ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
PhilippinesLaguindingan International Airport in Mindanao - Any Reviews?

Anybody had any experience with the newly opened Laguindingan Airport? My wife has been home visiting her family and the new airport has opened since she arrived. Her family lives only about 30 minutes from the new airport, so it should be a lot easier to get there.

 

I just wonder if there is any growing pains with the new airport or has everything been running pretty smooth? The only hitch I have heard is they still do not have the IFR equipment installed so bad weather can be a problem.

 

They are promoting it as an international airport, so maybe someday there will be flights direct to there without having to spend a day in Manila waiting on a connecting flight!

 

Thanks!


Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2013-10-08 13:08:00
PhilippinesMailing prices and safety

If you are just sending correspondence, letter, card, WITHOUT anything valuable enclosed you can us the postal service as long as you are not in a hurry.

 

I have never had a letter lost, but don't be surprised if it takes up to two months to get anywhere out in the provinces.

 

But, usually it will get there eventually as long as you don't put money, gift card etc inside


Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2014-10-03 13:21:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsCase sent to Manila 5/25
If they have transfered your case, you had better check the embassy site for your appointment!

Kathlene's case was tranfered on 5/22 and when I checked, her interview was scheduled for June 6!

So get all your paperwork ready and hope for the best!

I do not know what we would have done if someone hadn't told me to check for an interview date! I got the packet today which would have only given us about 8 days to do EVERYTHING with Monday being a holiday!
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2007-05-26 23:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reportsmoney order lost?
You do not say if he is sending it to the office here in the US or sending it to you in the Philippines. The 2-day delivery promise is only valid for the US, as for delivery in the Philippines, it could be two weeks or a month or more. I know when I sent my wife things when she was still living in Cagayan de Oro, it could take a month or more for "Priority" mail packages to reach her. So if you are living in the provinces, you are at the mercy of the Philippine postal service.

I think DHL or UPS is about the only sure way to get things delivered fast outside of Metro Manila.

Edited by Dogwood_Poet, 08 April 2009 - 10:39 AM.

Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2009-04-08 10:37:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresInterview, Joint Sponsor needed, and Temporary Visa

She will not be able to travel until you submit the joint sponsor's papers. Once they get the papers it should not take long to issue her visa.

 

But there is nothing you can do until that happens.

 

Since they held her passport she cannot travel & I would not recommend asking for it back as that could cause even more delays.


Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2013-09-16 12:51:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresGood and bad about CR-1 or K3
Thanks for all the advice! Right now I think I will stick with the CR-1, but I am going to send Kathlene another set of the biographical forms for her to sign and I will keep them handy if I decide to apply for the K3 for her as well. Maybe it would be a good insurance policy to go ahead and file for the K3 as a backup plan.

But from what I can find out, it does seem that the time difference between the two is getting less and less, so it sort of seem like trying to find the right checkout lane at the grocery store!
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2006-09-05 22:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresGood and bad about CR-1 or K3
Forgive me if this is covered somewhere else. (Reading all the govermentese about visas, etc has me a little confused)

What is the advantages to going CR-1 over K3 or vis-versa? I know the K3 can be faster, but you still have lots of work to do once your spouse is here, while with the CR-1 all we will have to file is at the end of the two years for adjustment from conditional to permanent resident status. (we got married this July)

I live in western Kentucky, so if I understand correctly, we would have to travel the closest office for all of the interviews we would need. Plus I understand she may not be able to work when she first gets here under the K3.

Again, if this is covered somewhere else, let me know and I apologize for not finding it on my own.

I am really enjoying this site and I know it will be a LOT of help as Kathlene and I go on this journey for us to be together again.
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2006-09-05 11:48:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 APPROVED ! ! !
I woke up to find good news in my e-mail! APPROVED IN 71 DAYS ! ! ! No touches, no RFE, nothing! I know this is just the first step, but I am so excited!

I was hoping for a December approval, but this is so great!

Now I pray that everything will go as smoothly for the next step of the process at the NVC!
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2006-11-04 09:02:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFiling taxes before spouse gets here
Sounds like the best bet would be just to file an extension and once she gets here and gets her SSN, then file our taxes. Since she is staying at her family's farm she will not have any income to report.

I am hoping to have her here by mid-2007, so that would still give me a few months to file our return.

I will do some more checking at the IRS site and see if they have any advice as well.
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2006-11-21 17:27:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFiling taxes before spouse gets here
Since the first of the year is almost here, what have some of you done about filing taxes before your spouse gets her/his SSN?

I have thought about just filing single and doing an adjusted return after my wife gets here sometime this spring just so I could get my refund early and also have the latest tax return for her interview. I could also go to the trouble of getting her an ITIN but I don't know if it would be worth it since she should be here sometime mid-Spring.

Or I could just file an extension and wait until she is here. There will be no penalties since I usually get a refund every year.

