gawjusgal14

Hi @Ettenom08

Filing Date was September 27, 2017.

It took almost a year but it was all worth it. 😊 Goodluck 🙏🏻

12 hours ago, Hank_ said:

Well that is good news for you.

 

Hearing that makes me wonder about the letter you received from USCIS ... sort of a "why bother sending it". 

 

You, or your kids will not need the N-600 as that is for applying for their own Naturalization Certificate .. they have U.S. passports  < That is all the evidence that is needed to prove U.S. citizenship.     

 

Thanks for the update.  This will help others that come behind you.   Truly do appreciate.

@Hank I was also confused and they rvrn referred me to a higher ranking officer ?     ( according to them) to address my wuery. They said that if I do not have the US passports yet then I have to pay and then once green card has been delivered to me I will have to surrender it, so i told them that it was stated online that I can apply for a US passport for my minor kids without the physical green card, just the     I-551 on their foreign passport and he said that is correct. 

At first he said that the passport application cannot be processed unless there is a green card but i told him that it was clearly stated online on the travel.state.gov site that I can apply for US passport without the green card so he retracted his previous statement. Then he asked me if I have the US passports already and I said yes. I told him that I do not see the need to pay for the Immigrant Fee to get the card because it is considered invalid and asked if I will get in trouble for not paying. I told him it was not practical and even said that what if I cannot pay for it. I asked and anticipated the worst case scenario for the benefit of others because I have read stories like my case. He said I need not worry because there is no need for the immigrant fee to be paid asap especially in the case of my kids who are now USC. He then suggested that I just go pay it when I want to apply for the N-600 for my kids because he said by the time I decide to apply for N-600 their I-551 is expired, (upon checking though should I decide to apply for N-600, their I-551 would suffice)and I would really need the physical green card during the  application for N-600, (but I do not really feel the need for it right now, maybe in the future I guess?!) he even apologized that there is no fee waiver for the Immigrant Fee  unlike N-600. 

1 hour ago, Hank_ said:

You are a naturalized citizen?   You are how they acquired their citizenship .. and yes it is automatic, because of YOU.  Still it is naturalization .. they were not born of USC parents.

 

You don't want to pay the ELIS fee and do not want to surrender the green cards .. then I suggest you talk to USCIS regarding this.

 

Hope all goes well.

 

 

@HankJust talked to USCIS they said my kids are USC and there is no rush for the need of the green card. They just said that if I wanted to apply for N-600 I would need a copy of their green card for that and then that is the time I decide if I want to pay, but for now my kids are safe and their US citizenship is not subject for approval nor on hold/pending just because I did not pay for the green card. 

22 minutes ago, Hank_ said:

Yes the I-551 stamp is a "green card".  But you can not surrender their Philippines passports.      You need the physical green cards .. as USCIS has already asked for them.

 

The fees paid at NVC do not pay for the green card, this is the ELIS fee.   

 

You already know this as you were notified by USCIS regarding paying the ELIS fee and then when the green cards arrive - surrender them.    

 

IT IS THE PROCESS....  Get it done.

 

 

Citizenship by naturalization has a process and requirements .. thus conditional.

 

 

 

 

I have been reading here that some parents with minor kids who came to the US thru IR-2 Visa Petition decided to get a US passport right after their kids were admitted and never paid for the green card. I understand that it is a process and I am just wanting to save $$$ because I do not see the need for the physical green card because the I-551 stamp on their Philippine Passport is valid and they came and was admitted to the US in a legal way, and now that they are USC and having their US passports on hand, I personally feel like there is no need for the green card anymore. I am sorry if I sound like I am being stingy or something I was just trying to be practical you know. 

@Hank Do you think my children would get in trouble for not paying their ELIS fee and not surrendering their GC to USCIS? Are you saying that even if they were issued US passports they aren't still considered USC?!?!

FYI: They did not get their citizenship thru Naturalization but thru Acquisition.

They automatically acquired US citizenship and did not go through Naturalization. 

