ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
PhilippinesSt Lukes and Embassy
It's gonna be a long 8 weeks waiting for the results, but hope for the best! Hope the results come back negative, and she gets her visa! God Bless!
Filipinawife0210MalePhilippines2010-07-07 15:06:00
PhilippinesPlane ticket

Please help me.


I am looking online for an agency where I can a cheap plane ticket bound to Los angeles.

Please help me. My husband wants me to be there between December 18 or December19.



www.bt-store.com , or www.kayak.com Good luck. Christmas fares from Manila are going to be HIGH.
Filipinawife0210MalePhilippines2010-12-08 19:44:00
PhilippinesNSO MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE(MARRIED ABROAD)
If I am not mistaken, when a document is duly authenticated, it will have a red ribbon around it. Someone can correct me if I am wrong...
Filipinawife0210MalePhilippines2010-12-09 15:05:00
PhilippinesCENMAR question
I think that because the PI is such a high fraud country, and anything can be forged/reproduced...that they require both just to make sure that all info is identical. Such as....someone may be able to obtain a fake CENOMAR just for the sake of getting a visa, and when they run the marriage index...Bingo Bango, there is a marriage listed....

just my two cents worth. :thumbs:
Filipinawife0210MalePhilippines2010-12-09 09:26:00
PhilippinesHave we gotten lazy?

:thumbs: Indeed.

If the foreign SO is itching to fly to the US or obtain immigration status, then they do their part. If the foreign SO wants to get involved in the paperwork and research for the sake of understanding the process and supporting the USC all the way, then so be it. If the foreign SO is educated enough and wants to lead, fine.

It's strange that your wife needs your reminder even to get her NBI clearance. If your foreign SO just lets you do it all, it's their call. It's about personal preference. I wouldn't be surprised if you fill out her SSN application form for her. You should teach her to be confident, not to rely completely on you. When will she learn?



My wife doesn't need reminders. I give thjem to her just to nudge her a little. But, most of the time she has everything in hand before I need to say everything. She has learned already. She's not relying on me entirely, I chose to handle all of the paperwork. She was having some problems with a couple of the forms, so I jumped in.
Filipinawife0210MalePhilippines2010-12-10 15:08:00
PhilippinesHave we gotten lazy?

your point probably would have been taken better if you had said some USC's. I'd guess the vast majority of petitioners are involved in the process from the beginning to the end.



I agree with this 100% I know that the vast majority work it through. Problem is I never said ALL at all in any of my posts. In order to be considered a stereotype, you need to consider ALL of a different group to be one way or the other....I never said ALL petitioners were lazy, and although I admit to generalizing about Filipinas and literacy in English...I do apologize for that....I never said that they were incapable of filling out the forms. I have read and re-read my posts, and am still dumbfounded as to why happydinlove is so upset.

Admin Please close this thread. I do not wish to offend the masses.



Disregard please.
Filipinawife0210MalePhilippines2010-12-09 16:04:00
PhilippinesHave we gotten lazy?
Admin Please close this thread. I do not wish to offend the masses.
Filipinawife0210MalePhilippines2010-12-09 14:57:00
PhilippinesHave we gotten lazy?

Check your weapon soldier coz it just misfired!!!

I take offense with your presumptive stereo-type and generalization of the Filipina and Fil-Am couples.

Is my perspective clear enough for you?

And I know my husband would not want to be included with your "WE" representation of USCs.


Noone else has taken offense. Maybe that should be your first clue.
Filipinawife0210MalePhilippines2010-12-09 14:31:00
PhilippinesHave we gotten lazy?

Yeah, I don't really follow the threads close enough to know what's being asked by whom, but even if I did, I don't think I could jump to any real conclusions about their commitment to the process with a clear conscience. If I were to generalize though, I'd say a lot of these beneficiaries (pinays) are well educated and probably have better reading and cognitive skills than their USC counterparts, but that's just me.



I agree with with the last part of your post too. I find myself wondering whether the OPs on some posts are the beneficiary, or the USC. It's hard to tell sometimes.
Filipinawife0210MalePhilippines2010-12-09 13:10:00
PhilippinesHave we gotten lazy?

