Stevephoto

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!

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!

On 8/14/2023 at 5:40 PM, TBoneTX said:

Most definitely so.

Gracias amigo!

On 8/11/2023 at 8:43 PM, TBoneTX said:

And congratulations on your upcoming 11-year anniversary on VJ!

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!

On 8/9/2023 at 6:13 PM, TBoneTX said:

Steve, those fires are indeed terrible.  Your caring words are highly appropriate.

Gracias amigo. Much appreciated.

6 hours ago, TBoneTX said:

Fully recover soon, bueno amigo!

Gracias amigo! Feeling a little better every day. Como estas? I miss our chats. Will send a PM soon. I hope all is well.

14 hours ago, RO_AH said:

Sorry to hear this. I have had it 2x and I am also in a high risk group. It sucked but I never found it too bad. If you are still suffering with long Covid, I would recommend "Sambucol Black Elderberry Syrup - Sambucus Elderberry Syrup". It really helped me with clearing up the lingering effects (like coughing and phlegm. I just took 3 or 4 doses a day till I finished a bottle. I bought a 2-pack on Amazon. I am more of a natural supplements guy and  this stuff is very highly rated on Amazon.

That would be a QR code 🤣

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)!!!

17 hours ago, jskibo said:

The etravel you need to fill out to get a QR code only asks about your first two (or one in the case of JJ) shots, at least as of April when I traveled last.  

You beat me to it! I was just going to say that the etravel replaced the One Health Pass. The website seems pretty straightforward.

Salamat as always everyone! You "Da Bestest!"

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!

6 minutes ago, Mike E said:

He has no standing. 

Thought so. Worth asking. Thanks.

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.

@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?

11 hours ago, Talako said:

You can work on a 13a.  See Section 2 item "e" at the link.  You're exempt from obtain a work permit.

 

https://www.dole.gov.ph/news/department-order-186-17-revised-rules-for-the-issuance-of-employment-permits-to-foreign-nationals/

 

You can not work on a BB.

That is `what I thought. Thanks for confirming it.

On 4/11/2023 at 6:16 AM, Chancy said:

 

K1 is considered immigrant visa interview, so applicants do not need to line up outside the embassy gates.  Aside from senior citizens, pregnant, or PWD applicants, the gatekeeper may turn away applicants who arrive too early and tell them to come back closer to their appointment time.  Applicants will be let in around 30 minutes before their timeslot.  If the consulate waiting area is full, applicants on the same timeslot are made to wait in the covered area (with seats) just outside the building but inside the embassy compound.

 

"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! 

AWESOME!!!

On 2/2/2023 at 9:48 AM, jskibo said:

Great info in here. Following but still three years out. We just got back from two months over there setting up banking at a few places (BDO easy, BPI made us wait a week for permission). Also bought some land in Palawan and a couple condos in / around manila. 

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.

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.

19 hours ago, Talako said:

I followed up on this.  I have a step-daughter who is a manager of an office that does licencing medicals for LTO.  She says it is up to the doctor and his or her opinion.

 

What that means in real terms is that you may want to "shop around" if it is an issue to get the result you want.

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 hours ago, Talako said:

You can port your old number to Google voice for a one-time charge of $10-$15 rather than give it up.  I still have and use my Texas cell number that I have been using for the last ten years.

Yes I saw that. Sorry, I posted before I researched it. My badd! Thanks.

On 1/26/2023 at 7:32 PM, Talako said:

I would say simply:

 

1. VPN - An absolute must

2. 13a - Save yourself some serious hassle and do it stateside.

4.  Google Voice - A US number, and it receives text authentications.  It has worked for NFCU, IRS, Schwab, Vanguard, Nationwide, SS, and others for me.  I have only had one issue with a service spitting back that they don't take VOIP phone numbers.  It was non-financial and a non-essential service.

5. Need a physical address in the US.  A mailing service works, but a non-commercial address is better.  Be careful on address though.  Some financial companies withhold state taxes based on your address.  That is a problem if you lived in no income tax state and used a taxed state address of a relative.

6. Take Flicks' Philhealth recommendation

7. Police clearance - Might want to check with the consulate to see if it needs an apostille.  That is an extra layer of hassle.

8.  Money transfer - Use any service you like, but refer to No. 1.  Use a VPN so it looks like you are initiating from the US.  Never tell them or indicate that you live overseas. 

 

On the VPN, it can be placed on both your computer and a phone.  On the phone to allow you to do mobile banking and other services if you are more of a phone guy than a computer guy.  It can also be placed on an android tv box so you can watch US Netflix and/or Amazon.  Philippine Netflix has a more limited library.  VPN is also mandatory if you wander the darker outskirts of the internet looking for movies and TV programs.  

 

 

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.

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.

11 minutes ago, seekingthetruth said:

Just to be clear, don't use your credit card to get cash at ATMs.  That will hit you with big fees.  The exception would be that some banks / credit unions / brokerages will refund those feed.

 

Unfortunately, permanent residents, like 13A, also have to pay the travel tax that Filipinos pay.  Adult is p1620.

Oh ABSOLUTELY agree...I would never use a credit card for any cash advance...especially at an ATM!

Yeah I understand that 🙄!

Thanks again.