ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Philippineswhere will be my POE?

hi everyone...i just want to know where will be my POE...ill be leaving on sunday...
my itinerary will be Manila to Guam....Guam to Houston with a stop over at Honolulu....Houston to Washington.
is Guam my POE? are the customs there gonna check my luggage...or in Honolulu?


Wow!! that is a looooonnnnngggg trip. How long will it last?

to answer I found the list of POE (see attached file) posted by CBP (http://www.cbp.gov/x.../toolbox/ports/)

It state there that Guam is a Class A POE (class A is for all aliens) so my guess is that Guam is going to be your POE.

Attached Files


bruno.MaleFrance2010-09-09 11:32:00
PhilippinesNot enough room on I-129F form

I noticed on the forms there isn't enough space in the boxes for some of the information i.e fiances name, address. what do i do? Also... For each question that doesn't apply to me like previous spouses i write N/A correct? and if i check a box No do i still need to write N/A in the description box for that question?


If there is not enough space you can handwrite instead, but it has to be readable so write nicely.

Personally, I wrote N/A everywhere but my fiancée wrote N/A only to the first question of a specific subject and we didn't have problem with either form so I guess both work as long as it is coherent.
bruno.MaleFrance2010-09-19 17:16:00
PhilippinesUSEM contact number
did it work??
jhilly143FemalePhilippines2010-12-21 22:23:00
PhilippinesWhat Marriage Certificate do I need from the Philippines
yes. certified true copy from the civil registrar is OK when submitting the I-130. thats what i did and our was approved. for the interview, however, you'll need the NSO issued marriage cert. :) good luck with everything

Edited by jhilly143, 22 December 2010 - 01:04 AM.

jhilly143FemalePhilippines2010-12-22 01:04:00
PhilippinesNVC grants expedite.Fwd case to Manila Consulate
3 hours after starting this topic i was able to clear things up. just a few minutes ago i was FINALLY able to get through the USEM and was able to talk to a HUMAN!!! she said that our case has been received electronically on dec.17. she said they are now waiting for the full paper case to be delivered so they can update our case. she also instructed me to call next tuesday or wednesday to schedule an interview appointment. she saw our case was expedited and she told me that they'll give us the soonest interview date in january. since our case was expedited through NVC she told me to bring all documents and the necessary payments to the interview. everything will be done at the US embassy on the date of our interview. i feel so relieved just knowing the consulate has our case even if its just the electronic file.
jhilly143FemalePhilippines2010-12-22 01:56:00
PhilippinesNVC grants expedite.Fwd case to Manila Consulate
by the way, what is the number to call to follow up on individual cases? the numbers i have i am unable to talk to a person..
jhilly143FemalePhilippines2010-12-21 23:14:00
PhilippinesNVC grants expedite.Fwd case to Manila Consulate
hello everyone.. i noticed most of the vj members here are K1. our case is a cr1. i sent in our petition to USCIS in oct and after 43 days it was approved since i filed for expedite due to emergent situation. next step is NVC. with cr1 petitions, all affidavit of support fees/packet and Immigrant visa fees/packet is handled at NVC. i also requested for expedite in NVC stage and it was granted. NVC said that our case is being sent to the manila consulate on dec17. we havent paid for the IV fees yet just the aos fee. from my understanding, steps that wasn't done at the NVC will continue in the embassy. I can't seem to find the right number of the USEM to find out if our case has been received or if it's been entered in their system. i'd like to schedule an interview online but unfortunately, that was unsuccessful. i read around here that we shouldn't wait for the embassy to send us letter through snail mail cuz that might take weeks, maybe months. i'm trying to be proactive here, but i can only do so much since theres not much to work with. how many more days or weeks should i wait until i get bwitchy (haha) for not being able to schedule and interview appointment.

thank u in advance for all the help :)
jhilly143FemalePhilippines2010-12-21 23:09:00
PhilippinesUSEM received electronic file
i was FINALLY able to get through the USEM and was able to talk to a HUMAN!!! she said that our case has been received electronically on dec.17. she said they are now waiting for the full paper case to be delivered so they can update our case. she also instructed me to call next tuesday or wednesday to schedule an interview appointment. she saw our case was expedited and she told me that they'll give us the soonest interview date in january. since our case was expedited through NVC she told me to bring all documents and the necessary payments to the interview. everything will be done at the US embassy on the date of our interview. i feel so relieved just knowing the consulate has our case even if its just the electronic file.
jhilly143FemalePhilippines2010-12-23 03:37:00
PhilippinesUSEM received electronic file

Have you asked people in the IR-1 / CR-1 Forum what you should do?


yes sir. since everyone is from different consulates, the answers were everywhere. hehe thats why i decided to try it out in this forum.

