ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
PhilippinesCFO Seminar Experience
Nice review. Same as the experience my wife had.

Just want to share that you can take a companion with you. They may not be able to go inside for the seminar, but there is a waiting area in the basement/parking area. With a/c and a tv. I got tired of sitting in the little room, so i spent some time outside, but i had a fair amount of freedom to move around. There were some other foreigners there outside waiting as well.


bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-05-17 03:56:00
PhilippinesComing to America on a K1 and a CR1
When I researched for fun to see if we would have problems if we wanted to stop in south Korea for a day or two, I found that it would be OK. As long as you have a visa to the us, Filipinos can stay in Korea like 15 days. Nothing needed for transit. Thats looking at manila - seoul - Chicago. You should have no issues.
bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-06-02 04:26:00
PhilippinesCFO news
CFO is for all immigrating Filipinos. Under, like, 12 years old there is no need for the seminar, but still have to register.

If you go to the Philippines to pick up your daughter before you leave for the us, you will need to do CFO as well. Won't let you leave without the sticker once they see your visa. Was a Lady we met when we went to do the wife's CFO that was stopped from boarding the plane to Denmark(?) With her husband, even though she had been there for 10+ years already.

CFO is not that bad. Good info, and you get to meet new friends. Wife thinks its worth it. :)




bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-06-01 23:11:00
PhilippinesWhy CFO? Human Trafficking for one.
In the class my wife went through, they told of at least a couple stories of filipinas that were prolly saved by CFO.

Was one filipina stopped from boarding to Singapore(I think) when she said she was meeting her foreign boyfriend. Lots of questioning and they finally called him, since he was waiting for her. Instead of asking why she was being held up, or what the delay was, first question he asked, where is the box you're bringing? So they ask her, where did you get the box? His friend here gave it to me to take to him.

Yep, was being used as a mule. Prolly would have been left alone in a strange country after delivering that box, at best.

There is some good info, there is some outdated info, and there is some info that we can discount because others have done it (she was told that when we get to poe, we can't go through the line together, must be separate lines) .

Overall, CFO is worth it, as mentioned, sometimes there is a rough story come out of there, but that is by far the exception, not the rule.








bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-06-02 20:49:00
Philippinesi want to move to phil.
If you have enough money to start your own business then you might be OK, but you need to figure on it being self sustaining, and whatever number you come up with for startup capital, double it.

It ain't easy here, especaily if you don't like eating fish and rice three meals a day. The government does not help you out when you're poor like in the US.

Take a step back and plan ahead. Visit for a month, live like a Filipino, then decide. If you can't afford to do that, you need a new plan.




bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-06-06 19:27:00
PhilippinesPlease udpate us for any interview slot opening
I guess I'm the only one having issues with the site.

Log in and it shows an open date, get to the calender page, and it still says the same date is open, but I'm staring at a no appointments available notice.

Even times that there are slots, the date it says is not the earliest.

Annoying.






bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-06-02 20:59:00
PhilippinesWhat airline would u recommend
I flew with united and ana for my first trip, both ways. Ana was good both ways, united was OK on the flight to Japan, but the flight home was not as good. Maybe I was just away from Americans too long.

I came back on asaina. Were hoping to fly home together on asaina. I liked their service, and the wife wants to see south Korea. Just my opinion.


bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-06-17 07:05:00
PhilippinesNEED HELP!DS 260
If it says current address, put your address here in the Philippines, if it asks for an address abroad, put your address there in the us.

If I remember right, we only used our address here in the Philippines when we filled it out.


bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-06-17 06:53:00
Philippinesgot 221g from Interview Today-CR1 Spouse Visa

okay thank u i guess i can email or call them.

this is so depressing, i was so looking forward to get this paper work done and be with my husband soon and now it seems like another "10 years" of waiting...

does it take a month? or less than that? im hoping if i could provide my nbi asap it will only take atleast a week or two to get my visa



Is that 10, or "48 years" of waiting? :)

Sorry, just trying to lighten the mood. Hope it all gets settled for you. Best wishes.

