sillygirl

Thank you all! I was expecting to get an interview but was pleasantly surprised with the quick approval.

Hope everyone had a great holiday!

It's a very happy beginning for the year for me... got a letter stating that "Your request for the removal of the conditional basis of your premanent resident status has been approved." Date of decision: 01-06-09.

Hello all!... the prodigal daughter returns. hehehe

Mae whereabouts in Lee's Summit are you? You're probably just a spitting distance away from me... don't have to worry about your driving!

I'm in Springfield, sis... Lee's Summit is just my local office when I filed AOS. Oh yeah, I am so worried about my driving. I tend to be so reckless.

I see... I thought I finally found a "neighbor" here.

That sinigang sounds good! It's my favorite and my husband likes it too. I jst don't cook worth a d***.

Hello all!... the prodigal daughter returns. hehehe

Mae whereabouts in Lee's Summit are you? You're probably just a spitting distance away from me... don't have to worry about your driving!

Hi there! I did go through the process of applying for a good conduct certificate. Below is the email I got from Major Kassim of the Dubai police.

Dear sir ,

Ref to message asking for application form for the good conduct certificate ,if you do send us the

Required documents we will fill the format for you, or it’s better to send it to your friend and she submit it .

Following are the general requirements for a good conduct certificate:

1- Photocopy of your passport showing the U.A.E. residence page

2- Two personal photographs.

3- Records of complete finger-prints, taken by a government agency, and

Dully attested by the U.A.E. embassy.

4- A bank draft of U.S.$35/-, favoring Dubai Police General H/Q., towards

The good conduct certificate fee.

Our address is ; DUBAI POLICE HEADQURTE P.O.BOX;1493 C.I.D.

GOOD CONDUCT CERTIFICATE SECTION

certificate@dubaipolice.gov.ae

BEST REGRDS

MAJOR KASSIM

ÞÇÓã äÇÕÑ

He addressed it as "Sir" even though I am a gal.

I am not sure if that is still the correct fee. you may send an email to the address above just to double check.

Good luck! I hope this helps.

i worked in uae (dubai to be specific) for years. i checked in the reciprocity that the police certificate is waived.

is it true? i know that USCIS would not post any incorrect information. i am just confused.

our attorney told me that we need it. i got it before i left uae but it has an expiration date.

anybody help me plssss......

Hello all!

Haven't been here in ages. There are a lot of new folks here and I'm happy to see that the processing times are a lot faster than it used to be (more often than not, at least).

I need a little help, guys. Can anyone give me names of airline consolidators? Preferebly ones that you've used already. I'd really appreciate it.

There are so many things/foods that i miss, i don't know where to start! Let's see...

For things, I miss

> going to a salon and getting a foot spa (without feeling guilty - because it's so expensive here)

> having food ready when I get home (not planning a menu and cooking it yourself - I'm a lousy cook. Never cooked till I got here.)

> having someone to clean the house, do the laundry and iron your clothes ( )

> hanging out with friends and laughing out loud (and i mean loud!)

> speaking tagalog

> going to a neighbor's house for no reason (chikahan lang)

For foods, Imiss

> crispy pata

> tocilog, longsilog, tapsilog

> LOMI

> sinigang

> Mcdo's spaghetti

> leche flan

> lola's bakareta

> burong santol

> hilaw na mangga w/ bagoong (green mangoes here doesn't taste the same)

btw: we tried to smuggle in 2 pieces of manggang hinog last april... we almost got caught . The dog got a whiff of it's sweet scent and barked at our luggage so the customs officer made us go through the agriculture area. As our bags were going through the xray machine, my heart was beating so fast. But for some reason, nothing came up on their xray so they jst let us through. Boy, I wanted to run right after they said "you're clear" but my hubby tooks his sweet time walking, saying that he doesn't want us to look guilty. Anyways, we tried to germinate the seed but faied.

> bbq (the ones that they sell on the street when night falls)

I have to stop. This is plain torture...I never realized that I lived quite a pampered life back home.

