gullyracer

Filing I130/I485 plus all the other form concurrently.   Running into problem with I944 as it does not apply well to our situation but have to fill it out and so trying to figure out how to best answer "household' questions.  Mother is here on tourist visa and staying with us.  She has no dependent family members in home country where she lives in house we own (and separated from husband for many years).  We provide most all of her support in home country as she maintains our house and watches other grandkids, and same when she visits us.  Seems we should list just herself for her household and then myself as providing greater than 50% of her support. 

Thanks for you insight. DHL it is.

I was just perusing this forum looking for unrelated info and saw your post. I am not one to get on forums and such but all the naysayers got my attention so thought I would try to give some useful info.

For airlines, I would check Eva Air and China Airlines. Both have reasonable fares < $1000 from the West coast. And fees to change flights are reasonable, unlike the US based carriers. Example, we flew China Airlines from LAX to MNL for $650 round trip in March. Had to change return flight which only cost $30. If you are not near the West Coast, which I am not, fly Southwest to LAX. Unlike the other US carriers can just buy one way tickets and change flights or use unused tickets with no penalty. I usually buy cheapest fare I can with them about 3-4 weeks in advance and then keep checking for something cheaper. And if not sure on the return, I buy separate one way ticket, and just watch the fares and try to finalize a couple weeks in advance to get best deal. Tue and Wed usually cheapest days to fly, but sometimes Sat Sun also good.

Despite what others may say I would suggest you avoid any Agency (most all are scams and ripoffs)and if possible do fly and help your fiancee as much as you can. I had found some good info on this forum but the whole process can be very confusing. Getting anything done in Manila takes forever, long and multiple lines to stand in for everything. St Lukes could take 2 days. Timing could be a problem as there is a time gap between the medical and the interview. I think two weeks for us. Not sure what current rules are as it was 4 years ago for us but I did go with my wife to her interview (i think I saw where US citizens can no longer do so). We stayed at the Best Western, walking distance and not too expensive. She was very nervous and when that happens her English tend to fail her which is common. (even after 15 years of going to the Philippines and with my wife for 8 years I still have to remind myself of the cultural differences) The Filipino clerks at the US Embassy tend to give their fellow Filipinos a hard time but the Consulate is American so more understanding. Our interview was mostly me and him talking sports. If you cannot accompany her then practice with her in English the responses to the typical questions they will ask. You can find on this forum.

Good Luck.

Does anybody currently know the quickest way to mail a document from Manila to the United States?

I had once sent a letter via FedEx at SM only to find out that FedEx subcontracts and apparently they bundle their shipments and what should have been 2-3 days ended up being 10 days. I am wondering if DHL is any better and perhaps I should find out their main office to avoid any delays.

Thanks,

What is needed to apply for SSN for dependent child who accompanied K1? is it necessary to wait until after change of status?

Thanks

My fiancee' and i just finished the visa process and her sister had just gotten her K3 the week before. The Guide and this forum was useful to us so I thought I would share some additional things we learned in the process that might be useful to others and as additions or updates to the Guide.

1. Medical. Once the appointment is scheduled it is possible to just show up (no need to call) prior to the appointment date at St. Lukes with required documents and get the medical done. We especially recommend doing this if children are to accompany. At least in our case they required her son to have allergy test prior to getting his shots, which will add 3 days to the process (started on Tuesday and finished up with his shots on Friday). This could be a real problem if you do not go early, as the results might not reach embassy before interview. And, also if coming in from a distant province. Now a real trick to minimize having to wait all morning to get the medical done is to show up after lunch. Most everyone is finished and you can breeze through the process.

Oh, and the x-ray. You don't need that anymore after the medical. St Lukes tells all that you need it when entering the USA. And we saw many carrying it to the interview and CFO. Became laughable after a while.

2. Packet Requirements. NSO certificate is now required to show no previous marriage. All should know that it takes about 3 weeks after application for it to be ready for pick up. (Manila). We had less than that amount of time between receipt of packet and interview date but luckily we had prepared all in advance, thanks to the Guide and the sample packet.

3. Interview Process. 7:30 appointment on Appointment Letter does not mean you actually have an appointment for that time. We got there at 7:05 and found out it is first-come first-serve. Don't know when they opened the doors but we were towards the end of the line inside. Have to sit and wait and the guards will have row by row get up to get in line to get a number. Got ours about 10. We were 7131. Highest I think was 7146. Appears they have gauged the number than can complete by noon time because after that they go to lunch and appears they just do paper work after lunch. Got to the pre-interview about 11:40. Seems they only wanted to know how we met. Interview with consular officer was pleasant. I guess it helped that I was there. Requested to pickup visa in person. (worked okay for us, but probably the exception. We learned once again that 'ready' means you have to wait all day, and maybe even come back the next day)

4. DS156. Apparently non-electronic DS-156 is still ok. Couple sitting in front of us awaiting interview had used paper copy and became concerned when they heard us making comment about the electronic form. They went and asked and were told it was ok. Regardless, we recommend all to follow the guide and use the electronic form.

