Manileña Heart

Thank you so much @Coleman21😊 I’m not dual yet, but I still have my Philippine passport. I’ve already filed for my US passport with my local county clerk. I’m just worried about the timeframe. So that means I can use my Philippine passport to fly to the Philippines from the US, BUT I have to make sure I have my US passport when I fly back to the US. At least I know now that have the option to maybe have my US passport mailed to me while I’m in the Philippines. Just in case it doesn’t get to me here in the US, in time before my flight. Thank you again!!

Hello, I just got sworn in and now have my citizenship certificate. I’m planning to travel to the Philippines this first week of Dec.  I was advised by the hotline of travel.state.gov to file in a facility first for my passport then if they’re not yet within two weeks before my flight, to call them back for an appointment at Miami Passport agency: 

- have any of you done this recently, how did it go?

- I asked them what happens just in case even with the urgent travel expedited passport appointment in Miami or any other agency, that the US passport is not ready before the flight date? They couldn’t answer. Can I use my Phil passport?

- any tips on the route I’m planning to take? Which is facility application first (clerk of county) then call for appt for urgent travel process in Miami. (can’t set an appt earlier than 2 weeks before flight)

thanks sooooo much to all of you 😊😊😊

Thank you Chancy!! 
 

Sorry, work got so busy. Thanks so much for answering. 
 

Does that mean I can change all my ID’s back to my maiden name, like SS, DL, bank accounts, BUT leave my GC in my married name if I don’t want to pay the fee yet? I didn’t know it was that expensive! 
 

Also, if I apply for citizenship. Can I do it under my maiden name even if my GC is still under my married name? Thank you so much again!!! 😊😊😊

Hello 😊

I have finalized my divorce (K1 visa and currently a Permanent Resident, restrictions removed) and I want to start changing my name back to my maiden name. I want to know which one to do first. I found a website that says to change SS card first. My passport is already back to my maiden name bec I had to renew it. Do I have to change my name in any of the immigration offices/docs? How do I do it please and which ones, if any? Thank you so much in advance😊

Thank you Flicks, you are right and US only honors the PCR test anyway, being an actual viral test. Thanks so much for all the help.

Correct, that’s as much as I gathered too. Eclia is way cheaper though, but oh well, need to abide by the specific requirement.

Ok so I found out from that link that Eclia won’t work. Thank you 😊

Hi HQRX, yes after the 26th.

Hello and TIA😊😊😊

I will be coming from the Philippines via flights from Manila and then Korea then US. If I take an Eclia covid test in Manila, will that be honored in the US? Or is there a specific kind of covid test that I need to take?

Thank you!!!😊😊😊

On 12/11/2020 at 6:16 PM, flicks1998 said:

I’m not sure the terminal your flying into or the time of day but by the Yellow airport taxis it should be between 250-350p.  The range accounts for the terminal and the time you arrive due to traffic conditions. If there is extremely heavy traffic you could push up to the 400p range. 
 

If you do have a fast meter your going to be at 600p+ with lite to moderate traffic.  With the taxi I had I would have easily ended up at 1500p+ If I hadn’t said something.  If your meter is spinning like a hamster wheel as mine was if you just give 350p at your destination and walk away you’ll be fine. That’s more than fair. You’ll have people say “oh that’s only $2 or $4 or $10” or whatever small amount compared to costs in the US, but it’s not so much about the money but getting these guys to cut this practice out. I always use Grab when arriving NAIA but that is not an option nowadays at the airport. 
 

if you decide to take the “meter” taxi you will receive a slip of paper with your destination and the taxi license number on it. If the driver asks you for that paper DO NOT give it to them. That paper has the number to text if you have problems. You give that paper to them your out of luck if you have issues. Also they will want you to put your luggage in the trunk. Don’t do that unless you absolutely have too. Put it in the back seat if you can. This way at destination you can just take it out of the car, put the money in the drivers hand and walk into the hotel. Take a picture of the registration number that’s on the car if you need too. And video the meter if you want. 
 

Threaten the driver you’ll report them if you have too. I actually reported a yellow airport taxi driver 3-4 years ago and I texted the number on the sheet I was given. They took my claim dead serious and The driver lost his job. However he kept showing up in the lobby of my condo each morning pleading for me to help him get his job back as it was his livelihood and he had a family to support. I eventually relented not so much to help him but because he knew where I lived and I walked to work daily and I didn’t want anything to happen to myself, my son or my gf at the time. The point of the story is if you threaten the driver to report them, they will stop ripping you off. 

Thank you for the additional info and tips Flicks!!! You’ve been sooooo helpful😊Based on your advice, I will take the yellow cab and pay P500 enough to cover the tip I hope. 

