NikkiWicki

That was my first thought too - learning from my SSA experience - but Jesse White's (the SoS's office) confirmed that this was the policy.

I just wondered if there was anyone here who had successfully got an Illinois driving license.

Frustrated as I was all geared up for it this afternoon and was all set up to take the written exam. My husband took time from work to drive me there also, just in case I didn't pass

Actually, when my me and my brother in Law who both came here as K1, got our EAD, we went straight to DMV to apply for a drivers license. I got my training permit and he got his Drivers License. Now I am still practicing to drive. So I presume I wont be able to get a drivers license too because my EAD was issued MAy, and its now September. I am also in the interview pile and still waiting for my GC.

I found it hard to getting started with credit initially, but now have a Discover IT, 2 x Cap One, and store cards with Amazon, Walmart, Lowes, American Eagle, and Old Navy. All with pretty good limits.

I started with a Cap One secured, as I posted here back in Jan. it took just over 6 months to build up what I have now. Not too shabby for someone with a credit history of less than a year.

Patience is definitely the key in all credit-related issues.

hi i applied for a capital one secured credit card but they are asking for an annual income. apparently I dont have a job, but I am receiving an allowance. Can they still grant me a secured credit card?

CapitalOne didn't ask me for a deposit, but AFIK $1000 is the maximum what you can get. My credit score has risen since then, got much better CCs but when I asked to increased my credit line I was told that it cannot be done due to the nature of the card. I keep it though because they don't charge international fee.

so should I just apply and see if I get approved? and if so, where should I apply like go to their bank or something?

In the past, I could never, ever get a credit card because I am not working. Everytime my husband will apply for a joint charge card from stores, we always get denied because I have no credit history. Somebody here suggested to apply for a starter at Capital One. They approved my application with $500 for credit limit. I kept on using it on every little thing and paid whatever charges I have online. After 3 months, they increased my credit limit to $1000. I have been using this card for at least six months now and have been keeping up with the payments. Now, I also have Amazon Visa card and Kohl's charge card, which I could never get before. Husband said I'm doing good in building my own credit history.

hi! Did capital one asked a secured deposit from you?

That's interesting because you are supposed to turn your old passport in with the application. If it is lost or stolen I think you do the same form as first-time applicants instead of the renew-by-mail application.

So you have more problems than an expiring passport. They don't like you keeping the old one because of the black market in passports. That's why they make you turn them in, whereupon they punch holes in it. If you knowingly do the form under "lost or stolen" when you have it in hand and then use it - expect trouble.

No punched holes yet on my passport actually the lady told me, that when I come back to get my new passport is to have my old one ready so that they can like invalidate it.

When you applied for a passport, they should have punched your old one, rendering it unusable. And as stated, most airlines will not let you travel without at least 6 months left on your current passport.

ETA: We got her new passport in 4-5 weeks instead of the 6-8 they predicted.

by the way did u guys just check it online? I check it like 2x/ week by just refreshing the page that I saved on my phone. I just think that they dont really update the website that often

I know, but I think the OP didn't realize the significance of the punched hole (assuming his/her passport WAS punched, but normally they are). Hence the advice to re-schedule the trip until the new one arrives above.

ETA: Just re-read, and the OP says they still have their "valid" passport. Not sure how he/she has such, or perhaps misunderstands about the hole punch. Perhaps if he/she would reply, we could help more...

Hi DavenRoxy. My passport will expire on Nov 6, 2013. I just renewed my old passport last Aug 28,. Yup I know the punch thing, and they didnt punch mine yet. probably because I havent received my new passport and will have to wait by the time I pick up my new passport, then they will invalidate the old one by the hole punch idea. I guess my passport is still "valid" considering that the expiry date.

I doubt they will even let you on the plane to fly over there,,,seriously you will need at least 6 mos remaing on your passport to enter the PI

you shouldve paid the extra 75 bucks or whatever to expedite it!

thanks for the reply. as much as I wanted to expedite the renewal thing,they told me their not doing it anymore.

Hi fellow vjers! yes I am here again, here's my concern

I am travelling to the philippines on October 5 and will be back oct 20. i renewed my passport today it says ill be getting my new passport in 6-8 weeks time which means I wont be able to have it on the day of my departure. I still have my valid passport with me good until NOv 8. So can I just use my old valid passport? and probably by that time I come back my new passport will be here. thanks to all the replies!!!

and by the way how long is the waiting time for renewal? like how many weeks after can u get it?

sorry for the term toxic haha its just kinda lame that they Ask a lot of copies etc. so can I fly and just renew my passport in the philippines then? its gonna expire on nov 2013 and in flying october.

Hi VJ members! I would like to ask a few questions about ROM.

1) I have applied my AOS already, Got my AP/EAD card under my married name, No GC yet.

2) My passport will be expired on November 2013, and I am flying home to the philippines on October.