Hi, I'm not sure how helpful my answer will be.... Visa pickup is usually in the afternoon. I did not get a call nor receive a text message because they told me what day and time I can pick up the visa.

As for the CFO office, they don't have one at the international airport. She has to take the guidance/counseling program first then get the CFO sticker at the CFO office in Manila ( http://www.cfo.gov.ph/mapmanila.jpg ).

Hope everything works out for you guys timing-wise.

I wouldn't advice arriving at 7:30 for a 7:30 interview. Give a little allowance, 7am is fine. The guards will not let people in anyway before the scheduled interview time.

Btw, good luck on the interview!

Thanks!

Thanks sillygirl,

Advance happy birthday!!

She can go through the US line with you. I went through the US line with my then fiance.

Then again, it might also depend on what POE you use. Just ask the immigration/customs staff as you are getting ready to go through the lines. They are generally nice and pleasant enough to allow you to go through the line together and not separate you.

Congrats!

That's my bday and i'm predicting that you guys won't have any problem whatsoever.

I just called the department of State and we finally have an interview date!!

does anyone have an August 1st interview?

Congratulations!!! A little delayed but things have been crazy on my end so I really haven't had the chance to visit VJ much.

I also had a really bad case of dry skin when I got here. I used Aveeno and it really helped.

I wish you guys all the happiness in the world.

Thanks Mike,

I'm happy your sweety is adjusting so easily.

Lorna has been here about 4 days and time is flying... She is doing well here in Oregon. I live in the woods and she loves the quietness, birds and squirrels.

A couple of issues....

She is cold until about 70 degrees. so she dreeses warmer than usual right now. I'm sure she will adjust.

All I have is american tv.... she has trouble with the speed of talk sometimes and slang. Again she will adjust and I'm thinking about getting the Filipino channel(I have directv)

One problem is her skin is getting very dry.

We asked around and it seems it could be because of the dryness in the air here compared to PI. I bought her some stuff for her face and one lady recommended drinking a lot of water because her body is used to absorbing the wetness in the air in PI.

If anyone has suggestions on how to remedy Lornas dry skin, please post.

But otherwise its great! She is delightful and easy to be around!!

And YES! It's FANTASTIC to have all the immigration stuff behind us!!!! Thank you LORD!!

Lorna & Mike

Congratulations are in order for a lot of folks here!

Chad&Lira, skeeter, starprog, jelloshot.... i know i probably missed a few.

Pasensya na po, lulubog-lilitaw ako dito. Parang pimple, pasulpot sulpot everynow and then. I try to keep up with what's happening here... not doing a very good job though. napapag iwanan ako ng balita.

Finally! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! I'm so happy for you!

Neat! Congratulations!!!

we are booking our reservation through electronic ticket and it it says there that name in the ticket should match the government issued id.... i dont really know.....

Your passport is a government issued ID (your country's). If you're booking it online, just use the name that's in your passport. At least that's what I did. I'm not an expert, i'm just sharing my experience.

Good luck!

Hi! the airline allowed your husband to book a ticket that's different to your name on the passport? If you're flying international, your ticket needs to match the name on your passport or else they will not let you board. I read a similar thing here in VJ already that they won't let you board if you ticket and passport are showing different names.

I just got back from an international trip and had my ticket booked in my maiden name (which is what's in my passport). I had no trouble going through immigration when I returned (LAX as POE). I just presented them my passport and my greencard. I brought a copy of my marriage certificate but they didn't even ask to see that.

hi guys!

Thanks for all the response, but the airline decline our reservation because the ticket should match with the government issued id, so what my husband did is change my maiden name in the ticket to my married name. I dont know, am just so scared that they might not let me go home because my passport is in my maiden name and my ticket is in my married name. Anyway, i have with me my permanent resident card and INS has stamped my passport too, and i will just bring my marriage certificate with me....

Does anyone has this kind of experience? Please share it to me.... Thanks again and more power to VISA journey...

always,

louisnida

We are glad to have gotten the SSN before marriage because it appears it would be more difficult after marriage (unless you still attempted to do the maiden name version).

