biggish data

Big step forward!! Very happy for you all!

Congrats!

Thank you and sure appreciated the feedback and detailed help from all that were able and willingly did so.

Seems many want to help but don't really know themselves how to do so properly.

Wanted to post the interaction with the consulate so others know what to expect as well.

Hank_ :star: :star: :star: :star: :star:

Mark88 :star: :star: :star: :star: :star:

Merrytooth for the link :thumbs:

apple21 :thumbs:

Bless you for helping to ease the burden on the mind of my wife, which in return allows our family harmony through your efforts.

iamatemple

Not Telling

2014-05-28 19:58:00

Alright.

Flew my wife (benjorie on visajourney) and son (step-son, though I call son) via Cebu Pacific Airlines to Cebu to go see the u.s. consulate instead of going to Manila.

(Manila had no appointments available online over a 2 year span but it appears their appointment system was experienceing difficulties)

In Cebu she walked in and around 7 am she didn't see a long line at the Waterfront Hotel where the u.s. consulate was located.

Only 4 people waiting and then a bit later some others did straggle in, though, nothing remotely close to u.s. embassy Manila.

My wife & son stayed at the Crowne Garden Hotel (on Salinas drive) and were easily able to walk to the Waterfront Hotel without difficulty.

(Difficulty = taxi driver circling (to drive up the price) then demanding outrageous amounts while claiming he was "lost" when the destination on any smart phone (with GPS app) will show he really did clrcles and the destination was a few streets away)

My wife arrived and said,

"so glad today went well...at first, the consulate didnt accept the CRBA, but when explained that son is abandoned and no news where is the abandoning "father" he (officer at u.s. consulate Cebu) let me sit down to talk to their head."

"glad when talking to the head consulate she's a foreigner woman" (not a filipina)

"told her about it then she write what i said...she want me to check on the CR2 case of son.

"I told her (Cebu consulate head) that the immigration officer at the visa interview (9 May, 2014 in u.s. embassy Manila) said to go to ACS (American Citizen Services on the second floor (u.s. embassy manila)) window 1, but, security and another woman there in Manila refused to allow access to 2nd floor, even though interviewing officer said to go to ACS upstairs himself. Woman and security said have to have appointment there in Manila so I tried there."

"she (Cebu head of consulate) called the ACS Manila about it. and they told her to just let me apply the CRBA (Citizen Report of Birth Abroad) and if denied then can resume the (cr = Conditional Resident) cr2 application of son."

"she wanted to see if i have pictures gathered and prenatal stuff thats why i came back to hotel because i forgot it...

"they want me come back tomorrow but its 9am yet so i came back inside again and said can i just go back today...so then i did go back and give all the papers i had."

"after showing her what I had she was satisfied with what i give so she let me pay the 4500php to file the CRBA application"

"then had me sign something and told me she will forward it to Manila then can received email or text next week on the result of it"

"I gave her the affidavit of mother and affidavit of fact" (statements made long ago describing in great detail the situation and notarizing it)

"she asked me though if did he (the abandoning "father") sign a child support I told her no."

"all they want to have is the passport copy and his income tax or other residence he got..."

"told them I dont have any copy of it.."

"she didnt asked for more though because i told her after son is 10 months old I dont have any information from the one that abandoned him"

"I asked if the CR2 can resume she said yes...and can show to the immigrant the CRBA denied.. or accepted if it is."

(end of wife quotation of the event with the u.s. consulate, located in the Waterfront Cebu Hotel off of Salinas drive (not the Waterfront Airport Hotel by the airport Cebu)

So at least the process that was seemingly at a complete stand still was able to be set back into motion (Thank the LORD for it all!!!) by going to Cebu and no appointment needed at all.

Glad for all the help here which cleared up the muddied water that is "immigration process."

iamatemple

Not Telling

2014-05-28 18:32:00

Very much appreciative of Mark88 and Hank_ clearing this up wonderfully with your insight.

My wife will have less stress and we might even be able to have a good conversation thanks to everyones (including you both) helpful insight(s) :thumbs: .

iamatemple

Not Telling

2014-05-13 18:10:00

What the consul was thinking..... where did the embassy's learn that your son has a USC father in the first place? Is he listed on the birth certificate as such?