Isn’t the Immigrant Visa stamped on their passport a proof too?!? I am getting confused because I filed my IR-2 petition for them here in the US and they got interviewed at USEM. All along I thought I already paid for their green cards when I paid their application fee from NVC ($120 for the Affidavit of Support and $325 for the Immigrant Visa Application Processing Fee). When they arrived the IO told me that their green cards would be mailed to our home address so all along I thought it was already paid for.  

I needed your two cents because I feel line it will be a waste of money to pay $220 and then surrender it since they do not have a need for it anymore. I want to know if it will be a good idea not to get it anymore since they were already issued their US passports and are US Citizens already. 

Thanks in advance.

9 hours ago, Hank_ said:

Ah you didn't pay the ELIS fee to USCIS?   You have to pay the fee for each of your kids or USCIS will not produce nor mail their green cards for you to surrender.      Ya it is necessary.    

 

https://www.uscis.gov/forms/how-pay-uscis-immigrant-fee

@Hank I know that but I already have their US passports. Do I still need to get their green cards now that they are USC?!?

On 9/28/2018 at 11:26 AM, gawjusgal14 said:

Thanks @Hank...waiting game for us and hopefully we will have it in 4 weeks. 😊

Hello @Hank was able to get my kids passport last 18th of October. It came with the letter that says they should send their green card to change their status. The IO told me that their green card would be mailed to us but I never received any. Now it’s the 20th and I received a letter from the USCIS saying that they should pay the $220 for the immigrant fee. What should I do? Help please.

On 10/11/2018 at 11:42 AM, sy_ny said:

What date did you fly to the philippines? 

If I remember it correctly it was the 28th of August.

2 hours ago, sy_ny said:

Help! I am obviously anxious! We received a case number and Invoice number on September for my son's petition on 9/25 and uploaded the documents 9/26, I got a message on 10/9 saying i submitted an incorrect form (need I-864W instead of I-864 that I submitted), I submitted the correct form that same day. Here are my questions! 

 

1. When shall I expect to get his interview date? So I can book my flight to go home. 

2. I plan on being with him at the interview and fly back with him to the USA, how many days should we expect to receive the passport back assuming a successful interview? 

 

Thanks all! 

 

M

@sy_ny To give you an idea let me share with you the following timeline for my IR2  Visa application:
1) The NVC received all the necessary documents needed for my kids' petition on July 19, 2018

2) August 10, 2018- I received an email from NVC saying that they were able to schedule the immigrant visa interview for my kids on September 7,    2018.

3) I went home for 2 weeks to bring my kids to SLEC for their Medical Examination PRIOR to the date of interview at USEM. We were able to finish    the said MEDICAL EXAM in two days. I pre-registered my kids online to save time. I decided to do it early just in case something goes wrong during their Medical Examination at St Luke's Extension Clinic, but luckily everything went well. 

4) FRIDAY September 7, 2018- We went to the USEM for the kids interview. They were scheduled at 7:40 am, we were at the USEM an HOUR before, 6:40am;  went inside the USEM by 7:15am.

*Done with the interview by 8:50am.

5) September 7, 2018 FRIDAY- I checked their visa status online via CEAC around 1PM (MNL time), VISA status says "ISSUED".

6) Passports on hand by  Tuesday, September 11, 2018 6:30 PM- I opted for pick-up of their passports and visa packets at 2GO Mall of Asia branch to save time because I need to fly back to SFO before the 15th. I also booked our flight back to SFO 9/14/2018. I just got one way tickets btw.

7) September 12, 2018 Wednesday-CFO/PDOS done. Paid Php400 each for my kids. I pre-registered them online as soon as I got their visa packets from 2GO MOA. You need to pre-register your son online btw. My kids are minors 11 and 8. They do not need to attend but I have to pre-register them to get the sticker and pay the amount of Php400 for each minor child/applicant.

😎 September 14, 2018- FRIDAY MNL to SFO I DID NOT pay for my kids' TRAVEL TAX, they are exempted:

9) September 14, 2018  MNL-SFO flight ...safely arrived SFO  via PAL. 