Steven & Thea

Not necessarily true. Many applied for their SSN after they are married and had no problem whatsoever. I applied for mine after we were married. And applying in your married name saves you the hassle of doing the name change.

Hi Lucy,

Can I already apply for SSN card before the wedding? Can I apply it while I am still here in manila? I want to have my SSN as soon as possible after arriving in the US so I can start working.

I'd appreciate if you could give me insights on how to apply for the SSN, especially the right timing. Yours is fast if filed only a week.

a K-1 can not apply for SSN until after arriving in USA. After your I-94 expires (90 days), you can not work until you have an EAD, even if you have your SSN. after you marry, you can apply for an EAD with your AOS, but it will take a few months before you receive the EAD.

Thanks. What does EAD means? So it means that even if I already have SSN, I still cannot work without the EAD, right?

EAD is the Employment Authorization Document. And yes, even though you have the SSN, you can not work without the EAD. Until you get your greencard, your SSN card will have the words "valid only with INS work authorization" (or something to that effect).

Timelines for EAD and AOS processing varies.

hello friends,

Do I need to have second dose of MMR and Varicella here in US?..Some of my friends said YES and other said NO..All I remembered St. Luke told me is I will have my TD here in the US.. ..

I hope anybody can clarify me about this..Thanks in advance.

Roxy

I'd like to concur with Sheriff here but something's bothering me...

Have you had measles or chicken pox before? If not, there is one that you do need to get two shots of either one(sorry, can't remember if it's the MMR or the Varicella - i'm getting old). If they gave you two shots in the Phils, then chances are you need another shot for either one AND the TD shot when you get here. I'll look for a copy of my shots to see which one needs two shots and do more research if either one really needs two shots.

Hi all! Got back here in the US @ 1am of the 29th. It was an extra long trip (45hours total, door to door) this time with a lot of long layovers since we had to re-schedule our flight and was on a waiting list.

Our POE was LAX this time and I had no trouble whatsoever going through immigration using my greencard that's in my married name and my passport that's in my maiden name. They didn't even ask for a copy of the marriage certificate. They just input your passport number in their system and I guess it verifies you. But i would still suggest bringing a copy of the marriage certificate, just to be sure.

We had 4 hrs of layover in hongkong, then another 4hrs in LA but we as we boarded the plane for our connecting flight, we were grounded for an hour because there was a dust/sand storm in Phoenix. So, when we finally got to Phoenix, the last boarding call for our connecting flight to Kansas was being announced. We had to run all the way from one concourse to another. Boy, what an experience.

Congratulations to everyone who got their interview dates, their visa approved and got married! Had a lot of catching up to do here.

PW, congrats and like what ate Luzy said, dapat invited kami!

Hey sillygirl, how are you? Are you still here in Manila? I hope that everything is all right with you and your family?

Hehe, eh di nagsawa din ang embassy sa akin. Pag dinis-approve pa nila ako ulit, ala eh, di apply ulit. Sabi nga ni Mike Enriquez, "hindi ko kayo tatantanan!"

Good night everyone. Bed time for me now.

Yeah, I'm still here. We were scheduled to go back on Monday, the 23rd, but we are trying to re-schedule because there are just tooooo much to do. Since I am the only surviving legal heir, I need to get all of my Mom's affairs in order before I leave. I guess I wasn't thinking straight when we scheduled a very short trip here. Should have known that dealing with the government (my Mom was a gov't employee. Phil. air force) will not exactly be a stroll in the park.

My hubby, who's your fiance's katukayo btw, is becoming an expert in driving in Manila. LOL

Anybody planning on getting together anytime soon?

Just dropping by to say CONGRATULATIONS to all who got approved.

PW, guess they decided to approve you coz they don't want to see you at the embassy anymore.

Thank you all for your sympathies and condolences.

Finally got done with the travel arrangements and we're getting on a plane this afternoon... not looking forward to this homecoming.

