biggish data

CFO

A couple additional tips, my fiance said when she was there many had to call their boyfriend to answer some of the questions on the forms like his moms maiden name, complete address in US etc, better to just bring that with you. You can go online to the CFO website for schedule and required documents and things. You can take the seminar before you get your visa but you will still have to go back and get the sticker in your passport after you have visa. Jim. http://www.cfo.gov.ph/

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-05 13:41:00

I-134 Affidavit of Support (Self-Employed)

Unless something has changed that I am not aware of you only need the previous years tax report. Going back 3 years is optional. You do have to be in goodstanding ( current) in tax reporting. My understanding for immigration it is ok to be paying back taxes but failing to report is a problem. Maybe they will catch the previous years or not but what an issue if they do. As for verification of employment you can have your accountant sign a letter just verifying fiscal year to date numbers etc. I would also include schedule C profit/loss business report etc. If you are making good money as you say you need to at the least be paying quarterly even if estimated to avoid penalties and a large bill at end of year. Jim.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-07 13:43:00

I-134 (Affidavit of Support) for K1 Visa Interview

The instructions say to have copy and original so they can see the original and keep a copy if they want. general rule anything that has a signature you should have original with you. Jim.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-11 07:45:00

How long is the K-1 visa valid upon issuance..

I am only saying I've seen comments from many that much after 2 years you get alot of questions and maybe even submitting forms again so to me that would seem they have a preference. I just think theres alot of good reasons to do AOS in a timely manner but to each thier own. jim.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-11 10:08:00

How long is the K-1 visa valid upon issuance..

I think USCIS simply would prefer you file AOS as soon as you marry. I have seen many people mention it is usually a year after marriage when they do it and some even wait 2 years. I have also been told it can get complicated after 2 years though. As it was explained to me technically you are considered out of status and the only real issue is you can be denied re-entry until AOS is done. Jim.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-09 17:15:00

Still waiting NOA 1

Yes !!! Congrats thats the noa1 it will say your pettition has been accepted. Make a few copies of that for later. Jim.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-11 09:55:00

Still waiting NOA 1

Have you seen that your check has been cashed yet? Also did you send with delivery confirmation if by post office or tracked the package if UPS or Fedex? I saw that about 2 days before I got the Noa1. Also seems I read something about August being end of their fiscal year so maybe thats the delay but you should try tracking the package. Jim.

Edited by Jim N Augie, 10 October 2011 - 03:41 PM.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-10 15:40:00

A copy of the letter from the Bureau of Consular Affairs, it has your CASE number on it.

If so you should read here http://www.visajourn...tailed-summary/

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-11 13:45:00

A copy of the letter from the Bureau of Consular Affairs, it has your CASE number on it.

You mean the instruction letter that follows Noa 2 and goes to you and the petitioner telling you to schedule your interview?

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-11 12:50:00

Documents to bring at the USEM Manila

hey guys,

i would love to share my own experience since it was approved

"FIANCE(HIM) NEED TO SUPPLY HER(FIANCEE)THIS."

A.affidavit of support
b.ITR(2010,2009,2008)WITH W-2(pay stub1 year recent,recent yr,bank statement)could be copy
C.letter of intent to marry(notarized)
d.divorce paper(if divorce)copy
e.copy of biographical detail,stamp from visit(dep &arrival)
f.plane ticket when you visiting HER
G.RECEIPT FROM THE PLACE WHERE YOU GUYS STAYED DURING THE DATING EVENT(its very helpful)
H.ring reciept(optional)
j.pictures together that she doesnt have yet,print it like 4x4 size put date and place where that pictures taken
k.letter from homeland(NOA2 THE APPROVAL OF PETITION)
l.phone records if u called her on her phone,must shows her number and date/time/year(tips highlites her number so CO can easily see her phone number)
m.birth certificate
o.letter of capacity to marry(some co asked this)
p.
"HER'S SIDE TO PREPARE"

A.forms DS'S MUST BE clear with barcode easy to read and orginal
b.letter from EMBASSY,NOA2 letter from NVC,APPOITMENT LETTER ONLINE OR THRU EMAIL
C.pictures together,love letters,snail mail,chatlog,shows of bonafide relationship.and on going relationship
d.MRV RECEIPT(PAYMENT FRom the bpi)
e.your letter intent to marry must be notarized too,
f.2x2 us passport size you can see on the website about the specific size(go to great image they knew how)put it into you ds'form paste it
g.your NBI MUST BE VALID
H.POLICE CLEARANCE IF YOU BEEN TO OTHER COUNTRY IF YOU STAYED 6 MOS
I.BIRTH CERT
K.CENOMAR IF YOU HAVENT MARRIED YET(ANNULMENT IF YOU ARE ANNULLED)
L.your PASSPORT MUST BE VALID.

