Sherlock23

50 minutes ago, cyberfx1024 said:

If you are close to a BOI office then I would have them go by there first to see if anything they can do. If not they will make you pay when leaving the country at the airport. 

 

I had to pay the overstay fee due to overstating 2 weeks and it was $75USD then in 2012. My daughter didn't have to pay last time because we got the stamp. 

Thanks for the info!

38 minutes ago, Hank_ said:

They need to go to BI (Bureau of Immigration) to get a visa extension for your daughter.    KISS

Thanks Hank!

2 minutes ago, Hank_ said:

Your wife didn't request the BB stamp in the daughter's passport at immigration upon arrival?  

Have they been there over 30 days?   Need to go to BI to get a visa extension for stays over 30 days.   (age of a foreigner has nothing to do with meeting requirements)

No. 

They have been there for almost 4 months today. They were in the Philippines for 6 weeks in 2016 but they did not get any special stamp (just arrival stamp she said) and they didn't have a problem coming back. But 4 months is far lengthy than 6 weeks, so I am worried.

Just now, cyberfx1024 said:

If she didn't get the BB stamp in her passport then you will have a overstay fee for her overstating. Other than that there is no issue at all. My asawa did the same thing with our then 2 year old and will do it again this year with out 4 and 1 year old. 

Thanks for the reply. Where did your wife pay the overstay fee for your 2 year old? Can it be done at the airport upon check in or do we have to go to the bureau of immigration office? Do you still remember how much was the overstay fee? Thanks a lot! I am just worried they will miss their flight if they will have issues at the airport.  

So my wife went with our US Citizen daughter to the Philippines last November. They will be coming back to the US next month. Will my daughter have issues at  check in/ immigration? She's only 2 years old. My wife is a Filipino citizen.

We have not reported our daughter's birth to the Philippine Embassy, she does not have a Philippine passport yet. Maybe too late to apply for it now, for their trip next month. Any one who have similar experience? I was reading about this online, I gathered that she needed to have the Balikbayan stamp on her passport, but looks like she didn't get such. 

16 hours ago, John & Rose said:

I am just about in the same boat with Rose's kids.  School in Manila ends this month.  I spoke to my school and they said just start them fresh next year.  There are tests that they will have to take to get placed so contact the school as soon as they are in the states.  We will do the testing and have them in position for the next US school year.

Thanks for the reply! 

On 3/4/2018 at 9:08 AM, Greenbaum said:

We enrolled our son after he was here for two weeks so he could get acumated. The school district will determine his grade level. We held our son a grade back so he didn't have a lot of catch up to do.

 

Don't worry about friends as kids get them right away.

Thanks for the reply!

To those with school-age kids moving to the US, I hope you guys can help me with my question. My stepson will be done with Grade 7 before he moves to the US. He will be coming here next month. Do I need to enroll him right away or should I wait 'til the enrollment for the upcoming school year. I think it's around August. 

On 7/18/2017 at 10:37 PM, honeykitten2008 said:

Thank you Mellisa. I appreciate your response. I've called the embassy and they said to go ahead and register for the returning address. I've also found out I don't need to be there I just need to send an authorization letter to my mom which is the legal guardian of my son.

Congratulations to you and your son

Hi! My son will be having an interview soon. Can you please share what was asked during the interview for the IR2? What documents were asked (i.e. photos, etc) Thanks!

12 minutes ago, yuini said:

Can we provide scan copies of i-864 and i-864a to give to the embassy during the interview instead of original? It will probably take 2 weeks or more before the original comes, so that's why I'm interested to know. 

I will keep you guys updated after our interview.

8 hours ago, RhineMaiden said:

Congratulations and It sounds like scheduling an interview is the only thing left to be done.

 

- So the general information from the checklist found at the website is this:

• Family-based visa applications: 

- A signed Affidavit of Support from your petitioner and any additional financial sponsors who submitted a Form I-864 on behalf of your visa application.  Applicants may bring photocopies and scanned versions of signed Forms I-864 and associated documents. (Please note that the form must still be signed; typed names and electronic signatures will not be accepted.) https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/interview/interview-prepare/required-documents.html

 

- But THE interview letter says this: 

 

"If a sponsor filed an I-864 (Affidavit of Suppport) AND provided NVC with proof of an IRS Federal Income Tax Return in lieu of a Federal Income Tax Return, you must bring the sponsor's most recent Federal Income Tax Return to the visa interview." (also shown in the attached image)

 

...So the way I understand it, that was the I-864 form itself that we filled up and was originally sent to NVC. The I-864 remains with them, it is already taken care of, a new form/a copy of the form/the original form, IS NO longer needed. In my letter, they asked for the ITR (I am providing the last 5 years along with the W2's) specifically.

