top_secret

For use it was a single I-751 package that covered both wife and stepdaughter. From the single package and single I-751 they automatically assigned my stepdaughter her own separate "I-751A" case number and separately sent her extension letter and all the notices you would normally expect.

Effective August 19 there will be HUGE increases in the cost of the medical exams at Saint Luke's. The fees for ages 15+ increases from P18,540 to P28,250. A whopping 52% increase to nearly $500. Below age 15 the price is raised from P11,400 to P13,910. A 22% increase. They are attributing the increase to a policy change extending IGRA TB testing to all adults. Although the increase is substantially more than the cost of IGRA testing even in the US and they had been doing IGRA testing profitably for all child applicants for years at the previous child's price. Not to mention how far out of line it is with the costs of any type of normal medical care in the Philippines. If there is any bright side, presumably this would replace their infamous x-ray machine and reduce the number of applicants being unnecessarily sent for sputum testing.

You can try the call center, though I'm not sure they have access to any appointments that aren't available on the ustraveldocs site. The way you get locked out of the ustraveldocs site if due to refreshing to frequently and possibly they have some limitation on how often you can log in per day. You are correct, the web site is awful. They have some kind of primitive system in place to theoretically thwart people using scripts or bots there. Using a slow motion approach when using the website seems the best way to avoid getting locked out. Limit and space out the number of logins and leave a substantial amount of time between clicking refresh. There is a Facebook group chat specifically for IR5 applicants looking for interview slots for US Embassy Manila where they share any time anyone sees any slots open. To get in that, join the FB Group "IR5 US VISA PROCESS" and then message the admin there "Di SabLan" asking to be added to that group chat. As far as Facebook groups go, that one seems well moderated. To the best of my knowledge they have not opened any August slots at all for anyone yet so presumably before long the whole month of August would open up at once.

For the Philippines it is very easy to get a certified passport copy and that's what we used successfully for the ITIN. We were married in Costa Rica but no first hand knowledge of how passports work there. However, for Costa Rica it mentions "Certificación de Pasaporte" here. Under "Información Importante:" https://www.migracion.go.cr/Paginas/Pasaportes-y-Permisos-de-Salida.aspx It seems it is initiated by e-mail so perhaps they might be able to answer questions. certificaciondepasaporte@migracion.go.cr The IRS has their official timeframes here under "Other forms" https://www.irs.gov/help/processing-status-for-tax-forms

I won't make any predictions but I do believe this coming week will be telling. Based on the last few months there should be a new round of NVC scheduling. They are clearly fully into the entirety of the backlog and last month virtually did nothing. Last month you could attribute the lack of progress to the IR mass expedite working through the system. This month there are currently 600+ appointments open in July. At minimum, unlimited open appointments means the IR mass expedite is cleared and no longer a factor. I feel the progress you see in this next week will clearly define where the embassy stands dealing with their issue going forward.

Who are "they" and how specifically was she notified of this requirement?? (I'd hazard to guess that notification of this requirement arrived via Facebook group chat)

CFO changed their policy as of last year sometime to strictly no CFO appointments unless you have an actual visa on hand.

I'm pretty sure they still can even if the child is already an adult. However, you would have to check with the consulate to get a definitive answer.

Mom can just include her children with her application when she reacquires Filipino citizenship. File a petition to include the children and pay the $35 fee. https://newyorkpcg.org/pcgny/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Petition-for-Inclusion-of-Dependents-Under-RA-9225-1.pdf Only necessary for children born after a parent naturalized to the US but before they reaquired Filipino citizenship and therefore was not a Filipino citizen when the child was born. If a parent was still a Filipino citizen at the time of the child's birth in the US, they merely need to file a Report of Birth with the consulate to claim the child's Filipino Citizenship.

Yea. BI will definitely look at your combo card. The combo card show's you are resident in the US. They only time they ever look for CFO is if you are leaving for the first time with an immigrant visa. Since you are resident in the US you will never need CFO again.

So whenever it gets approved and sent to NVC you can just not pay the fees for up to a year, if you need longer than that, once you do pay the fees you have another year to start submitting documents. Theoretically you could delay it indefinitely as long as you remain in touch with NVC. When you are ready to proceed just complete the NVC process.

I found this recent case in a Facebook group.

I did see one recent case with EXACTLY the same circumstances (filed I90 instead of I751, notified of their mistake at N400 interview), where the officer held the N400 open, expedited approval of a hastily filed I751 and still allowed them to naturalize on the original N400 within a month or two. I'm guessing they had a very gracious officer and not every one could expect such luck but that was one success story. I'll look and see if I can find that case. I don't remember if it was here or elsewhere.

