Dan & Jovy

So Jovy and I went to the local Civil Surgeon, taking along the form she had from Manila embassy with some but not all vaccinations marked off. Some were either unavailable or not deemed appropropriate, so there were gaps. I told the CS that we were filing for AOS and only needed a I-693/vaccincation supplement since she had a full physical in Manila to get her visa. He noted from the forms that she did not have a TB test, which he said was the most important part. She recalls having a cough and them not wanting to do it, or some such. I was surprised that she received her visa without that, but anyway, the CS administered a TB test, and we returned after a few days. We went back the other day to pickup her original form and the 693 transposed and signed off by the Dr. He gave us a sealed envelope, addressed to the local (Newark, NJ) INS office. Need some advice on what to do?

1 - rip the envelope open, and take the vaccination page out to attach in our I-485 filing

2 - hold the envelope intact until such time as medical is requseted by the local office (envelope includes result of TB test and vaccinations - we hope)

3 - Make the sealed envelope an attachment within our I-485 filing.

Also.....Is a US passport photo the same standard used by USCIS?? It seemed much easier abroad, as many people in Manila knew what kind of pictures we needed so we didn't have to haggle. In the US, i guess most people never needed to do this, so are only familiar with passport photos. Just

want to double-check if its the same thing.

Many thanks for sound advice.

I couldn't find it going to the forms overview either - it wasn't listed. So I typed I-485 in the on site search engine and came up with this:

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-485.pdf

and here are the instructions:

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-485instr.pdf

That's the one, thanks! I had also searched the site, but only found that one that expired in 2005 before.

OK i tried it, and the second hit was www.uscis.gov/forms. As I understand it, this is the official place to go, but I find I-485 to be strangely missing?? Did you find it there?

uscis.gov says something about many websites offering forms but you run the risk of having problems or using outdated forms by using other than uscis.gov

Am I missing something? Just want to make sure we have the current version of the form that we send. I downloaded from the guide, but always feel it's best to get from the uscis.gov website. I look down the list of immigration forms, and did a search and couldn't find it. Does anyone know if it is in some other area of the site?

Thanks!

I'm confused. What was incorrect the I-94 or the SAVE system SSA uses to verify status. If the I-94 is incorrect, then that needs to be corrected. If the SAVE system was incorrect and didn't match the I-94, then the SSA office needs to send a secondary verification request.

The I-94 in Jovy's passport does not show a birthdate, so it is correct in all respects. I can't see the portion kept by CBP to validate what was on there anymore. We only have an issue that SSA was unable to match the info in the INS/CIS database that they reference. I guess we go back and ask them to complete secondary verification, but why would the admin not know about that process. It just is rough taking off as much time from work after using all my vacation already when I left for Philippines and we came home together.

By the way, the SSA office was Parsippany NJ, someone asked that before.

We just had this same experience today. Went to SSA, waited in the painfully slow line, while i was missing work, and came to find out that Jovy's date of birth was mixed up upon data entry from her I-94 when we arrived on March 5. The admin could see the correct birthdate on her visa, and that the month and day were reversed in the INS system she was trying to match to. She informed us that there was nothing she could do when the data did not match our application and/or visa and the mistake was on the other end. She simply cancelled our application and suggested we go back to where we arrived to have it fixed.

Why did you have the application canceled? Did you ask if the secondary verification had been submitted? Doing the additional verifications is for cases like this. Which SSA office told you this?

The Admin determined to cancel and I was not aware of secondary verification. I never researched what happens when they data enter your I-94 incorrectly, so was not aware of the secondary verification availability. I was prepared with support for K-1 as authorized to work without special approval, but that didn't come up.

I found Form I-102 which is specifically used to correct errors on an incorrect I-94. Amazingly it scopes out anyone who received their I-94 from US Customs & Border Control. They refer you to the CBP website....

So I found the Q&A on the CBP website that states that CBP only reviews your paperwork on entry, and they send the forms to CIS for data entry. Soooo, if you have an error in data entry, you must your friendly local CIS office to have it corrected (why would I-102 exist and scope out CBP issued I-94's if this is the case??)

