Fogi

7 minutes ago, Jpoy said:

@RO_AH @Paul & Mary @Fogi @snmsm

 

I'm going to start prepping my docs starting next week for the CRBA and thank you for the help.

 

Would these documents suffice the part where I need to prove that I had 5 years of physical presence in the U.S.?

1. W2s

2. Income Tax Returns

3. School Transcripts - Middle School, High School, and College

4. Military Records

5. Passport

6. Social Security Earning Statements

 

Also, Can a 'reference letter' from a co-worker be much of help as a documentation to prove my physical presence in the U.S.? How about pictures?

 

Thanks much! 

I used the following:

1. Letter from employer stating tenure and salary. I know they don't need the salary, but this is a standard letter employers issue. 

2. Passport stamps showing when I left and returned. (I had just gotten a new passport about a year before, so most of this came from an old passport). 

3. A single months electricity bill, a different month phone bill, and a different month cable/internet bill. This was overkill I suppose. 

On 2/21/2020 at 2:18 PM, dnavinnie said:

I believe anyone with a good heart can get tricked when you want to believe the best in people.

Some people have very little experience with people, which leads them to believing the best in people. You can have a good heart and be skeptical. 

1 hour ago, boris64 said:

I knew my wife was a keeper when her family built a new CR for MY first visit))))

Nice! My wife's family let me use their car whenever I wanted. Even the day they met me, I always thought that was cool. Never asked for anything other than physical labor a few times. Normal son-in-law stuff. I hear the horror stories, I always wonder how a guy can get tricked. I think the guys getting tricked have very little experience with women in general, or they're thinking with the wrong brain. 

7 minutes ago, John & Rose said:

My wife's was in 2011 and half of that was under the table gifts.  They really started watching for that over the last few years.  I'm not sure what the official amount was but I'm guessing without the "gifts" it would have been around 150,000 to 200,000 pesos.

She got lucky that a annulment lawyer happened to be in the family, she got the family rate. It was offered to speed some of the process up, like the sending of documents, updating documents. Those "gifts" were less than 20,000 php. That's just a few thousand here or there to get a pencil pusher to move a piece of paper to the top of the pile. Maybe sped things up a few months at the end. 

5 minutes ago, John & Rose said:

Nope but there are a lot of "fixers" that make that promise.  Unfortunately the CO is well versed in recognizing fake annulment documents.  I've see that happen a few times.

 

Our annulment was 18 months and 350,000 pesos and my wife knew the judge and the attorney was the previous mayor of the town.  Her connections were great and it still took 18 months.

 

My wife's was 18-24 months, somewhere in there, but she only paid 150,000 pesos. This was ~5 years ago. 

25 minutes ago, Cyberfx1024 said:

You got lucky because the average prices these days is $4-5k

This was years ago...You can probably get it done a little quicker the more$Ks you add to it. 

23 hours ago, boris64 said:

...and don't build anybody any houses or piggeries on those two trips)

hahaha

Don't buy any fridges or ACs also. I seem to see that one a a lot. 

Been meaning to post my suggestions in here for quite some time. I worked and lived in the Philippines for about 5 years. I eventually ended up living in Cavite. Not going to review my own home. It was pleasant though. 

For USEM:

Rizal Park Hotel - Large rooms, great bathrooms, and during the week you can get really good rates. It's on the same side of Roxas as the embassy and should't be more than a 5-10 minute safe walk. Rooftop bar and in house restaurant are pricey. A quick walk across Roxas gets you many dining options. You're also super close to Ocean Park, Rizal Park, BI, Intramuros, and many other place great for locals and non so locals. This is my favorite hotel in Metro Manila by a mile. 

For MOA/DFA:

Sea or Shell Residences - Close and budget friendly. Rooms are small, but how much time will you spend in your room if you're vacationing or visiting MOA? Plus you get access to pool and you're so close to Casinos and other touristy stuff.

Red Planet Aseana - Budget hotel my company would put us up at during rain/typhoon days. Not much amenities, just a cheap clean room. A little farther away from MOA than Sea and Shell, but still not more than a 15 minute walk.