Edited by bendinlar, 19 June 2014 - 07:30 PM.



bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-06-19 19:28:00
Philippinescheap hotels by st. Lukes
Were at soriente now. Can book right on their site for 1799/night. Nice place, half block to st Luke's.
bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-07-13 20:02:00
Philippinescheap hotel by CFO manila

There is a pinned thread at the main sub page under "HOTELS, Manila". There are over 4,000 entries. You can do a search from that same page; just look up to the left of the page and you will see a box that says "search" it can be your best friend. Need I say more.

 

45,000 views, 85 replies. ;)

 

But yeah, lots of good info there.


bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-07-14 05:58:00
PhilippinesNbi aka names
The new format seems to be where the confusion lies.

When filling out the paper form the space for last name says father's name, then muddle is mothers maiden name, then there is a spot for husbands family name. When I filled out the online form back in April, the spot for husbands name was not online, its fixed now.

Looking back, and after seeing the paper form, it seems as though it should be filled out as it sounds, in the maiden name, adding the new family name to the end, then in the aka apace, putting the maiden name without the new last name.

Knowing what I know now, I'd say to put them all on there, to cover the bases. ABCD,ACD,and ABC. Plus any others you need to add.

It seems confusing, and as mentioned, it seems to depend on how picky the CO wants to be.

Best wishes to everyone, hope this experience helps someone save some time in their journey.










bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-07-18 16:38:00
PhilippinesNbi aka names
As for the questions asked, same standard things they ask others. Just her name, bd, how we met, where, etc. Nothing out of the ordinary.

Don't worry, you'll do fine on that part.


bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-07-17 06:07:00
PhilippinesNbi aka names
I know they require the maiden name and married name, just the first time I've seen it come up that they want all four names. The nbi we gave them was in the married name, VTL, with the aka listing the maiden name of VCT. They want to have those both, as well as VCTL.

Just seemed strange to me, had not seen anyone say that format required of them.


bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-07-17 06:01:00
PhilippinesNbi aka names
We got it back in April, or may, but picked it up last week cause it was ready the day after we left back to Mindanao.

We just tried to get another one and the same thing is going to happen, its going to be ready after we leave, so were going to the main nbi office tomorrow to get it taken care of.


bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-07-17 03:47:00
PhilippinesNbi aka names
It seemed as though they wanted all the names. Vtl, vct, and vctl.

Like I mentioned, I don't know if this is a new thing or not, but they did not like the vtl with the aka for vct. Beware if its new. Could be a lot of delays coming up if so.


bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-07-17 02:27:00
PhilippinesNbi aka names
I know the nbi needs to have the maiden name on it, but have they been asking for an nbi with the "full" name on it for long?

Wife was V C T, then we got married, so now its V T L. We got an nbi with those names, but the embassy wants an nbi with an aka for V C T L. Is this normal?

If not maybe we can save someone a couple weeks with a heads up on a new procedure.

Edited by bendinlar, 17 July 2014 - 01:23 AM.





bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-07-17 01:22:00
PhilippinesOpen Interview dates in Manila embassy tracking

for some reason, im still having issues with seeing the date on the dashboard, but getting o the calender page and there not being any dates. just for fun, i clicked on the returning resident priorty category, and what do ya know, the dashboard is showing me the dates available for returning residents. wondering if im the only one having this issue? planning on emailing the embassy to see what their take is on it. were ready to rock and roll now, heading to manila on the 8th to get the medical done, and praying that there is an open interview spot that shows up on or after the 13th.


bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-07-02 19:37:00
PhilippinesRapidVisa -
Try filling out the forms yourself, if you get overwhelmed or think its too much, then decide if you want to ask questions here or pay someone. Its pretty easy once you get into it, self explanatory.

We did it all ourselves. As have many here.


bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-07-23 22:15:00
PhilippinesK Packet
Last year after we filed for a k-1, before we changed course,we got the letter the embassy sent out. It took forever to get here, but it got here. Then when we canceled the k-1, they were nice enough to send us each a letter saying the petition had been sent back to USCIS via nvc. Thanks for the evidence of living together. We also got the letter saying our DCF petition was approved. Yeah, I'm still shocked that were getting our mail.
bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-06-03 22:51:00
PhilippinesManila Airport - Which Immigration line?
If you're trying to get the balikbyan one year stamp, you need to be together, which line, I still don't know, but in theory it would be the Filipino line.
bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-07-05 05:44:00
Philippineshi
Keep watching it. As mentioned you might catch a cancelation. Book a date that you can work with, and then watch to see if a better date pops up. It happens, but most dates that do pop up are on short notice, my theory is cancelations from slec.
bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-07-29 01:47:00
PhilippinesDiscount Hotel
We stayed at hotel soriente a couple times now.

