ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
PhilippinesI'm new here
Welcome to VJ, and best wishes for a smooth journey..

You've found the greatest resource available for your journey. I've talked to several people who have used attorneys for the process, and I've discovered, that by doing the paper work and the processes yourself, not only do you save a lot of money, but you also understand what is going on, you prepare better, you're not nearly as nervous, because you have the great support of the VJ Family.

This site and it's members are absolutely FANTASTIC!
KansasDragonMalePhilippines2007-10-14 08:21:00
Philippinesfasting for medical
Fasting is not required, but if you're like Ann, and don't like injections and Doctors.. Then you're too nervous to eat before going anyways.

Ann was lucky and allowed to bring in her cousin for the Medical. But that was because one of the guards is a friend of her cousin.
KansasDragonMalePhilippines2007-10-14 08:13:00
PhilippinesAre all this requirements would be enough for my interview???
Have him contact his previous Employer, they should be able to give him a copy of his W2 very quickly, and then he can fax you that also.
KansasDragonMalePhilippines2007-10-20 06:58:00
PhilippinesCFO seminar in Cebu Philippines
If possible, get a letter from her father, stating that he is aware of the engagement, and approves of the upcoming marriage. If there is any proof of the mother's death, she might want to have that along to show that her mother is deceased.

Even if he lives on another island, hopefully someone can get a letter either in person or by postal for her.

What family does she have a lot of involvement with or live with? An older sister or brother? An Uncle and Aunt? If I were in your shoes, I'd also have her get a couple letters from them also. Just to show overall family approval.

Edited by KansasDragon, 26 October 2007 - 07:00 AM.

KansasDragonMalePhilippines2007-10-26 06:57:00
PhilippinesCENOMAR question!!!
Keep in mind, if you choose to order new ones, allow yourself 30 days to get them.

It took Annie 3 weeks to receive hers in Mabalacat, and then it had a spelling error. She made an emergency trip to the NSO Offices in Manila to get it fixed the day before her interview.
KansasDragonMalePhilippines2007-10-10 07:08:00
PhilippinesWork Related Issues
Have you tried to help him explore the Filipino community in your area? Is it possible there is someone in the Filipino community that maybe has work, or can assist. I'm sure he would be much more comfortable in his first USA employment, if he had other Filipino's around.

Secondly, what kind of work is he trying to get? If he likes cars, but does not have the necessary training to do repairs on current vehicles, he's very qualified to do Oil Changes, Tire changes and repairs for companies like Walmart, JiffyLube, etc..
KansasDragonMalePhilippines2007-10-25 06:54:00
PhilippinesAFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT LACK OF SIGNATURE
I'd recommend your Fiancee print another couple copies of the Affidavit of support, sign it, and send it to you on the US Postal's Global Express Guaranteed. It will probably cost about $50, but will be there in 3 days or less.

Then you can arrange to take the requested documents back to the Embassy.
KansasDragonMalePhilippines2007-11-08 08:02:00
PhilippinesI am finally with my honey...
Congratulations to both of you!

I hope the newest Georgia Peach and her Hubbie, have a great, long, and happy life together..
KansasDragonMalePhilippines2007-10-18 16:51:00
PhilippinesSept. 13 interview, Are we in AR ?
QUOTE (vsmtghdy @ Sep 15 2007, 11:59 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Ask your petitioner to call USEM and ask for Lorraine Gonzales at 528-6300 loc. 5184. Good Luck!


For us Buang Americanos..who only call Philippines cell phones.. you need to dial a "2" in front of that number, so 011-63-2-528-6300
KansasDragonMalePhilippines2007-09-17 19:59:00
Philippinesjust wondering
I think a very fancy photo/memory album, with a note from you, how you're looking forward to filling it with all of your experiences together. Take a few of your favorite pictures, and put it in the first page, and label it "The Beginning"..
KansasDragonMalePhilippines2007-11-13 13:22:00
PhilippinesCFO experience
Thank you all for your experiences. Ann will be attending her CFO in December (I'll be the guy sitting outside patiently waiting, looking totally lost).

