US Immigration from Philippines

Good Day everyone!

Priority date: June 2, 2000

Became current on the visa bulletin: May 1, 2020

I turned 21 years old last July 3, 2020.

The petitioner emailed NVC about it and they said that I am eligible for CSPA (because I was still under 21 in May 2020) It will just depend on the consul during interview.

I read something here that I'd be protected as long as I submit a DS260 within a year after being current on the visa bulletin.

I submitted a DS260 last April 29, 2020. Became documentarily qualified last December 2020 and right now, we're just waiting for the interview date.

I'm just wondering because of all the backlogs and delays, what will happen after a year of submitting DS260?

Does that mean I might be considered aged out in April 2021 since it's already been a year when I submitted a DS260?

Thank you!

My brother in law is working as an overseas worker in Saudia Arabia. His contract is up in December and he'd like to visit my wife and our family.

Would he process the visa in Saudia Arabia but at the Philippines consulate there? Or should he wait to go home to the Philippines and then attempt to process from there?

I will be going to look up requirements next. This is just in case there are some shortcuts since he's not current in the PI.

Thanks in advance, and thanks again for helping Emely and I out 9 years, and two daughters ago!

joelb

Well, time snuck up and time to file ROC. Actually Nothing hardly changed. Same work, same address, same vehicles, same LLC, same banks, etc.

We saved in folders all the stuff we submitted (and took to interview,), so pretty much just make fresh copies. Wife's Passport expired, but she has an appointment in LA for renewal. I guess send a copy of the expired one, and her new one will be here a year before our appointment. About the only thing we can add is pictures of us with my family and hers, and her birthday cards from my sister to her. Yeah, some people still mail cards.. Nice. About all I need to do is fill out the forms, and write a check, bundle and ship.

I don't get on here often, as we have a busy life, but I do pop in on occasion just to read the hot topics!

Cheers Ya'll!

Since there has been some interest here in flying Filipina/o spouses/fianc s/partners to a neutral third country as a way to get around travel bans to meet and spend time together, here s the best deal I have seen in a long time for a Philippine Passport friendly way to get from Manila to South America. I did already book this one and will join my wife next month for just a vacation together in Peru while we wait on this I-130. Turkish Airlines currently has round trip Manila to Lima Peru for $1,169 all in. Manila-Istanbul-Panama-Lima. Panama-Lima is on Copa Air but it is all on one Turkish Airlines ticket which is an important detail for Philippine Passport holders due to transit issues that may arise with separate tickets booked together. To book this deal search MNL-LIM on turkishairlines.com . Do a Flexible Dates search since the flights only operate a few days a week. The days on the grid at $1,202 will price out at $1,169 if you go to buy them. I have not found this price anywhere except directly from turkishairlines.com.

Anyone who has looked into Philippine Passport friendly routes from Manila to South America, (ie no North America transit) will know those itineraries usually price out at $1,800 to $2,200 or more, so although $1,169 may not be "cheap", it is a real bargain and much lower than usual ticket prices. Many Caveats apply. There are the well know issues inexperienced Filipina travelers may face getting past Philippine Immigration on the way out. It probably IS a bit much for many travelers if it would be their first trip alone out of the country. Philippine Passport holders can transit Istanbul without a visa, trouble free, if their layover is less than 24 hours and they remain airside. Panama is a little more restrictive but allows transit without a visa if their layover is less than 12 hours and they remain airside. So be mindful of the length of any long layovers. Peru is Visa Free for Philippine passports but requires a negative PCR test within 72hours prior to departure from all foreign travelers. Philippines requires COVID travel insurance, and of course, there is a week in a quarantine hotel and another PCR test in Manila when they get back to the Philippines. If they are coming from or returning to a Province, that may or may not be the deal breaker for such a trip depending on provincial travel rules du jour. It is a long-haul flight, followed by a long-haul flight, followed by a mid-range flight. Not for everyone and it will take allot more planning than a couple of paragraphs on the internet. But for the adventurous types it's the best Philippine Passport friendly deal you are likely to see for MNL to South America. Me personally? The tickets are already bought and I will be vacationing with my Filipina wife in Peru next month.

One of my biggest fears traveling to the Philippines right now is the inter island travel and the quarantine requirements. I am very lucky I am married and we have a daughter so I can get a visa to the Philippines, the road block is the infrequent flights between the islands as well as the mandatory 14 day quarantine once I reach my wife's island. Things are changing starting Monday they have dropped the mandatory 14 day quarantine provided you show a negative covid test before arrival.

https://digicastnegros.com/negros-open-to-tourists-starting-march-15-diaz/?fbclid=IwAR1tyEF2w3pPhJWaDS77QEBGSSg76eG-2zq2KS-vGPQ06-RcTlm7uTMPZYg

I am hoping and praying they will re-open the Philippines for everyone in the 4th quarter of this year provided they can test negative or be vaccinated for covid before arrival in the Philippines.