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Hello my VJ family! I'm sorry if this topic has been brought up. I tried searching but to no avail. Do you have any suggestions on this one? I have been using call cards to call my family in the PI but that darn card is robbing us blind. The minute you started dialing even their 1-800, it's charging me up already. A $5 worth call card is supposed to last an hour and a half but I can only enjoy a 30 mins talk. When I'm down to $1 balance on it, it's not allowing me to call international anymore. After 2 weeks, that balance is forfeited. Isn't it cheating? I'm aware that call cards are good for one time calling to make the most of it, but it's so hard to get a connection and before I could get a hold of my family, the balance on it is not sufficient at all because like I said, it charges up right when you dial the number, whether you get through the connection or not. We're thinking about direct calling from our landline to PI but it's way too expensive using our own provider.

Can you give me some help and ideas on what to use? Thanks all and have a good rest of the week. :thumbs:

--Mae

N-400 NATURALIZATION

04/04/2011 - Mailed N-400 to AZ Lockbox

04/06/2011 - Received

04/07/2011 - NOA

04/07/2011 - Check cashed

04/14/2011 - Biometrics appointment in the mail

04/21/2011 - Early Biometrics (was scheduled on May 4, 2011)

05/09/2011 - Case Status Notification - In line for interview and testing

05/10/2011 - Case Status Notification - Interview scheduled

05/14/2011 - Interview Appointment Letter in the mail

06/21/2011 - Interview Appointment Date

06/29/2011 - Case Status Notification - Placed in the oath scheduling que

08/16/2011 - Case Status Notification - Oath ceremony scheduled

09/15/2011 - Oath Taking - good riddance!

09/23/2011 - Applied for Passport

10/08/2011 - Passport in the mail

10/17/2011 - Certificate of Naturalization in the mail -- OFFICIALLY DONE!

"Love is a noble act of self-giving, offering trust, faith, and loyalty.

The more you love, the more you lose a part of yourself, yet you don't become less of who you are;

you end up being complete with your loved ones."

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Our $5 fonkard lasts half an hour.

You can try Direct Line Phils or DLP, powered by Pioneer Communications. Its a pre-paid kind of system, like using fonkards. try google it, and search more info on their site. They even offer call details and call log. Which you wouldn't have if you are using call cards.

Or on the other hand, your family can call you for as low as Php3 per minute using PLDT bugdet card. Their Php100 lasts for 33 minutes, no cheats. ;)

hope this helps.

jyz (F)

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Hello my VJ family! I'm sorry if this topic has been brought up. I tried searching but to no avail. Do you have any suggestions on this one? I have been using call cards to call my family in the PI but that darn card is robbing us blind. The minute you started dialing even their 1-800, it's charging me up already. A $5 worth call card is supposed to last an hour and a half but I can only enjoy a 30 mins talk. When I'm down to $1 balance on it, it's not allowing me to call international anymore. After 2 weeks, that balance is forfeited. Isn't it cheating? I'm aware that call cards are good for one time calling to make the most of it, but it's so hard to get a connection and before I could get a hold of my family, the balance on it is not sufficient at all because like I said, it charges up right when you dial the number, whether you get through the connection or not. We're thinking about direct calling from our landline to PI but it's way too expensive using our own provider.

Can you give me some help and ideas on what to use? Thanks all and have a good rest of the week. :thumbs:

--Mae

I have never found an international calling card that didn't cheat on the minutes.

Here are some possible solutions:

1. If they have broadband internet, get a vonage account (something like $25 unlimited US and Canada) and ship it to them to connect on thier broadband. You will call the US number and talk unlimited.

2. http://www.pinoycalls.com/ <- flat fee unlimited solution

3. Check with your carrier to see if they offer an international plan or consider switching phone carriers. I have my telephone through the cable company and we pay 12 cents/min to Philippines landlines and the billing is accurate.

