biggish data

Bringing baby to the Philippines Embassy NY

Do you have plans in getting your daughter a Philippine passport? If so, you can apply for it that same day.

let-it-be

Not Telling

Philippines

2012-10-03 14:57:00

Short-term rentals near USEM

Let her stay in a hotel across from the USEM the day before her interview appointment. No biggie! It's just one night stay. If money is not an issue & this will ease both of your minds about the 1.5 hrs commute. Posted Image

let-it-be

Not Telling

Philippines

2012-10-06 10:30:00

She has a court date on October 29. Even if the Judge signs the annulment's Finality papers on October 29, it isn't the end of the process. Her marriage certificate still has to be annotated by the NSO.

OP...Does the USCIS want a copy of the Finality papers, or do they want an annotated marriage certificate? Either way, you will be past the deadline. However, maybe you can find a way to move the deadline back. Maybe it's time to ask that question at an info pass appointment down at your local USCIS office.

That's what I thought, it's a court date.

Hubby's friend received an RFE of his divorce papers, the one he sent in the initial submission didn't have the judge's signature. He responded to the RFE by sending only one page of his divorce paper which has the judge's sig. Despite hubby's advice that he send all the pages. They denied his petition and was given less than a month to appeal & beyond that date his case will be closed. This guy didn't know how to fill up the appeal form so we told him to he make an infopass to the USCIS local office. He eventually send the whole divorce papers. Last I heard they are doing an FBI back ground check.

I guess as long as the OP responds to the RFE now, he will be buying time until his fiance's annulment papers are ready.

let-it-be

Not Telling

Philippines

2012-10-07 17:52:00

USCIS screwed up to start with and never should have approved the 129 petition, but then maybe the petitioner did not mention his fiancee is married and not yet got annulment so USCIS is not totally to blame as they do not ask for a CENOMAR. But once things got to the embassy... poof! The CENOMAR turned out to be a CEMAR and the fiancee is married to another still, so USEM has to send it all back to USCIS, the petitioner has to produce proof that his fiancee was free to marry at the time he file the 129F, and being he can't do that... it denied.

I understand all about that except the interview on Oct 29, 2012.

let-it-be

Not Telling

Philippines

2012-10-07 12:11:00

Yes he has, plus check his timeline.

Oh. I didn't check his Timeline.

So the interview was last March 6,2012. Got denied
RFE response only until Oct. 24, 2012
2nd Interview on Oct. 29,2012

Did I get that right?

I don't understand why they have a 2nd interview scheduled already when in fact their petition was sent back to the service center & currently processed thus there is the RFE dilema.

Edited by let-it-be, 06 October 2012 - 10:21 PM.

let-it-be

Not Telling

Philippines

2012-10-06 22:21:00

There seems to be a lot of confusion here. The OP hasn't come back yet to clarify at what stage of the process they are in. Posted Image

let-it-be

Not Telling

Philippines

2012-10-06 19:08:00

Need Help..I was sent an RFE from the uscis asking for a copy of my fiance's divorce papers.At this time her papers are before the judge that will finalize her papers and the processes office will type them up to give to my fiance.All in all in is the last step so my fiance will have her divorce papers.The problem is uscis gave us until oct 24,2012 to have her divorce papers in and her appointment isn't until oct29 2012.So my fiance went to the solicitor generals office at the court house.She explained that she needed he divorce papers and they told her that she had to wait for the judge to finalize her divorce.But they gave her a copy of proof of filing.The solicitor general office said that uscis woukld except this as proof of divorce.
Has anyone been through this and did you use a copy of proof of filing?..

If you respond to the RFE by sending that copy of proof of filing they will DENY your petition. They will send you a denial letter that will explain what you can do to appeal. You will be given less than 30 days to appeal by sending the correct document. If you don't respond to that appeal they will close your case.

let-it-be

Not Telling

Philippines

2012-10-06 10:02:00

USC receiving post mail from USEM about eligibility to be scheduled for a visa interview?

