YourHumboldtBud

I assume this has been discussed before but I could not find a previous topic whilst searching Visajourney.

I know that it is prudent to file the I-751 early on within the 90 day period, but seeing that the 1st document listed for Evidence of Relationship is:

1. Birth Certificate(s) of child(ren) born to the marriage

Should I wait for our child to be born which the expected delivery date is 37 days before the expiry date of the 90 day filing period, or should I send I-751 in before the child is born?

Thank You in advance for those who respond

Never Ever Lie on your paperwork. Period, nothing good can come from this.... Even if they suspect you may have latent TB after a PPD test, you will still have to take medication whether in PI or abroad in the USA

I'm one of those with whom an I-864 w/ I-864A(s) was presented instead of an I-134 during the interview, we ended up having an I-134 filled out just in case but it was never presented. Several steps were taken during the process though. I ended up calling USCIS during the filing of the I-129f, and it was actually a customer service rep from the USCIS help line who said I needed to use an I-864 w/I-864(s) instead of the I-134. I wrote down the name of the customer service rep, employee number, date and time of call and wrote a letter in preparation for the interview explaining the details, the conversation and what was discussed.

From what I gather, they tend to also look at future earning potential of the sponsor and/or beneficiary. So if your fiancee has a degree and is capable of finding a job with high earning potential, then that may be a large contributing if not deciding factor in an approval or denial. They spent quite a bit of time asking my fiancee(now wife) about her course of study during college and if she actually pursued a career in her line of study or worked elsewhere non-associated with her degree. She's an RN with several years of experience.

As a note, I am not a current graduate in fact I was laid off from my previous job, and collecting unemployment insurance(UI) during the course of the the I-129f process leading up to the interview hence the need for co-sponsorship, so don't be discouraged. If there is a will there is a way. In fact if for whatever reason we were denied, I had an appointment to obtain an affadavit of legal capacity to marry on the same day later on in the afternoon, so that we could marry in PI if need arose, I wasn't about to let anything get in my way. Thankfully we never had to go that route. But like others who were approved using cosponsors, I was present during the interview and my co-sponsors were close relatives(my parents)

Just make sure to cover all your bases and be prepared, show them that the relationship is true, hopefully you can also show them that earning potential is there so your fiancee won't become US burden and obtaining means tested benefits, and make sure to have all your paperwork in order. It's better to be over-prepared than under-prepared and have items ready for turn in, just in case...

Unless something has changed St Mary's is now CLOSED we were there in September 11, 2012 and we were told by the staff that it was there last week of operations that upcoming friday... From what I understand all CFO seminars are now held at Prism.

I called USCIS during the waiting stages and it was suggested by a customer service rep that I use the I-864+I-864A instead of the I-134, when we went to the interview we had I-134(s) myself and my father and the I-864 with I-864A(s). When we got to the filipino pre-screener we never even showed them the I-134, but they did inquire about it. I had written a letter indicating who I spoke with(Name and Badge#) and when I spoke with them, and stated it was there recommendation( the customer service rep from USCIS) that we used the I-864, they had a little discussion with the supervisor, about my lack of I-134 but they never pressed the matter and let us continue, without incident.

If you stop taking your medication you will have to start all over again, I'm over here stateside, where I was born and raised. I've been going to the Philippines since I was a baby and had multiple PPD Skin Tests, once when I was a baby, once in high school which were both negative. Then I went in our local clinic about a month ago since I was caught whatever the local cold/flu bugs which were floating around. While in there I was asked to take another PPD and the results came back borderline positive/negative. Rather being safe than sorry I; like yourself, was given a prescription for anti-TB for 6 months. I have a 4 year old cousin who came here to the US from the Philippines when she was 2 years old, she was also tested(positive) and is currently undergoing a 9 month treatment session. One way or the other you'll have to complete the prescription whether in PI or US. Just because the virus isn't currently active doesn't mean it can't become active sometime in the future, hence the precautionary measures taken. Taking preventitive measures are better than getting treated if it becomes active and you spread it to all of your loved ones, just saying. TB is taken very seriously here in the USA even missing one day of your medication during the 6 month period is considered a big NO-NO. This isn't the type of medication you can slack off on you have to be consistent at taking your medication on time. They won't prescribe additional refills unless you go in for regular checkups and bloodtests

Please be more specific Letter D of Question Number?

It sounds like the A form is for household members of MY household. I should clarify I do not live with this couple, They are their own family and just friends of mine. Would they still file the I-864A? or do they do just the I-864?

Ah ok, I thought you lived with the potential joint/co-sponsor. I'm not sure what to do in your situation then, but when I went through the process initially for my wife's then I-129f application, I called USCIS and they were the ones who recommended the I-864 w/I-864A option.

