ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
PhilippinesCR-1/IR-1 case. Do i still need to attend CFO???
As suggested by the website at www.cfo.gov.ph,

"Filipino emigrants or those leaving the country to settle permanently abroad are required to register with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO)."

Only people who are currently living permanently in the Philippines is required to register at CFO and attend the seminar. Since your husband lives now in the US, he is not required to attend as he is not permanently living in the the Philippines regardless if he is a filipino or not.

Edited by Abby-Ron, 20 August 2008 - 02:09 AM.

Abby-RonFemalePhilippines2008-08-20 02:07:00
PhilippinesCR-1/IR-1 case. Do i still need to attend CFO???
yes, if you are leaving the Philippines to live permanently in another country, then you are required to have CFO seminar... CFO is required for all emmigrants.
Abby-RonFemalePhilippines2008-08-20 01:59:00
PhilippinesVisa received today!
Congrats!!
Abby-RonFemalePhilippines2008-08-19 01:22:00
Philippinesappointment interview
USEM will send you a letter stating when your interivew will be... just be patient..
Abby-RonFemalePhilippines2008-08-24 20:14:00
PhilippinesNSO verification
You dont need to verify that your son has a real birth ceritificate. They are not going to question this. They will only question your birth certificate as you are the main petition.
Abby-RonFemalePhilippines2008-08-25 00:10:00
Philippinesfilling for marriage license tomorrow
Congrats!!
Abby-RonFemalePhilippines2008-08-24 20:46:00
Philippinesdid i miss something for my interview?
Employment letter isnt as important if u already have w2s and 1040s for 2006 and 2007, and last 3 current paystubs. It just shows though that he is currently still employed there. Just be confident and be organize and you wont have to worry bout showing any evidences. I did not have to show one piece of evidence, as my fiance at the time, submitted all those in my petition and it was so organized that the consular didnt have much to say to me. The filipino interviewer there asked more questions than the consular. BTW, make sure though that all your evidences can fit in a folder no thicker than 2inches, thats how big the window is to submit documents at the USEM. Good Luck!!
Abby-RonFemalePhilippines2008-08-24 02:07:00
Philippinesdelbros again in again..
After I made my payments for delbros document verification I immediately register my info and when I got my acknowledgement followed by the confirmation I called delbros for another confirmation. Also, I had my deposit slip photocopied just to make sure and it's a good thing that I did because the US Embassy asked for the original deposit slip for their records, I guess.
The day after my interview I called delbros to know if my documents are already sent for verification and they said "yes". It's a good thing that you check on them, even if it takes calling them everyday, because that's what I did and it paid off.
Good luck...
Abby-RonFemalePhilippines2008-08-28 12:25:00
PhilippinesHelp
As of our experience, after the US Embassy told us that they already received the verified documents the next step will be the ordering of the Visa for printing. I guess the consul will make few more reviews on the verified documents then order the printing of the visa.
You'll have your visa on hand soon. Goodluck...
Abby-RonFemalePhilippines2008-08-28 12:33:00
Philippinesmy Fiance got a pink slip and waiting for docs verification
Congrats!!! Dont worry when your document verification is done your visa will be ordered for printing. You'll receive your visa soon.
They always get the original documents for affidavit of support. If you need it for other purposes you can write a letter addressed to the US Embassy for return of your original documents and state why you need it back.
Abby-RonFemalePhilippines2008-08-28 16:42:00
PhilippinesEmployment Letter Recipient
Dear Sir/Madam, is a standard for writing to someone you dont know.
Abby-RonFemalePhilippines2008-08-29 02:58:00
PhilippinesVISA VISA VISA VISA
Congrats!!!
Abby-RonFemalePhilippines2008-08-28 16:37:00
Philippinesyehey... got MNL case
Congrats!!!
You can take your medical exam ahead of what's schedule for you, this will give you ample time if there will be any problem with the medical result.
Pay for your Visa application, I've made mine at Citibank. Also, pay for your delbros document verification at Metrobank.
Have all your documents ready for the interview. And the most important, have yourself ready for the interview. Hope you'll have a nice interview experience.
Goodluck and God bless.
Abby-RonFemalePhilippines2008-08-28 13:29:00
PhilippinesGot the text confirmation of Delbros! Yehey!
Congrats!!!
Make sure you keep a copy of your deposit slip aside from the original one bacause you will be submitting the original deposit slip at the US Embassy.
You can also check on delbros once in a while after your interview.
Goodluck.
Abby-RonFemalePhilippines2008-08-28 13:31:00
Philippinesonion ring
There are juices and chemicals inside the onion's tissues; when your knife breaks the onion's cells a certain compound becomes airborne as a fine mist. This compound is called propanethial-S-oxide, which is a type of sulfoxide. When the misty droplets encounter a wet surface (your eyes or nose membranes) it dissolves into a form of sulfuric acid, which is understandably irritating to your sensitive organs.

