KansasDragon

Ann and I arrived here in Kansas after spending 2 1/2 great weeks together in the Philippines visiting her family and friends.

We came through Seattle as our port of entry, and had a great experience. The Officer who reviewed Ann's papers made her feel great, and very relaxed when he started talking to her in Visayan and Tagalog, and joking with her. He explained things clearly to her, and to me.

We arrived home Tuesday night about 8PM, and since then, Ann has spent many hours chatting with friends and family in the Phlippines, and calling our Pinoycalls phone in Mabalacat to talk to her mama and papa.

The Rice has been cooking.

Ann thinks Kansas is VERY, VERY Cold...But I'm trying to keep her warm..

Her CFO Seminar went great, she was prepared with answers about my divorce, my mother's maiden name, my address, my work, etc. She even had copies of my divorce papers, and birth certificate in case there was any questions. Her Sister attended the CFO Seminar with her, since her paperwork is getting closer to being finished.

So, our next steps.... Social Security Number, Getting Married, Opening Bank Account for Ann, Starting to teach Ann to Drive, AOS.. All the fun stuff.

It's sure great being with her everyday.

Thank you to all of you that have helped SO MUCH!! We have been very blessed with an easy process, because of all the great advice, guides, and comments from the members here. This place if GREAT!!

Take care and God Bless!!

Barry and Ann

Thank you all for your experiences. Ann will be attending her CFO in December (I'll be the guy sitting outside patiently waiting, looking totally lost).

Your experiences will help us make sure to have all the items we might be asked for, and to prepare Ann for the possible questions. At least if she's expecting the questions, they won't come as a shock, and will be easy to answer.

I think a very fancy photo/memory album, with a note from you, how you're looking forward to filling it with all of your experiences together. Take a few of your favorite pictures, and put it in the first page, and label it "The Beginning"..

I'd recommend your Fiancee print another couple copies of the Affidavit of support, sign it, and send it to you on the US Postal's Global Express Guaranteed. It will probably cost about $50, but will be there in 3 days or less.

Then you can arrange to take the requested documents back to the Embassy.

Congratulations! Hope you have a safe and joyous trip to the USA.

P.S. Are you buying box of Red Horse and San Miguel Light for all of us to celebrate?

All Ann took with her were my W-2's, last years tax forms, a letter from my employer, and I had my two banks give me a statement of my average balance for the last 2 months. (I'll guarantee you, it wasn't an impressive number.)

You should be fine as long as your above the 125% Guidelines.

Actually a personal check is the best option from your standpoint. Then you can easily track it with your bank to find out when it's been deposited.

There is no reason you can't buy the 2-Way ticket. It won't cause any problems.

You might want to call the airlines ticketing office, instead of a broker. I was having the same issue with arranging Ann's tickets out of Manila to USA, but when I called United Airlines, they gave me a price that was lower for the one-way. Round trip was going to be about $1500, the one-way ended up being about $1100. Not 1/2 of a round trip, but $400 is still worth the phone call.

RenShirls29,

Have you and your fiance met in real during the last two years? Do you have proof of your being together?

I'm guessing YES, since you've made it to the interview process. The engagment ring is not a big problem. You could have him send you a copy of the receipt for the ring. And if they ask, just tell them the truth, that he is bringing it to you, in December.

Everything should be fine, relax and prepare for your interview.

Take care, and God Bless..

Annie is from Bohol originally, and lives in Pampanga now (for a little while more). She is fluent in Visayan, Tagalog, and speaks English well. And someone is teaching her a little spanish, and making me crazy...lolz

If possible, get a letter from her father, stating that he is aware of the engagement, and approves of the upcoming marriage. If there is any proof of the mother's death, she might want to have that along to show that her mother is deceased.

Even if he lives on another island, hopefully someone can get a letter either in person or by postal for her.

What family does she have a lot of involvement with or live with? An older sister or brother? An Uncle and Aunt? If I were in your shoes, I'd also have her get a couple letters from them also. Just to show overall family approval.

Have you tried to help him explore the Filipino community in your area? Is it possible there is someone in the Filipino community that maybe has work, or can assist. I'm sure he would be much more comfortable in his first USA employment, if he had other Filipino's around.

Secondly, what kind of work is he trying to get? If he likes cars, but does not have the necessary training to do repairs on current vehicles, he's very qualified to do Oil Changes, Tire changes and repairs for companies like Walmart, JiffyLube, etc..

