Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	VISA APPROVED IN 2MONS.	thanks   After we got approved we keep annoying through email/ call the NVC for our case number.. and in few days we got it.. right away we do the med and got lucky to have an early interview date... just stay positive   Did you only call NVC or did you call the consulate in Philippines too? I am still in between NOA1 and NOA2, wonder if it would be any good to be a squeaky wheel at this point with USCIS? I would be being overly greedy at this point i think (at least i would feel like i was cutting in line its only been like 19 days since NOA1!) and I'm not sure i could even get through to the TSC regarding my case this early.    I guess one way to look at it though is that annoying them will never get your case rejected, it can only help it along or do nothing!	DRbound	Male	Dominican Republic	2014-01-08 11:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	VISA APPROVED IN 2MONS.	Wow congratulations!     Now, why can't more of these happen so fast??	DRbound	Male	Dominican Republic	2014-01-08 00:40:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	Estimate date on NOA2 keep changing on timeline?	just that it is based on the trend of other peoples' timelines ... rate of approvals had been quicker for other members when you first looked at the dates, but has become slower hence the extending of the estimated date. I think that's how it works, anyway!	DRbound	Male	Dominican Republic	2014-01-11 22:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	Interview coming!	You got it! Congratulations, too!	DRbound	Male	Dominican Republic	2014-01-11 20:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	texas serivce center	Have i just not found it or is this whole process not transparent enough? There is absolutely no rhyme or reason that i can see as to why some people with clean records and no hangups have to want ridiculously long to get approved, while others get approved in a month. They give us a website to check the status of our our application, but even that doesn't give us ANY insight as to when our NOA2 will come. Then, to make themselves look good they report a waiting time of 5 months, although many applications are completed in much less time.    I know i am just ranting but c'mon folks, 5 months + do approve an application is absurd! it takes 5 months to determine if we meet the requirements? really? look at my passport, glance at my photos with my fiancee - just like that, requirement #1 met. see that we both are legally able and willing to marry e/o in 90 days by looking at the 2 forms signed, requirement #2 met. the rest of it is just gray area and i believe that most normal people could make a decision on the bona fide thing within minutes. background checks? Are they the ones doing the background checks or are those sent off to the FBI or something? But if it is an outside organization, move onto the next one until you (USCIS) are not the bottleneck.   I paid these people (my government) a pretty hefty fee and i believe i deserve a quicker response. I feel bad for those of you who have been waiting so long and really i hope you get approved before me, it would only be fair.    Is there anybody on here who can take us through a day in the life of an IO at one of the service centers? Please excuse my ignorance, but it pisses me off that you are taking so long because it seems so unnecessary. I am an engineer and I design things. If it took me 5 months to do anything but a fairly complex project I would be fired. What is so complex about these visa petitions???	DRbound	Male	Dominican Republic	2014-01-18 15:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	texas serivce center	From the timelines they have been approving petitions with noa1 november 29th at the latest. That's just at a quick glance.	DRbound	Male	Dominican Republic	2014-01-17 10:21:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	My K1 visa pending	apparently you can't wear an overly elegant dress for an "engagement" ceremony... i agree that you raised eyebrows by showing photos like that but in all actuality you ARE NOT married and have statements saying so within the K-1... Like others have said though you are at the mercy of the officer and you just need to wait it out to see the official response and go from there.	DRbound	Male	Dominican Republic	2014-01-14 23:32:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	I 751 June 2013 Filers	So, despite my e-mail and text notifications saying my case was transferred to my local USCIS office, I just got an I-797C NOA saying that my case was actually transferred to CSC.  So, that forum post I read earlier was accurate...the e-mail and text notification confusingly indicate transfer to local USCIS office when in fact the case was actually transferred to CSC.   So, that settles that.  Still better to be at CSC than VSC I think.  Updating the tracking chart to show I'm now at CSC.   California Service Center (17 applicants) VJName............Date of I-751....NOA1 Date.....Biometrics......Approved... BB & MJ.............05/31/13.......06/05/13.......07/02/13.......--/--/--... RITASEAN............06/02/13.......06/06/13.......07/09/13.......--/--/--... CBM.................06/03/13.......06/05/13.......07/02/13.......--/--/--... BIRDYGIRL85.........06/03/13.......06/05/13.......07/02/13.......