It happened to us too. USEM sent the letters to both me & my then (USC) fiance that I am eligible to schedule an interview. In the letter it was clearly addressed to me. This was 4 years ago. We thought that was just a standard letter that they would send out to both the petitioner & beneficiary.

Edited by let-it-be, 06 October 2012 - 05:40 PM.

let-it-be

Not Telling

Philippines

2012-10-06 17:37:00

Hotels near Manila airport?

Edited by let-it-be, 09 October 2012 - 08:48 AM.

let-it-be

Not Telling

Philippines

2012-10-09 08:46:00

Booking Manila hotel online for fiance

Hello all , Has anyone had any success booking a hotel in manila for their fiance online without having any hang ups during the check in?

I wanted to book a room for my fiance for her interview but i know they sometimes ask to see the original credit card that was used for the payment online..

Has anyone had any successes or failures with this?

.

When you book a room for your fiancee provide two emails, yours & hers. Have her print out the confirmation voucher that they will email her. She only needs to present this voucher together with her valid ID when she checks in. My then fiance booked me a room in Bayview Park Hotel. They never asked to see the credit card that was used to pay for it online at all.

Edited by let-it-be, 11 October 2012 - 08:59 PM.

let-it-be

Not Telling

Philippines

2012-10-11 20:53:00

Class Picture - is this needed for CR1 applicants as added proof?

opps double post Posted Image

Edited by let-it-be, 17 October 2012 - 12:10 AM.

let-it-be

Not Telling

Philippines

2012-10-17 00:09:00

Class Picture - is this needed for CR1 applicants as added proof?

It is the best that I can do. I guess, need not think that much over every detail or else I'll go

Yes, don't sweat over the small stuff. Don't worry about. Posted Image

let-it-be

Not Telling

Philippines

2012-10-16 23:59:00

Class Picture - is this needed for CR1 applicants as added proof?

Hi everyone,

I am married to my highschool classmate. He migrated before we graduated highschool, came back here for a visit a few years back and the rest is history. We weren't high school sweethearts though.

Anyhow, I've been reading that some who had a similar story who went via the K1-visa route, had to show or was asked for a class picture during the interview. I personally know someone who was petitioned by her highschool classmate via the fiancee visa route who, after being interviewed, was asked to return and bring a copy of a high school class picture. I am just wondering, as a CR1 filer, will I be asked also for this? I have all copies of our high school class pictures, but it just so happens that he's always not at school whenever we had our class picture taken, lol.

Thanks in advance!

If the CO asked for HS class pictures then you explain that he wasn't around when those were taken. Posted Image

let-it-be

Not Telling

Philippines

2012-10-16 22:13:00

Citizenship Interview question

I'm not sure about how important is a Philippine passport during the interview. The greencard was the one they asked for me when I had mine but I don't know whether that's standard procedure.

She doesn't need her Philippine passport to maintain her status in the US. She needs her greencard. She can't travel outside US though without her Philippine passport prior to becoming naturalized. Her Philippine passport would be useless after she takes an oath. If she applies for reacquiring her Filipino citizenship, they will replace her passport and cancel the old one even if it weren't expired.

My IO did asked to see my passport aside from my GC. She was looking at the bio page & my old visa. It's the IO's discretion. Posted Image

let-it-be

Not Telling

Philippines

2012-10-16 12:44:00

Citizenship Interview question

Hello Everyone

My wife just got her citizenship interview notice yesterday!

Way Cool!

We also discovered that her Filipino passport has also expired.

Is that going to be a problem?

Not only for the interview but also for her to maintain her status here in the US??

-Phil

My Philippine passport have been expired for 3 years when I filed for citizenship. The only time it will be a problem is in case there is an emergency & she needs to go home to the Philippines. As she needs to go for a personal appearance to renew it in the phil consulate that has jurisdiction to where you lived and that it takes approximately 6 weeks for it to be processed & sent to your address. Her expired passport won't have any bearing to her immigration status here in the states. She is a permanent resident & her GC is all that matters as of now.

