ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
PhilippinesPhilippine Passport Renewal Los Angeles

You have probably seen this already:

 

http://www.philippin...g/contactus.htm

 

It lists several phone numbers to call, including a "passport mailing section" number.

 

Good luck

 

 

Yeah....sent an email, no response.  Called and got be patient sir, but no information at what phase of the process it is at or anything like that.  Just wanted them to check, but maybe I am being unrealistic in my expectations.  If its going to be longer than 8 weeks...that info would really help me out a lot.  There is some really good deals on airfare through United on the flight we most like to take.  Houston to Hawaii to Guam to Manila, but I can't purchase until it arrives or I know definatively when it will.

 

Thanks anyway for your response. 

Wyatt


TripleGMalePhilippines2014-08-13 11:09:00
PhilippinesPhilippine Passport Renewal Los Angeles

Does anyone know a good phone number you can call to check the status of a Philippine passport?  My wife flew to LA back around Jun. 16th to renew her passport.  She payed for expedited mail service and was told it would arrive between 6 to 8 weeks. Its been close to 8 weeks already.  Called the consul in LA and (no surprise) they said just be patient. Really?  They either can't track the status or are too lazy to do it.  I was just wondering is there a main number outside of the ones posted on the Consul website that could help us?  I am trying to coordinate scheduling having surgery, buying plane tickets for 5 and getting a U.S. passport for my youngest daughter and it all hinges on when my my wife's passport will arrive. 

 

Thanks in advance,

Wyatt

 

P.S.  anyone on here renew in LA within the last few months?  and if so, how long did it take to receive?


TripleGMalePhilippines2014-08-13 10:27:00
PhilippinesBirth of Baby - US or Philippines?

1. A child born to a US Citizen Father and a Philippine Citizen Mother is INSTANTLY a Dual (Natual Born) American and (Natural Born) Filipino Citizen AT the instance of birth. This is the case regardless of whether the birth occurs in the Philippines or if the birth occurs in the USA.


All in all nice post TinTin and Samby I agree with almost everything you stated except #1.

I THINK? NOT SURE? There are instances where Philippine law stipulates a difference between a citizen by blood and a citizen by birth. A child born to a Philippine parent would be a citizen by blood not by birth, hence not a natural born citizen if born in the U.S.A.

Does anyone know if Philippine law stipulates a differnce in citizenship by blood or by soil birth? Where is it referenced?

Wyatt
TripleGMalePhilippines2011-10-10 09:02:00
PhilippinesBirth of Baby - US or Philippines?
My wife plans on having our second child in the RP in Febuarary. There are different reasons why we decided to do this. The first reason is if you look at Philippine property law it states only a natural born citizen can inherit. Our first son is duel citizen but was born here in U.S.A. so we didn't want to take any chances in the event of a property dispute later. My wife and I own ag. property which I cannot inherit. There is belief by some Americans that they will inherit joint property in the RP in the event their wife dies....(good luck!). By having a child in the RP it covers our bases in the event of something tragic happening. Secondly by having our second son in the RP my wife gets to share the experience with her family and they can help take care of our other infant son. The cost can vary. My wife plans on having a C-section done at the Cebu Doctors Hospital in Cebu. I am expecting to pay between 60,000php to 100,000php for this procedure and thats just an estimate. A C-section in the U.S. without insurance can cost up to $30,000USD. As far as type of care or quality of care? Its a matter of opinion. I had major surgery in Alabang a few years ago and am completely happy with the outcome. I think the most important thing when choosing a doctor either in the RP or the U.S.A is asking questions. Do your research online and then ask questions based on concerns you might have.

(I AM NOT A PHILIPPINE PROPERTY LAW EXPERT, THESE ARE JUST MY OPINIONS BASED OFF CONVERSTATIONS WITH AN ATTORNEY)

Wyatt
TripleGMalePhilippines2011-10-09 08:39:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI-134 for K-1 Philippine Fiance
Hello all,

I am a newbie and trying to get all the required information together for my I-134 form. Does any of this information need to be notarized? It seems I read somewhere before something needed to be notarized, but can't find where I read it. I will be traveling back to the RP in May to harvest rice and wanted to carry everything required for the interview with me and hand it directly to my fiance. She is still waiting on the packet from Manila which I think should arrive soon. Also I am a little concerened because I lost the copy I made of the original I-129F petition in a natural disaster. What information or documentation from this packet should I be sure to give my fiance since I don't have this copy?

Also anyone that has been through the interview in Manila feel free to contact me via email or post helpful hints, I have questions about what my fiance will be asked. She is a little on the timid side, and I fear she might get bullied in Manila, so I want to prepare her as best I can.

Thanks in advance,
TripleG <><
Sorry if these questions have been asked before, but my internet connection is horrible making it hard to research.
TripleGMalePhilippines2009-04-21 15:57:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionTIMELINE FROM ROC TO GC PRODUCTION?