5. Photos. Packet says to include 2 photos. We just had ours in a zip lock bag, but while waiting for interview saw others had affixed to DS156 and DS157?. They had glue available (appears this is a common confusion) so we took care of it while waiting. A few others had gone up to the window to get their number without the photos attached and to go fix it and come back (saw one petitioner get really pissed off about it. Hey could do it there so not that big of a deal).

7. CFO. Can be done while in Manila to get medical. They (CFO workers) are resistant to let you do this but it can be done. Then just need to go back once visa is in hand to get certified stamp. Worked good for us as we picked up visa at embassy. But ran into additional hassle as they require minors 13 - 19 yrs old to also get CFO. So, one more day there for us. By the way, any attending the CFO seminar/consuling should just ignore all that they hear there. The presenters don't have a clue what they are talking about and spread nothing but disinformation.

8. Delbros. The sister had hers delivered. Took 2 weeks to get it in Bulacan. Appears special delivery is not special. Don't know it for a fact but appears they save up and send many to a region at a time, to make a few pesos on the side.

9. Brown Envelope. Saw some coming back to embassy because they had opened it. I see someone had already posted opening just the plastic and not the brown paper envelope. Caution: keep away from family members. niece almost accidentally opened the sisters envelope.

Side notes. Got through immigration with no hassles and without having them dig through our bags the usual two times at the Manila airport. (so tired of that. they were still doing it in Sept., don't know when that finally ended. or maybe it was just an off day). But now they are hassling you about carry-on bag weight. 7kg limit. But only Filipinos it appeared. I walked right thru with my 20kg carry-on. Guess it made up a little for the hassle us foreigners have to go through with the taxi drivers. In the last 10 yrs, I've spent the better part of 1-1/2 years in the Philippines so I'm no newbie. Not bitter, just had all I could handle with the Manila and surrounding area traffic, pollution and bureaucratic hassles. Maybe some day we will go back, but to a remote province on a nice beach.

Good Luck to all.

how do we request at (or after) the interview to pick up the visa directly from the embassy rather than wait for them to send DHL? and how many days is reasonable for this request, 1, 2, ? Interview is on Thursday Nov. 8 and as we are trying to fit this into a business trip we need to be departing Manila no later than Tuesday the 13th.

any experience or information any of you have on this would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

NOA2 for K1 on Aug. 21 and still no NVC notification. tried to use automated system with my WACxxxxx number and it comes up, unknow number. sent email but no response. trying to get through to operator but no success yet. thoughts / suggestions ?

thanks,

Gullyracer, you need to call NVC at 603-334-0700, press 1 then 5 to get an operator. It may take a few times to get through, but you will. Give them you WAC# and ask if they have your case. If they do, they will give you a new case number and tell you when/if they have sent it to the embassy. Good luck!

well i got through to NVC but they say they have not received my case. its been 4 WEEKS! what do we do now? how do i call CSC?

Called USCIS and they say they sent out on the 17th. Aug 21 to Sept 17? what the h___? our government in-action. hoping for better luck with NVC. yeah, i know.

NOA2 for K1 on Aug. 21 and still no NVC notification. tried to use automated system with my WACxxxxx number and it comes up, unknow number. sent email but no response. trying to get through to operator but no success yet. thoughts / suggestions ?

thanks,

Gullyracer, you need to call NVC at 603-334-0700, press 1 then 5 to get an operator. It may take a few times to get through, but you will. Give them you WAC# and ask if they have your case. If they do, they will give you a new case number and tell you when/if they have sent it to the embassy. Good luck!

well i got through to NVC but they say they have not received my case. its been 4 WEEKS! what do we do now? how do i call CSC?

NOA2 for K1 on Aug. 21 and still no NVC notification. tried to use automated system with my WACxxxxx number and it comes up, unknow number. sent email but no response. trying to get through to operator but no success yet. thoughts / suggestions ?

thanks,

No father of record (not named on birth certificate) and out of the picture since birth, so no problem there. child is under 16 (12yo).

specific question right now is whether or not a separate DS 157 and $100 payment will be required.

thanks

We are expecting packet 4 soon and preparing documents in advance but uncertain as to what documents and especially what forms are required for a minor child who be accompanying his mother. Thanks in advance. L & E