Joandjo

my lawyer just sent email asking how many times i had been married i replied we had talked about this over 8 months she and sveta knows now lawyer tells me send sveta the divorce papers beyond the 2 listed on the 129f is this truely needed sveta has full copies of the last 2 divorces the others are in another state and sveta has visa interview in 1 week

I had to send all divorce decrees in full. Also in Manila the only questions they asked my my fiancee (now wife) were details regarding my past marriages and divorces; names, dates, and specific reasons. They had her sign a specific statement that she was aware how many times I had been previously married.

The RFE I got was because I only sent the first and signature pages of my decrees.

In our case it was the center of topics.

for sometime now my relationship had been going down hill. it was obvious he was cheating, but i tried to not let my suspicions get the best of me. point of the story is last Monday, he left me he literally moved into a house with some lady and her three kids, and paid the down payment with money that he begged me to send him. some people warned me that the money he was asking me for might be for that so i refused to send it at first, but he swore to god and everything that he loved that he would never do that to me, and as soon as i sent him the money he moved in with her. i cried alot atfirsr but surprsingly im beginning to see things in a new light, and i realize that i have not been happy for sometime, and it was because of him. now i feel happier than ever and i pray to god to keep helping me stay strong. for all of those who are still waiting for immigration to get back to you goodluck, wish you guys the best!

p.s i have been in love with this person since i was 12, and i am now about to turn 24. i have dedicated my life to him, in so many ways, and the way he repaid me was taking my money. and calling me a piece of ####, while i was actually pregnant with his unborn son....i lost the baby by the way.

Can I ask how old is he?

Thanks! =)

Ours was:

Bio. Appt. :2012-03-09Approved Date :2012-04-11Date Card Received :2012-04-20

Also we didn't wait until the appointment date for our Biometric. We went down there as soon as we got the appointment letter. Showed them the NOA1 and they let us right through. We also took someone last week who did the same thing. When they asked why we came early we just told them we had a day off and it would really help out. They sent us through and it took 10 minutes.

Hi, any chance you could tell me the name of some of those FB groups? I'm very new to FB - just started using it and haven't the foggiest how to find them. Thank you.

ASAWA WORLD is one on FB

We're in Texas and here you can get a Driver's Lisence Learner's permit and take the driving test as long as you're in status. if you have the EAD they'll issue you a Texas DL that expires the same date the EAD expires.

We got one on the Original Petition. It didn't turn out to be more than a 2 week delay. Just the amount of time for me to copy it, send it and them to read it and then bam it was NOA2 time and we were busy setting up the appointments and buying airline tickets and counting up money for the AOS,

Seemed alot worse than it turned out to be in our case.

Here is what the message from the USCIS website says

On July 30, 2012, we mailed a notice requesting initial evidence in this case. Please follow the instructions on the notice to submit the evidence requested. Meanwhile, processing of this case is on hold until we either receive the evidence or the opportunity to submit it expires. Once you submit the evidence requested and a decision is made, you will be notified by mail. If you move while this case is pending, please use our Change of Address online tool to update your case with your new address or call our customer service center at 1-800-375-5283.

Yes. So far eveveryone here that has Philippines as the country of origin are giving good feedback.

If you'll follow the feedback from the couples that worked this out through the Manila Embassy you won't have much problem. The package will ship very quickly and then be there before the earliest possible date you can get an appointment in Manila.

It's easy from here it just happens so fast after all that waiting. Then the money starts going out fast if you're on a budget.

There's several FB support groups too that are soully dedicated to FILAM couples.

Congrats again!!

Hi Joandjo,

Thanks very much for the post. I also just got notice that I'm in "Post-review-processing" status today and see this note when I look up my case on the uscis web site:

"On July 18, 2012, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E). Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service at 1-800-375-5283.

For approved applications/petitions, post-decision activity may include USCIS sending notification of the approved application/petition to the National Visa Center or the Department of State. For denied applications/petitions, post-decision activity may include the processing of an appeal and/or motions to reopen or reconsider and revocations."

So once I am able to get the MNL# (which I assume is a tracking number) and I find that the package is at the Manila embassy, then I can schedule the medical and embassy interview - is that right? And I heard you can schedule the medical 3 or 4 days before the embassy interview to avoid 2 flights to Manila - is that your experience also?

Thanks!

This was not my experience.

congratulations,on your noa-2 approval, you need to wait a while until in gets in the system 15 days or more then start calling nvc for your number use that number to have your medical done,

Hello and congratulations. We didn't wait any time. I called the NVC to get our MNL# after about 3 days. With the MNL# we tracked the package (DHL) and had the interview set up to coincide with the physical.