Thanks a lot for your help!

4 hours ago, Hank_ said:

I gave you a link to the embassy instructions letter (interview requirements) many posts back.     That link you posted is "ok" but not complete for what the embassy requires.  Do follow the embassy instructions letter!

 

As for the I-864, you may be fine with a copy .. some have done it, but the instructions letter does ask for an original.   Email a copy of the I-864, then if LBC is late use the copy, otherwise bring the original.    

 

 

 

Thanks a lot Hank! I  read the link to the embassy instructions letter you posted! Thanks!

2 hours ago, RhineMaiden said:

Hi! I did get a little paranoid about it but it really is about paying attention to each and every notice, every letter/email prior to the upcoming interview. I realized, had I not done the I-864 correctly, it would of not got past the NVC stage - they will have it corrected over and over if they have to, and they will keep notifying you about it, I had to correct mine once. So until it's all good to go then it's the only time the process goes forward ----- until that Congratulatory letter a few weeks before the interview arrives stating the things one MUST bring. The one you read online is the more general form of the information but in my case, I did everything by the book and exactly by what my emails stated.

 

Attached is that congratulatory letter I received in my mail. They asked for the specifics so that's what we are going to bring.

Thanks a lot for sharing the congratulatory email you received from the embassy. I am still waiting to receive a letter from them with the specifics about our case. Our case was expedited at the NVC stage earlier this month. I am not sure if they had a chance to look into the documents. The  files are now with Manila Embassy. The only correspondence from Manila Embassy we got so far, is reply from them that I can now schedule the interview. They sent me general instructions.

My stepson finished his medical last week and there was no problem. I am going back and forth whether I should schedule his visa interview earlier or if he needs an I-864 with an original signature to bring with him.  

On 1/24/2018 at 12:05 PM, stoney2016 said:

i paid the payment on pay.gov..the counselor only ask for the I-864 affidavit of support. and it was not sufficient told her to tell me to find a co sponsor.. my wife then ask the man do you want our pics or proof of relationship the counselor said no I see you 2 have a baby together and already did CRBA the guy was super nice im assuming he didn't ask much cause we was under expedited process and senator was involved. so once I had my uncle as a sponsor we used his real estate assets and SSA benefits from him I filed out everything scanned it and emailed it to my wife on jan 15 and on jan 16 she sent it to embassy via 2go courier and on jan 21 AP processing updated and said issued and Jan 22 my wife received her visa in her passport.. I booked her and our 16 month old daughters ticket already as well shes already got her CFO sticker did that last night her arrival is Jan 31 at 7:20pm Knoxville TN. I thought f you receive a 221g that you would do another interview but no the USEM Manila was super nice about it and very leanient on the I-864 they didn't even count my daughter they did on mine but my income wasn't counted cause its SSI good thing I did the CRBA for my daughter I thoughtit would be 4 on I-864 so even with my uncle I was worried but nope all we had to show was 25,525 if it would have been 4 we would have been short on the I-864 even the day at interview they explained to my wife what to do and what to show. since we did the CRBA  that's the reason my kid wasnt on my uncles I-864.

Congrats on your approval! Our case was approved for expedite as well. Did your wife have to bring I-864 form with original signature or were scanned copies of I-864 accepted? Thanks for the reply. 

On 1/17/2018 at 9:33 PM, PaoSelle said:

so my joint sponsor(my mother) and her household member(my stepfather) are not in the same location so they can't sign the form i-864a together. I was wondering if my mother can sign her portion scan it then send it to my stepfather and he signs his portion then scan it and send it to my wife and I for her to bring to the embassy in manila(we're on an expedite and one of the required docs are affidavit of support)

Hi, I was looking for a similar answer to your question. Our case was expedited as well. Did the embassy accept a scanned I-864 form? thanks! 

On 2/12/2018 at 5:35 PM, Hank_ said:

If you have access to LBC the use them.  I like LBC

I sent my stepson a newly signed i-864 form but I am worried it might not get to him before his interview. 😭😭😭 Since our case was expedited I have not received a checklist from NVC or the embassy (so I am no sure if there are missing documents I sent at the NVC stage). The embassy emailed me a general instruction that we can call or go online to schedule the interview appointment. 

