Derbo/Yamkins

My first credit card was with Capital One. They have one for immigrants/no credit. $0 annual fee. They upgraded mine after a year.

http://www.creditcards.com/no-credit-history.php

Agree with aaron2020.
My stepson is an , in-state resident student at the Univ. of Washington College of Engineering. He was unable to find any scholarships/grants as that he is a LPR, and not yet a USC. The irony is that he will be eligible for citizenship a couple of months after he graduates......
The devil is in the details.

As an LPR, you are not considered an international student. For tuition, you would pay the same cost as a USC. If you apply to an out of state school, then you would pay out of state tuition. If you apply to an in state school, then you would pay in state tuition.
As an LPR, you qualify for financial aid. There may be scholarships limited to USCs.
You will need to meet the prerequisites to enroll. Check on this and make sure you qualify before applying.

The BMV or DMV usually has a hardcopy of a study guide or driver's manual in their offices.
You can also download a PDF from the link Jose & Eli gave.

Our case was transferred back in January and we found out today that our case had been approved and that the Green Card is in the mail. We had originally filed in early December, didn't have an interview or any issues, just a slower than expected process, which isn't really unexpected when it comes to the US government. Hope more people who had their cases transferred who are still waiting get theirs approved soon as well.

Hello, everyone! So, I just attended my seminar today (11AM) in the Good Shepherd Convent since I read bad reviews with PRISM (additional P150.00 handouts which is unnecessary cost).
They gave a feedback form but I wasn't able to drop it into the box.
Here's what I think about the experience (registrant with VISA in hand):
LOCATION: If you are going to use the LRT Line 2, it's pretty convenient. It's literally right next to the Katipunan Station (from Recto, Santolan bound). CFO satellite office is right in the same compound as St. Mary's.
It's pretty humid in the waiting areas and the canteen with a few of the fans working. Only one in the Guidance & Counseling waiting room. The canteen is like a random space that they decided to turn into a canteen. Not much food to see or expect here. The fans are turned off too unless you ask the lady to turn it on. TIP: Bring your food and drinks. I had no choice because I was hungry and was moved to the 11AM session since I was late for the 8:30am session.
The seminar room is air-conditioned and is in the 2nd floor.
REGISTRATION: Staff is fair to okay. Not really the welcoming hotel receptionist type. I was a bit annoyed when she asked for 3 photocopies of my passport and my visa when their website didn't state that as far as I remember. She will give you a form to fill-up which is pretty much the same as the one from CFO's website. They will take a digital picture of you and receive your seminar payment of Php 250.
CONTENT: I'm very much disappointed with this. 4 hours of rambling and beating around the bush about domestic abuse. In my opinion, the seminar is not well structured, biased and pretty subjective.
1st part, there was this representative from Metrobank promoting opening a Savings Account and an OFW Remittance account. When I asked her 3 simple yet important questions, she can't answer it. She keeps on describing the accounts but when I asked the crucial questions that everyone cares about, she can't answer it. The questions involved: available bank affiliates in the countries we're going, bank transfer charge (to compare with other wire transfer services like Moneygram or Xoom), how fast the money will be received.
Short briefing of St. Mary's history as an NGO and being an affiliate of the government goes here...Why the seminar was mandated by the government...
2nd, they required us to introduce ourselves to the group. I'm a bit off with the idea since in my head, you (other participants) don't need to know stuff about me and my partner in a way that it is a requirement. I'll tell you if I want to tell you. But for a format to be followed...BLEH. (Name, age, country of destination, optional background story) In my opinion, where is confidentiality. I'd prefer to have these facts asked privately.
3rd, we were shown a video clip of Magandang Gabi Bayan, an old show of Noli de Castro from more than a decade ago? It featured 3 cases of domestic abuse in different forms (physical, emotional, financial/mental) by foreign spouses of Filipinas. The title of the episode is "Karanasan/Kapalaran ng Pilipina sa Dayuhan" (Experience of Filipinas with Foreigners). Can't find it online though.
We were asked about our individual reactions. I expressed mine which is in sense goes like this, "The key is, regardless of being married or not to a Filipino or a foreigner, you have to be vigilant, self-reliant and ready with a contingency plan for the worst scenario. The scenarios presented to us are not limited to foreigners alone, even Filipinos hurt their wives. No one have a good grasp of what's going on another person's mind may they be spouse, friend, sibling or stranger. So, it's important to be prepared for the worst and save some for yourself."
The seminar was more or less 3-4 hours of unstructured rambling and prejudiced opinions and uneducated suggestions (marry someone else if it doesn't work within 90 days...I can't believe they even suggest that. I was expecting "go home to your family and be banned from a K1 visa. 1st, the K1 visa has your fiance's name on it. It's also pretty insulting to say it won't work or your relationship with your lover will fail and is not genuine.")
4th, we were given forms. Asked to go downstairs for the individual interview. Pretty basic questions. I was delayed with the requirement of a "landline". Okay, it might be for record checking but in this time, everybody else is going wireless and for them to require a landline number is absurd.
5th, releasing of Guidance & Counseling Certificate. Annoyed me more when they require you to pay Php 14.00 for the photocopy of documents they would keep/forward to CFO Paco. We paid almost Php 700 and you can't cover that for a copy of our papers? What about the "centralized system" they boasted about during the seminar which reaches until foreign countries? Can't they input that there?
6th, proceed to CFO satellite office "at the back of their building". I was expecting a more decent space. It was like an old stock room / random poorly maintained public bathroom from the outside with little signage of CFO-this-way-->
Small lounge after a small hallway to the tiny office. Processing is fast here anyway. You need to pay the Php400 here. They will staple the CFO certificate to your passport, check the CFO form (from online or filled-up from St. Mary's if you don't have it), put the sticker on a passport page.
Then, I went home at around 2:30pm to 2:45pm.
Over all, I think they should work on a much structured module for this seminar to include a crash course of starting life in another country (finding jobs, intercultural relations, support system, communication methods, currency/saving & spending in a foreign currency, education, relationship matters, etc.) I think the domestic abuse subject should just be a part of it instead of being the WHOLE thing.
I also suggest doing the CFO and Seminar after receiving the visa to save you from the hassle of traveling back there for your sticker.
That's all I can say for now.

