b&c

Thanks for your response. We also want to know "Is it possible to renew my Philippine passport in Cebu City?" If so, where do you go in Cebu City to renew a passport? How long does it take? Please ... anyone with any details ... we really need your help.

Hello!

I am from the Philippines, married to an American man, and I have my green card. In the next few months, I will go back to my home in Cebu City to visit. My Philippine passport will expire in about 7 months. My question is this: Can I renew my passport in Cebu City? If so, how long will it take? Any information that anyone could supply would be most welcome! Thank you!

After we sent in our AOS application, we received an RFE asking for the following:

"The joint-sponsor of Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, must be a United States Citizen, United States National, or Lawful Permanent Resident of the United States. In order to process your application further, submit evidence of the joint-sponsor's status."

My question is this: What are the means of proving our joint-sponsor's status? He is a US Citizen. Do they want passport? If so, how many pages? Do they want birth certificate? How many proofs must we send in?

Thanks!

Has anyone recently used Dr. Arnold's services for I-693a? The last time I called, like 3 weeks ago, the recorded message says they are moving. If there is anyone who has their new address please share.

The new address is the same except for the suite number which is now #114.

We are about to send in our papers for my Filipina wife's AOS. But first, I have two questions:

1. On the G-325A, I am confused as to what to put for "husband or wife (if none, so state)" on the fourth line from the top ... is this blank referring to her, so I should put 'wife?' or to me? ... she came here 09/2007 on a K1 visa, we were married 11/27/2007. This seems like it should be so easy; I'm probably thinking too hard.

2. In my financial supporting documents (bank statements, mutual funds, etc.) for my I-864 Affidavit of Support, I am wondering ... is it a good idea to 'blackout' the account numbers? or does that ruin the authenticity of the statements?

Thanks!

Does anyone know for sure if Tetanus and Chicken Pox shots are absolutely need to complete AOS requirements? I'd really appreciate someone's firsthand experience with this ...

I keep going 'round n 'round on this and by now, I'm probably thinking too hard ... on I-864, Question 1 sections (a) & (d,) I'm not sure which of those two boxes to check. The instructions say to only check one box. I first checked box (a) because I am the American petitioner and I am filing for the immigration of my relative (my wife.) But, to help my financial situation, I have my son-in-law co-sponsoring my wife also. Therefore, maybe I should be checking (e) ... So. do I check a or e? Am I the petitioner (a)? ... or am I the first of two joint sponsors (e)? Thanks in advance for the help!!

Thanks to all of your for your comments and suggestions. You raise a good point, KC456 ... and the answer is "yes" to your first paragraph ... the K1 has expired, we married within the 90 day window, we have not sent our AOS application in yet.

I called the TSA (the government arm that is in charge of airport security.) The person on their toll-free number said only that the government-issued ID must match with the boarding pass. When I asked if TSA was concerned about visas, birth certificates, etc., she said "no." But if one reads the link you attached, KC456, one realizes that there are new rules starting in June, 2007.

We tried to get a state ID card, but she is not eligible to do this until she gets her green card.

Therefore, what I am thinking is that our status, or lack of status, is a black hole in the visa/green card process and that my fiancee is in "no-man's-land." I can't imagine trying to explain all of this to the checker-person at the gate. I think all they would probably care about is visa dates that haven't expired. If we do decide to fly tomorrow, we will take along all our paperwork that we can find, try to look honorable, and hope we don't get an over-zealous checker-person. Surely they can't deport her; we sure aren't in violation of any laws. But the slight risk of that happening makes me want to cancel the trip.

Therefore, everyone on VJ in similar status to my fiancee really needs to be aware of all of this. Looks like we need an AP for domestic flights ...

Any other thoughts would be welcome! Thanks!

I've read a lot about this topic on this forum, but I'm still a little unsure of the answer. I'd appreciate some help.

Here's the background: My fiancee arrived here from The Philippines on Sept. 17, 2007 on a K-1 visa. We married on Nov. 27, 2007 in accordance with the K-1 requirements (married within 3 months of arrival in the USA.) We plan to start our AOS work in the very near future.

Here's my situation and question:

We plan to fly from Arizona to Nebraska this Friday for a family celebration there. At this point in her "visa journey," she has only her Philippine passport. She has no driver's license. Can she get thru security at the airports without being harassed or deported? She is not illegal, just in pending status. I know several forum members have stated that this domestic travel should be no problem, but then I hear TSA is identifying and enforcing immigration issues, too. My fear is that when they see that her original fiancee visa has expired, it will set off all kinds of bells because they don't understand the path to citizenship for a fiancee from another country that is going thru this process.