It's actually the very first notice you receive after filing. (I think calling it NOA2 is not correct. It's NOA1, or people around here typically call it just NOA.) And it says in the letter that your status is extended for one year.


Thanks!
TripleGMalePhilippines2011-07-06 03:12:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionTIMELINE FROM ROC TO GC PRODUCTION?

The letter (NOA-2) extends her residency for one year; she can use that to visit.

Typically seems to take six months--the timeframe may conflcit with biometrics timing, but....no other issues I can see.



Where does it say that the (NOA-2) letter extends your Green Card for one year? I believe you because that makes sense, but was wondering if you have seen this in writing somewhere? Does the letter itself say it can be used as an extention? I plan on filing the I-751 in Sept. exactly 90 days prior to my wifes GC expiration. My wife and I want to travel in late Nov. this year and her GC expires in early Dec. I am a little paranoid about the airlines in the Philippines not allowing her to fly on a GC that is expired by a few days even though she will have NOA-2 letter.

Thanks,
Wyatt
TripleGMalePhilippines2011-07-03 16:47:00
PhilippinesStressed OUT!!
TELL UR FIANCEE NOT TO FORGET A POLICE CLEARANCE CAUSE SOMETIMES THEY WILL ASK FOR IT.....

Thanks for everyones advice. I am flying to the RP on Tuesday maybe Thursday...and now have a new concern. I will post the new concern as a new topic after I research to make sure it hasn't been asked before.


TripleGMalePhilippines2009-05-07 23:42:00
PhilippinesStressed OUT!!
QUOTE (jamesNrei @ May 6 2009, 01:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Good plan. My question now is do you have a back up plan just in case her medical exam did not turn out okay? Take into consideration that several applicants encountered some problem with their Chest XRay, they were required to come back for sputum collection for 3 straight days and wait for 2 months for the result. They usually end up rescheduling their interview date not until they are cleared from their medical. So if in case it happens to you (hopefully not) do you have a plan B?



I had her do a chest X-ray in San Carlos, Negros Occidental in March. The Xray came back clear for TB. She has never been diagnosed with TB or had any symptoms. I just did this for a precaution because she grew up in the mountain (she's half Aeta). It was cheap, so I figured why not get an XRAY just in case. Thank God it was clear. I guess my question is now? If something does go wrong with her medical? something missed? hopefully not, but if? Can I just reschedule the interview date? I guess rescheduling will be my plan B.

Thanks to all responders, I haven't posted much, but I have gained soooo much valueable information just being a lurker here. Thanks so much visajourney.com

TripleGMalePhilippines2009-05-06 17:48:00
PhilippinesStressed OUT!!
I scheduled my fiance's interview on the phone here from the U.S.A. I chose the June 10th date. We have all our paperwork in order, or atleast all the forms. I am so stressed we are going to forget something. She is going later this week to Cebu to get her NSO, NBI, and Cenomar certs. I travel to the RP every 2 months, because I have the type of job where I can. My fiance and I have a small house in Negros and we have a farming business there. I am arriving May 14th and had planned on using this trip to hand deliver all the forms and take care of some business there and relax in the province. I am leaving on May 28th from Manila. My plan was to get to Manila on May 26th, get her situated, show her where the embassy is, where the medical exam will be etc. Then she could stay the weekend and go do the medical exam on June 1st that Monday. Is this enough time span before the interview? I was told in the interview conformation email that I can change the interview date, what do yall think? should I make it a later date? We have no current plans to go to Manila before May 26th, and doing so would be a major inconvenience.

Thanks for any advice.
TripleGMalePhilippines2009-05-06 05:06:00
PhilippinesK1 Divorce Decree (Original or Copy?)
Hello VJers'

I am leaving for the RP on Tuesday or maybe Thursday and was going to hand deliver all the supporting documents for my fiances interview on June 10th. Of course I am reading and rereading every little thing, and noticed something I hadn't noticed before concerning my divorce decree. I was divorced 8 years ago. The embassy website says official documents. What does official document mean?

l. PROOF OF TERMINATION OF A PRIOR MARRIAGE. If applicable, official documents (divorce decree, annulment decree or death certificate, etc.) that prove all prior marriages contracted by you and the petitioner have been legally terminated prior to the filing of the petition must be submitted

I only have a copy of the official divorce decree. I think I only sent a copy (not original) when I filed the petition. I think the court has the original? Anyways my question is this: Is a copy of the final divorce decree good enough for the interview?

Thanks for any advice

TripleGMalePhilippines2009-05-08 00:13:00
PhilippinesI-134 Advice
Hi VJrs

I am going over my I-134 Affidavit of Support. I was wondering how others filled theirs out concerning section 7.

