ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
PhilippinesOne Way Flights Blow

I wish, that would mean I was more then 3000 miles closer to my home town! hahaha

Newark, NJ is the POE my wife will be using.
It's more expensive flying to Argentina from California because You have a a layover, usually in Dallas, Tx.



Hehe i see.. Im from the phils.. I will be flying from phils to newark, california. I will have a direct flight from manila to san francisco.. 16 hours flight.. =)
IrahFemalePhilippines2013-02-02 22:07:00
PhilippinesOne Way Flights Blow

I checked the price differences from Buenos Aires to Newark and the one way tickets were actually over $2000 while if I got a round trip ticket it was around $1200-$1500. Go figure....


Hi there! I just want to ask if you are from newark, california? Im sorry, im just curious...
IrahFemalePhilippines2013-02-02 20:44:00
PhilippinesWifes Visa Interview!

Thank you! God bless.. :thumbs:


Your welcome! Good luck!
IrahFemalePhilippines2013-02-03 02:50:00
PhilippinesWifes Visa Interview!

Thank you very much for the response. Did the Consul told you right away that you got approved or you asked her/him?


In my case, the Consul told me "ok. You are approved" =)
IrahFemalePhilippines2013-02-03 02:43:00
PhilippinesWifes Visa Interview!

Hello, just wanna know where in the Philippines were you because I am from Mindanao but I will probably wait for my Visa in Manila so I can get the sticker from CFO.. Thank you po..


Thats what i did also.. After the interview, i attended the cfo seminar, afterwards, went back to get the sticker when i got my visa...
IrahFemalePhilippines2013-02-03 01:27:00
PhilippinesWifes Visa Interview!

Hello, just wanna know where in the Philippines were you because I am from Mindanao but I will probably wait for my Visa in Manila so I can get the sticker from CFO.. Thank you po..


Im from zamboanga, but i waited for the release of visa in Manila... Pick up to 2go...
IrahFemalePhilippines2013-02-03 01:25:00
PhilippinesWifes Visa Interview!

srj09 - thanks very much, no telling how long it takes for us to receive the 2go package?


I had my interview last jan 28.. I got my visa feb 1.. Just condition yourself to receive it within 7-10days.. I have a friend who got her visa in 2 weeks.. Some only waited for 3 days..
IrahFemalePhilippines2013-02-02 20:28:00
PhilippinesDoes St. Luke's only accepts Visa apllicants for medical check up?
St. Lukes will not accept x-ray results from other hospitals. You cannot go to st lukes with out showing the requirements needed. Even if you are clear with your xrays from other clinics but turned out that there are abnormalities in your xray at st. Lukes. You will have to undergo sputum smear for 3 days, if it is negative, you will have to wait for another 2 months for the sputum culture..
IrahFemalePhilippines2013-02-03 04:32:00
PhilippinesDoes St. Luke's only accepts Visa apllicants for medical check up?

Hi everyone,
I wonder if I can have my x-ray and sputum tests done in advance at St. Luke's just to give me a heads up before my medical check up.BTW, I haven't yet received my NOA2, but I have read so much about this dreaded sputum tests.Can I do it there for my peace of mind?Or does this clinic only allows visa applicants for medical check up?


Jan


Only visa applicants are allowed to enter the st lukes medical extension clinic.. I think noa2 is allowed to present for the medical. You should have it first for you to be allowed to have your medical.
IrahFemalePhilippines2013-02-03 03:13:00
Philippinesis it ok to use your passport as an ID req for CFO?

HI sis

just wanna ask how did you get your passport inside the plastic envelope coz mine has an instruction not the envelope


You can open the plastic pouch where the passport was placed but never the visa packet which is the yellow envelope

thanks hank, i really didnt want to spend 600 php for one id..


Your nbi and police clearance can serve as an id.. Dont forget to photocopy it
IrahFemalePhilippines2013-02-04 07:48:00
PhilippinesPhilippines Passport

My fiance'e is having a lot of problems getting her passport . She said she just walked in without a appointment . Which i read is a requirement of the DFA to make a confirmed appointment . She has 1 Digital ID (Phil Health ID) and the 3 supporting documents . They are telling her that she needs 2 digital ID's to get her passport . I am going to file the I-129F next week and her SSS ID will not be there until at least July or Aug. This may cause a delay with her interview as she will not pass it without her passport . I read on the DFA site " The Department may require additional supporting documents as may be necessary, especially for applicants with dual citizenship and with foreignsounding family names to prove citizenship " her last name is Tambis and she has no duel citizenship . I don't understand why this has become so difficult . Does this happen often in the Philippines ? They said she is not a student or a overseas worker , so she needs 2 digital ID's . Are they dishonest and looking for a pay out ? Has anyone experienced a problem like this ? The office is in Tacloban . How long does the drivers ID take ?