A separate CBP Q/A exists for if your I-94 has incorrect information. It says you can go to a local CBP Deferred Inspection Site or Port to have it corrected. But...elsewhere I read that these sites can only correct errors made at the time of entry.

Typical government run-around.

We just had this same experience today. Went to SSA, waited in the painfully slow line, while i was missing work, and came to find out that Jovy's date of birth was mixed up upon data entry from her I-94 when we arrived on March 5. The admin could see the correct birthdate on her visa, and that the month and day were reversed in the INS system she was trying to match to. She informed us that there was nothing she could do when the data did not match our application and/or visa and the mistake was on the other end. She simply cancelled our application and suggested we go back to where we arrived to have it fixed. I said i don't think they really let you into custom's at the airport when you aren't travelling internationally. She shrugged and we left. How infuriating.

We don't have any real intention of Jovy working in the near future, so the SSN was all about obtaining the additional US-Gov't issued ID card, and making it easier to add her to my benefits at work (medical insurance etc.), and fill out other types of forms that use SSN to help identify you. Does anyone have insight if this birthday error from I-94 data entry could have any impact on our AOS process, or otherwise further on down the line? Also after green card issuance, does the system that SSA is referencing get updated with correct data? Any insights are appreciated.

Thanks!

Jovy called the embassy and they confirmed she needs to go to the CFO, so we're doing that Monday 2/25 before going to Gen San. Thanks to the well-wishers. Good luck to those waiting for visas, i am sure it will be this week.

Visa received today by DELBROS. Jovy lives in Santo Nino, S. Cotabato, about 90 minutes north of Gen San. It took 9 days from approval to receive, for any trying to determine timing. I really expected an extra week in this process, but so excited we're ready to come back here together soon. Good luck to any still waiting and to all for happy and safe travels.

Jovy just called and DELBROS just delivered her visa!!!

We are very excited and already have our tickets. I am going next Saturday, landing in MNL Sunday night. She is gonna meet me there and we fly to Gen San the next day. We'll stay with her family about a week, and then going back to MNL, and then to USA on Wednesday morning March 5. We're going through Tokyo, and our POE is Newark, NJ, which is only 25 minutes to my house. I can't wait, her family is so nice, and we always have alot of fun there. It's just great knowing that we don't have to say goodbye again this time, which was always so difficult before.

The DELBROS delivery guy said that Jovy does not need to go to CFO, because she went to Singapore for two weeks once before. That's actually where we met, I was working there for two weeks, and we met at the Hard Rock cafe. Apparently he said that CFO is only for first time leaving the country, but she was only on vacation. I asked her to call the embassy tomorrow to confirm this, but wonder if anyone has heard of this? Thanks in advance for any insights.

Hey everyone. I just heard from Jovy and her visa was approved!! whhooheeww! Congratulations to the others approved, and good luck to all those waiting.

If you live in CA or NJ (like me), you may be in luck. I highly recommend LBC if you live near any of their locations. Jovy told me to see about LBC when urgently needing to send her the I-134 and other documents etc. in beginning of January. Its a very successful courier service locally in the Philippines, but also they have about 60 locations in the USA, just for accepting shipment to The PI. I had a terrible experience with USPS before, they charged too much and took more than 1 month to deliver the I-129F copy and pictures, etc. before, so LBC was a God-send. LBC charged $25 (plus import tax $10) for a box with my documents, pictures, a gameboy, jewelry and miscellaneous stuff, and they got the package to their location nearest Jovy within about 2 weeks. Jovy lives in a rather remote town in South Cotabato, about 2 hours north of Gen-San and they called her cell when the package was there for pickup. I am sure they're even faster and door-to-door if sending to Manila or other higher population cities. Anyway, if you haven't heard about LBC, check it out, but there are many states with no locations, so don't get your hopes up too much. I will be gladly using them in the future, and together when we're sending some gifts home to the family.

http://www.teamlbc.com/01prdcr.html

Hi Everyone,

We're getting closer to the interview date (Feb 8), and Jovy is getting her plane ticket to go along with her brother to Manila next week. She was able to get all of her necessary documents in Davao about 2 weeks ago, and finally received my package with I-134 and other supporting documents from LBC on Monday. We weren't able to work out an early medical due to late packet 4 and many things still to do at that time, but are now confident that there won't be any reason she can't do it on the scheduled date. Also she has had regular doctor visits, and blood tests/chest x-rays and she's not worried about any results. Of course, me i'm nervous about anything that could cause more delay to our being together.

