JannaDavey

Good day everyone

i was reading the post in VJ about getting US passports for minors but none of the post where updated so forgive me if i started another topic.I am a newly naturalized US citizen and my kids GC holders presently living with me here in the US, my kid's biological dad is no where to be found after we broke up unfortunately his name is on the BC. I got my kids before the eldest turned 8 and brought them here in the US thru I-130 filed by my USC husband. Overview Under Philippine law, minors under age 7 are sole custody of mother if born out of wedlock.

 

I was told i need to submit DS5525 Statement of Exigent/Special Family Circumstances - For Issuance of a Passport to a Minor Under Age 16 along with the other requirements.

 I would like to hear your experiences about getting a RFI from the dept of state maybe asking more information and how you handle the request. We are planning to go to the Philippines to visit and also to reconnect or find their dad and get his responsibility in place if not oh well. The passport agency is very far away from us so i am left with usps and court houses to take in my requirements.

 Also how would you handle uninformed passport acceptance facility employee telling you that you cannot apply for your child since they do not have a US certificate of naturalization...because i tried explaining to 3usps offices and none are aware about derivative citizenship( yes i printed out USCIS CCa)

 Thank you and hope to hear from all of you.

 

Good day,

just sharing my experience before i forget it. So i had my interview yesterday, the girl was just coming out of a sickness and i could tell she is irritable and i said to myself oh great maybe she will be done quick or not. Not! Page by page she asked me, then on my name part...i have a fairly long first name 3 first name to be exact bacause my parents have spanish decent and loved naming their kids anyway.. She wanted me to include all 3 names and told her they asked me these when i was getting my green card to just choose the first first name then maiden then last name because only 18 characters can fit so i kept quiet pretended that it hasn't been asked before.. And surely it popped out on her screen..cannot add more letters etc.. So she made a sticky note on my file, ( in my head i was thinking hopefully it will not delay my oathtaking or mess everything up). So unto the part where i left the country for 200 days because i was bringing my 2kids from the Phil their immigrant visa was approved but the processing took too long because of the supertyphoon and it affected everyone. She was quick to tell me that i am not eligible for naturalization because i broke the 3 year residency...if i just suck it up and take it i would have lost all that $$ i paid for the n400 so i stood my ground told her before even applying i consulted with uscis talked to the supervisor and advise me to wait 7more months before i can apply to satisfy the days that i was out in 2014 and make sure to bring documents to prove that you did not abandon the us and maintain residency such as filing tax returns, continue coverage of health insurance despite being away of the country.. So i gave it all to her and that basically silenced her up that i came prepared..but the thing that irritate me is she said granted that i had a biological baby with the american spouse i should be ok.

Anyway ..so i said thank you  after i pass and aced all the test and got the paper saying congratulations you are approved wait for the oath taking letter in 4-6 weeks bring your family..bye 

Questions asked for the test.

1.explain freedom of religion

2. What age is selective service

3. When was constitution written

4. What ocean on the east

5. What state borders mexico

6. How many senators

read something forgot that sentence but i got it right

For written exam.wrote down "We pay taxes. Reminder for would be citizen that you need to pay up haha.

 

so my advice fellow immigrants, stand your ground, bring supporting documents that helps your case anticipate that you will be asked, and keep you cool and pray. Goodluck my journey is complete after the oath taking but will be doing derivative citizenship with my 2minor kids in the future gotta save first that fee..broke mom of 3.

Updated!

