LeeandJoy

Hi Sir! I just wanna ask since you're case is now approved after being given 221g. My husband and I are going through the same problem with the 221g, they're asking for evidence of sustained income, and to find another joint sponsor since our sponsor (his sister) did not qualify cuz her income of $21k was based through her pension. So now on my interview they asked me to look for another joint sponsor, and now my sister (who's married to an american too, and she's working as an LPN) will be our joint sponsor..

I wanna ask you based on your experience on how long does it take for you to be approved soon as you submitted the documents? And will there be a big chance of still being denied?

I just wanna make my case clear on why I got a 221g.. My husband had been unemployed for the past 3 years and was now rehired by his previous office by 17 years for the same position, he started just last June 2013, and we thought that based on his salary we will be okay of being approved since he will be getting at least $41, 600 per annum. But i guess the consul was not happy with that. And along with this new job, we also had to have a joint sponsor when we applied for my visa last year cuz of his unemployment status.

So now we got this 221g and we are wondering as to why since he already has a job and his salary actuallly qualified on the 125% poverty guidelines.

I told the releasing in the embassy that I got all the evidence for a sustained income with me that day, his cert of employment, offer letter, and 6 pay stubs... But the guy just told me to just comply with what the consul was asking.

Thank you! i hope to hear from you, I really wanna know how long this will take for us soon as we submit the requirements they are asking.

Sarah

Hi Sarah...

It seems like Manila really bases their decision on the past, as much as future earnings. In my case living in the Philippines for 3+ years and having very little income I was asked to get a joint sponsor. I also had enough assets to get me over the 125% requirement. In the end though I was required to get a joint sponsor, as I was told my income for 2012 was not enough. I tried to explain, and show them that my current income and assets were enough, Their decision seemed to be set in stone. In the end it worked out for us. We will be leaving in a couple days, so we are happy campers.

As far as how long it took.....Once I got my sister's info back to the embassy, it was just a matter of days before it was approved. I thought it was very fast. And then 4 or 5 days for them to sent her the visa packet.

As far as denial or approval...as long as your sisters income meets the requirements there should be no problem. Are she and her husband going to combine income?....does she have other dependents in the house? These are questions that have to be answered. Then it's just a matter of submitting the proper paperwork.

Good Luck!

Greg

" Love is blind".....

You won't feel alone with 300 other Filipino's aboard. Just try to get some sleep on the long flight. Have a safe trip!

Carl....

The stay has been extended to 30, instead of 21 days, as of Aug1. Don"t know if this will help you, but will give you more time without getting an extension.

I would say if all goes well, she will have visa in hand well before Nov 6. They say 7 to 10 days, but my wife's and most others are just 4 or 5 days. We also live in Cebu. The courier service was very fast once they got it in their hands.

One never knows what will happen at the interview, so I wouldn't make any flight plans till you have the visa in hand.I talked to a couple guys on the day of our interview at the embassy who had flown over for the interview (k-1), and were very disappointed when they were issued 221g's.

As far as flights out....Check all resources....travel agents and online.

Best of Luck!

that's how i know it to work in Guangzhou IV, based on 221g reports here.

Sometimes it seems like different embassies have their own ways of interpreting or doing things. To be on the safe side it sure doesn't hurt to have the spouse fill out the 864a.

hang on a mo.

you file the I-864.

mom files the I-864 as well

now, if mom and her spouse filed a tax return with 'married filing jointly' status, then the other spouse must to file an additional I-864A. GUZ IV will ask about that, so if'n you don't have it by interview day - expect another months wait. or two.

That's not how it worked for me in Manila....are you saying China operates differently?

Sitting here in Cebu this morning, I am watching the news and parts of Luzon are experiencing flooding. In fact parts of Manila are flooded, with businesses and schools closed. I'm sorry you have lost contact with your wife. I think in a day or 2 things will get better and hopefully you can regain contact with her. For those of you that have girlfriends or wives going to Manila for medical or interview, this time of year can be unpredictable as far as weather, as we are in full monsoon season, with rain and an occasional typhoon. The people here have been through this many times, so I wouldn't worry. In a day or 2 things will get better and you will hear from her.

