Chetsky

She's off a bit there since us in November can't check our statuses

Well she did say that it initially takes a couple weeks to start showing, I would be interested to hear from Aug and Sept filers to see if they are showing now, but this thread is for October filers, so I will look around and see whats going on with them to see how reliable the info was. I would also be interested if yours starts to work in a couple weeks, please post if it does.

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I just made my second call since receipt of NOA1 and my call was stepped up. I asked very direct questions concerning the problem with MSC receipts and where our files were.

Question 1 Where is my file?

Answer: It is physically in Missouri

Question 2 Will my file be transferred?

Answer: Only if there is a problem with the file and a Local service center needs to see the applicant, otherwise, we will be adjudicating here in Missouri.

NOTE: I beat this one like a drum and was assured the file will stay in Missouri unless have a request or problem with the file. I was also told I WILL get a notice if forwarded to local office, unlike the statement online. She was aware of that statement, but assured me its intention is outdated hmmm, interesting statement.

Additional information from operator: We understand the frustration with the receipt numbers, there is a problem with our system with the receipt numbers from late September to early October and we are still working on correcting the problem. We hope to resolve it very soon Others are slowly being able to check status and you will also in the near future.

I felt I had a very knowledgeable person on the phone and she was very kind and told me to call and get updated every couple weeks if I like, but not to worry the file is in process.

Thanks for the info! I'm wondering if it'll help or hurt us considering these are all new folks working on our applications?

Well I think that any conclusion from the article I posted would only be speculation. I just felt it was worthy information to have. In one way more employees would be good, but they are looking at a hiring of time over a period of 10 months, so thats not good news really for us, but maybe for future VJ's. If this was the private world, I would be jumping up and down, but transition in Government, I never have found to be very good. I think the OBAMA actions are certainly not going to help us either. I know they are saying it will not take priority on us, but it is still a huge burden on the current resources for just intake and moving files around. I guess we are all just still in the same situation...WAITING and HOPING!

I know we are grasping for any information, just wanted to share an article I just found online about NBC office.

http://www.kansascity.com/2012/11/13/3915078/federal-agency-in-charge-of-immigration.html

BTW Cebu is a very nice visit and big city also. Lots of Americans. I recommend the Radisson Blu if you visit there. Cebupacific airlines has very cheap fares all around the region..

Thank you so much for that information

Any idea how much taxi is from the airport?

She will fly from Cebu so not sure what airport it is?

I think smaller regional?

If you go to baggage claim at arrival and take yellow cab they will charge 800 peso, go up stairs to the departures and take the white cab. Make sure they have meter on and ask them the fare to your hotel in Malate (thats the part of the city its in). Meters on the cabs start at 40 peso. You should expect Airport to hotel about 270 peso on the meter and give 300 or so total incl tip.

The Lotus is close to the embassy and is a safe walk. St. Lukes is taxi ride from there. It will cost you about 300 peso. My wife lives just two blocks from there and I have stayed around there many times. They have a nice restaurant downstairs and security. Im not sure about the quality of the hotel or time to book.

Well, call me impatient, but I called today about the MSC numbers not working. The script reader was very very nice and told me she was escalating my call and I should tell them I have an invalid receipt number. I waited 30 min on hold and another nice lady asked for the number again. She pulled it up internally and told me there is no problem the file is in Missouri and that It is just too soon to be in the Case status system. She confirmed all my data with me on the phone and it was encouraging to hear her read the information off of her screen. She then, told me your wife will be with you very soon, just be a little more patient and if you don't hear back anything from us after another 15 days to call back...HMMMM....Sounded like she knew something about some event that was to happen, maybe another transfer or maybe just listed in the system by then. Anyway, I guess I feel better

Me and my wife were married in July in General Santos, Phillippines. We waited 2 months and got the NSO marriage certificate from Manila. She also was required to to the CFO before changing her passport. She just completed that yesterday and cost 400 peso. There is an office in Cebu. They will issue a certificate to use for passport change and when you get the visa you will need to return with passport and get the sticker attached for travel to US. I have hear mixed reviews on if the marriage certificate is required from NSO or you can use the LCR copy. Seems like they should except that until you receive the NSO and can so that at the interview.

Shes at St. Lukes today, hope to know more soon.

It's hard enough going through these situations when your SO is here with you. I can't imagine the heartache and frustration you are going through with your wife so far away.

Thoughts and prayers that this all works out for you and your family.

Take care...

Thank you!

That was very encouraging replays. I had not thought of expedite. I did have all her insurance papers, but I understand about the "intent" just don't like there is not a exception.

Just wanted to share our experience. We sent in I-130 and we are wait for processing,its only been a short time. We had a miscarriage last month and my wife went in to St. Lukes for medical review and they found several problems that need medical attention. They also found a large lump in one of her breasts. Her mother has had a cancer and had double mastectomy. We applied on a B2 immediately to have her come here and made appointments in the states with OBgyn. My wife is on my US Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance and i thought we would be able to get her here to treat as it would not be covered there. Absolutely, NO, intention of attempting to not return to Philippines after. I just want to get my wife the best possible treatment, have it covered, and then finish the process. We had the reports and all the necessary medical documents, but they were not even opened or reviewed, it was a very quick "you can treat here and you need to wait on your spousal visa".

I understand this may be the rules, but this really feels wrong, cold, and un-American. Can't image, if the worst, Breast cancer, not having my wife treated in the States and being with her through this. Do I quit my job, and leave to be with her. Do I leave my 16 year old daughter, to be with her. Wow, this should not be like this.

If this is normal, don't waste your money or time trying for a B2. Guess I just needed to vent.