I-864 will be filled out by you(Sponsor) and I-864A(Co/Join Sponsor) will be used for other members within the household who are willing to utilize their income. An I-864A is required for each co/joint sponsor. If they filed jointly you will only need to provide one copy of their tax transcript(s) per year since their names will already be included in the document.

The last time I recall, the exchange rate for travellers checks was horrid. They used to give you LESS money than whatever the current exchange rate was for traveller's checks. Example Changing at a bank was 41.20, black market 42.3, Traveller's Checks 37.50. This was also at a time when you couldn't change money at SM unless it was the most current print, with no scratches marks, bends blemishes of any sort. I know they changed that policy and deny they ever carried on such practices in the past... I remember after we complained and got media to start inquiring that old system disappeared

Nowadays it's much better to use a service like Xoom.com to send money over. It takes only a few minutes and you can send up to like $2999 for $8 per transaction with many pick up options like SM business centers, BPI, BDO, PNB, Cebuana/M L Huillier etc... Things of note, it will be $6 to send pesos(lower than current bank exchange rate) or $8 to send dollars(you look around for the location with the best exchange rate), depending on where you may be picking up the money; certain locations while in a big city may exchange for both peso or dollars, yet a similar branch in the province may only have peso exchange. The banks are the only sure way to get dollars but be aware most of these banks have remittance cutoffs, let's say the bank will close at 5pm they will stop processing money remittances at like 3pm. I have no idea why this is the case since you can send money 24/7, just another one of those "Only In The Philippines" events. These are practices I've witnessed first hand, and I try to inform others, so they may be aware of what they could actually encounter.

For me personally the best way was to have my fiancee open a dollar account at a bank. We went with BDO who requires a minimum of $200 to open a dollar account. Then either bring the money with me or send ahead of time using Xoom, and have her deposit the money, then withdraw as needed while in PI. Then we'd have her keep track of when the exchange rate was favorable then exchange the dollars for pesos since the rate is always moving up and down. It's tedious but one of the best ways to stretch your money as far as it will go.

Yup 23-25 years sounds right, my remaining aunt and uncles arrived about 2 years ago after almost 25 years of waiting. It would be MUCH faster to petition your parents once you become a citizen, have them become US Citizen(around 5 years of living stateside assuming they follow the rules and don't stay out of the US for any prolonged amounts of time) then petition their children(your siblings)...

For future reference, your POE is considered when you first touch down in a US Government run facility whether it be an airport in a US Territory like Guam or when you first touch USA(depending on your flight schedule). Some people make the mistake between customs and POE, which can be at the same location or seperate depending on your flight schedule. In my wife's case her flight was from Manila->Guam->Honolulu->San Francisco->Home city in CA . Her Point of Entry was Guam(K1-Check/Addition of I-94 to passport), yet customs check occured in Honolulu(check/recheck baggage/official entry to USA).

Definitely get your medical portion completed, people typically recommend 2-3 weeks prior to interview just in case you encounter any minor problems. Remember the medical portion is first come first serve and can take up to 2 days to complete assuming there are no issues. Then after the medical is complete you need to give SLEC enough time to deliver the results to USEM...

Pray? There really isn't much else that can be done to speed up the process from Visa Approval to Delivery that you haven't already taken steps to procure. Just be prepared for plan B if the flight day comes and your fiance's visa still is not in hand. You'll need to still get the CFO sticker affixed to the passport. Depending on which airline you are flying with, it may not cost too much to reschedule a ticket. I know when I had to reschedule my wife's ticket back in 09/12, I went to the local ticketing office in Makati and they charged me $75 to change the flight date, that was with United Airlines. I remember similar prices with JAL when I flew with them several years ago as well.

I'm curious how many people have actually entered SLEC and see how they actually operate the facility. The work staff in there are CHAMPS, imagine the sheer volume of people they have to accomodate over a span of time. SLEC is more efficient than clinics and hospitals I've seen stateside. You get what you pay for, in terms of medical service provided, in fact it's a bargain compared to what similar services in the US would cost. My wife who is an RN by profession even commented and how good the staff was, she was surprised by how smooth the process was from start to finish. When my wife and I went to our local Civil Surgeon to get her medical transciption for AOS, the facility here would charge up to $600 for similar services provided NOT including the X-Ray.

As far as the medical process itself is concerned, they won't just let anybody into SLEC, you need to have the proper documentation to enter. The guards will follow the same protocol for every person trying to gain entrance into SLEC. Schedule your interview date, from there you register online at SLEC with the link provided above in an earlier post, then you can print out your SLEC documents and have them ready to present when your wife arrives in Manila. Be aware the process usually takes 2 days to complete and is on a first come first serve basis. People line up around 5am to get a spot in line. You want to leave enough room between your interview at USEM and your Medical exam at SLEC just in case you encounter any problems along the way.