Really close to slec, and about 10 min walk to embassy. Plenty of restaraunts nearby, McDonald's, chow king, there's a puregold Jr right there, and a 10 min or so walk to Robinson's ermita. Their price is the same online or if you walk in. 1799/ a night. Can book online and pay with a cc, they never asked for the confirmation just our name. Booking right on their site is cheaper than going through agoda. We liked it, big rooms. They get a lot of traffic from slec.

But yeah, check out the hotel thread too, lots of recommendations there.




bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-07-28 17:01:00
PhilippinesNBI Clearance Results
On a side note, last year when we went to get an nbi while still planning on the k-1, there was a dry seal on it. The two we got this year, no seal.

Don't know if its because the one last year was in butuan and the new ones were in manila, or if procedure changed.

Just thought I'd share.




bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-08-03 00:50:00
Philippinesdocumentation to establish that you have received vaccinations
We also put no. Simple explanation- Have not completed medical yet.
bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-08-03 09:06:00
PhilippinesMedical exam and interview scheduling

you need at least a week.

 

the medical, as mentioned, is usually 2 days, if youre one of the first in the door, you might get it done in one. slec is the only place to get it done, and according to the embassies website, and slec's website, it should be done at least a week before the interview. i saw somewhere that said 2 weeks, but only saw that once. some have gotten lucky and had the medical done the day before and somehow the results made it to the embassy in time for the interview, dont count on that happening.

 

embassy interview is one day, but plan an early morning.

 

for your situation, i guess two trips would be in order. leave after work, if you can get a flight, or early am, and head right to slec after checking in, and do the second day, then fly home.  hope that makes sense.

 

interview is about the same, fly in the night before, do the interview, then head to the airport.

 

best wishes, hope it all works out for ya.


bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-07-30 03:39:00
PhilippinesExit Permit from Bureau of Immigration
Nope. No visa yet. 221g at interview, cosponsers packet was late getting here, plus the nbi and a letter from me explaining why I have not filed my taxes ror last year yet. Checking ceac constantly and hoping this computer stuff is fixed soon. Praying for it to be done in the next week or so.
bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-08-01 00:31:00
PhilippinesExit Permit from Bureau of Immigration
I was told I could get my ecc at the office in butuan. Same day, like, 5 mins they said. Only 300 if I remember right, I prolly don't, but it was not much. Just needed 5 2*2 pics.

That's for a tourist visa, been here for a year. I think you might have gotten some bad info. Or someone has a friend at the travel agency they recommended.

As to the op's issue, I think the easiest thing to do is get the hubby and kid their Philippine passports. Seems like the simpler route to me. The other ways prolly involve a lot of fees and penalties for overstaying, for both of them.

Both counts, just my opinion based on limited knowledge.






bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-07-31 11:40:00
PhilippinesHotel Near SLEC
Another vote for hotel soriente. Stayed twice. 1,799 a night. Half block from slec. Nice, clean, might stay there again in the future.
bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-08-08 11:19:00
PhilippinesMedical Schedule
Welcome. For a good review/walkthrough, see the pinned topic on here, if you have not yet. Pretty accurate from my wife's experience.
bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-07-30 05:58:00
PhilippinesMedical Schedule

you can do the medical anytime you want. they say to do it at least a week before, so they have time to get the results to the embassy.

 

the only concern is that the visa validity is tied to the medical, so if you do it 5 months before the interview, youve only got a month after the interview to get to the states. know what i mean?

 

so, yeah, go do the medical so you can stop worring about it. ;)


bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-07-30 03:45:00
PhilippinesBringing Baby to Philippines
If the baby is Filipino, get the kid a Filipino passport. Can stay as long as you want.

Without doing that, just like any other american, 30 days visa free on entry, with extensions to a tourist visa.