She'll be fine with an expired PP.
Good luck for the interview! Posted Image

let-it-be

Not Telling

Philippines

2012-10-16 12:35:00

DTI's blacklisted cargo forwarder

kasali ang 2GO Express Inc sa Pinas? Posted Image

let-it-be

Not Telling

Philippines

2012-10-16 23:53:00

Passed K1 interview!!!

Congratulations! Posted Image

The CO looked at the earning potential of your fiance since he has a degree in medical. That's why the CO didn't delved too much about your co-sponsor.

But your right some CO are really just plain snotty! Maybe they woke up at the wrong side of the bed or hate being there in the PI. Who knows! Posted Image

let-it-be

Not Telling

Philippines

2012-10-18 10:06:00

Most boring visa interview ever

Well, many different classes of people in the philippines.

My wife lives in remote area, poor area

Not much technology there.

That's understandable. All that matters now is her visa is approved & you two will be reunited soon.

let-it-be

Not Telling

Philippines

2012-10-17 18:36:00

Most boring visa interview ever

Yep...FedEx got my 300 dollars and for what???

Congratulations for the visa approval! Posted Image

Wow, $300 is quite expensive. Why didn't your wife just print out chat logs through her own messenger? or print out some other evidence that you could have just scanned & emailed to her? It has been discussed here that chat logs is one of the evidence that's hardly been looked at during interview.

let-it-be

Not Telling

Philippines

2012-10-17 18:26:00

Filing marriage in U.S. with Philippine Consulate in Chicago

We had a Catholic wedding in the Philippines but we also want to get married again once I arrive in the US.

Dreaming of having a Vegas wedding get-away.

We are still obliged to get a marriage license in the US, right?

The information below about renewal of Vows in Clark County, Nevada.
Link : http://www.clarkcoun...gelicenses.aspx

Renewal of Vows:

This office is prohibited from issuing a new Marriage License to couples who are currently married. Couples may renew their wedding vows at a church or a wedding chapel. You will need to contact those establishments to see what information is required.

Edited by let-it-be, 21 October 2012 - 10:56 AM.

let-it-be

Not Telling

Philippines

2012-10-21 10:56:00

Filing marriage in U.S. with Philippine Consulate in Chicago

You can report your marriage and get your name changed to your married name in your Passport all at the same time. You also do not have to personally go to the Embassy. We did both by mail early 2011. Please look at the Chicago Philippine embassy website for the instructions and forms. Then send in both forms at the same time. This process took about 2 weeks before passport was returned. Please keep copies and pay extra on shipping to track and get signature.
The passport will come back with a page that shows the name change. They do not actually provide new Passport. We went to Philippines this summer on My wifes Married name and did not have any problems (except showing the additional page to one of the customs official).

They no longer do amendment of the Philippine passports. Since they have now switch to ePassport system. For married women who wishes to change their name on their passports, they have to appear in person.

I am just using this information from the Philippine Consulate in Australia as the basis of my post.

Married Women changing their Surname
The amendment of the name in the passport is no longer possible under the ePassport system. A married woman who wishes to change her name on the passport using her husband's surname must acquire a new passport.

If the female applicant married in Australia or in any country outside the Philippines.

The applicant must make a personal appearance at the Philippine Consulate.
Duly accomplished Passport Application Form.
Original Philippine passport
Photocopy of the passport's first page, last page, and Australian visa page.
Original and photocopy of Report of Marriage issued by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate General where marriage was reported. The Report of Marriage is required even if the woman did not adopt her husband's name. Refer to the Civil Registry section of this website for information on making a Report of Marriage.
Applicants who were granted permanent residency status in Australia before 1 July 2007 must submit documentary proof that they have not yet acquired Australian citizenship: either (a) printed Visa Entitlement Verification Online [VEVO] result of entitlement check dated within [7] days of date of application or (b) DIAC Certificate of Evidence of Resident Status [CERS]issued within three [3] months of the date of application.
A non-refundable passport processing fee to be paid either in cash or postal money order payable to the "Philippine Consulate General". Refer to the Schedule of Fees.
If the applicant's papers have inconsistencies, the Consulate will require additional documents to validate necessary details.