I read online that a scanned AoS form is fine. 

On 1/30/2018 at 11:42 PM, RhineMaiden said:

So I just had a second look on the interview letter where it says:

 

"If a sponsor filed an I-864 (Affidavit of Suppport) AND provided NVC with proof of an IRS Federal Income Tax Return in lieu of a Federal Income Tax Return, you must bring the sponsor's most recent Federal Income Tax Return to the visa interview."

 

.... so I'm guessing that there is no need to try and fill up a new I-864 form and that I should just send my daughter photocopies of our recent tax returns?

Hi! I have been wondering the same thing. My stepson will also be having his interview soon. Please keep us updated if the embassy asked for new I-864 even if the original was sent to the NVC. Thanks a lot.

Btw, I read this online

• Family-based visa applications: 

- A signed Affidavit of Support from your petitioner and any additional financial sponsors who submitted a Form I-864 on behalf of your visa application.  Applicants may bring photocopies and scanned versions of signed Forms I-864 and associated documents. (Please note that the form must still be signed; typed names and electronic signatures will not be accepted.) https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/interview/interview-prepare/required-documents.html

I sent my stepson an AOS copy that I signed again but looks like they are accepting a scanned copy as long as the form is signed. 

8 minutes ago, Hank_ said:

Never mail anything to the Philippines, PhilPost .. sucks!!! 

 

Use FEDEX/UPS/DHL 

 

You can email copies of everything ( ITR/W2 ) as attachments to print out in the Phils

Thanks a lot for all the help Hank! Do you have any feedback on LBC. 

12 hours ago, Hank_ said:

Not required to file your ITR until 15 April ... you are fine with 2016 if the interview is in March.

 

Immigrant visa?   YES to bringing an original I-864.   Follow the embassy instructions letter.

 

https://ph.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/82/2016/08/IV-Applicant-Interview-Preparation-Instructions-08112016-English-365KB.pdf

 

EVIDENCE OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT. Applicants must provide evidence that they will not become public charges (that is, dependent on U.S. government welfare and assistance).  Form I-864 Affidavit of Support for visa applicants in the IR, F, certain E visa categories, and following-tojoin employment (E) applicants, complete with copies of the sponsor’s U.S. federal income tax return (Form 1040) and wage statements (Forms W-2). The petitioner must provide an Affidavit of Support even if he/she has no income and even if a joint sponsor provides an Affidavit of Support reflecting sufficient funds to provide financial care. Download Form I-864 at http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis.  Form I-864EZ Affidavit of Support. A sponsor may use the shorter Form I-864EZ in place of Form I-864 if ALL of the following apply: - The sponsor is the petitioner; - There is no need for a joint sponsor or a Form I-864A; - The affidavit of support is filed for only one intending immigrant; - The sponsor seeks to qualify based on his/her income alone (not on the basis of assets); and - All sources of the sponsor’s income are shown on Form W-2. Download Form I-864EZ at http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis. Interview Preparation Instructions © CON / IV Communications Unit August 2016 4  Form I-864W Exemption should be filed by the following categories of immigrant visa applicants who are not required to present an I-864: - Applicants who already have 40 quarters of qualified work in the U.S. covered under the Social Security Act; - Applicants who are the children (below 18 years of age) of U.S. citizens who will qualify for U.S. citizenship upon entry into the United States; - Applicants who are self-petitioning widow(er)s of a U.S. citizen; - Applicants who are self-petitioning as battered spouses or children of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.

Thanks a lot for the info Hank! I (petitioner) sent an I-184EZ (together will all the civil and financial documents) to NVC just last month. Our case was approved for expedite and we can schedule our interview soon.  But we can't do it soon enough if I have to mail an original  I-184EZ to my beneficiary.   

On 1/28/2018 at 9:29 AM, windy_0407 said:

Hi. I never got the eligibility letter. But

I called them several times if I could proceed to my interview date without the eligibility letter and I asked if my physical files are actually with them and would be ready when I come for my interview. 

Weeks prior to my interview date they have always said they can't be sure if they could accomodate me without the eligiblity letter. 

Close to my interview date they finally put me in and said Yes I can come on my scheduled date and my files are ready. 

Just keep calling them before you come in even without the letter. 