--/--/--... OZMA................06/04/13.......06/07/13.......--/--/13.......--/--/--... ENTRIDIAN...........06/04/13.......06/05/13.......07/02/13.......--/--/--... CHRIS&ANGELA........06/07/13.......06/10/13.......--/--/13.......--/--/--... JUAN & NAN..........06/10/13.......06/14/13.......07/12/13.......--/--/--... UWANW00.............06/10/13.......06/14/13.......07/11/13.......--/--/--... MISHELLIBELLI.......06/13/13.......06/17/13.......07/12/13.......--/--/--...(Early Bio 07/02) TATISVANS...........06/14/13.......06/17/13.......07/12/13.......--/--/--... LAURASAUROD.........06/17/13.......06/20/13.......07/15/13.......--/--/--... RUSHTON50...........06/17/13.......06/20/13.......07/19/13.......--/--/--... MRS O...............06/19/13.......06/21/13.......07/18/13.......--/--/--...(Early Bio 07/05) HOBBITOFOHIO........06/20/13.......06/21/13.......07/18/13.......--/--/--... 1947 BALJEET........06/24/13.......06/27/13.......07/22/13.......--/--/--... MANILABOY83.........06/25/13.......06/29/13.......07/29/13.......--/--/--... MAGDASAL............06/15/13.......06/19/13.......07/17/13.......--/--/--...8/19 xfer from VSC Vermont Service Center (22 applicants) VJName............Date of I-751....NOA1 Date.....Biometrics......Approved... OLARU_STEVE.........05/29/13.......06/03/13.......07/09/13.......--/--/--...8/19 xfer notice Local office KIKOLINA092069......06/01/13.......06/06/13.......07/10/13.......--/--/--... THEMERLINS..........06/04/13.......06/12/13.......07/16/13.......--/--/--...8/22 xfer notice Local office JAHBEAUTY...........06/05/13.......06/07/13.......07/30/13.......--/--/--... YOUS................06/07/13.......06/12/13.......07/12/13.......--/--/--... CESTLAVIECHERI......06/07/13.......06/11/13.......07/15/13.......--/--/--... BOSTON_MA...........06/10/13.......06/??/13.......--/--/13.......--/--/--... SACHIN1901..........06/10/13.......06/13/13.......07/11/13.......--/--/--... RESTONGOD...........06/10/13.......06/17/13.......07/16/13.......--/--/--... AYOLA...............06/11/13.......06/24/13.......07/30/13.......--/--/--... BESTHOPES...........06/12/13.......06/17/13.......07/11/13.......--/--/--... YOUNGHAMLET.........06/12/13.......06/14/13.......07/15/13.......--/--/--... INNSU...............06/15/13.......06/19/13.......07/23/13.......--/--/--...8/22 xfernotice AMERIBRIT...........06/17/13.......06/20/13.......07/18/13.......--/--/--... JURAI...............06/17/13.......06/20/13.......07/24/13.......--/--/--... JCAN2ATLGA..........06/17/13.......06/22/13.......07/22/13.......--/--/--... GUMMIBEAR...........06/19/13.......06/21/13.......07/30/13.......--/--/--...(Divorce Waiver) SARAH278............06/21/13.......06/24/13.......07/31/13.......--/--/--...(Early Bio 07/15) SHAWNA AND JAMES....06/21/13.......06/25/13.......07/31/13.......--/--/--... LITTLE_MY...........06/25/13.......06/26/13.......07/26/13.......--/--/--... KOUCKI..............06/25/13.......06/27/13.......08/01/13.......--/--/--...8/22 xfer notice Local office   IMPORTANT! * Make sure that your VJ Text Editor setting is set to Rich Text Editor. * Go to the MOST RECENTLY POSTED VERSION of this list (go to the last post and scroll UP) and "Reply" to it, deleting the "quote" tags in your reply. * Please DO NOT change the font, font size, add colors, stuff like that. * Please PREVIEW before posting to make sure it is properly formatted. * Please check that you have not deleted anyone's NAME & DATA. Date of I-751 = The Date you sent your application NOA Date = The Receipt Date on your original NOA letter Biometrics = The Date of your biometrics appointment Approved = The Date your case was approved * Please Capitalize your VJ Name when adding it to the list. * When you're on this list, please come back to update your information accordingly. * If you cannot add your information yourself, please ask another VJ member to help you do so.	magdasal	Male	Philippines	2013-08-23 16:41:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	I 751 June 2013 Filers	California Service Center (17 applicants) VJName............Date of I-751....NOA1 Date.....Biometrics......Approved... BB & MJ.............05/31/13.......06/05/13.......07/02/13.......--/--/--... RITASEAN............06/02/13.......06/06/13.......07/09/13.......--/--/--... CBM.................06/03/13.......06/05/13.......07/02/13.......--/--/--... BIRDYGIRL85.........06/03/13.......06/05/13.......07/02/13.......--/--/--... OZMA................06/04/13.......06/07/13.......--/--/13.......--/--/--... ENTRIDIAN...........06/04/13.......06/05/13.......07/02/13.......--/--/--... CHRIS&ANGELA........06/07/13.......06/10/13.......--/--/13.......--/--/--... JUAN & NAN..........06/10/13.......06/14/13.......07/12/13.......--/--/--... UWANW00.............06/10/13.......06/14/13.......07/11/13.......--/--/--... MISHELLIBELLI.......06/13/13.......06/17/13.......07/12/13.......--/--/--...(Early Bio 07/02) TATISVANS...........06/14/13.......06/17/13.......07/12/13.......--/--/--... LAURASAUROD.........06/17/13.......06/20/13.......07/15/13.......--/--/--... RUSHTON50...........06/17/13.......06/20/13.......07/19/13.......--/--/--... MRS O...............06/19/13.......06/21/13.......07/18/13.......--/--/--...(Early Bio 07/05) HOBBITOFOHIO........06/20/13.......06/21/13.......07/18/13.......--/--/--... 1947 BALJEET........06/24/13.......06/27/13.......07/22/13.......