Deanne81

Ok found it!
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/23/23/iacat-revises-departure-guidelines-for-pinoys-traveling-overseas
 
Hold onto your hats, it's a freaking lot. I haven't absorbed it all yet I've just scanned but I already saw that minors traveling must bring birth certificates LOLLL omg. Self funded tourists must bring certificates of employment or proof of financial capability (bank statements??). If a close relative is paying for your trip, you need to bring PSA birth certificates, their work visa and/or OEC, if someone unrelated is sponsoring, you're gonna need a NOTARIZED letter saying you're really just traveling as a tourist.. I cannot. But I'm gonna keep reading.
 
Well here it all is:
 



Self-funded tourists are required to show financial capacity or source of income and proof of employment, aside from the tickets and hotel booking.
If the travel is sponsored by a relative abroad within the first civil degree (spouse, children or parents), an original birth certificate or marriage certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is required, along with documents of the sponsor such as a valid passport, work visa and Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC).
If, however, the travel is sponsored by a relative abroad within the 4th civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, or by a non-relative or a legal/juridical entity, a notarized original affidavit of support and guarantee is required, which should include an undertaking by the sponsor that the travel is solely for tourism purposes and that the passenger shall return to the Philippines. 
“[T]he unreasonable failure to comply with the obligations of sponsorship may affect the assessment of the passenger's future travels and the sponsor's capacity to invite,” Annex B of the revised guidelines said.
The same undertaking is required if travelling with a local sponsor. The local sponsor is also required to execute an affidavit.
Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval said it’s important to establish the relationship between the passenger and the sponsor which could be shown through a marriage certificate or photos, the financial capacity of the sponsor and who the sponsor is, including personal details such as address and contact information, if there’s a need for the Philippine government to locate the sponsor.
“That document po is a legal document and hawak po yan ng Philippine government should there be any problems po and [can] be used in the prosecution of the foreign national who might be aiding trafficking of Filipinos,” she explained.
OFWS


Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) will need to show their OECs and work visas whether they are first time OFWs, Balik-Manggagawa (returning), or direct-hires.
In some cases, a special travel exit clearance is required instead of an OEC, such as locally employed seafarers manning a Philippine-registered ship’s foreign port, seafarers who will still undergo orientation and an emergency change crew for Philippine-registered vessels docked in international ports.
OFWs traveling to other countries during their vacation are treated like tourists. 
OFWs however with questionable documents or expired OECs will be referred to the Deparment of Migrant Workers-Migrant Workers Airport Assistance Center (DMW-MWAAC).
MINORS


Minors traveling with their parents need an original PSA-issued birth certificate while if the mother is not around, a PSA-issued marriage certificate will also be need.
For minors, a travel certificate clearance certificate issued by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is needed if they travel without their parents and other situations, or a DSWD certificate of exemption if qualified under the guidelines.
The guidelines made clear however that minors below 13 years old are absolutely prohibited from traveling alone. 
“Ang hinihingi lang po namin ay birth certificate nung bata, nung nanay. Kung halimbawa po, alam naman natin na yung marriage minsan, hindi naging successful, so kung halimbawa yung bata hindi babyahe kasama ng nanay, doon lang po tayo may mga karagdagang mga hinihingi na certification. Pag kasama ho ng bata yung tatay, kailangan po mapatunayan na nasa kanya yung legal custody. May available naman po tayong form dyan,” a DSWD official explained.
Different documents are required for traveling minors who are the subject of adoption, depending on the stage of the proceedings.
OTHER CATEGORIES