Hop Inn Aseana - See Red Planet

For Makati:

Jade Suites - It's bit off the beaten path. It's a clean budget friendly place close to many restaurants and shops. You will need to take a cab/jeep if you want to get to any of the bigger malls. 

Holiday Inn - I can't remember if it's attached to Greenbelt or Glorietta. My company put me here. It was pricey, I wasn't paying for it. Nice to be connected to a mall when you're going there alone. 

Other places I loved:

Crimson in Alabang - Not that expensive, $80 a night. Great rooms and amenities. Quick easy travel around Alabang. Bus terminal right there if you're bus person like me. Second favorite place!

Ramada Grand Central - This is in Binondo, my favorite place in the metro. Good prices, great breakfast and you can walk right into China Town/Divisoria. 

Places I would Avoid:

Microtel by MOA - You're paying a premium to be a tiny bit closer to MOA than other places. The hotel is less than 5 years old, yet felt 15 years old. 

Lorenzo Suites Makati - Booked this place to crash after a flight. It's in a weird neighborhood and doesn't have an elevator. 

Heritage Hotel - It's in the worst spot for traffic and cabbies there were always a-holes. Rooms have been updated since I stayed. The location is horrid. 

Red Planet Manila - I felt like I may catch the clap walking in. 

Conrad Manila - it's very expensive. Book a room at Sea and then go hang out at the Conrad if you want to go there. 

You get what you pay for. If you must go with a budget hotel, go with something newly built. 

The US government is really strict about have all documents and original documents. That's all I know. You should call the embassy you're working with. 

My now wife went through an annulment in the Philippines. The only way to speed it up is to make it more "expensive" or to know someone inside the system. It's already about $3k and takes 2 years. Search around the forum, there is many recommendations already  in here. 

On 2/18/2020 at 5:49 AM, Hank_ said:

1.  Majority of people here (Philippines forum) met their spouse online, nothing unusual there.   Age gap ..  most have an age gap, my wife and I have a larger age gap than you two .. and yes my wife looks much younger than her actual age so leave age gap at the curb as long as you are both comfortable with it.   Do know you will drag some attention at times   over time you won't notice.

 

2.  Sending money. Everyone on here will tell you "asking for money" is the #1 RED FLAG to be watchful for, and yes some may use a "ploy" rather than outright asking.   If you are sending money .. STOP!   Take money off the table and out of this "relationship", if she keeps playing the "poor mouth" card then pay attention to this RED FLAG and back away.  Remember she was living her life before you came along, and part of living her life may be scamming guys out of money .. just don't be one.  If when you stop sending money she stays true then move forward.

 

3. Sexual partners.  The Philippines is, for the most part, a very conservative country ..  a "very beautiful woman" may have never had sexual partners at all, so I would not automatically call "foul" that she has only been with one person ... I wouldn't wear blinders either.  Its good that you are being cautious .. 

 

4.  Who of us is "getting any younger"?  I understand what you are saying, but again .. an ounce of prevention and worth a pound of cure.  I tend to be a blunt as a post kind of guy, and that is what I suggest .. don't be putting on your "dating face",  what you would not tolerate later you should not tolerate now .. and you need to look past her "dating face" as well.  I actually did a few things that seriously annoyed my wife just to push things and see where it all goes .. after all couples do bang heads at times, good to know if TAMPO shows up quickly or what.

 

You go to visit, you meet ALL her family (my wife had most of her immediate family at the airport BTW) ..  you two hit it off .    Once again I will use "most"  .. Most only meet once before getting engaged and starting the visa process (K-1), so don't let that weigh on you either.   But I would suggest as a few others have to look serious at getting married in the Philippines and completing the CR-1 spouse visa, there are so many benefits to this .. I wish I had known more back "when" as I would have for sure did the CR-1 instead of the K-1.  Yes the K-1 is quicker, but a few months, but once your special someone arrives in the states is when the CR-1 really shines!   Besides if you two have a genuine relationship a few months isn't a big deal.

 

I will give you a link to the petition process.   https://www.visaconnection-philippines.com/uscis-petition-process.html   There are pages to cover all phases of the visa process, but for now when things get serious stay with the USCIS info.

