biggish data

CFO Seminar

Hi guys, i am wondering if my Mom would need the CFO Seminar/ sticker before she can leave the country? She's getting an IR-5 visa. Since we live in Davao, we need to plan accordingly to make sure that we'll get everything taken care of and not miss a thing.

TIA.

-jean

Definitely she needs it!

gwendolyn40

Female

Philippines

2012-08-07 18:34:00

Worries on I-864, Hubby dont pay TAx-disability

good day mga sissies! medyo nag aalala ako kc. ang hubby ko 3yrs na na wala nagbayad ng tax kasi naoperahan nga xa, he's receiving disability compensation monthly... so hindi xa makaprovide nung ITRs and W2. yung co-sponsor lang.. Pwede kaya yun? thanks for answering.

pareho tayo sis yon din ang inalala ko..my husband has not filed taxes since 2009 to 2011 due to disability he was a victim of H1N1 and he was confined in ICU for 11 days and stayed 2 months in the hospital...so he lost the job and just received disability money for 2 years

gwendolyn40

Female

Philippines

2012-09-08 21:42:00

how long to usually complete case in NVC for Philippine cases

May 7, 2012...I called almost everyday but no good news yet!

gwendolyn40

Female

Philippines

2012-11-03 21:14:00

how long to usually complete case in NVC for Philippine cases

Hi! I want to gather information regarding how many days/weeks until you got case completed after sending the last documents required. My IV packet was received by NVC last Oct. 22 but until now our case is not complete yet. I have been looking at the timelines for Philippines and some got their cases closed in less than 10 days but some were two weeks also. Feels like I start to panic.

Thank you very much!

gwendolyn40

Female

Philippines

2012-11-03 20:02:00

finally an interview schedule - what else do I need to prepare and be aware of the consular officer might ask during the interview

hello
My case was completed Nov. 9, 2012 and interview is January 2, 2013. I am so happy. God is good. Just done with my medical also last Monday and even if I had a history of ptb last year 2011 but I passed the medical with flying colors, no sputum test thank God! My preparation works. I know I had scars on my lungs because I had ptb and pneumonia as well at the same time. I have been eating nutritious food like vegetables, lean meat and eating fruits everyday since the day we sent our I-130 application. It really helps my lungs to heal up and get back to it's normal functioning. I refrain from mingling in a crowd or riding a jeepney so I could not catch the tb bacteria again. I was so conscious also whenever I go outside in the road I always cover my mouth and nose just to protect myself from contracting tb again.
I brought my previous chest xray dated 4 months ago which says my lungs had scarring. So I was really surprised when during my medical I was told to go to pulmonary evaluation and my heart skipped a beat for a second. I told myself this is it the dreaded sputum test. But when the doctor told me my lungs is normal and no scars oh I breathed normally too

. They just required me to bring a detailed medical certificate with a detailed ptb treatment (name of medications taken, dosage and duration). And most of all the best weapon is Prayer.

So for those who will undergo medical exam, you can do it also. You need to do something also not just praying alone.

Any input is appreciated for those who had their interviews. What do I need to bring the consular officer might ask from me.

VJ site is I could really say very very helpful. It leads us to the right path with the help of awesome and wonderful people here. Thanks to you guys.

gwendolyn40

Female

Philippines

2012-11-27 18:10:00

SLEC's Query

Anytime soon our NOA2 will be released, but a lot of thoughts coming into my mind as far medical and sputum test is concern. I'd too was been diagnosed with TB..but none of my family member knew about it. Good thing, I discovered it earlier and I secretly had my check-ups and completed the 6 months medication and I visited my doctor regularly. I also had my x-ray test yearly just to make it sure that it wont be coming back again. And my doctor suggested me to have that vaccine called pnuemo21..vaccine was 2 yrs ago, and its good for 5 years, and dosage of the vaccine depends with the year, cause others may last for 10 to 15 years..more expensive.

And few months this year, my grandma was been diagnosed too of TB, but were not living in the same place..and we seldom saw each other..will they ask about history in our family yet I have it first 3 years ago?

If ever I go for my medical, without our NOA2 yet, how would this affect my schedule for interview and visa? cause I wanted to make it sure not to cause the delay, if ever I would undergo sputum and culture test in the near future. And to those who undergo the process, did you exactly tell the physician that you've had TB before, or they simply discover without telling them that you've had TB case.

Hope somebody would enlighten me and it causes me sleepless nights..

I also had ptb last year. Yes you should be honest and tell them your ptb history because it will show in your xray you have scars in the lungs. But good thing for my case I did not undergo the dreaded sputum exam. My xray was normal and they only required me to submit a detailed medical certificate stating the ptb treatment(medications taken, dosage and duration) from my pulmonologist.

gwendolyn40

Female

Philippines

2012-12-01 00:20:00

21 days?