N-400: November 2016 Applicants

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USCIS Dallas/Lewisville, Texas Lockbox

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UserName.............|GC-Date..|Sent..|Cashd.|NOA...|Fprints..|In Line...|Int ltr..|Intrview..|Oath.....|Field Office|NBC/IOE

Nana098..............|09/04/11.|10/27.|11/04.|11/01.|--/--/--|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Newark, NJ

Jamaican_Gooner......|02/05/14.|11/05.|11/10.|11/15.|--/--/--|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Memphis, TN

Neska2...............|12/30/13.|11/03.|--/--.|--/--.|--/--/--|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|??

aidan80..............|??/??/??.|11/05.|11/16.|--/--.|--/--/--|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Memphis, TN

Car0.................|08/20/12.|11/08.|11/14.|--/--.|--/--/--|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Miami, FL

Panda1...............|02/05/14.|11/16.|--/--.|--/--.|--/--/--|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Jacksonville, FL

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USCIS Phoenix, Arizona Lockbox

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UserName.......|GC-Date..|Sent..|Cashd.|NOA...|Fprints..|In Line...|Int ltr..|Intrview..|Oath.....|Field Office|NBC/IOE

vegasbound.....|01/25/14.|11/07.|11/10.|11/15.|--/--/--|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Las Vegas, NV|NBC

TombRaider.....|12/20/11.|11/05.|11/10.|--/--.|--/--/--|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|San Francisco, CA

LesP...........|04/25/11.|11/15.|--/--.|--/--.|--/--/--|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Chicago, IL

irenehanim.....|??/??/??.|11/07.|--/--.|--/--.|--/--/--|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|???

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USCIS Lincoln, Nebraska Lockbox (Filing Under 319b, 328, or 329 of the INA)

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UserName.........|GC-Date.|Sent.|Cashd|NOA..|Fprints.|In Line..|Int Ltr..|Intview..|Oath.....|Field Office|NBC/IOE

Name.............|--/--/--|--/--|--/--|--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|??, ??

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Legend:

GC-Date: The 'Resident Since' Date located on your first green card

Sent: Date N-400 was mailed to USCIS

Cashd: Date your check was cashed by USCIS

NOA: Receipt Notice Date Printed on your official I-797 notification

Fprints: Date assigned for fingerprinting (Bio-metrics)

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Field Office: Your local USCIS office where you will have the N-400 interview

Gcdate 2/19/2013

Sent: 11/2/2016

Cashd:11/6/2016

Received:11/4/2016

NOA:11/9/2016

F prints:12/1/2016

Thanks akihon

Good day, so i called uscis today asking them about filing 90 days early for citizenship and the guy kept reading me the checklist are you 18 or older etc.. I said yes i am over 18 married for 5years to USC and a resident since 2/19/2013 but i left the country for almost 6months because i was getting my kids from the Philippines to the US and got delayed in the visa processing because of the typhoon act of GOD...i am supposed to have 3years residency last 2/19/2016 but since i was gone for 6months i assumed i have to wait 6more months to fill in the blanks which will be 3years this August 19,2016.

He kept telling me i cannot file 90 days early because i did not met the 3year residency.. Am i going stupid ?....or was he in a hurry to just bump me on the call list.

Can somebody help me out..

10y greencard holder resident since 2/19/2016

Married 6/28/2011 =5 years married woohooo

Left USA for 6months went to PHILIPPINES to get 2minor kids I-130=absent from March 26-Sept26,2014

Total day of being in the USA is 2years and 10 months based on residency date of 2/19/2013

Hey I'm curious. Did they refund you when they denied your application?

Hi guys, i am a greencard holder and married to a US citizen. Resident since 2/19/2013 and i should be able to file for naturalization this coming 2/19/2016 and file 90 days ahead which is on 11/21/2015( per USCIS calculator) 3year rule. Now my situation is i left the US for 6months and 21 days, maintain residency in the US like paid the bills, paid taxes, bank account, maintain communication and money transfers etc. i had to go to the Philippines to process my children's visa and thankfully i was able to expedite everything despite some unforeseen delays.

(Somebody on VJ told me my clock resets if its over a year or paused if its under a year)

My question is do you add the times you were out to your anniversary date and then file for naturalization? Example feb 19, 2016 plus 6 months and 21 days = SEPTember 9, 2016 early filing is 90 days before so it would be JUNE 19,2016

Anybody here who had the same situation like me? Can you share your journey with me. I really want to be naturalized asap (pending european trips and planning to petition parents) thanks for reading.

