ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
PhilippinesWhere and why?

how does that work?


It's basically a promotion, meant I guess to secure an immigrant's future business ::-):

You need to submit a copy of your passport, visa and CFO stamp before they can issue the ticket.
PAGE 11FemalePhilippines2011-06-19 20:45:00
PhilippinesWhere and why?
Have you heard of the "first time immigrant" discount? I learned about it on VJ.

I booked a one way ticket to SFO on PAL for $430 + taxes. In total it will be under $700. In contrast the PAL website quotes about $1100 for travel on the same date (2nd week July).

See if you can get the same deal, email Camia Briones.

camiabriones@yahoo.com
MOTIVATION TOURS AND TRAVEL CORP
G-4 CCH Bldg, 136 LP Leviste St.
Salcedo Village Makati City
tel nos : 8126051-54

Good luck.

Btw, the reasons I prefer PAL are:
- They fly direct to LAX or SFO, only 12 hours vs 16 or more with Delta or other airlines (which have stopovers at Seoul or Narita)
- Nice to do my bit for a local airline :yes:

Edited by PAGE 11, 19 June 2011 - 01:49 AM.

PAGE 11FemalePhilippines2011-06-19 01:46:00
PhilippinesShould I attend interview
I went alone for the interview and it wasn't a problem. On the day I was there most beneficiaries were alone too and I would estimate an 80% approval rate.

Would I have loved my fiance to be there? Yes! Was it necessary? No.

I think you need to decide based on how confident your fiancee feels, and whether your case has any issues that may benefit from you being there. Oh and if there is any need, they have translators on standby.

Best of luck to you.
PAGE 11FemalePhilippines2011-06-23 19:31:00
PhilippinesCFO seminar documents

I'm going to have my seminar tomorrow and looked through the documents needed.

"Original and photocopy of Immigrant Data Summary for US bound"



I don't need this for the K1 visa, right?


No, not for k-1.

One strange thing they insisted on knowing is your fiancé's mother's maiden name. :unsure:
PAGE 11FemalePhilippines2011-06-23 04:55:00
PhilippinesJune 2011 K1 Interview
Wow, 20 days for me (12 working days). That's probably one of the longest waits for a case that was approved at the interview and was supposedly not under review or AP.
PAGE 11FemalePhilippines2011-06-22 22:54:00
PhilippinesJune 2011 K1 Interview

Sis, kaka email ko lang sa USEM, they sent a quick reply stating:

We are pleased to inform you that fiancée and fiancée derivative (K1/K2) nonimmigrant visas were issued to you and--------on June 17, 2011. The visa packets will be delivered to your designated address by guaranteed courier service.

And I logged in sa 2go website and chat with their customer service, its still negative on there system..
Im just confused on how many days really I can have the visa in hand of they were issued on June 17, 2011.. its been days now..
I will keep posted if ma- track ko na ang visa namin.. hopefully di nawala...


My visa was issued and printed on the same date, June 17. I got the same email as you from USEM.

I tracked 2GO this afternoon and it is in-transit, ready for delivery tomorrow (though I choose to pick it up tonight--they are open til 3 am at the Domestic road office). Btw, according to 2GO, USEM sends a manifest of visa packets ready for pick up twice a day--at 10 am and 4 pm. So you might want to track just after those times.

You should have it very soon, tomorrow at the latest? Good luck.
PAGE 11FemalePhilippines2011-06-22 06:06:00
PhilippinesBest Philippines Weather Site
Thanks! Even handier for me (I'm the Pinay who went through 4 inches of rain per day last week).
:thumbs:
PAGE 11FemalePhilippines2011-06-27 20:10:00
PhilippinesTracking Visa
Wow, finally!! congratulations, I am happy for you both. :thumbs:
PAGE 11FemalePhilippines2011-06-29 06:17:00
PhilippinesReceived K1 Visa...now what?

It's called CFO, it just another scam by the Philippines to extract money from you.