I HAVE AN UPDATE. i was FINALLY able to get through the embassy and was able to talk to a HUMAN!!! she said that our case has been received electronically on dec.17. she said they are now waiting for the full paper case to be delivered so they can update our case. she also instructed me to call next tuesday or wednesday (phil time) to schedule an interview appointment. she saw our case was expedited and she told me that they'll give us the soonest interview date in january. i feel so relieved just knowing the consulate has our case even if its just the electronic file.

Just in case:
the Embassy will be close from Dec.24-27. they return on the 28, 29 & 30. from the 31st of December until Jan 2 they will be off for the holiday. Regular hours resumes on January 3, 2011.

Have you asked people in the IR-1 / CR-1 Forum what you should do?


yes sir. since everyone is from different consulates, the answers were everywhere. hehe thats why i decided to try it out in this forum.

I HAVE AN UPDATE. i was FINALLY able to get through the embassy and was able to talk to a HUMAN!!! she said that our case has been received electronically on dec.17. she said they are now waiting for the full paper case to be delivered so they can update our case. she also instructed me to call next tuesday or wednesday (phil time) to schedule an interview appointment. she saw our case was expedited and she told me that they'll give us the soonest interview date in january. i feel so relieved just knowing the consulate has our case even if its just the electronic file.

Just in case:
the Embassy will be close from Dec.24-27. they return on the 28, 29 & 30. from the 31st of December until Jan 2 they will be off for the holiday. Regular hours resumes on January 3, 2011.
jhilly143FemalePhilippines2010-12-22 04:35:00
PhilippinesUSEM received electronic file

Kind of makes it exciting, when you do finally get it it's like winning the lottery..LOL


i cant wait for that feeling! i know i was extremely happy when we got our NOA2! hehe..does it compare? haha.. my case is different. we have cr1. usually the IV and AOS fees are paid in the NVC stage but since we've been expedited through NVC and was told our case is being sent to the consulate in manila. i dont know if we should treat it like a k1 and pay the IV fees at BPI or should we wait for the instructions from USEM. i'm really confuse. i dont want to just sit here and wait for the letter to come. i heard some dont receive it. i think this is by far the worst feeling since starting this journey. soooo close, but yet soooo far. i cant get through to an agent to let us know if our case has been received or if it's been entered in the system :(

Edited by jhilly143, 22 December 2010 - 12:13 AM.

jhilly143FemalePhilippines2010-12-22 00:10:00
Philippinesnew xoom code

I just received the code again - that is the 3rd time within a week that they have emailed me the same code. :bonk:

Since they sent me the code 3 times - do I get 50/50/50 off the fee? :rofl:


how i wish that was the case. i received it 3 times this week too haha..i just used the code right now ..available for pick up within 3 minutes :)
jhilly143FemalePhilippines2010-12-23 03:41:00
Philippinesnew xoom code

We fell for Xoom's lie about transferring money "instantly", and tried their offer for the first transfer free.

They confirmed when I was done and said "your money is on its way". So on the strength of two lies in a row, I told our family in the Philippines the money had been sent.

Then we got an email that said the money would not be there for at least four business days. I knew they were making money from the exchange rate too, and I didn't mind that so much as the lies. Our family had already left for the day and we couldn't stop them from making the trip in vain.

I don't know if that is the normal length of time it takes to send money with Xoom, but I don't like being lied to, and they lied to us.