 

There is no EXPEDITE route, except that the K-1 is slightly faster.  The CR-1 is just "smarter" (and cheaper)  But you two will decide this  .... IF!

 

And remember!  Never let the little head do the thinking!

OP Follow this!^ 

Hank is always spot on. 

Talking about sex is still a little taboo in the Philippines. I have only been with one Filipina, but my experience working in the Philippines is that they are just as promiscuous as American woman. They just don't broadcast it like western women. Judgement free here, everyone should practice as much safe sex as they want.  I would advise everyone anywhere not to care how many partners someone had before they met you, all that matter is you're their only partner now. You have to trust that someone you care about cares enough about you to make sure they're not giving you an STD. 

My now wife and I were only together for about 6 months before we got pregnant, so of course I sent money for that. But in those 6 months she tried to pay for everything., or we went dutch. She hates the white knight stereotype. If she is constantly in need of money, that's a red flag. If she is short 1k php every now and then, that seems pretty normal. If she didn't have money for Christmas gifts, that also seems weird to me. They have 13th month pay laws in the Philippines that specifically boost pay around Christmas time. Some companies offer 14, 15, and 16 month pay. Did you constantly give money to girlfriends in the USA? Probably not. If she has a job, she should live within those means, unless of course you're wealthy, then stop being so cheap.  "Budget" is literally the only thing my wife and I argue about. I am super conservative with money. Why eat out? Why buy new clothes when these still fit? We've booth had to budge on this one. i occasionally get a new shirt and try new restaurants, she doesn't complain about our 12 YO car.

We did the K1 because I wanted her here faster. While our child is a US citizen, he was there with her, so I wanted him here sooner too.  If there was no kid, I would have done the marriage visa. 

Try United, booked with them through Guam before. 

1 hour ago, Jfresh26 said:

I applied at a call center, and went through the assessments and interview but they couldn’t process the application without permit. I just didn’t know if it would get in the way of the kvisa and coming back to the US or if they would let my contract go until we got approved? 

Yeah, it's really hard to get a job in the Philippines if you want one, more likely someone would find you and give you one.  I've heard, though not sure if legal in Phils, that if you have a W@H job in the US, it's entirely ok to enter the Phils on a tourist visa  and do your US based W@H job while there. That is probably your best option. I met my wife while on an extended work trip, so I already had the work visa. Once I showed my value working there, they kept renewing the work visa. 

1 hour ago, Paul & Mary said:

When was this?  Two and a half years ago it took me 3 days and that was paying all of the expedite fees.

 

I'd be waiting at the Jollibee south of the park

 

Last time I got one with a visa extension, I think it may have been under 2 hours.  If you want a real good time get an ECC. 

ACR Card is super easy to get. Take a trip to BI in Manila, while waiting for the card do touristy stuff. It shouldn't be more than 2 hours. There's a Starbucks right there, and many restaurants. It's also handy because then you can carry that around instead of your passport. 

On 2/1/2020 at 2:01 PM, snmsm said:

You can MAYBE do it in 1.5 months IF all the documents are already sent in and have an interview scheduled by the time you are there - and have a little luck on your side. The hangup for us was the DNA test, the process alone took 1 month to complete from end of interview to test results. The waiting game for the DNA appointment was also tough. It might have helped that I sent them a couple of emails to get updates but YMMV. It was probably another week or so for the passport to arrive. In total, the entire process was around 5 months for us, from birth to passport...but I took a bit of time to make sure everything was in order.

If you get asked to DNA, use the expedited process. We had the test on a Monday or Tuesday (can;'t remember exactly) USEM had results by the end of the week. If you PM me I'll let you know the lab. It was expensive AF, but worth it. 

22 hours ago, ACP54 said:

Thank you for confirming! Can I ask what type of evidence you submitted? Was a hs diploma or transcripts necessary  for example? 

 

I was not traveling for school, I was traveling for work.  I included each date I left and returned to the US. I also included copies of my passport with my work visas and any other visas from traveling. That is what i was answering, yes document each time you entered and returned home. You won't need anything from school. 