We had the interview physical and completed before we ever received anything stating the package was in Manila.

I think you'll get alot of good feedback in the Manila forum!

Hello Friends! I have just recently found out that my petition was approved. But the NOA2 letter says to call the consulate in Manila where my fiance will have her interview. Im a little confused. Do I bypass the NVC? and call the embassy in manila directly or wait a few days and call the NVC? So far I haven't recieved any case number or any response from the NVC. Hope someone can help... Godbless you all.

The RFE we received was for a Divorce decree that was absolutely in the original submission. I'm positive they lost the decree.

I think we were alot more careful to seperate everything with clear folders when we submitted our AOS than I was when I submitted the Original petition.

Good news was that the RFE really only set us back about 2 weeks.

Hello all,

Thank you in advance for your help, please read all of my post before replying...

I need some advice, help, or similar sucessful experiences please. I received an RFE today regarding my K1 fiance visa petition All that waiting for this... As a forward I will note that although I know anyone is subject to a mistake, I am an EXTREMELY thorough person. I read every word of the guides here and went through my petition at least 5 times before sending it in. I was shocked to have received this RFE and thought for sure I must have missed something stupid but from what I can tell they are asking for something I have already provided...

Here is verbatim what the RFE says in its entirety:

REQUEST FOR EVIDENCE

REQUIREMENT THAT PETITIONER AND BENEFICIARY HAVE MET IN PERSON: It must be established that the petitioner and beneficiary have met and the circumstances of their meeting.

• Circumstances of Meeting- Submit information regarding the circumstances under which the petitioner and beneficiary met to establish the relationship.

That's ALL. Here is what I submitted with my petition:

• Paragraph in question 18 explaining that I was in Lebanon in December to visit my fiance and his family.
• Every copied page of my passport showing my entry/exit stamps into his country at said times. (It is important to note that these were the ONLY stamps in my passport at the time and my fiance has never been to the US before so our pictures together could have ONLY been taken at this time as opposed to any time earlier)
• Copies of all of my boarding passes to Lebanon from above mentioned trip.
• Separate, signed letters from both my fiance and I stating that we were together in person at this time.
• Copies of blood test results (very common in his country for a couple to get these prior to a formal engagement to eliminate incompatability for children, disease etc) with our full names, date, and address of facility showing we were in the same doctor's office at the same time.
• Six photos of us together including one with us and his mother and one with me and his mother and sister (names of people, dates, and location written on the back of each).

I called my fiance immediately and discussed with him whether they were asking for proof we were together in person within the last two years OR a statement regarding how we met (because both are kind of mentioned in the RFE but as far as I knew, the later was not a requirement of the petition itself, I've always read they just want to make sure you have been in each other's presence within 2 years prior to filing the petition). Since we couldn't make a definite determiniation I called the USCIS customer service number. The first customer service rep. said he had no idea and transferred me to an officer. 45 minutes on hold later I explained calmly and clearly what I received and what was my question. The officer insisted I was not telling her everything the RFE said because it was too vague and said that usually they list exactly what they are requestion. I replied that I agreed the statement was vague which is why I was calling. She continued to insist I was leaving something out and her final word was to make an info pass appointment so someone could see my RFE to know what was being requested (because again she insisted I was leaving something out). Her last words were "Ma'am, I can not help you".... Thanks a lot..

Okay, sorry it was so long. I just wanted to answer any questions up front. Should I just resubmit everything I submitted already with a kind letter explaining how we met initially, when we were last together, please see the attached etc etc.. I am just unclear whether they are asking for evidence proving we have been together within the last two years or requesting an explanation of how we met for the first time.

As I know everyone else here would agree, I miss my fiance SO MUCH and just want this process over with so we can be together again...

Thank you again everyone.

We went to a Civil surgeon who

1.transcribed the Vaccination records

2.listened to my wife's heart.

3. drew blood for a Syphillis blood test

4. Gave her a TB skin test.

I believe that only #1 was required for the CS documentation that was needed since it had only been 2 months since my wifes' physical at Manila.

He called that visit a Physical and charged us $115. NOTE: I figured out how to get re-imbursed by my Company's insurance for this $115 (UHC).

The CS returned a sealed envelope to us which we sent in with our AOS package.

We received or EAD/AP and have NOT received an RFE.

I believe that finding a Civil Surgeon in your area that KNOWS K-1 would be they key to simplifying this process.

