Ara and Ken

And which are acceptable?

Can her passport count as 1 form of photo ID?

Also how many for the CFO seminar? Thank you.

Hi there! This data are based on the CFO site that was sent to me before. You can use this as your guideline. Another thing, you can't use a passport size picture for your visa since they are different in size. There are some photo studio near the US embassy in Manila where you can be sure they're working on the accurate size. Some consuls are very strict when it comes to the picture size, this could cause a delay.

Step 1: Registration and Verification of Documents

- Bring a valid ID with you. You will need this in exchange for a visitor's pass.

- Originals and photocopies of any two (2) of the following documents will be required: passport, visa, birth certificate in NSO security paper, marriage certificate in NSO security paper, NBI clearance. These will be attached to your Guidance and Counseling Form.

Step 2: Issuance and Accomplishment of Guidance and Counseling Form

- You will be asked to sign a logbook detailing pertinent information about yourself (name, address, contact no.). A staff will then assign you to a counselling session, depending on the availability of slots.

- Be sure that you have the following data when filling-out the forms:

***maiden name (surname before she was married) of your fiance's mother

***address (include zip code) and contact number of fiance in the US or abroad

***employment details (job position/field of employment, name of company, and address/tel. no. of employer)

***educational background of fiance (course + highest educational attainment)

- Proceed to Window 2 for digital picture-taking.

- Payment of Php 250 registration fee (they put "donation" on the official receipt though)

Step 3: Film Viewing

- Before the film viewing starts, a SMEF-COW staff will give a brief introduction about the history, services and programs of the office. This will help you understand the role of the center in helping abused and battered Filipinas abroad and preparing spouses/fiances of foreign nationals about what to expect when they are already in other countries.

- A 15-minute Magandang Gabi, Bayan documentary will be shown, depicting the experiences of Filipinas who married foreign nationals and found themselves in a nightmarish situation outside the Philippines. All girls, regardless of which country they will be going to, will watch the same video together.

- The film viewing made me realize that many Filipinas are blinded with the illusions of having a better life abroad and think that marrying a foreigner is the answer to all their problems. Many do not realize the importance of getting to know the person well before giving themselves up for marriage. Love, trust, commitment and respect should be present in the relationship before you think of taking the next big step: marriage and immigration.

Step 4: Group Discussion and Lecture

- At this point, the girls will be grouped according to country of destination. For US participants, there is a maximum of 12 slots per session.

- Among the topics discussed during the forum are forms of domestic violence (whether it's physical, emotional, sexual, social, or financial), employment processes and opportunities in the US, CFO addresses and telephone numbers to contact in case anything of emergency, American culture and what to expect when we get there, what we need to bring (or not bring) for the travel to the US, as well as the visa process and adjustment of status.

- The girls will be encouraged to express their views on this matter, particularly about the documentary shown. This is also an opportunity for them to ask questions and clarifications about immigration procedures, cross-cultural differences, and other relative concerns.

- Note: if you attend the 3:30 pm session, you may want to remind the counsellor (nicely, of course) to not drag the discussion and exceed the alloted time so you can finish everything, including the one-on-one counselling and issuance of certificates. When I attended the CFO, the counsellor made us come back the following day because we weren't able to cover all discussions during the session.

Step 5: One-on-one Counselling

- The purpose of this is to get more in-depth information about the participant and to determine that she understood what was discussed during the open forum. Based on certain circumstances, the counsellor may opt to ask for additional documentation to ascertain that the relationship is valid and the Filipina won't find herself in any untoward circumstances once she is already abroad.

- You need not be intimidated about this part especially if you have a genuine and loving relationship with your husband/fiance. Just answer the counsellor's questions sincerely, honestly, and directly.

- Among the questions the counsellor asked me are:

*** How did I meet my fiance?

*** How long have I known him?

*** Do I really know him well?

*** What are my plans when I arrive in the US?

*** What do I expect when I get there?

*** Am I in love with him?

***Why do I want to marry him?

Step 6: Issuance of Certificate of Attendance

- As proof that you have completed the guidance and counseling program in compliance with DFA Orders No. 28-94 and No. 11-97, you will be issued a certificate of attendance.

- In some cases, the certificate will not be issued until the participant has submitted additional documents and evidence as required by the counsellor.