Thanks to everyone for their advice/tips!

Edited by Dogwood_Poet, 21 November 2006 - 04:13 PM.

Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2006-11-21 16:10:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWaiting to file I-864 with 2006 taxes
I wonder if it would be OK to go ahead and send them a copy of our 2006 tax form, w-2s, 1099s and all, even though they will get it before we file with the IRS. I know it would not be 'official' and I would go ahead and send in 2005 as well, but maybe it would give them an idea of my present income.

Or should I just include copies of 2006 w-2s and 1099 and that will be good enough. Maybe I worry too much as my joint-sponsor makes very good money as a chemist and is way over the 125% income level.

I may go ahead with the ITIN forms and send them to Kathlene with the completed tax form so we can go ahead and get that done and maybe the refund will come in time to help cover travel expenses.

:P Or perhaps me thinks too much! :P
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2007-01-26 12:51:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWaiting to file I-864 with 2006 taxes
OK, looks like I will just file an extension and wait until she gets here. By the time I send her the forms for the ITIN, I get them back, the IRS generates the ITIN, I send Kathlene a copy of the tax form for her to sign, she mails it back to me, it is looking a LOT like summertime!

Hey, maybe when she DOES get her and I file then, we can use the refund for a short honeymoon!

BTW, the IRS guy said I COULDN'T file for an ITIN since she was getting a SSN when she arrives here in the US, so he was wrong pretty much all the way around!

Edited by Dogwood_Poet, 25 January 2007 - 08:20 PM.

Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2007-01-25 20:18:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWaiting to file I-864 with 2006 taxes
OK, so I guess it is true, you can't trust the IRS's own help line! I spent nearly 30 minutes on hold and waiting while they checked and researched forms and they told me I could file separately without her SSN.

Oh well, I guess I will still wait and send in copies of my 2006 w-2s and 1099s to show I gross over the 125% level.

I asked the guy three times if it mattered my wife did not have a SSN and he said he was sure I could file without it. He also said I could not file for a tax ID number since she is eligible for a SSN once she gets here.

I can always go back to my original plan and just file an extension until she gets her in the Summer. ( I just could use the refund to help pay her expenses!)
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2007-01-25 20:03:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWaiting to file I-864 with 2006 taxes
Since I will be getting all my W-2s and 1099s next week I am going to go ahead and wait to file the I-864. 2006 will be my first full year as a salaried employee, so I will have a MUCH higher adjusted income then the past few years when I have been filing as self-employed on all my income. (my main company I have been contracting with put me on the payroll in late 2005) The IRS told me I can file as married filing separately now, then when Kathlene gets her SSN I can file an amended return.

So this will put my adjusted gross income right at the 125% level, but I think I am going to go ahead and let my brother file as joint-sponsor since he does not mind and that would cover all my bases if they wonder about my lower adjusted income on my self-employed years.

Does this sound like the way to go since I think I have some leeway as to getting the AOS in?

My wife is just now getting her passport and I have just sent her the DS-230 forms she needs to fill out while they process my IV fee. So I am looking at a few weeks before I receive everything back from the Philippines and from the NVC as well.
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2007-01-25 19:11:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresJoint Sponsor's Responsibilities
When a joint sponsor signs an I-864, what is he agreeing to?

If I understand correctly, they are only responsible if my wife accepts any government assistance before she becomes a citizen.

My brother's friends have told him it would make him responsible for ANY financial problems we might have, not just government assistance. He thinks if we got sued for any reason or defaulted on a loan, he would be responsible for that as well. That is not how I read the instructions, I wanted to make sure I am correct.

He also sees the 10-year clause and is worried what would happen if my wife could not become a citizen after the three years is up.

I do have someone else who is considering being a joint sponsor, but I wanted to clear up what they would be agreeing to before I talked to him again.

Thanks to everyone for their help! I have found so many answers to my questions here as my wife and I work through this maze of paper called 'immigration'!
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2007-02-26 06:33:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPoverty Guidelines, Gross or Adjusted Income?
If I send copies of paychecks, letters from my employer and major contractor I do most of my independent work with, W-2s and 1099s showing gross over the 125% line for the past several years, should I be OK?

I have close to a five year history with both my employer and the company I do most of my contract work with, so they should be able to see I am gainfully employed and my income is rising from year to year.


Also, what I am most worried about, if they do not approve Kathlene's visa due to my income, do I have another chance to get approved or do we have to start back at square one?

I know we probably will not have a problem, but I guess I am nervous about making sure we do everything right!

(Sorry to be such a worry wart!)
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2007-02-26 11:27:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPoverty Guidelines, Gross or Adjusted Income?
Thanks, I am negotiating a raise that would bring my salaried job over the line, plus I have copies of check stubs from the past several years to verify my income, so I will just have to rely on those.

