US Immigration from Philippines

Hi there,

My fianc & I received our ready status from the NVC back on March 15th, 2023. Things seem to be a bit unclear, but it seems as if we need to wait to hear back from the embassy before we can schedule our interview. I reached out to the embassy a few days ago & was told that the case was still in transit from the NVC to the embassy in Manila. Has anyone been through the process recently & can give some insight as to how long it typically takes for the physical files to get to the embassy in Manila? I think the general FAQs indicate a 4-6 week window but I've seen some folks having their cases to Manila in less than a week. In hopes of getting a jump on the process, we've already completed her DS-160, paid the MRV fee & she is currently in Manila for her medical exam today & tomorrow. We currently also have scheduled our appointment for the next available slot of June 8th, 2023 with hopes that once we complete our medical exam that we can potentially grab any interview openings that pop up before June 8th. When I contacted that embassy, they did indicate that they could not conduct the interview until the physical files were delivered to the embassy, so right now we're really just waiting on that to happen.

Any insight or information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Kawika

That was fun and the last of my fun with US Immigration. Four years and it will be Philippines immigration I get to deal with.

In PI now to bring the last of my in-laws back to the US.

Don't let the time scare anyone. We filed July 2019 so we had COVID, the Sputum, then TB treatment and another Sputum with the 2nd medical (seemed odd just out of treatment and cleared culture but more fun in the Philippines I guess)

Timing worked well as we bought some condos in December and I had paperwork to sign.

Good luck to all on their Journeys. Hope it rolls out smooth for you. Now I just get to read the forum and not worry or check case status.

Hello,

I have searched for related questions and was unable to find anything.

The I-134 I am using shows an expiration date of 7/31/2023 which I downloaded from USCIS site last night.

I will be using this form for the pending K-1 interview in the upcoming months

Two questions:

1) The form auto updates the name placed in Part 2 #1 with the name in Part 3 #1. My understanding is that the Beneficiary is listed in Part 2 #1, where I list my name as the USC Petitioner in Part 3 #1. However the form automation does not allow the two areas to have unique names. Is anyone else seeing this? Any work around?

2) Part 2 #12: I have heard two schools of thought. One is to leave the "From" blank and select "No End Date", the other is to estimate the "From" date and include the estimated date.

Any input/thoughts from those successful using this new version of the form (Embassy is Manila, Philippines)

Thank you all for your time and help.

-Kurt

Hi all,

I've read through several posts on the topic of married filing jointly status while my spouse is still abroad, without a current SSN or ITIN. After reading through the IRS instructions for the W-7, I think I have this figured out, but I wanted to check with some of the members who are more experienced in this.

I received my CAF from the IRS and was granted POA for signing documents for my wife.

• The W-7 instructions indicate a spouse cannot sign for a spouse w/out POA, which I have now been assigned.

So, I think I should be good to:

• Print our tax documents
• Attach the 2848
• Attach the W-7 (signed by me as designee with my CAF number included)
• Attach the original document of my wife's certified true copy of her passport
• Attach a copy of our marriage certificate

Is this accurate, or am I missing something? (Or misunderstanding?)

Thanks for the help!

Who has successfully adopted their Filipino step children? What was the process that you followed and how complicated was it?

My spouse has two children whom she had with an ex boyfriend in the Philippines. They were never married. The biological father has not been in the picture for 4+ years. He pretty much abandoned the kids.

One child's birth certificate lists him as the father. My spouse has no idea where he would be nor how to contact him.

I spoke to an attorney today and he said the father would have to give up his rights and that we would most likely have to go to the Philippines to serve him. But since he is not familiar with the laws of the Philippines he cannot offer much help. He further said it would be an international adoption and that I am looking at upwards of 25k to adopt each one.

None of this makes sense to me. Why would my step children who have lived in the US with me and their mother for over a year be considered as an international adoption? I further thought that single Filipino mothers have sole custody of their illegitimate children. And furthermore understood that parents who have abandoned their children have relinquished their parental rights.