--/--/--... MANILABOY83.........06/25/13.......06/29/13.......07/29/13.......--/--/--... Vermont Service Center (22 applicants) VJName............Date of I-751....NOA1 Date.....Biometrics......Approved... OLARU_STEVE.........05/29/13.......06/03/13.......07/09/13.......--/--/--...8/19 xfer notice Local office KIKOLINA092069......06/01/13.......06/06/13.......07/10/13.......--/--/--... THEMERLINS..........06/04/13.......06/12/13.......07/16/13.......--/--/--...8/22 xfer notice Local office JAHBEAUTY...........06/05/13.......06/07/13.......07/30/13.......--/--/--... YOUS................06/07/13.......06/12/13.......07/12/13.......--/--/--... CESTLAVIECHERI......06/07/13.......06/11/13.......07/15/13.......--/--/--... BOSTON_MA...........06/10/13.......06/??/13.......--/--/13.......--/--/--... SACHIN1901..........06/10/13.......06/13/13.......07/11/13.......--/--/--... RESTONGOD...........06/10/13.......06/17/13.......07/16/13.......--/--/--... AYOLA...............06/11/13.......06/24/13.......07/30/13.......--/--/--... BESTHOPES...........06/12/13.......06/17/13.......07/11/13.......--/--/--... YOUNGHAMLET.........06/12/13.......06/14/13.......07/15/13.......--/--/--... MAGDASAL............06/15/13.......06/19/13.......07/17/13.......--/--/--...8/19 xfer notice Local office INNSU...............06/15/13.......06/19/13.......07/23/13.......--/--/--...8/22 xfernotice AMERIBRIT...........06/17/13.......06/20/13.......07/18/13.......--/--/--... JURAI...............06/17/13.......06/20/13.......07/24/13.......--/--/--... JCAN2ATLGA..........06/17/13.......06/22/13.......07/22/13.......--/--/--... GUMMIBEAR...........06/19/13.......06/21/13.......07/30/13.......--/--/--...(Divorce Waiver) SARAH278............06/21/13.......06/24/13.......07/31/13.......--/--/--...(Early Bio 07/15) SHAWNA AND JAMES....06/21/13.......06/25/13.......07/31/13.......--/--/--... LITTLE_MY...........06/25/13.......06/26/13.......07/26/13.......--/--/--... KOUCKI..............06/25/13.......06/27/13.......08/01/13.......--/--/--...8/22 xfer notice Local office   IMPORTANT! * Make sure that your VJ Text Editor setting is set to Rich Text Editor. * Go to the MOST RECENTLY POSTED VERSION of this list (go to the last post and scroll UP) and "Reply" to it, deleting the "quote" tags in your reply. * Please DO NOT change the font, font size, add colors, stuff like that. * Please PREVIEW before posting to make sure it is properly formatted. * Please check that you have not deleted anyone's NAME & DATA. Date of I-751 = The Date you sent your application NOA Date = The Receipt Date on your original NOA letter Biometrics = The Date of your biometrics appointment Approved = The Date your case was approved * Please Capitalize your VJ Name when adding it to the list. * When you're on this list, please come back to update your information accordingly. * If you cannot add your information yourself, please ask another VJ member to help you do so.   Hello, everyone! We're new here, but we wanted to make sure and share our journey (instead of just being voyeurs whilst we wait). I hope I entered our info into the VSC list properly. If not...huge apologies.	magdasal	Male	Philippines	2013-08-22 22:34:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	I 751 June 2013 Filers	For Case transfers, check this link: http://www.visajourn...service-center/   I am relieved after going through that link.   OK, I read that and I'm not sure where my case is going.  According to that link, 'local office' may mean CSC...but it's not clear.  Oh well, I'll take this as being good news.   Thanks for that link	magdasal	Male	Philippines	2013-08-21 17:18:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	I 751 June 2013 Filers	Oh wait...mine is different.  They didn't transfer mine to CSC...VSC transferred mine to our local office.     On August 19, 2013, we transferred your CRI89, PETITION TO REMOVE CONDITIONS OF PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS RECEIVED, to your local USCIS Office for further processing. The new office has jurisdiction over your case and will send you a decision as soon as processing is complete or you will be notified if further information or action is needed. If you move, please use our Change of Address online tool to update your case with your new address.   Maybe we're up for an interview then.	magdasal	Male	Philippines	2013-08-20 19:44:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	I 751 June 2013 Filers	Got a message from USCIS that:   "On August 19, we transferred this CRI89 PETITION TO REMOVE CONDITIONS OF PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS RECEIVED to another office for processing because they now have jurisdiction over the case. We sent you a notice of this transfer. Please follow any instructions on this notice. You will be notified by mail when a decision is made, or if the office needs something from you."   I sent my application to VSC on 12-June-2013 and had biometrics on 11-July-2013.   What is USCIS doing ?       Got the exact same message yesterday (August 19).  I think it's fine...my local office should be able to handle this better than Vermont can.	magdasal	Male	Philippines	2013-08-20 19:40:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	I 751 June 2013 Filers	Sorry folks, I've been asleep at the switch.  Too much going on    UPDATED OUR INFO.   