=TIPS,organize your paper work,those ds forms make answer it online with barcode clear to read,PUT 2x2 picture on every forms,CATEGORIZE the paper like all letters from embassy affidavit itr etc in one level,those proof of relationship on one level,
those NBI CENOMAR ON ONE LEVEL TOO,clear book is cool I USED THat WHEN i go for interview,bring ID AND THE appointment letter when you are at embassy SECURITY GUARD WILL ASK THAT FIRST,dont bring any gadgets,bring ballpen(black)

=wear formal clothes ei. like when you will attent formal meeting,dont wear too much jewels and lipstick,lip gloss if fine,wear smile,be honest to THE IO,answer the question specifically and short,eye contact with friendly expression.

=dont bring any food,and water,bring extra money coz you might need it inside,they have food and drinks inside,dont too much inside the embassy pay attention to the number they will gave you and to the number on the screen,(on tv)

=review your details when and where and how relationship grow,your details about your life,and your fiance is the basic question.try to calm and not be nervous(i know the feeling)but dont worry to much)

correct me if i am wrong and add some if you know something im missing here,GOOD LUCK OT THE INTERVIEW!

REGARDS,
femloveron

Thanks for all the info it is very helpful. To save everyone some time I wanted to add that letter of intent does not need notarized but should be signed and dated. I think notarization was required in the past but not anymore, same as the 134, Jim.

Edited by Jim N Augie, 11 October 2011 - 07:53 AM.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-11 07:51:00

Documents to bring at the USEM Manila

This is all good info, I have also heard it's good to have a complete copy of the petition with you. Was wondering how many months bank statements people suggest? Is it just the first page that shows balance or the entire statement. How many pay stubs? Thanks, Jim.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-09 08:04:00

medical question

Hopefully some others that have already been thru St Lukes can chime in here but in my understanding normal illnesses are not an issue. Jim.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-08 16:46:00

OK...for those of you who going through Manila...listen up...

Send your beneficiary a copy of your entire I-129F packet. Everything. Just like they recommend right here on VJ. Send original receipts.

The consular officer can ask for anything at the interview. Anything.

If your sweetheart doesn't have it, she's going to walk out of there with a 221g in her hand and a lot of disappointment in her heart.

The consular officer asked Chinook for an original page 3 of my I-129F form. Yup, they can do that too. She only had a copy, so I had to send her another original.

Four days later, the caseworker at the Embassy called Chinook and asked her to bring in a copy of my I-134 and all of its supporting documents because they had "misplaced" the ones Chinook submitted at her interview. She did so immediately because she had copies.

Also, never give anyone your last copy of anything. Enough said.

Even if the consular officer doesn't ask for a copy of the petitioner's birth certificate, the nuns at the CFO seminar are going to ask the beneficiary for the petitioner's mother's maiden name. Then you'll wished you had sent her a copy of your birth certificate.

That is all.

Yep, it say's to bring all important documents, just doesn't say what. And to bring copies of any originals you can't replace in case they keep them. They can ask for anything and some is just luck. Just an example theres one here at VJ who only sent photo copies of divorce and they passed. Seems best to take everything you can think of. Jim.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-13 06:54:00

Actually someone on VJ last week mentioned being asked for her fiances BC. What I dont remember is who or if it was because she did not have a copy of his passport. So I talked to someone experienced and was told not needed if you have the passport copy. But your right some things are country specific and some is just luck where and not everyones situation is same.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-12 16:31:00

I sent a copy of photo/bio page of passport and the stamps page for the 129f as part of proof of visits, I dont know if they care about the stamps page at interview but my girl has a complete copy of the 129f. Yes in my understanding without copy of passport the BC needs to be original to show and a plain photo copy is ok for records if they wish to keep. general rule, anything with a signature should be original to show them and anything original you want back should have a copy for them to keep if they want.