I don't know what happened here? I am in shock and a little intoxicated. My wife went for a bike ride this morning at 9:30am and never came back. All she took was her money, jewels and passport. I received an email from her cousin in the Philippines 8 hours later that said my wife is safe and for me to move on with my life. I am in shock. I married her in the Phils 18 months ago, she was here 1 day short of two months and she is gone. Day after day she said she was depressed and homesick. The only disagreement we had was yesterday. It was about her $1028.00 cell phone bill where she had been calling the Philippines at $3.00 a minute instead of using our landline international service.

I don't know if I have been used or what. I am just in shock and have nobody to talk with.

Glenn

I am so sorry to hear that Glenn.

I am also going through a difficult time right now. I was visiting with a childhood friend from the Phils. yesterday when I got the call that my mom was rushed to the hospital. After a couple of hours, got the most devastating news of all. My mom didn't make it. I am trying to make arrangements to go back to the Phils as soon as I can book a flight.

I do have some questions... I know I need to book the ticket in my maiden name as that's what's in my passport. But on the return trip, will I have a problem checking in (for the flight from the Philippines and clearing immigration here) with my passport and my greencard having different names?

Any info would be great (especially from the old timers here who still drop by every now and then). I'm sorry to dampen the happy atmosphere here but I didn't know which forum to post this.

Welcome back PW! Are you in tip-top shape now? Here's the updated list as of yesterday.

And Sheriff, where have you been? Fine example you're setting... going on AWOL.

Legend:

OK - Visa approved

AR - Admin Review/Add'l Docs Required

ME - Military Expedite

AO - Age-Out (Derivative approaching age 21)

Name..................NOA2....MNL REC’D..PACKET...INTERVIEW..MNL CASE#..STATUS..DELIVERED/#OF DAYS/PLACE DLVRD

K1 LIST

01..vic&el4ever.....09-07-06..09-27-06..01-06-07..02-01-07..2006-768xxx..OK..Mar 16/ 44days / ???

02..davidjack.......09-05-06..10-04-06..xx-xx-xx..02-02-07..2006-770xxx..STATUS/UPDATE PLEASE

03..binow...........09-20-06..10-02-06..01-04-07..02-02-07..2006-770xxx..STATUS/UPDATE PLEASE

04..mydestiny.......09-21-06..10-23-06..xx-xx-xx..02-23-07..2006-783xxx..OK..STATUS/UPDATE PLEASE

05..gobdogman.......09-07-06..10-20-06..xx-xx-xx..02-26-07..2006-789xxx..OK..but pending baby's birth registration

06..jamrok..........09-29-06..10-25-06..xx-xx-xx..11-24-06..2006-789xxx..OK..STATUS/UPDATE PLEASE

07..pnoy00pogi......09-26-06..10-18-06..01-08-07..02-26-07..2006-xxxxxx..OK..STATUS/UPDATE PLEASE

08..patrick808......10-18-06..10-30-06..01-24-07..03-08-07..2006-800xxx..OK

09..Joone745........10-20-06..11-01-06..xx-xx-xx..03-09-07..2006-800xxx..OK

10..Wes.............11-02-06..11-17-06..12-29-06..03-20-07..2006-818xxx

11..49bstreet.......09-29-06..11-21-06..01-23-07..03-21-07..2006-820xxx

12..maylet29........10-27-06..11-21-06..xx-xx-xx..03-22-07..2006-820xxx

13..kismet..........11-02-06..11-20-06..01-26-07..03-22-07..2006-820xxx

14..iya.............11-02-06..11-20-06..02-02-07..03-23-07..2006-820xxx

15..boch............11-08-06..11-29-06..01-05-07..03-23-07..2006-820xxx

16..B&N.............11-03-06..11-29-06..01-24-07..03-26-07..2006-824xxx

17..Alanlvsjudy.....11-06-06..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..03-27-07..2006-824xxx

18..EllaJosh........11-14-06..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..03-23-07..2006-834xxx

