alexandra8886

i heard that in Michigan you can apply for US driver license by showing them your license from home country (if you have)..somebody replied that in my post before

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...p;#entry1481922

though double check this information in DMV- Michigan..

you might want to check some details I learned in this AOS application;

http://annie-thejourney.com/?p=121

http://annie-thejourney.com/?p=214

i got this nice information from fellow VJ, this might give you some info as well..

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;#entry946433

lastly, congratulations

We got married yesterday and i have the marriage certificate now.

I wanted to apply for a driver's license today but they said that the law changed and i need first the permanent resident card before doing that, that's horrible because i can't go to work with a car for many months to come, isn't like that?

I want to start to apply for AOS, i read that i have to pay $1010 to apply for AOS and for Application of Employment Authorization (AED, I-765) at the same time, is that right? Who is the recipient of the money order? I read that it's better to make a money order instead of a check because i can track the payment.

Do you have any good advices for me to start with that?

Any kind of information is welcome.

Thanks

We received another 2 NOA1s yesterday..one for me & one for my daughter..both NOA1 for Adjustment of Status Application..

all my NOA1s now are complete..

i'm back in normal procedure

I got all 3 on the same day - did they cash your check? If so, I wouldn't worry too much, it should arrive shortly

yeah, the checks were accomplished last week.... hhhmm..feel little comfortable now..unlike this morning i'm really worried

I got all 3 on the same day - did they cash your check? If so, I wouldn't worry too much, it should arrive shortly

yeah, the checks were accomplished last week.... hhhmm..feel little comfortable now..unlike this morning i'm really worried

Nope,,, every application should have its separate NOA. Maybe they are still checking on your I-485. it will arrive soon.

thanks ..so i'll wait then for the another NOA1..

anybody here who had the same experience? i just want to know, how many days it take before the NOA1 for Adjustment of Status arrive? (prior to the two NOA1s that i already received)

We received 2 NOA1s last Saturday (Jan 26), thought NOA1 dates are Jan 22, 2007.

It's a quite relief since we sent our packet last Dec 28. We exceeded in the normal 2 weeks waiting for these NOA1s

Anyway, im a little confused with these two notices. one is for case type I-131- (application for travel document) & the second one is for the case type I-765 -(Application for Employment Authorization Document). I noticed from others that they received three NOA1s ..

seems i'm loosing the NOA1 for Adjustment of Status? or the NOA1 for I-765 (AED) considered as NOA1 too for Adjustment of Status?

ok, ok, well enough of those exchanging offensive words, the lesson here is that we must learn how to reply without offending other people.. and stay inline with the question being asked.. I felt there are people here who always want to argue and that's not good.. we're here for information and nothing else. My main concern for refreshing this topic is to know if there's really a separate appointment letter for the medical and for the interview but so much arguing have been going on and yet my question is not answered CLEARLY, thanks for spending time anyway!

there's only one appointment letter attached in the packet 4 & such appointment letter includes the medical & interview schedule..

this info is clearly stated in sheriff uling's MANILA K1 VISA GUIDE (pinned thread)..there's even a sample of packet 4 in such thread...

honestly, that was only my guide during the entire K1 Visa Application..for new applicants, take time & patiently review sheriff's guide..its a great help..PROVEN!

Thank You..

Looking forward for the response..

i hope they response soon..

I was kidding in the mood I showed , My bad if you took it the wrong way.. I was just upset that I couldn't find my proof.. I myself is trying to help too.. Trying to debunk this story..

I hope your right about this Early Medical.. Like I said.. My wife is going for an early medical too..

I have congratulated the OP many times regarding her excellent advice and reviews.. Might not be in this thread, but I did..

Again.. CONGRATULATION to the OP and Thank You for sharing your views about your journey..

an email has already forwarded to St. Lukes Hospital.. it will be better if you have the link of the ACTUAL applicant who experienced such incident..

so in any case, i just quoted what you posted here in the forum...and hopefully we'll get response from them very soon..

so this issue will be clarify..

I'm trying to find it..

I swear I remember that applicant.. She had to bypass the guard and ask the receptionist inside if she can do early medical... From begging and explaining to the SLEC receptionist that she came from far away.. The receptionist finally granted the medical..

It was the guard that refused for the early medical.. Also we even discussed in the thread about not calling SLEC because in some point they don't allow Early Medical..

We just replied and gave advice to just show up and don't even call.. Because if you call people there that pick up the phone just follow protocol.. Its sort of like a YES or NO answer.

