biggish data

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures

Fed ex fees

It depends on how much is the declared amount of the package. Also, it depends on who is the (fedex crew) holding the package. Some charge fees and some don't.

preciousgift

Female

Philippines

2013-03-06 10:59:00

Police Clearance

QUOTE (Pinaylang @ Oct 28 2007, 01:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If someone had stayed in Austrailia for 4 yrs is the Police Clearance required? Even though that's way back in the 1990's.

I didnt stayed or lived in Australia but yes you will need to get police clearance even its been a long years.It's one of the requirements.

preciousgift

Female

Philippines

2007-10-28 00:41:00

i agree to this advice...my fiance now hubby wear shorts and t-shirts and snickers only but it was cool to see...that's all..CONGRATS to both of you.....GODBLESS YOUR PARTY...

Thank you!

Male

Philippines

2010-09-05 16:54:00

Thanks all!

Male

Philippines

2010-09-04 21:03:00

Hi i'd rather suggest not to wear a formal clothes (wedding suit)or a suit that looks like its ur wedding day because if u take picture of the event and submit the picture as a proof of engagement during the interview the CO might not second thought that u did the wedding already dont let the CO have the idea that it looks like a wedding party even its just only an engagement (if u want in a formal clothes and looks like a wedding party make a banner and attached it o the wall where the big table is located stating or showing it was a really an engagement party with ur name and fiancee's name and date of the event ) if u are filing for a K1. happy weekend

Thanks for the input!

I understand that, but what would be proper attire to wear to the party...or is there traditional Filipino attire that one would wear to the event? I know that I shouldn't wear something "business-like" such as a button down shirt and tie. Would it be considered an informal event? Casual? How casual?

Regards.

Male

Philippines

2010-09-04 20:42:00

Hi all,

I was wondering if someone can tell me what the traditional male attire for an engagement party would be?

We will be having our engagement party this November in Cebu and I would like to know if I should buy everything there, or if there are clothes I can take with me.

It will be a small party at a resort with her immediate family only.

Any links to clothing sites or links to pictures would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Male

Philippines

2010-09-04 17:39:00

In mid-2009 we mailed a small package from interior Mindanao to Portland, Oregon via Philippine post office. Just to be cheap - instead of using FedEx (Air21)... After several weeks we gave up hope and figured it had been plundered. After a few months totally forgot about it. Nearly 5 months later it arrived in Portland in perfect condition, sealed with no indication as to cause of delay! Was a huge surprise to say the least.
I figure it just sat there at the post office Philippine style - like waiting for a jeepney to fill up before heading out...

Thanks! I am hoping one day it will arrive...hopefully before I submit the I-129F in a few months.

Male

Philippines

2010-09-13 15:43:00

Sending snail mail from the Philippines to the US is a nightmare.
My mom sent me a "registered" mail which contains documents that I had to sign, but it took 2.5 months to get to my mailbox. This type of letters has to go through customs too. Which makes it longer to reach the receiver's doorstep.

But, when my mom sent a birthday card to my cousin in Idaho, it only took 8 days and it wasn't registered. Its just a regular letter.

So your fiancee must've sent it in registered option.

You should be able to receive it in next few weeks. Fingers crossed.

Thanks for the reply...not sure if she sent it registered or not...I'll have to check.

Male

Philippines

2010-09-13 13:57:00

It cheaper rate via Fed X or DHL from PI to USA, Cost around 30 bucks

From USA TO PI is around 70 bucks......

I work for a university and sent my 1st package for $35. I mailed my last package for $30...I checked FedEx drop centers and UPS and they wanted around $80.

Not sure why it is cheaper to mail FedEx through my work...because it's a postal site for the campus...no discounts are give to faculty, staff or students. I'll take it over $80, anytime

Male

Philippines

2010-09-13 13:18:00

Only letter I recieved from PI took about 3 months

Maybe there is hope then.

Male

Philippines

2010-09-13 13:09:00

I have sent snail mail to my wife before she came here several times and most all of it got there but took an average of 15 days. She is from Mindanao. The few that did not make it were Christmas cards and probably were stole by people thinking money was in them.
I sent many packages by the US Post Office and every one made it that I sent.
When I sent her important documentation for when she went to the Embassy Interview, I used FEDEX took 3 to 4 days, was expensive but made it and could easily be tracked.

