Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Financial Documentation questions	Hello, I am not self-employed. In preparation for Manila, Philippines K-1 work, our immigration lawyer requested my last 3 years tax statements, bank statements of savings and a letterhead from my company stating my date of hire, title and salary. You can call (800) 829-1040 and the IRS will mail you free of charge any previous years official statements you request. You can contact any bank officer and request a letterhead statement of your savings amount, savings start date and length of time, also free of charge. Richard of Richard&Maria	Richard&Maria	Not Telling	Philippines	2006-05-05 13:13:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Philippines and I-134	Ouch on the possible "furlough". In preparation for our US Manila embassy/financial support docs, I supplied my 2003, 2004 & 2005 tax transcripts which I ordered free of charge from the IRS using their 800 number. Also my most recent paycheck stubs for the last few months and a letter from my HR department on company letterhead stating my date of hire, title and current salary. Sounds like you already have that. I threw in my current & retirement savings tallies from either official statements or letterhead correspondence for good measure. I am not changing jobs or job status, but had taken a new job in the recent past and wanted to demonstrate steady and reliable employment in my career. Good luck. Richard of Richard&Maria	Richard&Maria	Not Telling	Philippines	2006-07-11 21:35:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Bank Letters	Yes, can be country/embassy dependent. If not working, but have sufficient savings, it can be important. Don't ask a teller. Don't write. Visit your local branch, talk to manager, explain you need it on letterhead for government visa paperwork. They will oblige; if not, you should consider a new bank at the appropriate time. God speed.	Richard&Maria	Not Telling	Philippines	2006-07-26 20:30:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Got the Visa!!! now an airline question	Well it took about 7 months start to finish, but my fiance finally got the visa in the mail a couple weeks ago. Her interview lasted all of 10 minutes. Needless to say we are both excited. She has been back to her province in Mindanao visiting family and friends. We both decided that she would fly here to the states beginning of september. Now to finda a plane ticket which leads me into my latest question. I am able to get a decent fare for my fiance and her child through northwest airlines. My question is can I purchase the ticket online for her? I know the philippines has some weird rules for their citizens when they leave the country. I am just wondering if I should buy the e-ticket or send her to a travel agent there and send the money. Anyone who has dealt with this please let me know. For those of you still waiting good luck to you and if you have any questions let me know. Ingat ka, Jason& Cherri Hi Jason and Cherri, First of all, allow me to congratulate you both. And also wish you the best in the years of togetherness. I am sure you can purchase a ticket on-line for her. You can do an e-tciket and send her a copy of the ticket through her email. Just quote the ticket reservation/confirmation code and she can also print it herself. The website is www.nwa.com/ph. As a back-up, you can print a copy of the ticket and then send her a hard copy thru speed mail. For your additional info, there are promos on northwest tickets and she can look this up at the afore-mentioned website. If you wish, I may help her as I stay in Manila and I have regular transactions with Northwest. You may contact me at my personal email address maripivelasco@hotmail.com And for those who have fiancees in the Philippines, feel free to contact me at the above email and will be glad to be of help. After all, we are in the same boat. Maria	Richard&Maria	Not Telling	Philippines	2006-08-08 02:39:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Philippine Visa Requirement	Hello, I have an additional question. I am aware of the Philippine seminar for departing fiance/spouse. What about dependent children (K-2 visa)? There will be a 13-year-old and a soon to be 16-year old also. Must they also attend and/or is it a package deal or each are separate? Any first hand experiences out there? Thanks.	Richard&Maria	Not Telling	Philippines	2006-08-09 10:26:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Manila Processing Time	ynaynebabe spoke to the embassy yesterday dean and they were estimating november for an interview date they were saying. That would be so nice. We are still holding some small hope that we will be together here in the states for Christmas. Need that NOA2 first though. Hopefully in the next 2 weeks. Hi Dean and Sheryl, We have approx the same date of RFE mail out and CSC receipt. Wow, two Filipina ladies waiting and hoping to be together for Christmas. Hope to get some good news by mid-August and beat the 2006 deadline! Am praying for good news, maybe a Christmas gift from the embassy. Maria	Richard&Maria	Not Telling	Philippines	2006-08-09 02:12:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	tax transcripts for the I-864	Hello, I was advised (not by the USCIS) to supply both the tax transcripts as you have done AND a copy of the original tax forms that were signed and sent in. I am dealing with Manila, Philippines. I just scanned the latter from my records at home and emailed them off. I thought just the transcripts would be enough, but I guess this was a safer approach. Godspeed. Richard of Richard&Maria	Richard&Maria	Not Telling	Philippines	2006-08-14 15:49:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	What if the bank officers and jerks and....	