windchaser_4

Hi PW and many others, Been busy with getting the wedding done and everything, didn't have time to post. Jenny is here and we got married on the 13th of January and enjoying the Honeymoon. Thanks for all the help , even tho we still have a lot to do. See you all later.

Still very busy in here huh PW? I haven't posted much, i have been doing wedding and travel stuff. Only 4 more days until she gets here

I had Lilia see a qualified doctor this morning in Makati Medical Center. He said she has mild bronchitis. He gave her a prescription for cephalexin and a decongestant. No signs of TB. He will check her again prior to her return trip to St. Lukes.

Rather than a nurse arbitrarily "kill" our interview and have Lilia return Jan 9, 10 & 11 for more tests, it would have been so easy to let her pay for a doctor in St. Lukes to see her to clear the medical. What a buch of horse$hi^.

Just a note for those of you who have medicals/interviews coming, don't go to St. Lukes with any congestion and cough. It is lethal to the interview. Plan your medical early and make sure your loved one is healthy prior to going. If by chance they (God forbid) should actually have TB, it can't be covered up by antibiotics, allergy medications etc.

Nice work Rob.

I gave my fiancee a head's up that if she has a cold or something we can portpone the medical rather than risk having the interview canceled.

This seems odd to me because St.lukes doesn't cancel interviews. They just work the Embassy, they may tell them that the medical wasn't complete or whatever. The dealing of the interview date is done with the embassy and should be handled by the petitioner calling the Embassy.

My fiancee is flying from Cebu/HK/LAX/CHI. Does anyone know if she can have her POE in Chicago or will they make her do it in LAX? I can't seem to find any info on it. Chicago is her final destination but of course her actual "POE" in LAX. Maybe a stupid question but just wondering.

I believe the POE is always the first airport that an international flight arrives at, much like I go through customs at Detroit everytime coming back from the RP, but my final destination is PA.

Hope it doesn't take too long she only has a 2 1/2 hour layover at LAX

Yup, embassy needs to receive the physical file before an interview can be scheduled.

Thanks PW. Should I start worrying yet? NVC sent our file out on the 12th. I talked to the USE the morning of the 19th there in the Phils. Should'nt they have our physical file by now?

It can take up to 2 to 3 weeks. Assuming they sent it when they said.

My fiancee is flying from Cebu/HK/LAX/CHI. Does anyone know if she can have her POE in Chicago or will they make her do it in LAX? I can't seem to find any info on it. Chicago is her final destination but of course her actual "POE" in LAX. Maybe a stupid question but just wondering.

You guys lost me but i'm wouldn't expect it that soon with all the disasters. I waiting a week before i called. I hope you use the Embassy number not the stupid call center.

PW, it is not that those of us in AR did not have our documents ready it is that the consul wanted to verify one of our documents with the nso. Every time I see someone post like this I just cringe. A document check can and will happen randomly to cases. In talking to the embassy every day Lorrain admitted to me that the embassy lost some paperwork they ordered before our interview which leaves me scratching my head. They tell us to gather up cenomars, bc, mc, nbi but then they go ahead and order duplicates to check and throw people into AR and a lot of times they don't order up duplicates until after the embassy. They batch those requests which can take 4 to 6 weeks. A bit of advice, if your fiance/wife gets AR have her ask if she can carry a copy from NSO to the embassy, this may take time off of a document review related AR.

cybernutguy, I hate to say this but I am offended by your comment. If you read my post carefuly, never did I say that those in AR were not ready with their documents. And I quote my actual post:

Take note of the reasons for AR ~ birth certificate, Cenomar, divorce decree ~ so let us make sure our documents are in order.

I am sure that all of us spent many months and hours preparing and poring over our documents. But regardless, we all know that even if everything is in order, the embassy can still put anybody in AR. However, the chance of being put in AR "may" be minimized if documents are in order (e.g. they are current, they are NSO-issued, annulment decrees are certified true copies with embossed seal and not just photocopies, etc. etc.). We've heard of ladies appearing for their interview without photos attached to their visa applications and without the I-134. So what is wrong about reminding people to make sure that their documents are in order that it makes you cringe?