No bickering here.....just offered my 2 cents.

1) Yup you can get married here in the USA being you are divorced here in the USA.

2) If you want your first marriage in the Philippines "gone" being you initiated the divorce (here in the USA) you will have to complete the annulment process.

3) Foreigners can not own property (psst! Others - I don't care about condos) so all property, even if in both your names, will be owned by you.

4) Yes your future hubby can get Philippine citizenship, process is a bit involved but you can look that up easy enough.

1. agree with that

2.Phils recognizes divorce in the US.

3.Yeah the property thing sucks....better have a long term and very solid relationship before entering into this. This place is littered with horror stories of relationships gone bad and the USC left with nothing but memories.

4.For me to get Philippine citizenship I would have to live here for a total of 5 years and renounce my American citizenship to be eligible for Philippine citizenship.I would also lose my SS. From what I hear it's not easy to get it back. I'm not sure why anybody would want to do this, unless they were filthy rich and wanted to avoid taxes. There is also no such thing as dual citizenship for USC's like me.

That's my take on things anyway....been wrong before. I'm sure I will be again

I would leave the bike at home first of all....I think you can find a bike that will fit your needs . It sounds like you have been to a lot of places here, but you might want to try Bantayan Island...Camiguin Island.... or one of many other small islands to visit. Or you could hop a flight to Hong Kong or Singapore...they are cheap to fly to and your fiance might enjoy if she has her passport already. I have lived here more than 3 years (Cebu) and still have both lungs, so I think you'll survive the black smoke....

No worries. If you are an earlier appt. time then others in line its very possible the guard will move you to the front of the line. But no matter you will not have any issue arriving at 7AM for the 7:30 appt..

Exactly Hank....The guard looks at your appointment time and puts you in the proper position. There were some that had a later appointment and they were sent to the back of the line. The 615's were let in ahead of the 630's . Like I said earlier it's a pretty organized affair. The interview is probably one of the easiest parts of the whole process. You'l be outta there in no time. I talked to a guy and his fiance when my wife was doing her medical (they stayed at the same hotel as us) their appointment was at 730.....just before 11 he had made his way back to the hotel.He was approved for K-1 and a very happy guy.

Wait until it snows in Arizona! My wife was a stitch to watch when it started snowing... she was out in the backyard in a flash!

I told her if she wants to see some snow I would take her to Flagstaff and drop her off.

6am is plenty early....we got there about 545 and waited outside until about 615 when they let us in.They divided the line into the 615 and 630 appointments. By about 11 all the morning appointments were done. It seemed like the appointment time made no difference to when you got done. Some with earlier times were later than us getting processed. In any case the people were pretty thin by 11am. I am assuming they did the same thing in the afternoon. They take in the morning what they can get out before noon. At least that's what it looks like. Our appointment was for 630. It's a well orchestrated affair, with a lot of sitting and waiting. Good luck! PS...they will let the earlier appointments in first, followed by the later ones.

Good move... heat should be turned down for the year by then.

That was part of my thinking, And if its hot, it wont be for long. After living here in the Philippines for 3 plus years, we will probably freeze ta death up north. Neither one of us even own a jacket. All I wear here is shorts and flip flops. Today it's rainy and "cold" according to my wife. I told her she doesn't know what cold is....hahahaha

hello if ever this will happen to us. i didnt not attend my interview due to i need to rush my abby to hospital but anyway im reschedulng everything regarding the i864 which is confusing me. let me explain it to u again, i ahve a co sponsor which is the mom of my F, she is filing his income tax return jointly with his husband. who needs to fill up the i864? and how about the i864a?? sorry its really confusing me.

The joint sponsor fills out the I-864...if she is combining income with another household member, that house hold member would fill out the I-864a. If her income alone is enough to qualify, her husband does not need to file the I-864a, even though they filed a joint return.

Well when you finally get to AZ give a yell....