Any suggestions? What is the latest information on this? Has anyone experienced a similar situation very recently? We don't want to cancel the trip, but I sure don't want any problems! Thanks!

My wife is here on a K1 visa. She applied for a social security card in person on October 25 at an office in Phoenix. In a letter that was handed to us as we left that office, it said she should receive her card in about 2 weeks. Today is December 10 and still no card.

Should we be worried something got lost? Has anyone else waited this long or longer? Is the Phoenix office notorious for being slow?

Also, I really can't find a true number to call where you can get a real person to talk with. Anyone know who to call? or is it just a waste of time?

If anyone can shed any light on any of this, we would appreciate it very much. Thank you!

Here's my situation: My Filipina fiancee arrived in the USA on September 18; therefore her visa expires on December 17. I feel like I need some answers to a few basic questions about the AOS process:

1. Are we required to be married BEFORE we apply for AOS for her?

2. We have only about one month left on her visa; do others wait until this late date to go to the next steps or are we just really late?

3. What happens on our December 17th (end of visa) date if we have not applied for AOS before that?

4. Exactly what documents should we complete?

I'm sure I have a million other questions, so if there is anything else anyone can think of to help us along, please let me know. Maybe many of you that have completed the K1 process successfully feel like I do ... I feel like we just completed so many documents for her K1 that I can't believe it's time to do it all again. Thanks for any help you can give us!

My Filipina fiancee will arrive next week on a K1 visa. Will she need to bring anything except her passport and visa to legally marry here in the USA? Can someone help me? Thanks!

My fiancee will arrive here next week from The Philippines on her K1 visa. It just occurred to me that I have never read anywhere on vj.com what documents she needs to have so we can legally marry here. Can someone advise me please?

We wish you the very best! She'll smile and answer the questions and everything will be fine!

Hi! I'm Bobby with just a few words of introduction. Cathy is from Cebu and we first exchanged emails in July, 2004. I met her and spent four days with her in Cebu in 2005, again in 2006, and then 13 glorious days in the summer of 2007. We filed for our I-129 in February, 2007. It was approved in early July, 2007, Cathy's medical exam was July 26, 2007 and her interview at the US embassy was on August 2, 2007.

My summary is that everything went well. We dotted lots of i's and crossed lots of t's, just like so many of the rest of you. This forum helped immeasurably, especially with the little things where someone just needs to tell you what to do. An example would be "do you glue or staple your picture to the form?" It seems like such a small thing, but when you are going thru it, it's seems huge! We were also very fortunate to have my friend Steve, who is married to Dao (she is from Thailand,) basically give us their papers to serve as a blueprint. They had recently completed all of the same process for Dao's travel to the USA. He had received excellent advice from his sister who is an immigration attorney. So, obviously we are indebted to Steve and Dao for all their help!

In spite of all the details we all go through, there were some details on my work that wasn't exactly perfect. One example: as I was reviewing paperwork I sent for our I-129, I noticed I checked both "male" and "female" for my sex! WHAT!?!? How could I be so stupid?? Apparently someone at a desk somewhere (with a sense of humor) let me off the hook. Also, I know this process could be lots faster, but frankly we were braced for maybe a year or more wait until she would arrive in LA. So obviously we were more than pleasantly surprised when her envelope with medical and interview appointments arrived in early July! I honestly never did call anyone, except for a call or two in the very beginning to the US Dept. of Homeland Security. From then on, everything went fairly smoothly for us. For us, from the time from when I sent the application for the I-129 until she will arrive in the USA next week = 7 months and 1 week.

I would also add, as you read Cathy's account of her interview below, that a lot of credit goes to HER. I know she studied, I know she was polite, punctual, and responsive to the interviewers at the USE. My impression at this point is that all of her studying and politeness went a long way to make this successful.

Cathy asked me to correct her English errors below; I did correct a few, but I think it loses the effect of her description if I alter it too much. And for those of you with Filipina fiances or fiancees, you already can understand her account without me revising it anyway.

Finally, the day is soon to arrive when she is here! I won't believe it until I see her smiling little face in LA next week! This is the start of something really, really good!

Good luck to all of you and thank you very much for those of you that have helped to make this whole thing happen!

AUGUST 02, 2007

THURSDAY

7:30AM

On the day of my interview, i woke up at 3am...

I arrived at embassy at 4am....

When I arrived there at the embassy (outside), a few people was there already..