OMG - $405.50 (You had to make that pee in the pool so obvious to everyone didn't you)

Had sex with your best friend??? DUH!!! I'm marrying my best friend.

hmmm.. The big issue I see with the Key Logging, is two fold..

#1 - It shows lack of trust. I'm in the Computer industry, and when an individual asks me about key logging to monitor a spouse, I always tell them I'm not a divorce attorney, because once you've hit that point, you're on a downward slide very quickly.

#2 - I expect Ann to have conversations with family and friends in the Philippines that are not going to be 100% Positive about me and the USA. She needs somewhere to discuss her frustrations, fears, concerns, and emotions, other than just with me. I don't anticipate her transition to the USA being effortless and without frustration, loneliness, and homesickness. But we also both anticipate those facts, and are prepared to deal with them. So, if I was key logging, I'd just be stealing her relief, and adding to my concerns...Not a healthy situation.

The 90 days to me seems short more from a logistical standpoint. Getting here, getting settled, changing my blank bacehlor pad walls into "a good arrangement", planning a simple wedding, meeting family, and trying to work, will make 90 days go very fast. (Plus adding in buying a rice cooker, proper pot and pans, finding the right kinds of rice and fish...)

Of course, having known Ann for almost 3 years now, we know each others emotions, strengths, weaknesses, fears, finances, and of course she knows how ugly I am..

If we had known each other for only a few months, and then started down the Visa Journey, maybe I would have all of those worries, but then I'd be planning to slow down, and make sure before I bring her here.

Have him contact his previous Employer, they should be able to give him a copy of his W2 very quickly, and then he can fax you that also.

I'm confused. Niagaenola says "If you filed for AOS after July 30th and you paid the New fee $1010.00 the the cost of AP and EAD is included.... you can file for the AP and EAD along with the AOS or you can file for them after you have recieved the NOA1...." then AOS Despair says AP costs $305....

If you file for AOS, do you, or do you not, have to pay for separately AP?

StoryAngel, Sinice you are still in the process of getting your visa, you will be paying the $1010.00 for the AOS. Since you will be paying the $1010.00, you can file for your AP and EAD for no additional charge.

People who have already arrived in the USA, and already filed for their AOS, back in July or before, paid a much lower fee for their AOS, and the AP and EAD were separate fees.

You just need to plan for paying the single fee of $1010.

Interesting.. I never saw Ann or any of her sisters or cousins eat the head when I was in the Philippines. So, I did not.

But I did eat the dried fish, both the full size and the little ones (minnows, lolz). They smelled really bad cooking, but actually had a very interesting flavor.

Sorry I did not respond sooner about the price. I think it cost me about $55 to send it. It was very reasonable.

Congratulations to both of you!

I hope the newest Georgia Peach and her Hubbie, have a great, long, and happy life together..

DHL, Federal Express, and US Postal's Global Express Guaranteed can all do it in about 3 days.

I used Postal's Global Express Guaranteed and it arrived in 2 1/2 days in Annie's hands in Mabalacat, Pampanga from Kansas, USA. The US Postal's Global Express Guaranteed is actually shipped on FedEx, and delivered by FedEx in the Philippines.

lol, I told Ann if no waiting area, then I chase the girls..

We're going to just play it by ear. I've already been informed that we MUST go to the Mall after success. So I think the movie is later..

thanks for the ideas. I like the Internet Cafe Idea.

Ann is waiting to attend the CFO Seminar until I arrive in the Philippines.

After reading Deputy's guide, I understand that I will not be allowed to attend the seminar with her. Is there a waiting area? Or is there somewhere else that I can wait while she takes the seminar? She will attend the seminar in Manila.

Welcome to VJ, and best wishes for a smooth journey..

You've found the greatest resource available for your journey. I've talked to several people who have used attorneys for the process, and I've discovered, that by doing the paper work and the processes yourself, not only do you save a lot of money, but you also understand what is going on, you prepare better, you're not nearly as nervous, because you have the great support of the VJ Family.

This site and it's members are absolutely FANTASTIC!

Fasting is not required, but if you're like Ann, and don't like injections and Doctors.. Then you're too nervous to eat before going anyways.

Ann was lucky and allowed to bring in her cousin for the Medical. But that was because one of the guards is a friend of her cousin.