trodeback

We got an RFE for the i-129 & i-485. They both took about 2 weeks before we got a response that it was approved. 

• For my wife embassy interview I rented 1 day stay in Airbnb on 23rd floor of Grand Riviera Suites (Roxas Blvd. corner Padre Faura St., Ermita Manila) for $30/nt. This was right across the street from the Embassy. There’s a walking skybridge over Roxas blvd that will let you cross the street and get to the Embassy from the south. 

• Stayed 10 days in Airbnb in Crimson Hotel Filinvest City (near wife work). Great location with 7-11 at bottom of building & under road walkway that puts you at the front entrance of Festival Supermall Alabang. There’s also a grocery store on the side of the mall facing the Crimson hotel.

• Stayed 7 days in Airbnb in Studio One, Northgate Cyberzone (wife work). Very small condo but was able to both stay for allotted time comfortably. Lots of 24-hour companies in area so always lots of foot traffic around. Across the street is a small outdoor mall with handful of eating (Chowking, Jollibee, McDonalds, Dunkin’ Doughnuts, 7-11). E-jeepney during the day that takes you to Festival Supermall for 11 peso.

• First visit to Manila we stayed in Waterfront Manila Pavilion Hotel & Casino in the Ambassador Suite for approx. $60/nt. Great buffet & close to Manila Doctors Hospital, National Museum of Natural History, & maybe 5 min walk to Jose Rizal National Monument. Unfortunately, this hotel had a fire in March of 2018 and looks like it has still not re-opened for business. 
• Stayed 1 night in H2O in the jellyfish room. Mostly did this to have an entire day in Manila Ocean Park. Don’t see ourselves going back. Room was nice (especially bathroom) but was relatively expensive compared to other hotels in Manila (around $80) and the jellyfish weren’t that impressive (especially because you don’t even face them on the bed while you sleep. Also, the noise from the hallway was too loud for my liking. There was no breakfast included in the stay. 
• Stayed 3 nights in Hyatt City of Dreams (free, using credit card points). Probably the nicest hotel I’ve stayed in while visiting Manila. Really nice pool, casino, and grounds in general. Room was very nice. Nothing really within walking distance, so anywhere you do is through grab. Abt 15 mins to MOA w/traffic, 40 mins from airport. It’s in a developing part of the city, I think there’s a Mall being built right next door, but for the time being wasn’t too walking friendly for surrounding areas. I believe most people who go here stay the entire time so I’m not your normal hotel guest. We didn’t get a room with breakfast included, I’m not even sure if they offer that. There were lots of eating establishments available but they were all at additional cost to our stay. 
• Stayed 1 night in Holiday Inn Express Manila Newport City before flying back to USA (free, with hotel points). Its inside Newport city that is segregated apart from the rest of Manila. Rooms are small, hotel kind of made for the travelers going to and from NAIA airport. Very walking friendly inside Newport with lots of fast food choices and has it’s own Mall. Has a skywalk to go from inside Newport City to NAIA Terminal 3. The hotel also has airport shuttles that will take you to each NAIA terminal (all my international flights were out of terminal 1). Breakfast was different in they gave you a piece of paper that was good for one breakfast meal from a bar located in the foyer of the hotel. 
• Stayed 3 different times in Microtel by Wyndham right next to MOA at the end of SM by the Bay wharf (approx. $65/nt). Across the street is the Conrad hotel with the really nice mall underneath it, next to that is MOA. SMX convention center also across the street. It was about a 15 min slow walk to the Esplanade Seaside Terminal where you board the boat for Corregidor Island tours. Overall my fav hotel to stay in while I’m in Manila. Lots of places within walking distance with the MOA so close. Hardly any traffic on the road where the hotel sits. Great view of the wharf, bay, and Conrad hotel. Went out every night to walk along the wharf and visit MOA after returning to hotel. Has a great view of the bay from the top floor that is open. Also pool on the top floor and lots of seating. Breakfast buffet was also really nice every morning. We always got a 2-queen room and one time were lucky enough to be there for a firework show so we had one of the best views available for that (FYI: most of the rooms are actually facing towards the wharf). So would recommend this hotel above anything else I’ve stayed).

I signed and emailed everything she needed. I didn't mail any documentation with my physical signature on it. 

Paperwork (i-485, i-864, i-765, necessary documents, pictures, filing check) was done and mailed out May 15th for K-1 adjustment of status to permanent resident. Sent to and arrived at USCIS Chicago Lockbox May 18th.  

No e-notification or paper letter received as of today. Tried looking up notice times for sending the I-485 and people are saying they got one the following week. Also, filing fee check has not been cashed. 

