JNC

I'm getting some additional info on this and need some clarification.

My Wife's Green Card has her new (Married) name on it, which does NOT match her Maiden name on her Birth Certificate, her Philippine Passport and her old US Visa that the Embassy put into her Passport.

Do I need to do something and/or go somewhere to get her Philippine Passport updated and/or corrected to match her Green Card with her new name?

I'm just concerned about her having issues during travel/immigration with non-matching Passport & Green Card info.

Thanks for the help.

J

Awesome.

Thanks for the quick reply Hank.....that puts my mind at ease.

J

Need some help & verification please....

My Wife arrived here in September 2012 on a K-1 Visa. She received her Green Card in April 2013, so obviously we have not processed her Removal of Conditions yet.

Is there ANY issues/problems, etc., with her returning to Cebu for 3-4 weeks within the next month or so to visit Family and then returning back to the USA?

Is she going to have any headaches with Customs either in the Philippines and/or at LAX?

Thanks so much.

J

Hi,

My Wife arrived here in September 2012 on a K-1 Visa and we got Married on November 28, 2012 before the 90 day expiration.

We just filed our AOS papers on February 6, 2013 after finally getting the Ceritifed Copies of the Marriage Certificate, etc....

Question is, we went to the Social Security office to change her name; as we previously already obtained her Soc. Sec. Card prior to the Wedding and we were told that we need to wait for the "Card" from Immigration before we could do anything. We showed them the original Marriage Certificate, etc., but it didn't matter.

Also, at the DMV, we were told the same thing. My Wife was not even able to obtain a California ID, let alone a Drivers Permit or Drivers License.

From this point, approximately how long of a wait are we looking at before we can get her name changed AND get her a Drivers Permit or License?

Again, this is in California......so any first-hand experience with this State would be very helpful.

Thanks!

J

9 Digit Number?

Well, that doesn't make much sense then, as her Passport is the only thing that has 9 digits....but I have heard of others using the MNL or UID #'s....

Our MNL # is 10 digits and the UID # is 8 digits. So now what??? Haha....

J

Just want to make sure I am doing this right...

When Tracking the K-1 Visa at the 2GO website (http://supplychain.2go.com.ph/CustomerSupport/etrace/index.asp) being delivered from the Manila Embassy, I understand I can use the Passport #, the MNL # or the UID # correct?

My second question is do I ONLY use the digits in all three examples or do I type letters as well?

For example, when entering the MNL #, do I enter: MNL2012123456 or just: 2012123456?

Or for the UID #, do I enter: UID12345678 or just: 12345678?

Thanks for the help!

J

Hi,

I want to get a California Photo Identification Card (Not Drivers License) for my Fiancee as soon as possible after her arrival.

Does anybody have first hand knowledge if the Social Security Number is needed first or not? I've seen different opinions....and also wondering if it depends on if it is a License or Identification Card???

The California DMV website says that a SSN is required except as follows:

Exception to the SSN requirement:

If you are legally present in the US, but ineligible for an SSN, you are exempt from SSN requirements. However, you must still provide an acceptable birth date/legal presence document for any DL/ID card application OR provide a valid SSN.

Does that exclude a K-1 Fiancee or no?

Thanks,

J

We had our Interview yesterday in Manila...

Went to the 1st window for fingerprints, went to the 2nd window where a Filipina girl tore through our whole file; keeping what she wanted, returning what she didn't want, asking some questions. Went to the 3rd window and spoke with an American Consular Officer, she asked some more questions and said "everything looks good".

Went to a 4th window and a Filipina guy says "You're free to go home now" and he returned the Appointment Confirmation letter that we originally showed at the front gate.

That was it. No "Congrats, you're approved"......no "Your Visa will arrive soon", no big red APPROVED stamp, or anything like that????

After all the official stuff we had to do and all the time & work that went into everything, where was the big grand finale??? It was just kind of weird and anti-climatic.

I asked my Fiancee to please return to the 4th window and ask the guy for clarification if we are approved and if the Visa would be ready for pick up at the 2GO location previously chosen when I originally scheduled the interview online. He told her "Yes, you are approved and you don't need to fill out the 2GO delivery form because you already selected it for pick-up at SM. But, you can go to Window 69 if you want to change the delivery/pick up location."

So, that was it. I guess and sincerely hope we are approved. They kept her Passport and we didn't get a 221G or anything else....so you think it's all ok????

I saw on the Embassy Twitter feed that they are closed on Monday, the 27th for another Filipino Holiday....anybody know where I can view a complete list of Holiday closures for the Embassy?

Thanks,

J

While my Fiancee was at St. Lukes and/or the CFO Seminar, someone mentioned to her that if we are approved at the interview in Manila, we will then take the papers to the DFA for authentication and get a "red ribbon" on the papers....