Thanks for the reply. I have sent her letters, but since what I have read about things not getting there, I decided to FedEx to make sure she received them.

Btw, she was mailing from Cebu City...if that makes any difference.

Male

Philippines

2010-09-13 13:08:00

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

I guess that answers my question...probably won't get it.

Thanks for the reply!

Male

Philippines

2010-09-13 13:06:00

My fiance sent me a letter and pictures about 2 months ago via snail mail and I still haven't received it. Do you think I ever will?

How long (typically) does it take snail mail to get to the US from the Philippines?

Thanks!

Male

Philippines

2010-09-13 12:54:00

Weather & Things to do in Dumaguete

I would go to Camigiun Island, not far from you. The place is greatness. Very clean, very little population, very quiet. White beaches, Hot Springs, Cold Springs, Soda Springs, Bat caves, Active volcanoes, it really a cool place and it's cheap compared to the rest of PI

Cool, I'll add it to my list...hopefully we can check it out.

Thanks.

Male

Philippines

2010-09-15 13:27:00

Weather & Things to do in Dumaguete

Hello All,

I will be making a trip to visit my fiancee at the end of October...we will be going to Dumaguete for a week (Oct. 29 - Nov. 5)

What is the weather like then?

Also, can anyone recommend some things to do while there in Negros Oriental?

Some nice beaches, site-seeing places, good restaurants? She's not in to strenuous activities...so, anything low-key will be good. Any places that are off the beaten path, hidden gems, must see, low tourist would even be better.

Many thanks in advance!

Brian

Male

Philippines

2010-09-15 12:40:00

Birth Certificate Question

Thanks for the input!

Male

Philippines

2010-11-15 06:15:00

Birth Certificate Question

Hello,

The names of my Filipino fiancee's parents on her birth certificate are spelled incorrectly.

Will this pose a problem for her for her future interview?

Many thanks!

Male

Philippines

2010-11-14 01:37:00

Thanks everyone for all of the replies!

I had searched this site and hadn't seen any posts regarding it and was starting to think that I was the only one being affected.

Hopefully this will get better for all of us soon!!!

Male

Philippines

2011-01-18 18:37:00

I (RK) and my fiancee (Inday) in Philippines feel your frustration; yes it has not been unusual for my calls from U.S. to her in Philippines to have been routed to a third party or to have not gone through at all. However, she and I have discovered a few things which might be of aid to you:

(1) Yes, as another poster mentioned, calls seem to have more trouble going through when it is raining in Philippines (I will often go to weather web site and check PI weather before calling)
(2) She changed her # and we had more success in avoiding party lines, oddly enough
(3) Often I will hear on the line a recorded message "Customer Not Available" or "All lines busy.." or similar but if I stay on the line, after a few repititions of the recorded message the call will actually eventually go through!
(4) Sometimes multiple dialings (as many as 30+) have been necessary to get through but often eventually succeeds. The redial button on my phone is getting much use!
(5) Add alternative (and lower cost) communication methods: international text messaging, emails, even "snail mail"
(6) I and Inday have had more success with e-mails, although this and alternative communication suggestions can have their own frustrations as well for both of you when even those communications still don't go through or she experiences brown-outs at her locale
(7) Web cams and internet voice coms, have (when it works) been a delightful alternative
(8) From personal experience: a lot of patience added to the mix of suggestions above can go a long way to increasing frequency of communication and reducing some cost and frustration.

Hope some of these suggestions will be successful in reducing some of your frustrations. Good luck!

RK

Thanks for the info RK!

Addressing your suggestions line by line...

1. I have done this, but it still doesn't seem to matter much...I'm using 2 calling cards, pingo and gtalk and the odd thing is that one might work one time and the other has serious problems...go figure.

2. I wondered about this. I was told that the phone number I listed as my fiancee's contact number on the G-325A form shouldn't be changed. Anyone care to enlighten me on this...is changing the contact number a headache for the visa process?