- As soon as you have this certification, have it photocopied as this will be required for the issuance of the CFO stamp and certificate.

- For girls who don't have their passports/visas yet, this is where you stop in the meantime. Keep the certificate and present it to the CFO officer when you get your sticker.

Step 7: Stamping of Passport by CFO

- It is more convenient now for those who will have their passport stamped because the CFO already has an extension office at the Good Shepherd Convent. You need not go to the Citigold Tower in Quirino Ave. anymore to get the CFO sticker.

- Have these documents ready: photocopy of Guidance and Counseling Certificate, photocopy of visa and photocopy of passport. These will be attached to the form which you need to fill-out at the CFO. Again, take note of your husband's/fiance's address in the US and other pertinent information such as your US visa number because these will be required.

- Payment of Php250 registration fee will be collected.

- A CFO staff will review and verify your documents before your passport is released with the CFO sticker on it.

Well I see there is a bunch of us going to be there around late Oct to mid Nov. any Ideas?

We will both be flying in and I would like to be there one day ahead so I can meet her at airport. ( this is of course when we recive our Interview and Med Dates) last I have heard is NVC sent packet to Minila on Aug. the 11th

Dennis and Yani

PS Want to do it right and have room ready, her mom is comeing with her.. so LOL no hanky panky...

Hi! There's plenty of hotels to choose from along Roxas Blvd. where the US Embassy is just a walking distance away. Like Bayview Park Hotel, Boulevard Mansion, Manila Diamond Hotel, Traders Hotel. These are kinda cozy one, a little bit expensive but very classy. Some are offering a 50% discount. If you want a lower price below your budget, there are some but not along Roxas blvd, still close to the embassy. I think there's one which is $34 per night.

Well, mine was approved on the 7/21 and got touched on 7/22 and NVC received 7/27.... as you can see in my timeline !!!! I had read it somewhere that CSC don't send files straight to the EMBASSY any longer.. but yeah WHEN I CALLED THE NVC THEY SAID THEY DON'T KEEP THE K-1 THERE FOR MORE THAN WEEK....

GOOD LUCK !!!!!

I am glad yours is moving fast. Mine is still not received at NVC.

Ours was approved the same day as yours and it just got to the NVC today. I found out by calling the embassy. they have access to NVC data base and they gave me our NVC #. Good Luck

I have been trying all morning to get through at NVC just to see if they have received my I-129F petition. I finally got through. It's not there yet and he said that it could take up to 90 days before they receive it. Has anyone else been told that?

when the guy told you it takes 90 days. lol you should have said

"Thats bull ######"

I called the embassy and they have access to NVC data base. They told me all about our case by using my last name. They also told me we were approved July 28 and it just takes a couple of days for the NVC to forward most cases. They even gave me our new NVC number.

and i am sure he would have responded differently. haha they had a story here about a train conductor. Like it was time to take off to the next stop but the the passenger jammed the door so the conductor got pissed and swore on the Intercom.

lol so the news lady is like "he used a term that includes the word mother"

haha just beautiful journalism. i love it.

I have been trying all morning to get through at NVC just to see if they have received my I-129F petition. I finally got through. It's not there yet and he said that it could take up to 90 days before they receive it. Has anyone else been told that?

when the guy told you it takes 90 days. lol you should have said

"Thats bull ######"

and i am sure he would have responded differently. haha they had a story here about a train conductor. Like it was time to take off to the next stop but the the passenger jammed the door so the conductor got pissed and swore on the Intercom.

lol so the news lady is like "he used a term that includes the word mother"

haha just beautiful journalism. i love it.

I called the embassy and they have access to NVC data base. They told me all about our case by using my last name. They also told me we were approved July 28 and it just takes a couple of days for the NVC to forward most cases. They even gave me our new NVC number.

YnaYeBa0808 - Let's call on Sunday to check whether they have received our petitions. The number is 011-63-2-528-6300 ext. 5184 or 5185. About three weeks ago, a lady in the Nonimmigrant Visa Unit was kind enough to give me the Immigrant Visa Unit extensions where K1 Visas are processed.

Congradulations you guys!

How did you find out they sent the packages to the embassy already?