Where it says: I have other personal property, which the reasonable value is:

Do you need to have proof of value for these items? For instance I have farm equipment I have payed cash for over the years, this farm equipment has no title, hence there is no proof of ownership other than the reciept I recieved at the time of purchase. I don't have the reciepts anymore.

The part where it says list value of stocks and bonds:
Can I use the amount I have in my 401K that is co-managed by Fidelity. I do have a print out of its current value and how its invested.

Lastly, Where it says: I have life insurance in the sum of:
Can I use a survivor benifit policy that my company provides for me free of charge. It has no cash value, but in the event I die the bennificiery I have listed gets a lump sum payment.


Thanks in advance for your answers. I should financially qualify without these items, but I want to use everything available to me. I was just curious how others filled theirs out.

Wyatt

TripleGMalePhilippines2009-05-11 11:01:00
PhilippinesTwo Questions
My fiance's NSO birth certificate, I think was on orange paper. She is from Negros and got it at the Cebu office. It is barely readable. It looks like they ink blotted the writing on it. She got her baptismal cert. and some other church documents to help support her birth certificate just in case. Her interview is on June 10th.
TripleGMalePhilippines2009-05-30 13:18:00
PhilippinesOK a few more Questions about what my Fiance can do....
QUOTE (raquel_1208 @ May 31 2009, 02:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (tallcoolone @ Jun 1 2009, 03:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (raquel_1208 @ May 31 2009, 01:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (tallcoolone @ Jun 1 2009, 02:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (raquel_1208 @ May 31 2009, 12:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
It would help in the interview if you start having joint bank accounts now or joint credit card. Ask your bank for forms that you could bring and she can sign when you visit her.


Not really.

More than likely his case will be transferred to CSC for AOS and will be approved without AOS Interview.



The OP's fiancee is still in the Philippines and have not done medical or interview yet and my suggestion was to help her fiancee provide more proof of ongoing relationship when she does have her interview at US embassy


Joint accounts are used for AOS.

Most will not put a fiance as a co signer on a Bank Account, nor is getting a joint Credit card a good plan before marriage

The info you posted is more for AOS.........



It may not work people who have trust issues with their fiancee but it will be an advantage to those who doesn't. The consul in the embassy will likely see this as a proof that the couple has a bonafide relationship.



I gave my fiance a Visa debit card with my name on it about a year ago. Its a seperate sub account to my bank account. I can transfer money online from one account to the other with no problems. I told my bank to put okay to use in the RP so it wouldn't be turned off. I put a limit on the Visa/debit card I gave her in case she lost it or got snatched. This has been one of the best things I have done. We have business there, and this has saved 100's of dollars in Wire fee's. She also has her own BDO account. Trust was never an issue, because we have known eachother for a long time. If ever she needs money, she gives me a call and I transfer it to that account and she goes to the ATM and gets her cash. She has saved all the ATM reciepts, and we put them with the sub-account statement I printed out in order to help show support. Even though its a little unorthodox and her name is not on it, I hope it helps show proof of genuine relationship or atleast supports our other documents and proof. The dates on the ATM receipts are times when I am in the U.S.A. so it shows she is the one using the account or atleast thats my hope of how if will be viewed.

TripleGMalePhilippines2009-05-31 15:53:00
PhilippinesSt. Lukes experience/Vaccination question?
QUOTE (MikeeLucyForever @ May 30 2009, 06:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
There was one post here on VJ. The girl told Saint Luke that she prefers to have vaccinations in the state, so Saint Luke didn't give her any. When she went home someone told her that vaccinations in the states is very expensive so she went back to Saint Luke. Good thing Saint Luke still have her vaccinated.

One of the nurses at Saint Luke told me that you can't have the disrobe part (physical check up) if there is still no result for the laboratory tests like the urine test. So how come the doctor wasn't sure if she's pregnant or not? Just basing on the fact that your fiancee can't remember her first and last day of her period?

Also please if she decides to go back there for vaccinations, just prepare to check for a chickenpox scar, I was asked for that so the doctor will know if you still need a vaccine for chickenpox.



I am not sure if they thought she might be pregnant, that is just a guess on my part. When she asked them why she couldn't get the vaccinations they said because her menstrual cycle was irregular. She passed everything else. We went back the day we where leaving Manila because she had started, but they wouldn't even let her in the building without her passport. It seems like a strange circumstance to me, but just thought I would share to keep it from happening to others. She has a normal cycle she just got confused when telling them the dates, but once she made this mistake it was like they just quit listening to her. Also another contributing factor might be that when they questioned her about our sexual relationship, she was honest and told them we had been intimate that morning of her medical. This is my fault because I told her to be completely honest with any questions they ask her. I can't believe they asked her about this, but for some reason they thought this was pertinent information...I didn't want to get to personal, so sorry if I gave too much personal information but I think its important to share about the experience to keep others from making the same mistakes. After all we are all adults.

