ForgottenNotes

Just to share some information,
 
My wife has traveled outside the USA to her home country Philippines and with me to Sweden on business/vacation this year while in the ROC process.
Exit/Entry in USA always being Washington Dulles. Upon entry back into the USA both times her green card did not read in the automated immigration machines because it was expired. Both times we were directed to another line where we presented the hard copy in original envelope of the extension letter. Very smooth process and never any issues. The officer did ask once if we had our bio-metrics done yes, which we did. We were guarding the extension letter with out lives though the entire time over seas lol. 

I say you should pack your bag and move to southern california.

A wedding is a moment in time (filled with too much hype), the marriage (the valued part) is a lifetime together and there is no way to rush it.

This is my experience yesterday, August 12, 2013 at CFO Office in Manila. I just wanna take note that each applicant has a different case from the others, oh well of course! That's why I am sharing what I have noticed from my seminar yesterday to correct some thoughts of negativity of how counselors are like during the seminar (they said they are terrors, oh well NOT) and how easy to pass the one on one interview.
Metro Manila was under storm signal #1 yesterday LOL.. me and my mom stayed for a night at Eurotel, Pedro Gil St. Manila. I was first in line at the ramp for US-bound applicants when we arrived at the CFO office around 3:30am but of course there were already people in line for Canada. Thanks GOD, though it wasn't raining during the waiting time outside, the wind was strong and it was so cold. Around 5am, all of us (the US bound applicants) were told to fall in line outside the ramp. How I wish we didn't listen to the street vendor! We came back at the ramp, and this time I was 5th on the line. It doesn't matter anyway, atleast I am sure I am one of the first 15 applicants LOL. So, at 6:30am they allowed us to go inside and will ask to present 2 original and photocopies of 2 valid i.d's with photos. I submitted my original and photocopy of my NBI Clearance and showed my passport plus submitted a copy of it's bio-page. The guard gave me a form which is downloadable on www.cfo.gov.ph (Pre-Departure Registration Form) and white I.D with pink "F" and number on it. Applicants bound for other countries has different colors of I.D's.
If you already completed and printed the Pre-Departure Registration Form online, no need to fill out the form given by the guard. Just wait for the instruction on what time they will ask all US applicants to go to the 3rd floor for documents verification.
Time check - 7:30am. We used the stairs going up to the 3rd floor, it was dark and creepy LOL. This time, the receptionist has given us a another form with same questions like in the pre-departure registration form, the only difference are the additional much detailed personal questions for both parties (fiancee and petitioner) So make sure you know everything about your fiance including his educational background and his mom's maiden name.
After completing the form, give it back to the receptionist. This time, she will verify all the docs needed. She will first review the 2 forms, will check and ask for photocopies of passport bio-page and visa, she will ask for a photocopy of your I.D and ask you few basic questions about your fiance. Please take note about the correct visa number! All of us with visa already, put a WRONG info about the visa number. IT'S NOT THE CONTROL NUMBER ON THE UPPER LEFT CORNER. IT'S THE COMBINATION OF LETTERS AND NUMBERS IN RED INK.
After verification, next is picture taking. That's for the GCP Certificate. Then she advised us to go back at 9am for the seminar. Take note, go back at 8:30am because the counselor who will do the seminar will start calling applicants for a one on one interview. My interview was so easy. She only asked me three questions: "how I met my fiance, how many marriage he had and asked me to tell her all things I know about him" After a very detailed short story, I was waiting for her to ask for pictures and other documents but she didn't ask anything.
After we were all finished and overheard other applicants experiences during their interview, I noticed that the counselor will ask you many things and will try to dig deep if your petitioner has been married twice or thrice before. Same with if you are 25 below and also, if your fiance has a previous marriage with a Filipina.
We were all 17 applicants LOL. The guard messed up with the number of allowed applicants for the morning session. We have one guy with us. He is only 19 yrs old. His petitioner, a female american missionary in the Philippines, 33 yrs old. We noticed that the Counselor didn't ask him too much questions during their one on one interview. We all doubt he will pass the embassy interview scheduled for him today, August 13. But who knows! And who are we to judge his case LOL. Well, it was a rare one.
So, after 2 and a half hours of discussion about marriage (brainstorming) proper savings, domestic violence, and departure checklists, we were asked to complete the feedback form and asked us to go ground floor and pay 400 pesos. After 5 minutes, got my sticker and GCC stapled at the very last page of my passport. We were also given brochures (departure checklists)
The counselor (Erlinda) that we had during the seminar was so serious but very professional at asking questions. She will talk to you in tagalog during the one on one interview. And was very good during the counseling. She will try to make fun at things (just to break the ice LOL) and also tell stories about failed Filipina-American relationships due to violence and abuse. Oh geez.. it all scared us hahaha.
Anyway, just follow all the instructions and make sure you know all the answers on the form, then you will be fine! So easy.. sometimes too much reading at the forums specially with negative experiences will only stress us out! LOL

Lucus,
You case has been sent to NVC for processing, mine was also sent on the 17th.
Now we have to wait for NVC to receive it and assign an MNL# case number to our file. After that they will send to US Embassy in Manila.
Start calling NVC for your case number in 2 weeks.

Lukus, you almost got it just have to select your beneficiaries country or else its defaults to Armenia.
Btw congrats on your NOA2! you almost there!

You can manage that in your control panel or click timeline right under your name and click edit entry. It looks like you are a expedite so I'm not sure how helpful your timeline will actually be now. Could still be of benefit.