3&4. I almost always get a recording...and yes, 30+ redials I know very well. The speed dial is a great function.

5&6. E-mail is about the most sure way for us to communicate now...although her internet signal is bad a lot of the time, she goes to internet cafes to e-mail. I have written to her several times since the phone problems but she has yet to get them.

7. Unfortunately, this isn't an option for us.

8. Patience is definitely being observed now...no choice in the matter...not to mention my calling card costs have gone way down.

Thanks again for the reply...here's to hoping things get better soon.

Male

Philippines

2011-01-18 18:32:00

Hello me and my fiancee also experience the same issue. I think the main reason for this is the weather that we experienced here in Pinas....

Thanks for the info regarding the weather. She said it's been raining a lot...she also said that there was something in the news about communications being overloaded around christmas/new years.

Hopefully things will get back to "normal."

Male

Philippines

2011-01-18 12:42:00

where did she live in Cebu is it Down Town City? or Province and flooded area and might be that is the reason that you can not reach her through telephone call. My Fiance used to call me everyday or I will make a call to him & we do not have a problem about.So, I hope soon you can contact her.By the way I live in Davao City.

waya, she lives in the city during the week and travels home to Alcoy on the weekends. Either way...it is nearly impossible. At first I was able to reach her during her lunch time but then that quit working.

I was able to speak to her a few minutes today...I guess that's the way it goes.

Male

Philippines

2011-01-18 12:37:00

hello, me and my fiance is having the same problem. he could hardly get thru when he tries to call and i dont even get his text in time. i thought my BB is acting up coz i can send text messages just fine so we just use fb and skype to call. sadly for some crappy shitty reason skype if not my internet has been acting up so so we barely understand each other coz it chappy so we just type our chats instead of the usual video calls.

sorry i dont have a solution for you man, just thought id share that you're not the only one experiencing it.

Thanks for the info ERY.

Also it seems her internet connection is really poor also...gets booted off a lot.

This seriously sucks!!!

We can send people to space, but we can't have a telephone system that works properly???

Male

Philippines

2011-01-18 07:20:00

Since before New Year's, it has been nearly impossible for my calls to go through to my fiancee in Cebu. A few times the calls went to completely random people. I have tried all hours, and at first the calls would go through in the afternoon (Ph time) but the past few weeks none of my calls will go through at any hour.

Is anyone else experiencing this? What is up with the Ph phone system? Any help would be appreciated.

Btw, Anyone wishing to contribute OT drivel in this thread, keep you smart @$$ comments to yourself, please.

Thanks.

Edited by nc2cebu, 18 January 2011 - 07:07 AM.

Male

Philippines

2011-01-18 07:05:00

WORRIED! Will this be a problem?

This is probably a common problem, but here goes.

When I submitted my I-129F I used the names that were on my fiancee's current (at that time)birth cert. 2 months after we submitted it, we found out that her place of birth and the names of the parents were incorrect (they didn't use their full names.) Her mother goes by a name that is not her real name and that is what was on the original birth cert. We got all of that fixed earlier in the year.

Will this be a problem when we list her real full name on the DS-157? Should we write a letter explaining why it was listed as it was on the G-325A?

What is the worst case scenario?

Thanks in advance.

Male

Philippines

2011-05-01 11:27:00

Are We Screwed???

The CONOFFS in MNL are fully aware of the problem with slow paperwork. The old Live Birth along with the notarized letter from NSO should be sufficient.

If you really wanted to be safe, get the notarized letter from the NSO plus a new copy of the old Live Birth authenticated with "Red Ribbon" from the DFA. Do it yourself and go back for releasing, or use a travel agency to do it for you.

BTW: All you MNL people should get your Live Births and all NSO documents (birth, annulment, etc) authenticated by the both the DFA and also the US Embassy MNL prior to leaving for the USA.

While the Federal Government will accept and consider anything, including heresay; the Civil Rules of Evidence in your state typically do not allow Foreign Documents without such authentication. (Thanks to fraud, estafa, and the ongoing production of fake documents on C. Recto Street and elsewhere)

Thanks for the info!!!

Male

Philippines

2011-05-23 05:28:00

Are We Screwed???