Under the same guidelines, other types of travelers will need to prepare additional documentary requirements. 
Some passengers such as the Filipino spouse or fiancé(e) of a foreign national, or first-time emigrants will require clearance from the Commission on Filipinos Overseas. The same requirement applies to Filipinos holding J1 visas to the United States for an exchange visitors’ program or those traveling under au pair visas.
Volunteers and pilgrims will also need endorsements from the relevant organizations.
NOT MEANT TO RESTRICT TRAVEL, NOT MEANT TO DELAY
The list of additional documentary requirements, DOJ spokesperson Asec Mico Clavano explained, are not meant to restrict travel of Filipino passengers abroad nor delay their flights.
“Hindi naman ho sa naghihigpit po ang IACAT pero ang mandato po kasi ng IACAT ay iligtas talaga ang mga kababayan natin na malamang, magiging victim ng human trafficking. Medyo malala po ‘yung problema na ito dahil marami na tayong mga kaso na mga Filipino, ini-employ sa isang trabaho, let’s say for example legitimate po siya like call center or any other regular employment abroad na yun pala, niloloko lang pala sila,” he said. 
“And we’ve seen it too many times na kailangan pa nating i-rescue sa ibang bansa. So for us, kelangan muna natin i-screen dito pa lang sa Pilipinas and this as I said, is not a curtailment on the right to travel. But really an enforcement of a policy that we believe fits our culture. Na dito pa lang, pino-protektahan na natin yung mga kababayan natin. Hindi na natin kailangan lumabas ng bansa para rescue-hin pa yung mga kababayan natin,” he added.
Sandoval said that based on their data, only a small fraction of passengers were not allowed to board their flights due to lack of the necessary documents.
“In fact po, doon sa data namin, 0.6% lamang ng departing passengers ang hindi napapayagan for not having the proper documentation vis-a-vis their actual purpose of travel. So I think it’s already a misconception because of what is seen on social media na the guidelines are there para madagdagan ang mga requirements sa mga kababayan natin,” she said.
“The thing is, the guidelines were set, laid out by the IACAT for the general public to know what type of documents should I bring, if I fall into a certain category. But again, if I am a self-funded traveler, meaning I am just a regular tourist, mamamasyal lang po ako abroad, then there is nothing to worry about,” she continued.
Both Clavano and Sandoval said the primary inspection of documents will only last 45 seconds while a secondary inspection, if needed under the guidelines, will only last 15 minutes, “unless extraordinary circumstances require a longer period of inspection.” 


During primary inspection, Immigration officers will ask relevant clarificatory questions and require documents needed to “sufficiently establish his/her declared purpose of travel.”
At this stage, a passenger’s departure can be deferred if there are fraudulent or falsified documents or if the traveller refuses to undergo primary inspection.
On the other hand, passengers could be referred to secondary inspection if, for example, they are unable to establish the purpose of their trip or if they have insufficient documents, do not have a visa, or have previously misrepresented any travel information.
During the secondary inspection, the Immigration officer will not just look at the purpose of travel but the totality of circumstances of the passenger including countries of destination, purpose of stay, travel history, age, financial capacity and educational background.
Misrepresentation, doubtful purpose of travel or insufficient travel documents could also lead to a deferral of departure at this stage.
Potentially trafficked passengers, however, shall not only be deferred for departure, they will also be turned over to the IACAT-Anti-Trafficking Task Force (IACAT-ATTF), which will in turn, hand over documents to the appropriate law enforcement agency for questionable passports or the Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of Consular Affairs for all other passports.
IACAT’s crackdown on human trafficking recently led to the arrest of a suspected illegal recruiter whose Facebook post went viral back in May after she complained of being repeatedly offloaded from her international flights despite supposedly having complete documents. 

I tried to look for it but it's nowhere to be found online yet. Stumbled on the IACAT Fakebook page where they've put up a video of the press con where they read out something about it without actually saying what the guidelines are LOL. I actually watched the whole 5 minute video and they only start talking about the Guidelines at the 2.50 minute mark. The video's caption is literally what the man reads out but the video is cut off before he can finish reading the whole thing. The only useful information from all that word salad is "The Guidelines was subsequently published on August 18, 2023 in a newspaper of general circulation and will be effective 15 days from the date of publication, specifically on September 3, 2023."
 
So... meaning... the guidelines will be effective on September 3. And people will definitely find out at the airport. If you know anyone currently in the Philippines, you can ask them to try requesting a copy of the newspaper printed on August 28, 2023 of the Manila Times, where the guidelines were supposedly published:

 
I even signed up for the premium subscription of the Manila Times but it's somehow not working and the Aug 18 issue is locked away. I can only view the front page, the rest of the pages are blacked/locked out. But I have a feeling it's this page specifically that has these guidelines (A5):
 
From the thumbnail:

 
The actual blacked-out page:

 
Anyway, I already wrote in about the issue to the newspaper and see if they can fix it for me.