They will push her to get to set up a bank account with BDO, and they will also show her pics and tell her about how woman from PI go to USA and get beat by their husbands and sold into prostitution rings or become sex slaves.

It' kinda Bull$hit, but they offer two places in Manila area, and it all can be done in one day

PRISM and St. Marys (St. Marys is easier to deal with), PRISM tend to be on a Power Trip.


:thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs:
PAGE 11FemalePhilippines2011-06-30 17:45:00
PhilippinesBeware if you travel alone to the Philippines

Grace you know you are right!I Arrived at Terminal 1 it is a old buliding.But I didnt see 2 ramps but im sure they were there.I was just following the porter that was leading me down a ramp.I was watching all around me cause i didnt know where he was taking me? :unsure: Ha Ha! But where is the bay signs you were talking about? on top? I was really focused on my surroundings and looking for my Fiance at the same time. Ha Ha!



I understand they've recently removed those "alphabetical" signs at the Terminal 1 waiting area. They have "Bay" numbers now I think.
PAGE 11FemalePhilippines2011-05-12 20:32:00
PhilippinesBeware if you travel alone to the Philippines
Same thing happened with my fiance on one of his previous visits here. He used the phone of one of the porters to call me, and when the guy looked like he expected a "tip", he handed him 5 dollars, said thank you and walked away. It was money well-spent, he said, and he was too happy to be seeing me anyway :D

Those guys are small-time scammers. It's unfortunate and annoying, I know. But try to keep your sense of humor. All's well that ends well.
PAGE 11FemalePhilippines2011-05-03 04:32:00
PhilippinesThings your wife/fiancee found strange about the states

At a 4-way stop. Everyone stops and takes turns very orderly.....She was shocked.


Yes, that amazed me too on a previous visit. Boy, was it scary driving in the US after years of driving in the anything-goes mayhem of Manila traffic. It was unnerving trying to follow traffic rules for a change! :blink:

Other things that amazed me (in California)

- wonderful, red, ripe, fresh cherries
- wild looking, initially mysterious, eventually delicious artichokes
- mourning doves cooing non stop in spring and summer
- Canadian geese honking overhead
- huge portions at the restaurants (and sadly, many huge people too)
- so many beautiful national parks!
- still so many hippies 40 years after woodstock LOL (at least in the bay area)
- Pinoy stores selling Chippy and johnson's baby cologne
PAGE 11FemalePhilippines2011-06-24 19:11:00
PhilippinesTime from visa approval until delivery Manila Embassy
Interview June 2nd. 13 days and still waiting... :blink:
PAGE 11FemalePhilippines2011-06-15 02:31:00
PhilippinesWhat cost for simple Filipino wedding in province ?
We'll be married in exactly 3 weeks. After checking through many expensive venue options that didn't seem worth it, we decided to have a small ceremony in a beautiful gazebo that my fiancé built by hand in his backyard. A friend offered the services of a judge who works at her law firm and will pay for his fee as her wedding present to us. We will have exactly 2 guests, one of whom will take our photos. I will bake a small wedding cake (chocolate! and brown, not white!) and decorate the gazebo with muslin and flowers. We will have lunch in a nice restaurant to celebrate. I'm guessing it will all cost under $500. Oh, and after filing AOS, we will take off on a 3 week road trip for our honeymoon.
PAGE 11FemalePhilippines2011-08-19 00:42:00
PhilippinesThose with CR-1 visa
Yes, you need to present a copy of your visa, passport and CFO sticker.
PAGE 11FemalePhilippines2011-08-27 00:14:00
PhilippinesThose with CR-1 visa
I arrived in the US mid-July this year on a K-1. Got my ticket from Motivation Tours in Makati. It was USD 430 + 245 taxes, with the so-called "First time immigrant discount". Flight was on PAL, economy, one way direct to SFO. Compared to the PAL website price, it was about 300 USD cheaper.