I understood PW.

E-Mailing the Embassy is pointless. They will respond way after you need the info.....calling the Embassy is best, not the stupid call center.

She has received her Packet 4, so they know where to find her by address. We could call the embassy and give them the new phone number, but I'm worried it might cause them to slow down the process for us, reschedule the interview or otherwise mess up.

I'm hoping she finds her phone and if she can't, I'm hoping she can have her old number assigned to her new phone.

I doubt it, you already have a interview date and the only real need is for Delbros like jasman said. Because you aren't going to need that number in the US

New inductee into the AR forum here. My wife and I were put into AR because they wanted another copy of her birth certificate. They instructed my wife to visit nso and return to window 17-20 the next day. She paid delbros and they told her when the consul finish their review of the nso document they will release visa for delivery.

They gave a timeline of 4 to 6 weeks, we are hoping it is much sooner since we provided what they needed in person the day after our interview.

Pretty standard answer from the Embassy it took more than 6 weeks for us. It's hard to say, I just called them every week and bugged them The other thing to remember is, the Operators you call don't really have much info. Who know how long it takes them to get the info into the computer, the day i called they said it was still under review.....that was the same day they sent the visa out. anyways, hang in there.

Hi everyone:

We really need help. I am on K1. My interview will be next month we just noticed that on my birth certificate from NSO, my father's first name is mispelled instead of lorenZo it is lorenSo. We're still going to LCR to have this corrected but i understand this will take time and we have 2 months to go.Anyone have the same case or any input on this?

Thanks in advance.

Rodel&Gina

It is much better that you DON"T correct it. Just leave it the way it is. A correction on your BC is more likely to get you AR than a misspelled name of your father. At least your birth certificate remains unchanged and original, and hopefully not late registered. At least it is authentic.

There has already been one case of AR because the BC was changed to reflect the correct spelling of the father's first name.

I don't agree. To be honest i think if they request you to change it or submit more proof it will take longer than a review of documents. I assume you spell is right on all your documents. They can always think that the BC isn't correct because of the diff spelling and the fact that It's a pretty common name. The question that no can answer is will they Accept it or put you on AR. That could be totally diff depending on the consular.

The other problem is, 2 months isn't enough time to correct it unless you know someone in the Manila NSO who handles Corrections. Best bet is to bring some of your fathers documents and let them know it is being corrected. I'm sure they won't miss it and they might even say it's not a problem. It doesn't hurt to be honest about it because we all know records in the Philippines are pretty bad. That my Opin.

Hey guys. The CFO lady at the seminar told my gal that she would not be allowed to use her knockoff L. Viton luggage to travel to the US since they are banned by the US govt. Anybody heard of this, and which agency would be implementing the policy. My quick scan of the regs found nothing.

this is from Bureau of Customs and Border Protection website:

USTOMS DIRECTIVE

ORIGINATING OFFICE: OR&R DISTRIBUTION: S-01

CUSTOMS DIRECTIVE NO. 2310-011A DATE: JANUARY 24, 2000

SUPERSEDES: 2310-11 July 30, 1991

REVIEW DATE: JANUARY 2002

PERSONAL USE EXEMPTION: UNAUTHORIZED TRADEMARKS

1. PURPOSE. To clarify Customs policy with respect to the proper application of the personal use exemption.

2. AUTHORITY. Generally, Section 526 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. §1526) and section 42 of the Act of July 5, 1946 (60 Stat. 440; 15 U.S.C. §1124) (the Lanham Act) proscribe the importation of goods bearing counterfeits of trademarks which have been registered with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office and recorded with U.S. Customs.

3. BACKGROUND. According to the statute (19 U.S.C. §1526(d)(1)), such restrictions do not apply to the importation of articles accompanying any person arriving in the United States, when such articles are for his personal use and not for sale, provided such articles have been approved and enumerated by Customs, and that such person has not been granted a 1526(d) exemption within 30 days immediately preceding his arrival. However, 19 U.S.C.§1526(d)(4) also authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out that law.