As for the interview, assuming everything has gone well up to that point. If you get approved, then you can have your wife complete her CFO seminar(which is also first come first serve, with limited amount of seatings based on which country) and get the stamp in it at a later date after your Visa arrives. Remember the stage after approval can take time as well, some people are fortunate enough to get the visa as little as 3 days while others on average can take up to 2 weeks, assuming there are no additional hang ups along the way. 2go service will be the courier for the passport. You can always opt to select a branch office where to pick up the passport like MOA(Mall of Asia) or an actual house address. If you want faster service select to pick it up at one of their branches, that's one less step they'll need to make for delivery, it can save a few days from what I've seen, and as far as 2go tracing system is concerned, it's pretty much fail, don't try tracking the package, you'll get very frustrated with how they operate/update status. Just wait until you get a confirmation text indicating your package will be ready for pick-up(usually the next day after the message)

Balikbayan Boxes typically have a size limitation with no weight restriction. Depending on where you live and the availability and arrival/departure of a Philippine bound ship the Balikbayan Box can take anywhere from several weeks to several months. I've heard of too many horror shipping stories with a multitude of carriers, yet the only company I've never personally had issues with is LBC. My family has been sending packages through LBC as long as I can remember without any problems. The last time we sent a box which was around November 2012 the cost was around $65 from San Francisco to Davao del Sur.

We usually send Balikbayan boxes home around the holidays or several months prior to a scheduled trip to PI. Clothes, food like heavy canned goods, pasalubong, we will usually send ahead of time. With all the different weight/luggage restrictions between International and Domestic carriers here and especially in PI, it's so much less of a hassle to bring everything ahead of time. Example, United Airlines allows you to check in 1 piece of luggage of up to 50 lbs, and 1 carry-on(Mainland USA), yet if you leave from Hawaii you can carry 1 piece of luggage up to 70 lbs. Then upon arrival to PI to fly domestic you typically can carry up to 7kg(15 lbs) total, any additional weight will cost around 150Php($3) per Kilo(2.2 pounds), UNLESS you prepurchased your ticket ahead of time online and bought additonal luggage weight option... and thats only dealing with one of the several domestic airlines in PI

I know going back to PI will grant you Balikbayan status by the PI Government due to you being born in pinas, but staying abroad from the US for more than 6 months can cause issues for your residency and affect your status especially if you are planning on becoming a US Citizen. The time you stay abroad gets counted against your time in the US if I remember correctly but don't quote me on that. If you are planning to give birth in PI then you might want to consider when you should actually go there, especially with you having to secure a US passport for your baby especially if you're husband will be deployed elsewhere.

Entrance requirements all differ it depends on your school/board. You'll have to contact the specific school/unversity and ask them for specifics on what you'll need.

As far as finding employment on the most basic level you absolutely need your EAD(Employment Authorization Documentation) that shows you are legally able to work in the US. This step usually occurs after you are married and you file for AOS(Adjustment of Status) Obtaining your EAD/AP card during your AOS process typically arrives 2-3+ months(varies) after turning in your application. The fees for your EAD/AP are waived if sent in with your AOS packet. Some places will ask for referral letters from previous employers, others just want you to fill out a typical work application which will usually suffice, this also is dependent from company to company and they type of work you are applying for. Example if you are a RN then you need to visit your state board online and look at the requirements for someone to be up to speed and certified to your state board, you'll have your school in PI send them directly a certified copy of your transcripts and then go from there whatever the Nursing Board requires. A place like Mcdonalds will require you just have your EAD documentation.

Your fiancee won't be able to work until you two are married and and you get your AOS packet and obtain your EAD. This can take up to 6-9+ months depending on how soon/late you get married and gather the needed items for your packet for AOS. In the meantime get TFC/GMA for the house, have a couple of babies, that would keep her busy for the next 18+ years or so Other than that talk with her and see what she may be into. The transition is harder for some than others when coming stateside. Find some other filipino friends and get her involved with the local fil-am community. Find the closest Ross/Marshall/TJ Maxx's, teach her about coupon clipping and stores that have clearance racks and build some balikbayan boxes.