The lesson here is.. Not everyone has a fairytale story @ SLEC... Good Luck!!

not everyone has a fairytale story but SOMETIMES people tend to exaggerate things which is not fairly good to new applicants..

best solution for this is to CHECK AGAIN WITH SLEC..i'll try to send email to SLEC attached the details of the incident you mentioned...i'll try if i can get an immediate response from them & post it here in Regional Discussion in separate thread.

The lesson here is "NOT that everyone has a fairytale story in SLEC" ..the lesson here is APPLICANT'S AWARENESS IN THE SLEC SYSTEM..

We should not take this as normal thing as it is..such actions from SLEC staff needs serious attention. Like what ive said, some applicants need to travel from the southern part of the phils just to have medical then they will refused?!

i feel that i should be aware of this, since i included my K1 Visa journey in my blog & i'm also receiving a lot of inquiries about medical examination.

how come you reacted in such way Roserick? Did i say anything wrong? we're just clarifying things here..for the interest of those applicants who haven't had medical exam...like you..right?

this issue should be written in different thread..not here..

YOu even forgot to congratulate the thread owner

We went on an early medical too, 3 weeks prior to our interview schedule and everything went well.. Ive been here in VJ for quite a while and never seen anybody who got refused from taking early medical exam... Or heard any guard in SLEC not allowing anyone to take early medical exam... that is very strange Could it be a replacement guard for a day and didnt know what he is doing?

and the receptionist maybe missed the job orientation

I remember seeing it somewhere here in the Philippine forum last month or so..

That a applicant got denied for a Early Medical and was told to follow the date that was listed on the Interview letter.. I was even upset when she was saying that the Guard was even sarcastic about it.. Saying that is why there is date of medical, so you can follow em..

To me.. It kind of make sense though.. What is the date for if not to be followed, might as well take it off and replace it with 2-3 weeks before interview.. Just my 2cent..

I'm not against it.. It is just a clear opinion.. My wife is going for an early Medical as well..

it will be a lot better if you can give the link of such thread..anyway, it is indeed a very strange situation - REFUSAL OF EARLY MEDICAL EXAMINATION.

before i arranged some details for my early medical examination (such as hotel accommodation) i personally called the SLEC & the lady told me that THERE'S NO PROBLEM ON HAVING MEDICAL EXAMINATION EARLIER ON THE SPECIFIED DATE..

but what you're telling is CURRENTLY HAPPENING RIGHT NOW, then I suggest that any applicant (specially whose very far from Manila)& experienced such incident (rudeness from SLEC's guard) better take note of the guard's complete name (as well as date & time of duty). Then call the SLEC administrative department & inform them about the incident..Remember, we paid for such very expensive medical examination fee & we are not entitle of rudeness treatment (unless somebody did a truly hideous thing)

Refusing somebody not to take early medical examination (which is very rampant) is not just as easy as hearing Guard's NO. It incorporates MONEY & TIME..

Now with regards to the schedule thing..you have a point there..But as how i see things...

Schedule is created to organize numerous applicants, though SLEC gives option to the applicants to take early medical examination since a lot of possible issues may arise after the tests. It’s a case to case basis on the applicants that why there’s an option.

SLEC knew that not all filipinos are consistent in medical check-up. One SLEC nurse told me, there was once a family of 4 (1 mother & 3 kids)..the oldest kid is 14 years old but still it was kid's first time to have vaccines & its thru SLEC.

Sorry to hear that you haven't received your NOA1 yet. I am thinking it is because of the holidays. I was worried as well I had sent off my AOS packet on Dec. 21st and I got my NOA1 on Jan.4. We have Biometrics on the 29th. Hopefully you should be hearing something any day now.

yeah.. holiday season might have been one big factor for my AOS delay..im thinking that our papers have been included in January filers.. (just a thought)..

i really hope to meet someone from VJ who send AOS packet on last week of Dec ...

keep calling immigration or in the worst case check online your status

and most important, be patient (but not to much jeje, bug them with questions, status, that;s what they are there for)

oh, try callin early mornings, or after six pm eastern US time. lines are less busy.

Good Luck!

thanks elflamas...yes its Adjustment of Status..i'm confident that we submitted the required documents..

thanks for the reply & tips..though i have a question..

that case number? you got those from NOA1?

If you come in for a early Medical at SLEC, the guard will look at your form if he sees that there is a Medical date, he can refuse your request for Early Medical.. He can tell you to follow the date that's listed on the Interview letter which is not good cause it is a week before the Interview.