My former sponsor's friends have told him he is at risk for ANYTHING my wife does, not just any government support payments. I do not read the guidelines for joint sponsorship that way. But he thinks if we default on a debt or get sued he is responsible for those as well. And he is looking at the 10-year clause, not the fact that Kathlene can become a citizen in three years.

I agree that I think they are counting gross income, I just was getting a joint sponsor to hedge my bets, so to speak, so I guess I will just go it alone and hope my proof of steady employment and slowly rising income will make the cut.

And if I get the raise before her interview, I will send proof of that as well.

As for another joint sponsor, I do not see that happening without causing a MAJOR family rift. So we will proceed on our own for now.
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2007-02-25 16:29:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPoverty Guidelines, Gross or Adjusted Income?
Sorry if this question has been answered elsewhere, but are the poverty guidelines based on your gross income or adjusted gross you report on your taxes?

I gross over the 125% mark by a few thousand, but part of my income is from self-employment, so after my business deductions I am under the 125% line. My gross income has been steady over the past several years, so will that make a difference as well? I have letters from my employer and from the main company I contract with verifying my current income as well

I had a joint-sponsor, but his friends have talked him out of it, saying he is risking everything he owns for the next 10 years, so I am going to have to go it alone.

Thanks for everyones advice, these boards have been a great help!
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2007-02-25 15:07:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresVisa Fees
Thanks for the help guys!

I knew there were fees for the K-3, I just wanted to be sure there wasn't anything I missed on her CR1.

I keep having nightmares that Kathlene gets to Manila and there is something I missed!
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2007-03-06 23:46:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresVisa Fees
Can someone help me? Or point me to the right thread/website.

I may just be confused about what my visa application fee covers, but I would appreciate any help!
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2007-03-06 17:03:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresVisa Fees
I am sorry if I have missed this, but could someone clear this up for me.

What fees will my wife have to pay when she goes to her interview? She will have her interview in Manila.

I know she has to pay for the medical, and she will have to pay for delivery of her visa after the interview. Did I read correctly in that the fees I sent to the NVC covers the visa or does it just cover the application and there is another fee for the visa itself?

Is there another fee she will have to pay besides the visa application fee I have already sent the NVC?

I am just confused, because I read about going to a bank to pay fees before the interview.

We are just turning in the application to the NVC, so I know we still have a few months until she gets her interview.

Thanks again for everyones help and advice!

(Now if I can just keep my brain from turning into mush after reading all these government forms and 'easy-to-understand' instructions!)
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2007-03-04 22:54:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresUSC moving after interview, before she receives visa
I have almost completed the move into the new apartment I will soon share with Kathlene, but due to a request for more paperwork from me at Kathlene's interview, they will not issue her visa for at least another couple of weeks or so.

So, will this cause any problems when she reaches her POE? All our paperwork has the old address on it.

I just don't know if they will ask her address when she arrives and should she give the old one or new one? I don't know exactly how to let the embassy know of our new address at this stage of the game.

Maybe I should include a letter stating my new address with the papers I am returning.

Thanks for any advice you may have!

(I know I need to update my address on my I864 AOS)
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2007-08-28 10:46:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWife has her visa - Expires Nov 30, 2007!
Yes the visa is stamped Nov 30 and Kathlene said it was because of her medical, she is going to bring the letter the next time we chat and maybe I can learn more.

But everything is done and she will have her ticket in just a couple of weeks once I get everything arranged for me to be off work and all the travel arrangements complete, so we shouldn't have anything to worry about as to the expiration date.
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2007-09-26 17:32:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWife has her visa - Expires Nov 30, 2007!
Kathlene finally received her visa yesterday after having to submit an RFE after her interview. Her first interview in June had to be rescheduled while she went through a series of TB test, no TB just a shadow on the x-ray from a childhood illness.

So, they put a note in the packet that her visa expires Nov 30 because of her medical. Which shouldn't be any trouble because I plan to have her here sometime next month. But is this normal, if someone went six months past their medical waiting for approval, do they have to take the medical again, or is this because she had to take the TB tests and they just want to be sure she is free of disease?
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2007-09-26 14:22:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresConfused about 2007 taxes while having spouse under CR1
One thing I found out when I filed last year with my wife's W7. I could not cash the refund check until she got here! My bank said since she wasn't on my account, she had to be present to sign the check, and they wouldn't add her to my accounts until she was here in the US.

So I had to keep my refund check in the safe for six months until Kathlene got her visa!

(Yes, I did try direct deposit and the bank's computer kicked it out for the same reasons)
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2008-02-06 11:21:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIf US citizen doesn't have a job, any point in attending interview?
The NVC just makes sure everything is correct, the CO has the final say. They approved my I864 (showing total self-employment income over the poverty level) but the CO required us to get a co-sponsor because after deductions my income was just below.