3.1 At 19 CFR §148.55, Customs has promulgated regulations which provide for the importation of one article of a type bearing an unauthorized protected trademark. Importations of quantities greater than one article of a type bearing an unauthorized trademark are subject to the provisions of 19 CFR §133.24.

4. ACTION. Customs officers shall permit any person arriving in the United States, to import one article, which must accompany the person, bearing a counterfeit, confusingly similar, or restricted gray market trademark, provided that the article is for personal use and not for sale.

4.1 Customs officers shall permit the arriving person to retain one article of each type accompanying the person. For example, an arriving person who has three purses, whether each bears a different unauthorized trademark or whether all three bear the same unauthorized trademark, is permitted one purse.

4.2 Imported items over and above one article are subject to disposition under either 19 CFR § 133.21 (counterfeit) or 19 CFR § 133.24 (gray market and confusingly similar). Under 19 CFR § 133.21, counterfeit items, in the absence of permission from the trademark owner, must be seized and forfeited. Gray market or confusingly similar goods are subject to detention under 19 CFR §133.24(a). Upon such a detention, Customs officers should orally advise the person(s) arriving that the articles are subject to detention and that in accordance with 19 CFR §133.24©(2), such articles may be:

4.2.1 Exported or destroyed under Customs supervision; or

4.2.2 Imported if the mark is removed or obliterated to Customs satisfaction; or

4.2.3 Released if permission to import the goods is obtained from the trademark holder.

4.3 Where the trademark holder consents to the importation of goods bearing unauthorized trademarks in quantities above the regulatory exemption, Customs officers shall allow the greater quantity to be imported.

4.4 Where the importer has failed to obtain release of such detained goods after 30 days from the date of presentation to Customs, said goods shall be seized and forfeiture proceedings instituted.

4.5 In the past, there has been confusion over whether the personal use exemption contained in 19 CFR §148.55 applies equally to crew members. 19 CFR §148.55, and its governing statute, 19 U.S.C. §1526(d), state that the personal use exemption is available to "any person." This includes crew members.

5. RESPONSIBILITIES. Customs field officers are responsible for following these guidelines. Area/Port directors, assistant port directors (trade operations), supervisory import specialists, and supervisory inspectors are responsible for ensuring that their staffs are aware of the content of this Directive and adhere to the guidelines provided.

Commissioner of Customs

This stuff is crazy, I can understand if you are bringing suitcases of illegal stuff. But i've read several stories of stores in malls in the Philippines selling rip-offs, seems like the government should spend more time making sure no one is a terrorist coming into the country rather than a few pieces of luggage. I have a hard time believing if a custom agent finds 2 pieces of clothing that doesn't sound familiar he is going to take the time to take them and do all the paperwork....i could be wrong i guess.

Good luck to December interviewees.

Wind, where was your fiancee's passport delivered ? Manila or Bohol? Yna, where was the passport of your boytoy delivered? Calling on Keith88 and JimGen, we'd like to hear about the status of the delivery of your fiancee's passport.

In Bohol, although not at her address. She had it sent to a friends house in Tagbilaran.

I'm going to call and find out tomorrow but Michigan requires both parties submit a SSN for a marriage Cert. Of course she won't have one a week after she comes over. I know this is off topic, just curious if anyone knows how to do it. I'd rahter ask in here.

Let me clear up the BC problem.....You HAVE to go thru the Local Registry to get anything corrected. Local NSO cannot do it unless you are talking to the Main Manila Branch. Even so they tell you to go thru the LR. If anyone says otherwise they did it thru a fraud. When you get it corrected it takes 3-4 months to do it the right way. The correction will be typed out but it looks like ####### and it's no wonder the Embassy doesn't like them. Best bet is to get 3 or 4 copies when you correct it, also keep the papers they send you verifying they changed your BC. Maybe you can get away with some hack changing the BC on NSO paper but if they put you on review and the government checks the records you are in serious trouble, because only the NSO in Manila can change it in the computer with the permission of the LR.

