M n J

I finally got my visa.. Thank you all so much!

Nobody ever answers that line anyway, so basically it's just another normal day at the Embassy.

We are on the same situation.. My interview was November 2, but had 221g because of passport..

They received my passport on Nov 17, and now still waiting..

Am I the only one waiting for my visa?

I thought it wont take too long to get it, but its been 2 weeks and I don't have it yet.. :c

I'm thinking it might be because of the holidays causing the delays, but if I'm the only one waiting, maybe not..:c

I think the CFO seminar is helpful if done/presented in a better way..

CONTENT: I agree that they don't seem to be as knowledgeable on the topic as they should be. It sounded to me like they just memorized what they were saying.

CONSISTENCY: They are not consistent on how they execute the seminar. I was fortunate enough that I didn't have to go through hours of lecture and watching a video. We were just 5 in there and I think the discussion took less than an hour as opposed to other experiences that I read here in vj.

additional PAYMENTS: although not required, you wont have a choice if you did not bring enough copies of your documents. And since their website does not tell you what the complete requirements (particularly on copies) you need to bring, you'll be forced to go to their photocopy service. which, you are right, is very over-priced.

INFORMATION ON WEBSITE: as mentioned above, incomplete and inaccurate info. It says in their website registration starts at 7:30. However when I went there at 7:30, they said it opens at 8am. It would also be helpful if they add information on what details you need to prepare such as complete name(including mother's maiden name), address and contact #(landline) of husband/fiance. When I was there, the other three attendees had to contact their husbands/fiances to get those information which was a hassle because of the cost of long distance call and not to mention the time difference

ONE ON ONE COUNSELING: We didn't introduce ourselves in the seminar so that's good. However, I didn't like how they did the one-on-one counseling though. First, I actually didn't expect that there would be one-on-one. Anyway, it was in a room where everyone was there. So everyone can actually hear your conversation with the CFO lady. And I didn't like it because there were personal questions that were asked, not really confidential but still personal. It would have been better if they did it in a closed door office.

Probably because of the holiday.. Good luck to all of us, hope we get our visa by this week..

For those who have received their passports already, what time did you receive your text message from 2Go?

I've been waiting anxiously for days now.. Just want to have my passport with me already..

Our visa was approved on november 2nd, however, my wife wanted to get her passport updated with her married name so she took the passport back along with a 221g form. She passed her interview, got the new passport, and the embassy received the new passport on november 17th. what is a general processing time for a 221g where the applicant is already approved? We don't have it back yet but are getting anxious. Any thoughts?

Thanks

Chinook got a 221g.

She got her visa a week after she submitted the required documents.

Thanks.. I hope its the same for me..

Thanks all!

you got 221G because of a passport?

yes.. its not a review, but just to submit it. My old passport was in my maiden name so i wanted to renew it to my married name..

Thanks!

My passport is under my married name already, would they follow what name is on your passport?

Hi,

I was interviewed last November 2, and got approved. However I got 221g because I needed my passport back. After I submit my passport, how long is the wait to get it back with the VISA?

Thanks!

Is it possible to apply for SSN without your green card yet?

An example would be "Until now Palawan is beautiful" meaning palawan has been beautiful and is still beautiful including the time I say this. Whereas if Americans say that sentence it would be interpreted as Palawan was beautiful before and now it's not. Make sense?

I just notice we use 'until' different ways.

The green card isn't sitting somewhere waiting for a person to enter the US. It is created after your POE file is sent in. The stamp in your passport serves as your temporary green card until the physical one arrives.

Just curious, if that stamp serves as temporary green card, can you apply for SSN even if you haven't received your green card yet?

No, they did not ask. But I was prepared for it just in case. The only thing the officer asked was how long I was there, and if my visa is in the passport I submitted, then she looked at it..

Me and my husband got married in the US, then I flew back to my country then we started the process.

AT POE, of course, I did not mention anything about plans on getting married, I was there for business visit anyway. So I think she should be careful on answering the officer.

Thanks to everyone who helped us in this journey.. It was my interview yesterday and got approved!

VJ and everyone here have been a lot of help in this process. Thanks all!

Next: POE

We understand that she can't get an amended passport. She would get a brand new passport. The DFA has allowed her to have an appointment for this within the next 30 days. We understand it could take a couple weeks after to get the new passport.

So this is a dilema that I didn't think we would run into but I'm looking for your thoughts:

My wife has her interview at 6:30 or so on November 2nd. She has done all the requirements and is prepared for the interview, however, her passport has yet to be updated to her Married name. We are looking to update it prior to the interview so that the greencard will be in her married name and we won't have to go through the troubles when she's here. We got the NSO Certificate on Friday and by the time we got it the Embassy was already closed. My question is this... should we:

1. Not even go to the embassy for the interview (keep in mind you can't reschedule today because it's a holiday there and they don't open until 8 tomorrow) and call them after and ask to reschedule? - IF we did this she would go to the DFA on Wednesday to have her Passport updated with her Married name.

2. Go to the interview and ask someone there who could possibly help her in getting a new interview date a few days later (may be even a couple weeks).

If anyone has any other options or ideas we are certainly open to them. We just want to do everything we can to ensure that her name is updated before the greencard is issued.

Thoughts?

Thanks everyone!

How long will it take to change name on an unexpired green card (still in conditional status)? what would be the process? Can I send it through mail or do I need to apply personally?

Or is it at all possible?