No problems at all. Contact camiabriones@yahoo.com. Good luck!
PAGE 11FemalePhilippines2011-08-26 19:31:00
PhilippinesFinally... she's on her way here
All the best to both of you. Congratulations!
PAGE 11FemalePhilippines2011-09-30 15:54:00
PhilippinesHow did you meet your Filipino Fiance?

lol too funny! Im sure it was witchcraft! lol


Sure, we even have a word for it. GAYUMA. Ask your wife :D
PAGE 11FemalePhilippines2011-06-28 18:26:00
PhilippinesHow did you meet your Filipino Fiance?
Darren : obviously you are referring to your particular experience with your fiancee when you say "Filipinas are this..." or "Filipinas are that". So I would thank you to avoid generalizing your perceptions to the whole population of Filipino women.

Perhaps it would be better to say "My fiancee is...". Nobody would disagree with you (Except perhaps, your fiancee) :whistle:
PAGE 11FemalePhilippines2011-06-28 10:30:00
PhilippinesHow did you meet your Filipino Fiance?
[quote name='gretchen_darren' timestamp='1309260921' post='4749982

Filipinas are proud, they will not ask for money. they want love. they may struggle with things, but they will not ask for money. they wil just schedule times to talk with based on affordability. ..

A Filipinas Dad's Blessing is very very very significant to ...

Family is important to a Filipina, do expect to send money to support her parents aftrebecoming engaged or after marriage...

Filipinas ARE Fiathful and Loyal. BUT Filipinas ARE ALSO Insanely jealous. Do not fool yourself. When a Filipppina calls you her mahal ko, watch how often it is. Filipinas arereserved and not overly "lovey dovey".

Filipinas when they set their mind on you, take you to their family, friends, may walk around holding ...

Filipinas have very strict family values.

Filipinas who sleep with you will ONLY do so, once you are engaged. If she does otherwise, question things. If she sleeps with you before you meet her parents, my advice is to RUN. But this is your choice.

Know the culture of your Filipina, there are MAJOR differences between a girl in the city, and a girl in a village, or in the province. A province girl does not know how to use a knife. probably has never been to a restaurant, and returning to her village after leaving to come live with you, is complete shame to her. A Filipina who has children out of wedlock who is from the province is also shunned by her village. She is considered a "bad" influence on the girls in the village.

If a Filipina calls you her saviour, her Hero, she literally means it. Filipinas do not have many boyfriends, nor does a Filipina date many guys.For traditional Filipinas, this is against their culture. Dating is a very very very long and involved process even with an online relationship. A Filipina will be as wary of you, as you are of her.

It is how we met, that decides how things go. And many of the meetings all have the same thread. there was a meeting, and time spent learning each other. Some just knew, some did not know for a long time. It just depends on the relationship and the people.

Others care to pitch in on this question?
[/quote]
PAGE 11FemalePhilippines2011-06-28 10:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsPetition Approved, Nov 2011 filer!
Ooops.. I meant that we filed in November 2010 (not 2011, obviously!)

And thank you for all your congratulations and good wishes :)
PAGE 11FemalePhilippines2011-04-07 21:08:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsPetition Approved, Nov 2011 filer!
We received notice that on April 6 our I-129f petition was approved.
What a pleasant surprise!

Hang in there, guys :)
PAGE 11FemalePhilippines2011-04-07 20:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsK1 November 2010 CSC Filers
Yes, we filed Nov. 18 and received NOA1 on Nov. 26.

Good luck.
PAGE 11FemalePhilippines2010-12-13 05:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsK1 November 2010 CSC Filers
Yes, we filed Nov. 18 and received NOA1 on Nov. 26.

Good luck.
PAGE 11FemalePhilippines2010-12-13 05:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsUSEM Question
In our case, around 2 weeks.
PAGE 11FemalePhilippines2011-05-03 17:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsAlmost Done with the LDR
Good luck, you are almost there!
PAGE 11FemalePhilippines2011-06-17 19:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsNervous but POSITIVE
Wonderful news! Congratulations :-)
PAGE 11FemalePhilippines2011-06-22 05:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsUSEM MANILA INTERVIEW APPROVED!
Congratulations!! Bask in the great feeling of a victory well earned. Good luck on your next steps.