Just getting a little nervous not getting anything going on 3 weeks now since the paperwork was sent and arrived at location.

Documents accepted by NVC on Dec 2nd. Called the NVC and was able to get MNL # and Invoice ID. Not sure what we should do next. From what we've read online the documents will be sent to the Manila Embassy. Not sure if my fiance can/should fill out the DS-160 form? I looked up my MNL number and it says the documents are still at the NVC as of Dec 19. Just unsure if we need to do anything for the documents to be sent to Manila. Fiance would like to schedule a medical exam and interview ASAP if she can. 

1 hour ago, ThomasNC1988 said:

I sent my most current bank statement in with mine just because I had it handy. If you recently got your job it would probably be a good idea to get an employee letter from HR that says when you were hired, how much you make, and that your job is permanent. 

I have given her my past 5 months of deposit slips, and can give her recent bank statements as well. They are all accessed online so I assume I don't have to mail any of these documents, she can just print them off when I email her the PDF? 

I also have an Employee letter from HR stating when I started, how much I make, and that I'm a full time permanent employee. 

45 minutes ago, Hank_ said:

You said spouse ... are you married?  What visa are you pursuing?   Yes I know you said K-1 ... there is not a spouse with that.

 

I-134 is for the K-1, Fiancee visa   <  don't go by the form or instructions too closely .. embassy wants income information and copies the most recent tax return & W2.    Embassy is not interested in assets or such.

 

This may be helpful   http://www.visaconnection-philippines.com/k-1-visa-application.html

 

I-864 is for the Immigrant visa (spouse)   this you follow the instructions

43 minutes ago, geowrian said:

A couple items...

1. If she is your spouse, then you cannot continue the K-1 process. That would be fraud. You must be free to marry - and remain free to marry - the entire time from I-129F to entry into the US on the K-1 visa.
2. The I-134 is for a K-1. The I-864 is for AOS later. There is no I-184.
3. Manila COs rarely ask for an I-134, but having one prepared is suggested just in case they do.
4. It sounds like you're confusing W-2s with tax returns. W-2s are not tax returns.
   1. A tax transcript (https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript) is the simplest way of providing a tax return copy. Otherwise the 1040 + all W-2s/1099s/etc. works fine.
   2. For the I-134, a tax return is not strictly required. Some COs want to see this for any applicant, but I don't believe Manila COs do this. Current income is king. Current income for an employee would be best demonstrated via paystubs and an employment letter.
   3. For the I-864 later, the last 3 eyars of tax return incomes must be listed, with a copy of at least the most recent years tax return copy.

1 hour ago, ThomasNC1988 said:

First things first just calm down a bit. Next don't say things like spouse or wife or wife or hubby, just for cautionary purposes. You need the 134 because that's what they want. The bank stuff is really more for if your income doesn't stack up to the requirements. I sent my most current bank statement in with mine just because I had it handy. If you recently got your job it would probably be a good idea to get an employee letter from HR that says when you were hired, how much you make, and that your job is permanent. They are more concerned with your current and future income than your past income. If you are truly worried it could be worth delaying the proceedings until you file 2018 taxes. Lots of experience with the Philippines around here and they can give you some good ideas on how things move there I imagine. 

Fiancee, I misspoke 

Sorry I meant fiance, we are not married

We are in the process of completing a k1 visa (paperwork is with NVC currently). I was going through the checklist of what my spouse will need for the interview and she was showing me checklists of things she found on various blogs. I was filling out an i134 and noticed that it doesn't require stuff like a W2 (unless self employed), but the i184 does require last years W2. So now I'm confused if I will need to file for an i184 or if the i134 is sufficient.

i134 says the following documents need to be presented:

Submit in duplicate evidence of income and resources, as appropriate:
A. Statement from an officer of the bank or other financial institutions with deposits, identifying the following details
regarding the account:
(1) Date account opened;
(2) Total amount deposited for the past year; and
(3) Present balance.
B. Statement(s) from your employer on business stationery showing:
(1) Date and nature of employment;
(2) Salary paid; and
(3) Whether the position is temporary or permanent.
C. If self-employed:
(1) Copy of last income tax return filed; or
(2) Report of commercial rating concern.
D. List containing serial numbers and denominations of bonds and name of record owner(s)

I'm just afraid if this is going to be enough now or if I should try to file an i184 also. I'm afraid of giving previous years W2 information as I was only working part time in previous years because of attending school. I have only been working full time for the last 8 months at my current job (that does meet minimum poverty level requirements).