ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
PhilippinesIf you are approved to pick up your visa at US Embassy Manila
I just got off of the phone about 15 minutes ago with Sandy at the embassy what a sweet and helpful person.

She said that since Mylene faxed her flight itenerary and my letter of request to pick up her and Ashleys visas in person that there shouldn't be a problem as long as Delbros hadn't already picked up the packets when she presents them (the intenerary and request letter) to the Consular Officer for approval.

I also asked if she could tell me the status of the visas and she said that all is complete, the visas were approved, and that the packets were still in the process of being "put together" (I assume that means the clear envelope and brown envelope).

She asked for Mylene's phone number so that she could contact her when the visas were available for pickup. She agreed that since Mylene and Ashleys' flights are leaving at 7:50 a.m. next Monday that she definately needs to pick the visas up in person.

She also informed me that there is a CFO office at the airport for stamps but she wasn't sure what time the CFO opened.

I have a couple of questions ..

For anyone that has picked up your visa in person at USEM, did they text you or call you?

Does anyone know what time the CFO office opens at the International Airport?

Thanks,
CB
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-09 20:04:00
Philippinesplease advise how to talk agent
To keep from hanging up and dialing over and over I just push the number 0 when the message comes up and it immediately redials the extension that you just dialed .. the last time I called I pushed the number 0 a total of 31 times but I got thru without hanging up and redialing.

Good luck,

CB
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-09 21:50:00
PhilippinesBayview Park Hotel
http://www.bayviewparkhotel.com/

Tel No: (632) 526-1555 local 1707 or 1759;
Direct Line: (632)526-1538 / 525-1855
Fax No: (632)521-1285 / 521-2674
Toll Free No: 1800-1888-5555
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-10 21:47:00
PhilippinesMylene just got the call ..
WooHoo .. Just got the call from the embassy less than a minute ago to pick her visas up before 3:00 p.m. today .. :thumbs:

Visas, PTA taxes and CFO stamp today .. Heritage Hotel Sunday night .. Airport Monday morning .. St. Louis International Airport with me Monday night

You couldn't wipe this smile off of my face with a bulldozer .. good luck to everyone out there ..

(BTW .. mylene had the black consular officer for the interview, she said he didn't smile but was very kind .. be confident if you get him .. :) )
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-10 21:30:00
PhilippinesMylene Has Her Ashleys Visas In Hand ..

cONGRATULATIONS CB... :) wishing u all the hapiness....BTW whats the number that you used to call the embassy when you checked on mylenes visa?...thanks cant seem to find it......sorry i know your probably busy and excited...hope you'll still find time to reply....thanks


Manila Embassy (Immigrant Visa Unit) | 011-63-2-528-6300 dial 7 (that you know the extension) 5184# .. every time that the recording says "the person on that extension is on the phone" hit the number 0 and it will immediately redial that extension so you don't have to hang up and redial... works like a charm, but you may have to use the number 0 ALOT of times as the embassy is very busy, but eventually you will get thru.

Good Luck
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-12 18:31:00
PhilippinesMylene Has Her Ashleys Visas In Hand ..

CONGRATULATIONS !!
Donnie, you better start cleaning house....
You have less than 5 days !! ;)
Mylene and Ashley have a safe trip to illinois.


LOL .. that statement in itself is so funny you wouldn't believe it Roger ..

I had a cleaning crew in the house today to make everything perfect .. hehe

Thanks everybody,
CB

Edited by CountryBoy, 11 July 2007 - 04:30 PM.

CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-11 16:29:00
PhilippinesMylene Has Her Ashleys Visas In Hand ..
Thanks everyone for your help along our Journey .. I hope that our experience can help someone else here get thru the process ..

Mylene and Ashley will arrive ON my 40th birthday .. Monday, July 16, 2007 .. now how is that for a birthday present? :dance:
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-11 06:04:00
PhilippinesPTA .. Paying Philippine Travel Tax

Just some questions ..

Mylene's flight leaves at 7:50 a.m. on Monday and she was asking if the PTA Counter at the airport will be open in the weee hours of the morning, she is planning on going there at 3:30 a.m. and would like to pay at that time instead of making a special trip to Ermita.

Also, if she does go to Ermita to pay the tax, she wanted to know if photocopies of the passports will be accepted as she doesn't want to take the passports there due to the number of snatchers?

Does her daughter have to accompany her to pay the tax since she will be traveling too?

What other documents does she need to take? Flight itenerary?

What is the address in Ermita?

