prep.mac

Hi there!

My son was born here, I am Filipino citizen, US green card holder.

Your kid can travel to the Philippines on a US passport and stay there for a year then you will have to file for extension of stay if you need to extend. You don't need to get your kid a Philippine passport if you don't want to but it is an option.

I gave birth here in the US 2001 and my son has a US passport but stayed in the Philippines for 10 years til Aug 2011. I never got him a Philippine passport. Initially, I paid for extension from 2002 to 2008. It was Php1200 EVERY OTHER MONTH then for the extension at the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation (BID).Then I decided to file for Recognition to Filipino Citizenship (dual citizenship since both of his parents are Filipino citizens). I spent about $300 to process it, took 6 mos maximum via BID still.

When he exited the Philippines on his US passport last August, we just paid for the Philippine travel tax and ticket/taxes, of course.

Hope this helps since I have been through your case. Unless the Philippine immigration laws changed recently, the info I gave you is still accurate.

Now if you want to process the Recognition to Filipino Citizenship in the US, you can do it through the Philippine Embassies in the US (a separate topic)...for now, to answer your question, the kid is ok to go to the Philippines on a US passport for a year. You, however, have to be mindful of not staying in the Philippines for more than six (6) months being an LPR in the US.

Safe trip!

prep.mac

Hi Kitty!

Hope this will help. Comcast in Indiana added my name to my husband's (USC). We went to the office directly and asked for the print out. We asked them 2x. Try asking again. How long have you been married? We were married about 3 months when we had our interview so they did not expect a lot of those from us. We didnt not have our insurances that time but we were approved.Don't forget pictures. How about life insurance policy? Ours was delayed due to his medical/physical exam but we showed USCIS the letter from the insurance agent that it's at work.

Good luck!

prep.mac

Hi VJers!

I moved to Nevada from Indiana due to employment reasons. My husband is still in Indiana finishing his contract til end of September. He is coming here end of Sept to try to find a job too. I couldn't find a job that's in my line of work there, small town.

Anyway, our case is:we received my GC after I moved to NV and it was sent to our Indiana address..my USC hubby sent it to me here. I still have most of my mails addressed there. In NV, we have the apt lease both in our names, energy bill in his name, cable/internet/phone in my name. He is petitioning for my four-year-old biological daughter (his stepdaughter). The WAC case is addressed in Indiana as he is the petitioner and his permanent address is there. He has a house there but he will rent it out to his daughter and his husband when he moved to NV. Should I file for change of address? I read that USCIS has to know of the immigrant's address not necessarily the USC's. The WAC case was filed by my husband for my biological daughter. We are a bit confused if we need to file for change of address. We know that there is still ROC in 2013.

Thanks for your input.

prep.mac

Thanks, no_where_man for your repy. I went to the USCIS website and found this:

"Please follow the instructions below before filing an Online Change of Address to ensure that you follow the correct procedures.

1. U.S. Citizens

If you have moved, and you have a pending case, you can change your address online here on our website. Please note that the law does not require U.S. citizens to file a Form AR-11.

2. Non-U.S. Citizens

If you have moved, you need to follow two different steps:

• Step 1: File a Form AR-11 (This changes your address in our master database.);
• Step 2: If you have a pending case, you must also file a Change of Address online or call our National Customer Service Center at (800) 375-5283. (This changes your address for the specific application you have submitted.)

Please note that if you are a non-U.S. citizen and you have a pending case, you must complete both steps to make sure that you comply with the regulations and so we can reach you at your correct address."

Questions:

1. I am the non-US citizens, I just got my GC...do I need to file for AR11 still? DForm I-130 for my daughter was filed by my USC hubby)? But I want to update USCIS of my residence.

2. My husband, the USC has the Form I-130 pending for my daughter (his stepdaughter) will be here first week or mid-Oct to try the job market along his expertise. He is the one with a pending case?