Hope these info would help you somehow.

On 9/25/2018 at 5:50 PM, Hank_ said:

My wife got her U.S. passport in about 4 weeks when she applied.

 

 

Thanks @Hank...waiting game for us and hopefully we will have it in 4 weeks. 😊

7 hours ago, Hank_ said:

Very possible the name issue is because of limited character spaces.  You may want to call SSA to ask on this to verify.    Looks like first name is limited to 20 characters, middle and last name limited to 22 characters ..  could be slightly less.   (I counted the spacing on the SS-5)

 

Passport has character limitation also, I believe those are limited to 35 characters (for each; first, middle, last  from what I counted)

 

 

thank you @Hank..I will do that now.

PS: passport application done..waiting for them to arrive in a couple of weeks. Hopefully everything turns out well. Thank you for all your inputs..really appreciate it.  

@Hank I made appointments for the kids' passport application tomorrow at a nearby USPS facility, hopefully everything turns out well. I already printed the application form and have our documents ready.  I am  bringing my US passport, and certificate, kids birth certificate, their passport with the immigrant visa stamp  and also prepared some photocopies, checks for payment. I had to wait for their SSA card/SSN to arrive because it was needed on the passport application. I had trouble with their SSA  card though because their name was incomplete. 

I received it yesterday and their names were incomplete. FYI My kids have really long names  😣 eg:

Anna Patricia Karenina - first name 

Mendoza-middle name

Lopez-last name

Upon receipt her SSA card reads:

Lopez, Anna Patrici

Do I still need to have it corrected?I know that the last name and first FIRST name is correct and I was thinking that the reason for the incomplete (spelling) name was because of the character limit and I was wondering if I should nor there is a need for me to go to SSA and have it corrected? I was contemplating if I should do it before their passport appointment in the morning or right after..  I am still hesitant because I know that once they get their US passport and officially become USC I would need to go to the nearby SSA office and inform them that the kids are now USC. What shall I do? What can you suggest? 

Thank you in advance...😉

I am also concerned with my kids' SSA card. Received it yesterday and their names were incomplete. My kids have long names eg:

Anna Patricia Karenina - first name 

Mendoza-middle name

Lopez-last name

Her SSA card reads:

Lopez, Anna Patrici

Do I still need to have it corrected? I was wondering if I should nor there is a need for me to do so?

Okay I will schedule an appointment with USPS on Monday. Thanks @Hank 😊

On 9/12/2018 at 8:03 AM, Hank_ said:

 

Info and forms are online here https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/apply-renew-passport/how-to-apply.html

 

Your local post office can take the passport photos, then you mail it off with proper payment.   < You need to make an appt for this  

Thank you @Hank. Everything turned out well. The immigration officer told me that their passports would serve as their temporary green card for a year but he said that their green card would be mailed to our home addy. He did not mention anything about the annotations. I plan on applying for their US passports soon. Do I need to wait for their gc before applying? Is it too early to apply? I was also thinking if I still need to go to SSA to apply for them or it will be mailed to us too? I remembered ticking the part that asks if I want a SSN to be assigned to them. 

What is you reco @Hank?

You are welcome @Hank. I was delighted to know that they are exempted. I know a lot of people would benefit from this information. 😊 

I will have to tell you now that my next posts would be asking for your expertise again on how to apply for my kids’ US passport once we get to the States. 😉

2 minutes ago, gawjusgal14 said:

As provided under R.A. 6768, Family members of former Filipinos accompanying the latter

Foreign passport of former Filipino or other evidence of former Philippine Citizenship   Birth certificate or adoption papers of children and / or marriage contract of accompanying spouse

 

I see..my understanding was the fact that they are my family members, and they are accompanying me that is why I presumed they are also exempted. 

@Hank I just called the Travel Tax Office at NAIA 2 and they said that my children are exempted from paying the Travel Tax since they have Permanent Resident Visa and they are traveling with me. I just need to bring their birth certificates and our passports. Yey!  