So after 60 days of waiting because of a stupid mistake made by my lawyer the case was completed on Sept 28,2014 when i noticed the AOS fee changed from paid to n/a. And i read here in vj that if that happens, you have to call nvc to confirm if the case was completed. And YES ITS COMPLETED!!!!!yeyyyyy and CONSULAR EXPEDITE REQUEST WAS APPROVED. I DIDNT WAIT FOR THE APPOINTMENT LETTER INSTEAD MADE AN APPOINTMENT ONLINE FOR OCT15.

So from davao we rented a condo (SEA RESIDENCES IN FRONT OF MOA) for a whole month since its cheaper that way than staying at a hotel for P1500/ night and since we are gonna go to the US as soon as their visa came.

Oct6- davao to manila check in at the condo, since it was a holiday..we can relax

Oct7- SLEC online appointment went there around 6am and people were already inside finished around 4pm kids got their skin test and advised to return Oct9 @10am

Oct8- worried about their skin test, kept checking and praying that its not gonna get bigger

Oct9- arrived at SLEC@9:30am, doctor checked their skin test and its NEGATIVE!!!! Yey waited for the results until 8pm more than 10hours waiting.

Oct10-14 relaxation day by the pool, MOa etc..

Oct15- it was raining!!!!! We woke up at 4am left the house at 5am arrived at us embassy. Had to buy a freaking expensive umbrella and they let us in at 6:15am for the 6:30 am interview, got inside waited for our number and the funny thing when they were verifying my kid's passports, the power went out...interview came asked a few question about my kids birthday and thats it. Left the embassy at 10am!!!!!!

Oct 17 got a call from 2go omg AFTER 2 DAYS I GOT MY KIDS VISA YEY,!!!! God is good...

Oct18 booked a flight to NEW YORK

OCT23 goodbye Philippines be going home!!!

OVERALL IT WAS A STRESSFUL, NERVE WRECKING JOURNEY, I LEARNED THAT EVEN IF YOU GOT EVERYTHING COVERED SOMETHING OR SOMEONE IS BOUND TO MESSED IT UP. I ALSO LEARNED HOW EXPENSIVE THIS WHOLE THING IS!!!! Holy cow $$$$$$$ but at the end of it all it was worth it !

WE WORKED HARD AND SACRIFICE TIME AWAY FROM OUR LOVED ONES BECAUSE WE WANT TO GIVE THEM A GOOD LIFE. THANK GOD FOR EVERYTHING!!!!

If the status of your case at CEAC is already READY, it means your file is at manila U.S. embassy already and you can check and reserve an interview date on their website. God bless and good luck.

...

Thank you. Called us embassy and said we are good to go. Done with slec medical. How long does it take to get the visa after interview? My kids are minors 8&5 and im a GC holder. When should i do the CFO thing, registering online is a pain... Thank you excited na!,,,,

Hi guys, we have been waiting for a long time and finally our case was completed at nvc and was granted an expedite to us embassy manila meaning they will prioritize our case for an early interview date . Ceac status said Ready but i haven't gotten an email for the appointment letter. So we flew to manila to do an advance medical. Can i setup an appointment for an interview without waiting for the emails. Is there a number to call the us embassy that will check if they received the packet from nvc , so we wont be refuse at the embassy for showing up for an interview.

Since we are here in manila i might as well wait it out but if takes too long well its gonna be expensive. Please advise.

Hi redpepper, i am so happy for you finally you get to see your kids again. As for me i had a checklist coz my stupid lawyer messed up the AOS, ( the reason why we hire a lawyer coz my husband travels a lot and nobody is at home to send documents etc) so we sent everything again and instead of 30 days wait, it will take 60 days.. Coz of some backlog they have. Anyway i will just stress myself even more..

Hey how soon did your kids get their visa after it was approved?

Are they gonna go to school right away? What documents you need to give to the school for them to start?