Should I file for my husband? He is not required to as he is USC. That's my biological daughter he is petitioning, though, so I want to know about the status of the petition and actually I will have to fill out the forms for my husband as he works 12 hrs/day, 7 days/week.

Thanks,

prep.mac

Correction: "a" tourist visa extension not "an"

Hello VJ members!

After 3.5 months I finally have my GC in hand...some members know the story that I was not approved on the spot. USCIS wanted a copy of my approval letter for an tourist visa extension way back in 2001 which I didn't have. I still don't. But I told them the truth during the interview so am good. Thank you all of you who have been very helpful and supportive here...God bless you!

Question now is: my GC has my 2 first names (ex. Maria Teresa Yap), my work authorization card and SSN which were released earlier have only 1 first name (ex. Maria Yap)..when I apply for a job would that be questioned when I submit my GC and SSN (Maria Teresa Yap and Maria Yap)? I know at this point I should not be using my work authorization card anymore. By the way, my passport has same name as my GC (2 first names). Anyone who has similar case? Did you encounter problems?

Next is we are moving out of state..me first and hubby to follow til he finishes his contract in Indiana end of October...actually I have moved to NV already ...but we still have our mails in Indiana as he is still there til October. He is still petitioning for my daughter (his stepdaughter) in the Philippines but we dont know when the next communication from USCIS will be. Should I apply for change of address now?

Appreciate your replies!

Have a good one!

prep.mac

5/02/11 - sent AOS packet (I-130/I-485/I-765) to Chicago Lockbox

5/04/11 - AOS packet received by Chicago Lockbox

5/23/11 - Received NOA for RFE (I-693)

5/27/11 - Sent RFE to DHS Lee's Summit, MO

6/02/11 - DHS Lee's Summit received REF reply

6/06/11 - Biometrics done at Louisville, KY as per NOA schedule

6/24/11 - Received NOA for July 25 interview in Indianapolis, IN

6/30/11 – Received text and email messages EAD card on production

7/06/11 - Received text and email messages EAD card on production AGAIN!!!

7/07/11- Received text and email messages EAD was approved and USCIS mailed me a notice.

7/09/11 – EAD card IN HAND! J

7/11/11 – SSN application @ Bloomington, IN office

7/16/11 - Received SSN card in the mail

7/19/11 – Applied for state ID

7/22/11 – start work..

7/23/11 – received IN State ID..

7/25/11 – AOS interview @10am in Indianapolis, IN

8/22/11 – Text and email: GC card on production!!!!

8/25/11 – Received “Welcome to the USA” letter by mail

8/31/11 – GC IN HAND!!!

I-130 Petition for a Minor Child of USC

6/25/11 - Sent I-130 packet for stepchild

6/27/11 – USCIS receipt date

6/28/11 - Received text and email messages stating USCIS received it and moved case to CSC

7/01/11 - Touched

7/02/11 – Received NOA1

Congrats, vicsingh05!

We're both May filers..I was not approved on the spot either ..got "Welcome to the USA" letter in the mail today as well as another text and email that my GC is on card production!Yay to us!

Now let's make US proud of us!

prep.mac

5/02/11 - sent AOS packet (I-130/I-485/I-765) to Chicago Lockbox

5/04/11 - AOS packet received by Chicago Lockbox

5/23/11 - Received NOA for RFE (I-693)

5/27/11 - Sent RFE to DHS Lee's Summit, MO

6/02/11 - DHS Lee's Summit received REF reply

6/06/11 - Biometrics done at Louisville, KY as per NOA schedule

6/24/11 - Received NOA for July 25 interview in Indianapolis, IN

6/30/11 – Received text and email messages EAD card on production

7/06/11 - Received text and email messages EAD card on production AGAIN!!!

7/07/11- Received text and email messages EAD was approved and USCIS mailed me a notice

7/09/11 – EAD card IN HAND!

7/11/11 – SSN application @ Bloomington, IN office

7/16/11 - Received SSN card in the mail

7/19/11 – Applied for state ID

7/22/11 – start work..