3 hours ago, flicks1998 said:

Just FYI on the Traze app.  You may see this at the airline check in to download but when I arrived in Manila there was no mention of it.  However I think Traze was to be implemented on November 28th and I came in on the 29th.  Maybe they are using it now.  When you get off the plane, double check you can use the Red Cross testing location in the terminal.  I paid directly through the PI Red Cross site and when I showed them my QR code at the airport, thats when they told me I had to go to the Red Cross area.  It looks like the 98% of the plane I was on was for Padlab.  

 

When you arrive Manila the Coast Guard will board the plane and give a long speech with tons of instructions.  Dont worry about everything they say as you wont remember it anyway.  Its information overload.  There are many people in the terminal to guide you on each step and they are very helpful.  There are ALOT of steps, but everything is orderly and help is always just a few feet away.  Dont worry about it at all.

 

The hotel you booked, is it one of the approved hotels required for quarantine?  It must be one of those or you will need to book into one that is approved.  That is because the ones approved are set up to handle the special quarantine requirements.  The link of the approved hotels is here:  http://quarantine.doh.gov.ph/facilities-inspected-as-of-june-11-2020/

 

There is actually a desk once you pick up your luggage and go through customs that will look at your reservation and make sure the hotel is approved.  Its one of the steps.  But again, dont worry about it as people will guide you along.  For your transportation, you will have the option of the yellow taxi meter or the fixed over priced vans.  Either one is a rip off as it appears the yellow taxis are all rigging their meters, or most of them.  The yellow taxi I got, the meter was so fast it was almost non-stop changing.  I told the taxi driver if hes going to rig it, at least make it believable.  I told him to turn it off and I just paid him a fix fee that I determined since I know the rates.  I can tell you about how much the yellow taxi should be depending on your quarantine hotel location.  Also, thats why taking the fix rate van may be less hassle.  

 

Enjoy your trip.  

Yes I already downloaded the Traze app on my phone. I’m hoping I can just start filling it once I arrive at NAIA. 

I also have my QR code already via email from Red Cross. So yeah I’ll have it ready for scanning. 
 

I did choose an accredited hotel, thank you for the tip. How much is the fair charge from NAIA to Bayview Park Hotel in Manila for the yellow metered taxi?

Thank you Flicks!!

7 hours ago, flicks1998 said:

Last week I arrived into Manila, actually november 29th but I am a US citizen and not a Filipino passport holder.  I think the question will come down to whether you are required to pay for your COVID test or not.  Most OFWs this is free but if you are not considered an OFW you may have to pay.  I registered for the Red Cross test, paid 4000p.  The Red Cross test appeared to be a different test then what 98% of the plane was getting when we arrived Terminal 2.  If you have to pay for a test, do the red cross one as I believe there were only about 10 of us on the plane that had paid for this and it was quick, although I sat in the area for the other test and wasted 30 minutes.  If you do the red cross test, you tell them as soon as you get off the plane into the terminal you need to go to the red cross area.  Do not follow the crowds like I did.  You will go to a different gate and the whole process takes 5 minutes.  The other test that most of the plane was getting will take you between 10 minutes to over an hour.  If your doing that test, dont sit in the back of the plane   Cause if you are in the back, you will be the last to test.

 

Which airline are you flying?  I flew PAL but I can give you more advice once I know which airline.  

 

If you have other questions let me know.  As mentioned I arrived Nov 29th to Manila and my process should be the same process in place today.  However, it is always best to reconfirm everything just before you go as things can change in an instant. 

Flicks 1998, thank you sooooo much for your generous reply. Thank you to the others who responded too. I ended up filling up the form of Padlab and Red Cross online because I watched a blog that said that all other non PAL airlines flights should register with Padlab. I was able to pay through the Red Cross website as well. I read that I should download the Traze app and register upon arrival. I’ve also prebooked a hotel already which is apparently required as well. I think I’m all set in terms of the requirements. Thank you for the great tip to ask for the Red Cross area so I don’t waste time. Have an awesome day😊

Hello and TIA😀

I am booked for a flight towards the end of this month to the Philippines from the US and I have a Philippine passport. I’m not an OFW.

-Can someone pls point me to the complete list of requirements in relation to the Covid restrictions? My destination is Manila.

-I’ve researched but have gotten confused about whether to fill out the Padlab online form or the Red Cross form, and more importantly when to fill it out. Can I fill it out as early as now? Is the Red Cross form only for OFWs?

-How do I prebook a NAIA airport covid test?

Thank you so very much!

Thank you @Jujusmom for the info.  I hope somebody answers my other questions too because my appointment is tomorrow already😬

@Hank_ are you there?