A vendor offer a rent chair to sit while waiting...i payed 20pesos for the chair..

About an hour later the guard told us to go get inside the gate...

At the entance gate, the guard ask a Valid ID and appointment letter..

So when i get inside, again were sat down again and wait to be called to get inside the embassy..

I was the 5th of the line....

About an hour again, the five were called to get inside the embassy..

The lady look my at appointment letter...

I put my things for security check at the scanner, of corz NO celfone and other electronic device allowed inside embassy...

After that i went to immigrant unit, and then the guard assist where to be seated...

After a few minutes, the first five were called to go to the ticket booth..

Of corz i was included becoz i am the 5th one..

At the ticket booth, the lady ask for the appointment letter, and the ds-forms with pictures glued, and the ds-i56k..

As what i've seen the lady arrange my ds-forms, like

1. appointment letter on the top

2. 2 copies of ds-156 original copy from your packet, filled out and with picture glued

3. 2 copies of ds-157 filled out the fist one attached with the form stamped by the bank as a proof of payment..

4. ds-i56k

After giving those ds-forms the lady give me a quee # mine is 7005...i got this # at 6:24am

I sat down again to where i was seated. About an hour again, my # flash on the board to go to window 19, so this is a pre-interview..it was a filipino man, Of course i greeted him good morning with a smile...and he greeted back with a smile.

he ask these questions,

1. When and How did you met your fiance?

I answered: I met him in an internet dating site..We started email in July of 2004, sir

2. What site? and i told him.

3. Did he visited you? Yes sir, 3 times..

4. What is the age of your fiance?

5. And my age..

6. When is my birthday.

After that he ask my NBI, CENOMAR and Birth Certificate authenticated by NSO..

And also he ask the I-134 Affidavit of support from my fiance...

And he ask what is the relation of a family member ... named Jim, I told the man that he is the son-in-law of my fiance Robert..

And i told him that Jim was the husband of the daughter of my fiance...

He said, so he is the a child of your fiance...And I really insist, No sir, he is only the son-in-law of my fiance the husband of his daughter..

The man said, so he is like now a child of your fiance...

And I said, Ok Sir...to stop the conversation...

And now, he ask me if i have some pictures, emails and cards..

I give him almost 30 pics, and all the cards i received from my fiance and some emails...And I offered also the cards that i received from his daughter, but then i think no need because he thinks i have plenty.

And he ask if my fiance send me some money, and then he ask the receipts...so, i give him all the receipts since the very begining up to the last..

While i am giving those papers that he ask from me, i give it with some words..to explain a little to him

While he organized my papers and other documents...I try to talk to him for a while but he is busy keeping the papers and put a big clip to keep all of those papers including cards and pictures..

And i think he did not look at all the pictures, and even read even one of my emails...huhuh?? i want him read one of those and see some other pics of Bobby and me...

I think i had only 10-15 minutes with him...

He said ok, just wait for your number to be called again..

I went back to where i was seated, 30 minutes after my name was called to go to window 16 for finger scanning...it is very easy to do, and someone will assist you to do so..

Went back to where i was seated, 20 minutes after my # was flash at the queing board tells to go to window 28..

So, when i go to window 28, i wait for a while coz there was still one girl interviewed..

So, this was the final interview with the consul...

When i get inside, I smiled at her and greeted...and she greeted back and smile...

She is an american girl and very nice and polite...

This was her questions,

1. What does your fiance do for a living?

I said, he is a jeweler...

2. What kind of jewelry?

I said, ma'm any jewelry, like ring and earring....and i show my engagement ring to her he made... and i said ma'am he sells and designs jewelry..

3. Was he divorced?

yes, ma'am..one time... and she said ok, he was divorced...we say that together..

4. Does he has children? we say this together again..often she ask and we answer together.

I said, yes ma'am he has 4 children..and she said ok, he has children..

5. Do you intend to work in the US?

I said, NO ma'am...

6. Do you have children? And i said, with an expression on my face...i said NOoooo, ma'am.. and she said, hmm no, ah, not yet....and she smiled at me..

7. AND she ask the age of my fiance and my age..

After encoding on the computer my information, she said OK, you can now wait at the waiting area...and she make an approved sign with her thumb up..

I am so happy and say thank you ma'am.... a bit louder voice of mine than usual...and she said, Thank you very much...And again I said, thank you so much ma'am..before i left at her area...

So, that was understood that i am approved, because she did not return my passport and other documents...

She just returned my pics and emails and the cards that they ask from me...

