T_and_A

You can be a contractor working for someone else. The person you work for doesn't pull out anything for taxes or unemployment tax, the contracter is responsible for paying all the taxes.

As an employee (W2), the employer pays taxes on the employee.

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-1099-form.htm explains it a lot better.

Congratulations!!!

WE JUST GOT CALLED TO PICK UP THE VISA!!!!!!

HAPPY DANCE!!!!!!!

Window 34!!!!!!

WOW, THAT WAS FAST!!!

MY REQUEST FOR A VISA PICKUP AS WELL AND I WAS GIVEN A PURPLE STUB BUT WHEN MY FIANCE CALLED THE EMBASSY EARLIER, THE EMBASSY SAID THAT MY VISA ISNT PREPARED YET, HUHUHU!

WE WERE HOPING FOR A FEB14 FLIGHT....

TIM Y, DID YOU CALL THE EMBASSY TO FOLLOW-UP THE PICKUP? OR DID YOU JUST WAIT FOR THEM TO CALL YOU?

THANKS IN ADVANCE!!

when printing the DS156 form, since there should be 2 copies of DS 156 that will be submitted, does it have to be the same barcode or do you have to just print 2 copies of the same barcode? or does it have to be two different barcodes for each?

the barcode contains info you entered on the form. it helps speed up processing when you go for your interview.

Last time I tried using Xoom, my bank's fraud detection blocked the transaction. I ended up using moneygram, was cheaper than xoom.

I also tried putting Acel on my account, they wouldn't put her on it until she signed some paperwork.

Thanks for this link.. This is indeed very helpful..

I'm just wondering on packet 4, there were DS156, DS157 and DS 156K forms included... When bringing it to the interview, do i have to use those forms and handwrite it or is it possible to fill it out online and print it directly so everything will be neat and clean? (not that my handwriting is that bad, but it will be more clearer and cleaner if it will be printed.. hehehe... lol )

The next question is... where does the barcode on the form come from? How do i get it? Who issues the barcode?

Am i right in saying that in paying the visa fee, the bank will validate one copy of the DS157 and this will be the same exact form you have to bring with you on the interview?

any clarification on this one anyone? Im confused here...

thanks

Hi, this is where you get the barcode. Fill out this form and then click CONTINUE. it will generate the forms with your barcode. THEN you print it out.

DS 156 Form for barcode

yes you will bring the bank validated form to your interview. It shows you paid for the visa. All these forms are not expired. They are good until 9/08 or 2010.

DS 157

DS 156K

Chris

Oh yeah CFO...Forgot about that ..that will be March 6 or 7..No he is not packing yet because I made him shop clothes in PI because clothes here in the US for guy is expensive ..But as soon he is done shopping, i will make him pack ..that's how crazy I am to be with him!!!

Question.. Where are you guys in the States?

Cause if your in the North East or North West.. It would be better to buy clothes here.. Winter clothes.

Howdy.. South here!..very little snow and sometimes not even have snow on winter time

Well, howdy...

I am living in the south as well...in Nashville.

Your case went thru pretty quick, I filed back in July and Acel's interview is scheduled for March 3rd...she isn't planning on coming to the US until end of March/first part of April, she wants to spend Holy week with her family.

I'm just wondering on packet 4, there were DS156, DS157 and DS 156K forms included... When bringing it to the interview, do i have to use those forms and handwrite it or is it possible to fill it out online and print it directly so everything will be neat and clean? (not that my handwriting is that bad, but it will be more clearer and cleaner if it will be printed.. hehehe... lol )

The next question is... where does the barcode on the form come from? How do i get it? Who issues the barcode?

Am i right in saying that in paying the visa fee, the bank will validate one copy of the DS157 and this will be the same exact form you have to bring with you on the interview?

any clarification on this one anyone? Im confused here...

thanks

I think you will be allowed to bring a companion with you. Don't think they would be that bad.. I agree, just have your companion bring at least 2 valid IDs.

Based on what I read in various posts, no one is allowed to go inside the embassy with the applicant during the interview. I am a disabled person (I walk in crutches) and I'd like to bring a companion with me (my sis-in-law) to assist me with carrying my things and documents (it's bulky I'm sure). If this is the policy, should I write a letter to the embassy to inform them with this concern to allow my companion to go with me during the interview? Thanks in advance for your valuable info.

Thank you for this link.. http://www.chant07.com/2008/02/preparation...nts-before.html

I was actually wondering how i will arrange my papers and documents when i go to the interview.. what order it will be.. stuff like that.. but this answered my queries...

If you want to take a peak on how I arranged mine you can visit me here:

Documents for Interview

Congratulations...

approved and speechless

I just use my Cell Phone. I have Sprint service on their SERO plan (http://delivery.sprint.com/m/p/sprint/epc/epclanding.asp and use email address savings@sprintemi.com if you want to check it out). I pay the $4 International Long Distance Plan and my rates are $0.19/minute for landlines and $0.23/minute for cell phones. Might not be the cheapest way to call, but well worth the price for the convenience of being able to call from anywhere.

Thanks for this post...

Congratulations!!!