California Service Center (16 applicants) VJName............Date of I-751....NOA1 Date.....Biometrics......Approved.... RITASEAN............06/02/13.......06/06/13.......07/09/13.......--/--/--.... CBM.................06/03/13.......06/05/13.......07/02/13.......--/--/--.... BIRDYGIRL85.........06/03/13.......06/05/13.......07/02/13.......--/--/--.... OZMA................06/04/13.......06/07/13.......--/--/13.......--/--/--.... ENTRIDIAN...........06/04/13.......06/05/13.......07/02/13.......--/--/--.... CHRIS&ANGELA........06/07/13.......06/10/13.......--/--/13.......--/--/--.... JUAN & NAN..........06/10/13.......06/14/13.......07/12/13.......--/--/--.... UWANW00.............06/10/13.......06/14/13.......07/11/13.......--/--/--.... MISHELLIBELLI.......06/13/13.......06/17/13.......07/12/13.......--/--/--....(Early Bio 07/02) TATISVANS...........06/14/13.......06/17/13.......07/12/13.......--/--/--.... LAURASAUROD.........06/17/13.......06/20/13.......07/15/13.......--/--/--.... RUSHTON50...........06/17/13.......06/20/13.......07/19/13.......--/--/--.... MRS O...............06/19/13.......06/21/13.......07/18/13.......--/--/--....(Early Bio 07/05) HOBBITOFOHIO........06/20/13.......06/21/13.......07/18/13.......--/--/--.... 1947 BALJEET........06/24/13.......06/27/13.......07/22/13.......--/--/--.... MANILABOY83.........06/25/13.......06/29/13.......07/29/13.......--/--/--.... Vermont Service Center (19 applicants) VJName............Date of I-751....NOA1 Date.....Biometrics......Approved.... KIKOLINA092069......06/01/13.......06/06/13.......07/10/13.......--/--/--.... JAHBEAUTY...........06/05/13.......06/07/13.......--/--/13.......--/--/--.... YOUS................06/07/13.......06/12/13.......07/12/13.......--/--/--.... CESTLAVIECHERI......06/07/13.......06/11/13.......07/15/13.......--/--/--.... BOSTON_MA...........06/10/13.......06/??/13.......--/--/13.......--/--/--.... SACHIN1901..........06/10/13.......06/13/13.......07/11/13.......--/--/--.... RESTONGOD...........06/10/13.......06/17/13.......07/16/13.......--/--/--.... AYOLA...............06/11/13.......06/24/13.......--/--/13.......--/--/--.... BESTHOPES...........06/12/13.......06/17/13.......07/11/13.......--/--/--.... YOUNGHAMLET.........06/12/13.......06/14/13.......07/15/13.......--/--/--.... MAGDASAL............06/15/13.......06/19/13.......07/17/13.......--/--/--.... INNSU...............06/15/13.......06/19/13.......07/23/13.......--/--/--.... AMERIBRIT...........06/17/13.......06/20/13.......07/18/13.......--/--/--.... JURAI...............06/17/13.......06/20/13.......07/24/13.......--/--/--.... JCAN2ATLGA..........06/17/13.......06/22/13.......07/22/13.......--/--/--.... GUMMIBEAR...........06/19/13.......06/21/13.......--/--/13.......--/--/--.... (Divorce Waiver) SARAH278............06/21/13.......06/24/13.......--/--/13.......--/--/--.... SHAWNA AND JAMES....06/21/13.......06/--/13.......--/--/13.......--/--/--.... LITTLE_MY...........06/25/13.......06/26/13.......07/26/13.......--/--/--....       IMPORTANT! * Make sure that your VJ Text Editor setting is set to Rich Text Editor. * Go to the MOST RECENTLY POSTED VERSION of this list (go to the last post and scroll UP) and "Reply" to it, deleting the "quote" tags in your reply. * Please DO NOT change the font, font size, add colors, stuff like that. * Please PREVIEW before posting to make sure it is properly formatted. * Please check that you have not deleted anyone's NAME & DATA. Date of I-751 = The Date you sent your application NOA Date = The Receipt Date on your original NOA letter Biometrics = The Date of your biometrics appointment Approved = The Date your case was approved * Please Capitalize your VJ Name when adding it to the list. * When you're on this list, please come back to update your information accordingly. * If you cannot add your information yourself, please ask another VJ member to help you do so.	magdasal	Male	Philippines	2013-07-08 19:31:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	I 751 June 2013 Filers	Hi Folks,   I guess we're hopping on this train tomorrow.     Seems like old times, eh?   Wishing everybody the best of luck and a speedy approval!   We did it once, we can do it again	magdasal	Male	Philippines	2013-06-14 20:15:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	i-751 Affidavit (Notarization)	Affidavits don't help very much to begin with...notarization is not required and certainly overkill for this weak category of evidence.	magdasal	Male	Philippines	2014-04-06 21:11:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	I-751 question and is this sufficient proof? PLEASE!	That's all good too.  You don't have what you don't have, so no sense worrying about that.  I think a cover letter explaining what you have and, more importantly what you don't have that you think they would expect to see and why you don't have it can go a long way in avoiding an RFE.  If you don't have something you think they want, just include a blurb about why you don't have it...that, at least, may prevent an RFE asking for something you simply cannot provide.  No guarantees about any of this, but I really think that helps. Edited by magdasal, 06 April 2014 - 10:52 PM.	magdasal	Male	Philippines	2014-04-06 22:52:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	I-751 question and is this sufficient proof? PLEASE!	Glad it helped...the joint ownership of property isn't required, BTW...it's just one category that can really help in a big way.  