Thanks,
CB


my flight then was 6:00 am and i was there around 3:30 or before 4 at the terminal 2... paid them both pesos and dollars (not enough pesos in my pocket lol)... so base in my experience they're open 24 hrs. :unsure:


Thank you so much for answering that question for me .. :thumbs:
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-12 23:36:00
PhilippinesPTA .. Paying Philippine Travel Tax
Just some questions ..

Mylene's flight leaves at 7:50 a.m. on Monday and she was asking if the PTA Counter at the airport will be open in the weee hours of the morning, she is planning on going there at 3:30 a.m. and would like to pay at that time instead of making a special trip to Ermita.

Also, if she does go to Ermita to pay the tax, she wanted to know if photocopies of the passports will be accepted as she doesn't want to take the passports there due to the number of snatchers?

Does her daughter have to accompany her to pay the tax since she will be traveling too?

What other documents does she need to take? Flight itenerary?

What is the address in Ermita?

Thanks,
CB

Edited by CountryBoy, 12 July 2007 - 11:20 PM.

CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-12 23:19:00
Philippinesjust to remind incoming interviewee/s

actually i personally did not experience this...but while sitting down and waiting for my turn to be interviewed by the consul i couldn't help looking and overhearing a fellow k1 applicant being grilled by one of the pre-screeners...her documents were all over the window were they do pre-interview not only that she was asked a lot of questions that i cant seem to recall already...the pre-screener asked alot of evidences from her (phone call records, pictures recent and past, emails, cards/ letters almost all of it) and she was questioned of the wrong entries she've put on the forms.... the time i was waiting for my turn to be interviewed by the consul until the time i came out, she was still there being grilled by the pre-interviewer...i just hope she passed the interview....anyway, i am not sharing this to scare future incoming interviewee/s but just to remind them as what other vj users always say it is always better to be overly prepared than under prepared coz pre-interviewers in the embassy are diffrent from each other..others are lax others are strict and other are super strict....i guess im one of the lucky ones i went overly prepared and they only opted to look at the pictures me and my fiance had. i even offered him all the other supporting evidences i still have with me but he said no need to.....another thing, check and again double check the entries you put on the forms....if you dont understand what they're asking for then it wont hurt to ask around...research...BTW thanks sheriff uling ur guidelines helped me alot :) also to other vj users.......during the interview try to be as calm and relax as possible (i know its not easy) but do your best dont let them rattle your composure....and always smile :)

GOod luck to all who are scheduled to be interviewed!!!........



Thats why I plan on flying over and being with my honey for the interview. They wont pull the rough up treatment on this American or my bride to be. I cant believe guys let their gals go though this alone. The most important day and you let you gals go through it by themselves???

Not me! I plan on being there to support her and make sure no one intimidates her.


You are so much better than me, I guess I should bow to your superiority ..

Get a life and don't judge others ..

CB
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-12 23:51:00
PhilippinesHelp me explain something
Orion44,

This reply is really long winded .. hope you can follow it .. :lol:

Can you plan the wedding for a short time after the interview? How about after receiving the visa?

I'm just thinking that if you plan it this way then everything is legit at the time of the interview and/or receipt of the visa and it still gives you time to get married in the traditional manner while she is still in country but before coming to the US.

If you have the visa in hand would it hurt anything if you were legally married in the Philippines? Is the wedding something that is planned out for a LONG TIME? Would she be willing to wait until the after the visa approval, after the plans are made, after the invitations are sent out, and until after the wedding ceremony before coming to the US?

I don't know what your work schedule or finances provide for, but if you use this route she may have to go to the interview alone (I don't even know if you are planning on attending) so you would only have to make one trip, would this be ok with her?

I know that everyone wants to come to the US very soon after the issuance of the visa, and I'm sure that you want to bring your fiancee home with you if you plan on attending the interview, but I don't think that will matter if she holds your decision not grant her wish against you for the rest of your life. To some it is a religious issue, to others it is insisted on by the family, and yet to others it is what they have always dreamed of; waiting an additional week or month to be together in the US will be worth the wait if it makes your Mahala happy.

Sorry I couldn't advise on how to explain it to her, I just hope that there is a way to make you BOTH happy.

Just a thought,
CB

Edited by CountryBoy, 12 July 2007 - 07:55 PM.

CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-12 19:54:00
Philippinesto those who are waiting for their visa.....
congrats .. :thumbs:
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-11 01:57:00
PhilippinesMylene's Interview Experience ..
You are all welcome, I just hope it might help someone.

