classic

It is so easy and convienient to send stuff (like balikbayan boxes) by freight (ship) from almost anywhere in the U.S. to anywhere in the Philippines. But I am faced with a blank wall searching ways to send stuff vice versa (Phils to U.S.). We still have a lot of stuff that we left behind in the Phils (Visayas area). We are getting a house soon, and we want to bring the rest of our things here in the east coast. Any ideas?

I have a sister who resides in the west coast, they could receive the packages there and have it shipped to the east coast.

single: has enough money for regular car maintenance

lesbian: a compromise- not to hard on the car, but with enough mechanical instinct

good seller profile = good bet that the car that was sold will last!

1 year ago, we got a 1993 Honda Accord coupe (2dr) manual transmission with 120K miles on it for $500 from a family friend (a single lesbian). It passed the DMV inspection, and is still driving well. On our last oil change, the mechanic says the car is still ok. We bought it as a second car to use within the township.

The IR process may speed up, and it may at times seem to go neck-to-neck with the K visa timelines, but the general trend (my opinion based on my experience and monitoring) is that the K visa is always faster. NOA's may be the same, but when it comes to the later steps- just before the interview date is set, IR'####### a snag. K visas breeze through, and dealing with the immigration officers in the U.S. (for the AOS) is a lot better than delaing with those in the embassies. My advise- go with the K visa.

I filed for both IR & K3/K4.

Thanks for the help, but just to clarify things:

I filed for N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship (not for a passport yet).

I am the biological father, and I reside in the U.S.

Instructions in Form N-600:

You may use this form if you claim U.S. citizenship either by action of law while residing in the UnitedStates or by having been born outside the United States to U.S. citizen parent(s).

If you are the biological or adopted child of a U.S.citizen, you were born outside the United States andyou are claiming citizenship by action of law, you automatically become a U.S. citizen if:

- You have at least one parent who is a U.S. citizen,whether by birth or naturalization; and

- You regularly reside in the United States in the legal and physical custody of your U.S. citizen parent; and

- You have been lawfully admitted for permanentresidence

I fulfill all three requirements.

Thanks again . . .

I am a US citizen with my foreign-born children residing with me since they arrived in U.S. soil in May 2006. They entered on a K4 visa and are now legal permanent residents. They are considered US citizens from the time they got their green cards. I applied for certificate of citizenship (prelude to the blue passport) by mail about a month and a half ago at USCIS Newark Field Office and received the receipt by mail a few weeks later. I have not hear from them since. I just want to know how long this thing usually takes. Thanks!

My wife did her K3/IR papers in the past 2 years and all that was required was her NBI clearance specifying "for travel abroad" which she applied for at the NBI office in her hometown. Yes, the instructions say "police clearance from the different localities where she stayed in the past 6 months", but I don't think this applies. It might refer to different countries. Another copy of NBI clearance will be required at the CFO seminar (in Manila or Cebu).

I'm looking for a vacuum cleaner to use to clean my 3 bedroom apartment (rooms are carpeted; livinng and dining are hard wood). I have no much knowledge about cleaning carpets (we didnt have carpets back home). What brand/make would you recommend? How do I shampoo carpets?

You will need the I-130 approval notice when you file for adjustment of status. Otherwise, you need not do anything related to the I-130 process.

Addendum:

If you choose the K3 route, study this route well. A lot of people (including immigration officers) are not too familiar with the K3. During my family's interview at the embassy, the ofiicer kept on asking "why K3?". Recently during our AOS interview, the officer asked us "are you sure you use the I-129F form when you file for K3"? Not too many people are familiar with the K3, and many will wonder why you have to adjust and apply for work permit once the beneficiary enters the U.S.

Suz South Africa,

Take a look at my timeline, and you'll see the trials, triumphs and troubles I got into while I was in a dilemma juggling the I-130 and 1-129F.

My suggestion is: if getting reunited with your partner soon in the U.S is your priority, take the I-129F route. During the time I was working on my family's papers, there was this rumor that the I-129F might become obsolete because the I-130 processsing in the late 2004 to early 2005's was so fast that it overtook some of the I-129F's. I thought the trend would continue, but it didnt. And that assumption cost me money.

When you study the I-130 process, take into account the following:

1. the waiting period between "case complete" at NVC till the time the papers are sent to the embassy/consulate of the foreign spouse (this may last several months)

2. the waiting period from the time the embassy receives the petition from NVC till the time the beneficiary is scheduled for interview (this varies among countires)

No matter how fast you comply with the fee bills and documents NVC requests, these two waiting times stay the same and are beyond the petitioner/beneficiary's control. Waiting during these periods can really be frustrating and can drive youy crazy!