Please refer to Guidelines for Photo Capture for the ePassport.

If the female applicant was married in the Philippines:

The applicant must make a personal appearance at the Philippine Consulate.
Duly accomplished Passport Application Form.
Original Philippine passport.
Photocopy of the passport's first page, last page, and Australian visa page.
Original and photocopy of the Contract of Marriage issued by the NSO.
Applicants who were granted permanent residency status in Australia before 1 July 2007 must submit documentary proof that they have not yet acquired Australian citizenship: either (a) printed Visa Entitlement Verification Online [VEVO] result of entitlement check dated within [7] days of date of application or (b) DIAC Certificate of Evidence of Resident Status [CERS]issued within three [3] months of the date of application.
A non-refundable passport processing fee to be paid either in cash or postal money order payable to the "Philippine Consulate General". Refer to the Schedule of Fees.
If the applicant's papers have inconsistencies, the Consulate will require additional documents to validate necessary details.

http://www.philippin...ir-surname.html

Edited by let-it-be, 17 October 2012 - 06:04 PM.

let-it-be

Not Telling

Philippines

2012-10-17 17:57:00

US-Canadian citizen baby needs to travel back to Canada from Philippines

Nothing to do with citizenship, saying a baby is Canadian/American most times refers to one of the parents being Canadian and one being American. I was asking if the father was Filipino.

Yes, the father is a Filipino citizen.

let-it-be

Not Telling

Philippines

2012-10-21 14:01:00

US-Canadian citizen baby needs to travel back to Canada from Philippines

Wait a minute, your a Canadian citizen? The father is what? Filipino? He was illegal alien working in the US? Where does the Canadian-American come in? If you and your child are Canadian citizens, traveling under Canadian passports, nothing your husband can do to stop you for returning to your home country.

The baby was born in New York City. Thus, a US Citizen by birth. The father's immigration status ( being illegal) is irrelevant to the baby's citizenship.

Edited by let-it-be, 21 October 2012 - 10:42 AM.

let-it-be

Not Telling

Philippines

2012-10-21 10:41:00

cemar for f2a

@ let-it-be

Thanks

Your welcome. Posted Image

let-it-be

Not Telling

Philippines

2012-10-22 21:49:00

cemar for f2a

Hi. I'm also under F2A.

All along I thought we only need our NSO Marriage Certificate as proof of our marriage to our LPR spouses (aside from pictures, BC of kids, ITR and W2).

Can someone post a picture of a CEMAR? Thanks.

Attached Files

Philippines Packets - SAMPLE - CEMAR or Marriage Index - VisaJourney Immigration Gallery.htm 107.94KB 19 downloads

Edited by let-it-be, 22 October 2012 - 09:11 PM.

let-it-be

Not Telling

Philippines

2012-10-22 21:08:00

What is needed from Fiance for initial I-129F

They must not check whether the photos have been taken within 30 days of filing. At least they didn't in our case. I'm glad to save $5 any time I can.

I gained significant weight due to pregnancy when I did my AOS. Then I lost weight when I had my ROC. The passport photos I had in the Phils, I was a lot skinner (104 Ibs). So you can just imagine how I looked different in all my passport photos for my applications! Posted Image

let-it-be

Not Telling

Philippines

2012-10-22 13:52:00

What is needed from Fiance for initial I-129F

Have her get lots of passport photos. She's going to need a lot more than eight photos. She's going to need passport photos throughout her journey to citizenship and beyond.

Here's a list off of the top of my head...

I-129F - 2
St. Lukes medical - 3
CFO seminar - 1
Embassy interview - 3
Adjusting status - 2 ???
Removing conditions - 2 ???
Naturalization - 2 ???
U.S. passport - 1 ???

By the way, I proposed to Chinook in Boracay.

Have a wonderful trip.