I know how you feel. I wanted a nice wedding too, so I really planned it. I think what you can do is do some research on your area, and already find a dress there. If you present to him all the details, cost, and have it all planned out already and tell him everything in exact terms, maybe he would consider it. The key here is to be proactive, and also to know your limits. When I planned my wedding, I covered all bases, he did not have to do anything but show up! I was also upfront about all expenses, and I already knew how we would pay for it. I know it seems hard, but if you really want it, you can do your own research, maybe he is worried about expenses and having to plan it. All I know is you can have a beautiful civil wedding, or a garden wedding in someone's home for a couple of hundred dollars. You just need to be creative. Tell him how you feel, and also ask his reasons why he wants it right away. Maybe it's a religious thing, like not wanting to live together without being married? Lastly, like others said, you can always get married twice, but to me, I did not like that idea. I wanted one special day, and for that to be it. If that is what you want too, talk to him. After all, it is your special day!

Email them at IVManilaReplies@state.gov to check the status of your visa if it's been issued/printed. Usually it takes 3-5 days for it to be printed. Once it's been issued, the courier (2go) will get it from the embassy.
Didn't you fill up a paper to submit for visa delivery? Coz if not, they will use your address for the delivery. Try tracking your visa here after it's been issued by entering your case number MNL######## http://www.2go.com.ph/CustomerSupport/etrace/index.asp Coz I chose to pick up mine too and I just sort of tracked it online and called all the nearest 2go offices around my area to check where it's been delivered

Congratulations! We almost have the same timeline! My interview will be tomorrow!