CB
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-14 06:29:00
PhilippinesMylene's Interview Experience ..
Just a couple of notes about Mylene's interview on July 9, 2007 .. Hopefully it will help some here ..

Mylene said that once she was inside the Embassy all of her worries went away. She spent most of her time assisting other filipinas in organizing documents and answering questions, all of which she had knowledge of from the great community here at VJ.... :thumbs:

Submitting the DS Forms

Mylene said that organizing your DS documents in the following order is very important... She was given this information by an employee of the embassy while waiting inside to be called to turn in the forms and it worked perfectly...

1.) Appointment Letter on top
2.) DS-156k filled out
3.) DS-156 that was filled out online (with barcode and picture glued) 3 pages
4.) DS-157 with the bank validated copy, filled up (remove the stapled paper from the form and keep it)
5.) Second copy DS-156 filled out online (with barcode and picture glued) 3 pages
6.) Second copy DS-157 not validated copy

When she submitted the documents in this order, they took the documents, gave her her queue number, and told her to have a seat and wait for her name to be called .. no problems whatsoever. Other beneficiaries didn't have the forms filled out completely, didn't have the bar code version of the DS-156, didn't have their picture pasted to the DS-156, had the documents all out of order .. all of this lead to the process of sorting, correcting, and organizing by the embassy employee which made it take them alot longer.

The Finger Scan

Very simple, just wait for your name to be called, go the appropriate window, and get your fingerprints taken.

The Pre-Interview

Mylene had just completed her fingerprints and went to the restroom; when she came out her number was flashing to go to window 14 (I think). Mylene thought there was a problem with her finger scan and she was going to have to redo it or something so she cocked off some smart azzed comment to the filipino at the window. Little did she know that she was being called for her pre-interview ... lol ...

I don't know if her smart comment cought the pre-interviewer off guard or what, but he gave her a funny look and said, "Maam, I'm only asking you some questions." with a smile on his face. He then asked her for the petitioners proof of support paperwork, (this was in flexible plastic with everything suggested to include on VJ plus 5 years of tax returns - he took out the I-134 and 2006 tax return), her Japanese Police Clearance, he asked to see our pictures together (but only looked at it thru the glass and said he didn't need any of the pictures), NBI, Cenomar, Birth Certificates (for her and Ashley).

The whole process was very fast and painless; the filipino pre-interviewer was very professional, respectful, and kind.

NOTE: Mylene commented on the way that some of the filipinas were being treated badly by the pre-interviewers. In some cases the beneficiaries were lacking evidence or the evidence that they did have was very unorganized, things like that .. the pre-interviewers were very rude to these girls ... maybe Mylene was just lucky to get the "nice guys" at the embassy, but I'd be more apt to say that she was treated so well because she was so well prepared. (I sent in ALOT of evidence with my petition initially and she had TONS more for the interview. Not only that, the evidence that she had with her for the interview ... she knew where every item was at and could pick it out within seconds upon request)

The Interview

Ashley (5 years old) was playing during the entire interview process with the CO and wasn't asked a single question. Just as a point of reference because he was the only one there, Mylene's interviewer was a black man. Mylene said that the CO never smiled during entire interview but spoke respectfully to her and was very much a gentleman. He asked her a few questions about when we met online and in person he looked at our pictures at this time he asked what I do for work, he asked to see her engagement ring, he asked about her flight to the US and when we plan to get married, he asked when my birthday was (the day her flight arrived in the US ... woohoo). He said that he had no more questions for her (this is when she should have given the request to pick up the visas in person and a copy of the flight itenerary, but she didn't .. ugh .. oh well, after several calls to the embassy made by me and a fax to the embassy made by Mylene we got it all straightened out in the end .. 2 days after her interview she had the visas in hand) She also asked if their visas were approved and he said, "Not until I get Ashleys medical and passport." (they were misplaced for a while but were found while Mylene was still at the embassy)

Releasing

Mylene was called to window 37, this is where they stapled her queue number, pink slip to pay delbros, and interview appointment letter together and gave it to her. They also returned alot of the original evidence that I sent with the I-129F petition; she asked why they were returning the evidence and they told her that they had plenty. This is also where she read the word APPROVED written on her documents.

Paying Delbros

Very simple, take the pink slip from the releasing window and pay Delbros.