So, while waiting... I talk a little to my fellow applicants and give some advice, because they call me and ask what are the question ask by the consul?...I just told them, dont worry it is very easy and you don't have to be scared, they were nice and polite...

When i saw my # flash on the board, i went to window 37, a guy give me a pink slip and my appointment letter...And he said, you can now pay the DELBROS, and you can go home after and wait for your VISA delivered to you...

DELBROS people give you a form to fill in....put your exact address...

and contact #..

I payed 165.00 pesos...

After that, a big smile on my lil face...as when I walk out from the embassy.....I look where my Tiya C (Aunt C) waiting for me outside...i did not see her right away, she is the one who call my name to me, because i just keep on smiling....

I call right away my beloved fiance to tell him my success at my interview...he is happy and proud for the two of us...we work very hard for this..

And i call also my mother and father on the phone at CEBU to tell them, i cant wait till i can get home...i like to call them doesn't matter the cost, my happiness is priceless and costless...

Before i really expect it would be difficult...i was really really very nervous and i don't have enough sleep the night before the day of my interview...

I was lucky i tried to be very very prepared and confident to talk to them...Of corz I tried so much to be sincere and honest in every word i said...

And that's the end, and now it's the beginning again for us, and we are happy beyond words! Our hope is that our account here will help someone, even just a little.

Sounds like a great deal! Now does anyone know a good deal on one-way tickets inside the US? I checked and one-way from LAX to Nashville was about $500!

I would really like to get a round trip to meet her in California and us both fly back a day or two later.

I looked at EVA fares before but getting Kathlene from the west coast to anywhere near Kentucky was more than the ticket from Manila.

I just checked the Southwest Airlines website. Southwest is especially good when booking one-way tickets at a very good price. I entered a one-way flight from LAX to Louisville on Sept. 26 and the total cost is $162.80 one-way. LAX to Nashville is $109.40. Of course, your quotes may vary depending on the flight you select, the actual date you select, etc. SWest usually breaks all the old, obsolete rules of so many traditional USA airlines. It's not a perfect airline, but sure beats the heck out of the rest most of the time. With these fares, your trip to pick her up will be even more fun! Good luck! Hope this helps!

Great post KansasDragon! Don't worry ... speaking for only me, I assure you there have been so many big things and little things I have not understood about this visa process. For example, people were throwing around the acronym "AR" on VJ (visajourney) one day ... I was totally baffled for hours. I know we need to use acronyms to save space, but my personal feeling is we should all be careful with them as if everything on here is common knowledge. Too often, it just adds to the frustration and confusion of an already confusing process.

One suggestion KsDragon ... I finally went to the "visa FAQ" tab located at the very top of the page, then scrolled to the bottom and reviewed the helpful hints (including acronyms, but curiously not delbros, maybe it's not an acronym? Delivery Brothers, I like that) That was a big help to me. And I found out that "AR" stands for "administrative review" which is a holding pattern for visas that are not initially approved (at least that's my understanding.)

Of course, like many other things in my life, I would rather just plow right into this without reading the instructions first.

I have some firsthand knowledge (well, second-hand from my fiancee in Cebu) about Delbros. Her interview was August 2, Delbros sent a text message on the morning of August 6 informing her they would try to deliver her K-1 visa sometime on that day, but they never showed up; apparently they couldn't find her place. I guess it's a common problem in Cebu and maybe other locations, too. At any rate, she waited at home the next day, too, hoping again that Delbros would arrive. At about 3pm, she thought she heard a motorbike. The sound was coming from a small market a short walk away. Sure enough, there was the Delbros courier on his motorbike asking anyone that would listen if they knew this girl (my fiancee.) Apparently her picture was visible in the envelope. One girl that just randomly happened to be there said she thought she remembered my fiancee from elementary school, but wasn't for sure. At about that same moment, my fiancee walked up and the girl said, "there she is!" So the courier looked over her ID and other things she was required to show and handed her the precious visa. He said if he wouldn't have found her on that second day, the visa would have been sent back to the US Embassy in Manila.

After all of the carefully crossed T's and carefully dotted I's we've been through lately, it seems like a rather precarious and unpredictable end to the K-1 journey for us. I guess I should just be glad she has it in her hot, little hands. After all, I am in the USA and have no control over what is going on there.

By the way, you asked "how much" at the US Embassy for the Delbros fee. She said she paid p165.

My final comment is this: don't be afraid to ask questions on this forum. It will save lots and lots of time and effort that so many people here already know and are graciously willing to share.

Good luck! I'm sure it will all work out!