7/23/11 – received IN State ID..

7/25/11 – AOS interview @10am in Indianapolis, IN

8/22/11 – Text and email: GC card on production!!!!

8/25/11 – Received “Welcome to the USA” letter by mail I-130 Petition for a Minor Child of USC

6/25/11 - Sent I-130 packet for stepchild

6/27/11 – USCIS receipt date

6/28/11 - Received text and email messages stating USCIS received it and moved case to CSC

7/01/11 - Touched

7/02/11 – Received NOA1

Hiya all!

Just an update since I have been gone for a bit..been very busy here. GC on production here!!!whew!Been a wait...I know some of you know what I have experinece in my July 25th AOS interview...yesterday I got a text from USCIS and checked my email..sure enough, it's a touch!hahha!Waiting on my GC!

Congrats to all who were as well approved!

ROC to look forward to.

Good luck to the others here...don't hesitate to ask ...a lot of helpful people here.

Best regards,

prep.mac

5/02/11 - sent AOS packet (I-130/I-485/I-765) to Chicago Lockbox

5/04/11 - AOS packet received by Chicago Lockbox

5/23/11 - Received NOA for RFE (I-693)

5/27/11 - Sent RFE to DHS Lee's Summit, MO

6/02/11 - DHS Lee's Summit received REF reply

6/06/11 - Biometrics done at Louisville, KY as per NOA schedule

6/24/11 - Received NOA for July 25 interview in Indianapolis, IN

6/30/11 – Received text and email messages EAD card on production

7/06/11 - Received text and email messages EAD card on production AGAIN!!!

7/07/11- Received text and email messages EAD was approved and USCIS mailed me a notice.

7/09/11 – EAD card IN HAND! J

7/11/11 – SSN application @ Bloomington, IN office

7/16/11 - Received SSN card in the mail

7/19/11 – Applied for state ID

7/22/11 – start work..

7/23/11 – received IN State ID..

7/25/11 – AOS interview @10am in Indianapolis, IN

8/22/11 - Text and email: GC on PRODUCTION!!!YAY!!!

I-130 Petition for a Minor Child of USC

6/25/11 - Sent I-130 packet for stepchild

6/27/11 – USCIS receipt date

6/28/11 - Received text and email messages stating USCIS received it and moved case to CSC

7/01/11 - Touched

7/02/11 – Received NOA1

Thank you Harpa Timsah and la2011!

whew! no waiting on my daughter's case update.

My Timelines:

5/02/11 - sent AOS packet (I-130/I-485/I-765) to Chicago Lockbox

5/04/11 - AOS packet received by Chicago Lockbox

5/23/11 - Received NOA for RFE (I-693)

5/27/11 - Sent RFE to DHS Lee's Summit, MO

6/02/11 - DHS Lee's Summit received REF reply

6/06/11 - Biometrics done at Louisville, KY as per NOA schedule

6/24/11 - Received NOA for July 25 interview in Indianapolis, IN

6/30/11 – Received text and email messages EAD card on production

7/06/11 - Received text and email messages EAD card on production AGAIN!!!

7/07/11- Received text and email messages EAD was approved and USCIS mailed me a notice

7/09/11 – EAD card IN HAND!

7/11/11 – SSN application @ Bloomington, IN office

7/16/11 - Received SSN card in the mail

7/19/11 – Applied for state ID7/22/11 – start work..

7/23/11 – received IN State ID..

7/25/11 – AOS interview @10am in Indianapolis, IN

8/22/11 – Received text and email-GC on card production!!!

I-130 Petition for a Minor Child of USC

6/25/11 - Sent I-130 packet for stepchild

6/27/11 – USCIS receipt date

6/28/11 - Received text and email messages stating USCIS received it and moved case to CSC

7/01/11 - Touched

7/02/11 – Received NOA1

Hi everyone!

Today I got a text re: uscis update..I checked online status: ON CARD PRODUCTION as of today..my interview was July 25th...am sooo happy..thanks for al the advices, tips and prayers..was so ready to make infopass appointment for next week...lol!

