Chemmy
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Posts posted by Chemmy
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OMG! That's such a brilliant idea!! I've never thought about that. And I'm totally noting about ECE. I hope they get yours sorted soon! I owe you a big cup of coffee someday soon!
Good luck!
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Awesome! that seems like a reasonable price.
Ugh, WES is pretty stringent about having the school send it to them though. It's really literally very difficult to do this from where I'm coming from.
Suggestion: you may ask your College to seal the transcript inside their official envelope (with their address), then ask a friend/family to pick up that sealed envelop and mail it for you via FEDEX or UPS. It's a small investment for a very important document. Be sure to provide telephone numbers of your evaluator too (the couriers requires it).
That's what i did, and it worked for ECE.org - although their evaluation report is immensely flawed!
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Hi Reilena!
I got my Bachelor's Degree in Manila and recently used the service of ECE.org (Educational Credential Evaluation, Inc).
My suggestion, whatever you do, DO NOT ENGAGE business with them because they are NOT familiar with the Philippine Education system!
I'll share you my experience, and hopefully you'll avoid the pitfalls and disappointments.
If you need your grade and GPA, they DO NOT know the right way of converting our grade system to the US grade scale.Here's why:
Usually in the Philippine and also in my college, we use the grades 1, 2, 3, and 5 therefore:
Phil Grade of: 1 converts to US Grade of A
2 which converts to US Grade of B
3 which converts to US Grade of C
5 (74% and below - Fail)
Note that we don't have a grade of D which is a Conditional Grade (in the US a student can have a Grade of 70% and still pass the course, thus he gets grade of D or conditional. THIS Grade do not exist in the Philippine college because of CHED mandate that NO College should allow conditional grade.
BUT ECE.org do not know this, so they inserted the GRADE D (conditional pass) in our grades, therefore the criterion moved down, sot that:
the Philippine grade of 1.5 becomes a B, which should be converted to A
the Philippine grade of 2 becomes a C, should be B
the Philippine grade of 3 becomes a D! (Imagine that? They give you a D or Conditional Grade even if you achieved a Grade of 82%)
I told them about the error, noting that this do not represent equivalent achievement. (Take note, other evaluators have a grade conversion scale and they do KNOW our Grade system)
Now, I have to contact my College to ask assistance on how to iron this out and have to file complain with BBB. So much hassle since we're now so far away from the Phils. I hope you'll be able to avoid this mess!
I paid for a Catalog Match report with ECE.org (which includes a US Bachelor's equivalency evaluation, GPA and catalog-to catalog matching of my baccalaureate courses with that of a local College here in Ohio. It's $260 but they charge for courier and copies etc, so I end up paying a total of $315. I paid more because it's a more detailed report (plus they charge courier and even printing), but if you only want to establish a US Bachelor's Degree equivalency then from what i've seen from several other evaluators - its' about $100, more or less.
Most of them really ask for a sealed envelop from your local college. You might need a favor from your family/friend to pick up the sealed transcript and send it via FedEX or UPS.
Hope you have better luck on this.
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For those of you looking for work or going back to school, I'd like to share you a personal experience with ECE.org who evaluated my Bachelors Degree.
I paid for a Catalog Match report, where you get your US Bachelor's equivalency evaluation, units conversion, grades and a matching report of my courses to that of the College/University where you intend to enroll. Fee: $315 total
After having to deal with the difficulty of getting a sealed official transcript of records (should be issued within a year) from my College in the Philippines, I finally received the ECE evaluation after about three weeks, well within their timeline!
Good? Horrible!!
They did got it right in their report that my Philippine Bachelor's Degree is equivalent to that of the US Bachelor's counterpart, but the grade conversion is entirely wrong!
Note that in doing the equivalency, these evaluators are suppose to be looking for an equivalent/ similar academic achievement, but these people disregarded the College Transcript Key that's suppose to help them align the grades and properly convert them.
i.e:
US Grade of A converts to 1
US Grade of B converts to 2
US Grade of C converts to 3
US Grade of D (Conditional Pass) do not have an equivalent grade in the Philippines
US Grade of F converts to 5
They tried to squeeze in the Grade of D which messed up the range, so that a grade of 1.5 which should convert to an A becomes a B, a grade of 2 becomes a C instead of a B, a grade of 3 becomes a D and so forth!
