Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)	AP TRACKER	smithmm IR1 Philippines/Manila 3/12/09, 5/5/09 221g Got email case reaffirmed, sent to DOS/NVC. Waiting for letter & eventual note from embassy. You may add our case to AP tracker. Hope Capn'n Ewok adds the AP data to timelines!	smithmm	Male	Philippines	2010-07-30 15:51:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)	2nd Time Doing NVC Process	Yes, your immigration counselor (lawyer) is correct. The NVC will simply record in your file that the I-130 petition was reaffirmed by USCIS. This removes the possible "P6C" marker (paragraph 6C of section 212 of INA) from your file if you hadn't replied to the NOID/NOIR RFE notice from USCIS in time or USCIS didn't accept your evidence. The NVC then directly forwards the reaffirmed petition to the foreign embassy. Sometimes (depending on the embassy) a new case number will be assigned. No further fees are due at NVC, nor paperwork needs to be submitted. Usually NVC forwards the file within a few days. As far as I recall, the next notice you get is a letter to the beneficiary from the embassy with an interview appointment. If the beneficiary has moved, be sure to contact the embassy now with the new address (an address change with USCIS does not automatically transfer to DOS). If more than a year has passed, expect to get a new police clearance, medical exam and updated I-864 AOS for the interview. Good luck with the next interview (you should have a much better chance this time!)	smithmm	Male	Philippines	2012-01-13 14:06:00
Philippines	May 04, 2009 Interview, anyone?	QUOTE Interview date is on May 5 My wife Anabelle got an Air21 telegram dated 3/24 on 3/30 with her second interview scheduled for May 5 at 8AM. I hope she's not so nervous this time and she passes!	smithmm	Male	Philippines	2009-03-31 15:46:00
Philippines	MAY INTERVIEWS	No, if anything, Anabelle's pregnancy would be a strong sign of our ongoing relationship, as I'm the proud father! Just make sure that your paperwork is in order and any past issues are resolved in your life. Please don't keep secrets from your spouse. Be honest, even when it hurts.	smithmm	Male	Philippines	2009-05-05 19:16:00
Philippines	MAY INTERVIEWS	Anabelle attended her first day at St. Lukes with me on March 6. She has not been able to return for her vaccinations as she had a positive pregnancy test on March 29. She had a very long and difficult day at the US Embassy today. Her spousal visa has been denied. We'll have many more documents to file, fees to pay and months (perhaps years) to wait before we may be able to file again. It may not be worth it as I'm hoping to retire early and move to the PI to be with her and our new family. Unless she's able to find a way to work in Canada, we'll have to settle on a few visits per year (only 2 weeks vacation). I hope that your experiences at the US Embassy are much better than what my wife went through. She was crying, very emotional and even expressed having some suicidal thoughts. I hope that your wives and fiancees never have to go through this!	smithmm	Male	Philippines	2009-05-05 18:23:00
Philippines	CFO seminar question	Here is a link that provides pictures for the departure process (and more details): http://www.silent-ga...rture.php#NAIA1 The new Arrival/Departure card is shown just below the Bureau of Immigration info on the visa page: http://www.silent-gardens.com/visa.php I've also attached an image so that you can see the required information. Hope this helps!  Arrival-Card-2010.jpg   50.81KB   9 downloads	smithmm	Male	Philippines	2010-11-05 17:14:00
Philippines	CFO seminar question	For visitors (like myself I went through NAIA #1 10/18 just before Juan), there is a Departure Card that you fill out. The new varsion of the arrival card includes it on the right with perforation (already filled it out on my arriving flight the week beforehand). I submitted the Departure Card, passport and terminal fee of P750 at the booth before entering the Immigration area (clerk hands it back with receipt). If you're Filipino and haven't paid the travel tax in your ticket fare already (think it's still P1620?) you may need to pay that as well. The Immigration Officer will take your Departure Card and place a departure stamp in your passport. If you're missing something like the CFO stamp, I imagine this is the last point where you may be stopped. When I was entering the airline checkin line the attendants handed out a separate Departure Card to fill out (but I used the one that I'd already completed the week before).	smithmm	Male	Philippines	2010-11-04 18:00:00
