US Immigration from Philippines

Hello everyone, I truly appreciate any advice or inputs that you may have regarding my case. Here s my timeline.

GC Received: July 2013

Traveled Overseas: Jul 4, 2016 Aug 10, 2017 (403 days)

Came back to the US: Aug 11, 2017 Aug 17, 2017 (7days)

*Filed an I-193 at the port of entry and granted entry as an LPR by the IO. I was not able to show a re-entry permit as I did not expect to be gone that long. Showed to the IO evidence about my ties in the US (tax returns, bank statements, physical address and mailing address)

Traveled Overseas:

- Aug 17, 2017 Feb 06, 2018 (173 days)

- Jul 04, 2018 Sep 08, 2018 (66 days)

- Nov 06, 2019 Dec 24, 2019 (48 days)

- Jan 11, 2020 Feb 12, 2020 (32 days)

*All of these travels were work and medical related.

I never traveled overseas since Feb 12, 2020 until present. I will be applying for naturalization based on the 3-year rule next month (Feb 2023). My concern now is when USCIS will review my entire immigration file. They might consider abandonment of LPR status (Jul 2016-Aug 2017 Trip) and possibly be placed for removal proceedings, even if I successfully achieved my required statutory period preceding the naturalization process.

Is it wise to apply for naturalization and take my chances? or be a LPR forever? What are my chances of being denied but still keep my LPR status? Or risk of being removed or deported?

Hello,

I read somewhere here that some airlines do not know of the paper that extends the legality of the 2 year green card holder. We filed back in Feb of 2022 for removal of condition, as of today it just shows finger prints accepted. What airlines should we stay out of when going home to PHILIPPINES to avoid issues with customs and when it comes to just have the temp GC with the paper confirmation of 2 years extension? Thank you!

Aloha!

Believe it or not, Joan and I are about T-minus 11 months and counting before the move to the Philippines! It will be here before we know it and we will have a LOT to do, especially in the second half of the year. We do have some (OK, a lot!) questions as we plan for the move. Any information would be appreciated as always!

Our local consulate is once again processing 13A Spouse Immigrant Visas. The processing time is about 15 days way better than months in the Philippines! We still do not have an exact move date, but we are looking at the end of 2023. I will be 62 years old when I retire/we move.

1. VISA questions:

The process seems straightforward and similar to what it was to bring Joan here (application form, medical, chest x-rays, financial statements, etc.).

A. How long before the move would be a good time to apply for the visa?

B. I assume the question about arrests does not include minor traffic violations. Am I correct? I have a few traffic tickets over 40 years but have never been arrested for anything.

C. They ask for a local police clearance. I assume they want it from Hawaii and not the FBI? Either is fine, I just don t want to waste time sending the wrong one.

D. I will obviously note that I have Cerebral Palsy in the physical defect question on the application but will note that it does not qualify as an A or B category medical issue (same will be noted on the medical form). Do you see any issues with that?

E. I searched and searched but could not find any specific reference to the financial requirements. We will own our house and land outright by the time we move and my pensions from NY, CA and HI along with SSA, while not a great deal of money, will cover our bills with some left over. I will not be retired yet if I apply for the visa from Hawaii. Would the calculated estimates plus title (I am listed on the title as married to...) be sufficient to prove financial stability?

2. Banking Issues:

A. Our current bank will allow us to keep the account with a Philippine address, so that is very helpful. We will be setting up a bank account in the Philippines when we visit this summer (I know about the IRS form we need if we maintain a foreign account with at least $10,000.00 no biggie). My pensions need to go into a US bank account (which is OK because we will still have some bills and taxes that will come out of our US account), but SSA can be deposited directly in the Philippines but I assume that my name needs to be on that account and I believe I can be listed on the account with Joan. We will have to send some of my pension from the US account to the Philippines, so it is not a major problem to have the SSA deposited to the US account and transfer if that is easier.

B. Speaking of sending money from the US to the Philippines once we live there, do you have any recommendations? We use Remitly now (I know that there are other choices, but so far, they work for us), however, they are only licensed to remit funds from the US if the sender resides in the US. They have a 6-month grace period but will then shut the accounts down. I have looked repeatedly online and I cannot find any options besides bank to bank transfers or ATM withdrawals and both of those are expensive. Do you have any recommendations? We may also have a larger amount to send once we sell our condo, but that might need to be bank to bank transfer unless someone has other experiences.

3. Health Insurance

A. Do you have any recommendations for health insurance? I am looking at the Kaiser International Senior Plan for me and something else for Joan, but not sure which way to go.

4. Driving issues

A. I have had a driver s license for over 40 years. I understand that getting a driver s license might be interesting once we get there. Do you see any issues with me obtaining a driver s license as a person with a disability? To be honest, I would not be terribly upset to retire from driving, but it would be good to have a license for emergencies.

5. Credit card issues

A. Do you know of any US credit card companies that allow you to have a foreign address? We have 3 now, but probably need to cancel them because they do not allow foreign addresses. We aren t thrilled with the idea of using a friend or relative s address. We also need to figure out how to cancel them without hurting our credit score. We have worked very hard and both have high scores.

I think that is it for now. We hope that we have not asked too much!!

Salamat mga kaibigan!

My Filipina Wife was DQ d on October 14, 2022. On January 10, 2023 we were notified by the NVC that the US Embassy in Manila has Approved our request for Expedited Processing of our Immigrant Visa Application. We never asked for it to be Expedited (Is this normal) however, how long should we expect to wait before we hear from the Embassy? How much time from Notification to Interview Date.

Hi, Just wanted to hear from others who are still waiting for interview to be scheduled after your paper was being documentarily qualified from NVC. its been 8 long months and still dont have interview appointment. Is this normal?