Might be leaving around september or october i do not know but im hanging on, the rainy season is really getting to me.. My daughter will be in 3rd grade and i just hope they will accept her if she is a month or two late from the school year if not i will be homeschooling her.

I am very happy for you and your family. Safe trip kids

Oh my god, i am so happy for you. Congrats your wait is almost over na...i am calling NVC now coz i received an email and i wanna make sure its a false checklist since we sent everything.

Hi REDPEPPER

Yeah we basically had the same thing going on... Got the same email on may19 "Your request for the expeditious processing of this immigrant visa petition is currently under review. You will be informed of the results when the review is completed." and on may22 email received was "The U.S. Embassy or Consulate is willing to expedite this case once we have all the fees, forms, and documents. " and that was on MAY!!!!

we Called nvc asked if theyre done reviewing all they say is june 4 they received my packet and will take 30 business days to complete.i asked them when they are sending it to the US embassy in Manila, no answer..Was hoping we can get an interview for july or early august. We need to go before September, it would be very stressful for my kids to adjust to the US culture, english speaking and school. I might homeschool them first till my 3rd grader gets the hang of things., although they say kids can adjust faster than adults...

Yup does not feel like it is being expedited. My husband wants us to be home so we can spend his vacation leave together in disney for a welcome home gift but i told him not to make arrangements yet till the visa is on hand.

This whole process is really stressing us out huh.. We will just have to hang in there for a little bit. will be keeping you too in my prayers. Hope our interview letter is just out there getting ready to be mailed back to us...

Keep me posted. Happy 4th too

Hi Redpepper,

Nice to hear from you, was busy too coz we got flooded again, although it was only a foot of water but it's still a lot of work and stress. I am so done with this flooding. Anyway, i am also waiting for their case to be reviewed, i am expecting first week of july it would be completed, give or take. Also waiting for that interview letter... Please come early.

I called nVC last week to see how my case is going but i got a cocky operator..worthless.. So i emailed the Us embassy in manila told them we got flooded again...hopefully actions can be taken.. The scary part is i already have a return ticket for september and if they schedule us 45-60 days after the case completed, i am cutting it too close, might have to rebook $$$$$. Anyway since we live in the province i will be scheduling the medical in time with the interview and just wait for the visa in manila so we can leave right away... Stress please let it be over. Once we have our case completed, i wonder if they can schedule us early for an interview or are still following the 45-60 day rule?

HI there,

First of all, I can't see the timeline of your IR2 petition but it seems like your expedited request on NVC side has not been approved yet.

As far as I know, if your case is expedited on the NVC side, they will send your paperworks to Manila already and have the case completed on the Embassy.

Our Case was only expedited on USCIS side but not on NVC side, so if you check the timeline of my Son (IR2), NVC side timeline is for regular non expedited timeline.

Good luck on the expedited application.

Yes our case was expedited nvc level too. I cant make a new timeline for some reason. Will update it if someone show me how.

Hi JannaDavey! how have you been? Haven't heard from you lately. I have been very busy at work didn't have the time to visit VisaJourney for a while. So, how is your petition going?

3 weeks ago, we have submitted our I-864W for the children with their original signatures (and to be sure, it also included their dad signatures side by side). 3 weeks now and there is still no response from the NVC whatsoever. On Monday, i will be calling in to follow-up just to be sure everything is going smoothly. but on my last call last week they told me the papers are all said and normally takes 30days to review. Hopefully the expedite is faster--and we get our P4's the soonest possible.

My husband and I have gone to the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC in 6/20/2014 to have some paperwork certified for our children's DSWD Travel Clearance, my mother's Special Power of Attorney, and Affidavit of Consent to TRavel and Sponsor, and all the necessary paperwork we need to certify for our children's immigration.

Our 4 children ages 15, 14, 11 and 8 , will be travelling from Manila to Detroit, USA alone but will be under the Delta Unaccompanied Minors Program. we will be picking our children up in Detroit--to get to Virginia together.