Philippines	ITIN	CP, if the IRS acceptance agent in Manila is unavailable, I would advise on making the trip to Angeles to the Jim Boyd Foundation. Buses ply EDSA (usual stops near Cubao, Muñoz & Balintawak) with Dau signboard. Aircon bus runs maybe P100 and the trip is about an hour, depending on traffic. You can take a tricycle from the Dau bus station or walk past Jollibee to McArthur Highway for a jeep going south (left) to the arch. Jim Boyd charged P500 to review the civil documents with the W7. We tried applying for W7s for our children in October 2010, but ran into the eligibility requirement of needing to be residents in north America (Mexico, US or Canada). If we had applied 2 years before, there would have been no problem for them to have gotten their ITINs, allowing them to be listed as dependents. Now we've applied for CR2s so that we can do that later this year. You should have no trouble with your spouse. Yes Turbo Tax & other software are picky about SSNs. I just used the standard paper forms. You might try a dummy number and then use white out on the printout over your spouses SSN fields?	smithmm	Male	Philippines	2012-01-17 22:55:00
Philippines	ITIN	Another possibility is what my wife & I did in early 2008. I brought all my paper forms with me, filled out the W7 and made a statement that we elected to treat my wife as a resident alien (subjects our worldwide income to US taxes). She went to the Jim Boyd Foundation (IRS Acceptance Agent) in Angeles City (Recreation Activities Office building close to McAurthur's Arch on McArthur Boulevard on the left - if you're at the jeepney circle you've just passed it going south from Dau). My wife brought our tax forms, her Philippine Passport, our Marriage Contract (not sure if NSO version was available yet) and P500 processing fee. She was given a notice from Jim Boyd and his helpful secretary that our application for the ITIN had been accepted. The secretary just checked the original civil documents and my wife left with them after filing our tax forms there. I think that our direct deposit refund went through within 2 months and fortunately there was no problem with my bank needing her name on my account for it to clear. This doesn't work for everyone, but we found it a nice way for her to visit her Aunt & friends while taking care of Uncle Sam's requirements too (but needs some planning ahead to make it work). Good luck with whatever you decide!	smithmm	Male	Philippines	2011-01-27 19:29:00
Philippines	My personal US customs experience	My experience was similar. Delta flights via Narita to ROC October 2010 & ELM December 2011. Fewer questions were asked, but our visa application was 4 years ago. Had patdown as I opted out of millimeter scan. No checked bags. I've seen a few older posts on this topic, but I don't recall any before 2010? This isn't the "welcome to the US" I'd like my wife and kids to have. I've only gone to the PI since 1998.	smithmm	Male	Philippines	2012-04-04 17:33:00
Philippines	taxes	Customs experiences You may also wish to browse the upper Reviews: POE tab for DTW.	smithmm	Male	Philippines	2012-07-22 13:31:00
Philippines	I just married a Filipina in Cebu what does she need for ID's for her Philippines passport now?	Another possibility (since 2009) is to get the CFO sticker at the airport. The location is given in the link below (hours listed 5AM to 12midnite). But some other posts observed that staffing may be spotty? Unfortunately there isn't enough of a track record so far to be 100% sure this will work, but it would be nice not to fight Manila traffic one last time to get to CitiGold, as your wife likely will be at the airport to head to the US (unless direct flight from Mactan). I've seen the desk in that location last December & it was open at 5AM. NAIA 1 (old international airport) CFO desk location - last post	smithmm	Male	Philippines	2012-09-10 13:18:00
Philippines	Good or bad idea?	It's up to you what to send the Consulate General for evidence of financial capacity. I simply sent a copy of my latest paystub the last time with no problems. It's true that no financial evidence (other than cash on hand to pay the fees) is needed at the BI office. I didn't send a copy of the airline ticket, just the itinerary with the eticket number (record locator). With the passport they can see your travel history so that should answer most of their concerns without you having to supply more than the minimum requirements. I've done it both ways (staying up to 11 months my first visit) and I find the Consulate General approach the most convenient for me. Edited by smithmm, 22 August 2012 - 06:00 PM.	smithmm	Male	Philippines	2012-08-22 17:58:00
Philippines	Good or bad idea?	You're welcome. Please remember to point out to the Immigration officer at NAIA after disembarking the page in your passport with the extended tourist visa so that the correct expiration date is entered on your entrance stamp. Otherwise you're liable to get just a 21 day notation on another page. If you need more time, you'll need to visit a Bureau of Immigration office as listed in other posts (usually a week before expiration is fine).	smithmm	Male	Philippines	2012-08-22 15:42:00
Philippines	Good or bad idea?	I've applied for the 38 day extension at the Philippine Consulate General in NY for my long visits. Usually it's cheaper ($30 money order) & fast by mail (no need to appear in person, unless you're unwilling to let your passport out of your sight). The last extension (Oct 2011) was in my hands in under 2 weeks from sending the application first class (with SASE enclosed). Some helpful links: General Visitor 9A Info Visa Extension PDF	smithmm	Male	Philippines	2012-08-22 12:16:00