This is the 1st time I've ever heard of this. I assume this is either old or bad information or perhaps for a different Country???

Anybody know about this?

Thanks,

J

Ok, thanks everyone.

She's in Manila already, so she isn't at the house to open it. We just got a phone call from the Nanny there saying that we had a "package" from the US Embassy... I'm getting it shipped to Manila.

mygrc - I was in the same boat as you.

If your girl is in Cebu, have her go do the CFO Seminar now....that's what we did, just to get it out of the way and then she can go back and get the sticker once 2GO delivers the Visa & Passport. I was originally thinking of having her do the CFO Seminar in Manila also and then get the sticker later in Cebu, but I got mixed reactions here on VJ about doing that and if it was possible or not, so I decided not to risk it.

We were on track to get the Medical done on the Monday the 20th and then do the Interview on Friday, the 24th, but then found out at the last minute that St. Luke's would be closed for two days for some Holiday. The Philippines has more Holidays than any Country I know......which isn't many....lol.

Anyway, some say that if there is no problems at the Medical, you just need about two days before the interview date. I personally think that is too close, so I would say give 5 days....you never know what can happen. If she has any problems there, then at least there is a couple days of cushion. It's well worth the extra couple nights of Hotel costs. If there is major problems like TB and/or Sputnum testing, then that can add weeks or months, so.....

Hope that helps.

J

Thanks for the replies everyone.

So does anyone know if it is "normal" to receive a package from the Embassy at this point in the game?

And......would she need this package during our upcoming Interview or not?

I was under the impression that the Embassy in Manila did not send out any documents at all and everything is done online (DS Forms) and/or at the Embassy while we are there.

I'm flying over to Manila next week to meet her for the interview and just want to make sure all things are in order and this package isn't the beginning of some sort of headache or problem.

Thanks,

J

Hi everyone,

You can view my signature and/or Timeline to see where we currently stand in the process...

My Fiancee just passed her Medical at St. Luke's on Friday, August 17th. We have the interview in one week, (August 24th) and my Fiancee received a package today at her home in Cebu from the US Embassy in Manila.

Is this normal? Is it just instructions, etc.....???

I just wanted to make sure this is not the infamous envelope with the corner cut off that we are not supposed to open right? We will get that after the Interview at the Embassy or it will be shipped with the Visa from 2GO, right?

Will she need the envelope that we received at the house for the Interview appointment or no? Reason I ask is because she is in Manila at the moment after doing her Medical and will be staying there until the Interview date, so I'd have to get the package shipped over via LBC or something.

Thanks for any input / advice.

J

Huh??? I thought it was ok...

http://blogs.usembassy.gov/philippines/?p=1113

The K-1 Fiance Visa is a Non-Immigrant Visa correct?

J

There is no mention of expiration. However, I have read conflicting responses from other here and elsewhere. Some say that it doesn't expire. Some say 6 or 12 months. My guess is that it does not because CFO does not claim it, nor is there any indication of an expiration on the certificate that I know of. In your time frame, you wouldn't have anything to worry about. I don't know what to trust 100% regarding this, but I wouldn't wait more than a year to receive the sticker if that was the case just to be sure. Still, more people say with certainty that it doesn't have an expiration than those who say it does. I think some people are confusing the sticker with the certificate too. Now, it might very well be true that they issue the sticker with an expiration in compliance with the K-1 visa (which is 6 months validity from date of issue).

Yep....makes sense to me. Thanks for the insight.

Also....on the CFO website, it lists the following requirements:

Requirements for Registration

1.Original and photocopy of Passport;

2.Original and photocopy of visa;

3.Original and photocopy of Immigrant Data Summary for US bound/ Confirmation of Permanent Residence for Canada bound/ Certification of Eligibility (for Japan-bound);

4.Original CFO guidance and counseling certificate;

5.Duly completed emigrant registration form; and

6.Payment of the authorized registration fee.

-AND-

Requirements for Attendance to Guidance and Counseling Program

1.Two (2) valid identification cards (IDs) with photograph;

2.Duly completed guidance and counseling form;

3.If married, certified true copy and photocopy of marriage contract on security paper from the National Statistics Office, or Local Civil Registry Offices; or original and photocopy of marriage contract duly authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/ Consulate (if married abroad)

4.Other documents as may be required by the counselors; and

5.Payment of P250.00 counseling fee.

Does anybody know what #3 is in the top section? "Original and photocopy of Immigrant Data Summary for US bound"???????

Thanks,

J

According to the CFO website, it says this whole "12 slots per day" thing is in effect as of July 16, 2012...for both Manila and Cebu.

J

A light bulb just went off in my tiny brain....