Having a lot of financial co-mingling is the biggest (joint taxes are basically required, so I didn't include that one).  So...load up with as much evidence of co-mingled finances as possible (including those bank statements going back as far as they can go...and go ahead and throw in that letter from the bank).  Also, any official documents showing you living at the same address will help too...as far back as you can get them.	magdasal	Male	Philippines	2014-04-06 21:56:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	I-751 question and is this sufficient proof? PLEASE!	Well, it looks pretty good...but forget about privacy where it concerns the government...so include joint bank statements going back to the beginning of the marriage in the package...every other month should be fine.  The IRS can get all of this stuff...in fact, any branch of the government can get it with just a few taps of the keyboard...but USCIS expects you to hand it to them on a silver platter, since you are asking them for a favor...to let you stay here as an LPR.  Just go ahead and send it in and don't make them work for it, would be my advice.  Letter from the bank may be OK...I don't know...I just sent in statements showing that we jointly owned the accounts and they were being used.   Also, any proof of joint ownership of property (car titles, house, etc)  will be a big win.   If your husband is the USC, his 19 year old son has nothing to do with anything in this process.  You 2 are filing this request and I don't see how he comes into the picture at all.	magdasal	Male	Philippines	2014-04-06 20:46:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	CRI89 transferred to local field office from VSC	OK, the signature block on our approval letter was from a local office near me...not anywhere near CSC.  So, I think CSC is sending these (at least some of them) to local service centers to be adjudicated, as soon as they get them...or they aren't being sent to CSC at all...and being sent directly to local offices instead, despite what the NOA says.  I got mine fast, so I think that may be good news, all the same.	magdasal	Male	Philippines	2013-09-23 20:08:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	CRI89 transferred to local field office from VSC	I am still bit confused with my question and hope someone may give some clue or shed some light from their experiences: Does this transfer reset my processing timeline? Or do I still count the original receipt date and start calling CSC after the 6th Month (July filer)?   It's really just an internal USCIS paperwork shuffle...by definition, the processing timeline starts when USCIS (at any USCIS facility) receives your case and ends when they adjudicate it...who does the adjudication or where is immaterial.  I'm not aware that the USCIS makes any guarantees with respect to any processing timeline though, so 'resetting the timeline' is a moot point, I believe.   Also, the entire point of moving the case to another service center is to process it faster than it would have been processed at the original overloaded service center...so any impact to the processing timeline would seem to be in your favor (no guarantees, of course).	magdasal	Male	Philippines	2013-08-27 19:10:00
Philippines	I-130 and rural addresses in the Philippines	Well, I just had a couple of thoughts about this. This may be an issue that's starting to show up because of the serious backlog at USCIS. I'm wondering if they've hired a bunch of newbies to pre-screen the I-130 packages and if the address doesn't exactly match the pattern, they reject it right off the bat. It could also be related to that intermittent 'Section C.' rejection a lot of people were getting earlier too. Seems like a lousy year to be filing these...2009 looked good compared to 2010. Well, I'll find out soon enough...my package was delivered today	magdasal	Male	Philippines	2010-08-31 17:44:00
Philippines	I-130 and rural addresses in the Philippines	yes i listed town city and country and put n/a for the street address and they returned it so N/A dont always work Ah, maybe if you also include the barangay and postal code as well, it will be enough. I hope that it is that easy for you to correct. I will find out soon as well.	magdasal	Male	Philippines	2010-08-29 22:58:00
Philippines	I-130 and rural addresses in the Philippines	well im the one that got mine returned and i did have N/A on it i filled all places that i not have info with that but yet they still returned it maybe im just the unlucky one Sorry to hear that...that stinks What did you include in the address...the barangay, town, province and country?	magdasal	Male	Philippines	2010-08-29 22:18:00
Philippines	I-130 and rural addresses in the Philippines	Thanks Douglas, Hah...my wife doesn't even have a barangay post office...she has to go into Poblacion in town to post office to get her mail. Edited by magdasal, 29 August 2010 - 08:46 PM.	magdasal	Male	Philippines	2010-08-29 20:46:00
Philippines	I-130 and rural addresses in the Philippines	Thanks you both! I didn't leave anything blank...just put in the information I had and it will really just one large space for the address. It sounds like they'll take it though. Whew!	magdasal	Male	Philippines	2010-08-29 20:40:00