Feeling full of yourself today huh?! Having some low self esteem issues lately? A 9-5 "JOB" may be nothing to you but it is to others. Why are you puffing up your chest about a 12+ hours work shift?
If that's your measure? Then how about try owning a business like my husband does where, it becomes a lifestyle and instead of a job. Don't judge somebody until you walk in their shoes.
There's more to life than just punchin' a clock.

Well...la-dee-daah! Good for you for being such a GOOD reminder (director). My husband and I worked together...we each did our own part and cooperated throughout the process.
I didn't need to be "reminded" bcoz I could handle the things that I needed to do on my end. VJ served as a great resource for both of us.

I think you should compare apples to apples. Apparently your wife was incapable of being much help throughout the visa process.
That doesn't mean those of us "Filipinas" that are capable, are married to "LAZY" spouses.

You need to put things in proper prespective!



Thanks so much for the scathing response. If your hubby and you worked together, great, this post was NOT aimed at you. It is aimed at those who are too lazy, and leave their beneficiary hanging at the most critical parts of the process.

Seems to me, you replied to me in this same manner on another post some time back. If a post does not apply to you or your hubby, you have every right to ignore said post, rather than take unnecessary offense and flame the OP for forming opinions based on what has been observed by others.

I have put things in the proper perspective. I have never stated that ALL kano petioners are lazy, only some. And did not say that ALL Filipinas are incapable of filling out the forms.

As for my wife, she has been a tremendous help. She has done everything that has been required from her, and had it to me before I even needed. Maybe you should take a lesson in judging others before you pass judgement of your own. Simple reminders do not make a person incapable.

Also, if you feel a need to defend someone who is not the target of a post, or feel offended when said post doesn't apply to your situation...I should think you might be the one with self esteem issues. Just saying.
Filipinawife0210MalePhilippines2010-12-09 13:07:00
PhilippinesHave we gotten lazy?

That's a bit presumptuous. Unless a beneficiary has specifically said that they are doing all the paperwork on their own, there's no way to tell how involved the petitioner is with preparing the paperwork. The fact that many beneficiaries are getting involved and asking questions here is a good thing, IMO. That means they are less likely to be in-the-dark about the process.



Understood :thumbs: But, it seems that there are quite a bit of beneficiaries who are trying to fill out forms that are required at the USCIS stage of the process. I can wholly understand about being panicked at the interview stage, or even the pre-interview stage, just to make sure everything is filled out correctly. But, if the petitioner was as involved as they should be, the paperwork should be squared away ahead of time. It just seems that a lot of beneficiaries are left hanging once the package leaves US soil, and heads for where ever it's going. Asking questions is ALWAYS welcomed, and recommended. Especially on this site. As I stated the advice given from the seasoned VJ veterans is priceless compared to even an immigration lawyers advice.
Filipinawife0210MalePhilippines2010-12-09 12:49:00
PhilippinesHave we gotten lazy?
Thanks for all of your replies.

First and foremost, a 9-5 job is nothing. I am in the military, and have been on 12+ hour shifts more than I care to count. However, I have never been too tired after a normal 10 or 11 hour day to get things done when it came to my wife's petition. I basically put everything on a timeline of my own, and would remind my wife when she needed to go to NSO, or NBI, or whatever. I know that a good number of the pinay SOs on here are just researching, but I feel total pity for the folks that come to us for advice because they are panicking, rather than having their lazy a$$ed USC SO do the research for them. Although I know that with the time diffference, if they return from am interview with an RFE, they will come here first because their hubby/wife may be sleeping.

Anyways, thanks again to all for your replies.
Filipinawife0210MalePhilippines2010-12-09 09:16:00
PhilippinesHave we gotten lazy?
I have read a million posts on this site, and here in the PI regional forum, there seem to be more SOs in the Philippines handling their own paperwork, rather than their kano counterparts. I don't know...maybe it's just me, but I think that our kano bretheren have gotten lazy. The paperwork is a maze of chaos for even a well educated American to fill out, let alone leaving it to a nervous/anxious Filipina who can hardly understand the language, let alone read, and write it. I feel for these young ladies(and some gents) that are left to fend for themselves, instead of having her/his American SO by their side helping every step of the way.