We've got a few weeks before she departs for Manila, so she should just do the CFO Seminar NOW in Cebu and return to their office once she has her Visa, approximately 30 days from now; right?

Duh.....lol.

Any concerns of the CFO Seminar Certificate "expiring" while waiting for the Medical, Interview and 2GO to deliver the Visa???

J

Hi everyone,

With all the upcoming issues with the CFO in mid-September, I'm getting a little worried and would like to make every day a productive one.

My Fiancee will be doing her Medical at St. Luke's on Monday, August 20th and our Interview at the Embassy is scheduled for that Friday, August 24th.

Assuming all goes well on Monday & Tuesday at the Medical, could she go do the CFO Seminar in Manila on Wednesday or Thursday and then do her Interview on Friday......returning to Cebu that weekend, wait two weeks for her Visa and then go get her "magical sticker" at the CFO office in Cebu?

Does anyone think this will work or see any problems with it?

Thanks for the input.

J

Hello everyone,

Never really have time to post on here, but reading ALL the time and it was this Forum that enabled me to do this entire thing myself (versus hiring an Attorney) and not getting any RFE's.

Anyways, things are moving so much faster now. NVC received our file on July 18 and I was given the MNL #. My Fiance went to BPI yesterday; paid the fees and has the receipt with her Passport # being correct, etc.

NBI, Birth Certificate, CENOMAR, Passport Photos, etc. are all completed. I have all the documents ready for the I-134 as well as all the additional proof of ongoing relationship, and the DS Forms are almost done, etc.....so I think we are all set. I will be flying to Manila to attend the interview with her as well.

We were able to schedule the Interview Date online today and it is set for August 24.

My question is this: Will we be ok time-wise if she shows up in Manila Sunday afternoon, August 19th to be ready Monday morning, August 20th at St. Luke's?

I.E., if she does the Medical on Monday, would it be safe to assume she will be ready for the interview that Friday? Or should I have her fly to Manila sooner? If so, how much sooner? (She lives in Cebu)

Thanks for the help.

J

Hi all,

I included the G-1145 with my I-129F package and received both the text & email from the USCIS acknowledging receipt of the package and that NOA1 is on the way in the mail.

Will I also receive a text & email when the NOA2 is approved and on the way in the mail or is the G-1145 only for the initial NOA1?

Thanks!

J

Hi guys,

I don't think this is a big deal, but just wanted to run it by you to double-check.

On my G-325A for the Petitioner, under "Applicant's Employment" I listed Company X for the current employer.

However, I have just now switched over to Company 123.

Is this a problem?

I would imagine that it is not and the most important part is to have at least 3-6 months worth of paycheck stubs, a letter from the employer stating the position and the salary and the bank statements showing Direct Deposits from the Employer, correct?

Thanks!

Hi,

Not sure if this is important or not, but the only stupid question is the one I don't ask.....lol.

Just curious for what the Americans are putting under Citizenship/Nationality on the G-325A.

American makes the most sense, but when I look at my US Passport Bio page, under "Nationality", it says: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

So, should I just put U.S.A. as there is not enough room to spell it out?

Thanks,

J

Thanks everyone.

Very much appreciated!

J

Hi all,

I'm filling out the I-129F and not sure what to put for the infamous Question #19.

I've done the search here on VJ and it seems that nobody has had a problem with their Visa if they met on CherryBlossoms or FilipinaHeart or similar websites.

My question though is do I mark YES or NO for question #19?

I was going to mark NO and then put this in the box below:

WE MET ONLINE AT THE WEBSITE: WWW.FILIPINAHEART.COM, (NOW WWW.FILIPINOCUPID.COM) WHICH IS SPECIFICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE IMBRA LAWS. THE SERVICE IS AN INTERNET INFORMATION SERVICE THAT FACILITATES CONTACT BETWEEN MEMBERS WHO MAY OR MAY NOT BE SEEKING FRIENDSHIP OR A RELATIONSHIP. IT IS NOT A MARRIAGE BROKERING SERVICE, MAIL ORDER BRIDE SERVICE NOR A MATCHMAKING SERVICE.

What do you think?

Thanks,

J

Thanks SO much for taking the time to write such a detailed experience.

This is very, very valuable for others that will soon go there also.

J

Hello,

Question #11 of the I-129F asks:

Have you ever filed for this or any other Alien Fiance(e) or Husband/Wife before?

___Yes ___No

If "Yes", give name of all Aliens, place and date of filing, A#, and result.

(Attach additional sheets if necessary)

Does this question ONLY refer specifically to previous I-129F or K-1 Visa Filings, or is it applicable to ANY previous filings?

I filed a I-130 back in 2007. So, would I mark "YES" and provide all the info pertaining to that Case?

Thanks so much,

J