I hope everyone gets approved.. including ours!!!

I'm hopeful with God's help.

Is there anyone else there who could also share their embassy interview experience esp those who came alone for their interview?

Thank you..

You usually have to get Police clearance in the Philippines from city hall / municipal hall. It's not hard to do. Just go to closest city/municipal hall where your fiance is. I got mine from Quezon City hall as i live in QC. Will only take a few mins of filling up forms and picture and paying the fee. Not big of a hassle. I hope this helps..

Hello everyone!!! I was wondering if anyone knew the procedure on getting a police clearance? My fiance lives in the Philippines and we wanted to know if she should go to the U.S. Embassy there and get her police clearance. We filed for a K1/ I129F on Nov. 19 2007. We want to have everything in order so when these things are needed we can have them taken care of. Here it is Feb 2 2008 and our paperwork hasn't even been touched. Anyone with some insite on this we could use the advise. Thankyou to all, and God Bless! Glenn and Cathy

Cebu pacific site is not working online lately..Problems with booking online. I cannot book a flight online as well, I had to go to their booking office. Will be best to just have your fiancee do it.. will be cheaper too.

I just tried to purchase tickets online and their site said it could not process my order try another card. It did this for all 3 of my credit cards.

I am trying to purchase tickets for Charry and her friend Joy so they can goto Manila for the interview next month.

I tried calling their phone number but got stuck in an endless loop of music and adverts waiting for someone to answer.

Does anyone know if they are open 24/7? Because there is no time listed on the site and the phone didnt say there was noone there to answer.

Marc

you may want to check the sample forms here in vj...

Hi Guys,

Need your help on filling out form DS-156 specially questions 26, 27 and 32.

Question 26 asks you "How long do you intend to stay in the U.S.?" - How did you answer this? I mean we intend to live there until probably forever right and be with our love ones?

Question 27 asks "What is the purpose of your trip?" - What did you put in there?

Question 32 asks you "Do you intend to work in the U.S.?" - The answer for me would be YES but i still do not know where will i work there? Is is ok just to put "NONE" and answer YES?

Thanks again for all the help!

Actually this is a great idea... I will let you know if i can make it by then.. If i don't have work then i most probably will go and celebrate with you!!! do you mean we will be together before interview and after? Nice bonding activity we will have... hehe...girls night out!!

T_and_A if you are on March 3 maybe you can join our celebration night time of march 3? We will stay at Bayview hotel and planning to have parade dawn of March 3 going to US Embassy. So far Che and Neren agreed to this silly plan. Seriously, you can join us on Bayview and can go to embassy together. If we all got approve, we will have small party at night..Celebrate!

Congratulations!!!

YAHOO!!! finally have my visa...it was issued under my maiden name, no need for me to have my passport amended after all. now for the CFO seminar and interview...

God bless everyone!

Thanks... Good luck on your interview too..

And to add, IT IS OK TO ASK RATHER THAN GIVE THE WRONG ANSWER... hehehe...

You have to have presence of mind on the last interview before they release the results. Sometimes they ask tricky questions. If you are unsure of the question, you can ask them again and make sure you understand each other or you are on the same page.

Haha, I remember when the guy asked me "where is the scar.." I didn't let him finished the question and just pointed my nose (my scar from chicken pox). He laughed and repeat the question that he is asking for the scar I got from BCG vaccine. So by the time he's aking the chicken pox scar he answerd it for me that it's on my nose.

And relax and manage to smile even if the doctor is not so nice.

This one really helps. Just answered her questions with smile.

For those who are having their medical, pls avoid going to SLEC on Mondays and Fridays, someone told me that great number of people come in those days compared to Tuesdays-Thurs. When I had my medical, it was wednesday and thursday, I spent 1 hr and 30 mins on my 2nd day at SLEC (that includes vaccination and releasing).

Congrats Acel!

I took my medical thursaday, jan31, 2008 and got results yesterday.. I would just like to share my medical experience at SLEC

I decided to take early medical.. I'm scheduled Feb 25th but decided to take it as early as possible. I thought it would be to my advantage to take early medical so at least i'll get it over with (also means i'll be one step more to being with my sweetheart!!! ) . They will allow you to have early medical as long as you have the original appointment letter.

These are the things you have to have with you:

1) APPOINTMENT LETTER ( photocopies of the appointment letter too)

2) PASSPORT ( if it would help, i also had my passport photocopied anyway... )

3) PHOTOS ( they say 2 photos but bring more!! I advise about 4 ) , you need to put your name at the back...

4) PEN ( ballpen preferably not sign pens )

5) FEE ( i paid about PHP5945 )

6) others: they may ask you for old film of xray more than 3 months ago to compare results with

FIRST DAY

My sked was suppose to be at 7:30 but i left early and got there before 7. THere are already lots of people by then but not too crowded compared to around 9am..

approached the guard, who is always nice. Greeted him good morning and with smile usually helps alot..