Thanks to all who have replied!!!

Can a lawyer request that this be done and how much do you think it would cost to expedite it?

Thanks again!

Brian

Male

Philippines

2011-05-22 21:59:00

Are We Screwed???

My fiancee had her birth certificate "fixed" for incorrect spelling of her parent's names this past January, and we are now ready to schedule the interview at Manila. She went to get he bc and they said it takes 6 mos. to a year to get a copy. She has a certified letter from NSO stating that the changes were approved, just no new bc with the changes.

Can we go ahead and schedule the interview and she take her original bc and letter from NSO?

OR

Are We Screwed?

Please HELP!!!

Male

Philippines

2011-05-22 20:10:00

Any Filipina in the Greensboro NC area?

My wife has been here about a month and I am looking to see if any Filipina's are living in our area.

Hopefully my fiancee will be here in a month. I am a few miles north of Winston-Salem.

I have heard that there is a good sized Filipino community in the High Point area.

What type of job will your wife be looking for? My fiancee is a teacher and will hopefully be able to find work in a private school.

Regards,

Brian

Male

Philippines

2011-05-27 14:40:00

Which Birth Certificate?

if she has both old and new, no harm in bringing it both with her. she can always just explain it to the reviewer and consul.

Thanks!

Do you think there will be a problems since the G-325A has the names from the original bc?

Does this throw up any flags to them?

Any way she would need to explain it other than being an honest mistake/oversight?

Male

Philippines

2011-06-21 13:38:00

Which Birth Certificate?

Hello VJ Philippines,

My fiancee has her interview next Tuesday the 28th. Her original birth certificate had her mother's nickname and after we had filed the I-129 we had her birth certificate changed to have her real name put on it.

Which birth certificate should she offer, the original or the corrected one, or both, with an explanation?

The DS-157 has the correct full names on it...so there will be a discrepancy.

Anyone see any problems arising from this? Needless to say, I am stressing harder over this than she is. :wacko:

Btw, I'm asking for all of the positive vibes for her to pass...yours are much needed! :help:

Many Thanks in advance to those who contribute!!!

Brian

Male

Philippines

2011-06-21 09:41:00

medical and interview question...

i just want to ask, can i do the medical exam in st lukes first, eventhough the visa is not paid yet? i'd like to pay the visa and schedule the interview after the medical exam. and also, for paying the visa fees, is there a certain BPI branch that you can go to pay the visa or all BPI branches accept the visa payment? and last lastly, for interview in US embassy, do i need to bring all of the copies (I-129F package) that my fiance sent to the US immigration? thank you!!

Another thing...when you schedule your interview, it is probably going to be around a month or so away from the date you schedule.

You could get your medical right after you schedule the interview, I would think that would give you enough time in case you have to go back to SL.

Any BPI can do the transaction.

Yes, take the I-129F that was sent to you...plus all of your evidence and requested forms and documents.

Good Luck to you!

Male

Philippines

2011-06-23 17:01:00

medical and interview question...

i already have it all. ive been approved, i already have the letter from the US embassy, already have the noa2, nvc letter.. but can i do the medical before scheduling the interview? id like to schedule for an interview after the medical, just in case if st lukes wants me to go back again and again, so if ever, i dont have to reschedule the interview ..do i need to pay the visa first before setting up for medical? thanks..

Here's another "as far as I know" answer...

I would think that you can have the medical before scheduling your interview as long as it's not too far away from your interview date...and by far away, I mean months. I think I have read about people doing that here on VJ.

When I helped my fiancee fill out her online St. Luke's application (which you should do, it will save her time when she gets there, plus she will go ahead of those filling out the forms,) I think it asked when the interview date was.

I'm pretty sure you don't have to pay the visa application fee prior to getting the medical.

Anyone reading, please correct me if I'm wrong.

Hope this helped some.

Male

Philippines

2011-06-23 16:55:00

The interview will just be the 5 longest minutes of your life.. That, and lining up on the 2nd day of the medical waiting to know if you will be stamped "vaccination" or "sputum", those are the most dreadful moments.. Everything else is easy and unforgettable

I'm glad the medical is over for Chay...just 1 more hurtle to cross...for now.