You fill out paperwork prior to the interview asking where you want the documents sent. Usually people select a specific address or particular 2go station in which to pick it up the passport

While putting our AOS packet together for my wife. I remember following the VJ guide and making a copy of her bio page and it also said to make a copy of Entrance stamps as well. I'm assuming that would already come with her copy of I-94 and K-1 Visa page, since that was the only time my wife has ever left PI. Does anybody know if we need to include the page that shows that she actually departed Philippines? Or will the K-1/I-94 portion suffice? I just want to make sure I's are dotted and T's are crossed

You can make an appointment online at the Embassy. You'll go through a series of options that will allow you to select that you are making the appointment at the Embassy to obtain the Affidavit. It's a very simple process to do. You'll stand before a window; raise your right hand and swear in front of a C/O that I(State your Name(USC) are single, and legally capable of marrying (Fiancee's name))... While going through the process they may ask you a few questions pertaining to one another before the swearing. I remember them asking questions like, where does your fiancee live? What School did she attend? What course did she study? How did you meet? What's her favorite color? etc... They may video the session if I'm not mistaken.

She is flying hawaiian airlines and the airline company told us they did not include the travel tax so bummer I have to pay for it. Do you know if its per person or just her will she have to pay for my son too?

The Tax is for every Philippine Citizen leaving the country. As far as age restrictions I have no idea. When presenting your child's passport show the USA One at the check-in counter, when leaving PI then showing the PI passport upon return to Philippines. TMI=Too Much Information at times when not necessary can cause more problems if you aren't careful. Just have the documents ready to show though just in case.

Is it per person? I read somewhere that children under the age of 2 is exempt from the travel tax but not sure if that is still imposed or not considering the site I read it from wasn't updated

Don't assume anything when it concerns the government PI or USA. As far as reading the most up to date info on the website especially concerning PI don't bet on that either.

When I went to Immigration in Manila, I read their website prior to leaving for the location. Upon arrival there is this No Shirt/Pants/Shoes policy(written on cardboard in Sharpie above the metal detector at the entrance of Immigration) that was never mentioned on the website. So I came wearing shorts and the guards wouldn't allow me inside, all they did was ignore my questions, point to the hand written sign and go back to texting on their Cellphones, until the next short wearing sucker came along( then they were miraculously aware and pointing to the sign and the street kids on the street). The street kids I dealt with kept trying to get me rent/wear these 80s style neon blue and yellow jogging pants for like 500Php. They are incahoots with the guards at the Immigration entrance.

She is flying hawaiian airlines and the airline company told us they did not include the travel tax so bummer I have to pay for it. Do you know if its per person or just her will she have to pay for my son too?

The Tax is for every Philippine Citizen leaving the country. As far as age restrictions I have no idea. When presenting your child's passport show the USA One at the check-in counter, when leaving PI then showing the PI passport upon return to Philippines. TMI=Too Much Information at times when not necessary can cause more problems if you aren't careful. Just have the documents ready to show though just in case.

Is it per person? I read somewhere that children under the age of 2 is exempt from the travel tax but not sure if that is still imposed or not considering the site I read it from wasn't updated

Don't assume anything when it concerns the government PI or USA. As far as reading the most up to date info on the website especially concerning PI don't bet on that either.

When I went to Immigration in Manila, I read their website prior to leaving for the location. Upon arrival there is this No Shirt/Pants/Shoes policy(written on cardboard in Sharpie above the metal detector at the entrance of Immigration) that was never mentioned on the website. So I came wearing shorts and the guards wouldn't allow me inside, all they did was ignore my questions, point to the hand written sign and go back to texting on their Cellphones, until the next short wearing sucker came along( then they were miraculously aware and pointing to the sign and the street kids on the street). The street kids I dealt with kept trying to get me rent/wear these 80s style neon blue and yellow jogging pants for like 500Php. They are incahoots with the guards at the Immigration entrance.

The Terminal fees vary from airport to airport and season to season I guess. Bring 750php just to be on the safe side NAIA 1 was like 750Php NAIA3 was 550PhP( don't ask me why). As far as the Philippine Travel Tax it's only applicable to Filipino Citizens leaving PI to go abroad, which is why you most likely never heard of it(They only juice there own citizens, because THEY CAN). That happened to my wife(her first time out of the country) and I last September, CFO never mentioned the Travel Tax(even though the person at the airport insists that it's something CFO mentions to everyone) which was around 1640PhP. Of course they accept cash PhP or the uquivalent($$USD preferred/accepted only(no credit card or anything with a paper trail). Anyways depending on how you purchased your fiancee's ticket the Travel Tax may or may not be included with the purchase. If you were like me where we purchased directly from United Airlines, the fee was NOT Included(since this bogus practice is in Philippines ONLY , the airline never sees any of that money). If your fiancee purchased the ticket in PI they usually include it with the price. Take a look at your receipt and it will indicate whether the travel tax has been paid. Your son being a US Citizen by birth shouldn't have to pay for the travel tax, but will most likely pay the terminal fee(but who knows since your child will be Dual Citizen by birth, they might want to juice him too just in case be prepared for it either way)