Turns out they did not know that in the Philippines there is no Conditional Grade, therefore NO equivalent Grade of D exists.
You paid for their service which they claim they're an expert, but they did not do their research.
In the Philippines, the CHED (Commission on Higher Education) specifically express in their MORPHE (Manual on Regulations for Private Higher Education) that no student should be given a conditional pass, that is, you get full credit for it or you fail and repeat the course.
Tried calling them and you just gets transferred to the evaluator's voice mail - unfortunately all the time!
In his email he expressed complete disregard to sourcing out an official credible source (which should have been contacting my Philippine College and/or CHED to clarify grades) which should make his report accurate and unbiased.
Word of Caution: Make sure you know credible source from your University who can back you up when things like this happen with any credential evaluator, specially with ECE.org
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With absolute astonishment, both my K-1 and K-2 were approved today for AOS. Checked USCIS website as I have done everyday since last June and for the both of them, the beautiful words appeared:
Card Was Ordered To Be ProducedFor those of you still waiting, hang in there. I know it's frustrating, but the day will come when you will see those same words appear before you when you check your case status. Very happy day for all of us.
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congrats natonstan!!
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Thanks for the info Tina and Johan. When filed for AOS, never imagined it would take this long. applied for tax ID number for K-2 on this years taxes, what a joke that was dealing with IRS. oh well live and learn. Thanks again
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Hello Everyone!
Got the NPIW letter for both my K-1 and K-2, got EAD card for K-1. Is is feasible to get a EAD card for a K-2(child)? Not that I have any desire to put my step daughter work, but can't get her a SSN and it's starting to be a hassle?
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KVE:
I, like you, have the Cleve Field Office also and are coming up on the 6 month annv date of the NPIW letter receipt date. I have NPIW letters for both my K-1 & K-2. That being said, I will wait until end of March to submit the formal request. At least I have hit the 6 month anniversary date and they cannot say to me I am within "normal processing times" when they reply to me. If they reply to me. But by all means give it a try, send a service request, maybe they will mess up at USCIS and approve your AOS. You never know until you try.
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FINALLY! The dirty little secret regarding DACA has come to light! How honest, law abiding U.S. Citizens have been thrown under the bus by this administration in it's attempt to gain political votes for the Democratic party! Hopefully, this will make some changes in the system, but I doubt it. It doesn't pay to follow the law. Right Mr. President?
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If you look at the news on the USCIS website, starting Feb 18, 2015 they are now starting to accept applications for the "expanded" DACA applicants. And of course this means they have to make room for all those "new" applicants by delaying all the cases of the people who applied almost a year or longer. Now you know why it's taking almost a year or longer to get AOS. Nothing like great planning! Thanks Obama!
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Photocopies are acceptable for tax.
Good luck.
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You still need a civil surgeon to transcribe your vaccination record (3025) and you are to submit a sealed envelop from that civil surgeon. There's no shortcut in that part. Sometimes the civil surgeon may require more vaccine due to seasonal requirement.
Good luck.
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Hi Mrs-Belle,
I have the same NOA1 situation. The dates are different for the forms for AOS/EAD although they were received by Uscis on the same dates. Also they were forwarded to Nebraska, which seem normal lately, seeing from other posts.
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The following link is a useful thread regarding driving in Ohio during the AOS period:
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/484549-drivers-license-in-ohio/
The email response from the BMV within the thread would suggest that you can drive on a foreign driving licence for up to a year.
Hello Derwood!
That is so helpful! Thank you so much!
Lifesaver indeed! I thought i would be bound at home for the duration.
I arrived in a K1 in April and 2 weeks ago applied for AOS.
I went to the DMV in Parma and asked them about driving.
They informed me that you can drive on your Uk license for up to 1 year and that it is best to apply for your OH license before you apply for your social security card. AOS, EAD wasn't mentioned but she said it gets very complicated if you wait until after your Ss.
I was told that I will have to do the written part and the practical part of the test.
Hope this helps
Many thanks!
Very helpful input stazie1
I'm hopeful!