-Deleted-

Friends
There is a mobile phone app that I use for redialing and it really helps.
In Google Play store search "Auto Redial" its the app with the red icon with phone in the middle.
I just run it and eventually it goes through after maybe 5-10 minutes. Beats hitting the redial button 100 times right?
I agree with Pheebs the best time for me is calling in the late evening. The operators are always friendly at NVC i find.
Hope it helps friends.

Friends
There is a mobile phone app that I use for redialing and it really helps.
In Google Play store search "Auto Redial" its the app with the red icon with phone in the middle.
I just run it and eventually it goes through after maybe 5-10 minutes. Beats hitting the redial button 100 times right?
I agree with Pheebs the best time for me is calling in the late evening. The operators are always friendly at NVC i find.
Hope it helps friends.

If you are sending visa-related documents from the U.S. to the Philippines, don't use the USPS. Once the documents get to the Philippines, they are turned over to the Philippines Postal Service, and we all know what that means...

its not fair or unfair
its the process.
no one said this process was easy, no one said you would enjoy this ride
Sorry this is happening to you, I have been waiting since April 2013 for my naturalization to go through. It's not fair or unfair that people waited half that time, its just the process
good luck

The sponsor filling out the form puts their full name there to indicate they acknowledge reading the liabilities in the instructions. See the image in this post showing the popup info box. > http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/518969-i-134-is-a-confusing-form-help/?p=7296537

Oh wow, thank you for your help ,really appreciate it, and also for question 11 the instruction on example form is enough and correct ?

after your appoval wait for 10 business days and you can start calling NVC for your case number...

nvc contact number:

(603) 334-0700

you can call them Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. EST to 12:00 midnight EST.

if you got the case number which started MNL followed by 10 digit numbers..you can check it at:

ceac.state.gov/ceacstattracker/status.aspx

click immigrant and enter the case number..

then you can start paying ur visa fee at Bank of Philippine Islands..bring your mrv together with your passport and money...

mrv slip:

http://ustraveldocs.com/ph/pmisdepositslip.htm?amount=265&country=philippines

wait for 4-6hrs to validate your receipt... you can schedule your interview over here:

https://cgifederal.secure.force.com/

once you are already schedule you can register online for your medical

http://www.slec.ph/

once you are done with your medical you can fill up your ds160 over here:

https://ceac.state.gov/GenNIV/Default.aspx

Should send via courier. Letter of Intent, G325A and photo needs to all be original.

GF = Fiancee

I always use DHL and works great. My Filipino recommends DHL too to me. Usually takes 3 days, no more than 4, from the US East Coast to delivery in Manila.

I use fedex. It costs a little over $50 to send to Jamaica. Make sure you use a fedex store and not a business that offers fedex if you use them. It is cheaper that way. Hope you have a quick visa journey

If you are shipping just the documents or such use FEDEX, UPS or DHL . If you are shipping a bunch of stuff use a balikbayan box, those you can fill with whatever and they ship for $100 or less, of course they take about a month or so, but no "blackmail" to get the box.

No problem and good luck. I remember how much my wife wanted to get to know other Filipina that were in Minnesota when she first got here. I will warn you that even though you'll meet Filipina, not all will be compatible with you and your husband's lifestyle. Don't expect everyone to be a friend for life. Some can be quite destructive to your marriage, encouraging things that will bring discord rather than harmony to your marriage. Friends can come and go, but you want your marriage to last forever. With time you will find the people who are compatible with your life, and you never really know your new best friends might not even be Filipina. Some of my wife's best friends are of other races, although all were immigrants. I guess there's a common bond in the immigration thing.

Whoa! You have a little bad info going there. The 90 clock to get married does NOT start until your fiancee clears POE. What is tied to the date of the medial is the 6 month clock for the visa validity.
Attending the interview does help, and is for sure a great experience, I highly recommend attending if possible.
No one can say when your fiancee will get her visa after the interview. Embassy states 7-10 days for delivery after ISSUANCE, and that is NOT the interview. Picking up the visa at 2GO at MOA can save two days.
For details on the complete K-1 process follow the flashing arrow below.... you will be done in short order.

Hi Guys,
I still see this topic get asked from time to time on how to pull Facebook chat logs. Some people I see are taking screen shots of their page and chats.
There is a much cleaner way and that is on your Facebook go to
Settings --> General Account Settings and at the bottom you will see "Download a copy of your Facebook data"
Facebook will consolidate all your activity pictures, posts and even chat logs into a "clean version"
for information here:
https://www.facebook.com/help/405183566203254
It takes a time for Facebook to prepare you activity summary.
Hope this helps!

Just want to add that everyone here is either experiencing your feelings or have at one time. That's why we stick together here helping each other with our experiences. Knowing what others have experienced is a big part of this website, but without your experiences we could not continue to help others. Before asking your questions try Googling your question or researching the vast amount of information here on VJ. So Good Luck and the best advice is to use your patience because this process is a marathon and not a sprint race.

That means you will have your visa on hand in few days and expect to receive an SMS from 2go..


Now you can Check/Track your passport status here :
http://www.ustraveld...trackingoptions

and check it here too just enter the UID code found in your interview appointment letter ..
http://supplychain.2...om.ph/index.asp

From <http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/465422-httpsceacstategovceacstattrackerstatusaspx/>



Yup MNL # is one of the numbers to try with 2GO for tracking, along with the UID and passport number, never know which one will work with 2GO

TRACK YOUR PASSPORT/VISA THROUGH 2GO
http://supplychain.2...trace/index.asp Enter your MNL number or passport number or UID number off the embassy confirmation letter (online confirmation page by bar code).