4. Look at http://www.gorillamobile.com/ <- 13 cents landline / 19 cents mobile

05/16/2005 I-129F Sent

05/28/2005 I-129F NOA1

06/21/2005 I-129F NOA2

07/18/2005 Consulate Received package from NVC

11/09/2005 Medical

11/16/2005 Interview APPROVED

12/05/2005 Visa received

12/07/2005 POE Minneapolis

12/17/2005 Wedding

12/20/2005 Applied for SSN

01/14/2005 SSN received in the mail

02/03/2006 AOS sent (Did not apply for EAD or AP)

02/09/2006 NOA

02/16/2006 Case status Online

05/01/2006 Biometrics Appt.

07/12/2006 AOS Interview APPROVED

07/24/2006 GC arrived

05/02/2007 Driver's License - Passed Road Test!

05/27/2008 Lifting of Conditions sent (TSC > VSC)

06/03/2008 Check Cleared

07/08/2008 INFOPASS (I-551 stamp)

07/08/2008 Driver's License renewed

04/20/2009 Lifting of Conditions approved

04/28/2009 Card received in the mail

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4. Look at http://www.gorillamobile.com/ <- 13 cents landline / 19 cents mobile

I like gorillamobile. It may not be the cheapest, but it gives a clear connection and doesn't drop calls like a lot of the other calling card services.

my blog: http://immigrationlawreformblog.blogspot.com/

"It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag."

-- Charles M. Province

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Yep vonage is also good. Have a friend who have it. You can insist the operator/sales agent to get intial 1-3 mos free. yet you still have to pay for the device and its delivery here in PI.

Good Luck on your search! :thumbs:

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Hello my VJ family! I'm sorry if this topic has been brought up. I tried searching but to no avail. Do you have any suggestions on this one? I have been using call cards to call my family in the PI but that darn card is robbing us blind. The minute you started dialing even their 1-800, it's charging me up already. A $5 worth call card is supposed to last an hour and a half but I can only enjoy a 30 mins talk. When I'm down to $1 balance on it, it's not allowing me to call international anymore. After 2 weeks, that balance is forfeited. Isn't it cheating? I'm aware that call cards are good for one time calling to make the most of it, but it's so hard to get a connection and before I could get a hold of my family, the balance on it is not sufficient at all because like I said, it charges up right when you dial the number, whether you get through the connection or not. We're thinking about direct calling from our landline to PI but it's way too expensive using our own provider.

Can you give me some help and ideas on what to use? Thanks all and have a good rest of the week. :thumbs:

--Mae

I've had good luck with a phone card from www.ppoutlet.com They don't show the cheapest rates but they are pretty honest in their minutes. You could also look at Skype phone.

First trip 01-17-07

Married 02-05-07

What Service Center was filed at? Nebraska transferred to California

Provide dates for the following:

I-130 sent (Mailed)..........................3-12-07

1st NOA (Receipt Notice) .................3-29-07

2nd NOA (Approval Notice) e-mail.....6-15-07

Bill for I-864 processing fee rcd and sent..7-24-07

I-864 Packet Received......................8-18-07

I-864 Mailed to NV............................8-20-07

Bill for DS-230 received....................8-29-07

Payment for DS-230 sent..................8-30-07

DS-230 Packet received..................10-25-07

DS-230 Packet sent to NVC..............10-29-07

Case Completed..............................11-16-07

Case Forwarded to Embassy.............11-30-07

Packet recieved from NVC................12-07-07

Medical complete...............................1-04-08

Leave for Manila................................1-19-08

Interview and approval......................1-22-08

Visa in Hand .....................................1-24-08

Arrived in USA...................................3-19-08

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if your family has a PLDT landline, why not use the budget cards instead? that's what we use. mike buys them online and sends me the PIN so i can do the calling. its way cheaper too! our $45 worth of budget cards equal to 67 hours worth of talk time.

