scott300hp

Hi Senka,

This a little off subject but I noticed in your message you said you had 16 items of evidence....wow! I'm in the same boat as you as I'm preparing my I-751 packet to be mailed by mid January. I know that everyone's situation is different but could you share what those 16 items are? I'm racking my brain to come up with as much evidence as possible.

Thanks so much~Scott

After a little research, I answered my own question....

Go to .... http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-751instr.pdf

Looks like right now the fees are - $465 (filing fee) + $80 (biometric fee) = $545 total

Check or money order is accepted. See the link above for FULL details.

Very quick question.....If any, what are the fees to submit the I-751 packet and what methods of payment are accepted? This website is awesome.

Just wanted to thank you both for your input. Since this was posted we found a civil surgeon who charged us $53 to fill out the I-693A supplemental form. That's it. It's this kind of feedback from members that makes this website so helpful. Thanks again.

My wife is here on K3 status. She is Filipina and had her medical exam in Manila on 4/21/06. When she finished that exam, the only thing she was given was a "Vaccination Documentation Worksheet" that states what vaccinations were given and what she still needs.

I understand that when applying for AOS, she needs to have a I-693 filled out by a civil surgeon. I contacted my local civil surgeon and they said it would be over $400 for another medical. They said that if I had proof that she already had the blood work and full physical done, it would be considerably less. I explained that as an applicant for a K3 visa she had to undergo a complete medical exam at St. Lukes in the Philippines to obain her visa.

(I mean, she couldn't even be here in the US unless she did that medical exam!!)

The problem is, she was never given proof of the blood work, eye testing, or urine analysis that she had done at St. Lukes....only the vaccination documentation worksheet. And since then, my wife has been to the local health dep. to have the other neccessary shots.

My question is....does my wife need to have another "full physical" with all the bloodwork again? Is that normal?

I thought I read on here that someone just took their "Vaccination Documentation Worksheet" to the civil surgeon, payed $70, and had a I-693 supplemental form filled out.

Help!! What do I do here? I don't want to have any uneccessary exams or costs!! Any feedback would be much appreciated.

Approved! I'll write more later but my wife and I just stopped by an internet cafe to check email. We both saw the green and white strip "Approved" sticker at the last window so we're in good shape. Just waiting now for the delivery. I'll check back in later.

Thanks for the wishes and all your help PW. I leave from Tampa today and arrive in Manila Wednesday morning. My wife will be meeting me there. Everything went smoothly at her medical and we're so excited that we're going to be together again soon. I'll be sure and post after the interview.

Thanks for all the responses

My wife will be having her Medical Exam on April 20th. While she HAS had her shots, she comes from a very rural province and they do not have records of her vaccinations. Since she cannot provide proof or records of these shots, I'm sure she'll have to have them again at St. Lukes. Will these cost extra or is that included in the $95 medical fee? ....if so, how much?

Thanks for any responses.

My wife will be having her Medical Exam on April 20th. While she HAS had her shots, she comes from a very rural province and they do not have records of her vaccinations. Since she cannot provide proof or records of these shots, I'm sure she'll have to have them again at St. Lukes. Will these cost extra or is that included in the $95 medical fee? ....if so, how much?

Thanks for any responses.

You should be able to find those forms on the internet...you will also need to pay for the interview through the BPI. There was a form in the packet for that and I am not sure where to find it. Have you tried calling the embassy?

Yeah, I got the DS forms off the internet okay and even filled those out with my wife. She has them. But, I just thought that I remember reading that the bank will know the difference between a DS form downloaded from the internet, and one in the packet. Maybe not, not sure. Yes, I do have the form listing the different banks to pay for the interview. Fortunately, a VJer posted that a while back. But, it wasn't a form to be "filled out" (is it??), it is just a form listing the different banks you can pay at. I'm calling the Embassy now.

(sorry for the repitition, I posted this in the "general area" and meant to post here in the Manila Thread)

Well, we've waited and waited but still no packet 4 for my wife. I went ahead this week and sent her a copy of the appointment letter that I received. I never got a complete packet, just the appointment letter, and my wife never got squat. Her medical is scheduled for April 20th and it's already April 7th. We know that she needs to bring the copy of the appnt. letter, 2x2photos, passport, and all vaccination and x-ray records. Is this all she needs to bring? I mean, based on other posts we feel confident that we know all the contents of the packet already, but someone said that the DS-156(k)(157) forms may be a little different and the bank may only accept the ones in the packet when stamping them. Have I waited to long to ask the Embassy to forward the packet? Will St. Lukes receive it in time?