Passport photos should be taken within 30 days of filing for AOS, ROC,Naturalization & US passport. It's not that expensive. $ 5 for two photos at Costco. That's not a lot.

let-it-be

Not Telling

Philippines

2012-10-22 13:36:00

Sorry OP that I hijacked your thread. Posted Image

let-it-be

Not Telling

Philippines

2012-10-16 19:48:00

Congratulations to you!

I asked my mom to undergo comprehensive physical exam as well as the health insurance over here is very expensive. Co-pays and co-insurance for someone her age is a lot more than the group plan that my husband and I have.

http://www.stluke.co...rogram_Packages

Remember as new immigrants, they're not entitled to any medicaid except when it's an emergency.

I have just recently sent the petitions so it is still a long ways till we get to do the medical part. With my parents busy schedules I wanna be able to work around that and get things done as planned.

Yes, hubby & I have already discussed the insurance issue.

Edited by let-it-be, 16 October 2012 - 02:16 PM.

let-it-be

Not Telling

Philippines

2012-10-16 14:12:00

That's what my mom showed. The medical has a 6-month expiration so once you get a number from NVC, it wouldn't take 6 months before you get your interview. If you look at my timeline, 08/20 - Case received at NVC. If she had her medical right away, her 2-month sputum culture would be done in a few days and still have 3 weeks before her interview.

Thank you! I don't want any delays for I really want them to be here before my baby is due.

let-it-be

Not Telling

Philippines

2012-10-16 13:46:00

My mom has to do a sputum test so that time frame isn't enough for her. Knowing what I know now, I would have asked her to take the medical as soon as she got her case number from NVC. Hopefully, your parents' medical goes through quickly.

Thanks to this thread. I would keep this in mind about doing the medical ASAP. Does this mean that they can just present a print out that shows the NVC case number when they do their medical?

let-it-be

Not Telling

Philippines

2012-10-16 12:52:00

Fiancee has prob getting her Philippine Passport

When I applied for passport in 2008, I was never asked for a photo ID. What I had was NSO certified BC from the local registry, NSO BC, NBI, Police Clearance, Baptismal certificate and school records to prove my identity.

Do they require photo ID now???

Is she having issue with name spelling? The solution to that is get verification from NSO. When I applied for a passport, the dude was too eh that he thinks the "G" was a "C" and asked me to go to the NSO to get verification. Went to the nearest NSO and asked for one (no charge in 2008, not sure now) and I submitted it and they accepted it.

What DFA office is this? Government employees in the Philippines are not always known to be honest. On an unrelated case, I knew of someone who had a US father and was a US citizsen but born to a Pinay mother and born and lived in the Philippines. The asses in BI wanted her to pay "overstaying" fee. Told her to just go to the DFA and get a Philippinoe passport since she is considered a Philippine citizen by birth.

BI is just doing it's job. One only needs to show original copy of Report of Birth Abroad ( if born abroad) or NSO Birth certificate or Philippine passport to show proof of Philippine Citizenship. Didn't he/she showed them at least the BC?

let-it-be

Not Telling

Philippines

2012-11-07 11:51:00

Stamp @ NAIA Airport

It is not P3000

It is $30.00 USD

Sorry to the OP that this doesn't answer his question. But I would like to point out to David that if one will get the extension IN the Philippines, the fee is PhP 3,000 plus.

The Bureau of Immigration Philippines link:
http://immigration.g...d=118&Itemid=43

VISA EXTENSION FEES (UPDATED!)

TOURIST (NON-RESTRICTED) ADMITTED INITIALLY FOR 21 DAYS MAY BE EXTENDED FOR ANOTHER 38 DAYS

PARTICULARS/ AMOUNTS

Visa Waiver P 500.00

Visa Waiver application Fee P 1,000.00

Certification Fee P 500.00

Legal Research Fee (LRF) for each immigration fee Expect Head Tax and Fines P 30.00

Express Fee P 1,000.00

Total P 3,030.00

Edited by let-it-be, 04 September 2012 - 02:38 AM.

let-it-be

Not Telling

Philippines

2012-09-04 02:31:00

Stamp @ NAIA Airport

No,you have to pay for that. The only free stay you get is the 21 days and a free extension for up to 59 days. After that you have to pay a fee

Extending the 21 days up to 59 days is NOT free. The Fee is PhP 3,030.
The Tourist Visa Extension Fee after 59 days is PhP 4,800.

http://immigration.g...d=118&Itemid=43

Edited by let-it-be, 01 September 2012 - 11:35 PM.

let-it-be

Not Telling

Philippines

2012-09-01 23:31:00

My wife is going to her N-400 interview in 3 weeks

They did not give us any CD....