My question still reamains: Does St. Lukes have to give the vaccinations if done in the RP? or can our private physician in Negros administer them. Based off our St. Lukes experience I don't think they are going to give them regardless of what we tell them. Its not right, because we already paid them for it.
TripleGMalePhilippines2009-05-31 07:14:00
PhilippinesSt. Lukes experience/Vaccination question?
Has anyone else chosen or been forced to have there vaccinations done in the U.S? Did this cause any problems at the interview? How expensive are the vaccinations in the U.S.? (estimate figure). Can she still get vaccinated in the RP somewhere else, and use those records upon her arrival to the the U.S.?

My fiance was not allowed to get her vaccinations at St. Lukes. They said because her menstrual cycle was not on a normal schedule they would not immunize her until she had her monthly visitor. They asked her when was the last time she had it? and she got confused on the date? I was present in Manila but not allowed to enter St. Lukes during her medical. I think maybe they where concerned about her being pregnant and not wanting to vaccinate just in case she was. This is just a guess based on some other questions they asked her. I had previously been there to visit her in March also. . ....Anyways not trying to get too personal and share too much, but since this site is to help people stay informed, and to keep others from making the same mistakes so just thought I would share. Knowing the exact dates of your schedule might prevent this from happening to someone else. She had her visitor the day we left Manila, but it was too late because St. Lukes had already forwarded her medical records and Passport to the embassy, the records they forwarded said she would be vaccinated in the U.S.

Also: Her medical was on May 26th and it took all day. She had to go back the next day to see another doctor about her voice due to dammaged vocal cords and a scar that runs through her left eyebrow from an accident she had as a child. She speaks normally, but its obvious she has a hard time making her voice loud....This issue caused a second day of medical but only lasted a half day. The second day consisted mostly of her being asked to count to 10 and estimated 15 times and asked over and over if she ever had TB or a goiter causing her voice to be shallow? Asked over and over what happened to cause the scar on her face. I am not a doctor but I don't understand the big deal they made about her voice, since they have Xrays showing she is clear and I figured they would show any previous TB if she ever had it. Also the eye scar was made into a bigger deal then I would have thought. It doesn't affect her vision and if it didn't run through her eyebrow would barely be visible. In the end they took her passport and gave her an Xray CD with a blank immunization paper stating she chose to be vaccinated in the U.S. even though thats not true, because the truth is they wouldn't allow her to be vaccinated. So I am assuming she passed the medical. Her interview is scheduled for June 10th.

TripleGMalePhilippines2009-05-30 03:34:00
PhilippinesPOE-need help!
I don't have an answer to your question, but tend to agree with the other responder. Guam's airport is pretty small, so you should be okay. Out of all the airports I have cleared customs, Guam would be my number one pick. I would rank airports I have returned through like this from best to worst: Guam, Seattle, Houston, LAX... This is based soley on personal experience and personal preferance. I usually don't buy my ticket based on where I will clear customs, but would definately pick Guam as a POE for my fiance if the airfair was reasonable. I never even thought Guam was an option for POE for my fiance, but you got me thinking about it now. I haven't cleared customs in Guam in about 2 years, but it was fast the times I did. I arrived at night and the only line was from the people on the same plane I was on. Maybe I was just lucky in this, so don't count on that. I used to take the Continental flight that goes Manila, Guam, Hawaii, Houston before it got too expensive. Hopefully others will respond that have had there POE in Guam because its a good question.

LAX is the worst in my opinion because they schedule so many flights to arrive at the same time and they are unorganized. Houston isn't much better IMO on number of flights arriving, but is more organized. Seattle I heard is where customs agents are trained? I don't know if this is true, but it always seems to go quicker there. Good luck and be sure to post up on her POE experience after its over.
TripleGMalePhilippines2009-05-31 09:56:00
PhilippinesCenomar mispelling
Kugeng (my fiance) called the NSO office in Bacolod on Monday, and the officer there told her the best thing she could do is call the main office in Manila. So Kugeng called the main NSO office in Manila and they told her to go back to Cebu and they would issue a correct one. The Manila office also had the receipt from when she paid the first time in Cebu. Its no suprise that the receipt only shows she paid 195 peso's for the Cenomar instead of the 1000 peso's she actually paid for the supposed 2 day rush service. When she arrived in Cebu on Monday the NSO office told her,

"Oh, its okay that your name is mispelled at the bottom, just use that one for your interview, and if it doesn't work then we will issue you another one. "

Of course Kugeng kindly refused and requested it be corrected now and informed them she had already talked to the main office in Manila and they informed her it would be re-issued. The Cebu office told her she had to return the one with the mistake and pay again, and then they would re-issue a new one. After waiting in Cebu now for 2 days, she just recieved word that it will be ready on Friday June 5th. She told them her interview is on June 10th and that she really needs it with no mistakes atleast by Friday because she plans to fly to Manila early on Monday June 8th.