Here's a few secret on cutting onions without crying:

* Use a sharp knife.
This is more common sense than a cure. A dull knife will crush the onion cells more than a cleanly slicing sharp blade, and the crushed cells will release more of the deadly spray into the atmosphere. Some say that a stainless steel knife is best because it supposedly lessens the severity of the onion juice (and stainless steel rubbed on your hands afterward take the smell away) but this is uncertain. At any rate this method is no cure because even the sharpest knife slices plenty of cells up and releases the caustic gas.

* Hold a wooden matchstick between your teeth -- match head out.
Maybe someone thought this up to see how much he could get someone else to act like a clown. The theory is that the match head attracts and absorbs all the bad chemicals. There is no magical matchstick magnetism that can significantly reduce the sulfuric aerosol; so all I can say is try it to prove it to yourself (it didn't work for me).

* Hold a piece of bread in your mouth.
Some say to chew the bread also. But as with the match above, the bread cannot have any significant attractive force on the onion spray. When I tried this it seemed to delay the onset of tears (but not for long) so it may not be totally ineffective.

* Breath only through your mouth.
This may be combined with the bread in the mouth too. I can see that if no air is flowing through the nose membranes it may reduce the irritation there, but it doesn't help the eyes, which are the main cause of pain.

* Chew on a raw onion.
This method appears so ridiculous I can see no physical reason why one would want to put another source of onion spray even closer to his sensitive mucous membranes.

* Don't chop the onion root -- or do it last.
The reasoning is that the root end of the onion has a higher concentration of these nasty chemicals. That may be so, but the difference is not very great since the non-root onion releases plenty of noxious fumes.

* Keep the outer skin on the onion as long as possible.
This is an attempt to contain the onion in some part to reduce the surface exposed to the air. The reduction in onion mist is minimal at best since all that sliced onion flesh is exposed to the air.

* Chop the onion under water, under running water, or pre-soak in water.
This 'under water' lore seems quite pervasive; I cannot imagine trying to hold and contain all the diced onion bits (which float away) under a sink filled with water. In theory if the onion was exposed only to water and not air the sulfoxide would be washed away by the water and never become airborne. A variant is to have running water nearby the chopping area in the hopes that it will obtain some of this aforementioned magical attractive power (this didn't work for me.) Another scheme is to soak the onion peeled (even cut in half or quarters) in water for some length of time to draw out the juices. While this may reduce the fumes some it only penetrates so far; once I started slicing into onion the spray was as bad as before.

* Wear contact lenses to shield eye surface from airborne spray.
I don't wear contacts so I can't say firsthand, but they don't cover the whole eye surface (leaving it partially exposed) and don't do anything for the nose. Besides, see the next suggestion.

* Don't wear contact lenses.
The acid gets between the lens and the eye for an even more excruciating pain.

* Wear swim goggles or a diving mask.
This solution actually works because the particles in the air are prevented from touching your skin. The goggles will only protect your eyes, and with the mask you have to breath out of your mouth. It is cumbersome and uncomfortable, and it doesn't protect any one else in the room.

* Use a fan to blow away or suck up the fumes.
If you can get a strong enough fan or cut your onions outside where there is a breeze, I can see this method as somewhat effective. If inside, wherever you blow the fumes (unless it's out a window) will be fumigated. Some say use the fan over the stove top, but it usually isn't strong enough; besides it draws the air up, where your head is likely to be. With a fan it is best to blow horizontally, away from the face.

* Place onions in the freezer for 20 minutes before cutting.
When the onion juices are chilled they are less likely to become airborne. This strategy is the most well-known solution to the onion problem, but it simply does not work. Unless the onion is actually frozen, there will still be onion juice sprayed in the air (besides, unless you store them in the refrigerator you have to wait for the onion to chill before you can cut it.)

* Put white vinegar on the chopping block to neutralize chemicals.
I tried this method, and it actually works. The stinging in the eyes was almost eliminated, but the smell was not very pleasant. The moist vinegar on the onion interferes with frying, and its flavor may taint some foods.

* Burn a candle near the work area.
This rarely-known technique is based on the fact that the candle flame pulls air from around it and sends it up the smoke plume. Although surprisingly effective, a single candle usually cannot handle the large amount of aerosol generated by a lot of dicing or fine slicing. This last technique holds the secret to the final solution.

And now the answer you've all been waiting for:

* Place the cutting board next to a gas range and turn on a burner or two.