Thanks for any responses.

Well, we've waited and waited but still no packet 4 for my wife. I went ahead this week and sent her a copy of the appointment letter that I received. I never got a complete packet, just the appointment letter, and my wife never got squat. Her medical is scheduled for April 20th and it's already April 7th. We know that she needs to bring the copy of the appnt. letter, 2x2photos, passport, and all vaccination and x-ray records. Is this all she needs to bring? I mean, based on other posts we feel confident that we know all the contents of the packet already, but someone said that the DS-156(k)(157) forms may be a little different and the bank may only accept the ones in the packet when stamping them. Have I waited to long to ask the Embassy to forward the packet? Will St. Lukes receive it in time?

Thanks for any responses.

ive never seen this off the front page ever was shocked to see it fall off. anyways 14 days left till yove's interview. question she was goin to stay in her province up north. but i think she would get her visa faster staying in her apt, in makati what do the masses think or know ?

I've been asking the same question recently and here's what I found out. Your right, she should get her visa faster if she stays in/close to Manila. From what I understand, the courier (DELBROS) service takes about 3-5 days delivery in Manila, 5-7 to other major cities (Cebu, Legaspi, Bocolad, etc...), and 7-10 days for other provinces. After the interview, when you are paying the courier, you can tell them where you want the visa delivered. Hope that helps. I'm getting excited too, 24 days until my wife's interview!

Hello all,

My fiancee is in Manila and looking for a plane ticket. She has only been able to find one that will get her from Manila to Los Angeles. They are saying they can not get her any connecting flights from Los Angeles to my Chicago, Kansas City, Des Moines or St. Louis...

Is there anyone that is dealing or has dealt with the Philippines that can help me out here? There has to be a aganecy in Manila that can book the enter trip to one of the places listed above...

Thanks in advance..

wilhulse

Wilhulse,

My wife has her interivew on April 27th and I just got finished making arrangments to go there, be with her at the interview, and come back together. I see your interview is on April 19th. I bought our tickets online. Bottomline, goto www.TFITOURS.com . I just went there and filled in the information for a oneway ticket from Manila to Chicago O'Hare (your area, right?) It returned 2 available tickets for $655 (that's with taxes included) returning May 8th or 22nd which is a pretty good price. No need to give passport or other information. All you do is put passenger name and pay with a credit card. I've bought tickets through this site on 2 different occassions and it is reliable. They also get your tickets to your door within 4-5 bus.days after purchase (of course thats like $15 extra). I also bought tickets (onway) online at www.ONETRAVEL.com. I just checked that site for you and they have a ticket available for $661 with taxes for May 8th (MNL - CHI O'Hare) They are the same, reliable, more affordable, and safe. I hope this helps. If you need any help with this you can send me a PM Good luck!

BTW- all the tickets I just mentioned have one layover in Hong Kong (not overnight!)

If you are the agent of choice that the NVC sends notices to, I doubt that your wife will receive ANYTHING from the NVC or the Manila embassy. My wife did not.

I used USPS Global Express Mail (GEM) to send my wife the package that you just received from the NVC. IIRC, it has the letters about immunizations, location of St. Luke's, interview documents required, etc. in it.

I would make a copy (scan it, if possible) of the appointment letter. It is the critical document to get into St. Luke's and then the embassy. If the express snail mail does not reach your wife in a week, send her the appointment letter by fax or an e-mail attachment. Your wife will need any proof of vaccinations that she has received before the exam at St. Luke's.

I took a copy of the NVC package with me when I went to Manila to attend my wife's interview. She had the originals that I mailed her.

When I got the appointment letter, that's all I got. No packet with letters about immunization, location of St. Lukes, interview docs. required, designated banks to pay fee, etc... It was just one letter. (BTW - What is IIRC??) On the appointment letter I received, it did say that my wife was mailed a complete packet and should be receiving it shortly (well, we know how that goes).

So, I'm going to send her a copy of the appointment letter and NVC letter. Other than that, was I correct about the process of calling the embassy to forward the packet to St. Lukes and then having my wife call to verify that they got it?

Oh, I got the full phone number on the website to contact the embassy so nevermind about that - 011(63-2-528-6300) Thanks again.

Ok, just starting to get a little worried. I know it takes time for the packet 4 (for my wife) to be delivered, but her medical at St. Lukes is on April 20th and still no packet. If she doesn't receive it by April 5th, I think we need to do something.