Her original first attempt to get her Cenomar was on May 12th and the extra she paid for rush service and the follow up trips and waiting in Cebu has made this ONE EXPENSIVE CENOMAR. I understand no one is perfect and mistakes happen, but charging her again for something they screwed up is ridiculous. I don't understand why they have to re-do the whole process again because of a typo? I still don't know if there is even such a thing as rush service for a CENOMAR or if this was just the typical take advantage of the province people that goes on in the RP. We should have went to Bacolod, or atleast waited in Cebu the first time. Oh well, you live and you learn. If another VJ'er tries to warn you about the CEBU NSO office, do yourself a favor and listen to them.
TripleGMalePhilippines2009-06-03 02:38:00
PhilippinesCenomar mispelling
My fiance's name is mispelled one of the times on the Cenomar. The first time its spelled correctly, but farther down the page when they mention her name again they mispelled her first name. She got her Cenomar at the NSO office in Cebu. She lives at the house we built in Vallehermoso Negros Oriental which is a bus/boat and another bus ride away from Cebu. We chose Cebu because a portion of our business is tied to Cebu and we where going to be there anyways to handle a few things. She payed 1000 peso's for the birth certificate and 800 peso's for the Cenomar to have 2 day expedited service. This turned out to be a joke, because it still took about 9 days to get. We waited an extra 2 days in Cebu and finally just left and decided to have a friend pick it up for us. We called the NSO everyday to check on it. We kept getting weird phone calls around 6:30 pm every evening from a gay that works at that office. He would just call up and want to talk, it was sort of creepy. We just humored him because he was in control of something we needed. A friend of hers brought it to her in Negros yesterday and she noticed the mispelling.

So my question is this? Can she go to the NSO office in Bacolod to get this fixed? even though the one she has came from Cebu? Bacolod is 3 hrs. away but an easier commute than Cebu. Her interview is on June 10th.

MikeeandLucyforever: I should have listened to you and took your advice. I was naive to how screwed up things are at the Cebu office. You tried to warn me, but I underestimated how unorganized they could possibly be.
TripleGMalePhilippines2009-05-31 06:15:00
PhilippinesCheap place to stay during medical and interview in Manila
Me and my fiance are at Swagman's hotel right now. Its about a 5 min. walk to St. Lukes. Lots of Expats here, but decent price for the ammenities. I am staying in the cheapest room available 2250 php a night. Free breakfast in morning, internet cafe on second floor. Rooms are old and small, but clean. There is a 7/11 and Wendy's Hamburger right down the way. Hope this helps.
TripleGMalePhilippines2009-05-26 05:48:00
PhilippinesWhat is the nicest (not cheapest) hotel near the US Embassy??
Swagmans Hotel. Not the most glamorous, but has the best ammenties. Western food, Free breakfast, Free Internet Cafe on second floor, Travel Agency on-site, Free airport transportation. Cheapest room rate 2200 php a night. Its an older place with smaller type rooms, but well maintained and very clean. Hot water, cold air-con, and cable television.

Zambonga's Restuarant (Totally mispelled that! lol, its spelled like the province down south)
It has a Chavencano theme, with a Mariachi band that plays
Good seafood, good atmosphere and a proffesional waitstaff
My fiance and I went with an expat friend, his wife and his driver in May. We ate so much they could have rolled us out of there, and the bill was around 5000 peso's.

Hope this helps,
Wyatt

TripleGMalePhilippines2009-06-05 12:22:00
Philippinesinterview PASSED!!!
Congrats!!! Thanks for posting your experience. good.gif
kicking.gif kicking.gif

TripleGMalePhilippines2009-06-04 17:22:00
PhilippinesPictures
My fiances interview is on June 10th. So I don't how its going to go, but we only put dates on a few pics. Over a 2 1/2 year period I was amazed that we don't have that many pics. I think there are 19 total with us in the same pic. We have tons of pics. but its always me taking the pic. or her taking the pic. My weight changes alot and some of the time I wear a beard so hopefully this will show a time frame. Also this last trip I was there in May, I had her cousin take a pic. of us with my passport opened to my immigration stamp. Then I had her cousin zoom in on my immigration stamp with my face in the pic. Then we made sure to have a pic. taken at the movies in front of a movie poster, I felt like this would help show a time frame. Anyways all this might be over-kill but I was just trying to make sure we covered our bases. I agree with you, all the plane tickets, phone calls, etc....should be enough but it never hurts to be too prepared.

Wyatt
TripleGMalePhilippines2009-06-06 09:30:00
PhilippinesFinally here
Welcome to America!! kicking.gif Sorry to hear you had to wait, I am sure that hour felt like an eternity. Its the not knowing what they are doing during that time, that makes the wait even seem longer.