I agree with you and that is our own taste.. We both worked hard for it. It depends on what kind of wedding a couple wants (like what I said).. It also depends on where you grew up. You've mentioned before that your wife lives in a village. Her taste is really different from mine because I live my life in Manila. As I grew up, I've witnessed several elegant weddings and as a girl, I grew up wishing to have one too in the future. It also depends on what kind of people your guests are.. Not bragging (and I apologize if I sound like one.. I just want to give you guys an idea why...) but the hubby is a Policy Operations Manager in a multi-billion dollar international business and I am a Certified Accountant - so we have circle of friends who deserve to be treated with importance.. Again, it's our taste and we both enjoyed it..

Great post
here's a link to USCIS Civil Surgeon Locator https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=offices.type&OfficeLocator.office_type=CIV

Hi everyone,
I thought I would share my experience to others so that it will hopefully help you guys as well. I know that the k1 process is stressful and getting the visa is a true victory. Sadly though, the stress will not end there because after POE there is another journey, but it will be better because you get to experience it with your loved one. I know a lot of people here have already successfully accomplished AOS so feel free to chime in and comment as well.
First and foremost, read up on the following:
VJ Link to AOS for k1/k2
Vanessa and Tony's guide
Here is what I did from POE onwards..
1. POE
Don’t forget to bring the brown envelope from the embassy and hand it to the immigration officer, together with your i-94. Make sure all details on the i-94 are written legibly and correctly. Also, do not leave the airport without checking if all the details on your i-94 is correct (Your name, alien number, date of stamp etc) and DO NOT LOSE YOUR I-94.
2. GET A MARRIAGE LICENSE
Check your state laws for the requirements to get married.. Go to your local town clerk to get the license. Some may need a SSN, some won't. So you can interchange #2 and #3.
3. GET A SSN
K1 visa holders are allowed to get a SSN as long as they still have a valid i-94. It is recommended to go 10-14 days upon entry so that by then you should already be registered in the database. Now I have been told that there are some SSA who are clueless about k1 visa holders and refuse to give them the SSN until you have your green card. This is FALSE, and if this happens, ask for higher management and demand for it, because you are entitled to one.
Things to bring: Passport, I-94, NSO Birth Cert, SSN Form (you can get one there). If you go when you are already married, bring your MC.
Proof that k1 can apply for SSN
SSN Form
It should arrive in 1-2 weeks.
4. FIND A CIVIL SURGEON
Only if your DS-3025 is marked “incomplete” is a I-693 required to be completed. If it is marked as such (incomplete) you are required to complete certain portions of the I-693 and have a Civil Surgeon certify the form (and seal it in an evelope). Specifically, you will complete Part 1 (Information about you) of the I-693 and provide both the form and your DS-3025 (if you have it, proving your vaccination history) and any proof of required vaccinations that were completed prior to entering the US. If you do not have a copy of your DS-3025 you will need to provide sufficient evidence of your vaccination history to the Civil Surgeon (talk to the civil surgeon’s office to discuss what vaccination records they accept as proof). If you do not have proof of your vaccination history the Civil Surgeon may insist on re-administering all the required vaccinations prior to completing the I-693. Once the Civil Surgeon has has verified that all required vaccinations have been performed, they will complete form I-693 Part 2 (the vaccination section) and Part 5 (the Civil Surgeon’s Certification). They will then seal the form in an envelope and return it to you.
So this part is a little confusing because I have all the complete age-appropriate vaccines, and yet some people claim to have gotten RFEs for not having their I-693 transcribed so we decided that were gonna do it anyway to avoid any complications The trick here is to call around and find a civil surgeon who will not require you to do another medical, because your medical exam should still be valid for a whole year!
5. GET MARRIED AND GET THE (certified) MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE
The marriage certificate is important for AOS, so make sure you grab copies of it!
FILING FOR AOS:
AOS DOCUMENTS
1. Cover letter