Philippines	I-130 and rural addresses in the Philippines	I just saw a post in the IR-1/CR-1 section of the forums where somebody got the I-130 returned to them for not filling in an address for the spouse in the Philippines. I've filled out the 'address' my wife gave me, insisting that this is all they have, but it's pretty weak as an address goes. Just the family name, town, barangay and the province. They live in a very rural area with no mail boxes or house numbers. She gets mail I send to her, but she has to travel miles into town to the local post office to get it. It just seems the further out into the rural country side you get in the Philippines, the much less formal addresses get. Anybody have any experiences, good or bad, with an address like this while filing an I-130? I'm about to send my package off tomorrow.	magdasal	Male	Philippines	2010-08-29 19:25:00
Philippines	traditional attire for engagement party	First, ask your fiancé...your wife-to-be will always give you the best advice about all things in her culture. She will steer you right, for sure. I'll just say that Filipinos have a much more narrow dress code than Americans. It's simple...first, you should be the best dressed guy there...but that doesn't mean a suit and tie. You will be expected to represent the family well, so my advice would be to wear what we in the US call summer business casual. Collared, short sleeve shirt, Dockers or something other than jeans (though every body else may well be wearing jeans and tee-shirts) and some comfortable shoes other than sneakers or flip-flops. Shorts and tee-shirts are definitely not a good idea. Filipinos have certain expectations based on relative wealth and status...whether you like it or not, they will expect an American to dress as they envision an American professional to dress...wearing anything less may not make a good impression. You represent something different there...and you will be held to a higher standard than the guests, even though the family will smile and appear to accept you as you are. Anyway...ask the wife-to-be first and foremost...but, no matter what she says, keep it on the conservative side. Always strive to be a pogi mo!	magdasal	Male	Philippines	2010-09-04 21:12:00
Philippines	traditional attire for engagement party	Thanks for the input! I understand that, but what would be proper attire to wear to the party...or is there traditional Filipino attire that one would wear to the event? I know that I shouldn't wear something "business-like" such as a button down shirt and tie. Would it be considered an informal event? Casual? How casual? Regards. First, ask your fiancé...your wife-to-be will always give you the best advice about all things in her culture. She will steer you right, for sure. I'll just say that Filipinos have a much more narrow dress code than Americans. It's simple...first, you should be the best dressed guy there...but that doesn't mean a suit and tie. You will be expected to represent the family well, so my advice would be to wear what we in the US call summer business casual. Collared, short sleeve shirt, Dockers or something other than jeans (though every body else may well be wearing jeans and tee-shirts) and some comfortable shoes other than sneakers or flip-flops. Shorts and tee-shirts are definitely not a good idea. Filipinos have certain expectations based on relative wealth and status...whether you like it or not, they will expect an American to dress as they envision an American professional to dress...wearing anything less would may not make a good impression. You represent something different there...and you will be held to a higher standard than the guests, even though the family will smile and appear to accept you as you are. Anyway...ask the wife-to-be first and foremost...but, no matter what she says, keep it on the conservative side. Always strive to be a pogi mo! Edited by magdasal, 04 September 2010 - 08:59 PM.	magdasal	Male	Philippines	2010-09-04 20:56:00
Philippines	Sworn Affidavits in the Philippines	Do you know what the fees were by chance if not it's ok. Thanks I'm sorry, my wife didn't mention the actual cost of the fee...but I don't think it was too expensive. You can inquire at your local municipal hall about the cost of sworn affidavits though. If they have a staff lawyer, I'm sure they can help you. This was in a very rural town in Mindanao, so I suspect those services are available most anywhere in the Philippines.	magdasal	Male	Philippines	2010-08-31 19:29:00
Philippines	Sworn Affidavits in the Philippines	I am trying to figure whats the best way and how to get these Sworn Affidavits done in the Philippines. Is their a special form or its just a writtien statement that their present in the wedding and if needs to be notrized. Thanks for the help. My wife got them by going to a lawyer at the local Municipal Hall. I'm not sure that this is standard throughout the Philippines though, but they seemed to know exactly what to do. She had to pay a fee, but the results looked very professional to me. Plus, they registered the affidavits at the municipality...so, at least they is a legal paper trail if the US wants to pursue it.	magdasal	Male	Philippines	2010-08-31 18:28:00