Good luck to yall,
and keep us all posted on your AOS journey.
TripleGMalePhilippines2009-06-05 21:57:00
PhilippinesJune 10th K-1 Interview
Hello VJ'ers

I just wanted to know if anyone had a similar dilema and how it went in the interview: My fiance and I do not email at all, we video chat once a week but didn't save any of the chatlogs. I met her while I was in the RP. We do however speak on the phone every day, morning and evening. I only printed the last 4 months of phone records, and it was a really thick stack of paper. I highlighted with a marker all the phone calls between us. My bill is never below $400.00 USD even with her calling me 25% of the time hehehe... (She has a stack of 55 calling card loads)

Also, I stayed 2.5 months June to August last year, and have been back 3 times since then staying 24, 20, and 16 days for those trips. With my last trip in May. (I have all the airfare receipts)

We have probablly over 100 pics. but suprisingly only 19 with us in the same pic.

About a year ago, I gave her a Visa debit card with my name on it. The funds come out of a banking account I have here in the U.S.A. She uses it at ATM's there in the RP and has saved all the ATM reciepts. I printed out my bank statement and it shows those RP ATM's withdrawls comming out.

We also built a small cinderblock house in the mountain on family land when I was there in June-August but the title is in her Family name. We plan on returning to the RP regularly after she gets her green card and wanted our own place.

I am a little concerned about having no emails. I notice others say that is something that is asked for. We had no need to email because we talked on the phone everyday. Its a K-1 but I still support her there because we farm rice and wholesale dried fish together so that was the purpose of the Visa debit card. I am concerned the Visa debit card might confuse the screener? To me its obvious we have been together and have a genuine relationship, but I feel like our documentation is a little unorthodox. My fiance speaks fluent english, but her vocabulary is lacking. Its partly my fault becuase we speak Tag. some or the time and the other times she is speaking Bisaya so she doesn't practice english enough.

Do yall think our documentation is sufficient? Will it make a difference if she asks the consul to repeat the question in english? If she gets confused can she speak Tag.? Does it make a difference?

I guess I will find out the answers soon enough, but just wanted to hear any opinions.







TripleGMalePhilippines2009-06-08 06:14:00
Philippinesneed ur help..
Its my understanding that the Baptismal Cert. is just a supporting document and not a requirement. I don't think the religous aspect has anything to do with it. My fiance and I decided to get her's due to the fact that her NSO birth certificate is barely readable. Her interview is June 10th, so I will send you a PM if the consul looks at hers. If the consul doesn't look at her Bapt. Cert. then I can't imagine them looking at anyone elses. Her NSO birth cert. is pretty bad.


TripleGMalePhilippines2009-06-09 07:23:00
PhilippinesThey're here!!
Tell them welcome to the U.S.A. and welcome to Texas.
TripleGMalePhilippines2009-06-09 20:46:00
PhilippinesGod Is Smiling Down on Us Today
Congrats....its a pretty aswome feeling.
TripleGMalePhilippines2009-06-10 09:00:00
Philippinesvisiting phils beyond 21 days
I would suggest getting a 6 month or 12 month multiple entry visa before you left. You will probablly make more than one trip to the RP within a year. They also have a 3 month single entry visa available that is the same price you will pay to extend if you do it in Phil. The 12 month multiple entry is about $100 USD if I remember correctly, maybe a little more? You can do a search online in your area for Visa companies that specialize in obtaining these. I use a company in Houston. Anyways you don't have to go this route, like others stated you can extend once there, but if you have the time now before you leave? Why not do it here? I have sat in immigration offices in the RP and what a waste of time. While sitting there waiting you will wish you had done it before you left, or atleast that was my experience the 2 times I extended there. I have never had a problem with my ticket and lack of Visa, but you run that risk. There was a time on North West Airlines I had a Visa but without it I think maybe it would have caused me problems. I depends on the airline Agent. Upon arrival the RP could careless what your ticket says, they know they will get there money before you leave one way or another. If you decide to get a Visa no matter which Visa you get, you have to extend every 59 days. I hope this helps. Good luck.
TripleGMalePhilippines2009-06-12 06:43:00
PhilippinesHow wierd is your partner while sleeping? hehe
I don't know if this counts but thought it was a cute story, our house in the RP doesn't have aircon. I sleep with a fan on high blowing directly on me. I will wake up in the middle of the night all sweaty and the fan will be adjusted ever so slightly to where its only blowing on half my body. You can barely tell it has been adjusted, and it had been happening over several weeks. I sweat real easy because I am real hairy (Irish blood). Well, finally after waking up 2 different times in one night all sweaty, I look over at Kugeng and she is awake also. I asked her ever so sweet "Inday, are you adjusting the fan?" She says to me very sincerely "No, I think maybe the tappy po are playing trick on you.." I said mmmm...yeah maybe a tappy po named Kugeta...hehehe" I know she gets cold real easy so I just deal with it. Sometimes I am pitty to her, because I will wake up and she will have the blanket over her entire head because she is so cold. We are maybe 30 min. to the Volcano in Canlaon so it can get cool at night.