if they have broadband internet, i heard vonage and skype are great as well. we haven't used it though. we just use Google talk or Yahoo Messenger...stingy, aren't we? :blush:

mikeandlani

our Visa Journey

09.01.06 - Filed I130 to VSC

05.21.07 - NOA2

06.19.07 - NVC receives Petition

11.23.07 - CASE COMPLETE

01.30.08 - USEM Interview

02.02.08 - CR1 Visa Received

03.03.08 - Entered US through Detroit International

03.27.08 - Received 2yr Conditional Resident Card

04.01.08 - Filed for my SSN at the local SSA office

04.05.08 - SSN received by mail

05.03.08 - Finally got my Driver's License

lifting conditions....

I-I-751

12.07.09 - Sent I-751 to VSC by express mail

12.08.09 - I-751 delivered to VSC per USPS tracking :-)

12.09.09 - NOA1 date (Checked cashed :-D)

12.14.09 - Received NOA1

12.18.09 - ASC Appointment Notice Date

12.26.09 - Received ASC Appointment Notice

12.31.09 - Early Biometrics

01.14.10 - Biometrics Schedule

02.26.10 - Email update --Card Production ordered

03.02.10 - Email update --Approval Notice sent

03.06.10 - Approval Notice Received

03.08.10 - Card Received

Naturalization

I-N400

09.09.11 - Sent N400 to USCIS Dallas Lockbox

09.23.11 - Received 1-797 by mail

11.17.11 - Biometrics Schedule

01.25.12 - Received Interview and Exam Notice by mail

02.28.12 - Interview schedule

03.28.12 - Oath Ceremony

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if your family has a PLDT landline, why not use the budget cards instead? that's what we use. mike buys them online and sends me the PIN so i can do the calling. its way cheaper too! our $45 worth of budget cards equal to 67 hours worth of talk time.

if they have broadband internet, i heard vonage and skype are great as well. we haven't used it though. we just use Google talk or Yahoo Messenger...stingy, aren't we? :blush:

LOL. We do the same and I don't think it's being cheap. We both have good incomes but decided to spend very little on phone calls Not only have my typing skills improved with all the messenger chatting, but thanks to that and the free talking, there's money in the bank for the start of our lives together.

First trip 01-17-07

Married 02-05-07

What Service Center was filed at? Nebraska transferred to California

Provide dates for the following:

I-130 sent (Mailed)..........................3-12-07

1st NOA (Receipt Notice) .................3-29-07

2nd NOA (Approval Notice) e-mail.....6-15-07

Bill for I-864 processing fee rcd and sent..7-24-07

I-864 Packet Received......................8-18-07

I-864 Mailed to NV............................8-20-07

Bill for DS-230 received....................8-29-07

Payment for DS-230 sent..................8-30-07

DS-230 Packet received..................10-25-07

DS-230 Packet sent to NVC..............10-29-07

Case Completed..............................11-16-07

Case Forwarded to Embassy.............11-30-07

Packet recieved from NVC................12-07-07

Medical complete...............................1-04-08

Leave for Manila................................1-19-08

Interview and approval......................1-22-08

Visa in Hand .....................................1-24-08

Arrived in USA...................................3-19-08

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My family doesn't have a landline nor internet at home, just cellphone. I have been trying to make them call me using PLDT budget card (since that's what I used to call my husband when I was still in the PI) but the nearest PLDT booth there is at the mall, 2 jeepney rides from home, which is very incovenient for them. That's why we're looking for a way for me to call them on a regular basis without being robbed blindly. Call cards are cheaters, of that I'm sure. I guess I'll start with calling our provider here. Our phone, internet connection and cable are all in one package. Maybe they can help us with adding another feature, which is international calling that is not so expensive.

Thanks for all the help guys!