19..DeaniWait.......11-28-06..12-19-06..02-27-07..04-04-07..2006-842xxx

20..wthornton.......11-28-06..12-19-06..02-26-07..04-04-07..2006-842xxx

21..DocMay..........11-15-06..12-12-06..02-26-07..04-10-07..2006-845xxx

22..genlramos.......11-17-06..12-19-06..xx-xx-xx..04-11-07..2006-845xxx

23..DaveandFleur....10-17-06..12-19-06..02-28-07..04-11-07..2006-845xxx

24..George&Jenny....11-27-06..12-12-06..xx-xx-xx..04-10-07..2006-845xxx

25..PatientlyWait...12-04-06..12-27-06..02-26-07..04-13-07..2006-852xxx

26..Kayz............12-14-06..12-27-06..02-26-07..04-16-07..2006-854xxx

27..sanfrancisco....xx-xx-06..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..04-17-07..2006-8xxxxx

28..supra...........12-07-06..01-08-07..03-03-07..04-18-07..2006-860xxx

29..elmasguapo......12-15-06..01-08-07..xx-xx-xx..04-24-07..2006-xxxxxx

30..Dean/Gra........12-26-06..01-04-07..02-27-06..04-23-07..2007-503xxx

31..CocoPuff........12-29-06..01-16.07..03-03-07..04-25-07..2007-5xxxxx

32..Mike Marivic....01-04-07..01-20-07..02-26-07..04-24-07..2007-508xxx

33..MarieandBryan...01-10-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..04-27-07..2007-52xxxx

34..Skeeter211......01-17-07..02-27-07..xx-xx-xx..05-03-07..2007-52xxxx

35..chadandlira.....01-25-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..05-09-07..2007-536xxx

36..Honeysweet......02-01-07..02-20-07..xx-xx-xx..05-10-07..2007-540xxx

37..chadmides.......02-12-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..05-10-07..2007-547xxx

38..David-MaeForev..02-27-07..03-14-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2007-564xxx

39..gracy_byron....02-08-07...02-28-07..xx-xx-xx..05-18-07..2007-xxxxxx

K3 LIST

01..Glenn&Rosemarie.08-29-06..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..01-25-07..2006-750xxx..OK..Feb 01/07 days/Cagayan de Oro

02..KimTung.........10-06-06..10-26-06..12-21-06..02-16-07..2006-792xxx..OK..but advised by consul to pursue CR on Mar 22

03..Archie07........10-16-06..10-24-06..xx-xx-xx..02-16-07..2006-xxxxxx..OK..Feb 26/10 days/??

04..dj2004..........11-16-06..12-12-06..02-27-07..04-03-07..2006-839xxx

05..M&M.............11-20-06..xx-xx-xx..03-02-07..04-16-07..2007-503xxx

06..Jeff&Boo........12-26-06..01-12-07..02-26-07..04-26-07..2007-5xxxxx

07..CherylandMike...02-05-07..02-26-07..xx-xx-xx..05-16-07..2007-546xxx

08..Robor007........02-06-07..02-20-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2007-xxxxxx

IR-1/CR-1

Name.................NOA2.....CASE CMPLT..PACKET..INTERVIEW...MNL CASE#..STATUS

01..Jazzy...........08-03-06..10-17-06..12-30-06..02-08-07..2006-729xxx..OK..Mar 09/ 31 days/ ??

02..w1n78...........09-05-06..11-16-06..02-05-07..03-02-07..2006-764xxx..P4 received in CA - AR hang in there!

03..soulm8z0928.....09-06-06..11-16-06..02-05-07..03-14-07..2006-76xxxx..OK

04..M&M.............09-07-06..11-15-06..02-05-07..03-15-07..2006-765xxx..OK..Mar 19 / 4days / Taguig

05..dims1...........09-20-06..12-01-06..02-06-07..03-19-07..2006-775xxx..P4 received in OR

06..KimTung.........09-26-06..12-21-06..xx-xx-xx..03-22-07..2006-779xxx

07..randynrose......09-29-06..02-06-07..03-06-07..04-20-07..2006-xxxxxx

08..StarProg........12-28-06..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2007-508xxx

09..Robor007........02-06-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2007-xxxxxx