Your experiences will help us make sure to have all the items we might be asked for, and to prepare Ann for the possible questions. At least if she's expecting the questions, they won't come as a shock, and will be easy to answer.
KansasDragonMalePhilippines2007-11-27 14:11:00
PhilippinesSurvey Says?
Annie is from Bohol originally, and lives in Pampanga now (for a little while more). She is fluent in Visayan, Tagalog, and speaks English well. And someone is teaching her a little spanish, and making me crazy...lolz
KansasDragonMalePhilippines2007-10-28 14:22:00
PhilippinesPhilippine Bank payment DS156 or DS157?
And then add the fact that you can have that DS-157 totally filled out, ready to go, you walk into the BPI, and they say "Not Acceptable, you must hand fill our copy"

lol, Ann wanted to kill me, she thought it was all my fault, that I had made the wrong paper...
KansasDragonMalePhilippines2007-08-29 07:16:00
PhilippinesShopping for Clothes..OMG!!
For any one reading this.... If your Filipina is tiny, and moving to a cold part of the USA, have her stock up on jeans and other things that might be helpful before coming to the USA. We had to shop in the "Girls" department at JCPenny's and Kohl's today to find sweat pants and lounge pants for Ann to wear around the apartment. Yikes, a girls 14 fits her. Small in the USA does not equal Small Filipina.

Luckily we'd bought a couple more pairs of jeans before we left.
KansasDragonMalePhilippines2008-01-13 00:57:00
PhilippinesTogether in Kansas!!
BlueSalmon, they did not ask for the X-Ray, and I even asked the Officer at the POE if he wanted it. He said "No, it's yours, keep hold of it."

The main things he asked Ann were where she was going, and then clearly explained to her that the Visa was a one time entry visa, and that we had 90 days to be married. He asked her a few questions about her home in Mabalacat, but I think that was more because he knew that area and was discussing things about Pampanga with her.
KansasDragonMalePhilippines2008-01-13 00:55:00
PhilippinesTogether in Kansas!!
Ann and I arrived here in Kansas after spending 2 1/2 great weeks together in the Philippines visiting her family and friends.

We came through Seattle as our port of entry, and had a great experience. The Officer who reviewed Ann's papers made her feel great, and very relaxed when he started talking to her in Visayan and Tagalog, and joking with her. He explained things clearly to her, and to me.

We arrived home Tuesday night about 8PM, and since then, Ann has spent many hours chatting with friends and family in the Phlippines, and calling our Pinoycalls phone in Mabalacat to talk to her mama and papa.

The Rice has been cooking.

Ann thinks Kansas is VERY, VERY Cold...But I'm trying to keep her warm.. innocent.gif

Her CFO Seminar went great, she was prepared with answers about my divorce, my mother's maiden name, my address, my work, etc. She even had copies of my divorce papers, and birth certificate in case there was any questions. Her Sister attended the CFO Seminar with her, since her paperwork is getting closer to being finished.

So, our next steps.... Social Security Number, Getting Married, Opening Bank Account for Ann, Starting to teach Ann to Drive, AOS.. All the fun stuff.

It's sure great being with her everyday.

Thank you to all of you that have helped SO MUCH!! We have been very blessed with an easy process, because of all the great advice, guides, and comments from the members here. This place if GREAT!!

Take care and God Bless!!

Barry and Ann
KansasDragonMalePhilippines2008-01-11 21:33:00
PhilippinesWho among you have tried eating BALUT?
Not yet, but when I go to get Annie.. A man's gotta do, what a man's gotta do...

lol, All her cousins keep telling me Balut makes you strong, helps make the baby, you need to eat balut.
KansasDragonMalePhilippines2007-10-02 06:54:00
PhilippinesHow Did You Meet
I was just stumbling, bumbling, roaming around the internet, and found this unbelievably maganda, funny, interesting lady. We spent many hours chatting on YM, making each other laugh, and as the story goes... The rest is all the future.. or is that history?
KansasDragonMalePhilippines2007-10-02 06:57:00
PhilippinesAge difference between Filipinas and americans (Poll)
Baboy - 47
Unggoy - 27

20 years difference..And if I say anything about it, I'm in big trouble with the Unggoy, and her family..

They keep telling me, "Are you paralyzed?" Then you're not old.

I've never felt closer to any person in my life. Can't get enough of talking, laughing, sharing, dancing, and videoke with her. Did I really say Videoke????
KansasDragonMalePhilippines2007-08-07 19:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMARCH FILERS :p

hi guys! i just wanna know, what exactly does I-797 (notice of action) means?? should i be worried or not? m a march filer too. just received it last mar 9. thank u. any help would be appreciated


Ryza,

That just means they have received your packet, and it is heading onto the next step. It is your NOA1.
KansasDragonMalePhilippines2007-03-12 22:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMARCH FILERS :p
I'll join all of you as a March filer.. Mailed on Feb. 27, NOA1 on March 6.
KansasDragonMalePhilippines2007-03-12 22:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reportspacket 4 for Filipino september interviewees?
We have ours too, was received via DHL a couple days ago.