if it's your first time sending money through xoom and u use your bank account it usually takes several days for them to verify with your bank. i used to use xoom but they are increasing their fee which i think is wack. it used to be 4$. anyway, if the money being sent is a large amount ($400+) then xoom will hold the money and verify with the bank first. if its less than 300$ it goes through and the beneficiary can pick up the money within minutes. i used to LOVE xoom, but now i dont use it much. i used LBC remittance instead. they have a ATM card and only charge $3 per remittance :)
jhilly143FemalePhilippines2010-12-21 21:06:00
PhilippinesMY UNFORGETTABLE INTERVIEW EXPERIENCES
congrats te! im so happy for u. still waiting for an interview date :(
jhilly143FemalePhilippines2010-12-22 00:30:00
PhilippinesOnline scheduling.
update: we received our confirmation letter for the interview. jan 11. sorry i kept typing jan 10. its actually for jan11 at 7:15am. the gentleman i spoke to was very nice and he let me pick the date and time . at last! we're almost there!!!
jhilly143FemalePhilippines2010-12-28 05:12:00
PhilippinesOnline scheduling.
i called first thing when the appointment center opened. the guy tried to schedule me for feb 15. i told them our case is expedited so we'll need an earlier slot. he asked me what date i need. i said any time mid-january. he gave us jan 10. now we're just waiting for the confirmation letter that will be sent to our email address. hope it comes in soon!
jhilly143FemalePhilippines2010-12-28 04:20:00
PhilippinesFederal Poverty Guidelines for the Remainder of 2010
this is the 2010 poverty guidelines from USCIS website :thumbs:
jhilly143FemalePhilippines2010-12-30 12:02:00
PhilippinesINTERVIEW SET, MEDICAL TOMORROW

Congrats :dance:

Doing the medical on a Monday is always crowded & doing the medical on a Monday after the holidays - it will be packed.


my husband went in the afternoon. they were able to accommodate him quickly :)
jhilly143FemalePhilippines2011-01-03 02:14:00
PhilippinesINTERVIEW SET, MEDICAL TOMORROW
yey! thats great news. my husband's interview will be on jan11 at 7:15am. he's doing his medical on the 3rd. i'm sure there'll be a lot of people there. poor guy hekhek.. :devil:
jhilly143FemalePhilippines2010-12-30 12:05:00
PhilippinesInterview requirements--help please
u still have time to get another copy of all the said documents. it's always better to get at least 2 copies of everything in times like these. start gathering your NSO documents and NBI NOW so you'll have it in time for your interview! good luck girl :) :thumbs:
jhilly143FemalePhilippines2011-01-04 00:09:00
Philippineshow much is the Visa delivery fee in Manila Embassy?
thats good to hear! the visa fee is expensive enough! haha :thumbs:
jhilly143FemalePhilippines2011-01-04 03:43:00
Philippineshow much is the Visa delivery fee in Manila Embassy?
hello everyone.. just curious how much is the fee at the US embassy in Manila to get the visa delivered? u can pay in pesos right? and do they offer next day pick up of the Visas?

thanks in advance! :)
jhilly143FemalePhilippines2011-01-03 23:55:00
Philippinesairline ticket
http://santraphael.com/home.php is a travel agency in manila. they have great prices for one way and first time travelers. huge promo as well if you or your loved ones are flying in Feb instead of january. i found a ticket for my husband for $579 including tax (not airport taxes like the terminal fee etc) from Manila to LAX, direct flight with philippine airlines. hope this helps :) good luck :thumbs:
jhilly143FemalePhilippines2011-01-08 04:09:00
Philippinescheapest ticket
http://santraphael.com/home.php is a travel agency in manila. they have great prices for one way and first time travelers. huge promo as well if you or your loved ones are flying in Feb instead of january. i found a ticket for my husband for $579 including tax (not airport taxes like the terminal fee etc) from Manila to LAX, direct flight with philippine airlines. hope this helps :) good luck :thumbs: :thumbs:
jhilly143FemalePhilippines2011-01-08 04:10:00
PhilippinesScheduling the Interview - Manila
hello everyone.. i noticed most of the vj members here are K1. our case is a cr1. i sent in our petition to USCIS in oct and after 43 days it was approved since i filed for expedite due to emergent situation. next step is NVC. with cr1 petitions, all affidavit of support fees/packet and Immigrant visa fees/packet is handled at NVC. i also requested for expedite in NVC stage and it was granted. NVC said that our case is being sent to the manila consulate on dec17. we havent paid for the IV fees yet just the aos fee. from my understanding, steps that wasn't done at the NVC will continue in the embassy. I can't seem to find the right number of the USEM to find out if our case has been received or if it's been entered in their system. i'd like to schedule an interview online but unfortunately, that was unsuccessful. i read around here that we shouldn't wait for the embassy to send us letter through snail mail cuz that might take weeks, maybe months. i'm trying to be proactive here, but i can only do so much since theres not much to work with. how many more days or weeks should i wait until i get bwitchy (haha) for not being able to schedule and interview appointment.