(I am husband to benjorie here in US)

Affirmative helpful Hank_. (Yes.)

His information is on there and he signed it and checked the box stating he is the culprit responsible.

He signed in his name clearly on the NSO birth certificate that we have and put his profession and full name

There are pictures with them together before and they had a place together.

I....also...was wondering what the embassy was thinking, though, I trust the Almighty GOD is able to remedy this shortly.

(Translation below)

Yes.

NSO birth certificate signed by him clearly.

He checked box that he is the biological "father"

His profession is listed along with his first, middle, and last name.

iamatemple

Not Telling

2014-05-13 15:12:00

221G request for additional document.

One thing to consider. if the required documentation doesn't require a signature, have your husband SCAN it, and e-mail it to you. You then print it, and toss it in the envelope at 2Go, and skip the delays, and cost of DHL.

The husband in this case Chris faxed the document right to the embassy and it was accepted.

Additional evidence, though signed, in this case, didn't need to be sent physically there.

Visa was approved this morning upon the embassy receiving additional information of supporting assets for our joint sponsor.

This was an original appraisal document though was accepted via fax without sending in the original.

Edited by iamatemple, 28 August 2014 - 09:08 PM.

iamatemple

Not Telling

2014-08-28 21:06:00

221G request for additional document.

The husband in question, (which is now speaking through text) sent the documents through U.S.P.S. (United States Postal Service) to the address on the U.S. embassy Manila website and it arrived just fine and in 6 days.

Shocked the customs agents didn't get their sticky fingers on it and demand some sort of payment for allowing it's safe passage.

Edited by iamatemple, 27 August 2014 - 06:12 PM.

iamatemple

Not Telling

2014-08-27 18:11:00

Buying flight from Manila? Hear this first.

I hear that from time to time, but the upside is like your noticed - travel tax is included.

There are still many that have no issue purchasing one way tickets online for travel from the Phils.

I'd figured the same thing Hank, though for whatever reason the airlines, once realizing the flight originated from Manila NAIA airport, they said they had to obey the law.

One airline mentioned that also, about getting flights and bypassing the ticket ban though they said they are really cracking down on the airlines now.

Who knows if it's the case or not.

Also, glad for your help from the past Hank.

The family is together now and your name has a soft spot in our heart.

iamatemple

Not Telling

2014-09-16 10:51:00

Buying flight from Manila? Hear this first.

Recently my wife arrived from Philippines after 21 months apart.

Hearing her visa was approved, (Thank the LORD!) she was immediately flown to Manila to pick it up at the 2GO (SM Mall of Asia location)

After picking up her visa and my son's visa I purchased tickets over the internet using google flights and found a flight I was pleased with.

The flight was purchased (1415 dollars for 1 adult and 1 child travel MNL to TPA (Manila, Philippines --> Tampa, Florida, USA))

My wife noticed the name was wrong on the ticket so I called and the agent on the phone (for the airline) said not a problem and fixed it and sent the new ticket to me via email.

The name, again, was spelled incorrectly by the travel agent.

After she went to fix the ticket again I was told by the agent, "I can't sell you this ticket."

Shocked to hear this I asked if she was joking.

"There is a ticket ban", she explained.

Any flight from Manila must be purchased inside the Philippines either through a travel agent (in Philippines) or at the airport ticket counter.

This is the first time I'd heard this and I was perplexed.

I called another airline to verify the information and they said no problem, but, then a bit later said the same thing.

Not able to sell me a ticket.

We ended up having a friend of my wife take us to a travel agent she knew and trusted and we were told the price of 56,000 php is what was needed for the flight.

The money was sent and a bit more just in case.

After going to pay for the ticket my wife was surprised to hear the ticket price went to 100,000 php +.

Being at the mercy of the travel agent, I asked my wife to have them get the most reasonable ticket that will get her here quickly and not cost overmuch.

She called back and 63,000 php was the amount which she already paid.

I was at first a bit disgruntled to my shame as I realized the ticket wasn't much different from what I was going to pay the first time.

ALSO, my wife noticed that the travel tax of 1620 php for her and for my son (I forget how much) was already included in the ticket price!