My sis-in-law applied for her passport. She submitted photocopies of her 2 valid I.Ds with photos, NSO birth certificate and marriage certificate
IrahFemalePhilippines2013-02-05 11:54:00
PhilippinesIS it possible?

OP means Original Poster or the thread starter. Some posters call it TS. It's jargon that forum members use. I used to be a moderator in a different forum and I forget that sometimes people aren't heavy posters and aren't familiar with those kind of abbreviations.

Yup, everything will be okay. :)



ah okay. At least I know the meaning now..=) Thank you..
IrahFemalePhilippines2013-02-08 08:30:00
PhilippinesIS it possible?

Hello Leah, I agree with you. :) It is best to try than never. We never know :) I like your thoughts, so go girl. :thumbs: :) Of course, it is really best if your parents could witness the actual marriage ceremony. Marriage is considered to be one of most important milestones and blessings in our lives especially for us Filipinos. Best wishes to you and your fiance.(F)



Thank you InHisTime... There's is no harm in trying. I agree that we Filipinos consider Marriage as one of the most important event in our lives and we want that our family will be there with you wishing you your happiness.. =)
IrahFemalePhilippines2013-02-08 08:12:00
PhilippinesIS it possible?

^I really like your post, it's very neutral and objective but not discouraging. I am going through the same thing as the OP.

Even though the odds are not in our favor, sometimes miracles happen: http://www.visajourn...embassy-manila/

The chances they will be there if we apply are minimal, but the chances of them being there if we don't apply are zero. We will just hope for the best and expect the worst.


We are going to do this too, whether or not my parents are approved. :)



Let's just pray about this.. =) Everything will be fine..=
IrahFemalePhilippines2013-02-08 08:06:00
PhilippinesIS it possible?

Explain to your fiance why it is important for you to stay here to help out your parents as much as possible with their tourist visa and try to plan out the timelines together with him. Hopefully he will understand and you can book your flight to the US a little closer to the expiration date of the visa (it's written there on the sticker). Communication is key. Good luck Irah. :)


Hi raf.luv.leah.. My fiance is very considerate about this. He wants my parents to be present on our wedding too. He wants me to leave soon, but he does not pressure me at all. I understand that He wants us to be together but i told him that i really want them to be with me on my wedding day.. =) I hope everything goes well with our parents application leah..=)

anyway, i just want to ask, what is the meaning of OP? =) forgive me.. i don't have idea about it... =)
IrahFemalePhilippines2013-02-08 08:02:00
PhilippinesIS it possible?

I for sure would not be counting on your parents getting a tourist visa... serious.

Your visa will expire 6 months from the date of your medical, the expiration date of the visa is printed right on it.... be in the USA before that date.



Thank you for yor rely Hank_, we will just try to apply.. pass or not, at least we tried... =) my visa will expire on second week of april.. i will be leaving on the second week of march...
IrahFemalePhilippines2013-02-08 07:56:00
PhilippinesIS it possible?

Your parents attending your wedding is not a 100% guarantee that they will be granted a tourist visa.

They will have to prove strong ties to the Philippines in order to get a tourist visa.



Thank you for the reply apple21.I hope my parents could prove to the consul that their intention of coming to the US is just to visit & attend my wedding.
IrahFemalePhilippines2013-02-07 20:38:00
PhilippinesIS it possible?

You must be a realist here and understand the chances (as others mentioned) for your parents to be approved are really against them. Here is a simple checklist as I have tried to petition an employee while I worked in MEPZA Cebu and he was turned down for training in the USA from a Forbes 500 Co. Sponsoring. And I had a friend get turned down, parents of a friend turned down and one approved.. Here is what I know:

Do your parents have assets in the Philippines totally 1 million or more? And no your fiancee cannot start depositing money in their accounts. The Embassy knows this game and checks dates and deposit amounts. If they have over 1 million then they have over 50% chance of being approved. - I don't mean to brag, but my parents have enough money to travel. But i know sometimes the consul won't be asking for this.

