ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionCan you call USE Manila from a cellphone?
My Sweetheart called from her cellphone last week and got through okay. She called before 8:00 AM.


My fiancee keeps getting a busy signal whenever she tries to get a hold of the embassy to setup an appointment for inteview. Do you really have to use a landline to get through the USE Manila's line? Thanks!
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mrdb52MalePhilippines2010-09-15 16:39:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionPlaces to stay around St. Lukes...
I personally don't recommend Cherry Blossoms Hotel. I stayed there 5 days in Mar'10 and took home bedbug bites (about 20) all about my shoulders and arms. david in Ohio
mrdb52MalePhilippines2010-09-18 04:50:00
PhilippinesMedical & Interview Fees
Hello fellow VJ members. David here from Ohio. This is my first question posting here. On 31 July, 2010 National Visa Center sent me notification of forwarding petition to Manila (which included our Case Number). On the bottom of the letter, it said my fiancee would be receiving a packet and I should visit www.travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_4323.html to determine if there is anything I need to be aware. I made it this far, but the more I read....the more I get confused. Norma has yet to receive anything and we know that mail to her home address is not a guaranteed delivery. When should we attempt to make that call? Also, the St Luke $213.35 and Interview $350.00 fees, should I forward these funds to Norma or can it be paid online by me? Thanks for your help. Each day is one day closer to being together.
mrdb52MalePhilippines2010-08-22 17:29:00
PhilippinesSnail mail question
Hi nc2cebu. For me, mail from Ohio to Cebu normally takes 12 days (if I'm lucky). Since Apr'10, I have mailed 16 cards to my Sweetheart and one registered packet. Only 3 cards have never arrived, one card mailed to her home address (Sitio Lokana, Lower Kalunasan) and two cards to her work address. Funny part is, once I started mailing her cards... 3 of them arrived on the same day, but were mailed three weeks apart. Explain that one. Oh, and the registered packet took 15 days...cost me $17.00 (DHL wanted $59.00). Hope this helps.
david in Ohio

Note for tallcoolone....I loved that picture of mail order bride.


2 months ago?Posted Image Whenever I send my husband cards or letters through snail mail,it only takes like 2 weeks or 15 days...


mrdb52MalePhilippines2010-09-13 13:57:00
PhilippinesNeed list of what I can bring into the philippines
And don't gift wrap anything! You'll get extra security check if you do.
david in Ohio
mrdb52MalePhilippines2010-09-13 14:28:00
PhilippinesStill can't get an interview
From what I understand, you can't just walk in....you need to show a confirmation email of your scheduled appointment. My fiancee called for an interview several times before her medical exam and was told her packet was not there. She completed her exam on 14Oct'10, then on 18Oct'10 she called for her interview and was scheduled for 19Nov'10. Received her visa ten days later. Good Luck.
mrdb52MalePhilippines2010-12-03 10:12:00
PhilippinesInterview to visa in hand
My fiancee's interview was 19Nov'10 and her visa was inhand 29Nov'10...hope this helps.
mrdb52MalePhilippines2010-12-03 10:00:00
PhilippinesXOOM New Coupon Code
Yes, I see I got yhat email today too.... that's the way it usually works...as soon as you send the money the coupon arrives...lol.
For the Holidays, Get 50% Off Your Next Transfer
Xoom is offering a 50% discount on your next money transfer to the Philippines just in time for Holidays. Just enter coupon code FIFTYXMAS on our payments page. This offer is valid until Dec 31, 2010.
mrdb52MalePhilippines2010-12-15 00:14:00
PhilippinesXOOM New Coupon Code
I get their emails also and I have not seen a discount code for December either.
mrdb52MalePhilippines2010-12-14 13:30:00
PhilippinesHow long to get visa from embassy in cebu?
My finacee's interview was 19Nov10 and she had her visa in hand on 29Nov10. She is also from Cebu.
mrdb52MalePhilippines2011-01-12 20:09:00
Philippinesxoom coupon anyone?
Last one I used expired 31 December, I don't think there is one for January. I sent funds last week and paid full fees.
mrdb52MalePhilippines2011-01-27 17:24:00
PhilippinesOverstaying American Falls - Cebu Sun Article "Fact or Fiction"
I use to be a member of the yahoo forum group cebucitytoday, (don't quote me) from what I read/understood is that his g/f or wife is the one who turned him in. To my knowledge, it's a true story.
david in Ohio
mrdb52MalePhilippines2010-09-13 14:13:00
PhilippinesSTAY AWAY FROM FOREX SERVICE
I must the the only one who really likes forex's service. I have sent over 10 boxes from Ohio over the years. Once the box makes it to California and loaded on ship, I can watch it progress on forexworld.com using the box's tracking number. It kept me informed of all delays (customs inspections in both California and Philippines). Once the box hits Marikina, I'd inform the receipent to be on watch for delivery. Boxes arrived in perfect condition. I always pity the delivery persons cause my wife & kids lived on a mountain in Lower Kalunasan in Cebu and the heavy box would have to be hand carried from the road down a long long hill. The delivery persons always got tipped....and well deserving tips too. Sorry for your bad experience, but mine has always been well received. I recommend them without reservation.
David & Norma in Ohio
mrdb52MalePhilippines2012-01-28 16:29:00
PhilippinesREPORT OF MARRIAGE
Can you send both in together at the same time ?