A blessing in disguise as I thought she still had to pay the travel tax after paying for the ticket.

I have heard others have purchased their flights via the internet with not problem in the past though I was shocked that, for me, it didn't seem an option.

It worked out well enough using the travel agent and the price was less than if I had done it myself over the internet.

Hopefully someone is able to get the clue that I didn't before this happens to them. (be confused for hours wondering how to get through yet another immigration hoop)

iamatemple

Not Telling

2014-09-16 09:54:00

Documents the Applicant Must Submit to the NVC (IV)

Gotcha.

Seems that I was a bit concerned about my own military records because it takes a while to get them along with other paperwork I know I've already submitted to USCIS for the I-130 which is already long ago approved.

Fees paid and sending in what I have then.

Glad for the response from you both.

You've my thanks!

iamatemple

Not Telling

2014-02-02 23:40:00

Documents the Applicant Must Submit to the NVC (IV)

I-130 approved.

Fees paid for I-864 and that is sent off last month.

IV fees paid ($230 for each applicant)

Seems IV is waiting for documents that are to be submitted to NVC in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Required Documents

Original documents, photocopies, and translations (if required, as explained above) of the following documents must be submitted to the NVC for you and each family member immigrating with you to the United States.

Photocopy of Valid Passport Biographic Data Page

Photographs

Birth Certificates

Adoption Documentation

Marriage Certificates

Marriage Termination Documentation

Military Records

Police Certificates

Court and Prison Records

Petitioner Documents

Deportation Documentation

I am in the states and my wife and her son are in Philippines. (though I treat him as my son he is not adopted as of yet)

All these documents pertain ONLY to those coming to USA, is that a correct assessment?

Petitioner documentation isn't needed (military records or past divorce decrees) according to my understanding as I'm not traveling with my wife here but will meet her at the airport after arrival.

Beneficiary documents for those coming to USA seem to be what NVC seeks here for CR-1/CR-2 visa, yes? (spouse in Philippines and her young son who at 4 hopefully doesn't have a prison record, divorce decree, or have been deported)

After searching and finding no clear answer this post comes to life.

I am refreshed to see the willing helpfulness to others I see here and if I'm breaking some unknown rule of the forum I'm ready to be lambasted and ground up in the "machine".

Bless the helpful ones here that make all of those immigrating have somewhere to be refreshed and get answers.

iamatemple

Not Telling

2014-02-02 18:31:00

I, myself, tried to upload the ds-260 to visa journey but it was too large of a file. Just over the limit. Perhaps that had something to do with it, though, not sure as this is not my website.

iamatemple

Not Telling

2014-03-12 15:43:00

Document ID and issue for us were proof of citizenship.

My wife used her Passport as the document (passort ID number from the biological page of passport) and the document issue was when the passport was issued. (to the best of my knowledge)

DS-260 is only part of the package sent and to the best of my knowledge, yes, birth certificate and police clearange and such things are needed, as least my wife from Philippines needs those things for our CR-1 package.

iamatemple

Not Telling

2014-02-23 23:58:00

My wife and I were filling out the forms and it timed out as we didn't know the information in advance AND the form was only partially completed.

Found out the hard way if the form timed out all information was gone the next time I went to fill the information in again.

One thing I noticed though was if the answer box was empty (where you write the answer for name, phone number, address, etc) I would click the box or TAB to it and push the CURSOR DOWN or arrow down button on keyboard.

Then I was able to find the information I wrote before and click on it and it would put the information back in the slots....

A bit of a hassle though not being able to save the form unless EACH answer blank was filled in.

(This is only my experience of what I found that worked for me)

iamatemple

Not Telling

2014-02-12 22:49:00

Well, to my knowledge this is only available to be filled out online..

I wanted to know the information beforehand though so I would be prepared to transcribe it online easily.

Since it's an online "secured" form it times out constantly and causes loss of information at times.

It will NOT allow you to save unless every blank is filled or question answered on each particular page.

Again, this is only for those wanting to know what to have in preparation so when online it's easy to fill the forms out quickly and hopefully...painlessly.

iamatemple

Not Telling

2014-02-11 01:12:00