Go Home and WAIT

Picking Up the Visas

Mylene was called in the morning on July 11, 2007 to be at the embassy to pick up her visas that afternoon before 3:00 p.m.. She took a seat and was waiting for someone to come to the window where she was told to report for picking up the visas, time kept going and noone came to the window. At 2:00 Mylene explained to a security guard why she was there and told him that she had been waiting for a long time but noone had come to the window, he said, "Maam, just take a seat and someone will call you. At 2:30 she went to window X and she explained it to the filipina there .. she told Mylene just to knock on the window and someone will come. Voila .. it worked Mylene had the visas within minutes.

Side Note

Other things that might have helped Mylene during the process; Mylene's middle name (her mothers maiden name) is the same as one of the people that handled her(this was discussed between them); also Mylene's last name is Luzon and some the employees were kidding her .. "Do you own Mindanao and Visayas too .. or just Luzon?"

Whatever you do, be well prepared with your documents and have plenty of evidence .. also be confident with your answers to the pre-interviewer and CO.

Good Luck,
CB and Mylene

Edited by CountryBoy, 12 July 2007 - 06:25 PM.

CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-12 18:24:00
PhilippinesWhat will Mylene need bring to the Manila Airport
Just for everyones info .. K-2 visa holders under 12 years old that do not go to the PTA office and get a reduced tax certificate will have to pay the full 1620 instead of 810 if paying at the airport.

BTW .. Mylene is on the Airplane now awaiting takeoff from Manila in 12 minutes... WoOhOo :dance:
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-15 18:36:00
PhilippinesWhat will Mylene need bring to the Manila Airport
Mylene's plane is leaving Monday morning and she will be paying the PTA travel tax when she goes there .. what does she need to bring with her to get her daughters tax for 820 instead of 1640 since she is only 5 ...

Please only reply if you know for sure ..

Thanks,
CB
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-14 12:50:00
PhilippinesPhilippine travel tax

If ticket was purchased in the US, travel tax is not included there. Most tickets bought in the Philippines have the travel tax included in the fee.

Travel tax for Economy Class: p1620.00
Travel tax for First Class: p2700.00

Terminal Fee: p550
Security fee: p200

So if you're flying Economy, you will be needing a total of= p2370.00 and for First Class= p3450.00. You can pay the travel tax at the Philippine Tourism Authority at T. M. Kalaw St., Ermita, Manila (DOT Building) or at the PTA counter at the airport.


I'll ask the question again since it wan't answered originally .. does anyone know if the PTA counter is open late at night .. like 3:00 a.m. ...

Thanks,
CB
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-12 21:50:00
PhilippinesPhilippine travel tax
Is the PTA booth open late at night to pay this tax?

Thanks,
CB
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-12 06:02:00
PhilippinesVisa Pickup

What are the chances that the embassy would allow visa pickup? My friend's interview will be on July 26 and she's wondering if its possible for her to pick up their visas (her and two kids) a few days after the interview supposing they'd be approved. She's not a VJ'er, I dont know how this works so I hope anyone from this forum can shed us some light about this matter. Thanks in advance! :help:


This discussion is going so many different directions that I will reply to the original post and hope that all in need of any info that I may have is read by those who need it.

For your information I was not present at the interview and Mylene was allowed to pick up the visas 2 days after the interview even with our extenuating circumstances.

My strategy was to purchase the plane tickets to fly out of Manila 1 week after Mylene's interview. She would then present the itenerary and a letter of request to pick the visas up signed by me (the petitioner) to the Consular Officer at the time of her interview, however my wife (fiancee at the time) was nervous and shy thus she didn't present either at the interview. This resulted in a number of overseas calls made by me to the embassy ..

The person with whom I spoke at the US Embassy Manila said that if it is an emergency (plane tickets purchased) and the request is made to the Consular Officer at the time of the interview that the request will usually be granted if all of the paperwork is in order.

As I stated previously Mylene was shy about presenting the documents at the time of the interview thus I called the embassy and talked to lorraine, she said .. "Your fiancee should have given the request and itenerary to the CO at the time of the interview" .. but she didn't. I finally convinced her to allow Mylene to fax the documents with a cover letter to her attention with Mylene's cell phone number on it. Lorraine then personally took the request to the CO that interviewed Mylene and he signed the authorization for her to pick it up. This all must be completed before the paperwork ever makes it to the Delbros desk (not before your fiancee pays them, just before they get the contract to deliver from the embassy personnel)

Mylene's interview was on Monday, they called her cell phone on Wednesday morning to pick it up between 1 and 3 pm the same day.