I filled everything out for my wife, made sure it was right before I sent off for her signatures, and have already put together her interview package, so she doesn't have anything to sweat other than going to the interview, and coming home with the pink, or whatever color slip they hand out now. I've asked my fair share of questions along the way, and will probably have more, but I think that the answers are easier to understand from kano to kano.

Nuff said. I just wanted to get this off my chest. It's been bugging me for a while now. Thank you on behalf of the Pinay SOs who ask and receive such awesome answers fromo you VJers. Your help is immeasurable to these young ladies and gents.

Peace and Happy Holidays!
Filipinawife0210MalePhilippines2010-12-08 20:15:00
PhilippinesMarried Filipinos who send money to family back in Philippines

<!--quoteo(post=3509293:date=Nov 21 2009, 09:58 AM:name=Hopp)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Hopp @ Nov 21 2009, 09:58 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=3509293"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=3508397:date=Nov 20 2009, 12:28 PM:name=rlogan)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (rlogan @ Nov 20 2009, 12:28 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=3508397"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--><b>It's not because he's Filipino. It's because he's a bum. He will have to be thrown out. It is the only way to better him.</b><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->


C'mon, you are being too hard on him. Why not give him a hand up, instead of a hand out. Give him a loan to start up a Sari Sari store, and teach him to fish, instead of just giving him more fish.

<b>Kanos are also national heroes by sending regular remittances to the PI every month. </b> The heat is so tropical and oppressive every day of the year, it just saps out all your energy. This is why it is hard to work there. You are lucky to stay cool and sweat free during the day.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I almost choked on my drink when I read this. I'm a Kano living in the Philippines for the past several years and I can tell you for a fact, Kanos are NOT looked upon as heroes by people here. When my wife and I go out to the mall we hear people whispering 'pok-pok' (Tagalog slang for #######) and making other rude comments. When we go to the store, the 'hero' is charged 2 to 3 times what a humble local is charged. When you watch the news, Kanos are portrayed as meddling foreigners that are taking advantage of the Pinoys. Just listen to how Kanos are referred to when it comes to the VFA treaty.

People treat Kano money as a hero but have little use for the Kano themself.

As for the brother, sorry, he sounds like a bum to me. The father worked on the house, where was the brother? The father is now working a job, what is the brother doing? Probably sitting on his #### drinking Red Horse and waiting for the next remittance to come in so he can hit the sabungan with his buddies. There are plenty of hard-working Filipinos from all economic backgrounds but the brother in this story sure doesn't sound like one of them.


Well said. I was floored by the snide remarks we heard walking in and around Manila. And yes, as soon as they see a Kano, the prices double on everything, even tricycle fares...

It is true that some of the Pinay get Americanized, and if you are on this site enough, it shows in some of their posts. I actually had one call my wife a cheap bar girl the other day. Ticked me off to say the least. I see it every day. The pinay wife who thinks because she married a Kano, is better than everyone else...trick is, she is in the States, living the dream, and is NO different than a Kano wife.

Now, to answer the tread, My wife and I have set an amount to send to her mom and dad. Her sisters and brothers all have jobs. Her mom and dad have been screwed over a time or two in their line of work because of provincial politics, but make due. We have agreed to send them 5000 pesos a month. My wife paid to build their house. So, they need money for fuel for their generator, and for food, and whatever else may pop up. It may seem a bit much, but honestly, they worked their asses off raising 5 kids, and deserve to retire a little early in my book. Raising a family in the province is no small task, and my wife and her siblings have all learned the value of hard work.
Filipinawife0210MalePhilippines2010-04-22 09:40:00
Philippinesnot allowed to bring for the hand carry baggage

OMG read your national airport traveling rules



OMG That was rude. :blink:
Filipinawife0210MalePhilippines2010-12-17 11:06:00
Philippinestime between med. exam and interview

What is the least amount of time in between and still have the med. results in time for interview in Manila?
I am thinking a Mon. and Fri.
I dont want to keep her away from family any more than needed since they work far away/ she won't see them for a while after coming to States.