Hi! We are also in the same situation you were in last year. We  paid the fees at NVC and sent all the documents to them. I was wondering if you had to bring originals to the interview like a newly signed Affidavit of Support form. We still have not received the eligibility letter from the embassy (and it might never get to us before our interview schedule). I am kinda lost what documents my stepson (beneficiary) need to bring during the interview. Thanks in advance for your reply. 

16 minutes ago, Greenbaum said:

The request for the most current Tax Return is simply the tax return that you have filed and has been excepted by the IRS. Since you have not submitted 2017 and it is not past April 15th you are only required to submit 2016. So the 2016 transcripts that you have from the IRS is what your stepson will bring to the interview and present WHEN ASKED.  Advise your stepson to answer only questions that are asked of him, not volunteer ANY information and to keep any answers to their questions SHORT and to the POINT.  What might be an Innocent statement from your stepson, can cause the CO to continue asking questions and digging for additional information and at some point the interview could be over with the possibility that your stepson meant one thing but the CO drew a different conclusion and that conclusion could end his visa chance with a denial. We have seen it happened, so word to the wise.

 

To your second question I submit the following:

 

https://www.uscis.gov/forms/tips-filing-form-i-864a-contract-between-sponsor-and-household-member

 

Thanks a lot for the info Greenbaum! I submitted Form I-864EZ at the NVC stage. When we submit a new one during the interview, should it be signed on the current date, or the same date as I have submitted it before (last December).

My stepson will be having his interview in March. Is he supposed to present the 2017 Tax Return and W2's? The w2's and tax transcripts we sent NVC last year was for 2016. I already got my 2017 w2 but still haven't filed the tax return. Is that something we should rush so we can present it to the embassy? Is the beneficiary supposed to bring an original I-184 form?

5 minutes ago, Hank_ said:

NVC normally will schedule your interview date.  But YES you can schedule your own interview day if your case file is already at USEM.   Embassy asks that you call.       

If you case file is already at USEM, you could schedule an earlier interview appointment.

"Immigrant Visa applicants who already have an interview appointment scheduled by the National Visa Center (NVC) should refrain from scheduling an earlier appointment through the Visa Information and Appointment Service Center without first checking to make sure Embassy Manila has the physical case file.
While we are happy to accommodate earlier appointments, we are only able to do so when we have already received the physical case file from the NVC. When the physical case file is either still with the NVC or in transit to Embassy Manila, we are unable to grant earlier appointment dates. This is because we need the physical case file to conduct an effective visa interview."

Scheduling the Interview:
By Calling (632) 976-8500, (632) 976-8501 or (632) 976-8502.
This service is open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., except on Philippine and U.S. holidays. Callers may speak with an English-, Tagalog-, Ilocano-, or Cebuano-speaking operator.
Applicants, agents or petitioners calling from the United States may also use this service by calling (703) 520-2235.

 

** STAGGERED APPOINTMENT SYSTEM **

In the embassy's continuing efforts to ensure the highest level of customer service, the Immigrant Visa unit has implemented a new appointment system designed to minimize applicant wait time.

Immigrant Visa interviews will be scheduled at 6:45 am, 7:30 am, 8:15 am and 9:00 am. Embassy personnel will facilitate entry of immigrant visa applicants 15 minutes prior to their respective interview time slot.
All applicants who arrive earlier than 15 minutes before their interview time will be asked to wait outside the Embassy premises.

 

 

 

You will still need to create your profile and make sure your delivery address is current.  

 

 

DO MAKE SURE YOUR DELIVERY ADDRESS IS CORRECT 
You have only 24 hrs after your interview to update this information.

To update your delivery preference follow this link: 
http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph/ph-iv-documentdelivery.asp

Thanks a lot for the detailed info! 

*(IR2 Visa application)

Our expedite request was approved and we were notified that our documents will be sent to from NVC to the US Embassy in Manila. All documents have been sent and fees has been paid at the NVC stage. Earlier today, our status changed to "READY".

"Your case is ready for your interview when scheduled at the U.S. Consular section. If you have already scheduled an appointment for an interview, please prepare your documents as directed in your appointment letter and appear at the consulate on the appointed date and time. Otherwise, please wait until you have received interview scheduling instructions."

I am under the impression that we will be scheduling our own interview schedule. Is it okay to go ahead and create a profile to schedule our appointment or do I need to wait for an eligibility letter from the embassy?

Thanks for the reply. 

Just now, Hank_ said:

 Can't complete PDOS until you have your passport with visa in hand.    Patience.

 

Only GCP (for spouses & fiancees of USC only) can be completed early.

Thanks for the reply Hank!