From what I understand, I can call the Embassy (WHAT IS THE FULL PHONE NUMBER??) and request that they forward my wife's packet to St. Lukes. Then, my wife could go anytime as long as she calls St. Lukes in advance and make sure they have her packet there. Right? Also, I DID receive the appointment letter here at my house in Florida, should I mail her a copy of that to bring with her?....is it necessary? Will she need to bring any documents? I thought I remember reading that if you do this, she will need to bring a copy of the NVC letter (with case number) and a copy of the appointment letter.

Help! Is this correct? Can someone explain what to do if she doesn't get her packet in the next couple of weeks. Its getting so close and the closer it gets, time goes by faster (Thank God!) Thanks for any help

I currently have my father as my co-sponsor. He is retired and receives 2 pension checks. But, he also files his taxes. If I'm not mistaken, even though her aunt and uncle only have SS and pension checks, they should still be filing taxes. My dad has been retired for over 10yrs. and done his taxes every year since his pension checks still count as income. Rather than W-2's, he provided me the original letters he receives on an annual basis that state his income for his pension. As far as your specific question, I'm a little stumped though because I don't see why they are not filing their taxes.

Wait, ok...I just spoke to my father. He said that although he does not receive W-2's, he DOES receive a letter similar to a W-2 that gives specific earned amounts to file with his taxes (in February). He also informed me that it is possible that if a couple doesn't "make enough money" with SS and pension,.....they are NOT required to file taxes at all. He then proceeded to tell me about my aunt and uncle who each receive SS checks, have a Roth IRA investment, but NO NOT file taxes because of their income level. There! ...now I hope that helps!

I currently have my father as my co-sponsor. He is retired and receives 2 pension checks. But, he also files his taxes. If I'm not mistaken, even though her aunt and uncle only have SS and pension checks, they should still be filing taxes. My dad has been retired for over 10yrs. and done his taxes every year since his pension checks still count as income. Rather than W-2's, he provided me the original letters he receives on an annual basis that state his income for his pension. As far as your specific question, I'm a little stumped though because I don't see why they are not filing their taxes.

Wait, ok...I just spoke to my father. He said that although he does not receive W-2's, he DOES receive a letter similar to a W-2 that gives specific earned amounts to file with his taxes (in February). He also informed me that it is possible that if a couple doesn't "make enough money" with SS and pension,.....they are NOT required to file taxes at all. He then proceeded to tell me about my aunt and uncle who each receive SS checks, have a Roth IRA investment, but NO NOT file taxes because of their income level. There! ...now I hope that helps!

Looking back at your question....just wanted to add something. Not to step on anyones toes, but I would imagine that if they are not filing their taxes at all, they are probably ineligible to be co-sponsors and may not meet the 125% poverty level. She would just need to inquire as to why they don't file taxes and what their specific annual income is.

Just like John, I flew out of NAIA 3 times last year (May, Sep, and Dec) and the 550php fee was all I paid also.

I just attended my wife's IR-1 and my stepson's IR-2 interview in Manila.

From the list:

1. Embassy had the I-864 from last year. It was still good.

2. Not required.

3. Not required (I participate in the TSP retirement program as a federal employee).

4. Two photos of wedding surrendered and were sufficient.

5. No phone statements required. We did submit e-mail and letters/cards.

6. Not required (but evident by the stamps in my passport).

7. Not required.

8. Not required (my wife uses an ATM card).

9. Not required. Embassy had our 2002, 2003, and 2004 returns in the file.

(Note: 2005 return may be required for interviews after 15 April 2006).

10. Appointment letter is only required to get into embassy.

11. Embassy only asked for NSO copy of my stepson's birth certificate.

12. Only two passport photos of each person required, but extras do not hurt.

13. Not applicable to me, but probably required if you use a co-sponsor.

14. Passports do not have to be new.

Overkill. You are going to stress everybody out needlessly.

I have nothing against preparation. You will find that the vice consul will look favorably upon the fiance/husband attanding the interview and that will remove a lot of the questions that might be asked. If you sent all the required documents to the BCIS and NVC, they will be in the file.

Just be ready to recall important dates/names/places accurately from memory.

I realize that most of these things will not be needed but why risk not bringing them? I don't know what will be asked for considering every interview is different. And since this is one of the most important days of our lives, why take a chance? Maybe a bit overkill, but perhaps appropriate. Thanks for the feedback....as always, very apprecitated. BTW, what do you mean by important dates, names, places to recall?