God bless us all!

prep.mac

Congrats, karah!Still nothing here..sigh! Havea good one!

Looks like July 27 interviewees in Atlanta are moving along..mine was last July, no changes in the online status or letter in the mail..instead of being concerned though I have this "bring it on" attitude..haha!I didnt overstay nor worked here so Idk what's taking so long for Indianapolis to make a deciison on my case. I was enither approved nor denied ..the I-130 though was specifically approved by the IO during the interview..have to go on with my life now..can't put anything on hold whille they make a decision...will face whatever they have on me..:)Baffling to say the least..am not the only one adjusting from B visa..so Idk whats up with uscis..lol..I never had any road block since we filed for the AOS..everything came along at reasonable time..everything except the green card now...so ...hahah!Idk.

Have a safe weekend everyone.

The same happen to me, The I-30 was still showing initial review, but I would not worry about it. Because you or your sponsor will get something in the mail in the next few days that the I-30 has been approve. And within 10 days you will get your green card. At least that is what happen to me. Congratulations, don't worry about it to much.

Hi jj!

The I-130 she approved during the interview but the I-485 she did not...she asked for that approval letter from the INS from 10 years ago when I applied for an extension...it should be on their file! But if our stories are most similar, I sure pray to God I'd hear from them soon as we have a lot of plans which are kinda put on hold for now with this situation.

Thanks!

Hi prep.mac,

sometimes i woudn't still believe it until GC is in my hand.

what are your plans of doing?have you called the USCIS? don't lose hope since youe I-130 has been approved.it maybe just waiting time again for your I-485. plus, they never said you are denied. God bless!

Thanks, karah!

Yes she didnt say denied....she did mention "notice of intent to deny" (NOID) IF she can't find my extension letter (approval) fr INS, 10 yrs ago!ha!

NO I didnt make any calls to USCIS..I am waiting on the online status (even when it's not that reliable they said) and the text/email on card production at least? Of course I am waiting on the letter fr them...Welcome to the US?lol!

I try not to worry too much but it's at the top of my mind everyday!Stress!Got travel plans you know.

Hi prep.mac,

in your USCIS account, does your I-130 already update that it has been approved? why mine if it says the I-485 updated to card production but the I-130 still intial review? anyway, have you called them already? in my situation, the interviewer was focusing more of the pre-conceived intent of marriage.she even asked us when did we decided to get married.

oh yeah, she even took all our copies of my husband iterinaries when he went to the Philippines.and photocopied passport of my hubby with all his travels.

Hi karah!

I checked my online status: no touches for both I-130 (last touch as May 14, 2011) and I-485 (last touch was June 23, 2011)..so I dunno!...sigh again!lol!

I think you and Mr Thai got approved.

Hi karah!Congrats!You were approved. If the I-485 is approved that means your I-130 is approved too..but in my case, the IO approved the I-130 but I-485 is pending. Still no changes on my online status. Happy for you! The waiting for me is getting agonizing.Sigh!

Yup.. they just punch a hole in it to mark it invalid, but they let you keep it because sometimes visas are in the old passport so you still need it. For example, US tourist visas are valid for 10 years so naturally you have to travel with two passports (the new one and the old one with the visa)

Exactly my case with my passports...my 10 yr visa is on my first passport so I travel with all 4 passports when I travel. I got 3 passports with holes.

This is a waiting game...

Thanks!

Passports are only valid for 5 years in the Philippines. I am already on my 5th passport and I am only 24.

Mystickal, Messybrownhair answered it..my passports expired after 5 years and back home it has to be at least 6 mos valid before we can travel abroad so I made sure that they're all valid for at least a year for convenience..am on my 4th passport, 4th time in the US. All of the passports carry the same name (2 first names and same last name and middle initial)...my second passport was renewed in 2001 in LA before my son was born in Aug 2001...that was prior to Sept 11..could it be one of the IO's reasons? Paranoia, I know..hehhehe!