About to renew my e-passport tomorrow and want to keep it in my maiden name because I've been separated for almost a year and will divorce soon. GC holder since 2015, to expire 2028.  I've read in an older post that I do not need to file ROM since I can simply renew my passport in my maiden name.  From what I've gathered so far, I should put my maiden name again on the form (not follow GC married name); I should put SINGLE under the No. 7 "Civil Status" question of the form and choose Status "Separated" even if I'm still married, as we haven't filed for the divorce yet.  TIA to those who would help.🙂 

I really need an answer to the following please,  thank you!!

1. For question # 13 "Applicant's Spouse's Name" -- What do I have to put? N/A? (Is that legitimate  and won't cause them to question me?  Like I said we will definitely do the divorce and been separated almost a year but still technically married on paper.)

2. What other questions should I anticipate from the consulate staff?

3.  In the self-addressed envelope, I should write my name and address under the "To" section and not the "From section right"?

Thanks again

2 hours ago, Hank_ said:

 

Correct.   If you want your passport in your maiden name, you need to use your maiden name on all the forms, etc.     And like said with your green card in your married name, expect them to ask about that ..  so have a reasonable response  (divorced already or ???? )   You decide

 

 

So it's ok for me to plainly tell them the truth that I'm separated and will be divorced soon?  Thank you!

@Hank_ GC is in my married name.  Yes I will be getting a citizenship but I plan to do that once I file and. finalize the divorce.  I've been GC holder since 2015 (first GC). So I should say I'm single instead of separated? And that's ok?  Also, in the application form where I have to put my full name, do I put my maiden name which is in my expired passport that I'm renewing, or name on my GC (married).  Sorry, I hope I'm not confusing you.  I was just thinking that whatever name I put on the application form is what they will print on the new passport. However my current ID (GC) has my married name.  Thank you again 🙂

HellIo and TIA to those who would help.🙂 

About to renew my e-passport and want to keep it in my maiden name because I've been separated for almost a year and will divorce soon. GC holder since 2015, to expire 2028.  I've read in an older post that I do not need to file ROM since I can simply renew my passport in my maiden name.  My questions are the following, thank you!!

1. Do I put SINGLE under the No. 7 Civil Status question of the Philippine Embassy's Renewal Application Form? (I read this advice from an older post and want to know if answer is still current and still appropriate answer because there is no "Separated" status option)

2. Do I have to verbally tell them that I would like to retain my passport name in my maiden name, or will they derive that from the status that I put in the application form?

3. Are they going to ask me during the Embassy interview/visit if I am married? If I say yes, which is of course the objective fact, will I encounter conflicts? 

4. Will they ask me why I want my maiden name when I'm still married?

5. What other questions should I anticipate?.

Thank you so much again for all the help🙂

Hello, from what I understand, the consulate in Florida doesn't renew passports.  If anyone knows otherwise, please let me know, it would be far easier to do.  Also, checking the DC website and they are still closed😞

Thank you.  I was told by the Washington office that an online appointment would still have to be made.  But the problem is that they are still officially closed, and was advised to keep checking the website to see when they will open.

Thank you very much for all the replies.  I would like to just go and do a walk-in because the outreach will take longer.

Hello and TIA to everyone,

My Phil passport had expired and wanting to renew, and I'm residing in Florida.  When I read the consulate website, it said Florida is under Washington DC and one of the requirements is a personal appearance.  But when I called their landline, the voice prompt said that there is no need for an appointment, and that we can just do a walk-in.  I just wanted to know which was which.  Can I just really go in person to the Washington DC consulate with my documents without an appointment?  Thanks again!!!

Hi there!

Just wanted to be sure, latest fee to file AOS, EAD and APD is still a total of $1070 right? Thanks so much!

Thanks so much KayDeeCee!!!

1.) Yes, that is the address for courier deliveries.

2 ) If you are changing your name to your husband's, then yes, use the new married name on all the AOS forms. The name you use is the name your EAD/AP and green card will come with. List maiden name where it asks for other names/maiden name.

3 ) You are applying for permanent residency. You check off 'Status as Permanent Resident'. See example form > http://www.visajourney.com/examples/INS-Form-G-325A-aos.pdf

4 ) You really only need one G-1145, but it will not hurt anything and be ok if you use one for each form.

Hello everyone

I'm a K-1, now completing my AOS EAD AP requirements for mailing. Some questions please. Thanks so much!

1. We are filing from Texas via courier, is below the correct mailing address?

USCIS
Attn: FBAS
131 South Dearborn - 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60603-5517

2. Since we are now married, I should put my married name in all the forms right? (Just want to be really sure)

3. Pls. see attached. What exactly should I put on this portion of the G-325 A?

4. I saw a checklist reference (approved without interview so it must be very complete), where the applicant used three completed G-1145 E-Notification forms (one for each of the AOS/EAD/AP). I don't mind doing this at all. Is this ok?

THANKS SO MUCH!!!