Medical Sept. 6, Interview Sept. 13.
KansasDragonMalePhilippines2007-08-01 19:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMARCH FILERS!!!
Woohoooo!!!! Yippeee!!! Hurrrayyyy!!!

NOA2 Approved today.. On to the next step!
KansasDragonMalePhilippines2007-05-23 22:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsFebruary Filers!
WooooHooooo... I finally finished the packet and dropped it in the mail today, Priority Mail, Signature Confirmation Required. Quadruple checked, with both the VJ Assembly instructions and the helpful hints from everyone.

So, does that make me a February filer, or am I not official until the packet is received by the Nebraska Service Center?

I think everyone in the office thought I was crazy, wearing out the copy machine, all the pretty little tabs neatly arranged at the bottom indexing everything, doing the final assembly, and then going through page by page with one final check, with this CRAZY big grin on my face. 1 more step towards Annie being with me, I FEEL GREAT.

Let the fun begin!!! And the waiting, too.......................

Edited by KansasDragon, 27 February 2007 - 04:39 PM.

KansasDragonMalePhilippines2007-02-27 16:36:00
Middle East and North Africaugh, its monday!
YIPPEEEEE!!! It's Monday..

I live in a GREAT Country, full of opportunity, and today I get to go earn a good wage, talk to great people, and save money to bring Annie to the USA.

I love working towards having my Annie here with me!!
KansasDragonMalePhilippines2007-03-12 07:32:00
Middle East and North AfricaSaturday YEAH
Wow, I did sleep late. First time I've slept 8 hours in one night in almost two years. And the only reason why?? Annie is getting ready to fly to Fiesta, and was so busy she didn't buzz me on YM.

I FEEL GREAT!!!
KansasDragonMalePhilippines2007-03-24 14:53:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFlying tickets
There is no reason you can't buy the 2-Way ticket. It won't cause any problems.

You might want to call the airlines ticketing office, instead of a broker. I was having the same issue with arranging Ann's tickets out of Manila to USA, but when I called United Airlines, they gave me a price that was lower for the one-way. Round trip was going to be about $1500, the one-way ended up being about $1100. Not 1/2 of a round trip, but $400 is still worth the phone call.
KansasDragonMalePhilippines2007-11-05 07:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresG-325A Example Question
In the example G-325A form, page 1 has OTHER checked in the section reading "This form is submitted in connection with an application for:" and then states the I-129F Fiance Visa.

All the other pages have the check beside Naturalization. Is that correct? Why is it different on pages 2-4?

Thank you,

Barry
KansasDragonMalePhilippines2007-02-09 07:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresG-325A Last Address Outside USA?
I'm busy helping Ann fill out her G-325A, all of her addresses are outside the USA. Her last two addresses have been less than a year each. Do I list her last address she lived in for more than a full year? Or is this area not required since she has always lived in the Philippines?

Thanks
KansasDragonMalePhilippines2007-02-13 23:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresGetting Ready to Send I-129F Packet please review..
Thanks for all the advice.

Luckily Annie had already put the letter of intent in the mail, and I received it, so should be sending the packet off tomorrow. She printed two copies, signed both, mailed one, and kept the other.

4 Copies of the Attachment for the G-325A, YIKES, I'm glad I asked. I was only sending 1. These attachments are signed by me, with a note on them explaining that I'm expanding the addresses to full length, since she abbreviated them like she does filling out forms in the Philippines.

My hardest chore this week was finding a stupid Acco Fastener. The office supply store closes before I get off of work, and Walmart, Dillons, and the convenience stores didn't have any. Luckily one of my co-workers ran to the office supply store for me, and picked up a box.
KansasDragonMalePhilippines2007-02-23 08:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresGetting Ready to Send I-129F Packet please review..
Here's a list of the documents I'm sending, tell me if I'm missing anything, please:

1. Check for $170.00

2. Cover Letter (Will be finished, after I make sure there's no changes to list below)

3. I-129F - Filled out completely, signed.

4. Statement of "How we met" attached as continuation of question 18 of I-129F,

5. Letters of Intent from both of us. (Her is a printed scanned image, she has the original, will we need the original before her embassy interview? Grrrr, can't believe I didn't have her do that when I was there.)

6. Proof of meeting, and ongoing relationship: Pictures from January 2007, February 2006 of us together in Philippines. Boarding passes for my flights, and for our flights within the Philippines. Hotel receipts. Ferry boarding passes. A few specially selected emails printed, spanning our two years. Vonage activity report showing over 2000 phonecalls between our phones. Engagement ring receipt. Receipts from flowers and gifts sent to her over the last 2 years. (Should that cover it?)