Wyatt
TripleGMalePhilippines2009-06-11 15:02:00
PhilippinesJune 10th 7am interview
QUOTE (m6a7 @ Jun 9 2009, 09:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (TripleG @ Jun 9 2009, 09:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Fiance just called we got a pink slip. Praise God! She said the interview only lasted about 5 min. Maybe 6 or 8 questions and thats it. I will post a more detailed experience of what she tells me later. Thanks VJ'rs for all your post, this site really makes a difference. kicking.gif kicking.gif




How do you legally did that (got married) then filed K1 visa instead of K2?We want to get married here first (Phil) before going to US but we are filing K1 we are afraid to make any mistakes that jeopardize my application.


We decided we wanted to get married around mid 2008, but after talking to other PHIL-AM couples we knew there in the RP, they convinced us not to marry there, and to use the K-1 route. All the couples we are friends with there are older and did the process back in the 1990's and K-3 used to take twice as long as K-1. Based off what I have seen on VJ thats not the case anymore?. I wish we would have married back then, because we lived together for some of the time in the RP and that is strictly against my Christian upbringing. It all worked out in the end. Thank God.


QUOTE (SomedaySomehow @ Jun 9 2009, 09:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Congrats .... I am just curious about one thing in your timeline ..... it was a long time between your NOA2 and your interview date ... is it that long of a wait for interviews right now? Or is that just the date you guys wanted to have the interview? Thanks ... have a safe trip to the US


March 27th 09' to June 10th 09' between NOA2 and Interview. I wasn't aware this was a very long time. We did hit a few bumps in the road as far as her getting her documents. She didn't recieve her letter from the embassy until over a week after it was sent. They couldn't find her in the mountain. Also we had a nightmare of a CENOMAR experience and I will be filing a case against one of the NSO employees when I return in August, even though I know nothing will come of it. The earliest interview date I could have scheduled when I called was June 3rd. I chose June 10th to give us a little extra time with documents. I am glad I did because we needed every bit of that extra time due to the CENOMAR.


QUOTE (Pepe Alvaréz @ Jun 9 2009, 10:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (TripleG @ Jun 9 2009, 08:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Fiance just called we got a pink slip. Praise God! She said the interview only lasted about 5 min. Maybe 6 or 8 questions and thats it. I will post a more detailed experience of what she tells me later. Thanks VJ'rs for all your post, this site really makes a difference. kicking.gif kicking.gif


Congratulations, bud! Pretty soon you'll have Kugeng by the banks of the Brazos. I welcome her to the Republic of Texas. good.gif


Yeah buddy.....we are going to float all of the Texas rivers. We are going to start with the Llano river. My fiance was born in the Philippines with a Texas heart. The first conversation we ever had was about pig farming hahaha.....She knows more about farming than some Texas guys I know 10 years her senior. I live on 35 acres in Texas and she is going to be the ultimate help mate in life. Praise God!



Thanks to everyone for there well wishes and support. This process can really test a person's guts. I am so proud of my fiance I can't quit smiling. She is not a social city woman by any means, but she walked tall and overcame the obstacles that where in her path. She truely is one of a kind, and I am so proud and thankful to be able to bring her to Texas and give her may name. I am soooo proud of her. Our God is a loving God and He guided us through this process. Kugeng and I will continue to report on the rest of this journey and pray for everyone else that is comming behind her.

Wyatt

TripleGMalePhilippines2009-06-10 08:03:00
PhilippinesJune 10th 7am interview
Fiance just called we got a pink slip. Praise God! She said the interview only lasted about 5 min. Maybe 6 or 8 questions and thats it. I will post a more detailed experience of what she tells me later. Thanks VJ'rs for all your post, this site really makes a difference. kicking.gif kicking.gif
TripleGMalePhilippines2009-06-09 20:39:00
PhilippinesINTERVIEW QUESTIONS - MANILA EMBASSY
I was going to post one of these based off my fiances June 10th interview, but to be honest it went exactly how others have already posted.

The Consul was a black woman.

Questions asked:
When did you meet your fiance?, Where did you meet your fiance?, How did you meet your fiance?, What do you love about your fiance? On what day did he propose to you?

Thats it, that was all the questions from the Consul for her interview. She said it was over with in less than 5 minutes. She also said it seems the Consul was only looking at the I-129F petition and checking to see if her answers matched that information.

She also told me the pre-interview with the Pilipino went basically the same, and that he was the one that took all of the required documents.

If anyone wants, I will send a private message with Kugeta's cell number. She doesn't mind sharing her experience...grabe makulit hahaha......