I've read varying accounts about whether a 20% discount to the USA is actually available to K1 visa holders on Phil Air. Has anyone received this discount lately? Does anyone know a travel agency where it's available in Cebu? Thanks for your help ...

Thanks to you that have replied. However, my questions are more specific. Here is exactly the information I need:

1. Has anyone in Cebu who bought an air ticket to the USA actually been granted a 20% discount on PAL because they mentioned to the travel agent that they are a K1 visa holder?

2. If you answered 'yes' to the above question, at what specific place did you buy that ticket?

Thank you all for your help. Oh, and thanks Island Princess, I will inquire at Blue Horizon. Did you already find that 20% discount at Blue Horizon?

I've read varying accounts about whether a 20% discount to the USA is actually available to K1 visa holders on Phil Air. Has anyone received this discount lately? Does anyone know a travel agency where it's available in Cebu? Thanks for your help ...

if me and my fiancee choose to do the fiance visa.what is the probability that she will be able to come here to the united states from the philippines using a co-sponsor?what is our best chance using a co-sponsor?

I can offer a few opinions based on my experiences so far. I was concerned about my I-134 Affidavit of Support because I just started a new business 3 years ago and my ITR doesn't show a lot of income. Of course, I listed my assets and perhaps that would be enough. But still, I was concerned ... so I asked my daughter and son-in-law to co-sponsor. They show a good yearly income, so I thought it would be a good back-up. In reading visajourney.com, it seems that the USE in Manila isn't particularly receptive to co-sponsors, but tend to be more receptive if the co-sponsor is a close relative. My fiancee had her interview on August 2; I strongly urged her to make the connection between me and my co-sponsors that we are close relatives. I thought maybe that would help.

I guess what I would say (for now) is to try to find a co-sponsor that is a close relative and have them fill out an I-134. As so many have said on vj, it's better to have too much information than not enough. Whether having our co-sponsor has helped or whether it made the difference, we may never know. As I write this, we think we passed the interview, but really won't believe it until she has her passport and visa in her hot little hands.

Good luck and don't be afraid to ask questions. I have been helped enormously by the good participants in this forum.

thanks for your replies, island princess and azcactus ... thru trial and error, i did omit the slash sign (after trying both forward and backward slash) and it worked. Getting a progress report is still difficult, as you suggested island princess, because the DELBROS website does seem to be having some problems today. We are in the same situation as many of you that had interviews recently; Cathy is pretty sure she passed, but there seems to be nothing to REALLY substantiate that, only a thumbs up and a smile from her interviewer and paying p165 to DELBROS. So we are waiting patiently ... well, sorta patiently ...

Maybe I'm just a little slower than most, but exactly what do you type in the DELBROS.com field? I am using my fiancee's case number from the letter informing her that her I-129F petition was approved. It's MNL20076xxxx. So do I put 20076xxxx/01 (of course using the correct numbers for the x's) in the field for a K1 visa or what? Thanks!

Thanks everyone. I do believe she is approved. BUT.... I won't confirm it until she has the visa in hand!

Justjoeny91, I think you and I are thinking so much alike. My fiance's interview was also yesterday in in Manila. She called about 9am Manila time and said, "I am successful." I asked her if she has a receipt or written approval on a piece of paper (I didn't think to ask about the 'pink slip' I have read about on VJ) ... and she said, "the interview lady gave me a thumbs up and smiled, then I went and paid DELBROS." So, I am hoping that means it's final and she really passed. I'll call her in a little bit to get more assurance. For sure she was talking faster and higher-pitched and louder than I have ever heard her, so I can only assume it's all good news. I'll keep y'all posted and tell you any details that could be helpful for anyone going the process when I know for sure ...

I-129F: I would put whatever her name was when you divorced so that it will match your divorce decree (don't forget to send a copy of that also)

G-325A: I would list all employment for last 5 years. Since you've had your primary job for 15 years, you'll have plenty of room to list everything.

Evidence: I wouldn't tape the tickets to anything. Put them in some ziplock bags or something and attach the bag to a piece of paper or something. You can list what the evidence is on the paper or attach a label or sticky note or something to it. If you have pictures, place them in a baggy too and on the back of them, write who is in the pics, date, place, etc.

Good luck!

On the question of what last name to use for ex-wife on I-129F ... I did the opposite of what has been suggested here in an earlier post. I used her current, newly-married last name. My reasoning was that, if they check up on it, her name had better be her legal name NOW. Apparently it was ok, our I-129F was approved. Good luck!