Guard will ask for appointment letter and will mark it but will also ask for the photocopy, (keep your original appointment in safe place after guard gets the photocopy. You will use it at the embassy interview) will give you the Personal Data Sheet (PDS) that you have to fill out inside.. Make sure before you get in, Manong guard puts a mark on your hand so you can go out anytime in case you may get hungry and not being asked or reprimanded by the other guards. Manong guard will also give you a guide, it really helped me alot and kept it handy, made everything smooth..

A few tips: if you have any relatives abroad, you NEED to have the complete name, address and contact information for them too as it's required on the PDS or they may ask you to fill that out anyway on the second day if you fail to fill it in. and all other information you failed to provide. Also the address of your fiance and contact information. I actually managed to memorize my passport no and the case no so it came in handy while filling out the forms. BTW, its also best if you will get all your documents in a see through folder so it will be easy to pull it out esp in the crowd.

After cashier checks your PDS, you will be asked to pay the fee.. (on the guide, it will give you respective floors ). After paying the bills, you may go through the medical procedure.. Mine is xray first, then blood, urine, vital signs (heartbeart, pulse, BP, height, weight, etc), eyesight..Immunization interview : they ask you if you already had chicken pox and you have to show marks for it, also same with the CFG mark or keloid ( bakuna which is usually on the right/left upper arm) I had difficulty with mine since i didnt have a keloid from it...which usually happens when it was taken when you were just a baby. I also asked my mama what all are the immunization i was given when i was a child. It willl come handy on the interview.. Then you have the physical exam, in which they will check everything... ask you to take off everything.. breast, history of sickness.. if you were hospitalized, stuff like that.. (just answer as honestly as possible as they will know if you are saying the truth or not). And relax and manage to smile even if the doctor is not so nice.

then all is done..

you will be asked to get an appointment date for the results along with the receipt that you paid for.

DAY 1 is so easy and i was done by 10:30 am

NEXT DAY! painstaking waiting for me though... My second day didn't go that well..

Things to bring on 2nd day:

1) appointment letter from yesterday

2) passport

3) pics 2x2

4) pen

My schedule was 9am.. I thought coming in early will be of help.. I came in at 8:30 am, showed my appointment sked to the guard. Guard will check if your records are ok or not. If ok, if you agreed to take your immunization in Philippines, (coz you have an option to just take it in US), then you will proceed with immunization and just wait for the results at counter A-F. Painstaking waiting for your name to be called.

As for my case, my records are not in yet.. I was thinking either i came in too early that my records are not yet completed or my records were not just finished yet.. I got there at 8:30am, have to proceed to counter A.

After 2 hours... nothing yet... I usually ask around from the staff there but they wouldn't really entertain any questions and would only inform you to wait for your turn. You will understand as you can see everyone doing their job and trying to serve as many people as possible. Patience here is actually needed. Good thing my sweetheart also called me when i asked him to, just for moral support. Since you couldn't approach any one for any answers, I managed to run after the other staff on the way to his lunch. So i told him that I've been waiting for my turn since more than 4 hours ago and would just like to ask if that's normal for that to happen. He said that he really doesn't know but said not to worry as if i get immunized for that day, i most probably will get the results the same day. I got some relief on that and went back to my seat and just a few mins after, my name was called. I had to wait until past 130pm before my name was called for the first time ---> immunization.. Before that it was really boring... may have to bring a book with you or something to do like ipod maybe or something you can do while waiting. I had my immunization by 1:40pm already.. The nurse was kinda perky when i had my shot.. Reminded me not to get pregnant within a month after the vaccine. hehehe... Then asked me to wait back to counter A-F for my name to be called again.. that means continuous waiting. My butt is aching from sitting already. Good to have my snacks with me. I finally got my final interview and results by 4 pm.. You have to have presence of mind on the last interview before they release the results. Sometimes they ask tricky questions. If you are unsure of the question, you can ask them again and make sure you understand each other or you are on the same page.

They took my passport and informed me that they will be the one to forward it to the embassy. gave me my xray film and had me sign all the paperwork that needs to be signed. They make us use the signature you had on the passport always.. So if you happen to have more than one signature, use the one on the passport. You may also ask the final interviewer if it means you are good with medical. Usually they say as the case may be, if you are immunized that means, your medical is ok. Got this from one of the friendly staff there, actually was my lucky charm. I went home exhausted and a bit fever from the vaccine. But Im really glad that it's done and over with..

Good luck to you all... Good luck to us for the interview.

Acel

We are on the same sked too..

I hope to see you on the interview day...

BTW, i got my packet 4 last jan 24...

God bless us all!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

hi everyone here

i got my visa and i will travel to usa within 10 days

congratulate me

samar

My last trip to the Philippines, I stayed at both Cherry blossom and Adriatico Arms. Both are ok places to stay and are about the same price. Cherry Blossom is right next to Robinsons Place and Adriatico Arms is about 4 blocks away.

I thought Adriatico Arms was a little nicer place but no elevator (or atleast that I could find). It is a small hotel with only 28 rooms. My girl friend's family stay there when ever they go to Manila.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonigirl/222783135/

Adriatico Arms

Address: 560 J. Nakpil St. at Adriatico St

Phone: 2/521-0736

Fax: 2/525-6214