7. My G-325A (dated and signed)

8. Passport Photo of me, being taken tomorrow.

9. Her G-325A (dated and signed) plus attached page showing her complete addresses, since the addresses would not fit in the little boxes.

10. Her passport photos. (Thank god we did this when I was there.)

11. Copy of my Birth Certificate, front and back, even though the back is blank. Will probably copy my passport also, rather be safe than sorry.

12. My Divorce decree from previous marriage. Certified.


Did I get everything? I'd rather waste a couple days now finding and getting everyting, rather than delays later. Ann is busy reviewing the documents, making sure everything looks good, too.


Dang, I'm getting excited to start waiting...At least the process is rolling..

Thank you,

Barry
KansasDragonMalePhilippines2007-02-18 15:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPlease include me in your prayers and Wish me LUCK!
Congratulations!! Hope you are both traveling together this Thursday!!
KansasDragonMalePhilippines2007-02-27 07:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresUSCIS Processing Dates, I-129F HUH????
lolz, So??? Am I officially for Timeline and Profile purposes an NSC or a CSC?

Also, am I figuring right using the FAQ and Timelines, and looking at other people's history.. Through the NSC/CSC I'm looking at between 6 to 8 months before Annie and I step off the plane in the USA?
KansasDragonMalePhilippines2007-03-01 13:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresUSCIS Processing Dates, I-129F HUH????
hmmm, and my brain is going.. "Why in the world do they instruct you to send to Nebraska, so they can forward to California?" One more group of waiting on touches and postal service, that could be circumvented by the actual applicant mailing to the proper place to start with.

Oh well, at least it is has been received in Nebraska, and I can see the signature and confirmation on the USPS.Com.. so now time for waiting, and wondering, and watching the online bank statement to see when the check is caseh, and wait some more.. and...............
KansasDragonMalePhilippines2007-03-01 12:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresUSCIS Processing Dates, I-129F HUH????
I just was curious and went to the USCIS site and checked processing dates.

Nebraska and Texas do not list the I-129F, but Vermont and California do. Is this an indication Texas and Nebraska are forwarding I-129F's elsewhere, or just not reporting times?
KansasDragonMalePhilippines2007-03-01 12:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresInsanity, Impatience, and Excitement
Just a short 8 days ago, I dropped my packet in the mail.. Just last Thursday it was received in Nebraska..

And now 2 to 3 times a day, I check my online bank statement to see if the check is cashed, even though I know it only updates at night..I desperately want that case number so I can register on the USCIS site, so then I can make myself even more crazy checking that site all the time..

I've officially lost my mind..

Love is a wonderful thing.. Thanks Annie.. See what you did to me..
KansasDragonMalePhilippines2007-03-07 18:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresOnly 4 days of meeting physically!
Not about your K1, but let's try to save you some money, and talk on the phone even more..

Go to http://www.pinoycalls.com sign up for the Mabuhay Calls plan. They will put a bag phone (Cell Phone) at her residence, and you can call that phone for $59.00/month unlimited calling. They also have an option for a smaller hand held cell phone now, but I think the monthly fee is slightly higher.

Ann and I have used this for a long time, and 95% of the time it works great. of course the quality of other calls to the Philippines is only about 95% of the time too.

I don't remember how much the initial setup fee was, but you'd be saving money the first month.

Good Luck and Congrats on your engagment. Hope your K1 goes smoothly and quickly!
KansasDragonMalePhilippines2007-03-09 07:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresYippeee! Check is cashed...
Talk about double reaction.. I was so excited to see the check was cashed..

Checked the images on my online banking, clicked to see the image of the back of the check, anticipating getting the case number..and so many stamps and things printed on it, but the one thing I cannot read.. THE CASE NUMBER..waaaaaaaaaaaaa..lolz

Oh well, I'll just sit back and wait on the mail..
KansasDragonMalePhilippines2007-03-10 08:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHurray.. I'm officially a March Filer
Mailed the I-129F Packet on February 27th, the NOA1 took place on March 6th, and I received in the mail today..

Yippeeee... Now I can watch the USCIS website, and see nothing changing for months..But each step in the right direction feels GREAT!!
KansasDragonMalePhilippines2007-03-12 22:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures1 question I-129F, and 1 for I-134
Dave,

I'm also planning to move before Ann arrives here. But, I just used my current address, what else could you supply them, you don't know your future address.

Edited by KansasDragon, 10 March 2007 - 08:50 AM.

KansasDragonMalePhilippines2007-03-10 08:49:00