For now that we are awaiting for our P4 Interview Appointment Letter, our four children are scheduled for medical exam next week, July 8. Even though we do not have the Interview Appointment Packets yet, we decided to have our children have their medical examination earlier, anyway, the medical report will be valid for 6 months--once they get their interviews, their medical reports would still be valid.

Fingers crossed. Will definitely appreciate updates from you! xxx

Yes i had their case expedited on both uscis and nvc level. When i went home to my country i bought a roundtrip ticket. I thought i was giving it ample time for the processing to be completed ( wishful thinking!!! Too optimistic) but as the time goes near i am getting worried. I tried calling NVC and they said its still being reviewed. (That operator thinks she's God or something Grrr, asked her politely that we have a typhoon going our way these week, got already flooded last week asked to talked to a tier 2 supervisor to find out if my case is going along the expedited time frame,but she just gave me a wisecrack answers that doesn't even answers my question....all that waiting on the phone for an hour only to be told of useless or things that you already know..) oh boy this is nerve racking.

Thank you and I'm sure yours is coming soon

Good luck

Quick question.. When your case was completed, did they gave you the date for the interview? Or you guys prefered to do it for June? I am just estimating the time that I'm gonna leave for US since i have a Return ticket already, rebooking is expensive. I am hoping by July, the case will be completed and hopefully an interview is set so we can leave for SEpt. Although my case was expedited it is best to be prepared for the unknown.

Yaay! Thank God! My son's visa got approved today. Good luck to everyone.

-Congrats to you! Hopefully me too, the waiting game is killing me..

Update: thanks Redpepper and Uscparent

NVC will expedite my children's case, paid the fees online DS260 done documents sent to email provided. Now the wait...i really want them to start school in the US , they need to register etc.... Hope its not too long. Thank you God.

My children are illegitimate and have their fathers last name. My aunt works at dswd and she said since they are minor and illegitimate and i am a biological mother, no travel clearance is needed. Although having a letter signed/ notarized by the father allowing the children leave out of the country wouldn't be a bad thing. A travel clearance is a document issued by the DSWD to a Filipino child (below 18 years of age) traveling abroad alone or with someone other than his/her parents.

Make sure your passport is in good condition too. Heard from a local news here a sick boy was denied departure because of the passport pages becoming loose...well duh the more you open your passport that stitching will get loose.too much immig ofcr who are corrupt ( oh yeah they are still there, when i arrive at the airport this officer just asked me for a pasalubong extension... If you want your date of arrival adjusted magically)

Also obtaining an affidavit of illegitimacy from the courthouse will be handy.

Thanks Uscparent. Will update you with my case. Again thank you God bless.

Yes USCPARENT did two separate emails for each child. Thank you for replying real quick i guess all these waiting and worrying is freaking me out. I need a chill pill...lol

Hi Guys ,nvc contacted me since i did an expedite request (per USCPARENT's advice thanks)

Need two phone numbers for my one kid (daughter)petition now I'm worried coz i have two petitions filed. Their nvc numbers ends in ********9 and ****6. Do they usually give you nvc numbers that are not in order like what we have in USCIS theirs end in 1and 2?

Now my other problem is they don't have their vaccination records (baby book) anymore because we are completely wipeout from that flooding and their pediatrician doesn't have a copy of the vaccinations since she records everything in that baby book. Am i gonna have a hard time at slmc? Can they do like a bloodtest to check...

i hope nothing gets messed up.

I just sent an expedite email to NVC. Was wondering how soon they contact you that they expedite the case. Should i call NVC again and tell them to have my case expedited. Anyway i hope we both get our children asap. I am just getting anxious since it gonna be wet season again and we might have another incident of flashflooding. Happy mothers day everyone

Thanks uscparent! Since i just got the nvc number today i will request an expedite.correct me if I'm wrong. Should i just send an email to NVCexpedite@state.gov.Is there a format to use or should i just email them about the flashflood situation etc..I have articles from cnn that can validate my stories.

My return flight is End of august, i am hoping by some luck from ABove i can bring my kids so they can start school in the US. Thanks again