Hmmm... I asked my two local branch bank managers for signed, letterhead statements to include the following: 1.) when my savings accounts first opened and their starting amounts (I didn't bother with checking account) 2.) current balances They typed them up and signed while I waited. Took about 10 minutes. The letterhead and signature is in lieu of putting sensitive financial account numbers on yet another document, (I had a business checking account raided once and learned things the hard way). I was told this would be satisfactory and have not heard different since. Any bank who can't provide you with such a simple service has lost track of how to deal with customers. P.S. don't request this of a teller and don't request by mail - do it in person or on the phone to a bank officer. Good luck. Richard of Richard&Maria	Richard&Maria	Not Telling	Philippines	2006-08-16 08:53:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Do you need ALL pages of your 1040 tax returns?	Hello, I was advised and sent both my official tax transcripts (last three years), that you get via free phone order from the IRS, along with photocopies of all my original tax papers I filled out along with the associated W-2's. I thought just the tax transcripts would suffice (since they are "official") - maybe they do, but looking at the tax forms versus the transcripts, the tax forms seem easier to understand to me, have my signature and provide more detail. Maybe that's why? Godspeed. Richard of Richard&Maria	Richard&Maria	Not Telling	Philippines	2006-08-21 10:46:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Changing Jobs	Hello, During my 30 years of employment I have changed jobs 5 times. If your current job is adequate in the eyes of the USCIS, you are good to go as long as all your paperwork is already on file. If you take another job by interview time and in the governments eyes it is financially equal/better, it makes no difference anyway. Only if the timing of your filing the statement of financial support, should it match with the job change, will it matter - your (potentially) new employer should give you a company letterhead statement of employment stating title, pay and date of employment. If the embassy has already received your paperwork (assumed, since you are waiting for the interview) then you are set - or have you yet to forward your financial support documents prior to the interview? Regards, Richard of Richard&Maria	Richard&Maria	Not Telling	Philippines	2006-10-15 21:27:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Embassey information	You are before (or about same time) me & Maria, from what I can tell. The Manila embassy has your file, at least electronically, because I know (phone call) they have ours electronically. I believe they also have our hardcopy, but it is in a stack awaiting assigned appointments for interviews.	Richard&Maria	Not Telling	Philippines	2006-10-27 13:28:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	EVAF	Hello, My Maria just received a similar notice in Manila. The EVAF is required, beyond your earlier paperwork. You will receive a separate, future notice of the scheduled interview date besides the pre-interview packet. There are plenty of earlier posts here on what to expect, including the St Luke's Hospital Extension medical exam, the NBI police clearance, your financial support documents, evidence of relationship, photographs, official Philippine birth certificate & passport, the seminar attendance & stamp for citizens departing overseas, etc. I believe you can call stateside at 888-877-9888 soon, regarding confirmation of the interview date, but be prepared to wait awhile. The final stretch to the interview process begins. Good luck. Richard of Richard&Maria	Richard&Maria	Not Telling	Philippines	2006-10-31 11:03:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	NBI Clearance for USE in Manila, Philippines	Could someone who has been through the K-1 interview in Manila give us some guidance, please? My fiance has already received her NBI Clearance and the notation says "No Criminal Record." BUT...the K-1 instructions included in the packet which the USE sends out read, "An official letter of explanation from the NBI is required if an NBI Clearance has any of the following notations: 'No Criminal Record,' 'No Criminal Conviction,' 'No Pending Case,' or 'With Derogatory Record.'" Since my fiance's NBI Clearance does have the notation "No Criminal Conviction," we