He can either extend his tourist visa for another 38 days making his total stay to 59 days. He should do this prior to his 21 day visa expiration. Or he could apply for a 13(a) visa on your account being his wife. This visa is good for him to stay permanently in the Philippines.

Or he can also show your marriage certificate at the immigration upon his arrival. My husband did that and he was granted one year of stay.

gwendolyn40

Female

Philippines

2012-12-23 10:47:00

those who have gone through further processing please help

When you get your visa, can you please check whether it still says that you're in administrative processing?

My mom's case shows this when her visa was printed on the same day. She got the visa 4 business days after this status.

U.S. Department of State
IMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION
Issued
Immigrant Visa Case Number:
MNL2012XXXXXX MNL
Case Creation Date:
10-Aug-2012
Status Updated Date:
21-Dec-2012

Your visa has been printed. Depending on local procedures at the location where you were interviewed, your visa will be mailed or available for pickup soon. If there are further questions, or if we need updated contact information, you will be contacted.

Sure I will let you know

gwendolyn40

Female

Philippines

2013-01-06 18:02:00

those who have gone through further processing please help

Sorry guys I was wrong. I read it somewhere here that we can track our visa status through the DOS website and it actually says I am under AP. I could not get to sleep at night I want to know the reason why I am under AP so that I can do something to correct whatever issue. So I called USEM this morning. A lady answered the phone and I asked her what is wrong with my application why it was under AP. She was confused and asked me where did I get the information. I told h er it's from the DOS website and she asked for the website address. She told me not to rely on that website because they never used it for visa status updates. She told me the consul did not ask for any additional documents but in fact it is under process for printing

and my visa was approved.

VIsajourney site is awesome. We wouldn't have made it without the help from these VJpeople by sharing their actual experiences and insights!!! MY SINCEREST THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU GUYS....MABUHAY!!!!!

Edited by gwendolyn40, 03 January 2013 - 11:47 PM.

gwendolyn40

Female

Philippines

2013-01-03 23:46:00

those who have gone through further processing please help

U.S. Department of State
IMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION
Administrative Processing
Immigrant Visa Case Number: MNLxxxxxx3049 01 MNL
Case Creation Date: 30-Aug-2012
Status Updated Date: 03-Jan-2013

Your visa case is currently undergoing necessary administrative processing. This processing can take several weeks. Please follow any instructions provided by the Consular Officer at the time of your interview. If further information is needed, you will be contacted. If your visa application is approved, it will be processed and mailed/available within two business days. Under the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act, Immigrant Visas for "Diversity Visas" cannot be issued after September 30th of the year in which you were selected to apply for a Diversity Visa. For example, entrants into the Diversity Visa Program in Fall of 2011 were selected for Diversity Visa 2012 Program, and selectees MUST apply and receive their visa prior to September 30, 2012 otherwise they lose eligibility to receive a Diversity Immigrant Visa, regardless of additional administrative processing. In addition, please note that some immigrant visas may not be able to be issued if the annual numerical limit for that category has been reached.

so here is the status of my visa application.So sad but I think my being a widowed gal is the issue. The prescreener kept on asking me three times when I was widowed because I think she could not believe me when I said I was wdowed last 2004 and remarried 2010. It really sucks for the waiting time for them to finish AP too long.......

Edited by gwendolyn40, 03 January 2013 - 04:52 PM.

gwendolyn40

Female

Philippines

2013-01-03 16:43:00

those who have gone through further processing please help

So I was not put in administrative processing then as I believed? Thank you very much guys it really helps a lot specially to my husband. It's just that the guy in window 63 did not say the magic word.

gwendolyn40

Female

Philippines

2013-01-02 16:37:00

those who have gone through further processing please help

I hope fellow VJers will shed light on this as I am devastated and frustrated after my interview today.I was so shocked
when the interview officer told this " your application looks good but we will inform you after we're done with further processing of your application, you wait until your number is called again. Then I was called at window 72. The guy handed to me my NVC appointment letter and told me to drop the visa shipment form at window 69.So I asked him what is the status of my application..He just replied that visa will be delivered if there's no issues or I can email the embassy and inquire.
What do you think guys? please help me understand what's going on for those who experienced the same.

I am still very down here.