The only other way is if you have contacts high up like a Mayor or something and you want to spend money. But if someone says they can change it at the Local NSO they are lying.....This is from experience

Not sure what you guys are talking about the diff between a NSO BC and a BC on NSO paper. The one from Manila was the same one we got from Cebu.

BTW, My Fiancee isn't coming over until after Christmas. She wants to spend it with her family before she moves over here. She hasn't seen her mom and dad for about 7 months. It will be a lonely Christmas. But i will see her it a month!

Hey guys, Really good news today....My fiance got her visa from Delbros today out of the blue! She didn't get a text or anything saying they were sending it. I called them the same day it was release and they said there wasn't any news. I was planning on bugging the Congressman's office next week again We are so relieved and happy at this point. A pretty good suprise for Thanksgiving! WOW, is this finally happening?? Anyways, i thought i would say thank you to the people who prayed for us, gave us help and encouragement. We thank God that our prayers were finally answered, maybe not in our time but God's time.

both. when they are done preocessing your papers. they will send you a letter with your new manila case number in a couple of weeks.... you can also call them for an update or send them a message thru e-mail..they reply in 4 days or so.

*julie

Annie, what time period did they give you? They told me they(USE) were still reviewing Aug. cases, hope that isn't true.

wind,

i called embassy last wednesday, they told me that they have started reviewing my case already and to just wait for my visa because i might receive my passport with my visa anytime now but she doesn't told me that i am approve already... they told me also that if the visa wont arrive until november 25..a month after i submitted the additional documents i shall call them again and they will make a report to process my papers once. i asked the woman if there's any chance that my visa be denied. she told me the only grounds for visa denial is when you are married to somebody else and you used drugs.

there's no other choice than to wait. next week i'll fax them a letter again and fiance will call once more. can u please give me the number of the immigrant visa unit?

thanks

*julie

Sorry, wasn't here most of the weekend.

http://philippines.usembassy.gov/wwwhni14.html

I dunno what the USE is doing. They won't give us a time period, nothing new this week. I think i will call the Congressman's office in Washington this week. I still am not getting any kind of answer from the USE about why they put us on AR. Anyways, still here waiting.

both. when they are done preocessing your papers. they will send you a letter with your new manila case number in a couple of weeks.... you can also call them for an update or send them a message thru e-mail..they reply in 4 days or so.

*julie

Annie, what time period did they give you? They told me they(USE) were still reviewing Aug. cases, hope that isn't true.

Same here, Wind. 19 months and still waiting....

My fiance is arriving in 2 days so that should help a bit with this agonizing wait. Can you come for a short visit so you can see your sweetie?

To those who sent me private mail, I am unable to respond through yahoo because my office admin has blocked off all web-based mails effective today. I hope they don't find out that I spend time here at VJ as they might block the site as well.

PW temporarily signing off to learn scuba diving with my sweetie yipeeee!!! :energetic:

I might if they deny us, hopefully we are pretty close and i want to save the money for the honeymoon. B)

That's great! Now, if you can just manage not to go totally bonkers till your interview date...

I'm starting to count the minutes until Jhen's arrival. I need help. LOL!!!

Counting the weeks and months here

Wow, now i'm really depressed Called the USE, they said no updates. She explained to me that nothing was wrong with our documents and that it was waiting to be reviewed again. I asked her then why is it being reviewed, no real answer. Problem is she said that cases from Aug haven't been reviewed yet. If so that would put us about a month and a half away. On the bright side it sounds like it won't get denied. But i wanted my fiancee to be here by Thanksgiving

SHHHH, don't rat out PW and I!

Just wanna thank everyone for the great support youve given us, this site is such a huge help especially the Manila Thread!