I'm curious............for all the members that have been approved the past 7 days or so..........did anyone receive an unusually "high" amount of touches before your approval or did the approval just come out of no where?????

Inquiring Minds want to know!!!!!

Mike

no touch after RFE

Hi, Check out this link http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=24134

Hi everybody

I have a quick question. If I apply I 129F, I have to send the proof of having met in person in past two years right? My problem is I don't have photo together with my Fiance yet. It is ok that i send with my plane ticket, phone bill and visa stamp. If anybody can help me

Thanks

Hey Chang,

One most important proof that you've been together are your photos. If he came for a visit, try to have at least a copy of it.

I just got the email from CRIS.....I'M APPROVED!!!!

All i can say is woowowowow. I only received the one touch that they got my RFE and I was praying I didn't get put to the bottom of a pile. I am so happy, my fiance and I were chatting right when I got the emails. She saw my expression and that I almost feel out of my chair and she knew instantly what happened.

Kudos!!! Good luck on your journey!!!

Congratulations Taye500!!!!!

Hope you'll get yours too soon!!!

I think i saw the first approval at about 10pm eastern time?

Ours came at 11PM Pacific time

I can't still believe it! My Chingching called and ask me to check my email, and lo.... it came in 3 messages saying that our petition was finally approved!!! Thanks CSC for answering my prayers after several days. Hope more will be answered soon.... Good luck!!!

UPDATED MARCH CHART - 01 Aug 2006 12am mst

100 members in March list - to date - Add ara and ken to the approved list as of 11PM Thanks

legend -

Red - ( 17 members) (17%) Approved - your file gets to leave the CSC stacks and to the NVC stack

Black -( 57 members) Waiting - your file is somewhere within the tall stacks on someone's desk