Edited by Jim N Augie, 12 October 2011 - 07:23 AM.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-12 07:20:00

I should rephrase that to be clear, she still should have a copy of the BC but if sha has passport copy you dont need original BC, thats what i was told.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-12 07:04:00

It was explained to me by someone with experience if she has a copy of your passport ( photo page and stamps page) no birth certificate needed. If you have to use birth certificate I hear she should have original and a copy. But she should have a copy of the petition which should have all the copies already.

Edited by Jim N Augie, 12 October 2011 - 06:47 AM.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-12 06:46:00

Divorce Decree Question

Yeah thats what I think too it's the certified page you need but it couldn't hurt to have all the pages if you can get them.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-12 07:12:00

Divorce Decree Question

If this helps any, my certificate of divorce paper is signed by the judge with the raised state seal showing it is original court paper and stamped as a certified true copy by clerk of court. I also included the disposition page. It passed the petition stage and the guy that is helping me with all this says it is all I need for interview. Jim

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-11 15:20:00

I hope so. That would speed things up by a couple of weeks.

However, there's still a lingering question in my mind about the accuracy of the information given out by the tier one people at the NVC.

I agree on both counts

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-14 13:30:00

So it does seem maybe MNL is accepting schedules from the efile and not waiting for hard copy.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-14 06:07:00

yeah I dont know the max time on scheduling just that you need to wait 4 hours after paying visa fee before trying. Don't know about scruffy , all he told me was he got his MNL same day as me. In my case the operator said it was just forwarded the same day I called. I'm curious too. Jim.

Edited by Jim N Augie, 13 October 2011 - 02:05 PM.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-13 14:05:00

Yup, it's about two weeks from the NVC to Manila. Manila not only has to receive your petition, but they also have to enter it into their system, which takes a bit longer. If you pay the visa fee and try to schedule an interview before they enter your case into their system, you won't be able to schedule the interview. Just try again the following day.

The medical can be completed using only the NOA2 petition approval and the MNL case number. You can roll on that now.

Once your approved petition arrives in Manila, don't wait around for the Embassy to send you anything because it can take quite a while. Instead, if you want to read the letter the Embassy is going to send you, you can read it right here.

Thanks for the info, I had read that you wait 4 hours after paying fee to schedule interview. The crazy thing is my friend has same Noa2 date and got same date for MNL # and says the next DAY his girl already paid the fee and scheduled interview. Hope he writes that one up here cause all I read says give it about a week. Jim.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-13 06:25:00

I hear ya! We're about 3.5 years into it as well, due to the annulment. We're at the final stages of the annulment (waiting on delivery to the NSO of the final papers). The lawyer has been ridiculously slow and unresponsive. Very frustrating. So, we're probably a month or so from starting the immigration process. We're planning to go it alone, without a lawyer. Guessing most folks here think that's a good way to go? I'm counting on this site to give me a lot of good information. We are going K-1, with 3 of her children from her previous marriage following on K-2. Does anyone know if we *have* to file the K2s at the same time as the K1 for my fiancee? We are working out a misspelling of the mother's name on our oldest's birth certificate. That may take a little while to get adjusted (another crazy story there where the LCRO doesn't have a permanent person in place due to the passing away of the last permanent person there!!).

Anyway - any help would be appreciated.

Congrats on the anullment being done,what fun hunh? It's a major crock of @$%^%$& there and virtually traps the basic filipina. Bit of advice make sure the Judges name is signed by hand and not printed on the papers. If you want to email me private I'll tell you what I did for peace of mind thru all this but I don't want anyone to feel I'm advertising so enough said on that. In general , minor children are covered under the mothers k1 you can bring them now or up to one year later. Best to read up on all that.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-12 16:12:00

Hey guys,
I don't understand anymore..??.. Im 23 september TOOO.. But I called the automated phone and they said. "My number cannot be found".. . This is starting to be depressing..
How did you guys get the good news???..
Tx. Yours should be soon, just read the earlier post I had use #5 for an operator not automated. Jim

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-11 19:04:00

[quote name='Dan & Jenni' timestamp='1318374982' post='4947109']
and when i get to america i will be ummm... somewhere close i think haha. i will be in danielsville, madison county :)Yeah I never noticed that before but your right thats not so far someday we should all have a round at the nearest pub lol. We can put some documenst on the wall and throw darts. Jim

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-11 18:30:00

Today must be the day at NVC I am 23 Sept NOA2 also and got my case number today also

Just noticed you are in Macon, small world I am about an hour south of you. Good luck!