If you show up there with the Interview date form without a Medical date.. I don't see a reason for refusal? Since your showing a US document with a Interview date..

I have read some VJ members getting refused for early medical.. that they had to beg the receptionist that they came from far far away province in just wanted to get the medical over with.

I don't know if I make sense.. But that's just my 2cents..

this is the first time to see this kind information - REFUSAL FOR EARLY MEDICAL EXAMINATION (showing a document with specified medical date)

where did you get this information, Roserick? Any specific thread you might want to post here...

As per my experience.. I did (as well as my daughter's) my medical examination earlier on the specified date in the Packet 4. I showed to the guard the enclosed letter in Packet 4 which clearly stated the dates of medical examination & interview. I NEVER had a problem on that..

Do you have any reference with this reply?

I think it will be a better help for new applicants to have their awareness in such case if you can post any specific thread that experienced refusal in advance medical examination..

Just a thought....

and oh by the way..congratulations to beng&carl..

such a good job in posting a well-detailed medical exam experience... :thumbs:

I sent my (together with my daughter’s) AOS packet last Dec 28, 2007 and received a notice from post office that our papers were received by USCIS Chicago by Dec 29,2007.

Until now, we haven’t received any notice from them, even a NOA1. It’s been more than 2 weeks since Dec 29.

My husband called the USCIS this morning (Jan 23). According to the lady, USCIS is still working out of July 2007 sender applicants, which quite impossible to accept such excuse. I knew some applicants who sent AOS packet on first week of Dec 2007 & had their NOA1s now. Although, I’m also thinking that holiday season somehow is one factor why we’re having this delay.

I just want to know, anyone here sent AOS packet in between 3rd & 4th week of December. I was hoping if we can get in touch.

I really want to post this underDECEMBER FILERS Thread, but its already 21 pages. Thinking this new thread will be more refreshing for late December filers.

Thanks...

Thanks for all the responses... I have one more question. If the CO does approve my request for Joy to pick up the visa, to they give her some sort of document to show the guard when she returns for the pick up, or will she simply be on some sort of pick up list?

when my request for visa pick-up got approved, another window gave me a purple card with schedule of visa pick-up in embassy (date & time). Though the filipino staff , who gave me the purple card, told me that somebody will give me a call the next day for final confirmation of the specified schedule.

Next day, I received the call..got the visa on the specified schedule...

Hi Folks,

Regarding picking up the visa at the embassy...

I will by accompanying Joy to the embassy interview, and hopefully flying with her to the US a week later. Does anyone know if it is more likely that the consular officer will approve visa pickup if the US citizen fiance is with her? Thanks.

Marc

most couple that were together during USE interview & requested visa pick-up were granted..so i assume that petitioner's presence during applicant's interview is a great advantage for visa pick-up approval

I just want to survey how many purchased airline tickets/bookings before/after actually passing the interview? We are about to purchase and I want to know YOUR experience/s?

Is it worth it to buy before passing the interview (worst come to worst, we can pay the $50 to rebook the flight)?

or wait after the interview (but our target date for him to be here is Feb 15, his interview is Feb 7th! It would be too expensive to buy after the interview because it is s close to the flight date)?

we purchased our tickets (me & my daughter) before the interview date ..flight was scheduled 21 days after my interview in USEMbassy..

like what i'm always saying..ITS NOT IDEAL TO MAKE TRAVEL ARRANGEMENT BEFORE HAVING THE VISA ON HAND..so couple should realize the risks they're about to take in doing such action..

anyway, my experience is clearly stated in this link

http://annie-thejourney.com/?p=77

goodluck!

Thank you for all your replies...

I also got one more question though. Will it be fine to have the medical more than a month before your scheduled interview? I read from someone's post that if you are to have your medical more than a month before your scheduled interview, there is a possibility that the Consulate might ask you to have another Medical appointment. SO please help me on this thing, as I got plans on having my early medical appointment on Feb 5&6, while my nterview is March 10.

Any answer will be greatly appreciated...

Maybe..but its not really advisable to take a one-month advance medical exam (in reference to the interview date)..ideal is 2-3 weeks...

Do I still have to call SLEC then and ask for my packet to be picked up there? My date for the med exam will be march 3 and am planning to have it feb 5&6. I am planning to just go to SLEC and ask for my packet there (sorry for being so ignorant about this). Will this be fine? you think my plans will work??

what I did before..I called USEmbassy that I haven't receive my packet 4 (that time DHL had a hard time locating in our address) & i told them that i'm planning to take my medical in advance, so i want a copy of packet 4 from SLEC.