Well, my fiancee is in the Philippines and we just went through all interview process and everything. I was not there because of work obligations at home, not to mention the money it takes to fly. Anyway she called the CFO office to see what requirements she needs when she goes to the seminar, and was told to bring her CENOMAR and also bring my CENOMAR. I figured no big deal so I set out to find where I could get one. To my surprise I found out that the US does not have any legal document like that. I'm really not sure what to do. Has anyone else been in my situation and what did thy do? Also does anyone know how long it takes to get the visa back from the embassy? PLEASE HELP!!

Regarding your previous marriage(s) If you have one or more divorce(s) make sure she has all decrees and is familiar with the dates. They asked her about my marriage and divorce date and reason. They also asked to see the most recent copy of Money I had sent her.

Here's what my fiance (now wife) took to the U.S. Embassy in Manila:

7 folders of any color - size 8.5 x 11

Then put a title on each one of them.

1. I-134 Affidavit of Support

2. Proof of an Ongoing Relationship [Emails]

3. Proof of an Ongoing Relationship [Postal Letters]

4. Proof of an Ongoing Relationship [Phone Bills]

5. Proof of an Ongoing Relationship [Monetary Support]

6. Proof of an Ongoing Relationship [Gift Pictures & Receipts]

7. Proof of Meeting

Here's what I Fed Ex'ed her:

- A colored photo copy of your latest NOA2 - Hold on to the original.

- A copy of the letter from the Bureau of Consular Affairs, it has your CASE number on it, Did you get that yet?

- A copy of the letter from the Embassy of the United States of America Manila Philippines, Did you get that yet?

- A complete copy of your entire I-129F petition that you sent to USCIS.

- A complete copy of your 2011 tax transcripts & W-2 statement.

- If you can get a letter from your employers accounting department on their letter head that shows your hire date, your position, your weekly hours, gross earnings to date, Or your last 6 months of employee pay stubs.

- Please provide last 6 months of bank statements from checking account.

- Send all complete certified copies of your divorce decrees.

- One photo copy of your Birth Certificate.

- Colored photo copy of your US Passport pages biographic information page & pages showing Arrival / Departure stamps.

Texas here. We listed my fiancee's adress as my home adress and only used PI as her birthplace.

Here's the link to the Transit Visa

I think she's right. It looks pretty complex.

She can't get the transit Visa until after she has the final destination Visa. (I booked ours after acceptance but before she had the Passport).

If she stays in Manila (or lives near enough) maybe she can hand carry it to the Japanese Embassy. There's a list of legit agencies on this website as well. I'd be interested in how this works out as we will be travelling to the PI soon and regularly and always book the cheapest flight.

We booked a flight to the US from Manila but there is an overnight layover in Japan. I called the Japan consul in Atlanta and they said that she needs to get a transient visa in order to stay at the hotel in Japan. I asked my fiancee to call the Japan embassy in Manila but she won't call. She said she doesn't want to get a transient visa because she is afraid it would mess up her US visa. She said that she is afraid that when she gets to the US, immigration will see that she was in Japan, and send her back to the Philippines. Any thoughts on this?

We booked a flight to the US from Manila but there is an overnight layover in Japan. I called the Japan consul in Atlanta and they said that she needs to get a transient visa in order to stay at the hotel in Japan. I asked my fiancee to call the Japan embassy in Manila but she won't call. She said she doesn't want to get a transient visa because she is afraid it would mess up her US visa. She said that she is afraid that when she gets to the US, immigration will see that she was in Japan, and send her back to the Philippines. Any thoughts on this?

Are there time constraints?

What day is the flight booked for?

How long is the estimate for receiving the Transient Visa from the Japanese Embassy in Manila?

The mail runs very reasonably here in the U.S. and getting an Indian Tourist Visa here took me 2 weeks the first time and 6 weeks the second.

I'd be cautious too if I were her If it was necessary for me to mail my passport. If she can get it on a walk in that'd be a different story. I found the embassy website in Manila on line. Maybe someone here has experience with Philippine-Japanese Transient visas.

I don't know your location so that can make it harder. I'm here in the DFW area. (I'm assuming his language is spanish because Ecuador). The company I have worked for is a steel company and has a very strong spanish speaking culture. They are semi-skilled tradesmen, welders, fitters, press operators.

It's part of the history of the U.S. that people have immigrated here from overseas and been unable to perform their previous professions, Doctors, Lawyers, etc.