3 minutes ago, Hank_ said:

 

You are wrong.   

 

To avail to the Balikbayan Privilege  the children would have needed to enter the Philippines using their (soon to receive) U.S. passports and received the BB stamp at entry.    

 

You traveling with your U.S. passport of course can receive the BB stamp at entry.

 

 

I see..my understanding was the fact that they are my family members, and they are accompanying me that is why I presumed they are also exempted. 

8 minutes ago, Hank_ said:

Sounds like you are good to go!!    

 

You will have travel tax to pay for both of your children, this can be paid at  the airport or ..

 

TRAVEL TAX
       
Before exiting the Philippines (after receiving the visa and CFO sticker in your passport) there is Travel Tax to be paid.  This can be paid at the airport or the locations listed in the link below

http://tieza.gov.ph/travel-tax/

Locations for paying Travel Tax:   http://tieza.gov.ph/travel-tax/directory-of-travel-tax-offices/

Online payment option:   https://traveltax.tieza.gov.ph/

 

 

 

Remember, keep the DO NOT OPEN envelopes in your carry-on, and protect them from tearing (I always suggest to keep them wrapped in the plastic),  you will need those envelopes immediately at POE.

 

Once more .. Congrats!!!

 

Safe Travels

 

 

@hank I checked that site and I think the kids are exempted from paying the travel tax. Correct me if I am wrong.

2 hours ago, Hank_ said:

If vaccinations are required once in the USA you will be informed on this by the local health agency.  Until then ..  relax

Thank you @Hank. I just find it weird because the kids got their immunization during the medical at SLEC but I do not mind if they would need more shots. I was not able to provide their baby book during the medical because we do not have it anymore.

I was able to finish the CFO/PDOS this morning. Flights have been booked since last night and the kids are way too excited to fly to SFO. Thank you @Hank for all the help. I am impressed with how everything turned out, and most of all I feel so lucky for having people like you who took their time to help out those people who are clueless when it comes to visa processing. Kudos to you @Hank and to everyone who shared their journey. Good luck everyone and God bless us all.

Next mission...US passport application for my 2 kiddos once they get to the USA. :)

2 hours ago, Hank_ said:

That is an annotation regarding vaccinations,  worry not all is good!  

@Hank Does that mean I need to get them vaccinated again when they get to the States? I am clueless to all these procedures/requirements. 😩

2 hours ago, Hank_ said:

I am very happy for you and your kids!!!     The visa ordeal is always long and trying ..    the reward is priceless.

 

Safe Travels 

True that. I have waited for this moment for a very long time. I am glad I chanced upon this site and I am grateful for people like you who were very helpful and even went out of your way to give us information and assurance that we were doing the right thing. The waiting might be quite long but it was all worth it.

Praying still for a good weather and may everyone who is waiting for their visa issuance, goodluck. Pray and read, ask if you aren’t sure and be patient. In no time all your hardwork would pay off. 

God bless everyone.

Thank you Visa Journey and special mention to you @Hank for being so helpful. More power.

😊🙏🏻😘

14 hours ago, Hank_ said:

And your passport packages are at MOA!!    

Yes @Hank! 🙏🏻 Got them yesterday. 

Btw, what does annotation  

212 (g) (2) (B)*mean?

14 hours ago, Hank_ said:

It means the passport packages are at 2GO MOA .. get over there!!!     

Hello @Hank I was able to get their passports and visa packets last night at 2go MOA 7pm! Booked our plane tix for tomorrow and will go to CFO/PDOS in Osmeña Highway this morning to pay. 

God is good.

Once again I would like to thank you @Hank for all your inputs and info. God bless you more. I am a fan!

interview date was 9/7/2018 at 7:40am

visa issued 9/7/2018 at 11am

passports received 9/11/2018 ar 2GO Mall of Asia

checked the status at 2GO's site and it says "UNDELIVERED" Reason: Hold transaction for pick-up at 2GO MOA...what does it mean? Can I go to MOA now and pick the passports/visa packets of my kids today?