What kinds of questions were you asked? Thanks ~ Scott

My wifes K-3 interview in Manila is one month away (4/27) and I'm just stressed about making sure I have everything necessary. I'm going to list here everything I have prepared for the actual interview. If you see anything I've left out or ANYTHING...I'm open to suggestions.

1. 2 notarized Affidavits of Support (with supporting documents)

-Employer letter, letter from officer of bank, etc..

2. 5 original recent paycheck stubs (Showing over 125% poverty level)

3. Original Roth IRA investment statement

4. Over 200 photos (wedding and other trips to the Phil.)

5. 3 most recent cell phone bills ($500+)

6. Evidence showing my 3 previous trips to the Phil. in 2005

-including iteneraries, boarding passes, hotel confirmations, dining receipts, etc...

7. Evidence to show my family (Mother, father, brother) came to the Phil. to attend the wedding and will

be coming again now during the interview (copies of their tickets/iteneraries).

8. Statement from bank verifying wire transfers to help suport my wife

9. I have my original W-2's and Turbo-Tax print outs of all my taxes for the past 3 years. Now, these

are just print outs but of course include the 1040's. They are not "certified copies" of my tax returns but

I do have the original W-2's to back it all up. Is this okay?

10. Original NOA letters and NVC letter / appointment letter

11. NSO Birth Cert's and NSO Marriage Certs. (with originals)

12. 2x2 photos's (plenty)

13. Notarized co-sponsor Affidavit of Support (if needed) with 3 recent year taxes w/original pension letters

and original title of house.

14. Passports valid for at least 5yrs. out

And finally, I will be there to "go over" possible questions prior to and attend the interview with my wife.

Whew! I think that's it. I just want to make sure that we are 110% ready. I hope this may have helped others who are in the same situation and trying to prepare.

Is there any other information I should know or anything else to help me prepare? Thanks for all the information.

Thanks so much for all of your responses! That's exactly what I was looking for!

I forgot!!!

As for the questions, they were all so simple, and it would depent on who is interviewing of course. Ours was a guy not more then 30 years old and I think he was impressed I was there with her, but of course I got interviewed as well. Things like why him? or Why her? We didnt have any letters or emails, I just showed him $2000 of phone cards and the VOIP bill and the VOIP (voice-over-internet-protocol, basically I hooked her up with an Illinois phone number in the Phillipines). Pictures didnt seem to be too important to him, he just glanced at them and put them away. I do I need to stress : Affidavit of support and W-2s, they need this all in order to do anything for you, dont look like an idiot and not bring these things, or try to get away without them, they are hardcore about it!!! I saw a couple of cases there when there was not that included, and some of them this was their 3rd or 4th interview!!!

Other then that, remember at the end Window 35 is for those who cried about doing their best and Window 36 is for those who goes home and you know what the prom queen!!

Flipicaneze,

Thanks for all the information. What were the specific questions asked? Where was your visa delivered? If approved, can I tell the Embassy to mail to a hotel in Manila? Also, I have my original W-2's and Turbo-Tax print outs of all my taxes for the past 3 years. Now, these are just print outs but of course even the print outs have 1040's and are very detailed. They are not "certified copies" of my tax returns but I do have the original W-2's to back it all up. Is this okay? I also have 2 notarized Affidavits of Support (with supporting documents-employer letter, bank officer letter, etc..), 5 original recent paycheck stubs, original investment statement, over 150 photos, 3 most recent cell phone bills ($500+), evidence showing my 3 previous trips to the Phil. in 2005, evidence to show my family came to the Phil. to the wedding and will be coming again now during the interview. And also, I will be there to attend the interview with my wife. Is there any other information I should know or anything else to help me prepare? Thanks again ~Scott

I've seen some posts on here stating that you can tell the Embassy, after the interview, where to send the visa. My wife lives in Masbate (very rural province) and if we had the option to have the visa delivered to a hotel or friends house in Manila, we may get it much quicker. Anyone have any information on this or know if this is true for the Philippines? Thanks.

Does the last 3 years include 2002-2004? ..or 2003 to 2005? My 2004 exceed the 125% poverty easily but my 2005 does not due to the time I spent in the Philippines. So, obviously I would much rather bring my 2002-2004 because then my most recent (which seems to pull some weight) would be okay. HOWEVER my 2002 and 2003 don't even come close since I was in college full time (I attended college in my late 20's). I have my official transcripts showing this. Any suggestions ? Thanks, Scott