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-11 18:03:00

Today must be the day at NVC I am 23 Sept NOA2 also and got my case number today also

Congrats !! nice to have another step down. Jim.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-11 17:56:00

3.5 years??

Yep but not due to K1, that part has been fairly fast. Philippines has this nice little con going called anullment.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-11 17:02:00

You journey from here can be quite short. If you have the information for the DS forms you do not need to wait for any mor letters or packets for Philippeans.

Pay the visa fee at BPI and set an online registration for medical (asap) and interview (about 2 weeks). The ds forms are online.

Thanks for the info, thats pretty much my plan. Last week when I called NVC they said allow 15 - 20 days so I just finished putting the 134 and docs together to send to my fiance and I hear it's about 2 weeks from NVC to manila so timing should be about right then my fiance can do the DS forms, med registration, appt schedule and visa fees at her end. Someone told me I can go online and make the interview appt for her but I haven't verified that yet. Advice is always appreciated. Jim.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-11 16:59:00

good luck on the rest of your journey

Thanks! We are about 3.5 years in with all this now and it's so unreal to realize it's almost over.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-11 16:54:00

hey how did you come to know it was forwarded cos they got mine on 27 September did u get email or how were you

notified i was Approved on september 15 and NVC Received my Case on 27 will u please let me know how you were

notified you called them thanks

Sorry would have got back to you sooner but had to go outside and run around the house like 20 times to calm down. the number for state dept is 603 334 0700. you will need your petition # your name and DOB recpients name and DOB and the date of the NOA 2, if you get thru choose option #5 for the operator. If the NVC has recieved you case and forwarded she cna give you that information. Jim.

Edited by Jim N Augie, 11 October 2011 - 04:51 PM.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-11 16:50:00

Finally!!!! after being on the phone ALL day I got thru to NVC and got my MNL case # and forwarded today. USEM here we come!!

Some FYI for others the noa2 date was 9/23 so it was 14 business days to NVC. Jim

Edited by Jim N Augie, 11 October 2011 - 03:29 PM.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-11 15:25:00

POSTAL SERVICE UNRELIABLE

FEDEX is safer I'm sure but we have used USPS for normal letters , small gifts etc just regular usps mail and only lost an xmas card From PH to US. takes about 3 weeks. If I need it faster or more important I still use USPS but express and its about 9 - 10 business days. you can track that but be advised it is only trackable in US once it gets to the Philippines all bets are off. But in 3 years we lost just the one card. Jim.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-13 14:26:00

we got the NOA2 but...

Yeah after Noa 1 i never got text or email and my case was only trackable online the day I got Noa 2. I hear it's a common problem with Vermont.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-15 06:12:00

Wedding ceremony here in the philippines

As long as your cenomar in Phil is clear thats what they go by. there have been girls there who thought they needed anullment from previous marriage only to find out it was never recorded. So from a legal standpoint they couldn't anull a marriage that never happened. But still better to fulfill the k1 first why take chances.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-14 05:37:00

K1 Interview Checklist

i feel bad when COs expect that we, the Filipina beneficiaries, should have WU/remittance receipts as proof. I think it's just fair for them to also assume that not all pinay beneficiaries receive money from their american partners...

Well, i guess i'll just bring my bank account proofs so they won't give me hard time. Thank you so much for pointing this out. I do appreciate it.

Good Luck to all of us here... God Bless us all!

Your welcome, if it helps I am glad. I dont think it will be a problem just maybe good to have your docs. I dont know what else with that person made the CO that way anyhow. But since she did not expect that I dont think she had proof for her own income with her. Dont feel bad, it's a hard country but is not a reflection of a person. I think probably just not what the CO normally see's. And like I said earlier there was another in same situation and had no problem. Good luck !

Edited by Jim N Augie, 14 October 2011 - 08:58 AM.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-14 08:57:00

K1 Interview Checklist

There was a member here a month ago that said the CO was a little suspicious because her fiance never sent any money, she explained she didn't need any. Another member same situation had no problem. Just a thought but if you have a job and bank account of your own maybe bring those docs too.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-14 05:52:00

Hoilday

Call Monday I guess. As you can see from the news articles people posted here that date was made a regular holiday as of Friday. I don't know if that includes USEM but I would think so, and St Lukes too. I put the post here cause people should be warned. Even worse I bet they dont update the online appt service until monday or later so all weekend it will accept appts for that date. If anyone knows for sure please post.

Jim N Augie

Male

Philippines

2011-10-21 21:01:00