thank u in advance for all the help :)
jhilly143FemalePhilippines2010-12-21 23:07:00
PhilippinesWarning - Interview Scheduling Manila
when i sent the interview packet to my husband i used USPS. it cost $30 3-5 days delivery. unfortunately i took 7 days to reach my husband so he missed the interview on jan 11 at 7. we had to wait 9 days to reschedule another interview, and thats after calling the appointment center twice a day, for 8 days! they kept saying our case is still tagged so the embassy needed to untag it first. i finally called the embassy and after a couple days we were able to reschedule. i was asking about downloading a new appointment letter and the lady at the embassy said there's no way i could unless it gets picked at st. lukes. i asked if it try online or call the appointment center if they would be able to help me and she said no. she said the embassy scheduled it and not the appointment center so our records would not appear in their system. anyway, we have a new schedule on jan27. the appointment service center didn't help much nor did the online appointment system. good luck to everyone!
jhilly143FemalePhilippines2011-01-21 23:29:00
PhilippinesSo My Case is on its Way to Manila and...
when i called NVC they said that on dec 17, 2010 they sent our case to the manila embassy. after a week i called the embassy and they said they received it the electronic file on dec17 and they are just waiting for the documents in the mail. i was informed to call back in 2-3 days to schedule an interview and when i did i was able to schedule one :) when we were able to schedule i was so happy i didn't care to ask when they received it hehe. i guess in total give it about 9-10 days. NVC and the USEM website has the # for the embassy listed as (02) 301-2000. ext 5184 and 5185. they will only pick up between the hours of 2-4pm manila time. ext 5185 never worked for me, and on ext 5184 there's a really nice lady that is very friendly and willing to help u out. good luck with everything. if u need anything let me know . :) you're almost there!!! hehe :thumbs:
jhilly143FemalePhilippines2011-01-23 01:07:00
PhilippinesAsiana Airlines
whats wrong with LAX if POE is there?

i found an airfare promo for first time immigrants from MNL to LAX non stop with Phlippine airlines for $655. its from this travel agency in manila.

Edited by jhilly143, 26 January 2011 - 06:31 PM.

jhilly143FemalePhilippines2011-01-26 18:29:00
PhilippinesMedical at St Lukes
I really appreciate all the feed back, No, she does not have any relatives or friends in Manila, and we were talking about a pensions house for her to stay, she did that before a few years ago when she went to work in Taiwan. You know it is not the money so much, do not get me wrong, this process is testing the old wallet, ha ha ha, but I actually care about her, she is a little nervous about traveling back and forth since she does not know Manila.

The CFO seminar can be conducted in Cebu??? where does she go or who does she contact to be able to get that done? If understand what you saying, if she gets it done before the interview, then she can get the stamp when she goes to the interview. Do I have that correct?

Thanks!!!!
mark&rhizMalePhilippines2009-08-06 13:56:00
PhilippinesMedical at St Lukes
Hi....thank you all very much for your input. I am just trying to see what I can...or we can...to make this process as simple as possible....hahaha...nothing in this process is simple really...hahaha.

I do not know about..."CFO seminar:.....is that a seminar that she is REQUIRED to attend?

Again...thanks for you assistance ladies!!!!
mark&rhizMalePhilippines2009-08-05 11:40:00
PhilippinesMedical at St Lukes
Hi......My fiancee lives in Cebu City...of course the medical exam is at St Lukes in Manila....I was wondering if it would be better if she waited until a few days before the interview to get her exam done. It is costly to fly back and forth...once for interview and once for medical...so I was wondering if she could do both in same visit to Manila? Or would it create some problem at the interview because it was not done weeks before?

I will be going for the interview, but I can not go for both, unless it was done at the same time/visit. Any ideas, or help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

We are getting closer.... kicking.gif kicking.gif
mark&rhizMalePhilippines2009-08-04 12:00:00
PhilippinesMY INTERVIEW EXPERIENCE.... GOT PINK SLIP!!!
congratulations good.gif good.gif

I wish you are the best and God Bless!!!
mark&rhizMalePhilippines2009-08-06 14:36:00
PhilippinesUSC doc;s for embassy interview (K-1)
QUOTE (frostysoftyeaton @ Aug 6 2009, 01:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My fiance, now husband only sent me his recent bank statement and during my interview they didn't bother to ask for it. But sometimes it's better to be prepared. Good luck!



Thanks.....I appreciate it, I just did another post about tax returns if they needed to be notarized....i appreciate your input...take care

oh...congratulations of your coming addition to the family.....god bless!!
mark&rhizMalePhilippines2009-08-06 16:58:00
PhilippinesUSC doc;s for embassy interview (K-1)
Hi

I am putting the final touches to the documents I am sending to my fiancee for her embassy interview. I am retired, I have drafted a letter with my own heading, stating I am retired and I have a letter from the retirement system that I first received stating my eligibility. I am also submitting all of my 2009 pension stubs. I have the last 3 years of taxes and w-2's. I meet the support criteria, no problems.

