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Stevephoto

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Everything posted by Stevephoto

  1. Repeating what others have said: relax! Everything will be fine. This is your last step. Breathe your way through this last interview and then go enjoy the oath ceremony!--OOOPS---did not read the whole thread! Congratulations!
  2. For what it is worth (because this was 10 years ago), I was with Joan during her interview (GREAT experience, so go if you can). Joan's English is very very good, but remember, this is a nerve wracking experience. The embassy does provide interpreters on request. Personally I would suggest requesting an interpreter because we don't always hear the question when we are nervous...or register the final comment ("I don't see any problem here. You are approved" in our case. We asked for an interpreter but the interviewer said something like "well you are here so can we continue in English?" We did and were approved in 5 minutes. She will be fine, but good luck!
  3. 11-years? Wow! Hard to believe. I only hope that my contributions over the years has been even a fraction as helpful as all of you have been to us. Mahalo, salamat, thank you!
  4. Gracias amigo. Much appreciated.
  5. Moderators--Please move this to the appropriate place or delete it if inappropriate. To my Maui and Big Island friends and O'hana: Our hearts go out to you on this horrific and historic day. I have lived on O'ahu since 2003, but visited both of your islands during my first trip to Hawai'i in 2000. The special role in the history of Hawai'i, aside from your natural beauty and the beauty of your people, that each place holds is forever etched in our hearts. Aloha mākou iā ʻoe
  6. Gracias amigo! Feeling a little better every day. Como estas? I miss our chats. Will send a PM soon. I hope all is well.
  7. Thanks! It definitely sucked. I think I am out of the woods but I will keep the syrup in mind. Yeah...QR code...that's it (nod to Jon Lovitz)!!!
  8. Mabuhay! Sorry this is a "late" review. Joan and I visited family and to check on the progress of our house (many of you know that we are planning a move in early to mid-2024) in June. This note is late is because unfortunately, despite being extremely careful for the past 3 1/2 years, I tested positive for COVID the day after we returned to Hawaii. Many of you also know that I have Cerebral Palsy and I am on the list of people at high risk for a severe respiratory outcome--or worse--from COVID. In fact, it has now been a month and while I am thankfully alive, I am still congested with an annoying cough. So, no editorial intent here, but this junk is still out there (always will be), so be cautious. I can now say that this is not a fun virus to deal with. Oh, for what it is worth, I was only around people I did not know without a mask for 5 minutes maximum. Anyway... Things are moving along beautifully. The house looks amazing! There were some questions about eTravel before we left and I had some questions about Joan traveling as a dual citizen. I know that this information is a month old (so things could have changed plenty by now!), but our experience was very easy and smooth (relatively!) First: eTravel. VERY simple. Fill out the form online and download and/or receive a scan code by email. Save the the scan code (sorry, I'm old and don't know the actual name for those thingys (NO laughing @RO_AH!). To be honest, I am not sure that anyone actually looked for the code. I know that we passed a quarantine section in the airport and we both had our phones out. There were two lanes--one for those who had the code and one for those who still needed to register. Remember, I was receiving wheelchair assistance, so perhaps the assistant "nodded" us along. I don't know, but we were never stopped for a check. We were also "required" to register for eTravel for the return trip to the US and I am sure that no one checked it at the airport. The hardest part was getting the information registered on the website with the hotel wifi (I think we just used the data part of our phone plan instead). Nothing to it. No vaccine card check. No questions. Nothing. The information stated here about traveling as a dual citizen was spot on. US Passport in the US. Both passports in the Phils. Done. The only "funny" incident was returning. I had the "balikbayan" extension marked in my passport. I was asked if I had extended my stay and then the immigration officer noticed Joan and put two and two together. Done. Easy...for now! Salamat again to all of you for your support! I hope this helps those traveling soon. Safe travels...and don't forget...it is HOT in the Philippines!
  9. You beat me to it! I was just going to say that the etravel replaced the One Health Pass. The website seems pretty straightforward.