I'm not sure Lorraine would do this again, so I highly recommend that your fiancee present the letter of request and flight itenerary at the time of the interview with the CO (not the pre-interview with a filipino). Don't be surprised if your fiancee gets put on AR for her Cenomar or some other paperwork that is missing as it is not unusual, but it doesn't seem to take very long to correct these issues. It will just mean rescheduling the flight if it is already booked.

Good Luck,
CB
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-26 16:10:00
PhilippinesInterview done but on AR
Wow .. talk about close timing .. sorry to hear about AR, but glad to hear that the PC arrived .. congrats, may you be together soon.

BTW .. be ready for MJ to experience some major culture shock, we are going thru it now but hopefully everything will fall into place.
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-08-05 21:09:00
Philippineshelp please

If you tell me which entries will not fit (and by how much) I will attempt to change the form field sizes for those boxes and post the updated pdf file to a website.

CB

P.S.: I will probably be able to increase the box size by a letter or two at most on some boxes and/or turn off the plus signs if the entry would fit in its absence.


For the adventurous refer to the link below to fix the form yourself... :thumbs:

http://www.visajourn...showtopic=55919



hi there...its because my pdf version is just 7 not the version 8.1...im not sure if i can download the new version here at the office..since everything here needs to pass the IT department and the administation..things like that....mostly was the year..they can not see the last digit because it was covered by the (+) sign...though upon looking you can still figure out that its 2004 for 2004 things like that....im sorry if im making it so complicated..im just so worried....i know maybe most of us experienced that...

thanks so much...have a nice week ahead..


try this one ..

http://www.fiddlers.us/g-325a.pdf
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-15 21:47:00
Philippineshelp please
If you tell me which entries will not fit (and by how much) I will attempt to change the form field sizes for those boxes and post the updated pdf file to a website.

CB

P.S.: I will probably be able to increase the box size by a letter or two at most on some boxes and/or turn off the plus signs if the entry would fit in its absence.


For the adventurous refer to the link below to fix the form yourself... :thumbs:

http://www.visajourn...showtopic=55919

Edited by CountryBoy, 15 July 2007 - 09:10 PM.

CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-15 21:07:00
PhilippinesThanksgiving in America
Mylene made some rice pudding for an early Thanksgiving party Sunday .. yummy ..

For thanksgiving day we will be at my sisters home, but Mylene is planning on making Bico (sweet rice) and Lumpiang Shanghai .. they have all had her lumpia before and absolutely love it, but I think that the bico will be another crowd pleaser.

CB
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-11-13 21:08:00
PhilippinesWho among you have tried eating BALUT?
QUOTE (smoke20 @ Oct 8 2007, 03:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
OMG! can someone tell me how balut is pronounced? so i don't agree to trying it w/o knowing what i'm agreeing to.



Bah Loot
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-10-09 06:13:00
PhilippinesWho among you have tried eating BALUT?
A picture is worth a thousand words ..






CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-10-07 23:19:00
PhilippinesChinese Drug Stores in Manila
I am having a hard time finding a specific dietary supplement that my wife uses. It seems that she can only get from a chinese drug store (for a reasonable price) and I know that they have carried it in stock but getting phone numbers for chinese drug stores in the Manila area has been quite a hurdle.

If anyone knows of phone numbers for said places of business in or near Manila (makati, etc.) please post them here or email them to me at meds@fiddlers.us.

As well, if you know of any NAMES and SPECIFIC LOCATIONS of chinese drug stores please forward these to me as well and I will find out the phone numbers.

It would be better if these places are not in a mall, because EVERYTHING is more expensive in a mall, but I'll take whatever I can get.

Thanks,
CB
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2008-03-30 09:18:00
PhilippinesManila Embassy Interview/Visa Status

Success at the interview!

My fiance's interview was last Friday July 6th. I am with her in Manila staying accross the street from the embassy. Everything went smoothly and at the end of the interview I presented a letter to the CO requesting that my fiance pick up the visa in person. Today she received a call from the embassy informing her that the visa will be available for pick up tomorrow! It will be 5 days total including the weekend since the interview. We are both relieved and joyfull. Thanks for all the support from the VJ community. We will be able to make our flight home next week now!

The only thing left to do here in Manila is to get the CFO stamp after she picks up the visa tomorrow. I guess we need to figure out where to go! :blush:

Kevin and Jena


Awesome Kevin .. Congrats
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-10 06:16:00
PhilippinesManila Embassy Interview/Visa Status

Has anyone used a printout of their appointment info from the embassy website to get in at St. Luke's?