Just the booklet...

-P

The CD is inside the back cover.

let-it-be

Not Telling

Philippines

2012-10-29 21:10:00

My wife is going to her N-400 interview in 3 weeks

CD???

What CD??

-Phil

The CD came with the booklet that they hand out after Biometrics.

let-it-be

Not Telling

Philippines

2012-10-26 19:26:00

getting my daughter.. any tips please..

Hi fellow vj's.. I'm in dilemma of getting my daughter.. I got here in United States w k1 visa and wasn't able to bring my daughter due to her birth certificate issue. My parents was written as her parents on her official birth certificate.. You know how hard to be away from your child. This is just our first time to be away from each other and everyday I am praying and hoping to be w her w my husband his son and me as a one happy family. She just turned to 5 few months ago. I love being w my husband but I also need my daughter and she needs me as well. To those mom I know you can relate of what I feel..

I talked w some attorney and she wanted us to adopt my daughter. Unfortunately we do not have much money to do it right now because of our current financial status. Bringing me here is very costly, filed my AOS, paying our car and some debts and bills..

I hope there is someone who can advice me what to do w this matter..

Many thanks..

Go find another lawyer, the one you talked with is going to make your case lot more complicated than it already is. It's an uphill battle going through adoption of your sister ( which is your biological daughter). Listen to the advice of others about going through judicial process in correcting your daughter's birth certificate. That's the only way you can get her to be with you here in the states.

let-it-be

Not Telling

Philippines

2012-11-17 19:02:00

getting my daughter.. any tips please..

We will file my AOS soon.. So you mean once I get my green card I can petition her? what petition should we apply for her? Yes we are considering now to fix my daughter bc back to my name.. We have to know how many hearings required because I can't go back to Phil yet. Do you have an idea how long it will take for petitioning my daughter?

It will take a lot longer for you to petition your daughter than it is if your US citizen husband to petition her as a step-daughter. Here is the VJ guide: For a US citizen & a stepparent: http://www.visajourn...ontent/childpet. That petition will take less than a year. Posted Image

Edited by let-it-be, 11 October 2012 - 11:17 PM.

let-it-be

Not Telling

Philippines

2012-10-11 23:15:00

getting my daughter.. any tips please..

Yes you were right, the adoption was not legal.. During that time, we have no idea about this matter.. The midwife insisted us to put my parents name on my daughter's BC instead.. I was thinking to apply her as a late registered and change the spelling of her name,but I don't know if it's right cuz I listed my daughter on my Ds form and my husband listed her on I-129F.. So on my appointment letter from USEM she is included.. I think we have to consider petitioning her back to my name which will take a year or more.. and then after that, what petition we can apply? I know I cannot petition her til I become USC, so my husband thought if he can petition my daughter as step daughter.. We would go to the fastest way to get her..

Do you know an attorney? Any recommendation?

Thanks

That is incorrect that you can't petition for your daughter until you become a US citizen. File your Adjustment of Status after you get married. Then once you become a permanent resident you can petition your child. I suggest you read this : http://www.uscis.gov...000082ca60aRCRD & this Instructions of Form I-130 Petition for Alien Relative: http://www.uscis.gov.../i-130instr.pdf

But first off, you must take care of your daughter's birth certificate issues before you can petition her. Follow apple21's advice. Don't even consider going through Late registration of her BC. You are going to create a lot more problems by doing so.

Edited by let-it-be, 11 October 2012 - 10:20 PM.

let-it-be

Not Telling

Philippines

2012-10-11 22:15:00