When we get back here after the visa, she will initially be staying home alone while i am at work every day. My neighborhood is quiet and its not too easy getting to know the people here. I'll be teaching her to use the computer, because she never really got any opportunity for that. After she gets more comfortable in the new surroundings, I hope she's going to become interested in learning to drive, and actually I kept my Honda Accord when i just got my new car, just so she'd have to stare at it (wondering why she wants to stay home instead of driving lol).

Anyway, for starters, we both like the idea if she can start some online education, improving her english skills and trying to get some other general courses as well. We hope that way later she can have opportunity for some college studies here, in any courses that interest her. I wondered if anyone knows of a good online program of study for someone new to the US, especially anyone from the Philippines who found something useful here. Thanks in advance for any ideas.

Good luck to everyone on your journeys, maybe someday we can join you all for a big party.

Dan

Dan n Jovy,

I thank you for your reply, I wouldn't have posted like that but he sent me several PMs after I explained that my business is failing due to the economy and that I have invested a lot into it, that I am basically an idiot and loser... lol. I am a moderator on several forums and have never seen such childish behaviors on any. Maybe it's just the stress from this long waiting game.

Again thank you and I wish you a speedy approval!

Jeff

i must admit, I found it an unusual reply, so just moved past it. There is no victory, moral or otherwise, that comes from maximizing you tax payments. I'd advise anyone to use the tax laws to their advantage and pay as little tax as legally possible (without lying or cheating).

WOW - someone may have too much time on their hands worrying about your business and such <mostly sarcastic yet still evil grin>. I hadn't seen posts like that since i began browsing here. Don't let it bother you bud. And best of luck in your process.

I'm starting to stress out again preparing to send the I-134 and all the supporting docs (which should just be a whole lot of overkill, but i want to make sure and meet the 2 of 4 types of evidence standard), as well as figuring out whether to send all these things to Jovy at home in South Cotabato, or directly to Manila where she can pick up her packet from SLEC then do an early medical. LBC says to allow 7-10 working days to get the documents from here in New Jersey to General Santos. There's always hope she'd get her packet from USE before then which would make me feel alot better, but not holding my breath about that.

i must admit, I found it an unusual reply, so just moved past it. There is no victory, moral or otherwise, that comes from maximizing you tax payments. I'd advise anyone to use the tax laws to their advantage and pay as little tax as legally possible (without lying or cheating).

I am not sure if i can edit my own posts here, didnt see the button.

I did find this in the FAQ for the affidavit of support, within the guide.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=support

When assets are used, the assets must equal 5 times the difference between the annual income and the

needed 125% of the poverty level, this is because the affidavit is in effect for 5 years. For instance, if you

needed $15,500 income and had an annual income of $13,500, you would need an extra $2,000 of assets for 5

years, or a total of $10,000 in assets in addition to your income. In general, if you are deficient on yearly income

for sponsorship and your assets are somewhat borderline, do not take chances--have a co-sponsor. If you do not

have a job or a steady income from other sources (such as retirement income), you will likely have to get a

co-sponsor for your spouse, even if your assets are adequate. The USCIS looks VERY CLOSELY at current income

and not just the assets.

Long time reader here and recently sent out a "bullet proof" I-129K packet and got my NOA1 on the 2nd day. I only see one thing that I question but think my plan might work. Please read it all before you flame me

I do not meet 125% poverty income, as a matter of fact my CPA didn't file a return last year because I only showed $68.00 of income...lol Some things about owning a business is good but definitely not good for an I-129. This year looks even worse.

What has happened over the past few years is I have been loaning the company money and what comes out is a repayment of the loans and that goes to pay bills.

However I have lots of assets way over the 125% x 5 years and currently about 60K in cash.

My current hobby to keep me busy is trading in stocks. If anyone heard about the markets this past year you can probably guess I didn't make a whole lot there either so that isn't going to help much. A few classes and I think I fixed all the problems I had with it but wont be able to tell for a while.