The interview was such an easy one, like what Ive told my fiancee... it was painless! I just wanna tell you guys as long as youve done your homework and the relationship is legit....there should be NO WORRIES!

I was with my mom and my daughter, we got there at 6am and they let us in right away, just like the usual thing...had our bags go through the x-ray machine, left our phones and headed to the main building...I felt really lucky that Im kinda familiar with the process already and thats because of you guys and the infomation Ive got from reading this thread.

They collected the forms and carefully check it to make sure that you filled it out correctly, and theyll give you a number that youre gonna be using for the rest of the day...while I was waiting for my name to be called for finger scanning, the fire alarm started to make noise and the security guards told us not to panick and calmly get out of the building, which we did...no one was left in there and we got really worried and dunno whats goin on...and after like 10 mins..they let everyone in again and back to business....everyone started speculating like if it was a bomb scare or something and some says it might just be a drill...no one knows...the security guards wont give any info..anyways..I went through....

1. Finger scanning (your name will be called for this, so you dont have to watch the queu board for your # to flash)

2. Pre- interview with a Filipino staff (yeah, she's tougher than the consular officer, she never smiled...she asked for our BC, NBI Clearance, Affidavit of Support, pictures and 3 emails and 3 chat logs ...I offered to add more emails, chat logs, WU reciepts snail mails and CENOMAR.. but she said no thats enough..huh? It worried me a bit since I think 3 emails and 3 chat logs arent enough as evidence..thought Im just gonna show the CO that Ive got more in case she wants them..Ive noticed that she's writing down all of my answers to her questions.

questions asked:

- How did we meet

- What does he do

- Was he married before

- When did he started courting me

- If he'd been married before, how many times and if he got kids

3. Interview with the Consular Officer

She had me raise my right hand and swear that Ill be telling the truth during the interview..and she basically asked same questions asked by the pre-interviewer..it lasted like 5 minutes..and she told me I can go back to my seat now and wait for my # to be called again..and saw her grab a purple sticker on her desk and it clearly says "K1 VISA APPROVED"...it feels great!! It was heaven

when my # flashed again, I went to the specified window and the lady there instructed me to pay Delbros for the delivery of the visa, I paid 165PHP each (for me and daughter's) since I live in Manila area

Im done by 11:30am...get my phone and called the love of my life and told him the great great news!

I wish everyone a smooth process especially the ones who are in line for the interview and those who are still waiting for the appointment date hope you get some great news soon and again.....NO WORRIES!

GOD is good..just keep the faith and He will give what your heart desires...goodluck everyone..I'll continue praying for this thread.

Jenn

gratz on approval........maybe we just got bad CO cause my fiancee took a lot longer than that.

Well I just heard you cant use co-sponsers for the affidavit of support?

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=40175

That is completely and utterly possibly earth shattering if true.

They go by the USCIS, they would have to except a Co-sponsor. Seems against policy if they do indeed not allow for a K-1. IMHO.

Gratz, hope the visa gets there fast!

Windchaser,

Did your fiancee had her interview already??So she's under AR but did they ask her if she needs to submit more documents or she was given 221g with mark wait til you hear from us.Just curious i'm also under AR since my interview Oct.12,2006

Yes....no.......The Philippines government sent it back to the embassy for review but they still haven't told up what the reason was or if it's approved yet.

gratz tita, hope we are right behind you!

Also when it’s time to adjust status, the USCIS instructions in Form I-485 about fiances “who had a medical taken within the past year” leaves plenty of room for interpretation. Some US Civil Surgeons insist that the medical is valid only for 6 months. I’d much rather that I have medical that is within the “6-month” validity to erase any ambiguity on the interpretation of the instructions.

See, i was right after all

JUST A REMINDER (FYI)- Especially if your honey is traveling without you to the states, please don't forget about the extra cost with the Phil Travel Tax of $1,620PHP and the Airport Fee of about $550PHP.

I thought if you bought the ticket in the Philippines they added the travel tax on it. I could be wrong tho, but i thought our quotes had that.