are in the process of trying to secure this letter of explanation, but the NBI in Cebu has told her that the NBI in Manila is where she has to get this letter from. Is that true, or can the NBI in Cebu issue that letter? We are equally puzzled as to why the USE would need a letter of explanation anyway, since "No Criminal Conviction" would seem to be self-explanatory. So we need the counsel of someone who has already gone through the interview in Manila. Is this letter necessary and does my fiance have to go to Manila to get it? Thanks for your help. TimR Tim, When your fiancee applied for an NBI clearance, she should have stated the purpose as FOR TRAVEL ABROAD as this is what the US Embassy will want to see on the clearance. I suggest that your fiancee apply again for an NBI clearance in Cebu and specify that this is for travel abroad. I was able to get mine with a stamp of FOR TRAVEL ABROAD. Normally, without specifying such, the default notations would show..NO CRIMINAL RECORD. Hope to have shed some light on your predicament. Maria	Richard&Maria	Not Telling	Philippines	2006-09-14 02:06:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	I had a link for the Manila Embassy to check interview date	There used to be a web page listing all interview dates in Manila by case number. That indeed seems to be gone, with the previously above-mentioned link that now will only do a search from a drop down box. Does anyone know if this is the "new and improved" with the old method deleted from the internet? I wonder if there is any trick to the search, I've tried with and without MNL in front and also with and without 2006. I liked the older method, but perhaps the government thought they were posting too much info(?) Just getting ansty, working & waiting throughout most of 2006. Richard of Richard&Maria	Richard&Maria	Not Telling	Philippines	2006-12-08 12:12:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	manila interview?	anybody knows what are the requirements, documents needed to be presented b4/during interview.? is voters ID needed for my filipina spouse to be presented b4/during interview? thanks guys. good luck to everybody. Voters's ID not required for visa interview. The security guard at the embassy will require that you show the interview appointment letter and one other ID that will prove her identity, such as SSS ID, driver's licence, medical healthcard, showing her picture. She has to bring the required forms and the proof of payment, proof of relationship, and the birth certificate from the National Census and Statistics Office. Also, the NBI Clearance should specify that it is for travel abroad to USA. Good luck! Maria	Richard&Maria	Not Telling	Philippines	2006-12-28 05:24:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Need Advice - Med Exam in Manila	My husband had his medical last Jan 11th. He got there around 5:30. He said theres around 30people ahead of him, which is not bad. He just have to wait for another hour to get inside the building. He finished everything before 11, he said that medical procedure that I got from Sheiff Uling's Signature really helped him to speed up the process. Here's the link http://www.visajourn...h...ost&id=3074 Good Luck to you and your wife!!! The medical exam really takes 2 days. First day for the tests, and the second day is for the immunizations and the release of x-ray. I went there last Jan. 10 and started at 9am and there is parking along the side streets. Parking costs P50 for the whole day. By the way, St. Lukes does not close for lunch break so you may want to bring something to eat while waiting. I was able to finish the medicals (with 2 children) in 2 days, so it is pretty efficient...just need to be patient and wait for your name to be called. For the US Embassy interview, they do not allow parking inside their grounds, so you may need to park at the Luneta parking lot. Another option is at the Starbucks or Emerald Restaurant parking just across the embassy. Or better still, just get a cab since parking can be a problem in the area. Good luck and keep up the spirit. Maria	Richard&Maria	Not Telling	Philippines	2007-01-14 23:59:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Packet 3 finally arrives	If concerned about actual income, can you provide other evidence? Example, perhaps you have little or no debts or loans? You have a known good/high credit rating? You have a stable bank account for some years (no overdrafts)? You have a stable and/or longterm job with an employer who will provide a letter stating current assignment, length of service and pay (you should do this in any event). Obtain appropriate info and/or draft letter/sign/notarize. Any information to reinforce that you are financially responsible is helpful. Send along with other documents. I'd use Fedex letter package at this stage, about $50. Cheaper USPS will take about 2 weeks, assuming your fiance is in a larger city. Good luck, my Maria has her interview in a couple of weeks. Richard of Richard&Maria	Richard&Maria	Not Telling	Philippines	2007-01-27 22:38:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Letter of