Philippines	Dream Come True	Good day!!..Congratulations..same here, we filed last May and we got approved last Aug.26...and after such a long process, God has been always there guiding and gave us a wonderful gift for our 1st Anniversary this September ...we will be celebrating our 1st Anniversary together..Indeed, with patience and love, everything is possible!!..our dreams are coming to reality one step at a time...God bless us all in our next journey- AOS!!...enjoy your stay here and abundant happiness!!...be blessed!! Great news	magdasal	Male	Philippines	2010-09-06 19:26:00
Philippines	G-325 Question	Okay, I want to make sure I understand this completely, on the I-130 in box C-1 she will use her maiden name before I married her and then on page 2 C-17 I put her married name? I pulled up a sample I-130 on this site and it has the married name in box C-1 as well in box C-17, the problem where it makes it confusing is that they put the husbands name in box C-17 but he is the US citizen not the alien relative. As for the passport photo where her middle name is different then whats on the G-325 and I-130 forms, I do not need to worry then, right? I just dont want them to return or delay the process because of a slightly different name. Thank you, Tony I'm sorry Tony, I totally got it messed up on the I-130...I'm still trying to figure out how I got that wrong, since I was looking at my form when I posted that. You are right, C-1 is the married name and C-7 is her maiden name. C-17 should be your name...you are her husband. Don't worry about her middle/last name on the passport photo...I'm sure of that. I apologize again for mixing you up on that. I need to be more careful.	magdasal	Male	Philippines	2010-09-09 18:18:00
Philippines	G-325 Question	Thanks, I wish I would have known about this sooner. But at the top of the G-325 for family name she will use my last name, correct? And then for the box below that says Current Husband or Wife, for her I will put her maiden name in that box, correct? Also, since she didnt drop her old middle name on the passport photos, those will have to be retaken and her new name will have to signed, right? Tony Hi Tony, To the first question, yes. For the second question...do you mean 'All other names used' on the second line of the form? If that is the question you are referring to, then yes, you should use her full maiden name (the one she used before she married you). If she is divorced (or, more likely, annulled) then you should create a separate attachment listing all of her previous married names as well. On the I-130 as well...her maiden name in box C-1 on the first page and don't forget page 2, C-17, which should be her married name...again, I'm referring to the I-130 here. The only place you should reference her maiden name on the G-325A is in the 'All other names used' on the second line of the form. I'm not sure I understand the passport photo question...the G325A passport photos don't have to be signed...they just have to identify who the person is. If it has her maiden name already printed there, I wouldn't worry about it. As long as they can tell who is who...that's the only reason for printing the name on the back. I hope that helps. Best of luck to you both and best wishes for a speedy and successful	magdasal	Male	Philippines	2010-09-08 18:39:00
Philippines	G-325 Question	I have a question regarding the G-325 form. I recently married my wife and do I use my last name as her's now(family name) when filling this form out and I just found out that when a Philipina woman marries, her middle name will drop and is replaced by her family name. Is this true? So now the passport photos we took will have to be replaced since we used her old middle name? Tony Depends on what you decide as a couple and it may make it easier if she get's her passport updated with her new last name before departing. Typical case...yes, use her new last name. Also, standard practice for married Catholic women in the Philippines is just as you described...family name becomes the middle name and the original middle name (usually, her mother's family name) simply disappears when she takes your last name. All Philippine government documents I've seen seem to assume that naming convention.	magdasal	Male	Philippines	2010-09-08 17:22:00
Philippines	I am wondering why the exchange is so bad?	LOL! it's the same thing! it means peso is winning versus dollar.. if you analyze it, when US economy goes down, philippine economy goes up.. don't confuse yourself.. and it's actually not "less buying power"! if you have an economy class during high school or college, you would know that when the economy continues to go up, it will result to prices going down.. a lot of filipinos complain when they send money back home and they see that the peso conversion is very low.. what they don't understand is-- it's a very good thing for the philippines! PS: i work at a remittance center here in the US so i know.. Well, somebody is confused, but I don't think it is who you think it is... Edited by magdasal, 04 September 2010 - 06:38 PM.	magdasal	Male	Philippines	2010-09-04 18:36:00
Philippines	I am wondering why the exchange is so bad?	we should be happy for the philippines if the value of peso is going up right? they need it more than USA. Unfortunately, I think it's more the US economy going down, rather than the Philippine going up, that is causing the poor USD exchange rate. So, relatives in the US are able to give their loved ones back home less buying power...not a good thing.	magdasal	Male	Philippines	2010-09-04 08:08:00