Since I can see that the ROM thing is toxic at the very least, I was planning to just renew my passport under my maiden name, bring over my Marriage Certificate when I travel and AP card.

what you guys think? Will I have problems in my POE or when I come home? thank you for the opinions

hi! I am a bit concerned about my soon to be brother-in-law's case. Actually we both filed on the same time with the same contents. They got an RFE (the same RFE that I got) a month after I got approved. Last Sept 6, their status on USCIS was for response review. I know its a case to case basis, as u can see I got an RFE too and their asking for proof of how we met etc, I submitted all of them and within a week I got an approval. its past 60 days now and we havent heard anything from USCIS. My sister in Law called them on November 6 after the 60 day note. They told her that they should receive a letter from CSC.

questions...

1) what letter is uscis talking about? is it an approval or denial letter

2) anyone experienced going through 60 days in RFE response review? what was the outcome and why were there delays?

thanks for the replies!

i guess she wants to say is that her papers sre for further review but was asked to go to window 71 to wait for her visa at home. I guess she wasnt given a 221g at all hey to all fellow pinays, pls post in english cause we're not the only country reading this forum thanks!

Thank you Nikki. God bless:)

godbless on your upcoming interview too!

Yes, this is right. By the way I have a question regarding when the petitioner should send the Affidavit of Support, is it ok right after we receive the NOA2 then he will send them to me? Or should it be like 2 weeks before my interview? thanks for your reply.

yes he can send it to you right away and there's no prob with that

Naka receive na ko ng notice via email from US-Manila embassy na no need na daw ako mag hintay for the letter galing sa knila. I can proceed na daw na makapag schedule ng interview. How long does it take ba para maka pag pa schedule and maka kuha ng interview date? Im still waiting for affidavit of support dapat ba mag pa schedule na ko or hintayin ko muna ang affidavit of support?

hehe sis this should be in english though anyway do u have a case number already? if u do u u can pay at bpi na and schedule ur interview online. u need not wait for the packet cause all the forms that u need can be downloaded from the internet u should ask ur hubby how long does the affidavit of support to come so that u can estimate the time from ur interview. recently i saw that the available scheds that are open are from 2nd week of november onwards.

btw download ds 156, 156k and 157

hi! I wanna know what my options would be.I recently came to the US on a K1 visa. my fiance and I would get married in Dcember so we're not yet in the AOS stage. I am in need of using Medical service right now, and would be opting to go to PP. they said I am qualified for financial assistance would this mean that I would be receiving some government benefits which is a no-no to my I864 promise not to receive govt benefits? kinda confused. thanks a lot for all the replies.

first post in USA! yey!

my point of entry was Guam Customs in hawaii! but left by the plane in Hawaii. hehe

so my flight became MNL-GUM-HNL-LAX-ORD! longest flght ever! I think I dont want to ride an airplane anytime soon ?

@tin dave received one like this! I think thus just came from NVC and their just notifying you for your a cse number. though ur fiance would receive another letter yet from USEM regarding elgibility of interview

We were interviewed and approve for the K1 visa last Sept. 27. From the other threads I read its usually 6 days to receive the passport. Its now on its tenth day is this within the normal waiting period of the passports?

I emailed the passportstatus@ustraveldocs.com only receive this reply:

"The current status of your passport is In Transit From Post."

Does this indicate that my passport was mailed from USEM to 2go? or do they mean its still in the process of being picked up at USEM?

I went to the online website (where I did the interview schedule) can't find any option to track the status of my passport?

2Go website doesn't show anything.

Also used the USID#, MNL# and passport# nothing came up.

Sorry for impatience I already bought the plane ticket that's why I'm kind of worried.

I think ur passport is on its way to2go. thats better compared to still in post and since its on its way, it wouldnt really appear on their system yet

As a USC, I had to pay that wretched terminal fee. I think it was 750 pesos in April 2012. Anyway, you can bring pancit canton. They may pull you over, but if it is commercially packaged, it should be fine. I brought 30 bars of likas papaya soap at one point. The customs dog sniffed it out. The customs officer just said, you must shower a lot. and lets me go.

yey with the pancit canton. it our comfort food! thanks for sharing the experience and goodluck with the journey! be all geared up for extreme patience!

I'm USC and I didn't have to pay separate travel Tax but with Dual Citizenship (I don't know )

Terminal fee was reduced to P550 now per passenger, it was P750 last year in Nov.

Pancit canton should be ok but I won't risk it for I've heard a lot of changes as to what you could bring from PH now and customs might have you throw it away.

Have a safe flight!

thanks for that info! yey 550 is better than 750 ill update you guys with the pancit canton

Dave is a USC with a US passport so no he does not pay. He is traveling on the US passport.

Current exit fee is 1620 Php and the airport fee is 550 Php.

You should be fine with bring some pancit, customs will not allow fresh fruits or vegetables. I brought dried mango for snacking on the airplane and they had no issue with that.

Oh ya... enjoy your flight! And Welcome To America!

Green Card is totally different than a person with dual citizenship, you are still traveling with a Philippine passport, Dave has a US passport.

oh good! thank you so much for the info Hank! always there to help!!! I told dave to bring at least 30. if they dont allow, I'll beg to take half of it!

thank you so much guys you've been very helpful since the start of my journey!!

hi! finally Dave and I are leaving for USA tomorrow! just wanna ask should Dave pay the travel tax as well? he has a dual citizenship eh. (fil-am)

what are the current fees for travel tax and terminal fee?

last question.. are we allowed to bring pancit canton? if yes howmany?

thank you for the generous replies!!!