ers-

We are in the dreaded wait for the interview in Montreal, case was completed on 1/13/10. Called NVC today and found out they are done for March scheduling :( which I didn't really think we'd get into anyways, so here's to April!

On another note, my wife is currently here in the states visiting me. She arrived on 2/8 and was planning on staying until 2/23 as we are house hunting :). But we haven't quite accomplished everything that needs to be done so she is thinking of extending her stay here til 3/6. Is this going to be an issue at the interview? That will put her here for about 3 and a half weeks in total. The US border guard stamped her passport with a class B2 visa so I know that's valid for up to six months, but obviously she's not going to stay that long. Just wanted to make sure this was okay. I don't see any issues being under 30 days correct?

thanks all!
JaJo08MaleCanada2010-02-16 14:24:00
Canadapossible to cross the border in wife's dad's car?
Sounds good! I assume then when she flies back up though to get her car, that this won't be a problem, or do we need to bring it with her when we cross that first time?
JaJo08MaleCanada2010-03-26 12:31:00
Canadapossible to cross the border in wife's dad's car?
Okay, so in exploring our moving options (Edmonton to Denver), we've come to the conclusion that wife cannot downsize(she's getting some antique pieces from her mom) and we don't want to spend 2K on Uhaul truck. ABF upack was still around $1400 on nonpeak day for terminal to terminal move too and that's only for 6 linear feet of space.

So was wondering about this option. If my wife's dad (or one of her other family members or friends) lent his big truck to us and we used that to tow the biggest Uhaul trailer possible down (6'X12') I think this would work, this trailer only costs about $400. Her car couldn't tow the trailer as its only 150hp but I did consider it! Question is, is this possible? Can we bring a borrowed vehicle across the border when first landing in the US with her? The thought is, then my wifes dad or whomever lent us the vehicle would fly down a short time after and get it once we got here and then drive it back to Canada. Then she would fly back home in the next six months sometime and drive her car down across the border at a later date or perhaps we would bring it with us the first time maybe? I'm just curious about the whole "borrowed" vehicle thing that isn't intending to stay in the states. Is this mad? Is this even possible? What do we need in order to do so? I just feel so cheated by the moving companies having to pay those outrageous amounts!

thanks again!
JaJo08MaleCanada2010-03-26 00:59:00
CanadaFinancial docs for interview
thanks Trailmix, you're always so helpful!
JaJo08MaleCanada2010-04-05 00:02:00
CanadaFinancial docs for interview

As I'm getting ready to gather my final documents here for our interview in Montreal, I want to make sure I have everything that is required. I submitted the I-864EZ as I solely used my income for the support. When I submitted the package as we did EP, I submitted a copy of my 2008 federal tax returns as well as the last 6 months worth of paystubs. At the interview what exactly is required? A copy of the 2008 federal tax returns and how many pay stubs do I need to bring? I can bring my W2 from 2009 as well as my 2009 federal return as it is now done too. Do these need to be originals or are copies okay?

thanks so much!



Anyone?
JaJo08MaleCanada2010-04-04 18:05:00
CanadaFinancial docs for interview
As I'm getting ready to gather my final documents here for our interview in Montreal, I want to make sure I have everything that is required. I submitted the I-864EZ as I solely used my income for the support. When I submitted the package as we did EP, I submitted a copy of my 2008 federal tax returns as well as the last 6 months worth of paystubs. At the interview what exactly is required? A copy of the 2008 federal tax returns and how many pay stubs do I need to bring? I can bring my W2 from 2009 as well as my 2009 federal return as it is now done too. Do these need to be originals or are copies okay?

thanks so much!
JaJo08MaleCanada2010-04-02 17:39:00
CanadaBringing possessions across the border at a later date
Thanks TM!
JaJo08MaleCanada2010-04-05 11:27:00
CanadaBringing possessions across the border at a later date
My wife and I have now changed our plans for her move down here and have another question. The plan is to just drive down in her car with the two of us and what can fit in her car.