Philippines	Counterfeit Filipino Notes in News	I saw this on Bandila where street vendors on Sucat HiWay in Parañaque were paid with bad bills. There is a clip (1:22) where a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas representative displays the notes side by side with the fakes missing a security thread. Perhaps someone on the ground can verify the report so our loved ones can be on the lookout for these? Fake Filipino P50 - P1000 notes	smithmm	Male	Philippines	2012-10-12 15:27:00
Philippines	122g and waiting to hear from the embassy	I don't mean to hijack, but CONGRATULATIONS HANK! on your approval at the interview today (didn't see another thread with this news).	smithmm	Male	Philippines	2012-11-08 17:12:00
Philippines	Tourist Visa to the States	Last year my wife applied for a Canadian tourist visa ($75) as I'm 3 hours from the border. Had money in the bank, deeds to property, owned business, no college, 2 kids, offer from a friends's family for housing in Canada. The suspected reason for denial was she'd never traveled on her passport. So it's not easy even getting close to the US!	smithmm	Male	Philippines	2012-11-20 16:24:00
Philippines	Visa To Enter Philippians	To answer Juliet & Steve's question: You need to mail your US passport for the Consulate General to attach the visa on one of the pages. Please remember to point out the visa page to the immigration officer when you arrive at NAIA & upon departure so the correct page is stamped. Yes, the CG returns the visa in a timely manner (about a week in my 2 cases). My latest paystub was all I used. I've never been asked by BI officials to present an onward ticket. The notary just stamps the bottom of the visa extension application form, signs it & writes the date. You'll need ID, unless you personally know the notary. If you do stay for an extended period in the RP, remember to get an exit clearance from the BI a few weeks before departure (not necessary for short stays, but applicable for several months). I third G&V, it's hard to beat taking care of everything by mail (first class worked for me).	smithmm	Male	Philippines	2013-01-02 12:56:00
Philippines	How do I know???	It's an old thread, but it worked for me. Let us know if it still works for you, please? Track DHL embassy packages You just need to know the approximate date NVC sent it (usually near case complete, or on the AVR).	smithmm	Male	Philippines	2013-01-14 11:27:00
Philippines	Visa for Philippines	If you have at least 2 weeks before departure, it can be done here. Details in post #5 of this topic: Extend stay in PI It saves waiting in line & is likely cheaper, as long as you have the requirements. I've done it twice & it's far less time & hassle than taking precious time away from your visit. Good luck!	smithmm	Male	Philippines	2013-03-12 07:52:00
Philippines	NAIA TERMINAL FEE AND TRAVEL TAX	Useful discussion about dual citizens, children & BI exit clearances: CRBA daughter flight prep.	smithmm	Male	Philippines	2013-03-20 07:57:00
Philippines	Send money to the philippines for free!	Western Union's online bank transfers (3 day or bill pay) are still free. Last year they ran the special for several months. More details: Western Union free deals now Enjoy it while it lasts!	smithmm	Male	Philippines	2013-04-25 14:04:00
Philippines	QuestioningTraveling to/through the Philippines	Another possibility is obtaining the visitor visa extension before departure from the nearest Philippine Consulate General office. More details & links are given http://www.visajourn...er-philippians/ in post #13 & following. This is likely the more convenient & thrifty alternative worth doing, if time permits. A copy of the e-ticket/itinerary is needed when you send in the application. The return date (if R/T) is not important, as others have alluded to.	smithmm	Male	Philippines	2013-06-05 14:42:00
Philippines	REMITTANCE FOR ONLY 4.99	Western Union still has free bank transfers. Yes, I note that transfers >= $1000 require an ID reference. RemitHome has one free remittance until the end of August to celebrate their 10th anniversary in business.	smithmm	Male	Philippines	2013-08-01 16:50:00