My plan is to have a PFS (personal financial statement) signed by my CPA stating my asset and cash value along with an optimistic business evaluation. An optimistic house appraisal will be done as soon as we get NOA2. I will also hopefully be able to show that I am making a good amount with brokerage statements.

When Bing gets her date to go to the Consulate I plan to fly in, have the information above and hopefully can show that I am making some sort of income in the markets. I can't guess what I will make by time that comes around but I wonder if there is a chance of squeezing through the Consulate on just assets alone.

Any help or advise is appreciated...and NO I am not going to go and get a real job! Hahaha

Edit: No Cosponsors alive or available.

Sorry for the long story but I wanted to try to explain everything as well as I could.

I think your plan will work just fine but make sure the CPA explains any absent tax return(s). The reason you gave is sufficient. No need to file with that little income.

I also think your plan will work, if there's significant value to your business. Income is mostly irrelevant to the wealthy, other than to fight inflation. If they don't want to make the exception for you, I guess you'll need to find a plan B. Maybe become an employee of your business to generate some W-2 income. I am a CPA believe it or not, but my career has been spent in large corporate finance and previously auditing, so I am not a small business expert. Couldn't you just give yourself a nice big wage in the business which should be deductible by the business anyway, while you have some additional personal taxes. Its technically still 2007, so you could accomplish this in the tax year.

Regards and good luck.

Jovy's interview scheduled for February 8 in MNL!! 2007833XXX (not sure what that number is used for here, but what the hey)

No packets 3/4 received yet, but excited to know timing of next steps. We can almost pick a wedding date now. I've been afraid to put any money down with such date uncertainty looming.

hi jovy!

we have the same interview date. I have not received packet 3 & 4. Hopefully soon. I plan to take an early medical.

How about you?

marivic from davao city

Hi Marivic! This is Dan. Unfortunately, Jovy has no internet access so has never been to the website here. I have given her many printouts of information from here when i went to visit. She lives in Santo Nino, South Cotabato about 2 hours drive north of Gen San. I am sure she would love to have a friend through this process. If you like, you can send me a private message with your cell number and I can give it to her, or I can give you her # as well. I talk to Jovy every night, since we can't message or e-mail each other. I don't really know the benefits of having an early medical, so I think she is planning to go there as scheduled on February 1. We have to make sure we have all our forms filled out in advance! Take care, and best wishes for the new year.

Dan

Jovy's interview scheduled for February 8 in MNL!! 2007833XXX (not sure what that number is used for here, but what the hey)

No packets 3/4 received yet, but excited to know timing of next steps. We can almost pick a wedding date now. I've been afraid to put any money down with such date uncertainty looming.

Hey Guys,

We are in the same boat - interview and medical scheduled but no receipt of packet 3 or 4. The only problem is that Jovy has no access to the internet, nor any idea what to do with it if she did. She's watched me surf around or send e-mail when we were together, but has had no access to it because her village is somewhat remote. I know thats shocking because many people here have met on the internet, but we have had to use the phone to keep in touch (talking every day ). The problem is, I don't know what to do if she does not receive her instructions and forms directly from the Embassy.

On my trips to visit, I have left Jovy with many printouts of the guides and other info found here, and she has a full copy of the I-129F with plenty of pictures and relationship evidence. I also left her with some travel documents of mine when I left in early October. I will be providing her their phone number and will also be shipping the I-134 and supporting documents to her in the next week or two, but have been counting on her receiving the info needed from the embassy by mail. Makes me nervous!!

Huggyapple, it looks like our appointments are around the same timeframe. Jovy will be flying from General Santos to

Manila, arrangements to be determined. Good luck to you!

ETA: Please updtae your VJ timeline for us stats fiends!!

Timeline updated, it did take me a minute to remember how to do it after all this time, lol. I am sure I'll have to learn it again soon for next update.

Hey All. Sorry for the radio silence here, I've just found it best for me to try and focus my mind on other things while we wait for all of these processes to occur.............

Anyway, I did want to give you the good news that today I received the notification e-mail from USCIS for Jovy's I-129F (filed with VSC). I was thinking as usual when I logged into e-mail that there's no way there would be anything in there, but alas I couldn't believe my eyes!! Yesterday my VJ timeline said we could be adjudicated as early mid December I think, so a great surprise. Hang in there everyone and good luck with your individual processes. Now Im gonna hurry up and start waiting for the local embassy processes to get complete so we can be together next year.