The way I understand NVC just makes sure everything is filled out correctly, not the final say on approval.
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2008-05-14 07:42:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 time of validity
QUOTE (Malrothien @ Dec 30 2009, 05:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
That is completely different than being dependent on the medical.


No, the test caused her to have to reschedule her interview, so they issued her visa to expire six months from her medical NOT her date of interview.
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2009-12-30 19:05:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 time of validity
It is dependant on the medical, my wife had to wait for the results from a sputum test so she only had a couple of months to travel once the visa was issued.
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2009-12-30 17:19:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWhat do you guys think.....?
My wife (Filipina) commented to me (USC) the other day: "Why can't Americans spell?" She is taking a class at the local community college and noticed the number of mistakes on some of the other student's papers.

I think a lot of it is the status of our education system. I know a lot of immigrants who's English is better than many of my friends.

As for bringing family into the US, as long as they are willing to go through the proper procedures, GO FOR IT!

I think the government should change their 'amnesty' laws, for every person given amnesty, a legal immigrant (or their petitioner) should be reimbursed IN FULL for all fees and expenses related to their visa.
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2010-07-30 11:07:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAOS need to be sent certified?
Not necessarily certified, but at least delivery confirmation so you can prove they got it if it is a question at a later date. I would use a flat rate Priority mail envelope with delivery confirmation, that way you could track online.
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2010-08-05 12:40:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMedical Exam @ St. Lukes Medical Center in Manila
Just remember, the clock will start ticking once you have your medical. Your visa will expire six months from the date of the exam, not the date of the interview. If you have delays you may even have to re-do the exam.
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2010-10-21 13:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI am starting a prayer brigade for non-stop approval of NOA2s especially for those who have long been waiting and for all other approvals you
Our loving Father in heaven,

Thank you for showing me how much you REALLY care for your children! For it could only been by your hand that Kathene and I found each other. I thank you for giving me a small glimpse of your love in the love you have given me for my wife.

I know you see all things and I pray that your hand will guide all those who have posted here that their paperwork would be processed quickly and with understanding and compassion for all of us who miss our loved ones very much.

Even though our loved ones live many places in this world, you have shown me we are all of the same heart, no matter where on earth we call our home. Even if we have to travel half-way around the world to meet our love, it is not as far as you would go for one of your own.

Thank you for your love and your guidance,

In your Son, Jesus' name I pray,

AMEN!

I have also lit a candle and I hope to keep one lit until my gwapa asawa and I are together!
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2006-09-04 17:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMarriage not annulled before filing K-1
Thanks for everyone's advice, and I am sorry I did not see the other post, sometimes me and the search engine do not see eye-to-eye!
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2008-03-07 08:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMarriage not annulled before filing K-1
I am asking this for a friend of mine, his fiancée was in a brief marriage 10 years ago and the man walked out after a couple of months and has not been heard from since. She never got an annulment due to the cost and never thought she would marry again. In fact, she was not sure if the marriage was ever filed.

He started the petition and now she has to get an annulment or her lawyer said the husband could be declared dead since no one knows how to contact him or have heard from him in several years.

So, is the current petition now trash since she was not legally available to marry?

Should he just withdraw the petition and wait until everything is done and start new?

Thanks for everyone's advice!
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2008-03-06 21:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMarried?
You have a 90 day time frame once he enters the US to get married. So you can go directly from the airport to the preacher, or anytime before the 90 days is up.

Edited by Dogwood_Poet, 09 February 2009 - 11:58 AM.

Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2009-02-09 11:56:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures41% K 1 Fiance Visas Denied?
Maybe he means 41% of visa applications screwed up by lawyers are denied! tongue.gif
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2009-10-17 10:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 visa/ CFO Philippines
She will have to have the K1 to enter the US, so they will see it in her passport if she travels and most likely make her take the CFO, so go ahead and get it done, it is not too big a deal, just be sure to have all her papers together when she goes.
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2010-08-11 18:21:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMy paychecks with no Pay stubs
I just submitted copies of my paychecks with no stubs and they accepted them fine.

The only thing I did was to black out the routing & bank account numbers on the copies so you could not read all the numbers just to protect my employer's accounts.

Your employer may be able to give you a printout of your checks in a report form, but I think the copies will be fine.
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2010-12-18 01:33:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresB1 Visa disapproved in Malaysia, interested in K-1 Visa

Nothing to worry about. Sounds pretty straight-forward, so no need for an attorney, just read the guides and feel free to ask questions and you will be fine.


Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2013-05-24 15:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCan't find a co-sponsor, what now?

Even if you do not have enough income at the interview, they will give you time to find a sponsor or prove higher income, so you do have a chance to either get records of current income/second job or find a sponsor.

 

I am self-employed, so they wanted us to get a co-sponsor and we turned in the papers a few weeks after the interview and we got the visa no problems.


Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2013-11-02 12:07:00