In the checklist above it is recommended that you include a Cover Page with your application. While this is optional, filing a cover page will help the USCIS understand what benefit you are applying for and specifically what items you have included in your package. Again, make sure the cover page includes:
– the applicants contact information (name, address, phone number)
– A description of the benefit you are applying for ( Family Based Adjustment of Status Application)
– A table of contents listing the major items in your package (i.e. I-485 and evidence, I-765, I-131, etc)
– A line with the applicants signature and date
2. G-1145 – Form for E-notification of Application/Petition Acceptance
3. Payment in the amount of $1,070.00 payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (personal cheque)
4. I-485 – Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, signed & dated
5. Copy of birth certificate
6. Photocopy of passport biographical details page
7. Copy of K1 visa in passport
8. Photocopy of USA entry stamp dated
9. 2 passport photos (US passport size) – name and alien number printed lightly on back in pencil or felt pen
10. I-693 Filled up by Civil Surgeon (Bring DS-3205 and Vaccination Records)
11. G-325A – Biographic Information, including residence and employment attachments
11. I-864 – Affidavit of Support (TIM) +tax returns, employment letter, bank statement, pay stubs and proof of citizenship
12. I-864 – Affidavit of Support (Co-Sponsor) + Most recent tax returns and proof of citizenship
13. Copy of I-797 – Notice of Action, Approval of K1 petition, dated ##### (front & back) - AKA K1 NOA2
14. Copy of Marriage certificate, dated ##### (front & back)
15. Copy of I-94 – Arrival/Departure record (front & back)
EAD DOCUMENTS
Cover letter
1. G-1145 – Form for E-notification of Application/Petition Acceptance
2. I-765 – Application for Employment Authorisation
3. 2 passport photos (US passport size) – name and alien number printed lightly on back in pencil or felt pen
4. Photocopy of passport biographical details page
5. Copy of I-94 – Arrival/Departure record (front & back)
6. Copy of Marriage certificate (to show name change)
AP DOCUMENTS
Cover letter (EXPLANATION FOR ELIGIBILITY)
1. G-1145 – Form for E-notification of Application/Petition Acceptance
2. I-131 – Application for Travel Document (Advanced Parole)
3. 2 passport photos (US passport size) – name and alien number printed lightly on back in pencil or felt pen
4. Copy of K1 visa (to show present status)
5. Photocopy of passport biographical details page
6. Copy of Marriage certificate (to show name change)
File at:
USCIS
P.O. Box 805887
Chicago, IL 60680-4120
For courier/express delivery:
USCIS
Attn: FBAS
131 South Dearborn – 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60603-5517
PAYMENT
Personal checks must be pre-printed with the name of the bank and the account holder. Also, the account holder’s address and phone number must be pre-printed, typed or written in ink on the check. All checks must be typed or written in ink.
1. Write the date you are filling out the check including: day, month and year.
2. On the “Pay to the Order of” line write: “U.S. Department of Homeland Security.”
3. Write in numbers the exact dollar amount of the fee for the service you are requesting. In the example, the amount is “$595.00.”
4. Spell out the exact dollar amount of the fee for the service you are requesting. The “cents” portion of the amount should be written as a fraction over 100. In this example, the amount is “Five hundred ninety-five and 00/100.”
5. Write a brief description of the purpose of your payment. In this example, it is “N-400 application fee.”
6. Sign the check using your legal signature.
IMPORTANT!
Make TWO copies of the entire package before you send it in. This includes the money orders too. You want to have a perfect replica of the package you are sending in. All Forms that you submit must be originals with original signatures. Supporting Evidence that you submit may be photocopies. Retain ALL original supporting Evidence since the USCIS has the right to check them by issuing an RFE (Request For Evidence). If you receive an RFE, follow the direction exactly, and make two copies of what you sent back. During any future interviews the USCIS may also want to examine the original supporting evidence.
Once you send it in, here is what to expect.
You will receive a NOA1 for all 3 applications, followed by a biometrics appointment. After that you either get an interview date or you get transferred to CSC and you'll be approved with no interview. But don't worry, I heard that the interview is not hard at all, so don't feel bad if you get one!
That's all, hope this helps my fellow kababayans and goodluck! Here's to hoping you have a happy life in the US, and have a smooth and RFE-free AOS journey!