Will do....probably get there sometime in October...if we don't get waylay-ed somewhere between Portland and Arizona

Thanks Hank...it is great news....I learned a lot during this process. In the end it was pretty fast and fairly easy...now just need to sell my car and all my belongings here then we make the trip across the pond.

Great news!! Very happy for you both!

Way too much dinging around ... glad its finally done.

Just a follow up....the embassy updated on july30 the docs we sent with the 221g....and today..Aug2....they posted issued...We are both very happy!!!!!!!!

The 221g document received should have stated the documents needed. In our case :

Affidavit of Support (I-864) with original signature

US Federal Income Tax return(s) for year(s)

W2 form(s) for year(s)

Evidence of US Citizenship or status as lawful permanent resident

Evidence of current sustained income

and if needed....Form I-864a from joint sponsor and spouse/co-resident with original signatures

They are going to want to see the wife's W2....what they check off on the 221g, is what they want as supporting documents. If they don't receive the docs they want, they will issue another 221g asking for those docs not submitted.

You're right the new I-864 is not the best for identifying sole income in a joint filing. A quick call to the consulate may be another option.

We are just hoping it can be done today, we both know things can come up....just like in this entire process of getting a Visa...."Plan for the Worst, but hope for the Best"

cjmc

Aint that the truth...

A few things can pop up other than the x-ray.....My wife was referred to a surgeon and a cardiologist for reasons only known to the attending physician . That took her late into day 2. Oh, and both doctors cleared her. I would caution anyone on planning on a 1 day medical. Too many things can go wrong.

Just used UPS. Took 2 days going to the states....return back also took 2 days....used their Express saver....cost going to US was $35...coming back was $67. Have used Fed ex in the past, but was happier with UPS. The documents were going to west coast US and back.

The 221g document received should have stated the documents needed. In our case :

Affidavit of Support (I-864) with original signature

US Federal Income Tax return(s) for year(s)

W2 form(s) for year(s)

Evidence of US Citizenship or status as lawful permanent resident

Evidence of current sustained income

and if needed....Form I-864a from joint sponsor and spouse/co-resident with original signatures

They are going to want to see the wife's W2....what they check off on the 221g, is what they want as supporting documents. If they don't receive the docs they want, they will issue another 221g asking for those docs not submitted.

You're right the new I-864 is not the best for identifying sole income in a joint filing. A quick call to the consulate may be another option.

Just turned in my joint sponsors (sister) I864. She also files jointly...this is what the embassy told me over the phone....If she is filing as the joint sponsor and her income alone is enough, there is no need to file the I-864a from the husband as joint filer. Just put her income only in the corresponding questions. With the new form that would be part 6 line 5....and then in part 6 line 10 as no other person is counted in the household for income purposes. In line 13a.1,13b.1,and 13c.1 for total adjusted income she put the total adjusted income from her w2's. Now this is how I was instructed. We shall see how it works out.

Quote from Manila Visa unit...."The contract between Sponsor and Household member (Form I864a) is used in conjunction with the sponsor's Affidavit of Support (I-864) when a sponsor is using the income or assets of household members in order to meet the statutory income requirements of INA Section 213A".

"If the joint sponsor"s income meets financial support requirements, he/she need not provide a Form I-864a".

I think in your case, because he added in the wife's income, they are now requiring the I-864a from the wife, or his name and income was added in Part 6 line 6a

I should find out soon if what they said over the phone and email is going to fly.

Good luck to you on your visa.

After living in the Philippines I find myself doing the lip and eye thingy too. I have started to do it unconsciously. My wife said you are starting to act like a pinoy. I think we start picking up local traits wherever you live.

My wife speaks great English, but still gets the he and her mixed up. There is no word here for that, so that's understandable. Also she likes to use the word "already" on the end of sentences, which is taught in some schools here. At least that is what she tells me. On the other hand her penmanship is wayyyyy better than mine.

Assets did not help me...they seemed more concerned with my past income than anything else. I am getting a joint sponsor. I have lived here in the Philippines for 3 plus years and that worked against me. (past income). I think every case is different, and you never know what the CO's take is. All I can say after what I have seen, is to be prepared for everything. If you think you might need something...you probably will.