Messy, thanks for the encouragement..magdilang anghel ka!

vkn/jsb, pls keep us updated of your status.Good luck to us.

Ok so its official AUG 25 is the big day

Good luck, vicsingh05!

Congrats!

HI prep.mac I dont see any problem in your case and I think they should have something in their record they will refer to. Its only a mtter of time (sooner) and you will see your status changed to green card production . If there is a problem with your case they would have requested additional documents before your Interview or they will have asked you to bring them with you. I am having my interview in the same uscis office next month (aug 12) and I hope you hear from them so soon. Good luck

hey wisensmart!

thanks much for your words!

good luck on aug 12..yes I hope to hear from them this week!God bless!

Hey everyone , congrats to those that are getting their EAD, i received another email today about my I485 approved. prep mac, im sorry to hear you need to submit that letter i really dont get it they should have it in the system, but your close to be over of this stressful process... you've done the hardest part, patience my friend! i had another job interview and i need to get a background check but does anybody know a website to do it? all right Guys im a bit tired and ill write more tomorrow, God bless you all

Hi batya!

When did you receive your first email from them? Any hard copy NOA-type about your approved GC? Thanks for the thought about me.Congrats again..lemme know pls when you get your GC.

Missyicy, thank you for your sympathy..I posted my interview details and dilemma in another thread. It has gotten deeper than befroe but I appreciate the VJers feedback...I just wanna see what cud be the reason? Here is the link:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/321365-aos-interview-experience-today-indianapolis-uscis/page__pid__4807070#entry4807070

Messybrownhair:I sure will update the you guys.

Kezia, good luck...just think of your case as LESS hassling than mine..maybe you will feel better...

Congrats everyone on your EAD and AP! It is "normal" for the post activity to change after card production...from my experience and some other VJers'.

Have a good one y'all! God bless us!

Uh oh, Jim! Never..I have always been one and the same person using the same name..all my documents : birth certificate, marriage certificate here, all 4 passports,even my name in my children's birth certificates and certificate of no marriage from the Philippines (even school transcripts since grade school thru Grad School are all in one and the same name). I even clarified with her that since my name would not fit in the I-130 form, I had to drop my second first name. I have 2 first names which is shown in all my records prior to getting here in the US. When we applied for the AOS, EAD and I-130, I had to drop one of the first names so I told her that and she admitted that their forms cant accommodate all the characters...my EAD and SSN cards and state ID then both have only one first name and my maiden last name but the passports, birth certificate, certificate of no moraaiage, school dox all have 2 firs names. I even told her how I got the 2 first names...one from each of my parent and why I chose the first first name than the second first name to be used here in the US. I honestly feel bad I had to drop my second first name. Also, I wanted to be consistent with the IDs I have here in the US so I opted to use one first name only.

Now that would be really interesting...and IF this is the case, they can't deny my AOS...as I am 100% honest in telling them this, just like in the other points raised. Thanks for the heads up!..I was a bit shaken cuz it never occured to me BUT that's something I can be ready for.

Thanks much Jim!

..and let me add Jim that I have applied for only one B visa in my lifetime using my name with the 2 first names in the Philippines....lastly, in the USCIS forms (I-130 and EAD) that asked "other names used" I put my complete name as it can accommodate all the letters there.She had my I-485 during the interview. It showed my complete name with 2 first names (consistent with my birth certificate and passport)...but when my EAD card arrived it had only my maiden name, I asked SSN to use the name as it appears in my EAD card, same things I asked BMV to do for my state ID. I have decided to drop my second first name here in the US.

Still at a loss...

You did birth tourism and didn't you mention elsewhere here that you used WIC and other federal programs to have your baby here? I don't understand how you can be 4 months pregnant and not know. Most people are showing by then. I also don't know why you wouldn't go home to have your baby. Sorry I can't be more positive. I think the IO is on to something and needs to double check all of this stuff. Good luck.