We got married just last month in Montalban (now Rodriguez) Rizal in a civil wedding. Our total was 8k for the resort (Villa Virginia Resort) and 39k for everything else (50 guests, catering, flowers, cake, make-up, emcee, sound system, invitations, gifts)..so 47k pesos for everything. It took a lot of looking around, comparing prices, and of course negotiating to get that price. Good luck to you!

It matters to some people.. I am the only girl un my family, my hubby is the only son, I am the first among my cousins to get married and my grandma is already old so our families all helped to give us a good wedding, and my family and grandma all flew to the US for it. We are not in debt for it, and it really was an amazing and memorable day.. we had a church wedding military style, and a reception at a tiny hotel in Vermont. I am not saying everyone should spend for his wedding, but everyone has his or her own reasons for choosing what kind of celebration to have ours was not by any means lavish but you know what I mean

That is all you need. If you can't schedule online, then call the USEM and have them schedule it for you and they will email you the appointment letter.

You should enter your passport number as the receipt number. Anyways,was my prob too but then at the end I just called them and instructed them of when will I want my interview and then after talking about 8 minutes, they sent the appointment letter through email.

A common-sense reminder from the U.S. Embassy Manila:
Do not finalize arrangements for travel to the United States, dispose of properties, or resign from your job until a visa has been issued and delivered to you.
My link.

Received date.

This might help: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/293624-after-noa2-detailed-summary/

You can file suit with the court asking for a Writ of Mandamus, if granted it would compel the USCIS to make a decision on your file.
I don't feel this is DIY territory, speak with an attorney about it.

Bring at least two original or certified copies each of EVERY official document that you can think of -- birth certificate, divorce/annulment certificate if applicable, birth certificate(s) of child(ren) if applicable, school transcripts, police report, vaccination records, etc.
If you don't have a driver's license, do everything in your power to earn one before you leave. If you have one, renew it so that its expiration date is as far in the future as possible.
It may be too late if your visa is already stapled inside your passport, but renew your passport for as many years as possible, too.
In general, prepare yourself by procuring MORE THAN ONE COPY of every official document that would be difficult or impossible or beastly expensive to get once you're in the U.S., si man.