I have been told I need to submit the last 12 months of bank statements or a letter from the bank. The bank is not going to give me, and I can obtain the statements, most I have already, but I was wondering if I needed 12 of the last statements, when my taxes and w-2's show income for the year of 2008? I was considering just sending bank statements for the year 2009.

Any advice or comments would be greatly appreciated, thanks

Mark
mark&rhizMalePhilippines2009-08-06 13:41:00
PhilippinesInterview Doc's
Thank you all very much!!! I appreciate you time.
mark&rhizMalePhilippines2009-08-07 17:02:00
PhilippinesInterview Doc's
I am just putting together my packet to send to my fiance for her interview. I keep going over and over them just to make sure I have not omitted anything. I was told I should have the 1st page of my tax return notarized. I got tax transcript from IRS , so it has all my information on their letter head etc. They said it meets the requirements of USCIS, of course this is the Embassy (State Dept), so I was wondering if any one else notarized their tax form.

Thanks!!!
mark&rhizMalePhilippines2009-08-06 16:54:00
PhilippinesAt&t Cell Phones connection
Hi...thanks for the feedback.

Yes, I am calling the same way 011 etc, etc. I have called this number for months and months, and yes at times I would get a drop call, but most of the time can get through. But now, i just got done spending over an 1 hour on phone with trouble shooters at at&t, and they can not figure out what is the matter. I have gotten a phone card, and I can call using it, I can call using my home phone etc, but not at&t cellphone international. When my fiance wakes I will get her mom's phone number call it and see what happens. This is just another frustrating day in the life of a VJ'er, ha ha ha.

Take care!!
mark&rhizMalePhilippines2009-08-13 15:46:00
PhilippinesAt&t Cell Phones connection
I live in San Diego and I have At&t iphone with international capabilities, for the last 6 months. I use my cell phone to maintain contact with my fiance in Cebu. I have not been able to contact her using my cell phone, I keep getting recording says..."The country I am calling all lines are busy". Yet, I am able to make a call from my home phone, no problem.

I have called At&t and they just tell me there is storms in phils and that it is just busy because of lack of lines available. We can also still receive and send texts. I do not think it is a problem with lines, I think there is some thing wrong with my service.

I was wondering if anybody else has At&t cellphone international capabilities and are you encountering the same problem? Any info is greatly appreciated. I wanted a little more info from people before I stormed the at&t office, ha ha ha.

Thanks
mark&rhizMalePhilippines2009-08-13 12:42:00
PhilippinesMedical Completed
Hi...thanks....I can not wait to make the appointment, because once we have that date, then I will be making flight arrangements for heading back to my Rhiz...It has been so long since we have seen each other....I am happy... kicking.gif heart.gif biggrin.gif

No, I have not forgotten about the CFO seminar. Since she lives in Cebu, she will attend that once she has the visa....which I hope is not that far from happening.
mark&rhizMalePhilippines2009-08-18 11:38:00
PhilippinesMedical Completed
Hi everyone....I just wanted to say that Rhiz has completed her medical exam at St Lukes. kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif ..everything went fine for her, she said all the people their were very nice and treated her good.

So now we are just waiting for the Taiwan Police report to arrive so she can make her interview appointment. I am getting very excited, we are getting closer and closer to being together. Hope every body else has smooth sailing, God bless!!!!
mark&rhizMalePhilippines2009-08-18 10:27:00
PhilippinesJust found out my girl passed the medical!!!
QUOTE (rockhouse @ Aug 19 2009, 06:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Just talked to her. She said she passed with no problems! She had to get 3 vaccines, all included in the medical fee.
She said that the guard at the clinic needed her NVC letter for the MNL #, and the lady inside needed her "appointment letter" email from the embassy.
She said that it was super-busy, like 200 people in the clinic.
Anyway, she passed and we are praising God right now. Now her and her mother have an extra day in Manila to celebrate along with 8,000 pesos! good.gif


Congratulations!!!! good.gif good.gif
my fiance just past her on the 18th. She said same thing, people were very nice and helpful....but there were a lot of people, she got there at about 5:30 or so, and she was 132....hahaha.

Well, very happy for you both!!! kicking.gif kicking.gif
mark&rhizMalePhilippines2009-08-19 12:48:00