Employment for I-134	Hello, Employers should be able to provide a letter, but some corporate lawyers or owners can have organizations do/not do things with needless difficulty. Type up your own short statement/explanation in a pinch and have it notarized, especially if you currently have a number of years with your current employer. W-2's and paystubs will go a longggg way, especially the end-of-year paychecks from the same employer. The embassy official reviewing your case may or may not dig as deep as you think, since there is a lot of personal or case-by-case discretion. Banks should ALWAYS be able to provide a letter as way of good customer service - be sure to ask face-to-face with a branch manager or officer, not someone at the counter or over the phone. Then again, some banks have totally forgotten what customer service is. Good luck, Richard of Richard&Maria	Richard&Maria	Not Telling	Philippines	2007-02-06 18:36:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	fiance's employment history debate	Hello, In the EXTREMELY remote possibility of the embassy or the USCIS calling your employer, they should contact your front office/HR strictly for verification of employement. I say should, assuming you provided a front office/HR contact via the letterhead "statement of employment" and did not have some boss-from-hell (and I've had bosses from Gandhi to Genghis Khan) listed as a contact or draft a letter for you. Again, the feds are only interested in the sponsors employment and would not even consider contacting an employer unless they think you are faking your job status. Richard of Richard&Maria	Richard&Maria	Not Telling	Philippines	2007-02-08 15:31:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	how long will i wait after i got Pre-Interview notice?	Our timetable is in our signature below, including notices. Maria's interview is next week. Richard of Richard&Maria	Richard&Maria	Not Telling	Philippines	2007-02-09 10:23:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Manila Embassy Interview	Hi everyone, Just want to let you all know that I am already here in my fiance's hometown, Deming, NM, just got here last night. I was here since March 10, 2007 and went via LAX as POE, spent a couple of days in California going around, before actually coming over here, didn't have any trouble getting in, the immigration officer whom I think is also a Filipino just asked a couple of questions and then that's it. Goodluck to everyone who is still going on the journey, its worth the wait guys promise!!!! Karen Hi karen! good that everything went ok...about me...he didnt ask anything..the officer just look into my face and i was waiting for him to ask something..but he didnt..that was cool....WELCOME TO AMERICA!!!! Im so glad that we r here! Hehehehe cool! Goodluck sa iyo Sis. GOD BLESS Karen Hi Karen, Maria here. Am already in WI and settled to married life. You have my number and let's keep in touch. The entertainment center at the basement is ready for you and your lovey as I promised. Snow is melting here in WI but it is still around 20 degress so still have a chance to show off the winter wardrobe...just kidding. Really miss you guys from VJ. Let's have a barbecue party at the summetime by our lakeside property and we can have it together with my daughter's grad party. Have not finished unpacking so have no found your tel number yet...but feel free to call me at home. Good luck to all VJers! Maria	Richard&Maria	Not Telling	Philippines	2007-03-17 16:08:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Manila Embassy Interview	Are any of the fiancees out there claiming, if any, their deposit into the govt SSS, Philhealth and Pag-ibig. After all most of us will give up our PI citizenship.. Is this hard to do? Hi fellow Vjers, I would like to share with you my experience with Pag-Ibig. A month before my visa interview date (Feb 13), I dropped by Pag-Ibig to follow up the processing of refund of my brother who had moved to Canada and is now a citizen. In the process of waiting for the check to be released and filling up the waivers and quitclaim, I sort of quipped that I am also planning to stay in the USA if I get a fiancee visa. The lady Ms. Pearl was so gracious to inform me that I just need to present my fiancee visa and accomplish some of the forms including a history of the dates and employers so they can trace your benefits. And this is just so easy...they even have the affidavit form that you just fill out and have it notarized, attach a photocopy of your visa, and in 3 days, you get a check in your name as refund of your contributions. I am still amazed at their efficiency. And for the SSS refund, they need to see that you are already 60 years old and you will have to open a bank account for them to deposit your benefits, and after one month, they will make out the check to you and they will credit your bank account monthly for your pension. I have no idea about Philhealth. Feel free to call me at 09229224000 until March 3. I leave on March 4 for Wisconsin for a wedding on March 10. Maria	Richard&Maria	Not Telling	Philippines	2007-02-28 03:49:00