--Mae

N-400 NATURALIZATION

04/04/2011 - Mailed N-400 to AZ Lockbox

04/06/2011 - Received

04/07/2011 - NOA

04/07/2011 - Check cashed

04/14/2011 - Biometrics appointment in the mail

04/21/2011 - Early Biometrics (was scheduled on May 4, 2011)

05/09/2011 - Case Status Notification - In line for interview and testing

05/10/2011 - Case Status Notification - Interview scheduled

05/14/2011 - Interview Appointment Letter in the mail

06/21/2011 - Interview Appointment Date

06/29/2011 - Case Status Notification - Placed in the oath scheduling que

08/16/2011 - Case Status Notification - Oath ceremony scheduled

09/15/2011 - Oath Taking - good riddance!

09/23/2011 - Applied for Passport

10/08/2011 - Passport in the mail

10/17/2011 - Certificate of Naturalization in the mail -- OFFICIALLY DONE!

"Love is a noble act of self-giving, offering trust, faith, and loyalty.

The more you love, the more you lose a part of yourself, yet you don't become less of who you are;

you end up being complete with your loved ones."

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I go through http://www.ppldt.net .

I currently pay 17 cents when calling a mobile number and 14.5 cents when calling a land line. Plus you can print your call records which can be used as evidence.

Removing Conditions

11/29/09 - I-751 Sent

11/30/09 - I-751 Received

12/01/11 - NOA

08/24/12 - Approved, no interview, card ordered

AOS/EAD/AP

06/11/09 - AOS/EAD/AP Sent

12/29/09 - AOS Approved, no interview, card ordered

01/04/10 - LPR card received

-------

Please update your time-line, it benefits us all.

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
Timeline

I use Pingo.com...16cents for mobile and 14cents for landline..you can get free $5 for signing up..Try it..No need to use phone cards..Just register the number you need to use calling P.I..It works for me pretty good!

AOS Process:

Mar. 11, 2008- ARRIVED US

Mar. 12, 2008- got married

00-00-0000-Temple wedding-Mormon church

Mar.13, 2008-completed vaccinations-I693A supplement from CS

Mar. 18, 2008- sent the AOS package(I-485 and EAD)..applied for SSN..

Mar.19, 2008-Delivered. signed for by V Bustamante-took and passed written driving test

Mar.25, 2008-Check cashed-Received SSN

Mar.27,2008-Received NOA's in mail-Case available online

Mar.28, 2008-Received Biometrics appointment in mail-04/08/08

Apr.08,2008-Biometrics DONE

Apr.08-09,2008-TOUCHED

Apr.14,2008-Transfer Notice date to California(I-485)

Apr.17,2008-Received Notice in the mail about the transfer

Apr.20 and 22,2008-I-485 TOUCHED..No touch on EAD

Apr.24, 2008-Received AR driver license

May 07, 08, 09, 12, 13, 2008- I-485 TOUCHED..

May 16, 2008- I-765 Card production ordered -1st email

May 19, 2008- I-485 TOUCHED

May 21, 2008-I-765 Card production ordered-2nd email

May 22, 2008- I-765 TOUCHED

May 23, 2008-I765 Approval notice sent-3rd email

May 24, 2008- EAD in hand

May 28, 2008-AOS Card production ordered..yehey!!!got another email saying "Notice mailed welcoming the new permanent resident"

May 29, 2008-AOS TOUCHED

June 03, 2008- Green Card in hand

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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Gambia
Timeline

Rebtel is the only one that I know of that will give you 10 free minutes to start and also only charges 0.13cents landline and 0.15cents mobile. They also will give you a $20 credit just for signing up.

That is all I use because they let you print your phone records, have no dropped calls, clear connection and even provide a local number for the person abroad to call you back for free (costing you nothing).

Anyway, I would recommend them over a phone card ANY day.