Kathlene's interview is June 6 and neither one of us has received her packet with the interview letter. I am wanting her to leave this weekend for Manila and get her medical as soon as she gets there.

The NVC call center said she had to have the original letter, but I have heard others say they will accept a printout of the appointment info.

I still can't believe they forwarded the papers on the 22nd (this past Tuesday!) and set her interview for the 6th! But if she can get her medical in early next week, I will express all the other paperwork to her in time for her interview.


Mylene called the St. Luke's Extension Center (morning) and requested to pick her packet 4 up there .. SLEC called the embassy to have it forwarded there and it arrived the next day (afternoon) .. she went there with her passport and picked it up. if Kathlene wants to take the medical at the time that she picks up her packet 4 she will need the additional documents that are listed in the K-1 Guide pinned at the top of the Philippine forum ..

As a side note, Mylene picked up her packet 4 from SLEC on Wednesday (manila time) and fedex delivered the original Friday (manila time)

Good luck with Kathlene's interview and medical .. :thumbs:
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-05-25 16:27:00
PhilippinesManila Embassy Interview/Visa Status

:crying: I sent off my affidavit of support and other documents Fedex Saturday (on the truck to be delivered already, awesome!). I don't know how, but even after checking it, I think I blew it. On question 10. That I have submitted a visa petition(s) to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on behalf of the following person(s). If none, state none.

I stated: None

Ummmm, do I need to do it again, get it notarized, and rushed to the Philippines before June 5?


You answered it correctly ..

:)
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-05-22 20:19:00
PhilippinesManila Embassy Interview/Visa Status

We've had successful petitioners who were new in their jobs. Just make sure you send your fiancee your last 3 pay stubs prior to interview and latest W2 and ITR . I think what the embassy does is based on your latest payslip, they multiply your salary by 12 months to estimate if you meet poverty guidelines even if your last year's income did not quite make the guidelines. What is important to them is how much you are making at the time of your fiancee's interview.

You are wise to try to make the I-134 on your own. Use co-sponsor only as a last resort.


PW,

In the quote above you are specifically stating that the petitioner needs to submit paystubs, could you please reference a document where paystubs are requested by the embassy? This is the first I have heard of it and it may be an issue as I have my child support, charitable contributions, credit union deposits, insurance, union dues, retirement, additional retirement, my mortage payment, and vehicle loan payments taken out of my paycheck before I get it therefore my net income is WAY lower than my gross and it looks like I don't make alot, but my only responsiblities after the dedutions is food, entertainment, and utilities.

In leu of paystubs I have a letter from my employer .. a government agency.. on government letterhead stating my lenth of service with the agency, my monthly salary, my annual salary (at least 4 times amount stated for poverty level for our number of family members), the amount of life insurance and disability and dismemberment insurance that I have, etc., etc., and it is signed by the director of personnel with all of his relevant contact information.

I also have a letter from my financial institution stating that I have in excess of 5 figures deposited in an account (the letter states the actual amount), it also states the amount that I have deposited in the past year as well as my current balance in all accounts, how long I have had accounts with them, the types of accounts, etc. It is signed by the president of the bank with all of the relevant contact information on letterhead.

I also have my last 5 years tax returns and W-2's that I will be submitting.

I hope you cannot produce the document that I requested, but if you do I guess I will have to write an explanation letter about the amounts that are deduced from my paycheck.

Thanks,
CB

BTW .. Mylene's interview is July 9, 2007 .. not July 4 :)



Hey CB the form we are talking about is the I-134 for K-1 applicants. It is one of the methods. It is best I hear to include as many of the options as possible to avoid questions or the dreaded 221(g) asking for more information. From what I have read it would seam you are in good shape with your income levels.

My issue is I have changed jobs in the middle and making just a few thousand under the 125%. Was really hoping to squeek by as I have next to no liabilities but it would seem I need to show some more income or use my kids home as assets...another thing I did not want to try as my ex-wife is on the paper work still. Oh well what ever it takes my baby will make it home. Come to far to let this little thing stop me....lol. Good Luck sound like your just a few blinks away!


Shaggy474,

Thanks for the kind words .. the wait has definately been a long one.

As far as the I-134 goes, quoting directly from the document (actually copy/pasting from it)

II. Supporting Evidence.

As the sponsor, you must show you have sufficient income and/or financial resources to assure that the alien you are sponsoring will not become a public charge while in the United States.
Evidence should consist of copies of any or all of the following documentation listed below that are applicable to your situation.
Failure to provide evidence of sufficient income and/or financial resources may result in the denial of the alien's application for a visa or his or her removal from the United States.