What matters is her online I-94.  Check if she has one.  
 
If she doesn’t then she needs to go to the CBP deferred inspection facility 

No

No, why would she? You are worrying over nothing, the stamp is not important. Online i94 is all you need.

Just found her I-94 record online. Does she still need to get the passport stamps from CBP or USCIS? 

Yes, sadly. You don't see other countries make their outbound lawful citizens fulfill a bunch of ridiculous demands when they leave. Including the mandatory travel insurance. 

PAL doesn't require it, Philippines the country requires it.
 
Stay far away from Safety Wing, if you try to use the insurance they will give you the run around, I call them a scam.

I mean the coverage start date shall be the same as the date of departure.
I don't recall if there is a written coverage amount required for outbound Filipinos. So I guess it depends on your own discretion considering the high cost of healthcare in the US (in case of hospitalization).

Be sure to buy travel/health insurance before the intended travel as the Immigration Officer checks for it. In my case, the IO read my printed policy and compared the  dates of coverage vs. dates indicated in the airline ticket.

I used Patriot America Plus (with COVID-19 coverage) Note that it is only for those temporary travelers/visitors to the US

1. No, but you know what ER costs here, it’s definitely advisable
2. She needs proof of covid vaccine (fully vaccinated)
3. The vast majority of B visa entrants are on “non essential” travel.
4. Not unless he is her only tie to the Philippines (and they may not even ask). Don’t play games using an address she doesn’t actually live at. If they find she’s lying they’ll assume the worst about why and she could lose her visa.
5. Don’t play games here either, you can’t “increase the chances”. She’ll probably be given 6 months as most are and as she was before, if not you’ll have to change the return ticket. They’ll see when she’s booked to go back.
6. Yes, check if your state requires an international driver permit. 

1. no its not mandatory. but its always good ide ato have
2. no, except perhaps for covid vaccination card ?
3. no,  but approval is always at CBP discretion when she land in the US
4. no issue. visa was issue individually. individual didnt need to travel with their spouse
5. maybe. its at CBP discretion. most case people always got 180 days, but my cousin got for 30 days one time. you cant " increase" ur chances. its at the hand of CBP
6. she can. dont forget to put her on car insurance. she cant drive without her name on the car insurance. well technically she can but just in case and things happened, it will be expensive without insurance

Oh my goodness please tell us you got it back!

Yes that section is very poorly written, in the old instructions letter they left it out totally and ALL (well not all, some did tipped off        ) immigrant visa applicants got a 221g letter requesting the CENOMAR .. which means a CEMAR for those married.
 
I think part of the issue is that PSA requires you request a CENOMAR, then if married PSA will issue a CEMAR (Advisory of Marriage, form 5)

I have gotten the exact same thing. I did not not have the Cenomar during my interview as it says on the instruction to bring Cenomar only if single. Cenomar was marked, and it says send with passport. Make a copy of this letter, print the 221g cover page and fill it in. Send copy of this letter, 221g cover page, Cenomar(which is actually an Advisory on Marriage when you are married) and passport through 2GO. There is no fee in sending documents. But hopefully you won't end up as I did as my application is now on administrative processing after providing all that was required. Good luck to us!

THAT is a 221g.  
 
CENOMAR is one of the required documents.   With PSA a person requests a CENOMAR, if married a CEMAR is issued instead .. just the way  PSA works.     Go to PSA .. get 'er done, then get the CEMAR to the embassy per below instructions.
 
Here is a link to the 5 steps for requirements for the visa interview.  Te 5th step is the documents checklist
 
https://ph.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/family-based-immigration/the-interview/
 
Here is info for submitting documents
 
After the Interview DID YOU RECEIVE A 221g for requested documents?