Blue (26 members) - (26%) No RFE yet- file is under someone's desk

Member.......NOA1.....RFE......NOA2.....Orig.SC......F/C

Audrie.......3/05....07/06....07/28......TSC.....Columbia

libragode....3/06....00/00....00/00.................Moracco

danie115.....3/06....07/11....00/00......NSC........Japan

jimCollier...3/06....07/10....00/00.................UK

sleepless....3/06....07/05....00/00......NSC........France

rich&Mar.....3/06....06/23....00/00......NSC........Philippines

tmma.........3/06....07/06....07/25......TSC........Netherlands

kK6pr........3/06....07/05....07/24.................Ukraine

crilvsk......3/06…...07/18…...00/00………...NSC........Romania

sonia&jam....3/07....00/00....00/00.................Canada

johnames.....3/07....07/11....00/00.................Russia

pja200.......3/08....07/13....00/00......TSC........UK

njg1686......3/08....00/00....00/00.................Philippines

A&J..........3/08....07/12....07/31......NSC........Canada

jhags........3/09....07/06....07/25......TSC........Canada

E&K..........3/09....00/00....00/00......NSC........Mexico

onyxrev......3/09....07/10....00/00......NSC........Canada

brendan......3/10....06/28....00/00.................Romania

astro33......3/10....07/05....00/00.................Nicaragua

cherl&tom....3/10....00/00....00/00.................Taiwan

iceyspot.....3/10....00/00....00/00.................Algeria

jkw777.......3/11....00/00....00/00.................UK

hipcat.......3/11....00/00....00/00.................China

mrmrsknite...3/12....06/18....00/00......NSC........Brazil

hafiz........3/13....07/05....00/00......NSC........Pakistan

carol&ovet...3/13....07/05....00/00.................Columbia

david&eli....3/14....07/05....00/00......CSC........Canada

cooldave.....3/14....06/29....00/00......CSC........Vietnam

gary&luz.....3/14....07/06....00/00......NSC........Philippines

geezer.......3/14....07/16....00/00......NSC........Philippines

russtouch....3/14....06/30....00/00......CSC........Philippines

myheartcan...3/14....00/00....00/00......TSC........Canada

jana27.......3/14…...07/10....00/00……....NSC...MI...Germany

mn&k.........3/15....07/11....00/00......NSC........UK

dwar49.......3/15....06/29....00/00......CSC........UK

zaurok.......3/15....00/00....00/00......CSC........Canada

jabree.......3/16....07/13....00/00......CSC........Egypt

ynayeba......3/16....06/28....07/24......CSC........Philippines

meng.........3/16....07/21....00/00......CSC........Taiwan

johnl........3/16....07/06....00/00......CSC........El Salvador

derek&yun....3/16....07/05....07/25......CSC........China

raqiwin......3/16....07/06....00/00......CSC........Philippines

michel&om……….3/16…...07/12....00/00……..........GA...Turkey

srowens03....3/17....00/00....00/00......CSC........Russia

roymcn3rd....3/17....07/10....00/00.................Philippines

rheva&tim....3/17....07/05....00/00.................Philippines

michele'76...3/20....07/05....00/00......CSC........Australia

mrswhizz.....3/20....00/00....00/00......TSC........UK

aikorob......3/21....06/30....07/28......TSC.........Ukraine

ajmc.........3/21....07/10....00/00......CSC........Canada

thom&elen....3/21....07/13....00/00......CSC........Russia

yellow67r....3/21....07/13....00/00......NSC........Russia

william33....3/22....07/12....00/00......NSC........Indonesia

joseph22.....3/22....07/05....00/00......CSC........UK

ghand........3/22....06/30....07/25......TXS........Columbia

kitkat1......3/23....07/10....00/00......NSC........Mexico

jeffery......3/23....07/11....00/00......CSC........S.Africa

wileastmot...3/23....07/11....00/00......NSC........Netherlands

ro&ro........3/23....00/00....00/00.................Pakistan

steveburch...3/23....07/03....00/00......TSC........Belgium

jeane........3/24....00/00....00/00......TSC........Brazil

carlcolorado.3/24....07/13....07/31......NSC........Columbia

ara&ken......3/24....07/11....00/00......CSC........Philippines

miker32us....3/24....07/18....07/20......CSC........Taiwan

michigan'04..3/24....00/00....00/00.................Germany

tpc..........3/24....07/01....00/00.................Nigeria

simplemale...3/24....00/00....00/00......NSC........Bangladesh

luis&Michele.3/24....07/03....00/00......CSC........Peru

mrLonely.....3/27....00/00....00/00......TSC........Russia

ktsuns2......3/27....07/05....00/00......NSC........Spain

eli..........3/27....07/24....00/00......NSC........Canada

gdalicia.....3/27....00/00....00/00......CSC........Mexico

ladygatsby...3/27....00/00....00/00......CSC........Australia

chhoeun......3/27....06/23....00/00......CSC........Cambodia

luvalimey....3/27....07/05....00/00......NSC........UK

ktsuns2......3/27....00/00....00/00......NSC........Spain

rockymtn…....3/27…...07/14…...00/00……....NSC...CO...Philippines

lovebog…………..3/27……..07/14……….00/00…………..NSC…..CO…….Plilippines

travlnmann...3/28....07/11....07/31.....NSC........Russia

pete.........3/28....06/29....07/25....................Philippines

robhank......3/28....07/07....00/00......TSC........Philippines

crystal......3/28....07/03....07/25.................UK

andyd........3/28....00/00....00/00......NSC........UK

andyk1.......3/28....07/13....00/00......CSC........China

texasseoul...3/29....07/11....00/00......TSC........Korea

sbgwolf1.....3/29....07/11....00/00......NSC........Philippines

ld&rd........3/29....06/30....00/00......CSC........Brazil

jozlee.......3/29....07/03....00/00......CSC........Belgium