Thank you in advance!

gwendolyn40

Female

Philippines

2013-01-02 10:01:00

Change passport name from marriage to US citizen

Hi...you need the CFO certificate for the passport processing (compulsory) but if you don't have a visa yet they will not put a sticker on your passport. You need the CFO sticker for travelling ..without the sticker you are not allowed to leave the country...so to have a sticker, you need the CFO certificate ....to sum it up..1. CFO seminar is required for passport application for those who marry a foreign national who wish to change surname 2. CFO certificate is needed when you travel abroad..you show your certificate and the CFO personnel will put a sticker on your passport.

I attended the seminar last June 19, 2012 then renewed my passport on June 23 in Cebu because it is cheaper to process here than in Manila..they require a lot of information about the foreign husband, contact numbers, work, your residence, wedding photos aside from the other legal documents they require have it photocopied including her old passport (front and back copies)....I have my new passport on hand now (expedited)

By the way the affidavit to change name, just ask the guard where to get it he will tell you ..it cost 250 pesos..I don't know how it is done in DFA Manila but here in Cebu the DFA personnel is the one telling you to furnish an affidavit first.

gwendolyn40

Female

Philippines

2012-07-20 08:35:00

Change passport name from marriage to US citizen

Thanks for your replies;

Nice how instead of handing her the affidavit form she needed from the DFA office and saying "you need this form", they just tell her what she needs and then say "next!"??

So you have done just this process, so what documents did you have to bring to Manila to register for the CFO certificate seminar? The website lists NBI clearance and Visa requirements but thats for leaving the country, she just needs to change her passport name.
I know you need this when you get your visa to leave, don't understand why its required for a passport name change since CFO is for Overseas travel...

@Scott and Mhay
The website mentions nothing of a CFO. Yes I already changed insurance & beneficiary papers with her married name since that is what she is going to have on her final passport.

Hi...you need the CFO certificate for the passport processing (compulsory) but if you don't have a visa yet they will not put a sticker on your passport. You need the CFO sticker for travelling ..without the sticker you are not allowed to leave the country...so to have a sticker, you need the CFO certificate ....to sum it up..1. CFO seminar is required for passport application for those who marry a foreign national who wish to change surname 2. CFO certificate is needed when you travel abroad..you show your certificate and the CFO personnel will put a sticker on your passport.

I attended the seminar last June 19, 2012 then renewed my passport on June 23 in Cebu because it is cheaper to process here than in Manila..they require a lot of information about the foreign husband, contact numbers, work, your residence, wedding photos aside from the other legal documents they require have it photocopied including her old passport (front and back copies)....I have my new passport on hand now (expedited)

Edited by gwendolyn40, 20 July 2012 - 08:30 AM.

gwendolyn40

Female

Philippines

2012-07-20 08:21:00

Change passport name from marriage to US citizen

Just got married in May this year, I'm a US citizen, my spouse's a filipina and her Philippine passport is good till Oct2015. In two years we will start the I-130, IR-1 Visa process and hopefully will get the visa to leave which would be before the passport expires.
But she will need a new passport with my last name as hers on it, before we can start the the petition/visa process.
All documents must match the passport which is the sole identification for immigration processing.

So she went to the Dept Veteran Affairs with a filled out passport application form, with NSO marriage certif, BC and they told her she has to wait til the old passport expires, OR get a CFO certificate from Manila & a Affidavit of early renewal.

I thought CFO was just for leaving the country, no mention of getting a visa was mentioned or leaving the country. Why does she need this for a passport name change since the seminar deals with living overseas?
And doesn't this CFO also require a NBI clearance, which she didn't need for the passport the first time, nor was this mentioned at the DVA.

Any help appreciated

I am a Filipina married to a USC...my passport will expire Oct. 2013 but status was single.. I renewed my passport last June 23 2012 so I can use my married name but you need an affidavit (which can be done inside the DFA office also) for change of surname.One of DFA's requirements for passport application is the CFO certificate for filipinos who are married to foreign nationals. And it is DFA Department of Foreign Affairs not DVT.

Edited by gwendolyn40, 20 July 2012 - 02:46 AM.

gwendolyn40

Female

Philippines

2012-07-20 02:45:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

still waiting for my visa

Where are u residing?I'm from iloilo..congratz to u.. :-)

Thank you. I live in Cebu City.

gwendolyn40

Female

Philippines

2013-01-12 15:44:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

still waiting for my visa

Hi guyz...

Anyone here who also had their interview last jan 3,2013?have u got ur visa already?I also can't track my visa..any help?

My interview was last January 2, 2013 but just got the visa on hand today! Keep calling the embassy. My visa was printed last Wednesday but the embassy personnel told me it will take 7 working days to arrive. Yay I got it today :-) :dance:

gwendolyn40

Female

Philippines

2013-01-12 08:18:00

The I-864 itself is incomplete without information from three tax returns or a reason why one or more returns were not required to be filed. The I-864 package requires at least a complete copy of the 2011 tax return or an official tax return transcript for 2011. All that is about past income. Current income is a separate matter that should also be documented.