Peace

12/25/2004 - Met my future hubby while on trip to Gambia

12/13/2006 - Married my hubby in Gambia (West Africa)

12/08/2007 - Sent I-130 to Chicago Lock box. USPS Express Mail December 08,'07, 7:44 pm

02/05/2008 - I-130 NOA1 Hardcopy Received in mailbox

05/27/2008 - Filed Expedite Request by phone with CSR

06/01/2008 - Received Denial Email

06/05/2008 - Filed 2nd request

06/23/2008 - Expedite Approved

07/27/2008 - NOA2

10/21/2008 - Case complete at NVC (Technically was expedited to embassy)

11/06/2008 - Interview at Dakar Embassy

11/06/2008 - Notice (show more income evidence from petitioner)

11/07/2008 - Case on hold

11/18/2008 - 2nd Interview Date

11/18/2008 - Notice (Show even more income and ORIGINAL docs now from 1st cosponsor

12/23/2008 - Received email for 3rd Interview scheduled for March 25th, 2009. Bring Pics

01/23/2009- In Gambia with hubby

03/25/2009- Interview

04/09/2009- POE Atlanta (CR-1 Status until 2011)

04/13/2009- husband arrested for domestic violence (Aggravated Assault-Felony)

05/19/2009- Filed for divorce

06/02/2009- Letter sent to immigration detailing abuse & fraud

09/08/2009- Divorce Hearing

09/10/2009- Divorce Trial (Continued)

03/11/2010- Notice To Appear issued

03/22/2010- Divorced

05/18/2010- Deportation Master Hearing

05/18/2010- Deportation Ordered

06/17/2010- Appeal Time Over. ICE picked him up. In Jail

08/10/2010- Another Master Hearing Scheduled. Out of jail.

05/31/2012- Individual Hearing Scheduled

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yahoo messenger has voice now. I used to chat with my friend in CDO all the time using it. Of course you both need Internet and Messenger and a microphone :P

usa_fl_sm_nwm.gifphilippines_fl_md_clr.gif

United States & Republic of the Philippines

"Life is hard; it's harder if you're stupid." John Wayne

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Filed: K-3 Visa Country: Philippines
Timeline

I suggest your family should apply for smart broadband internet. Its a wireless internet and uses antenna on the top of the roof to get a connection. It costs 1,000 pesos for installation fee and 999 pesos per month for unlimited use of internet. They have lots of base stations scattered all over the philippines. Applicant should just bring his or her passport or any valid id and pay the installation fee to the nearest smart center and after 3 days people from smart would come and install it. I am in a remote area so cable internet is not accessible but thanks to smart I can go online 24/7. I use yahoo voice to call my husband's cellphone in california and my sister in texas and it only costs me 1 cents per minute. So if you convert that in pesos, it only costs me 40 cents per minute for my US calls. I think Globe has wireless internet too but its only available in Luzon.

05/18/07 married

05/29/07 sent I-130s for me & my daughter at CSC

06/16/07 checks for I-130 cashed

06/19/07 sent I-129F not waiting for noa1 but with printed online copies of checks cashed

06/25/07 check for I-129f cashed

06/29/07 transferred I-129f to CSC

07/03/07 received noa1 in the mail for I-129f

10/31/07 approved K3 and my I-130 except for my daughter

11/05/07 received NOA2 in the mail

12/01/07 received mail from NVC/yey we got our case number

12/20/07 went to St. Lukes and had my early medical exam

01/30/08 schedule for medical

02/07/08 interview, approved!

02/12/08 visa pick-up/cfo

02/14/08 POE-LAX

06/19/08 AOS mailed thru USPS

06/22/08 AOS delivered to Chicago IL

06/28/08 check cashed

06/30/08 received NOA1 dated 06/25/08

07/26/08 biometrics appointment

09/09/08 received EAD card in the mail

12/03/08 received interview letter for Jan 21 2009

01/21/09 approved for conditional permanent residence

02/02/09 permanent residence card arrived in the mail

10/21/10 submit form to remove conditions

01/21/11 10 year gc received

03/05/12 mailed my N-400

03/06/12 received email that they have my N-400

04/05/12 biometrics

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