THe lady from USE told me that its fine & she arranged it for me.

After your call with USE, better to call SLEC as well..

I must confess that after all of the research and time spent thinking out all of our options on this whole process I did not know that picking up the visa was up to a person's discretion. We had hoped that it was just another way to receive it. Thanks and it is good to learn from all of the members here who are trying to help!

its kinda discouraging knowing that request for visa pick-up still depends on their approval.. maybe its just their way to control crowd in the USE..just imagine hundreds of applicants per day & they will be very much open for visa pick-up ..surely they will need another room for line of those visa pick-up applicants...

I am from Zamboanga City - far away land!hehehe And since I will be in Manila that week, I plan to just pick it up.

You think thats a valid reason???

i stumble in one thread..i saw there that you're coordinating with SLEC if they have your packet 4..does this mean that you requested Packet 4 copy to claim in SLEC?

If so, you can mention this in your request for visa pick-up..hard time to locate your address, & even got a packet 4 copy in SLEC..then i can see you have strong points there for visa pick-up request..just be sure that you're approved in the interview then (politely) show to the CO the letter of request.

goodluck

Thanks Dong,

Your information on the subject gives me and my Mercy encouragement. We will call the embassy on Monday night (US time) as the embassy is closed in observance of MLK Day.

Thanks Again,,

Jim and Mercy

no problem..good that you got my point..just tell them that you made travel arrangement since your fiancee was given the purple slip, which you understand as approved interview & visa pick-up ..i dont think USE will not take a look on this issue, considering they issued you slip for visa pick-up & yet they're claiming, interview was unapproved?! i mean, thats a very strange situation...

But I wouldn't risk it without the Visa in hand...

I can already imagine I have to adjust 3 flights.. Me, my wife and my daughter..

$50 per each re-schedule..

That's just me though..

right..you have point there...but like what ive said..sometimes./most of the times excitement tends to drive people in making decision even though it incorporates risk....

in our case..maybe the CO saw that wedding plan was properly arranged ..i clearly stated it in my letter attached with the booking of wedding details..

itinerary & e-tickets were attached in the letter too..

though we were prepared before..if it(visa pick-up request) will be denied & 21 days are not enough..we are willing to re-sched our flight, anyway my brother is flight attendant ..got discounts

Then, tried to arrange for document submission immediately as travel arrangement has already been made..

i knew previous applicants who went through the same situation & resolved it by coordinating properly with USE for immediate documents submission.

the way i see it from your story..theres no other reason keeping you onhold but those unsubmitted documents..

just a thought..& i hope this enlighten you in some ways...

--------------------------------------

I thought it was clearly instructed not to make travel arrangement?

its a usual manner that when the applicants received purple slip, the next thing that they usually do is to purchase tickets (travel arrangement)..sometimes or i would say most of the time, applicants/petitioners can't hold excitement after interview procedure so tendency is that they made prior travel arrangement even visa is still not on-hand yet..there's no harm on this as long as the couple is aware of possible circumstances that may take..like in this situation.

so in this situation..the only way or the best way is to coordinate properly with USEmbassy for immediate documents submission, since they already made prior travel arrangement. For me its a common sense, that USE understand applicant's setting her travel arrangement since she was already given a purple slip which means an approval in visa pick-up.

just a suggestion..from what i remember on previous applicants who have the same cases before..

i remember when I received such purple card, the specified date for visa pick-up was followed accordingly.

now in your case, i suggest you(petitioner) call the embassy & inform them that your fiancee was informed by this Ms. SOphie that the application is still not APPROVED. how come? they already gave you a slip of visa pick-up which is A VERY indirect message that the interview process went through properly.

tHen if they told you(petitioner) that there are some document missing, then ask them what are those? (as much as possible let them explain what are things keeping you on hold, its a lot better instead of telling them - "AH DURING MY FIANCEE INTERVIEW WE WEREN'T ASK WITH THESE PAPERS BLAH BLAH BLAH & ITS NOT OUR FAULT...")

Then, tried to arrange for document submission immediately as travel arrangement has already been made..

i knew previous applicants who went through the same situation & resolved it by coordinating properly with USE for immediate documents submission.

the way i see it from your story..theres no other reason keeping you onhold but those unsubmitted documents..

just a thought..& i hope this enlighten you in some ways...

goodluck!