I think the I-129F route is almost always faster than the I-130. Adjustment of status to permanent residency in the U.S. and applying for a wrok permit is not really a hassle; the immigration officers in the USCIS offices in the U.S are generally more kind than those in the U.S. embassies/consulates. Current processing times for AOS is rather fast, a lot shorter than I expected it to be. And who cares if it lakes a bit longer (you are already with your spouse and that's what matters most!).

If employment is the priority, then that is a different story.

Good luck!!!

Gaze at the full moon- that's one natural sight you both could see although you are apart. We were separated for 13 months (I got 3 kids)- and it was not easy. Had to be creative. . .

I live in New Jersey. I came from a tropical country and I have some questions (some of which sound so stupid), but well, what are forums for?

1. What liquids can I leave inside my car overnight in freezing temperatures? Are canned sodas and bottled (like Poland) water safe? Do water-filled bottles break when they turn to ice?

2. What about electronic gadgets like cellphones, Nintendo DS or gameboy, or cameras? Is it safe to leave them in the car overnight in winter?

3. I put Penzoil 10W-30W high mileage oil in my pre-owned 1993 Honda Accord car (126,000 mileage). Is this ok for the winter, or should I have placed 5W-30W? So far I dont have any problems...

I didnt have to worry about these things in my country back then.. Thanks!!!

Finally, after going through the IR1&2 and K3&4 processed, we made it to the Legal Permanent Resident status after the AOS.

The interview (last wednesday at Newark) went well, what the immigration officer needed were documentation (joint accounts, etc) more than anything else. He didnt scrutinze the fact that the petitioner has been in the U.S only since August last year (this is reflected in the tax returns), and the fact that we have been living with my sister since the beneficiaries entered the U.S. (8 months now).

I prepared all documents and placed them in "presentation folders" (also called "clearbooks"). I had three of those, and this saved me from fumbling with the documents whenever the officer would ask for one. The officer seemed facinated with this presentation.

got it YuAndDan. Thanks!

I know this was posted last year, but I'm looking for the meaning of the case number. I know the 1st 3 letters stand for the adjudication center, the 1st 4 numbers stand for the year the application was accepted by NVC. I forgot what the last 6 numbers represent. All I remember is that it has something to do with the gregorian calendar. Does anyone know? Thanks!

My wife & 3 kids had their biometrics recently and I tugged along. I wasnt needed, but they let me in. No hassle.

sqtb,

In case you decide to write NVC (or the embassy), here is a draft of what I made:

Sir/Madam:

In the matter of the following:

Sponsor: FirstName Lastname DOB: mm/dd/year

Address: xx xxx xx

Beneficiaries: CaseNo. FirstName LastName DOB: mm/dd/year

CaseNo. FirstName LastName DOB: mm/dd/year

CaseNo. FirstName LastName DOB: mm/dd/year

The beneficiaries have entered the United States on K3 and K4 visas on mm/dd/year through <Port of Entry>. They will apply for adjustment of status. I would like to request that this be noted on their respective case records and retain their files until a CIS office requests it to process their adjustment application.

Thank you for your service.

Signed

email: xxx@xxx.com

I did write a letter to NVC to that effect (I was case completed at that time waiting for them to send the papers to the embassy); in the end I still received the packet for the embassy and NVC said they didnt receive my letter. I wrote the embassy a similar letter I sent to NVC.

I am now scheduled for biometrics.

I have a couple of questions for VJers in the same boat or for those who are ahead:

1. What do they ask during the interview for AOS? My wife is on K3 and we've been married for almost 10 yrs. Is it similar to the enterview she had at the embassy?

2. How long after the biometrircs can I expect a schedule for interview?

Thanks..

I would just do the medical. This has been a confusing part of the process, and the civil surgeon (a family friend) who did the medical on my spouse & children told me that he anticipates that problem (USCIS asking for another medical & tests despite this being done in the country of origin). Its easier to comply than to fight it.

When my wife applied for her EAD, I enclosed a cheque for $70 that should cover for her biometrics. The cheque was returned (it wasnt needed) and she was scheduled and did her biometrics and now has her EAD.

I recently submitted her Adjustment of Status papers, and I again enclosed a separate cheque for her biometrics just in case they require a fee. Was I right in doing this?

Just received Packet4: IR1/IR2 interview date set on August 3, 2006. But the family is now is U.S. thru K3/K4 and will be adjusting status.

I pasted a small white envelope (with the photo inside) to a white bond sheet of paper. This will put the photo in the same size as all other documents and will be less likely to fall out of the bundle.