It's particularly hard right now for someone with a degree that speaks english in many areas. My suggestion is 2 things. Help him gravitate to spanish speaking friends, if your friends are all professionals, help him find his own, church, civic organizations, spanish speaking lodges,(here the Knights of Colombus has a spanish chapter) even if he's not particularly religous. It's so much easier to get a job through a friend than it is through a resume.

Finally if he's going to get into his profession he should absolutely be pecking away at english classes.

He can do it because so many have.

Good luck to both of you!

: Her's the ICE LINK

and a copy of the definition

An illegal immigrant in the United States is a (non-citizen) who has entered the United States without government permission and in violation of United States Nationality Law, or stayed beyond the termination date of a visa, also in violation of the law.

I don't like the scare tactics or the blunt approach some folks tend to take. I also have seen alot of people who don't realize there are consequences involved if we delay too long. The comment by Dave&Rosa isn't the most pleasant way to say it, but it's absolutely better than thinking it's okay to take your time. Getting the funds together was our priority and it took a chunk out of the stuff we wanted to do.

Not having the money is the only reason I'd wait. And even then I got a second job and pulled in a little more so we could get that behind us.

Hello guys! need your advice..my fiancee and I got married after 1month i arrived here in US. Question, Is Adjustment of Status needed ASAP? Does it also has an expiration date with in 90days?

Please need your help...

Thanks

My take is don't wait to do anything if you have the funds. In just the year that I've been involved with this I've known people who needed the AP part of the AOS for such things as death, ilness in the family back home. If you have the funds don't wait.

I just got here last JUne 12,2012. I want to ask if when can I apply for SSN ? working permit? and AOS? I want to work while waiting for the wedding day which is in August 5. Can I apply for working permit during these days or I need to wait for 10-14 days? your info will be greatly appreciated.

SSAN: We applied 3 days after my fiance's arrival and had it 3 weeks after that.

There's a baggage storage at the Miami airport (Central Terminal E). I think it was about $10 per day for 2 bags last time I used it. 305-869-1163. Don't know about the Kendall USCIS Sub office.

Same for us in Texas. There was a lady that posted here (from Austin, Tx. mind you) that she took her NOA1 from the I485 and was able to get her lisence renewed. Have you tried that?

All,

My wife and I just went to the RMV to get her a STATE ID. The officer was not able to issue the ID because of the following reasons - EXPIRED I-94 on her Foreign Passport. Let me explain the sequence of events.

1. She arrived to USA under a fiancee visa (which expires after 90 days) 2. We got married - this OVERRIDES the EXPIRATION of the fiancee visa status time limitation (per Department of Homeland Security) 3. Current filing for adjustment of status (Green card) and case pending.

She has a valid Social Security #, valid Bank Statement (showing proof of residence), marriage certificate and a valid current Foreign passport (with expired I-94 - which is obsolete anyways.)

What do you suggest? I've even written to the department of motor vehicles and explain the situation and they replied "she has to wait for her status change ie when her g.card gets approved).. Arghhhh !!

Thanks

d

Try This Link Looks like CVS is your best bet. Did you already know that?

Hello guys,

I'm new to this forum, want to share my situation with you, may be one of you could help me, I came to the state on F--1 visa, to do my MBA, while studying I got my pharmacist license, that allows me to practice in the state. It was a long journey for me, but I have succeed with high grades in all my exams. I was hearing that pharmacists jobs are hot in US, and that I can find a job easily, that's why I went through the whole long process which cost me a lot of time and money. Now I'm job hunting, and I can't find any one who is willing to sponsor my H1-B visa, some of the employers got interested, but once I revealed my visa status, they lost their interest. I'm now desperate and don't know what to do. Do you have any advice?

Thanks for you all

Why is it that everytime I turn around I see someone bringing a person over to the states on a K1 visa and then decide not to get married. Although I am a US Citizen I hate the fact that this is happening. People you need to make up your mind before making this commitment and spending all this money. Must be nice to have money to play with. Even more playing with peoples emotions and dreams. I am well aware that everyone does not come over in all honesty, but those that do and left to believe they are loved by the person who petitions for them to only be left in a bad situation. I feel sorry for those that come here have no family or friends only to be told I DONT WANT TO GET MARRIED ANYMORE so I guess you will have to go back. Why could you not figure that out before going that far!! Some people come from really bad living situations and really dont want to go back. There was enough love to start the situation! Geesh I just dont know what to say. Just to clarify I am married to a wonderful man from another country. We have been married for more than a year. I am glad I did not file for him till 7 months later because it made me even more sure to want to be with him and to be with him more in his environment.