a&r..........3/29....00/00....00/00.................Jordan

prettygirls..3/29....00/00....00/00......TSC........UK

heelcurve....3/29....07/07....00/00......CSC........Russia

barry2005....3/30....07/07....00/00......TSC........Russia

mlt6977......3/30....07/01....07/28......TSC........Philippines

sudhirbath...3/30....07/03....07/25.................India

tantao.......3/30....07/06....00/00......TSC........Brazil

steph........3/30....06/30....00/00......CSC........UK

biggamer.....3/31....06/30....07/25.......TSC.......Philippines

james/kat....3/31....00/00....00/00......CSC........Canada

martin2d.....3/31....00/00....00/00......CSC........UK

terri'oneal..3/31....00/00....00/00.................UK

ULINGS CSC APPROVALS CHART BELOW

VJ ID.............NOA1.....RFE ........... NOA2....SC

kk6pr.............03-06...07-05............07-24

tmma..............03-06...07-06............07-25...TSC

jhags.............03-09...07-06............07-25...TSC

YnaYeBa0808.......03-16....................07-24

Derek & Yen.......03-16...07-05............07-25

Gwhand............03-16...06-29............07-25...TSC

Crystal...........03-28...06-30............07-25...TSC

samir shannon.....04-05...06-29............07-24...TSC

ABIGAIL...........04-12...06-30............07-21

uzy36.............04-26...06-23............07-21

Marc and Olga.....05-02...06-23............07-24

loonphang.........05-04...06-23............07-25

lisanne...........05-19...06-29............07-24

pee gee...........05-25...06-28............07-25

shalz.............05-30...06-28............07-21...TSC

Keith88gt.........05-30...07-01............07-24...TSC

pre164............06-02...06-23............07-25...NSC

Snowgecko.........06-06...06-29............07-25...NSC

Snowgecko.........06-06...06-29............07-25...NSC

kurkwwalters......06-09...07-01............07-25

Jen& Darcy and Travlnmannn,

This is AWESOME!!! Congratulations to you!

We were approved also at about 11PM pacific time I guess they work late.

I was tapped...my official RFE date was 7/7.

Well we were touched again today also. Our RFE was was July 11th and our first touch was July 28th and now again on July 31st. I think I see a pattern forming, I hope so.

Up in the upper left hand corner of our Imbra RFE there was a A#. This is new to me, Its different than the WAC# Does anybody know what it means or what they use it for?

We were touched today for the first time since our RFE receipt date of 7/11/06. I noticed someone else with the same RFE date was also touched today. If so it will be interesting to see what happens next.

This poll is just for the "VERY MUCH WATCHED".....CSC.....MARCH ONLY.....POST IMBRA............................ (between March 07th & March 31st ) petitioners.

I checked the Immigration timelines and there are currently 1,046 (VJ) (CSC only) petitioners listed. Out of the 1,046.....there are 58 (VJ)...(CSC)...(Post IMBRA {after march 6th}) petitioners.......

Out of these (VERY MUCH WATCHED) 58 petitioners, HOW many of you have already received your RFE's???????

Please post a response. Thanks

We have a March 24th NOA 1 and a RFE date of July 11th hope it helps. You can check out our timeline

Hi there,

I'm new to posting on this site - it has been a great find though, thanks to everyone for all the info over the last few weeks of nail biting...

Just wanted to let people know.... I just got an e-mail saying our case was APPROVED and an approval notice was mailed on July 21, 2006!!!

Our NOA1 date is April 12, 2006. IMBRA RFE was received in the mail on 06/30 and we returned it 07/03. Got the usual e-mail acknowledging receipt of the RFE on 07/08.

Hope this means NOA2s for all will be coming in the next few days.....

Good luck.

Abigail.

Congrats! I hope and pray that ours is coming soon.... Can't sleep well anymore

All these people getting touches from transfers and such is wonderful news, but I can't help but feel . I haven't heard anything since they sent my NOA1 back in March. The last touch I had being the day we were put into the system on March 20th. I know many others have waited tons longer, but it gets so hard to be optimistic at times. I haven't been touched physically since April 25th. That is 50 days out of 365 so far that I have had to spend away from the person who makes me smile. I won't say it's not fair, because I find that such an unwise thing to say, because if life were fair we would deserve all the things bad that happen to us. I hope more than anything that the USCIS gets their proverbial heads out of their behinds and gets this all together. Waiting on this is awful. I couldn't help falling in love with someone who isn't from here. I can't move there to be with him. We are doing this the legal way and all I feel is that the United States government is so sloppily run and we just allow this to continue. We voted for these people who are putting things into effect without having a plan on how to implement what they have voted in. I am all for Imbra. I am all for anything that keeps people safe in a world that is so full of violence and danger, but I am also for being smart and having a plan to back up what I pass. Why is it so hard?

We also have not been touched since our NOA 1 on March 24th. I am hoping thats a good thing!

Does anybody know what happened to the temporary restraining order against IMBRA that was issued in Georgia or Ohio? Could the government be waiting to find out the decision before they act?