Thank you..but what if a USC could not file because he has financial issues? Can we just use 2008 tax return and present a current employment proof and paystubs? Just wondering because he has $10,000 taxable income from the insurance money he received for less than 2 years.

gwendolyn40

Female

Philippines

2012-07-14 18:18:00

[quote name='sjr09' timestamp='1342115696' post='5519108']
Agree! "Illness is not a justification for not filing in it's self." From the OP's statement I'm assuming the illness left him unable to work with no income, or was below filing threshold.

Agree! He should consult a tax professional about whether he was required to file.

Thanks for pointing that out.

[/quot

....he is working on the federal taxes now ..as I read that the I-864 is incomplete without the tax returns. Thank you for your input. It Helps.. :-)

gwendolyn40

Female

Philippines

2012-07-12 17:30:00

A return(s) is required or a legal justification for non-filing, The illness would qualify as .justification (detailed letter explaining illness) for the years not filed. Insurance can count as income assets may help meet AOS requirements Under the circumstance the last 6mo of working may help(?), providing what he would make per-year meets the poverty guidelines. Look into securing co-sponsor as a back up, if needed.

Thank you...His income for the six months even surpassed the poverty guidelines... I hope this would help too. Again thank you, this uplifts my hope again!

gwendolyn40

Female

Philippines

2012-07-12 05:24:00

I hope someone can help with this issue as it really confused us..My husband has not filed federal tax returns from 2009 up to 2011. He used to work in a good company and received high salary as he is an Associate Electronics Engineer. 2009 he was admitted in ICU due to H1N1 and Severe ARDS. It almost killed him he suffered brain damage and a lot of complications I won't reiterate the details. An insurance company was paying him while he was jobless but the insurance stopped paying last Aug. 2011. He was out of work until this January 2012. My question is - Can my husband still qualify to sponsor me even without the federal tax returns? His current salary is very good. What do we need to furnish in replacement for the tax returns?

Thank you very much for taking time to read!
God bless ....

Edited by gwendolyn40, 12 July 2012 - 01:50 AM.

gwendolyn40

Female

Philippines

2012-07-12 01:49:00

CR1 Denied last year

You can just refile. No problem with the previous abandonment.

thank you!

gwendolyn40

Female

Philippines

2012-07-25 09:25:00

CR1 Denied last year

This question has been lingering on my mind ...I have wanted to ask this question as what I have read from different sites and here were confusing...can we just refile an I-130 after the first case was denied due to abandonment not having to respond to RFE? or what is the correct process?

This was the set up...my husband decided to stay with me while the petition is pending. He filed Jan 26, 2011 - NOA1 march 6, 2011. Came here March 20, 2011 until SEpt. 29,2011. WE received a RFE letter from USCIs dated May 31st but we received it July 29, 2011 and the letter stated we should respond before July 14,2011. So we decided not respond to that then on Sept. 11, 2011 we received a letter of denial. The requested evidence was they want a legible copy of the death certificate of my first husband.
So we decided not to file an appeal as we learned it has no guarantee and would only take months and years as "they said ".

I hope someone can enlighten this as it makes me nervous about our case.
:unsure:

gwendolyn40

Female

Philippines

2012-07-25 00:14:00

hopefully :(

IMPORTANT!
Make TWO copies of the entire package before you send it in. This includes the money orders too. You want to have a perfect replica of the package you are sending in. All Forms that you submit must be originals with original signatures. Supporting Evidence that you submit may be photocopies. Retain ALL original supporting Evidence since the USCIS has the right to check them by issuing an RFE (Request For Evidence). If you receive an RFE, follow the direction exactly, and make two copies of what you sent back. During any future interviews the USCIS may also want to examine the original supporting evidence.

i only follow what they say here.... make TWO copies of the entire package before you sent it in...
my hubby he only sent one copy of I-130 2 copy of G-325a one for me and one for him 1145 and some evidence. so isn't understand now what is on my question? that important words are from Step-by-Step Guide on How to File for a IR-1 / CR-1 Visa for a Foreign Spouse.

Kaya nga "make two copies" ang isang kopya ay ipadala mo at ang isa ay yon ang replica (eksaktong kopya) kung ano ang pinadala sa USCIS...meaning sa hindi mo pa ipadala ang mga papeles have a photocpoy for your future reference...

gwendolyn40

Female

Philippines

2012-08-02 10:07:00