From what I have read, most suggest a full week. Depending on how busy, and when she gets to St Luke's, medicals can take a day and a half to two days alone. Giving St Luke's 2 days to process, and forward the results may be tough. And, if her results are not there, she will still have to wait after her interview. As long as she is scheduled for her interview, she can go to the medical. Just my two cents.....
Filipinawife0210MalePhilippines2010-12-23 06:55:00
PhilippinesWhat should i do for my son get in the US embassy

Thank you very much Filipinawife0210. Yes i make it sure that i bring my son's interview appointment and explain to the guard that i need to bring my son with me in my interview.



:thumbs: Take a deep breath, relax and concentrate on passing your interview. No need to get anxious over other things. You'll be fine with him there. The pre-interviewer will more than likely ask, but may not..about your son. Tell her the same thing you tell the guard. No worries. :dance:
Filipinawife0210MalePhilippines2010-12-23 03:03:00
PhilippinesWhat should i do for my son get in the US embassy

Please help me. What should i do to bring my son to the US embassy. I have my interview schedule for Januray 4 and my 9 years old son interview schedule is January 5. Please help me because i am going to bring my son during my interview because i cannot leave him in the hotel. What should i do. I hope the security guard of the US embassy allow my son to get in for my interview schedule.
Thank you very much.



Make sure you have his interview letter with you when you get in line at the Embassy. I have seen threads on here, where children were allowed into the Embassy with the beneficiary. Take his Interview letter with you, and explain to the guard that he is scheduled for the next day, and will be gooing to your interview with you.

Best of luck on your interview! :thumbs: :thumbs:
Filipinawife0210MalePhilippines2010-12-23 01:41:00
PhilippinesMerry Christmas!!!
Maligayang Pasko at Manigong bagong taon!
Filipinawife0210MalePhilippines2010-12-22 02:36:00
Philippinesfiancee is arriving in the philippines
The Center for Disease Control website will recommend any vaccinations. I went in February to marry my asawa, and had not problems. As stated the only reason for a visit to the Embassy would be for marriage paperwork. Otherwise, she can register with the Department of State travellers advisory site. Basically if something were to happen while she is there, she would be notified if she needs to evacuate the country, and will also be updated about any changes to current travel advisories. Have a great time with your fiance, and I hope she enjoys the Philippines as much as I did.

OH yeah, Make sure she keeps ALL of her ticket stubs, and receipts and take PLENTY of pictures for your visa petition. :thumbs: :thumbs:
Filipinawife0210MalePhilippines2011-01-10 03:45:00
PhilippinesOriginal Final Divorce Document Required?

Better safe than sorry so I sent it to her FedEx. $63! I don't want some detail to hold us up.


:thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs:
Filipinawife0210MalePhilippines2011-01-10 02:56:00
PhilippinesOriginal Final Divorce Document Required?
Yup, Certified copy of the original with raised stamp and the works.
Filipinawife0210MalePhilippines2011-01-07 02:37:00
PhilippinesMaybe retireing in the Philippines, I have some questions
IMHO, the easiest way is to use the Balibayan Status as stated above. Take a 2 day trip to Malaysia once a year, and be done with it. Not that expensive at all. You can find flights thru China Airlines for 3200PhP or so r/t per person.
Filipinawife0210MalePhilippines2011-01-10 04:01:00
PhilippinesMy marriage still has not been reported yet...im waiting for the nvc to forward my stuff to the philippines

Your wife may be asked to show the CEMAR at her interview and will show that you and her are married. I would suspect that NSO will want an original copy but aske them and see. The best way to send documents in my opinion is FedEX. Expensive but fast and reliable.