The sponsor must submit in duplicate evidence of incomeand resources, as appropriate:

A. Statement from an officer of the bank or other financial institutions where you have deposits, identifying the following details regarding your account:
1. Date account opened;2. Total amount deposited for the past year;3. Present balance.

B. Statement of your employer on business stationery, revealing:
1. Date and nature of employment;2. Salary paid;3. Whether the position is temporary or permanent.

C. If self-employed:
1. Copy of last income tax return filed; or2. Report of commercial rating concern.

D. List containing serial numbers and denominations of bonds and name of record owner(s).

The lack of inclusion of paystubs is what had me worried that it might be an issue with the Manila Embassy only. Hopefully PatientlyWaiting can enlighten me about the issue when she gets the chance.

Good luck with your support issue .. I heard a story a while back where a petitioner rounded off their income to $30,000 annually and the minimum required to be at 125% poverty level was over 30k but less than 31k. The process was put on AR by the Manila Embassy until the petitioner submitted evidence that his true income was above the required.

Basically what I am saying is that squeeking by isn't an option at Manila; hopefully you can prove in grand fashion that supporting your fiancee will be no problem whatsoever.

Thanks for the reply,
CB
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-05-22 19:20:00
PhilippinesManila Embassy Interview/Visa Status

We've had successful petitioners who were new in their jobs. Just make sure you send your fiancee your last 3 pay stubs prior to interview and latest W2 and ITR . I think what the embassy does is based on your latest payslip, they multiply your salary by 12 months to estimate if you meet poverty guidelines even if your last year's income did not quite make the guidelines. What is important to them is how much you are making at the time of your fiancee's interview.

You are wise to try to make the I-134 on your own. Use co-sponsor only as a last resort.


PW,

In the quote above you are specifically stating that the petitioner needs to submit paystubs, could you please reference a document where paystubs are requested by the embassy? This is the first I have heard of it and it may be an issue as I have my child support, charitable contributions, credit union deposits, insurance, union dues, retirement, additional retirement, my mortage payment, and vehicle loan payments taken out of my paycheck before I get it therefore my net income is WAY lower than my gross and it looks like I don't make alot, but my only responsiblities after the dedutions is food, entertainment, and utilities.

In leu of paystubs I have a letter from my employer .. a government agency.. on government letterhead stating my lenth of service with the agency, my monthly salary, my annual salary (at least 4 times amount stated for poverty level for our number of family members), the amount of life insurance and disability and dismemberment insurance that I have, etc., etc., and it is signed by the director of personnel with all of his relevant contact information.

I also have a letter from my financial institution stating that I have in excess of 5 figures deposited in an account (the letter states the actual amount), it also states the amount that I have deposited in the past year as well as my current balance in all accounts, how long I have had accounts with them, the types of accounts, etc. It is signed by the president of the bank with all of the relevant contact information on letterhead.

I also have my last 5 years tax returns and W-2's that I will be submitting.

I hope you cannot produce the document that I requested, but if you do I guess I will have to write an explanation letter about the amounts that are deduced from my paycheck.

Thanks,
CB

BTW .. Mylene's interview is July 9, 2007 .. not July 4 :)

Edited by CountryBoy, 22 May 2007 - 05:06 PM.

CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-05-22 17:02:00
PhilippinesManila Embassy Interview/Visa Status
Mylene just pointed out to me that according the the k-1 visa flowchart that is in my signature, there will be documents contained in packet 4 that will have to be completed and sent back to the embassy/consulate .. can someone please tell me which forms are sent back by mail and which ones are hand carried on the day of the interview?

Thanks,
CB
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-05-21 21:29:00
PhilippinesManila Embassy Interview/Visa Status
This was copied from the main "foreign embassy and consulate general discussion" forum as an after thought .. sorry for cross posting, but due to the time frame required for response and the lack of one at the main forum, I felt compelled to repost it here where the question will most likely be viewed by someone with experience in this area.

My fiancee is going to Camp Crame in Edsa, Qeuzon City to have her fingerprints taken and then to the Japanese Consulate in Manila to request her police clearance (she worked there a number of times).

Does anyone know if there are charges associated with the fingerprinting or request for police clearance? She is leaving in one hour but insisted that I get online and ask just the same.