Re airfare, many local agencies offer special promotions. If you go to a reputable one you can get a good price, usually much better than directly from the airline. My one way ticket to SFO (direct on PAL) cost $705 including taxes.
PAGE 11FemalePhilippines2011-07-07 10:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsBoarding plane in a few hours!!!!
Congratulations! have a safe trip.
PAGE 11FemalePhilippines2011-07-09 11:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsFiancee 1 Month update!
Good to know, happy for you. :)
PAGE 11FemalePhilippines2011-09-30 15:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsNovember 2010 K1 filers
We filed on Nov. 18 :)
PAGE 11FemalePhilippines2010-12-01 08:30:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresEx spouse B'Day
Try this site:

http://www.birthdatabase.com/

It worked for us for a similar reason :-)

Good luck!
PAGE 11FemalePhilippines2011-05-10 00:00:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresUpdate on Singapore Police Clearance?
As some of you may know, the Singapore government as of October 18, 2010 has stopped issuing to non-Singaporeans the Certificate of No Criminal Conviction (CNCC), which was equivalent to a police clearance. Here is the link: http://www.spf.gov.s...cncc_notice.htm

Does anyone have an update on this?

For those of us who need that clearance for the K-1 interview, this is an area of concern which has been discussed on an earlier post. As far as I know, there have been no changes on the US Embassy requirement for the specific case of Singapore. Some people have suggested writing the Singapore Police Force to request a written refusal, or to print out the declaration of the new policy on their website. Is this sufficient? Has anyone gone for their interview without the clearance?
PAGE 11FemalePhilippines2010-11-24 07:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMiddle name confusion
I have THREE first names :wacko: , and as the OP stated, my middle name is my mother's maiden surname, and then there is my (paternal) surname.

I have had previous issues with inconsistencies between my birth certificate (complete with all names), my previous passport, other IDs, etc. I finally fixed everythng when I renewed my passport last year. Now I only use ALL MY THREE FIRST NAMES, MOTHER'S Maiden NAME, SURNAME on all official documents.

So on the G-325 I use exactly what I have on my passport.

As an example

First name : MARIA VICTORIA ISABEL
Middle name : CRUZ
Surname : SANTOS

As my first 3 names don't fit in the space provided, I type in 2 of them and write out the last one.

In my opinion consistency with your other official documents is the most important consideration.

Edited by PAGE 11, 17 December 2010 - 11:49 PM.

PAGE 11FemalePhilippines2010-12-17 23:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSerology Test?
I will be going for my medical soon. I don't have any records of my vaccinations and I am concerned about having to re-take all of them just to be on the safe side. I read on another thread that a serology test can be taken to determine which immunities are still active and which vaccines are actually needed.

Has anyone done a serology test in the Philippines for this purpose? Does St. Lukes accept it? If yes, any idea on cost and where it can be done?
PAGE 11FemalePhilippines2011-04-13 05:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhat does this email mean ?
Yes, it's the same letter we got. Time to celebrate...then start preparing for the next steps!

Congratulations and good luck.
PAGE 11FemalePhilippines2011-04-22 19:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNVC / US Embassy stage

Are there any guides for this stage of the journey? We got approved on the 19th and are not sure what comes next. Are they going to send me a copy of whatever they send to my fiance? I'd like to be able to help her with the forms. Speaking of, where can I get a current, fillable DS-156 pdf? No matter where I try to download it from, I always end up at the same site where it wants me to fill it out online - yet it won't open in my browser.

So yeah, does anyone have any of that: a guide for this leg of the journey, a DS-156 pdf, or a copy of whatever is being sent to my fiance?