There is a Mexican Embassy in the Philippines

Address:

2157 Paraiso Street, Dasmariñas Village, Makati City, Manila, Philippines, 1222

Telephone: (632) 812-2211 local 116

Email: ebmexfil@info.com.ph

http://www.sre.gob.mx/filipinas/

Requirements are tough as your fiancee needs to hold a valid US, Canadian or European visa which she will need while transitting.

LIST OF REQUIREMENTS FOR FILIPINO CITIZENS

TO APPLY FOR A TOURIST VISA TO ENTER MEXICO

* Passport (with validity of at least six months).

* One photocopy of the page of the passport with picture of passport holder, and of the last page where the signature of the Officer of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Embassy of Consulate of the Republic of the Philippines appears.

* One passport size photograph (2”x 2”).

* Airline round trip ticket (original and photocopy).

* A photocopy of U.S, Canadian, or any other European Visa is required depending on the route of the trip.

* One valid Identification Card (ID) original & photocopy including the backside. Please present any of the following:

o Driver’s License

o SSS / GSIS ID card

o Company ID

o Valid Student ID

* Financial solvency. Provide All of the following (original and photocopy):

o Valid International Credit Card (including the backside where the signature is found)

o Paid Credit Card Statements (3 most recent months)

o Updated bank Statements / Certifications

o Updated Passbooks/ Bank Books (front page & page with last updated amount

o Income Tax Return Paper (if employed); Business ownership certifications, duly registered by the Securites and Exchange Commission (SEC). (if self-employed)

* Certification of Employment (original).

* Personal Appearance.

* To download the Application Form: Click here (it should be printed back to back in one A4 size paper)

NOTE: Passengers traveling by Cruise Ship are not required to get a visa.

Wow, that's right on point, thanks for saving me the aggravation! Not sure why I thought Mexico would be easier to enter as a visitor than the US, other than as a USC it's always been automatic. There are no routes that don't pass through a US airport (and US visa won't be happening yet), plus, all of the financial solvency and stuff is more than we'd be able to pull together for her. Anyway, I'll probably pass on my buddy's destination wedding, as he is merely passing the cost of his honeymoon onto his closest friends and family (lol i think they stay free if they get enough guests to book there). I think he'll understand that this year its more important to me that I use my vacation to spend time with Jovy while we wait for her to get her visa. Thanks to you all for your willingness to help on my question!

She will require a Tourist Visa to enter Mexico

http://www.consulmexny.org/eng/visas_fmt.htm

Thanks Lance, that was the one I originally found, and it applies only to permanent residents of the US, with citizenship of other countries. The instruction was to go to NYC, which we can't do (yet). Thanks for looking for me, I do appreciate the help.

Hi All.

Jovy is a citizen of the Philippines and we are in the K-1 visa process for her to move to the US and marry me. She has a passport already. My friend is getting married in the Mayan Riviera, Mexico in November, and I can't find anything on the internet that would indicate whether or not she could freely enter Mexico with only her passport. All google topics I found on the subject related to people in the US (including citizens of other nations) wanting to travel to Mexico, and it directs you to visit the consolate in New York City (which clearly Jovy cannot do).

I'd like to spend a week of vacation in November with her in Mexico so she can attend the wedding with me and meet some of my friends. I would then get almost two extra days to spend with her for my week off, since I work and she is not working, and its only 10 total travel hours for me to/fro Mexico (versus 45+ hours for a round trip to the Phils). Does anyone know what would need to be done in advance, or how I can find this info? Thanks for any advice.

I think she does need a visitor visa coming from the Philippines, but not sure. She needs to check with the Mexican embassy in Manila (or in one with a website). The main website for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is: www.sre.gob.mx and it's got an English version... follow the links and I'm sure you'll find the info you need.

Hope this helps, L.

That's what I needed thanks! No embassy or consolate in the Philippines, however, strangely enough Jovy will be meeting me in Singapore (hopefully in September) while I'm there for work, and there is an embassy there. We can just check out the feasability while we're there. Thanks again for the quick response!