Thanks,
CB
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-04-25 17:15:00
PhilippinesAge difference between Filipinas and americans (Poll)
I'm 39 she is 34 .. 5 years
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-05-06 21:20:00
PhilippinesMylene got here monday and it's been like a whirlwind ..
Sorry, wrong forum ..

Mylene is here .. woohoo

Edited by CountryBoy, 18 July 2007 - 09:06 PM.

CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-18 21:04:00
PhilippinesThis flood shows the differences between poor filipinos and poor americans
QUOTE (charles! @ Sep 29 2009, 12:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (CountryBoy @ Sep 28 2009, 06:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I just noticed something about your Philippine flood picture ..

Take a look at the house, the design, the wood around the doors and windows, the fact that there is a kitchen inside the home and that there are multiple rooms .. my guess is that this home is not owned by poor family .. chances are, the POOR housekeepers are the ones cleaning .. LOL

good point, cb. and good to see you back on vj. good.gif


Thanks Charles ...

VJ is a good place to come to anytime you need help with the USCIS !!! good.gif
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2009-09-29 04:22:00
PhilippinesThis flood shows the differences between poor filipinos and poor americans
I just noticed something about your Philippine flood picture ..

Take a look at the house, the design, the wood around the doors and windows, the fact that there is a kitchen inside the home and that there are multiple rooms .. my guess is that this home is not owned by poor family .. chances are, the POOR housekeepers are the ones cleaning .. LOL
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2009-09-28 18:57:00
PhilippinesThis flood shows the differences between poor filipinos and poor americans
There are WAY too many opinions for mine to shake up the agenda at all but let me voice it none the less ..

MOST Filipinos (and Filipinas) are very resilient as are MOST Americans .. the pictures that are missing from the original post are of the volunteers from all over the country coming to help out with the flood victims, cleanup, etc. and pictures of people opening their homes to the flood victims.

In the US there are alot of people that feel that they are entitled to something simply because they are Americans (more than likely the ones in the original post) they vote for the party that they feel is most likely to give the handouts, they settle for what the government gives them, etc. etc.. Other Americans use their God given abilities (along with the free trade system, ingenuity, and drive) to do something that betters their lives. This opportunity is also afforded to the Americans in your picture but they more than likely find a way to blame someone else for their predicament (education, environment, unemployment, etc.) Regardless their excuse, the opportunity is there ..

The real difference between your two pictures in my opinion is this .. the people in the U.S. have the opportunity to make something of themselves and choose not to, the people in the Philippines would probably do something to better their lives but a corrupt government, overpopulation, poor economy, and resources keep them from doing so. This may very well be the OP's point, and I agree if it is; but please don't feel compelled to generalize all Americans in this way.. I would like to think that there are lots of folks out there that wouldn't loot and steal in this same situation.

As for religion, I think that plays a roll in it as well .. but not because God has made them better poeple, rather because religious people live their lives closer to the examples and commands of the bible; it is a great guide for that specific purpose !!! Prayer in and of itself probably doesn't determine a persons destiny, I do believe it brightens their outlook and centers them daily to return to their beliefs. I know people that pray every day, people that pray on Sundays, people that go to church on Christmas and Easter, and people that wouldn't know what to do with the crackers and grape juice .. each group has good people in it but you are far less likely to find a "bad seed" in the group that prays every day !!! I am speaking of Christian beliefs because that is the only religion I have any first hand knowledge of, I am sure it is a similar story with other religions as well.


CountryBoyMalePhilippines2009-09-28 18:39:00
PhilippinesWe Bought a Castle In Texas
Nice home .. does anyone know what you call this style of home? My wife and I have been looking at home plans and thought we had settled on THIS ONE but I really like the open look of the house in this post.

Thanks,
CB
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2009-09-30 00:43:00
PhilippinesXOOM COUPON CODE
QUOTE (franksonb @ Oct 14 2009, 02:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
We didn't have any problems using xoom. We have used this money transfer service often for many years now ( 5 yrs.) for direct deposit into the bank account, pick up or delivery services. Before we experienced delays but now it is faster like Western Union or Money Gram.



QUOTE (filipinawife @ Oct 14 2009, 12:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Is xoom the same as western union when it comes to quality service? anyone had problem using it? I use western union and every trasaction is excellent. I'm thinking of trying xoom to save money but I'm afraid my family in PI may not get the money right away



Thank you for you reply. What also encouraged me to try it ,is that I can use my credit card. I tried to do transaction with WU using my CC but it was such a pain and I gave up.

filipinawifeFemalePhilippines2009-10-14 00:20:00