If they have housing, land (deeded to them) in excess of 1 million pesos then they have a positive chance of being approved. - Yes, they do have properties to show to the consul but i don't if its enough for the consul

If they have business or employment that pays them very well (if so then the savings should reflect this) then they have a good chance of being approved. -My dad is a retired gov't employee and my mom is a teacher in a gov't school.

If they traveled to other countries like Japan, Australia, N. Zealand or UK etc and did not over stay they have a chance at being approved. - They already traveled to Australia last 2007.

Having children or family members in the RP will not even be looked at by the CO as many filipinos leave their familes for work abroad. - My two brothers are already working outside the Philippines. But my grandfather, who is 92 years old, since my mother is the youngest and the only daughter in the family. She is the one who is taking care of my grandfather.

I wish you the best of luck. I would vote for a webcam and wifi and have them look in from afar. And in time go back and have ceremony in the RP for them if they are not approved in May.

Good luck. I just want to let you know it is not easy with some examples for you to go by. And if they have 700,000p- 1 million this is close enough for some OP's. Much less and maybe not so as the OP will believe they can earn and save this in 2 years working in the USA if they stay beyonf their Visa.



Thank u for this post. I really appreciate for the time and effort for replying. It helped me alot..
IrahFemalePhilippines2013-02-07 20:35:00
PhilippinesIS it possible?

I wish you the best of luck in your parents getting the tourist visa. We didn't even bother to try with my wife's mother, no way was she getting a visa. No job (just a small sari sari store and making rooster leashes), no assets (she lives in a house her daughter bought and pays for her to live in). But I understand your the view of your fiancé to. When my wife was approved, I couldn't wait for her to get here any longer than we had to. Her sister, who she shared a home and business with, was trying to get her to reschedule and come later. I'm pretty sure my wife wanted to be here as soon as possible to, but was torn as she is very close with her family and we'd been apart for over a year. She didn't ask me for a delay, she just told her sister and family that I wanted her to leave as soon as possible. Had she asked for a delay, I'm not sure what I would have said, but any delay at that point would have made me sad. We'd been apart a long time, and I had told her to prepare to leave. We even had her resign her job so she could have more time to visit everyone and be ready to go. Although since its a loan business ran out of their home, I'm not sure how much of it she really stopped doing :rofl:


Hi Caryh. Thank you for the reply. I really wish that they could come. My fiance wants them to come too. Before my visa was approved, my fiance and my mother talked about this, both of them agreed with each other. Although he wants me to be with him already, he wants me to be present on my mom's birthday which will happen on feb28. My visa will expire on the second week of april. I plan of going there second week of march, by that time also i will be able to prepare my parents requirements for their visa. We will just try to apply, pass or not.. at least we tried. My parents already traveled in Australia last 2007, i hope this would give a plus points to the consul..

no harm in trying but like other posters said not a 100%... depends with the CO and the luck of your parents... good luck!



hi marklovetina. Thank you for the reply. yeah, we will try to apply... pass or not, at least we tried.
IrahFemalePhilippines2013-02-07 20:20:00
PhilippinesIS it possible?
My fiance wants me to fly as soon as possible, the thing that is stopping me is my parent's application for US tourist visa. I want them to be present on my wedding day. I am on a K1 visa. If i fly so soon, this month, my parents won't be able to come on my wedding because it will take months to apply a tourist visa (2 months, the most). My dad's passport will be released on the second week of march. if they will apply second week of march, they will probably have their interview either april or may. if i will be flying by the end of feb, my 90 days will end at the end of may.

Someone suggested to us that we can get married first in the courthouse and celebrate the big ceremony (public- with family & friends) when my parents arrive. The purpose of the trip of my parents is to attend my wedding, but if we do the suggestion, i'm worried that it will affect the application of my parents and the consul will not approve it because we got married already.

any suggestions about this situation? your replies will be deeply appreciated. Thank you
IrahFemalePhilippines2013-02-06 21:28:00
PhilippinesDs forms
Glue you photos already to avoid yourself from the delays. ds230 was not asked from me. But i just brought it with me just in case..
IrahFemalePhilippines2013-02-10 00:13:00
PhilippinesDs forms

Thanks irah!! Saw it :) ok will do that, btw follow up my cenomar was released dec2012 will it be ok!?