:thumbs: :thumbs:

That's right. The CEMAR will also show previous marriages, and if she was already married, they will want proof of annulment. The Philippines is a high fraud country, and the Manila Embassy has different requirements at interview than other Embassies. The CO can ask for whatever they want, and will RFE if they don't get it.
Filipinawife0210MalePhilippines2011-01-13 03:14:00
PhilippinesMy marriage still has not been reported yet...im waiting for the nvc to forward my stuff to the philippines

My wife has the original marriage certificate, can she register our marriage without letting them have our original copy? Or does she need an extra certified copy? What would be the best way to do it?



Send her a certified copy post haste. The quicker the better. Once she registers the marriage, she can get an idea of when to expect it to show up on her CEMAR. My wife's took about 2 weeks.Hope this helps.
Filipinawife0210MalePhilippines2011-01-10 02:54:00
PhilippinesMy marriage still has not been reported yet...im waiting for the nvc to forward my stuff to the philippines
Okay...let me see if I have this right. You and you wife married in HK. Your wife is currently in the Phils. Right? If so, all she needed to do was take the certified copy to the NSO, and fill out paperwork to register right there in Manila. There was no need to go through the HK Consulate. She could have done it herself.

Anywho. It can take up to a few months for the paperwork to meander it's way to the NSO. Hopefully they will have it soon...You might want to consider having the wife fill out the forms, and drop the certificate off at the NSO herself.
Filipinawife0210MalePhilippines2011-01-07 02:27:00
PhilippinesSome K1 Q's: Military member currently in Germany w/ Fiancee in Philippines
She won't need the CFO until she is approved for the visa.....
Filipinawife0210MalePhilippines2010-04-26 12:19:00
PhilippinesSome K1 Q's: Military member currently in Germany w/ Fiancee in Philippines
https://www.fcg.pentagon.mil/fcg.cfm

Here you go.....
Filipinawife0210MalePhilippines2010-04-26 10:17:00
PhilippinesSome K1 Q's: Military member currently in Germany w/ Fiancee in Philippines

They didnt ask for the marriage abroad thing from the commander. They just asked if i was military and I told them yes. That was all that was asked. If it would make you feel better by all means bring a letter from the commander, but that never came up when I went to the embassy for the affidavit.



Yeah, the Embassy doesn't give one iota if you have approval from your commander. The reason for the approval notice is for accountability, and to make sure that we don't give away any national secrets. Depending on which MDS you work, you have to report all of this info to your Security manager as well, especially if you are ono the SAR program for the F-22. Went through that ####### at Nellis.
Filipinawife0210MalePhilippines2010-04-26 10:08:00
PhilippinesSome K1 Q's: Military member currently in Germany w/ Fiancee in Philippines
You'll be pushing it with 14 days in country. It takes 10 days to get the marriage license from City Hall. I had 16 days in country. It took all of the ten days to get the license, and I had to leave 3 days after the wedding. It also takes 90 days to get the official NSO certificate of marriage. You can get a certified xerox copy which will suffice for the I-130 petition. As stated above, they will need your Affidavit in lieu of Legal Capacity to Marry and your passport to file for the marriage license. Expect at least 2 to 3 hours in the Embassy. I'll tell you right now, when you enter the Embassy, you are going to go straight down the main hallway, and take the last left. You'll enter a huge room...to the right of the glass windows, there is another hallway, go down this hallway into the back room, and on your right, take a red number. Wait for your number to be called, and follow the COs instructions....it can get confusing in the Embassy...but just follow the instructions, and you'll be fine. They only do the Affidavits from 7-11 am, so plan ahead!


You should be able to have your wedding in Manila. She can ask the Registrar in Davao, they should be able to provide the right answer.


My wife and I had a civil marriage. It went very well. The minister that performed the ceremony was very kind, and helped me out by doing a mixed Tagalog/English ceremony. We married in Quezon City. The reception was cheap by US standards, but we had a blast!

As for the letter of Approval...I didn't get one. I'm stationed in the States though. I know that just to go over there requires a ton of paperwork. PACAF is #######. All I had to do here, was get a country specific brief from OSI. There is a website for military international travel requirements....not sure of the link right now, but I will forward it to your message box when I find it.