They wont ask for CFO again. Also when you go to leave make sure to stop by the TIEZA counter and ask for your travel tax exemption. Bring your marriage certificate to explain the name change.

This is a recurring problem for Filipino children with naturalized parents in exactly this situation. There have been several people here in the past who had this issue. I don't recall any of them coming back to update their outcomes or resolution though. I'm assuming from the circumstances that you were not married to the child's biological father but he did acknowledge paternity and is listed on the child's birth certificate.(???) The strict legal answer is that you have sole parental authority under Philippine law and the US accepts Philippine law on the issue as valid since the child was born there. The more practical issue is convincing the clerk at the passport office of that. My own idea would be to apply for the child's passport at US Embassy Manila if you are ever on vacation there, simply because US Embassy Manila is fully knowledgeable about Philippine custody laws and almost certainly wouldn't give you any grief over the issue. DS-5525 is another possible option too. The DS-11 instructions say If only one parent/guardian can appear in person with the child, you must also submit one of the following Evidence of sole authority to apply A written statement (made under penalty of perjury) or DS-5525 explaining, in detail, why the second parent cannot be reached Maybe you could try citing the relevant Philippine law in a written statement since it is the actual legal justification.(??) The main problem is finding a sympathetic clerk at the passport office who is willing to listen. https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1987/07/06/executive-order-no-209-s-1987/ EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 209 THE FAMILY CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES TITLE VI CHAPTER 1. Art. 165. Children conceived and born outside a valid marriage are illegitimate, unless otherwise provided in this Code. Chapter 3. Art. 176. Illegitimate children shall use the surname and shall be under the parental authority of their mother, and shall be entitled to support in conformity with this Code.

Is your case status "Ready". If so, you proceed with payment, DS-160, medical and schedule the interview. US Embassy Manila is not always so helpful notifying you what to do next. It would not be unusual for them to just leave you hanging to figure that out by yourself.

At least the most important part was accepted. Under the new fee structure it's cheaper/easier to refile the I-765 online.

Where in the process is her case at now? If it has not completed NVC yet you can delay it there until you are ready to proceed.

It won't cause any problems at all. Just update her new address when it's time for her to fill the DS-160.

I'd at least file a FOIA request for your entire A-file and see what they are basing dates on. Is it possible they are basing your resident since date on anything different than you are? I previously saw someone else here comment that somehow their resident since date randomly changed without them understanding why.

The US does not have any exact equivalent to Philippine middle names. Any kind of middle name is just another given name. For the DS-260 it only asks "Surnames" and "Given Names". In your example, "Maria Jane Gonzales Diaz", Gonzales is a middle name, it is not a surname. Therefore the most correct answer for Filipinos on the DS-260 would be, Surnames: Diaz ,,, Given names: Maria Jane Gonzales . Your sister is correct though. She should not have dropped the middle name and if ever middle name is specifically asked, it is Gonzales. The name Jane is a "second first name", not a middle name. Fortunately, the US is a lot less strict about middle name usage than the Philippines and in almost all situations you could either include it or omit is. However, on her DS-260 is should match her passport and include all names on her passport. Surname under surnames, and all other names including middle name under given names. It will not cause any issues or delay if it was omitted anywhere as they will straiten it all out at the pre interview document check. It's a constant source of confusion on US visa applications in the Philippines and US Embassy Manila effortlessly corrects various middle name issues every day. Just make sure her full name is all included on her NBI Clearance exactly according to Filipino naming rules. The Embassy is very strict about that.

It is all to common seeing cases where petitioners file I-130's with errors specifying whether they are seeking adjustment of status or consular processing. So, they have to file I-824 to get their case moving again which is expensive and even more costly in terms of lost time and heartache. So it at least seems that USCIS has made a very positive change for petitioners who make that mistake, by allowing USCIS to use their descension determining if adjustment of status or consular processing is desired in cases where the relevant questions are answered ambiguously. Presumably that would eliminate a whole lot of unnecessary I-824. It would seem like a big deal to those making that common mistake. https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-updates-guidance-for-family-based-immigrant-visas

The only cases I have seen where people were approved for B2 visas with a US citizen spouse, is if they were living together overseas. Having a US Citizen spouse who is living in the US tends to show much stronger ties to the US than any job or lease would show ties their home country. I'm not saying it's impossible but it seems highly unlikely.

If you are already using your married name just use it to file the N400 and include you maiden name as other names used. You already changed your name legally by marriage. You merely need to update USCIS. The NEW online N400 specifically mentions you do not need a N400 name change just to use your married name.

My wife got four shots. Two in each arm. Her daughter got six. Two in each arm and one in each leg. They definitely came out of Saint Luke's thoroughly vaccinated 😆. No extra charge.