Philippines	INTERVIEW DATES IN THE PHILIPPINES	it's because of visa retrogression... I wonder how it could be visa retrogression? Immediate relative visas aren't subject to any quotas and are always 'immediately available'.	magdasal	Male	Philippines	2011-01-11 23:28:00
Philippines	Philippine Police Certificates	gotcha!!! that's the exact phrase I submitted for the USEM so you won't be needing any letter of explanation at all the two other phrase on my NBI clearance are " No criminal record on file" and "no derogatory record" and I haven't encountered any problems using those certificates at all " no record on file" in here means the person hasn't commit any crimes at all not because they can't locate her name in their system. I'll give you an example if your wife commits a crime it will appear on her record because they gather all the datas from every precinct it will appear " with pending criminal case" or "with derogatory record"... I'm not entirely sure if they still use this terms now a days I just learned it way back in my law subject and they will not let you leave the office until you talk to someone and get the required waiver or letter stating this case, they normally call someone's attention for this...if your wife has the same name with other person and with criminal record they would ask her to go back to the NBI after 7 working days so they can verify this. It's not because your wife doesn't appear in their system it's simply means she hasn't done anything against the law so you'll be fine my friend Best of luck to both of you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Glad to hear we helped you in our own little way Thank you krissyjoe...you and the others have certainly helped us. Very much appreciate your feedback You guys have saved us a lot of worry and trouble, no doubt. God bless!	magdasal	Male	Philippines	2011-01-30 03:01:00
Philippines	Philippine Police Certificates	Interestingly, no one in that thread said that the Embassy required them to submit a local police clearance. Agreed...it wasn't answered definitively one way or the other...some thought it was required and others didn't. Not an iron-clad case, for sure...but other countries seem to think that requirement holds as well...India seems to need these. Apparently the word 'local' is, as far as the Philippines is concerned, the NBI...even though local police keep records and they are available. I'm not unhappy to hear this at all...very happy I don't have to submit these..since they don't seem to meet the requirements anyway...but based on the website I read, it looked like DOS meant local as in local town...not local as in your country. In India, based on what I've read here at VJ, for example, local really does seem to mean local police. Can I ask what is the "exact phrase" that the NBI people put on her clearance? Of course...on her NBI certificate they put 'No record on file'...meaning she's never had any encounter with the NBI at all.	magdasal	Male	Philippines	2011-01-30 02:26:00
Philippines	Philippine Police Certificates	me too they never asked for any police clearance from me and I lived in Marikina when I turned 17 and moved to Naga when I was 21...I also had the same dilemma with regards to that question so I asked our hired attorney to explain it to me but he said that I only need an NBI clearance since I didn't leave the country since I turned 16...I actually tried to get a police clearance and the police man that I spoke too was just confused why I still need to get a police clearance if I already have an NBI clearance...he said "it's not making any sense at all" and about the term "no derogatory file" "no criminal conviction" no record on file" don't worry they're all the same I regularly get my NBI clearance and those phrase appear in each of those and I can assure you that I haven't commit any crimes or what so ever:P it just mean that she hasn't been sue or convicted with any case...so your wife is fine Thank you krissyjoe...clearly it means NBI. My wife didn't mention and issue getting the certificates from the local police...but then again...she may have just not mentioned any funny looks she got when she asked for them...but God bless her, she got the certificates and sent them to me anyway. I will say the the phrasing on the NBI certificate does make a difference. Here is what USEM says about that (of course, this could be wrong too...with this, in probably is): . NBI CLEARANCE: Applicants aged 16 years and older must have a valid Record Clearance for Travel Abroad Purposes from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). Clearances should be in the applicant?s current name, birth certificate name, maiden name, married name, and any aliases or nicknames ever used, including different spellings of all names ever used. An official letter of explanation from the NBI is required for any notation of ?No criminal record?, "No pending criminal case? or ?With derogatory record.? For immigration purposes, an NBI clearance is considered valid only for one year from the date it is issued. The NBI Clearance Center is located at 5th Floor, Victory Central Mall, Old Victory Compound, Rizal Avenue, Monumento, Caloocan City. You may contact NBI at (632) 523-82-31 to 38. The NBI web site is http://www.nbi.gov.ph. Edited by magdasal, 30 January 2011 - 02:10 AM.	magdasal	Male	Philippines	2011-01-30 02:09:00