The heat and flames draw in the onion mist, burn it, and send it up with the rest of the flame exhaust. In the heat the chemical changes such that it no longer irritates the eyes. One could also use the hood exhaust fan while the burners are on. The only drawback with this solution is that some unlucky fools aren't cooking with gas. They could try an electric range on high, but it doesn't really work (better to use several candles instead.) A poor stove arrangement might make it difficult or force you to cut left handed, but it can usually be worked out (and you don't have to stand very close to the flame). As with the fan, you want the flame to pull the onion fumes away from your face. And as pertains to all methods, you want to keep your face as far away from the hacking and hewing action at the cutting board as you can. I have a range with four burners: two on the left and two on the right with a big space between them where I put the cutting board. I turn on the two right burners, stand a bit to the left, and cut with my right hand.


Hope this can help you. I've been once a victim of cutting onions too lol... When I've learned about this secrets, cutting onions never made me cry again.
Abby-RonFemalePhilippines2008-08-28 19:01:00
PhilippinesVISA COMING!
Congrats!!!
Abby-RonFemalePhilippines2008-08-29 11:49:00
Philippinespassed the medical exam, Thank God
Congratulations and Good luck on your interview
Abby-RonFemalePhilippines2008-08-29 11:48:00
Philippinespassed my medical
Congrats to all of you... Goodluck on your interiew...
Abby-RonFemalePhilippines2008-08-28 13:09:00
PhilippinesVisa will arrive in 3 days
Congrats!!! That was really fast.
Abby-RonFemalePhilippines2008-08-29 11:46:00
PhilippinesVISA ON HAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Congrats!!!
Abby-RonFemalePhilippines2008-08-29 11:48:00
Philippinesvisa on hand
Congrats!!!
Abby-RonFemalePhilippines2008-08-29 11:47:00
PhilippinesGot pink slip!!!!!!!
Congrats!!! You'll receive your visa soon.
Abby-RonFemalePhilippines2008-08-28 16:43:00
PhilippinesMedical passed thank GOD!!!
Congratulations!!!
Abby-RonFemalePhilippines2008-08-28 19:51:00
PhilippinesINTERVIEW PASSED..MY PINK HUED JOURNEY
Congrats!!!
Abby-RonFemalePhilippines2008-08-28 11:59:00
Philippinesvisa approved
Congrats!!!
Abby-RonFemalePhilippines2008-08-28 19:40:00
PhilippinesYehey!!!! I finally got my VISA!!!!
Congrats!!!
Abby-RonFemalePhilippines2008-08-28 12:11:00
PhilippinesVisa In Hand
Congratulations!!!
Abby-RonFemalePhilippines2008-08-29 11:43:00
PhilippinesThis is it!!! YYIIPPPEEEEEEEE
Congrats!!! Have a safe trip.
Abby-RonFemalePhilippines2008-08-29 11:44:00
PhilippinesVISA
Congrats!!!
Abby-RonFemalePhilippines2008-08-28 18:17:00
PhilippinesImmigrant data summary
QUOTE (sitkan @ Aug 31 2008, 07:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
hello what is Immigrant data summary?hope you can share your idea on what is this thank you

What are you filing for and where did you hear this "immigrant data summary". Be Specific so you can get a specific answer.
Abby-RonFemalePhilippines2008-08-31 21:28:00
PhilippinesFORMS FOR BPI
The form you fill up is DS-157 but do not fill it up until after you get it stamped in BPI and do a sample fillup prior to putting it on the real form. If you make a mistake you cant transfer the information and if there is something written on it and you will pay $131 again for the visa fee for K1.

Taken from the website

"Machine-readable visa application fees are nonrefundable. No exceptions will be made to this rule. The application fee is valid for use for one year after the date of actual payment (wherein the interview schedule must fall within the one-year validity) and is transferable provided the Form DS-157 has not been filled out. "

Information can be found at http://manila.usemba...v/wwwhniv3.html.

Edited by Abby-Ron, 31 August 2008 - 09:15 PM.

Abby-RonFemalePhilippines2008-08-31 21:14:00
PhilippinesI GOT PINK! I GOT PINK! OHH I love PINK!!!
Congrats!!
Abby-RonFemalePhilippines2008-08-27 02:29:00
Philippinestanong lang po
The photo for each visa applicant submitted must measure 2 by 2 inches (roughly 50 mm square) with the head centered in the frame. The head (measured from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin) should measure between 1 inch to 1 3/8 inches (25 mm to 35 mm) with the eye level between 1 1/8 inch to 1 3/8 inches (28 mm and 35 mm) from the bottom of the photo.

When I had my Visa picture taken, I printed what's shown on this link and I got exactly what is needed. I had my picture taken at Kodak. Just show the photographer the print out of the sample and tell him/her that you need exactly the same measurements.

http://travel.state....sition_874.html
Abby-RonFemalePhilippines2008-08-28 11:53:00
PhilippinesInterview appointments update
New Updates:

I called up USEM earlier again, March 18th 8:30am (Manila time) to schedule an appointment for the interview date.