Wyatt
TripleGMalePhilippines2009-06-11 14:03:00
Philippinesjune 16 interview
Best wishes.....Pink is a beautiful color.
TripleGMalePhilippines2009-06-15 00:58:00
PhilippinesPOE and US customs
If you are a visitor (non-U.S. Resident), print the total value of all goods (including commercial merchandise) you or any family members traveling with you are bringing into the United States and will remain in the United States.
Note: Visitors (non-U.S. Residents) are normally entitled to an exemption of $100

The phrase print the total value of all goods is a pretty loose term to me. It doesn't say retail value on this non-gift portion of the form.

Then it says: Visitors (non-U.S. Residents) are normally entitled to an exemption of $100 (normally being the key word)

My guess is the customs officials will look at the type of Visa you have and even if it doesn't give you legal resident status, it shows intent to stay in the U.S.A as a resident therefore allowing you the $800.00 exemption. I would think a K-1 visa would fall under these same circumstances, and thats why they put the word "normally" in there. This is just a guess. My fiance will not be bringing her laptop with her, but she will bring other personal belongings. I will get creative with derteming a value to these items.

I wouldn't worry about it too much....Good luck, happy trip.
TripleGMalePhilippines2009-06-22 23:25:00
PhilippinesTraditional Filipino wedding or American wedding?
We are going to throw a going away type party for her before she leaves the RP. The priest is going to come and give us his blessing for our travels. I am not Catholic, but I guess its better than nothing. We even considered doing an unofficial wedding ceremony where the priest goes through the motions but doesn't officially record the marriage in the RP. Decided it is just too risky, because I am afraid they will ask her at the POE if we are already married? I don't want her to have to lie. Also the priest wasn't real big on the idea since I am Baptist. I really wanted her parents to be able to experience their daughters marriage, but a party will have to make do. Also I didn't want her to have regrets someday that she didn't have a wedding. We plan on returning to the RP as soon as she gets her green card, but she might be big and pregnant by then God willing. So a ceremony then would look kind of silly. When she arrives here I am going to get my local preacher to give us a private ceremony with my parents present. The most important thing to us is a Christian ceremony.
TripleGMalePhilippines2009-06-20 20:15:00
PhilippinesPhilippine TV Channels
Thanks for the responses. We are going to live in a remote part of Texas on 35 acres I bought about 7 years ago. My house is over 300 meters from the private access road. There is no cable TV or wired internet. I use a Cingular air card for internet, so streaming video is very slow and really not an option. I currently have Direct TV satellite that runs $50.00 a month. I absolutely have to have my Astros baseball (lol). Anyways I was quoted by Direct TV an additional $25.00 dollars a month to add Philippine channels for a total of $75.00 a month. Then I found the satellite service provider I posted the link to while surfing the net. It seems just for a little additional per month I can still get my Astros baseball, Philippine channels and alot more bang for my buck. The problem is I have never heard of this company before? I guess I will take the chance and see how it works out. I want the best deal I can get, but since I have lived in the RP I have an ideal of what she is going to go through adjusting. The seclusion of where I live makes Philippine channels a necessity not just an option. One of my expat friends and his Pinay wife built a house on the property next to mine. So when his RP assignment is over with in 2011, my fiance/wife will have a Bisaya speaking Filipina to hang out with close by.
TripleGMalePhilippines2009-06-21 22:05:00
PhilippinesPhilippine TV Channels
I was researching some different satelite service providers for Philippine TV stations in the U.S.A and was wondering if anyone in VJ has recommendations. The service company I am most interested in is http://www.filipinotvchannel.com/. Has anyone used this service provider? Share other experiences with other providers if you have any.

I saw some post's regarding Philippine channels via Satelite a while back, but I couldn't find them doing a search.

Thanks
Wyatt and Kugeng

TripleGMalePhilippines2009-06-21 01:23:00
PhilippinesI GOT PINK (APPROVED)
Congratulations! kicking.gif kicking.gif
Thanks for posting your experience it really helps others good.gif
My fiance's interveiw is on June 10th
TripleGMalePhilippines2009-06-08 05:38:00
PhilippinesWorried about MEDICAL!
My fiance and I went to Manila early to avoid this potential problem. We got there 3 days before her normal start date. When asking the medical questions she got confused about her dates and they refused her vaccinations. Just be very clear to them you are on a normal schedule. Since her medical she has passed the interview, recieved her visa and got her CFO sticker. I am going to get her in July and now I have concerns about her POE because of no vaccinations even though its technically not a requirement. We have contacted SLEC many times to try and resolve this, but they still refuse to give them. It really stinks because I already payed for the vacs. I guess before we leave I will go by there again and see if I can pay again to have them done there in the RP so we can eliminate any chance of problems at her POE.
TripleGMalePhilippines2009-06-21 22:51:00