You can get the NBI the police clearance and the birth certificate. We did months before the embassy interview in Manila. Once you have the NOA2 and you get your MNL number and pay the visa fee at BPI you can get the medical done at St. Lukes.
The stuff that follows is what we did after our NOA2 in May 2011 hope its useful This was for K1 visa at Manila embassy:
You can call or e-mail NVC to get your MNL number. Have your receipt nimber on the NOA-2 and of course beneficiary and petitioner name. It took a couple of weeks for them to have one for us.
mailto:NVCINQUIRY@state.gov
1-603-334-0700
Press 2 for Non-Haiti-Related issue (Please note that this will probably change after some time)
Press 1 for English
Press 5 for an operator
The Dept of State can tell you if your papers have actually been sent or are at the embassy:
This is where you will be able to find out if your case was received at the Embassy/Consulate. They will not see your case in their system until the NVC has logged it in and applied a case number to it.
1-202-663-1225
Press 1 for the Main Menu
Press 4 for Foreigners Applying To Come To the US
Press 2 for Immigrant Visas (yeah, yeah - we know they're not really)
Press 3 for Family or Employer Based Visas
Press 2 for Fiance(e) visas
Press 0 for an Operator
　
You can bring your passport and a copy of the passport Bio pages (the pic and printed info on the 1st pages) to BPI and pay for the visa interview now, about 16,900 pesos. You should also know your MNL number in case they ask for it. They usually don't. This can be done anytime. You can call the NVC and get the MNL number 603-334-0700
To schedule online embassy appointment "prettyjan" posted this and it is very accurate You cannot schedule online for at least 4 hours after you get your receipt so it can get in the system:
Be sure to have the beneficiary's passport number and the place of issue and the date of issue and expiration date handy before you start.
1. Go to this website: http://www.ustraveldocs.com//
2. Select the Philippines for the Country pull-down menu.
3. Do not go to the non-immigrant section. Instead, go to the "Immigrant Visas" section and click on "Applying for an Immigration Visa Appointment".
4. From the Immigrant Visa Appointment page, do not click on "Schedule an Appointment". Instead, look further down and click on "K-Visa Appointment Scheduling".
5. From this page, you enter your passport number, case number, payment date, birthdate, and create a password.
6. The next page asks for passport issuance date and experiation date. It also asks for the address to send your passport to after receiving visa. You need to know City, State/Province, and ZIPCODE.
7. After entering the required info, your name goes to a list and your asked if you want to add another applicant. If including a child with K2, select yes.
8. Go through the same process again entering in the information for the child.
9. Here's the tricky part. If something goes wrong and you exit the site but you haven't created the schedule yet, you can't start over again the same way. After the payment date with passport number has been used once, you can't use it again. Instead, you have to go back to the "Applying for an Immigration Visa Appointment" page again. This time you do select the "Schedule an Appointment" link and not the "K-Visa Appointment Scheduling" link. From here, you can re-enter the beneficieries info and add other applicants for the K2 children.
10. After all applicants are entered, you select them all with the check boxes, and select to set an appointment. Make sure all applicants are selected.
11. Now you just select the date you want and the time. It sets all applicants the same.
12. Last, you can download a PDF file for the appointment letters for each applicant.it.
St Lukes is walk in and cost is about 9100 pesos. You can preregister online http://www.slec.ph/home.shtml it helps a little when you get there. You'll need:
Valid passport
Copy of bio pages of passport
Two 2x2 visa photos
Copy of NOA2
Copy of NVC letter sent to petioner that your petition is being sent to Manila (Petitioner should get that soon)
Casa Bocobo is one hotel very near the embassy. It costs about 1000 pesos a night but my fiancee said it was good and very convenient. Just a suggestion.
In the meantime petitioner can get the I-134 ready and organise what you will need for the interview.This is what we did. Form were located at:
http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-134.pdf
or http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis Type form number in search
http://photos.state.gov/libraries/manila/19452/public/Revised%20K1%20Instruction%20Packet%20_3__rtf2_001.pdf copy of Manila embassy letter has links to 156 &157 forms needed
Proof of fee payment from BPI
DS-156 2 copies
DS-157 2 copies
DS156K
Valid passport
birth Certificate (NSO)
NBI clearance
CENOMAR
Evidence of meeting within 2 years ( evidence of continuing relationship since 129-f)
Proof of termination of previous marriages
I-134 from petitioner along with proof of income (letter from employer) (letter from bank) ( maybe last 3 years tax transcripts available from IRS, free number is 800-908-9946. They mail them out quickly
3 visa photographs
medical exam result
We are also adding a new letter of intent with more recent date and proof of engagement just because we have it.
Don't forget the CFO which is about 250 pesos for the seminar and about 450 for the "stamp" on the visa when you get it. This can be done while in Manila or Cebu. Need passport (if you do this before the embassy interview) and copy of passport bio pages,copy of any divorce records They also asked for a pic of us together,petioner's land line number in US,petitioner's mother's maiden name. http://www.cfo.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1348:fiancee-spouses-and-other-partners-of-foreign-nationals&catid=140
http://www.cfo.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1396:location-of-smef-cow-offices&catid=124:location-of-cfo-offices
Good luck

Does his brother know about what's going on? What does he think of it?
What country are you from and is the other woman (with the big boobs) from the same country?
I don't buy it if a guy says, "I Love you (my wife) but am still curious about some other woman's boobs and her life (kids etc)".
Granted there are some couples where porn and even other people are allowed in the relationship but that's with the explicit consent of the spouse. If you're not accepting of that then he needs to decide if he loves you or this other woman's boobs more.

http://www.nbi.gov.ph/Clearance/Advisory.htm

She may have felt slighted, but the erratic behavior beyond that is not normal. They've been together for a few years now and obviously this behavior is new to him. A mere apology isn't going to wipe away what she's done and he doesn't deserve to be subjected to that kind of violent sh!t. Filipinas that act that way on a regular basis must have been spoiled as children and never learned how to act like like a civilized grown up.