Traveled dozens of times between USA and PH, always had work and personal laptop with me, no issues. Fiance brought laptop and tablets when she came over, no issue 

There was a laptop ban from 10 middle eastern airports for a few months in 2017.  Perhaps that is what he's referencing. 

2 hours ago, Commish10 said:

What time do most people get finished on Day 2, assuming all goes well?

My partner went late on day 1, so went late on day 2. She arrived 1 PM, was out before 5 PM. Going later = less waiting. That is until everyone figures out going later  in the day is better.

19 hours ago, ACP54 said:

Hello everyone!

 

I'm currently filling out my daughter's crba to get her American citizenship, I have everything to qualify but I'm finding myself stuck on this on part. 

 

 

 

Do I  need to present when I have  been physically living in the states, starting at my own birth? What do I include as not being present, a two week vacation or more so a 1 month abroad or when I actually got a residence card for France? Ex: I would say from birth until his graduation and then the period I have been home longer than a month. Ive pretty much been living in between the states and france for the past 8 years. One year in France and home for summers or Visa renewals. I do have proof of medicap insurance, taxes, work stubs, etc as proof of actively living in the states to prove...

I dont know why this seems so confusing to me so any help is appreciated, thank you very much! 😊😊

 

 

ALSO if anyone has done this for their own child at the Paris consulate, what was the average time it took from start to finish to receive citizenship/passport? ( will be applying for ssn/passport at the same time) 

You need to include all arrivals and departures, passports will help with the dates, hopefully you have your old ones. I had the same thing, in the USA until 16, then sporadic trips to Mexico and Canada, until many trips and lots of time spent in the Philippines. I documented it all, I met the 5 year requirement. Good luck!

18 hours ago, Commish10 said:

Hi all. I will be attending the visa at Embassy with my fiancee. She has a 3 year old that will follow. Will they allow the child in the embassy event though we are not doing her visa at this time?

 

Thanks,

Yes, they let our 4 YO (who didn't need a visa) to attend my fiances visa appointment with her. 

On 1/22/2020 at 5:45 AM, Gugug4 said:

Hi Guys. I need help and guidance. I had put a post on this group in November 2019 as we were having challenges with proof of physical presence with our Consulate in Durban (South Africa). We managed to overcome the challenge and proceeded to do DNA. We did DNA on the 17th December 2019 and to date our kit hasn't reached the Lab in America. Noone from embassy is responding to our emails nor phone calls. Has anyone ever experienced something like this? Is there a way we can complain about this service from our embassy. The only communication received was that our kit went on a wrong mail and was sent the diplomatic route. This mail was sent on the 3rd January and was meant to take a week. We have had senator involved but this embassy is  ow not even responding to senators emails. Any advise or guidance will be appreciated.TIA

Cannot provide guidance, only my own experience. Did you pay additional for quick shipping? Do you have a tracking number? The lab I used sent me a tracking number, I was able to track the package both ways. 

22 hours ago, Jpoy said:

Copy. I plan on going back home to see the childbirth and stay in Manila for almost 1.5 months to do the CRBA process. 

 

What I'd like to do while I'm over there is to get CRBA, Passport, & SSN for the baby as well. Can it be done do you think in 1.5 months?

 

Thanks much! 

Doubtful, because you will need to wait for the official birth certificate from the Philippines. Once you have that, you're good to begin the process. If you plan to bring the baby to the USA right way, you can hold off on the SSN, and get that stateside. Baby does not need it to travel. I'd get it before traveling so you can put the baby on your insurance. 

8 hours ago, Jpoy said:

Thank you for replying! Do you mind if I PM you about this particular case? Thanks! 

Sure! If you have questions let me know. You can also create new topics, that way your question is documented and can be a resource for others. 

On 1/7/2020 at 12:59 AM, Lovely2424 said:

Anyone here know how long after the interview, the child receive CRBA ? Thanks 

 

What country? For me in the Philippines, it was about a week after the results of our DNA test was sent to USEM.  This process is actually kind of quick in the Philippines.