Thank you all for your reply, I have a lot to think about.

My wife was raised by her grandparents, but her aunt brought them to US to live with her in 2007 and returned them in 2009.. They were sent back to "finalize some property issues" in the Philippines and never helped to get back to the US. They are 78 and 79 years old and can not care for themselves. My wife has been caring for them since they returned and there is other family that can care for them when my wife gets her CR1 Visa. The family is not talking to the Aunt in US because of this. At their age they are content to stay at this point, however, my wife would be they best caregiver for them. I would like to offer to try and bring them here, but at this point I dont know what to do. I have a copy of the GC and it expires in 2017 but obviously there is an issue of being out of US so long. I really don't want to complicate our CR1 process at this point, but I do feel badly about there situation and would like to help. A related issue would be sponsorship. If they did come, what would I be responsible for. Would they have any medical care provided at their age in US, or would I be responsible for that. Thank you for any help you might have.

happened to me. the only difference is I did not renew my passport since it will expire on 2015 so I got my visa with my maiden name on it and I was told that my green card will have the same. My husband used both my maiden name and married name (first name, maiden name, married name) when he applied for my i130 Aug. last year. all my documents had the same name pattern on it except my passport so when I went to my medical they asked a copy of my marriage cert for my name to be changed to my married name on their record and because paranoia is my twin ,a month before my interview I started bugging my husband about calling the embassy and asking them if I wouldn't have any prob with it. the only thing they told him for me to bring during the interview was another NBI clearance on my maiden name ( we submitted orig copy of my married nbi clearance prior to that). they didn't make a big deal out of it during my interview in fact no one bothered to ask about it .

BTW I just applied for a SSN the other day and requested to issue it on my married name (they said OK and just looked at the marriage cert). Hope this helps.

That was what I needed to hear, thank you sooooo much.

Would love to here from some more people regarding this matter. I have searched the advanced search and i'm finding lots of confusion. I simply want to know, if I filed the I-130 in married name and sent copy of passport in maiden name, will this carry us through to the end. We really don't care what name the visa or GC comes in, but we don't want to get caught at the end needing something. Can the NBI process be done without name change, if we need police clearance in both names?

Hello everyone,

I am very confused about the name change issue. My wife has a valid philippine passport valid until 2015 in her maiden name. We filed I-130 in married name with copies of maiden name passport. Does this passport have to be changed to married name at anytime before coming on CR1 visa? Will she need to have changed to get NBI for both names? We just want to leave it as maiden name though the process if possible, any thought?

I'm going to eventually talk to a bank advisor about this, but I wanted to hear from people with personal experience - I'm sure lots of people have sold property in Canada. I have a condo here that has just gone on the market... I'll be travelling to Florida on a K1 visa, likely in December. I'm just wondering what the best way is to take the money that I make from my condo down to the States.

We haven't decided if we'll 100% go this route - it depends on what the dollar does. But if it stays above par, we'd like to take that money and buy property in the US.

(If the dollar goes below par, I'll probably just bank it in Canada for the time being - but I'm sure I'll have to pay taxes on it, which will suck)

Any advice?

Dont worry too much about the dollar. I'm a home builder in the Tampa area, or should I say was. Now is the time to buy in Florida, just do your research. The propery is depreciated below construction costs in many areas, well makes up the difference in the dollar. Example, a home that would COST me in materials to build 300k would sell for 200k

or even lower. Most properties have lost 50-60% value here. Very good buy but I really think its going to start jumping very soon.

hey guys we sent our I 130 on 01/October 2012 but still no NO1 (( dose any one know if this is normal it is 2 weeks !!!!!!!!!!!!!! and they havent received it ???!!!!! vey sad

Did you send it regular mail or Express. You should be able to track if sent express.

I filed I-130 early October and got NOA1 back on 10/9, showing transferred to NBC in MO. My MSC receipt number is still not showing as valid on the My status page. Does anyone have an update on this or know if there is a reason why?

I was able to add my spouse to my Blue Cross policy with no problem.

If she got the clearance in Taiwan before leaving and hasn't been back since she won't need another one. Unless they suspect there is something wrong with the one she has it should be fine. (Also according to you she wasn't married when she was living in Taiwan so they wouldn't have a record of her under her married name anyway).

However her NBI clearance from the Philippines should have her maiden and married name.

If you're still worried about it:

Police Records

Previous residents of Taiwan not holding a Taiwan passport may apply for a police certificate by writing to:

Foreign Affairs Division

Taipei Municipal Police Department

No. 96, Yen Ping South Road

Taipei, Taiwan

Applicants should enclose a completed application form (available from Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Offices (TECRO) or Republic of China Embassies). There is a processing fee of US$11.00). No police certificate is available for previous residents of Taiwan who were dependents of U.S. military personnel and covered by the Status of Forces Agreement or persons living in Taiwan prior to August 1945."

http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_5455.html?cid=9776#docs

Thank you, good information. After much searching, I found this link also from Taiwan and I will share it.

http://wisearch.taipei.gov.tw/wise/s.jsp?mp=108002&d=124404&q=police_criminal_record_certificate_form

The application and instructions are listed on this website.

Sent of I-130, preparing for next steps....My wife has worked in Taiwan and before she left I had her get a police clearance for her Visa. We got married when she returned to the Philippines, but looks like she may be required to have clearance in her maiden and married name. Is this correct? If so, does anyone know the easiest way to get this now? From what I understand Taiwan is not the easiest to deal with.

My confusion stems from looking at the example I-130 on this website showing the USC listed here and others saying to list the beneficiary on this line.