You can download instructions for K1/K2 process at the US Embassy Manila from this link: http://manila.usemba...v/wwwh3224.html

I believe this is what they should normally send as "packet 3". However I have read on VJ that many Filipino beneficiaries do not actually receive packet 3, or receive it very late in the game. But if you have your case number (it should be on the NVC letter)and it has been entered into the embassy's system, then you can pay the fee and make your appointment for interview.

Re DS-156, are you trying to open it on a MAC? I don't believe it is supported on the MAC OS. On my MAC I can view it, but would not be able to print it out properly.

Good luck!
PAGE 11FemalePhilippines2011-04-24 19:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresBinding the I-129F to send it in
No binding, just strong paper clips, and the table of contents for the main file.

We front-loaded our evidence of previous meeting. For that I had another table of contents and put page numbers for easy reference (boarding passes, chat logs, photos). I also used peel-off side tabs with labels. Liberal use of highlight pens...these guys see a ton of paper, I think it just makes it easier for them if you mark the key stuff.

Good luck.
PAGE 11FemalePhilippines2011-04-21 09:33:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureshow long do you have to be in relationship?
The requirement is that you need to have met at least once in person within the last 2 years. There is no stipulation as to how long you should have been in a relationship. But if you get engaged and file the petition "too soon" (and this is subjective) after meeting, then it could raise a red flag.
PAGE 11FemalePhilippines2011-04-29 01:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPossibility of more than 1 K1 for the same Fiance?

the biggest phrase is mahal ko, or mahal na mahal kita, or mahal kita. or if you say I love you and she says mahal din kita, also mis din kita. There are many ways to look at things. Going to her dad's funeral is HUGE. the fact you spent 3 months with her is HUGE. Even more impressive is going to a birth. IF you ACTUALLY witnessed the birth, you are CONSIDERED part of the family. You may even partly be considered a leader of the family. If the men seek and come to you with questions, or consult you on matters. You are a clan leader. Not marrying the girl WILL SHAME her as well as bring shame to the family clan. If you and her slept in the same house together in the same bed, YOU ARE ENGAGED. She is ready to marry you. the family has accepted you. She will go where you go. Your friends and family WILL BE her friends and family. I know the mindanao area very will. I have spent time in Butuan and gingoog city and the in teh villages around there. One of the villages there has many, many people from the village here in Phoenix. A best friend of my fiance's dad actually lives here in phoenix. Another way to tell is does she call you gwapo, nyobo, ang aking soulmate, miss ko ang aking asawa, masakit ang sikmura ko (stomach has pain from missing you), did she take napkins and wipe sweat from your brow and face, did she unfasten and fasten your shoes, did she comb your hair, wash your clothes, help you get dressed or undressed, did she give you massages, did she let you wash or brush her hair, did she always want to hold your hand, were you ever left alone, did she leave you alone with her fmaily, filipinas love very very very intensely. telling me she is a provincial girl, I can tell exactly what to look for and know. I am engaged to a provincial girl myself and many of my filipina friends are provincial girls. She will follow your lead. In provincial areas, it is very traditional, nearly the same as the "family" here in America. Men rile, women follow. Their showing of live is being a servant to their husband and having many kids. the more kids, the more they show how much they love their husband. In her heart, in her village, in her family, she may be already married to you. She will have not one problem here. going back to the village unmarried after coming to America will be a shame on her. Are you willing enough to love her as deep as she loves you? She will give you your freedom, but the more you do together, the more you make her a complete part of your life, the more you will be loved by her. She WANTS to marry you if you spent 3 months in her village and attended her dad's funeral but she WILL NOT force you to. Her way of forcing you is to love you with a servant's heart and pray to God each day. If you need someone to talk with, please contact me.


There are around 45 million Filipino women. Each one is individual. Yes there are differences between "provincial" and "city" women, but these differences probably apply everywhere in the world. Please be careful generalizing about all Filipino women's behavior and intentions based on your knowledge of a few individuals. :no:

Good luck on your visa journey. :)
PAGE 11FemalePhilippines2011-05-01 04:13:00