Just a few more days and my mind can relax. :wacko:

Male

Philippines

2011-06-25 14:30:00

From what I have learned and read so far:

Best advice: relationship needs to be real. No one can tell you when there or are not problems. It is like going to the doctor, some people are diagnosed right away, and some people take hours. Same with the embassy, some are quick, and some are just not easy. just follow the motto: Be prepared.

Medical: two days.
first day: about 4 to 5 hours, stop on almost every floor.
second day: about 2 hours stamp of approval or test, if approved, get shots,

Embassy:
Average time: 4 to 5 hours, (some as short as 30 to 50 minutes if early.) typical time is 3 hours. Much of this is waiting for number to be called. (in the back, they are checking the forms, the application, the verification of income, NBI, CENOMAR, running fingerprints through databases.) And yes they are watching you in the waiting area as well. What type of person you are. Social, quiet, active, excited, sad, etc. this also gives them tips.
Biometrics is easy.
Problems: pre-screen, missing basic questions. Many people have provided list here. It helps to know your fiance.

Consular Interview: verify pre-screen, plus additional questions. ALL questions come from paperwork. They do not know you well enough to make up questions not on the paperwork. If your fiance does not know you, or has not taken the time to know you, It will show. Too much detail to an answer on a question is as bad as too little detail. Taking too long to answer can be as bad as answering too quickly. Again this depends on how well you know each other. Some questions are just for facial expressions or posture rather then the answer themselves. The counselor officer will decide by reading the person during the interview about the relationship. Each case is different. Those with annulments, divorces, children, religion differences, will probably take longer. The CO interview is relationship determination. You can miss a ton of questions and pass, you can get all questions right and fail. The CO interview is a personality interview. The CO is watching everything you do. Hands, face, etc. Since filipinas are extremely expressive, this is very key in the CO interview. You can know all of the questions on here, answer every single question right but fail. there is no way to know. The key is, is the relationship real. No one here can tell you the right or wrong, when you are in trouble or not. It just depends on the case, on the interview. etc. the one thing to know is, these people see hundreds of cases a day. A denial is because something during the interview, or while waiting in the embassy made them question the relationship.

Thanks a lot! That is the kind of info I'm looking for. She knows me well, there are no problems in that area...just wanted to know how the system ticks!

Thanks again!

Male

Philippines

2011-06-23 13:29:00

http://www.visajourn...&cty=&dfilter=5

Thanks for that!

Male

Philippines

2011-06-23 12:21:00

The actual interview with the Consular Officer in Manila is going to be 5-7 minutes on average. If there are no problems they will approve you in 5 minutes or less. If there are issues that will cause the CO not to approve they will determine this in the 5-7 minute period and either put you in administrative review or ask you to submit additional evidence. Either way 10 minutes will be a long interview. A lot of applicants go through Manila Embassy and they keep them moving relatively fast.

Thank you for the information!!!

Male

Philippines

2011-06-23 11:48:00

I don't know with other embassies. The one in Denmark doesn't allow any watches so I lost track of time. I have no idea if it took 10 or 25 minutes with the actual interview.

Besides, it depends completely on the questions, answers and the specific case. One can take two minutes with an approval on the spot, others may take the same amount of time and end up in AP/denied.

Being prepared, confident and truthful makes it more comfortable. Being over-prepared, overly confident and hesitant makes it harder for the visa applicant, and the interviewer as well.

Thanks!

Male

Philippines

2011-06-23 11:37:00

I don't mean to be rude but OMG are you really asking this question. I know interview will be in Philippines but each case is different, just go to interview with open mind and chill. No 2 cases are the same

I don't mean to be rude either...I know they will be different, that's why I asked about an average time.

Male

Philippines

2011-06-23 11:35:00

What is the average duration (from entry to exit) for the interview?

Also, are there any certain things that would indicate that there are problems with the interview process? I have read where people basically leave with no info and that they receive a letter saying there are problems...do they not tell you before you leave, or do they just leave you in limbo?

Many thanks!

Brian

Male

Philippines

2011-06-23 11:18:00