Her dad has now offered to tow down a Uhaul trailer at a later date with all her stuff in it. Probably within the next 2 months. I'm curious what needs to be done for this if anything at all? My understanding is that when my wife first lands at the border crossing that she can bring in all her goods and it's exempt from any duties, is this correct? If her dad brings them at a later date will they still be exempt? or is there a time period that they are still exempt? What do we need to give her dad to allow him to bring all her stuff down in the Uhaul? A declaration form and a note?
JaJo08MaleCanada2010-04-05 00:59:00
CanadaMontreal Interview Review
We received the visa today! It actually beat us back to Edmonton as we spent the weekend in Ottawa with my wife's friend after our interview on Thursday. I can't believe it when it came this morning! So excited!
JaJo08MaleCanada2010-04-19 12:39:00
CanadaMontreal Interview Review
Thank you for all the congrats and again I can't say enough how helpful these forums have been for getting through this process. Anytime I was unsure of anything, I just asked here and always received the correct answer. I feel the main reason our case was so fast was due mostly to these boards with all the kind and knowledgeable people and my meticulous nature of course :). Everything we sent in was always clear, complete and tip-top.

To answer some of the questions, the weather in Montreal was pretty nice. About 15 most days, but a bit chilly on our last day as it was 9.

Zenaxe-

I brought the original paystubs that I had sent with the original I864EZ submission which were six months worth from the date I sent it in. I also brought all paystubs since 1/1/2010 just as an added plus even though I had my 2009 W2 and full tax return as well. I did not bring any more from the gap between when I sent the I864EZ and the new year. I didn't have any other financial docs since I solely used my income from my employer as the support. Hope this helps.

Good to luck to everyone.
JaJo08MaleCanada2010-04-16 21:49:00
CanadaMontreal Interview Review
So we had our interview yesterday morning in Montreal. We were first in line at 6:45am and received the sacred letter "A" upon entry at 7:30. Security, instruction sheet, taken downstairs to little waiting room for about 10 minutes. Guard comes down from elevator, takes us all up to 19th floor with great views. Waited another 10 minutes, called back to window 10. Had everything ready and gave the following to very nice lady in no set order.

  • Original DS230
  • Original + copy of Marriage certificate
  • Original + copy of Birth Certificate
  • Original Police Certificate
  • Original I864 + financial docs. (I included 2009 tax returns and pay stubs since 1/1/2010)
  • Sealed Medical Results
  • 2 Passport photos
  • Xpress post envelope

She thanked us for being so organized and ready too.

Sat back down for 10 minutes, lots of people started shuffling in for the non immigrant side. There were only maybe 6 other couples on our side waiting for immigrant visas.

Called back again for finger prints to same window, same lady. Sat back down.

Waited about 20 minutes and called to room 8. Opened door, very nice lady with longer hair, probably mid 40's. She was very chatty and smiley. Asked us how we met, when we got married, what I (USC) did, what my wife did, and does she plan to do this in the states. Then said she hoped we had brought the police certificate for S. Korea to which we said it's a country we do not have reciprocity with and therefore we were unable to obtain it and that the interview docs specifically stated that we didn't need to bring it. I also had emailed Montreal months prior asking if we needed it and had the return email from one of their employees stating we didn't need it. She was polite (we didn't panic as we knew we were correct) and said let me check here and looked in her computer and then said, yes, you are correct and we don't need it. Then said, well everything looks in order here so I'd like to welcome you to the United States. Said visa will be in mail within two weeks and we left. Had tons of pictures, phone records, plane stubs, etc., but never asked to see any of that. She also mentioned our case was one of the fastest she had ever seen as we mailed the I-130 Aug 24th of 2009 and were done with no RFE's by 1/13/10 and we did EP (electronic processing) too.

Walked out and was back at the hotel by 8:45 am, no joke. The actual interview was maybe 5 minutes total.