Hope this helps. Good luck!
Filipinawife0210MalePhilippines2010-04-26 10:04:00
PhilippinesSome K1 Q's: Military member currently in Germany w/ Fiancee in Philippines

Hmm I guess I will have to talk to the personnel flight to see if I could still do this seeing my ex is still in the area and she was on my orders when I came back from korea...I just did a dependents remain overseas.

I dont know if they would do it in my case...but I guess all I can do is try right?



They only pay the voucher if they come to the states.
Filipinawife0210MalePhilippines2010-04-23 15:22:00
PhilippinesSome K1 Q's: Military member currently in Germany w/ Fiancee in Philippines
Also FYI, When you get your orders ammended, and she joins you in Germany, you DO get to file a voucher for her. Include all of your visa fees, and everything associated with getting her visa. You will also get reimbursed for her airfare, and she'll get per diem. Good to know info!
Filipinawife0210MalePhilippines2010-04-23 10:16:00
Philippineswhen can we schedule the interview?
NVC will shcedule your appointment. It is recommended that she go through the medical at least a week or so prior to her interview so the results will be back, and forwarded back to the embassy.
Filipinawife0210MalePhilippines2010-05-10 14:45:00
Philippinesrequirements to get marry in the philippines

You have asked all of these questions before on previous posts in this forum. click here for an example: http://www.visajourn...riage-question/

There were plenty more questions pertaining to marrying in the PI. Re-read all of your previous posts, and follow the guidance given by everyone back then!



My bad, this was posted in Feb. Didn't notice the date. Sorry. Disregard my previous post. :bonk:
Filipinawife0210MalePhilippines2010-05-25 15:30:00
Philippinesrequirements to get marry in the philippines
You have asked all of these questions before on previous posts in this forum. click here for an example: http://www.visajourn...riage-question/

There were plenty more questions pertaining to marrying in the PI. Re-read all of your previous posts, and follow the guidance given by everyone back then!
Filipinawife0210MalePhilippines2010-05-25 15:21:00
PhilippinesWhere's your hometown?
My asawa was born and raised in Cawayan, Masbate, in a little town called Villa Hermosa. Masbate is easy to recognize because it is the only province shaped like a gun. I was born and raised in Black River, New York, which is a small town in the North Country, about an hour north of Syracuse. We will live in Rapid City, South Dakota until I retire, at which time we will relocate to southern Arizona.
Filipinawife0210MalePhilippines2010-04-19 14:56:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsAbandoned K-1
Yeah, I was thinking of attaching a cover sheet explaining the K-1. I suppose I could send them a letter, which it states on the USCIS page to do if you wish to cancel a petition that has been filed.....six of one, half dozen of the other....
Filipinawife0210MalePhilippines2010-04-19 12:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsAbandoned K-1
I have a question regarding a K-1 I filed for my wife back in 2007. It was approved by USCIS, and forwarded to the Embassy in Manila. From there, we did nothing because I was deploying. So, long story short, will that be an issue when I file her CR-1/I-130?? From what I've read in other threads, it doesn't seem to be a problem, but I want to make sure. If I need to cancel the other petition, I would like to know.

Thanks again for all the good advice!
Filipinawife0210MalePhilippines2010-04-19 08:35:00
VietnamConditional green card sponsors son

Hi all VJs,

Can a "CONDITIONAL" green card holder sponsor her son here?Her USC spouse does not want to sponsor the stepchild.

Thanks


No. Only US Citizens may petition.
Filipinawife0210MalePhilippines2010-10-26 11:43:00
United KingdomNVC to Consulate time frame
Yup. Makes total sense now thanks. It's hard to trust a form letter from the NVC. I would go with the similar timelines from folks on here. 8-12 weeks at NVC sounds about right. Once approved, they will schedule your interview. I know I could be completely off base, because I am in the same boat as you. Our paperwork is also at the NVC. Good luck, and I hope it goes quickly for you!
Filipinawife0210MalePhilippines2010-10-10 12:51:00