Hi Harpa!

I can prolly plead guilty to birth tourism but I didnt know I was pregnant when I got here in March...I gave birth first week of Aug to a premature boy, he was due mid-Sept. So I was not showing and I did (still do) have irregular periods (sorry kinda off topic but I think I should mention this for clarity)..I didnt have any pregnancy symptoms and I even jogged til 2 months before I gave birth so strange as this may sound, I did not know I was pregnant...anyway, when I learned about it (I talked to the father of my kid who was in the Philippines and he told his parents and they pledged to help but after less than a month I lost their assurance..my family was never thrilled with our relationship fromt he start and it just further distanced us)..I requested INS for an extension upon the prodding of my friends and one of them told me about WIC. I did not know about WIC before I hit the US. Call me naive but I didn't.

The first time we went there, I divulged to the WIC Coordinator in LA my status (am on a B visa) and I can recall clearly that she said their main concern's the child who will be the citizen of the US. They even photocopied my passport and visa as my passport's the only valid ID acceptable from me in the US that time. I also checked YES the item in I-485 stating something about receiving public assistance from the US government and provided a continuation page which I mentioned to the IO during the interview and she said it was no issue cuz WIC is a public assistance not a public charge consideration. I also showed her a printed copy I got from VJ re WIC. Let me point out that when I applied for I-485 I didnt know that WIC is not a public charge consideration, hence, I checked YES when I could have checked NO...the IO said it was good I did that though. I didn't intentionally leave this out in my original post. I didn't remember it when I sent the first message (was bewildered with the interview..fresh on my mind while typing the message)...on the second thought, I think it was not necessary considering what the IO said during the interview...I ruled WIC out as a possible reason for her to deny my application.

I got the approval of the request latter part of 2001 (IO said yes cuz things slowed down after Sept 11) ..I told her maybe it was late NOv or Dec...but I read that I was granted 6 more months (til Feb 2002) but we left Jan 7, 2002 for the Philippines. My son has never returned here since. I raised him in my country as I didnt have any intent to live here in the US til I met my hubby in 2009 but even then it was not a sealed deal...we met in person in Dec 2010 and he told me in March 2011 he wanted to marry me. With a great friendship as foundation, I decided to marry him 3 days before our wedding...he asked me Mar when I landed in Indy.

This is what I can tell you about WIC and my pregnancy.

Thanks much for your time.

Bingo! I think you hit on it with the bolded statement above. They're asking for a document from years ago that ONLY the person who applied for it would actually have. I believe they think you're not who you claim to be. Her claiming that she didn't have the password to the computer system was an excuse for requiring YOU to produce that document.

Now you need to figure out why they think you're somebody else, and be prepared to address it. Did you ever come to the US with a different name, or apply for a visa under a different name?

Uh oh, Jim! Never..I have always been one and the same person using the same name..all my documents : birth certificate, marriage certificate here, all 4 passports,even my name in my children's birth certificates and certificate of no marriage from the Philippines (even school transcripts since grade school thru Grad School are all in one and the same name). I even clarified with her that since my name would not fit in the I-130 form, I had to drop my second first name. I have 2 first names which is shown in all my records prior to getting here in the US. When we applied for the AOS, EAD and I-130, I had to drop one of the first names so I told her that and she admitted that their forms cant accommodate all the characters...my EAD and SSN cards and state ID then both have only one first name and my maiden last name but the passports, birth certificate, certificate of no moraaiage, school dox all have 2 firs names. I even told her how I got the 2 first names...one from each of my parent and why I chose the first first name than the second first name to be used here in the US. I honestly feel bad I had to drop my second first name. Also, I wanted to be consistent with the IDs I have here in the US so I opted to use one first name only.

Now that would be really interesting...and IF this is the case, they can't deny my AOS...as I am 100% honest in telling them this, just like in the other points raised. Thanks for the heads up!..I was a bit shaken cuz it never occured to me BUT that's something I can be ready for.

Thanks much Jim!