I would have written a review of the medical too which we did on Monday 4/12 at Dr. Seidens on L'assomption blvd, but that was really uneventful. We were there for maybe 2 hours most of which was waiting and then wife was called back twice. Once for questions and x-rays, second time for blood. Doc was pretty boring she said, poked her a couple times, went down a list of questions ultra fast and marked "no" for everything before she could even answer and then said "you are very healthy young woman". Picked up results on Wednesday afternoon. Stayed at the Hotel Dauphin which was superb in location, comfort, and service.

Just glad to be done. For all the exhaustion and work this was, the end was very uneventful, but Montreal was very beautiful and we saw many things including the Tiffany Glass exhibit at the fine art museum which was well worth it. Anyways, we couldn't have done this so easily if it wasn't for this forum and I thank everyone here with all my heart and wish everyone the best on their visa journey's and lives. Namaste. Thank you!

Jason
JaJo08MaleCanada2010-04-16 11:49:00
Canadahow long to get 2 year green card in mail and work related questions...
Thanks for all the responses! Yes, we are in Denver and my buddy just confirmed for me that he gets everyone's mail at his address, even people who haven't lived there for 8 years.
JaJo08MaleCanada2010-05-04 23:19:00
Canadahow long to get 2 year green card in mail and work related questions...

The ball doesnt start rolling until your POE!! Normally takes around a month to get the actual greencard in the mail, until then yes, the stamp in ur passport works as the greencard, its good for 1 yr! Many times you know the greencard is on its way when you get a "Welcoem to the USA letter" in the mail, many get multiples of that letter. And I believe you can check online on its status

SSN. Yes by theory it should arrive in th mail if you checked it off on that form, BUT quite often,it doesnt! One has to wait approx 10-14 BUSINESS days to go and check on its status. If you go too soon, you won't be in the system yet. I strongly recommend you download a form, fil lit out and take it with you when you goto the SSN office, thus when they say, one hasn't been issued to you, you simply hand over the already filled out form! Ensure u bring ur passport and birth cert! Mine arrived in the mail 1 week later



Thanks for the response, but the expiration date is not 1 year later, but 6 months for the temp one as shown in the passport. As far as putting my friends address down with his name, that shouldn't be a problem correct?
JaJo08MaleCanada2010-05-03 16:39:00
Canadahow long to get 2 year green card in mail and work related questions...
We completed our interview on 4/15 and passed and my wife received her passport back with the 6 month temp visa glued inside just a week later. My question is, how long does it typically take to get the 2 year CR green card in the mail? On the DS230 I put down a good friend's name and address for the green card to be mailed and I'm hoping that's not a problem. I did so because I wasn't sure where we'd be living in the coming months as my wife and I are going to moving since my place is too small to accomodate the two of us. I assume they will address the CR1 card to my friend since it was his name and address I listed and hopefully not to my wife since she does not reside there. Does it typically arrive fairly soon after the interview?

The reason I'm curious about all this is that my wife will start applying for jobs once we get to the states and when they ask for her green card, will it be sufficient to just show the temporary one in the meantime? I'm guessing they'll also want to see her social security card as well which even though we checked the box to have one mailed to us, I was told it may be quicker to just go down to the social security office in my city and get her one there. Again though, will they want to see the permanent green card or will the temp one suffice?

thanks for the help!

Jason
JaJo08MaleCanada2010-05-03 16:20:00
CanadaImporting possessions after POE

I usually cross L/Q unless there's ridonkulous traffic. As I have to drive east from Buffalo, the Peace Bridge is out of the way, and there's discount gasoline at Smoking Joes about 5 miles down NY-31 just this side of the L/Q that I usually stop at.



Yvonne bought a 2009 LTZ -- lots of tricks and features in it; she did a good job picking it out. :)
Posted Image



I'm slightly confused on all this now. So my wife and I are going to do our POE tomorrow afternoon, but we are only bringing her car and the stuff she can fit in her car. So for this crossing do we not need to fill out any forms for the goods she is bringing now? She went ahead and filled out the 3299 form for when her dad is going to be bringing all her stuff down in a few months, but there is no form then for when we cross tomorrow?

thanks and sorry for the confusion.
JaJo08MaleCanada2010-05-07 14:58:00