I was told that the system isn't up yet again. (I was told the same story three (3) times) March 13th, 14th and the 18th today.

Even the agent who answered the phone was the same person. (Paul) Not sure how lucky I am because everytime he answers the phone, I do not get any good news. I even jokingly mention to him everytime I call that he will give me some good news, but however its the same old story.

So then finally, I spoke to his supervisor and it was the same supervisor that I spoke with me on March 14th. The supervisors name is Janet.

I have spoken to her previously (the 14th) and so she took my information (email and contact #) and told me that I will be contacted the moment the system is up and I will be scheduled the medical and the interview automatically when the system is up.

(THE SYSTEM CAN BE UP AS SOON AS TOMORROW MARCH 19TH)

If its not up by the 19th, we will have to wait until the Easter holidays are over. ack!

Hope this helps you all.
Dr MirageMalePhilippines2008-03-17 23:15:00
PhilippinesInterview appointments update
I got new updates for the new procedures.

Both my fiance and I called the USEM today 8:00 am to try to schedule for the interview.

We were both told that the system is not up yet and we have to call back on March 18th.

I even talked with the supervisor because I was a little upset about the USEM's website with the wrong information that the system will be ready on March 14th.

So no luck for me. ack!!!

For everyone else who is going to try to call the call center, save your $$$ because I called once last night and once early this morning in Manila time.
Dr MirageMalePhilippines2008-03-13 19:36:00
PhilippinesWho will call USEM on March 19th for appointments?
Who will call USEM on March 19th for appointments?

Its about 30 mins until they open the phone lines when I make this post.

Will they have the system up already?

Knock on wood.... whistling.gif
Dr MirageMalePhilippines2008-03-18 18:27:00
PhilippinesGot an interview date... CALL USEM Today March 19th
For those who are wondering what number I called for the interview appointment.

I called the USEM call center: 1-888-877-9888

You need to purchase a PIN # ($18.00 for two calls)

I spoke with Paul (for the fourth time since May 14th)

He already knows me since I've spoken to him several times and he was able to give me the earliest possible interview date which is April 22nd 7:30 am.
Dr MirageMalePhilippines2008-03-18 23:44:00
PhilippinesGot an interview date... CALL USEM Today March 19th
For those who are waiting for an interview date at USEM.

I just got off the phone with USEM.

They gave me an interview date on April 22nd @ 7:30 am
Dr MirageMalePhilippines2008-03-18 19:49:00
PhilippinesInformation details on getting an interview dates at USEM
I know many of you all have questions on how to get an interview date at USEM.

This article was forwarded to me and it summarizes the process on getting that interview date.

Most of us who were waiting for interview dates called several times and this article can summarize and answer most questions you all will have.

This also saves you searching this forum. Hope this helps.

-Dr Mirage


http://globalnation....ticle_id=125277

Immigrant visa applicants can now call US embassy

By Veronica Uy
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 05:43pm (Mla time) 03/17/2008

MANILA, Philippines -- Starting March 19, United States immigrant visa applicants who have been notified they can now be interviewed can call the Visa Information Service operator for the schedule of interview, the US embassy here said Monday.

The US embassy said those with pending K1, K2, K3 and K4 visa applications may call two numbers.

“When calling from the Philippines, the Philippines Visa Information Services number is 1-909-101-7878 and it provides English and Filipino speaking services. The service is available to the public from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday. There is a small fee for the use of the 909 service, $0.98 per minute,” the embassy said.

“When calling from the U.S., the United States Visa Information Service number is 1-888-877-9888. Operators speak English and Filipino. The fee is $18, payable using a Visa or MasterCard, and entitles the caller to three calls of any length,” it added.

The new scheduling procedure for K visa applicants -- which also provides rescheduling appointments for all other kinds of immigrant visas -- seeks to improve immigrant visa services and to make it easier for applicants to get an appointment.

When calling for an appointment, the embassy advises applicants or their representatives to have the applicant’s Immigrant Case Number, found on the embassy notification letter, when they call to schedule an appointment.

It also says applicants who need to reschedule their appointments should call at least 24 hours in advance.

“Applicants for all other kinds of immigrant visas may call the same number if they need to reschedule an appointment with the US embassy if there is no medical examination pending,” the embassy said.

Immigrant and fiancé visa cases scheduled for an interview is available and regularly updated at http://manila.usemba...v/wwwh3023.html, while applicants may download the visa appointment packet and forms at http://manila.usemba...v/wwwh3023.html.
Dr MirageMalePhilippines2008-03-30 22:32:00
PhilippinesWhat's the best time to call the "Call Center"?
The best time to call is when they open at 9:00 AM.
Dr MirageMalePhilippines2008-04-01 18:39:00