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For those interested I got this email back from the Ohio BMV:
Good Morning,
Based on your email dated 3/09/2014
VISA CLASS K-1
K-1 (fiancé-not married yet); The applicant will be required to provide a valid passport, visa, and I-94. A non-renewable/non-transferable identification card or driver license will be issued with the same expiration date that appears on the I-94. You may be issue a non-renewable/non-transferable Ohio driver license or identification card by presenting the valid I-94 until you apply for conditional permanent resident status
K-1 (married) needs to provide passport, visa, I-94 (may be expired), I-797-Receipt Notice with case type I-485 issued by the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The applicant must also provide the marriage certificate or license (marriage must be solemnized on marriage license).
Foreign motorists can drive legally by using their valid domestic driver's license for a period not to exceed one year from date of arrival. This arrangement applies to driving either personal or rental cars. Foreign motorists can also legally drive their own private cars bearing valid license plates/registration tags issued in their native country for a period not to exceed one year from date of arrival.
Please note: You can drive legally by using the valid domestic driver's license until you obtain the Ohio driver license
If you need further assistance, please direct inquiries to this office
Very helpful and answers our questions SHARKY-REX
Oh wow!
Just what we've been looking for! Would you please share the email address and/or personnel who emailed you this info?
I happen to be in the same dilemma.
Thanks!
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Thanks guys!
Well, it looks like I really have to wait for USCIS to issue that EAD or green card in order for me to drive legally.
Indeed, the International driver's permit is only for tourists.
Went back to waiting mode!
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As per USCIS, K1 is treated as non-immigrant Visa category. No worries.
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Hi everyone!
Our AOS and EAD was accepted this June, came in the States with a K1/K2 visa last March.
Now that my I-94 had technically expired, how do you go about driving in Ohio?
I brought in with me an International Driver's Permit but is it really just for tourists?
We don't know when this green card or EAD would arrive, so in the meantime are we really restricted to drive even with an International Driver's Permit?
Anybody from OH with the same issues?
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Thank you guys for the input.
Hurray! We got the acceptance confirmation email and texts at midnight! Finally!
Now just waiting for NOA1.
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Hello VJ'ers!
Sent our AOS package two weeks ago to the Chicago address via UPS. Have confirmation that UPS made the delivery, but USCIS has yet to acknowledge receipt, send NOA1, cash the checks, etc
See a lot of other people sent AOS after me and they have NOA1, checks cashed, etc.
Doing AOS for both K-1 & K-2
Anyone think this could be the reason for the delay?
Anyone else having the same delay issue?
Thanks for your input
Chemmy
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Hello Pablo Y Lauren!
I live in Ohio and have the same problem here. Thanks to 9/11, unless you have a Green Card or EAD card you cannot get a drivers license. Check IL license laws, they may grant one with a EAD card if you applied for one. Don't take the word of some govt bureaucrat that you need a "green card" before you're granted a license. They may not even know what a EAD card is. Do the research, in Ohio law, they need verification of legal presence either through a "green card" or some other USCIS issued document ie: Employment Authorization Card
Cheers!
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You're welcome dear. Key is preparation, you need to be ready with all documents - that is, updated and latest docs.
You need to relax, interview is a breeze.
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Hi ausomekc! Congratulation you got an interview set. Don't worry much about that USEM -Manila letter. It may not get in your mail on time, but don't worry much about it. Everything in that letter you'll find online anyways, and embassy people don't ask for it, only those listed in it which you'll find here:
Also, at the USEM gate what you'll need are hard copies of your appointment confirmation and the DS-160 confirmation page.
Good luck!
Adoption step children before citizenship
in General Immigration-Related Discussion
Posted
Hi!
We went through the process of step parent adoption here in the U.S. recently, pretty painless process if you've researched it well and organized all the requirements. It can save you time and some money also, because the kiddos automatically gets US citizenship (your relevant law is Child Citizenship Act of 2001).
First, check the step parent adoption process in your county's probate (they're usually available online), inquire if you need a lawyer, sometimes they allow you to file it on your own (pro se). Download all the forms and prepare all the requirements (green cards, birth certificates, passports, your tax returns, medical records for family, etc). Probate usually would provide a checklist specially if they allow pro se filing. Fees are usually reasonable, it's the lawyer's fees that could be steep sometimes.
After getting final adoption decree, you need to get them US passports, which serves also as proof of U.S. citizenship, aside from the Certificate of Citizenship from USCIS (this one is optional).
Good luck!