  10. Salamat as always everyone! You "Da Bestest!"
  11. Mabuhay Everyone! Sorry if this has been asked before. I couldn’t find anything in the archives. Joan and I are going to the Philippines in June. This will be her first time returning as a dual US-Filipino citizen. We booked the flight using her US passport. Are there any special things we need to do? Does she present both passports at each step (TSA, security and the gate in the US, immigration in the Philippines, security and immigration leaving the Philippines and immigration when we return to the US?) I reached out to Philippine Airlines, but they could not answer my question. Salamat!
  12. My best GUESS is that she would need to get tourist visas for each of those countries (if needed from the Philippines). I don't see how the K-1 application in and of itself would have any impact on her traveling as a Filipino citizen. Others, please correct me if I am wrong.
  13. @JMPM when is she scheduled to return to the US? @Mike E First, thank you for all the incredible support and knowledge you share--I still learn from you 11 years into this. Pardon my uninformed question (I think I know the answer...), but is there any way for JMPM to contact USCIS on behalf of his wife and tell them that she is out of the country?
  14. That is `what I thought. Thanks for confirming it.
  15. "Back ion the day" (2013?) there were lines of chairs set up--each line representing a different visa category. We got there at "Oh-dark-thirty" and were about the fourth in line for the K-1 line. It actually did not matter because the chairs were still (pick a number) of feet from the first security check-in. You can figure out what happened when the doors "opened!" There was a second "official" seating area--still outside the embassy--where you waited for your number to be called---THEN you got inside to wait for your biometrics and interviews. I have a complete review of the process in my timeline, but like @Chancy said, probably no need to be there before sunrise! Best of luck!
  16. We went to El Nido about 5 or 6 years ago. It is still the most beautiful place I have ever seen--and I live in Hawaii which has its own spectacular spots! Please feel free to contact me when you get closer to your move. I will be happy to share what I learned (here from my VJ friends as well as what happens as we go). Best of luck to you. Good info on BPI. That is our first choice and now might be a "Day 1 visit" when we go back to set things up. Salamat.
  17. These updates have been extremely helpful. Salamat. Most of you know that I will be starting the 13A/move process in a few months and, while exciting, it is a bit daunting too. I THINK what I am about to say is true but PLEASE correct me if I am wrong: Doesn't the 13A also allow you to work in the Philippines but not the BB? I feel like I felt 11 years ago when Joan was coming here! I want to (again) thank all of you. I hope that my experiences and comments have helped some people along the way, but I KNOW you have all helped--and continue to help--us for 11 years.
  18. Thank you so very much. I greatly appreciate it. My physician needs to sign off for me every time I renew my license here, so I know the process. I'll put my "shopping hat" on!
  19. Yes I saw that. Sorry, I posted before I researched it. My badd! Thanks.
  20. 1. Totally agree! It is on the list and in the "budget." 2. That is the game plan. Salamat for confirming our choice. 4. I will look into google voice if keeping my old number is not an viable option. I had not thought of VOIP numbers. 5. Working on it and investing the tax implications 6. Already on the list! 7. Yes, we know about the Apostille process. We went through it last year when we bought the land (before Joan re-acquired her Philippines citizenship. Good point. I have several question for the consulate and I will add this. 8. I chatted with BPI (probably our choice for a USD accout and US checks take about a month to clear. Easy to handle now that we have the information, but it would be great to be able to use the transfer services for emergencies. I am kind of old school (OK, maybe just "old--er!"), but ask @RO_AH, he'll confirm that I a skitterish about phone apps, but maybe it is time to join the 20th Century (I know, it was a bad joke!) By the same token, I don't go venturing too far online! Regarding Netflix, yeah I know that Philippine Netflix is slim pickins--which is scary given the plethora of junk available on US Netflix! SALAMAT again to everyone. Awesome as always.
  21. GREAT STUFF! Salamat everyone. So much to think about and plan. I will look over this thread over the weekend and start mt "to-do" list. We appreciate everyone.
  22. Oh ABSOLUTELY agree...I would never use a credit card for any cash advance...especially at an ATM! Yeah I understand that 🙄! Thanks again.
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