NoMansLand2020

8 hours ago, Talako said:

In factoring in how much time it is going to take:

 

Immigration & Customs

Continuation flight? - Baggage drop off is breeze.  Easy and fast as you come out of customs to the right.

What terminal do you need to transfer to?  Are you dragging baggage and munchkins across LAX? (No envy from me here).  That takes time. 

Need to check in and and recheck bags?  Sometimes its easy and fast, and sometimes new cusswords are invented. 

TSA Checkpoint - Always a wildcard

Getting to the gate.  If your unlucky like me, my flight is always the last gate in terminal requiring water, lunch, a guide, and a new pair of shoes.

 

Can you do it in 4 hours?  Probably yes, but dawdling or plain bad luck will get you hosed.

 

 

 

 

Most likely terminal 1 as a we are flying southwest. But the terminal bus runs every ten minutes around the airport, so it shouldn't be too bad. 

51 minutes ago, Girandola said:

To find the place in the picture, follow signs to ground transport. Good luck!

Thanks. How long did it take your fiancée to get through immigrations?  We have a flight out of lax 4 hours after they land. 

33 minutes ago, Chancy said:

 

I agree with getting an antigen test, assuming the airline and the transit country (if any) does not require a PCR test.

 

We will just do Antigen swab. The issue is getting a RT-PCR test results takes too long. And I'm paying for three people. 

37 minutes ago, Talako said:

My memory is faulty, so I had to look it up to confirm.  Coming out of customs is long ramp, and you have people looking down gawking at you as go.

 

I'm not sure where a good spot would be, but now you kind of know what you are dealing with.

 

 

Yep, you are right. I remember this now. 

Fiancée and kids are flying into LAX on Friday. They will be coming into Terminal B.  I've been through this terminal several times, but it's been two years since I was there. 

Where is the best place to meet them? We have connecting flight together several hours after their arrival. Is there a common meeting area outside of baggage claim? 

1 hour ago, top_secret said:

I can't imagine PAL could or would waive travel tax if it was due.  Having to pay travel tax is one of the most certain things there is in the Philippines.  It may well have just been included in the overall ticket price but pretty sure it was paid one way or another.

Well I tried paying online and the goofy system won't let me use my cc to pay for my fiancée. I guess she will have to pay in person at bayad. What a pita

33 minutes ago, top_secret said:

 

Travel tax will either be included in the airline ticket OR it must be paid at departure.  You can check the itemized taxes on the e-ticket receipt to see if it is included in the ticket.  if not, well it's easy to pay at the airport and the check-in agent would point the way.  The CDC attestation would be provided by check-in but you could get a heed start filling it here.  https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/pdf/Combined-Passenger-Attestation-Amended-Testing-Order-12-02-2021-p.pdf 

 

Thanks. 

I will just pay the travel tax online so we don't have to worry about it at check-in time. 

2 hours ago, randy32 said:

1. Visa

2. Covid

3. Tickets

 

You will need documents to meet those 3 items

What about travel tax? Will they tell my fiancée when she checks in or we have to pay in advance? 

Fiancée and her two kids leave Thursday for the US on k1/K2 visas. What all documents are required so they do not have any snags? 

We have visas and yellow packets

CFO

Valid passports

They will have negative RT swab tests

Some have mentioned a CDC attestation form and I've also seen mention of a travel declaration form. 

I got my fiancée's kids registered, but I wasn't sure what to put for the first question. 

It asks, "What is the registrant relationship to the petitioner?" 

There wasn't anything that fit. Options were brother, sister, grandparent, fiancée, step parent. 

I selected son/daughter because it was the only one that fit the best even though they are not technically my son and daughter. 

Hopefully it won't be an issue. 

The US accepts rapid antigen testing. There are so many different types of tests that this can be confusing. 

Does a saliva test meet this requirement or does it need to be a swab? 

On 2/8/2022 at 6:44 PM, Kurt and Kristina said:

Hello everyone.

Totally new to the site and the journey. Any suggestions / information is appreciated.

This is in regards to the Manila Embassy (Philippines) 

Is the Petitioner allowed to attend the interview with the Beneficiary? 

How long does it typically take from visa approval to delivery of passport?

I would like to be with my fiancée for her interview, and then fly to the US with her.

Thank you! 

Fiancée got hers 5 days after interview. She lives in Mindanao 

1 hour ago, aaron2020 said:

When you file to adjust their status, you can apply for SSN on the I-485.  Use that as proof of having applied for SSN.

 

For your 2021 tax returns, you were single so you can't claim the kids on your taxes anyways.

Yes, but upcoming years taxes. 2022

1 hour ago, Boiler said:

You do not need SSN to be included on Medical Insurance.

Mine is required to have or proof the insured is in the process of obtaining one. 

My fiancée and her two kids were just granted k1/K2 visas and will be here in two weeks. We plan on getting married in March. 

For insurance purposes, they need to have SSNs or be in the process of getting them. I understand that my fiancée can get one as soon as she gets here. But the two children will have to apply for EAD. Which is $410 each. 

I also understand that you can apply for EAD along with AOS and there is no additional fee for the I-765. 

What have others done so as their families are covered by insurance and able to get SSNs so they can be claimed on taxes? 

My fiancée's ceac status showed issued on Feb 4th, a day after the interview. It's now 5 days later and still haven't received passport/visa. 

Get a rapid antigen test the day of the flight. But make sure if you transit through another country that they will accept it. Also check with the airline. 

45 minutes ago, Kurt and Kristina said:

Hello everyone.

Totally new to the site and the journey. Any suggestions / information is appreciated.

This is in regards to the Manila Embassy (Philippines) 

Is the Petitioner allowed to attend the interview with the Beneficiary? 

How long does it typically take from visa approval to delivery of passport?

I would like to be with my fiancée for her interview, and then fly to the US with her.

Thank you! 

Did you just barely file the I-129F? If so, you probably have several years until your fiancée has an interview. 

I thought they were doing an electronic sticker.. 

Fiancée and kids were just approved for their visas. We anticipate them being here in March. 

Is there a forum or guide for help with the next process?  Of course getting married is a high priority. But not familiar with the others steps... EAD, AOS, SSN,  Especially with K2s. 

24 minutes ago, IWander said:

If you are able, then you are in the fortunate minority 

My insurance allows me to add domestic partner and children of domestic partner. 

I'm adding mine and her kids so that they are insured the minute they land in the States. 

No, US tourists do not need a visa prior to entering the Philippines. You basically get 30-days visa free entry. 

4 minutes ago, RO_AH said:

I just consider your fiance traveling alone with 2 kids. If they are a little older I guess that will be less of a problem.

I don't think a few hours layover in Japan would be a huge deal. Especially if the luggage is already on the plane. They could eat a decent meal and get some exercise before leaving for the US. Arriving in LAX in the morning means not having to get a hotel.  I'd fly to LAX and accompany them the rest of the way. 

Someone posted on Facebook that the birth certificates can't be older than 6 months. I was under the impression that they did not have an expiration date like the CENOMAR and NBI. My fiancée got hers two years ago before we realized we'd be waiting two years... 

She's in Manila now and has interview on Thursday. Will this be an issue? Can't see how a birth certificate would expire.