Yes, we sent both at the same time.
Seperate money orders.
And always register your package and return envelope.
mrdb52MalePhilippines2011-09-30 15:40:00
PhilippinesREPORT OF MARRIAGE
Last July, we filed our papers for Report of Marriage ($25.00 fee)and Process of admentment of passport ($20.00) (for name change on passport) as required on the Philippine Consulate's website.
mrdb52MalePhilippines2011-09-28 10:58:00
PhilippinesHas anyone here used FOREX as their cargo service for sending Balikbayan box?
I have used Forex's services over 10 times and never had a problem. Tracking your box online is a nice feature too (forexworld.com). Sometimes it takes just as long for the box to travel from LA to Marikina, Ph (Manila)as to go from Manila to Cebu. Currently I have two boxes enroute...stats look like this:
23Oct10 Dropped box off at store.
01Nov10 Box arrives in LA.
04Dec10 Box arrives in Marikina, Ph (Unloaded warehouse)
06Dec10 Box departs warehouse (loaded container)
So, anytime within the next two weeks the box should arrive in Cebu and another week or so for it to arrive to it's destination.
Hope this helps.
david in Ohio
mrdb52MalePhilippines2010-12-08 14:22:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsTime frame from call to schedule interview until the interview
Hello Lisa and Jay. I can give you our experience. Once Norma received her copy of the NOA-2, she called the embassy (thinking she could get an interview appointment) and they told her they didn't see her on the computer. I told Norma that she had to complete her medical exam before the interview. So, on 14 October...Norma passes her medical. 18 October, Norma calls the embassy and received an interview date of 19 November. Today, Norma received her visa! Be patient, it took 3 (7 AM)calls to get the appointment and good luck. david

Can someone please post info on your experience from the date you called to schedule your interview in Manila until the actual date of the interview. We will be calling on Tuesday to get an appointment. Just curious as to how far in the future they are setting appointments for interviews. Thanks for your input!!
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mrdb52MalePhilippines2010-11-29 23:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJune CSC
I guess every situation varies....here's my numbers:

18May'10 Mailed fiancee visa application
28May'10 Received certified card from USCIS dtd 24May'10, packet received.
02Jun10 Check cashed. $455.00
05Jun'10 Received NOA-1 in the mail. Case dated 28May'10
07Jun'10 USCIS, Application touched.
23Jul'10 USCIS, Application touched.
26Jul'10 USCIS, Application touched.
27Jul'10 USCIS, Received email approving I-129f
02Aug'10 USCIS, Received NOA-2 in the mail.
05Aug'10 NVC, Received letter w/case number dtd 31Jul'10
06Aug'10 NVC, Received letter w/case number (second copy) dtd 2Aug10

Now, we're preparing for medical exam and interview.

David in Ohio
mrdb52MalePhilippines2010-08-23 17:35:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedurescase completed!!!
My finacee Norma called USEM yesterday, her interview date is 19 November. Here's hoping you get yours too.
mrdb52MalePhilippines2010-10-18 15:38:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresvisa approved
My fiancee's interview was on 19 November, 2010 and her visa was in her hands on 29 November, 2010. She is also living in Cebu.
mrdb52MalePhilippines2010-12-07 17:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresJust curious
Hi Sparky. Our 129F was approved 27Jul10 via email, NOA-2 hardcopy 2Aug10. On 5Aug10, I received NVC's letter. And again on 6Aug10. That's the last I've seen. David in Ohio.
mrdb52MalePhilippines2010-08-12 20:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 (I-129F Questions) Please help.

Hello, greetings everyone! I am an american citizen who wants to bring my fiancée to United States, I am now almost finish with the I-129F package, but have some things that I want to clarify.

1. Should I enlist my fiancé's child in I-129F even though for now we have no plans of taking the child with her here in the U.S? (I dont want the interviewer ask too many questions about the child and the situation, or NOT bringing the child could jeopardize the result of the K1 Visa approval?) The father of the child is currently uncooperative.

2. For the Affidavit Of Support, I am currently working two jobs as a Certified Nursing Assistant (One full-time and the other is part time.) Would this be enough? Or should I ask my aunt to file a form as well just to be sure?

3. My divorce was just been finalized last month, I have the decree ( Irreconcilable differences, Note: I have known my fiancée since high school in the Philippines ). Would time frame between divorce and petition be a problem?

Thank you all for your help. God bless you all.





For me, my fiancee has 4 kids (16-25). I listed them all and received my NOA-2 on 2Aug10 with no problems.
mrdb52MalePhilippines2010-08-13 12:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresConsidering Getting Married in Hawaii
Thanks Nik+Heather, your reply is what I am looking for. Turtle Bay sounds like something I need to research. I have googled and read quite a bit on Hawaii weddings, but knowing someone's firsthand knowledge is worth more than any online research. I would not have thought of things you mentioned on beach weddings. I was stationed at Camp Smith in 1972-75, my favorite spot was Hanauma Bay. So, I'll be showing Norma some of what I remember. TWOLS, this has nothing to do with our fiancee visa application. Any additional info would be appreciated. If you prefer to email me personally, that's good too. mrdb52@yahoo.com
Thanks again.
david
mrdb52MalePhilippines2010-09-15 22:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresConsidering Getting Married in Hawaii
The port of entry is not a concern. Recommendations/suggestions from those who have brought their fiancee to Hawaii and married there before proceeding to mainland is what I am looking for. Don't look into this that deep, please. Thanks.
mrdb52MalePhilippines2010-09-15 19:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresConsidering Getting Married in Hawaii
Hello Fellow VJers. It won't be until March 2011, Norma and I are considering marrying in Hawaii before coming to Ohio. Has anyone here done this? Any suggestions/recommendations you can give would be appreciated. david
mrdb52MalePhilippines2010-09-15 16:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresneed help
We did the same thing and they didn't give my fiancee (now wife) any problem during her interview last November. I'm not quoting policy, just our experience. david & norma
mrdb52MalePhilippines2011-07-20 16:26:00