Yeap.. that's ok, just go back and get your sticker...=)
IrahFemalePhilippines2013-02-09 22:00:00
PhilippinesDs forms

What are the forms i can sign prior to the interview? My interview will be tomorrow! Hopefully it went well! :)



Hi! Gud am.. I hope this links will help you on your interview... I signed the Ds156 form days before the interview. You may sign it on the day of your interview before going inside the embassy. ds156k will be signed in front of the Filipino consul.

1. Things i have prepared for my interview..
http://www.visajourn...10#entry5943910


2. Visa interview experience
http://www.visajourn...74#entry5955574


Good Luck! and Congrats in advance! =)
IrahFemalePhilippines2013-02-09 20:04:00
PhilippinesFiance visa interview requirements

I see. Yay! 10 days to go feeling excited but nervous at the same time. Im all set now! thanks!!



Wow! Good luck & congrats in advance... =) you will be fine...
IrahFemalePhilippines2013-02-10 04:51:00
PhilippinesFiance visa interview requirements

I was just wondering if consul asked to see your chatlogs, emails, magic jack call logs etc...


Im preparing for my interview now and thinking how many stuffs should I print out.


Hi toastedpancake.. Both filipino & american consuls did not ask me our telephone bills/call logs during the interview.. The filipino consul asked my documents such as nso bc, cenomar, nbi, form i-143, itr & w2, bpo receipt & she asked me to show our pictures. The american consul only asked me to show our pictures together.

My Magic jack call logs, my fiance's telephone bills and skype screen shots were the only proof of communications i brought with me but these were not asked.
IrahFemalePhilippines2013-02-10 04:08:00
PhilippinesFiance visa interview requirements

same here.. my husband is kinda lazy to chat... call most of the time and skype... thanks a lot...:)



same here.. :lol: :lol: :lol:
IrahFemalePhilippines2013-02-10 00:14:00
PhilippinesFiance visa interview requirements

hello... by the way, do i have to print every email and ym conversations that we have? even those that contain some of our arguments...



hi...I didn't print our emails because we only had few emails and skype conversations, we talk over the phone/ video chat most of the times. A friend of mine printed all their emails and conversations but the consuls didn't ask for it.. =)
IrahFemalePhilippines2013-02-09 23:27:00
PhilippinesFiance visa interview requirements

Guys congratz!!!



Thank u JM-SHE...=)
IrahFemalePhilippines2013-02-09 22:31:00
PhilippinesFiance visa interview requirements

oh yes... thank you... that's a good idea... we are on a spousal petition... it might not be necessary but it's always better to prepare than regret later... we are actually still waiting for NOA2... hehe. not much excited. LOL. thanks sis.




No problem.. Good luck on your visa journey...=)
IrahFemalePhilippines2013-02-09 21:58:00
PhilippinesFiance visa interview requirements

thanks for the reply. i actually tried chatting with their customer service but the agent said that before i can have access to all my call logs, i need to ask an attorney or a police or a court representative to ask these call logs from them. this is really crazy. :'( and on the website they're not really showing the complete logs. i noticed it. eve for a month call. my husband and i talks everyday and many times a day.


wow! really? IN my case, i was able to retrieve my call logs last 2011, the site before was different and showed all my call logs, so i was able to print it,i started to use magicjack by the year 2010.
During my interview, both the filipino and american consuls did not ask for our telephone bills, but anyway just be prepared for it just in case they will ask it. My fiance provided me his telephone bills from 2009 - 2012, your husband can do that too..=)
IrahFemalePhilippines2013-02-09 21:44:00
PhilippinesFiance visa interview requirements

hi? i would just like to ask about the magicjack logs. how you got your call logs from 2009-2013? what is the format? is it on excel or you print screen it or you requested it from magicjack company? hoping for your answer. thanks.



hi lemajeca.. Just log-in to their site.. https://web08.magicj...m/my/login.html then click on "ACCOUNT" then click on "CONTACT and CALL LOGS" then click "SHOW CALL LOGS" .. I have checked today that the call logs they are giving is from dec2012- present. Try to contact their customer service if they can still retrieve all your call logs. I didn't export it to the excel, i printed it from the site so that it will show that it is my account and the call logs came from the MJ site.. =)
IrahFemalePhilippines2013-02-09 21:33:00
PhilippinesFiance visa interview requirements
thanks for the reply.. i will have my CFO seminar tomorrow..
pls let me know if i have prepared the requirements needed for the seminar