If your hubby can meet you out of the country, you could all enter together and get the bb stamp, that makes ya all good for a year.

Just a couple options. Best wishes.

Edited for spelling. Stupid autocorrect.

Edited by bendinlar, 09 August 2014 - 01:00 AM.









bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-08-09 00:58:00
PhilippinesWhich cellphone for Philippines?
Second the send money, let them get phones here in the Philippines. All the current iPhone models are available here from the big carriers.

But if you've got your heart set on it, a gsm phone. Ie, att or T-Mobile. Unlocked so they can put in a sim here from their favorite carrier.

There may be some issues with the lte bands on the us vs. overseas models, so don't expect high speed internet. 3g tops with most us spec.

So, ya can do it, but overall, best to just let them get it here. Then there's not an issue with getting support after the sale. I can't get my us spec iPhone 5 fixed here, gotta take it back to us.

Edited by bendinlar, 11 August 2014 - 01:47 PM.







bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-08-11 13:45:00
Philippinesvisa packet envelope with diagonal cut

what is the purpose of this Diagonal cut other than to scare the living daylights out of anyone who receives a VISA Packet knowing that it's NOT supposed to be opened.. sometimes I feel the U.S. government does this stuff just to be annoying, this whole process is annoying and ridiculous in my opinion. We have 12 million illegals here and it takes 6 months of red tape, stress and hoops to get your fiancee here. It should take 1 month max. 
 
 


Security. Make sure its just papers inside.

bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-08-12 06:16:00
PhilippinesHow to change visa delivery address after the interview.
OK, so the tracking info just showed up on 2go.

Shows the delivery set up for pickup at our selected outlet in CdO, not MoA as setup previously.

So it appears as if this works. In our case at least. :)




bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-08-13 06:51:00
PhilippinesHow to change visa delivery address after the interview.
Yeah, I'm still gonna keep an eye on it. I will definitely follow up on this and let y'all know if it works as they have promised.

Worst case it goes back to the embassy after 5 days at MoA. Hoping not.


bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-08-11 11:06:00
PhilippinesHow to change visa delivery address after the interview.

221g

 

That is a temporary refusal. For us it was because the cosponsors packed was delayed due to glenda, an issue with the nbi we provided, and a letter stating my reasons for not filing my 2013 taxes yet.

 

We sent the requested documents, and waited for a couple weeks. Now we have issued status on ceac, and are waiting for delivey.

 

There are other issues that can cause a 221g refusal, late medical, need more evidence, just to name a couple.


bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-08-10 23:18:00
PhilippinesHow to change visa delivery address after the interview.

So we had the visa set up to go to MoA, but we got a 221g, so we were not going to be in manila when the visa is finaily ready. We went back to Mindanao.

 

Tried calling 2Go, and emailing the embassy, with no results.

 

Then this morning, I called 2Go, and they told me I had to call the embassy. So I did. The lady told me to send an email to the appointments address.

 

 

So, for future reference, if anyone needs to change the delivery options after the interview, start by sending an email to ivmnlappointments@state.gov. Put the name and case number in the subject line.

 

Hope this helps someone. :)


bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-08-10 22:45:00
PhilippinesDelta Airlines moved to Terminal 3 ???
Terminal 3 was started like,15 years ago. It was supposed to be the new international terminal.

Pal express and cebu pacific are the main airlines flying out of there, and ana was flying out of term 3 last year.

It is a modern and up to date airport. Yes, there are some gates that you board a bus and ride to your plane, but those are on the domestic carriers. And just a few. Not many.

Now terminal 4, yeah, that's old school. That's the domestic terminal. Might as well be in the province.

Pal flies out of terminal 2. Domestic and international.








bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-08-11 13:01:00
PhilippinesMedical Exam Manila - Best day to go?
Many on here say Thursday is a good day to go. As long as you don't have minor children. No need to be in line at 4am, we got there 6-6:30 after the doors were opened and the line was inside already. Didn't seem to make the day any shorter to be early.

But doing the pre-registration we do recommend. Gets you to skip a step or two at the start.

Bring a book. A thick one. You're gonna be waiting, a lot.




bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-08-11 22:59:00