Philippines	Money Changers/New 100$ Bill	I have never had a problem changing money at a reputable place such as in malls, but if you attempt to use the street changers, they can be very picky not to mention will try to cheat you on exchange rate. Another way that I use is to do EFT (electronic fund transfer) Either open an account yourself, which can be done but you may have to go to some different banks before you find one that will open one for you,I use BDO, or transfer it to your wife or girlfriends account. Then transfer from US bank to PI bank. My bank charges a flat $15.00 fee in the US regardless of the amount transferred, and the Philippine bank has no charges at all. You can either transfer from US dollars to pesos, or set it up for US dollar to US dollar. Xoom charges the $4.99 rate plus they also get a small percentage of whatever you send bu not paying the full rate of exchange. I usually send larger amounts because we are building a house there,  but it all depends on how much you send vs what your bank charges to send it, so for small amounts xoom may be cheaper, so you might want to look into it. Bill & Ivy,   Another possibility is to try a service like Western Union. I first heard about the good service over 2 years ago & have saved a fortune in bank fees. Even if your US bank doesn't charge an outgoing wire fee, oftentimes the PI bank will assess an incoming one. We've been working on houses here too, so whatever you save in fees goes to cement, rebar, labor, etc. Today I did 2 transfers using WUpay & bank account to agent in US$ with no fees for either. So it's just a few weeks away to being an entire year without WU fees! Details about past users in link: http://www.visajourn...transfer/page-4 I brought some of the fresh $100s for my visit & there was no trouble with my wife changing them last week. She had no comments, so I presume that they're widely accepted here.	smithmm	Male	Philippines	2013-12-03 01:40:00
Philippines	Best way to send only 1000 peso to Phillipines?	You can try again with the online western union as described in a previous post: http://www.visajourn...-money-transfer	smithmm	Male	Philippines	2014-02-27 19:44:00
Philippines	Western Union Money Transfer	WU online transfers are still free. We're approaching the second anniversary of this ongoing promotion, well into the third quarter of the year.	smithmm	Male	Philippines	2014-07-31 14:57:00
Philippines	Western Union Money Transfer	WU online transfers are still free going into the second quarter, subject to the conditions described previously. It's been a tremendous savings so far!	smithmm	Male	Philippines	2014-04-11 05:06:00
Philippines	Western Union Money Transfer	WU online transfers are still free (conditions as listed above). Wonder if they will last another quarter (18 months running)?	smithmm	Male	Philippines	2014-03-13 16:29:00
Philippines	Western Union Money Transfer	WU online transfers are still free (US$, minor DST applies, based on amount), so not only all of 2013, but into the new year!	smithmm	Male	Philippines	2014-01-04 01:19:00
Philippines	Western Union Money Transfer	WU online bank transfers are still free (US$ transfer to agent, minor documentary stamp tax required based on amount). Wonder if it lasts until year end?	smithmm	Male	Philippines	2013-10-24 18:26:00
Philippines	Western Union Money Transfer	Western Union is still free for 3 day transfer from bank (or 1-3 day using WUpay). I also did 2 transfers today. This seems to be the longest stretch they've had this free offer so far.	smithmm	Male	Philippines	2013-08-29 16:37:00
Philippines	Western Union Money Transfer	WU bank transfers are still free. The following are upcoming holidays: Eid-ul-Fitr 8/9; Ninoy Aquino Day 8/21 & National Heroes Day 8/26.	smithmm	Male	Philippines	2013-07-05 10:39:00
Philippines	Western Union Money Transfer	WU bank transfers are still free. Please note that 6/24 is non working holiday (Foundation).	smithmm	Male	Philippines	2013-06-20 20:03:00
Philippines	Western Union Money Transfer	Bank transfers are still free for WU. If my records are right, the special last year ran until August, so this could go a while longer?	smithmm	Male	Philippines	2013-05-23 16:34:00
Philippines	Western Union Money Transfer	WU 3 day bank to agent (& a few other options) are still free. Banks closed for election 5/13.	smithmm	Male	Philippines	2013-05-09 16:46:00
Philippines	Western Union Money Transfer	Yes, US$ can be sent (up to $2999.99 per day), as long as an agent can handle it (for pickup), or it's to a dollar account. The offer is for any number of transfers (already on my second this time around). There's lots more info at the previous thread Mr. Smiley began (formerly Kennard) that was valid 3/15, but has since vaporized: Money transfer experiences	smithmm	Male	Philippines	2013-04-05 17:06:00
Philippines	CFO at the Airport	What's worked for me (using public transport: jeepney, tricycle, bus, LRT) getting to the airport for a 6AM departure at NAIA, I leave about 7-8PM the evening beforehand (LRT closes at 10PM) & stay in the terminal (limited seating). My last departure, the evening of 1/21/14, the fellow left the CFO desk for the night ~11:15PM, so you had to be there by 11PM realistically. Hank accurately described the location of the CFO desk, fairly close to the seating area & the departure entrance wall, near the incoming bag X-ray lines. Good luck with your flight, especially if you weren't able to rebook!	smithmm	Male	Philippines	2014-02-27 19:11:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Track of cases transfered to CSC in November 2008	Emailed notice of approval 12/11/08. Got notice in mail 12/16/08.	smithmm	Male	Philippines	2008-12-18 12:33:00