1. photocopy of my passport
2. 2 ids with photos ( original and photocopies)
3. pictures of us together
4. Online application form

Thank u.. I wasnt able to talk with pigmonk.. i hope she passed too...
IrahFemalePhilippines2013-01-29 23:45:00
PhilippinesFiance visa interview requirements
I just finished my interview today... Visa approved!! Thanks everyone! Anyway, how will i know the status of my visa? The embassy didn't give me anything after the interview. I just want to check my status. Thank u
IrahFemalePhilippines2013-01-28 02:32:00
PhilippinesFiance visa interview requirements
Yes... Good luck to us... Pray tayo lahat makapass....
IrahFemalePhilippines2013-01-26 23:45:00
PhilippinesFiance visa interview requirements
Hi! These are the important things i have prepared for my interview tomorrow, january 28, 2013

FOLDER A
1. Appointment letter
2. Passport (new & old)
3. BPI bank receipt
4. 2 copies ds156
5. 2 copies ds157
6. 1 copy ds156k
(I arranged it this way: ds156, ds157, ds156, ds157, ds156k.. I didn't paste my pictures yet.. Is it ok?)
7. 1 copy ds230 part 1
8. 3 pcs. 2x2 visa photos

FOLDER B (all originals)
1. Police clearance (jan. 2013)
2. NBI clearance (jan. 2013)
3. CENOMAR (jan 2013)
4. NSO Birth certificate (yellow paper)

FOLDER C (all originals)
1. Letter of intent to marry (jan. 2013)
2. Form I-134 affidavit of support (with supplement sheet signed and dated)
3. W2 and form 1040 ( 2009-2011)
4. Employment certificate (jan 2013)
5. Pay stubs (oct 2012-jan 2013)
6. Bank statements (july-dec 2012)

FOLDER D
1. Telephone bills/ magic jack call logs (2009-2013)

FOLDER E
1. St Luke's vaccination record and CD

SCRAPBOOK
1. Airplane tickets, hotel receipts, pictures of us together arranged from 2009 to 2012

Last but the most important thing- PRAYERS

Thats all. Please let me know if i missed something. Thank you and Have a nice day! I appreciate the time and effort in replying to this post. God bless everyone.
IrahFemalePhilippines2013-01-26 22:44:00
PhilippinesInitial Review.....

It's been 5 months since the Vermont Service center received my K1/I-129f packet. We are still in initial review!
I checked the processing time again and now it's showing 6.1 months and I thought I remember it showing 5 months back in September when I sent it. Oh the wait and now the thoughts of "what If" .....
Just venting a little, I know we have to be patient....

Good luck to all

You are still on the normal waiting time.. Try to follow up your petition, my fiance called the nvc on our almost 5 months of waiting.. The agent told him to wait for 2 weeks, we waited for two weeks then our petition was approved..
IrahFemalePhilippines2013-02-10 10:32:00
PhilippinesInterview done!!

Thank you all! I already tracked my visa online. It says issued!! Thanks for all your help!! :)



Congratulations!!! :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:
IrahFemalePhilippines2013-02-11 21:45:00
PhilippinesInterview done!!

I do believe your approved! :dance:


if they did not return to you your passport. I think it's a good sign.. =) You can track you case thru https://ceac.state.g...ker/Status.aspx Just enter your case number :thumbs:
IrahFemalePhilippines2013-02-11 04:08:00
PhilippinesDS 230 Form

Hi VJ!

I just want to ak if K1 Visa needs to fill up form DS 230?

Please help me on this. Thank you so much!



I brought with me the ds230 form,but i was not asked for it.
IrahFemalePhilippines2013-02-11 09:09:00
PhilippinesMedical Exam

Does my wife need an appointment for the St. Lukes Medical Exam? Also, can I go with her? Thanks again.



hi there! you can come there anytime you want, when i had my medical, i went to St Lukes at 10 in the morning, i finished around 3-4pm.. You can register online... Only applicants are allowed to enter the clinic unless minor/senior citizens... :yes:
IrahFemalePhilippines2013-02-11 23:36:00