If after the interview you were given an instructions sheet requesting additional document(s) and then instructions to go to www.ustraveldocs.com?  The web link may be a little incomplete.  (Hopefully the embassy will update this sheet to include a more direct web address)

The website you need are listed below:

Basic instructions:  http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph/ph-iv-documentsubmissioninfo.asp 

Drop off locations:  http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph/ph-loc-documentdropoff.asp

Submission Letter:  http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph/IV_221g_submission_slip.pdf
 
 
 
https://www.visaconnection-philippines.com/us-embassy-usem.html
 
 
Administrative processing is a normal part of the visa application review after the interview.
 
 

Don't worry about the AP status, very likely SLEC notified USEM of the SPUTUM.
 
You are CC with NVC and your case file is at the embassy .. .
 
You will need to complete everything in the 5 steps from the embassy website.  The 5th step lists all the documents that need to be brought to the interview.  Doesn't matter that you provided many of these documents to NVC, you will need to provide them to the embassy as well.
 
https://ph.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/family-based-immigration/the-interview/

Usually within a day or two SLEC has the medical file delivered to the embassy, don't worry on that.  Just call the embassy once you are cleared by SLEC and grab the earliest date, they will tell you what is available when you call.
 
If I were to get anything new I would lean toward the NBI, it is valid for a year but the embassy is known for requesting a new one if it is over 6 months old.    You may be fine, it is up to the CO during the interview.
 
 
Scheduling the Interview:

By Calling (632) 548-8223, (632) 792-8988.  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.

Already started with the new medical date.
 
The expiration date will be on the visa .. be in the states before that date.

Hi TopGear77, how did your passport application go? I just submitted mine last Friday along with my child's. They reluctantly accepted it (as they're just an intake office for DOS). I am anxious if it would be accepted and processed and delivered (along with my originals) correctly and in a timely manner.

There was no passport desk at our naturalization ceremony last Friday, Aug 23rd, we had to go to one of their locations to apply in person for myself and my child. They took my original certificate and clipped both applications' folders together and attached a note. The lady admitted she was unfamiliar of the process where multiple applications share a supporting document, so she was unsure if this will be accepted. She got up a few times to consult her manager, who also seemed to be making decisions on the fly. Fingers crossed the DOS will accept and process them both correctly, and that I get our passports in a timely manner as well as all my original documents back.  

Had my interview yesterday, Aug 12th in Tucson, AZ. I was among the 'lucky' ones whose case got transferred from the Phoenix office. Tip: they said they didn't just randomly pick up a batch of PHX applications to transfer to Tucson, it was all the southern areas (Not sure what that meant, but my friend who filed her application around the same time I did, had her interview and oath taking in PHX. She lives in northeast Mesa and I am from Chandler. Basically I am south of the US-60 and she is north. Go figure.)
 
My appointment was at 8am. Came in with my son but he remained in the wait area-- in case anyone was wondering if they can bring a companion. Got called by the officer into the interview room. He asked the expected questions and some smalltalk. He obviously reviewed some of my application snapshots PLUS previous files. He asked 6 questions for the civics quiz. English speaking/writing test also from the civics review material. He congratulated me and asked me to wait for the oath taking notice. Within 10 minutes I was called again along with 2 others and were given the oath taking information that will take place in Casa Grande, Aug 23rd.

Had my interview yesterday, Aug 12th in Tucson, AZ. I was among the 'lucky' ones whose case got transferred from the Phoenix office. Tip: they said they didn't just randomly pick up a batch of PHX applications to transfer to Tucson, it was all the southern areas (Not sure what that meant, but my friend who filed her application around the same time I did, had her interview and oath taking in PHX. She lives in northeast Mesa and I am from Chandler. Basically I am south of the US-60 and she is north. Go figure.)
 
My appointment was at 8am. Came in with my son but he remained in the wait area-- in case anyone was wondering if they can bring a companion. Got called by the officer into the interview room. He asked the expected questions and some smalltalk. He obviously reviewed some of my application snapshots PLUS previous files. He asked 6 questions for the civics quiz. English speaking/writing test also from the civics review material. He congratulated me and asked me to wait for the oath taking notice. Within 10 minutes I was called again along with 2 others and were given the oath taking information that will take place in Casa Grande, Aug 23rd.