I'm glad my marriage and process has worked out, it's been the best deceision of my life! My wife is supportive, motivated, intelligent and just down right great to be with. That said she made her mind up to meet an American ahead of time. I made up my mind that I wanted a family, before we met! I don't feel the need to ask people on a website for their opinions. I'm also not afraid to put my life out there so people can learn from my successes and from my mistakes. I would hope that this could be a place where people who didn't have the "LUCK" (and I believe it is absolutely a matter of Luck to find someone abroad and communicate sufficiently to "KNOW" that it's going to work out.) we had can put themselves out there without reproach.

I say thanks to the people who post their drama, problems as well as their successes. If I was tired of reading something, I wouldn't read it.

Hi everybody, my wife arrived from Colombia on k1 visa May 12, 2012 and we married on May 14,2012. I had spoken with my employer before her arrival and explained that she was coming from another country on a fiancee visa and they said no problem just show us the marriage certificate and you can enroll her in a health care plan. So we hand delivered the marriage certificate yesterday afternoon, no problem, they said ok you're good to go. Then this morning I get an email from them saying they can't enroll her without a social security number. I called them to explain why she doesn't have a SSN and was told they can't enroll her without a SSN. So I've been calling around looking for insurance for immigrants, and they seem to all have pregnancy clauses where they won't cover someone for pregnancy until 10 months in. Well, we've already been trying to get pregnant as we both would love to have kids. Does anybody have any advice other than waiting to have kids? Thank you

My Fiance/now wife arrived here in Texas in December, I called our provider (not HR) and had her on my insurance (United Health Care) the day we married, no SSN.

Pregnancy as a pre-existing condition is another Provider question. If the company is HIPAA regulated then pregnancy can't be considered pre-existing. My insurance card has an 800 number to call and ask questions. The HR department at my work is very often mis-informed regarding insurance.

Hi Everyone,

The wonderful Filipina I wish to marry is actually here in the U.S. now with me on a tourist visa along with her six year old daughter. They arrived just over a month ago. She was able to get her first U.S. visa as a tourist visa as she had a good long term job in Singapore. She was to be transferred to Manila in May for a position there but gave that up by coming here.

We have decided we would like to get married but the dilemma is that she is still technically married to a Filipino and the marriage took place in the Philippines some years ago but was never annulled (lack of funds).

It seems that if she wasn't still married, we could go the I-130 route and file a concurrent I-485 to adjust her status so she and her daughter could remain here while the I-130 is in process.

But since she is still technically married (Filipino spouse is in Singapore and is amicable and will not contest divorce), she needs to get an annulment done first.

That process will take six months to a year (I've got one lawyer guaranteeing six months for 260K Pesos but I will only accept that if I pay in milestones and last payment if annulment is actually done in six months!). Another lawyer is saying one year and wants 200K Pesos. Both in Manila. Marriage was in Iligan but doesn't seem to matter where you file for annulment. I know some lawyers may "bribe" court clerks to "speed up" annulment cases and that's why the first lawyer is asking for more.

The dilemma for us is that her six year old daughter grew up in Singapore (where her mother was working and living) and so DOES NOT speak Tagalog but rather English and Mandarin Chinese.

Her tourist visa allows her to stay until early October and then would have to return to PI but that would be a hardship for the daughter since she would have to attend school there and is not be able to speak the language. Granted, a six year old would compensate but it would still be hard. Also, her mother wouldn't have anything to do there. Sending them back to the PI is like putting them in a penalty box.

I know we can request an extension to her tourist visa but that's iffy at best.

And it's entirely likely that for her annulment, she would have to testify one day in court there unless anyone knows if Philippine courts accept annulment cases without the plantiff appearing. I've learned that her husband does not need to appear as long as he's not contesting.

Then, after the annulment is done, I can file a I-130 for a K-1 Fiancee Visa for her and a K-2 for her daughter. That would take another 140 days from when the annulment would be done.

All told, this could end up taking as long as a year and a half. A half year to a year for the annulment and another six or eight months for the fiancee visa.

Isn't there some way to shorten this?

She is forty and we would like the opportunity to have one child together and keeping us apart for that long means less likely for it happen and more difficult for her in terms of being older and having a baby. We might have to give up on the chance of having a healthy baby as a result.

Sorry for the long post but it's a bit complicated and so I wanted to explain it for anyone that might render some advice. Thanks and I'm glad this forum is here.

John and Cheryl

Don't underestimate the seriousness of the issue of inullment (I'm sure your Fiancee has told you) in the Philippines, it is major complex. Yes you should be asking about it in the Philippines forum.