Jeff and Lenie

Why are you guys calling the 1-800 call center number? Why don't you call the embassy directly? When the messaging system comes on at the Manila Embassy, just hit "0" to talk to an agent about your case. It is much cheaper.

I just searched for something and it gave me prices from $1083. Did the same search on Kayak.com and got prices from $765....quite a price difference and not the good way.

-P

I searched one way from Manila to Salt Lake City and got $699, which is way less than anything I have seen so far.

The best kayak.com gave me for the same day was about $1350

Hey everyone, I just found this site:

http://matrix.itasoftware.com/cvg/dispatch

This site allows you to find the lowest fares between any two cities in the world. Also another great feature is you can actually see the lowest fares for 30 days in advance. All prices are after taxes too. Check it out.

You can just log in as a guest and get all the prices.

1 and a half years since I have seen her in person

Why did it take you so long to file? That seems crazy too long.

I am just curious how long it will be when your MAHAL finally comes to America from when you last saw them, and how many times you have seen them from when you decided to go through the whole visa journey process.

As for me and Lenie, I last saw her in May when I stayed there for two weeks as her and I visited around my favorite places and saw my favorite people. When she gets here, it will be 10 months since I last saw her. It will be quite a shock, but a very very joyous time.

Lenie had her interview earlier today and we are approved! Booya. I am a college student working part time and my income apparently was enough to get the approval. (I had my Dad co-sponser with me, but they didn't even request his information). Anyways...all is good in VJ land.

Yeah...I was in the same situation yesterday. Lenie was at her medical when she found out her CENOMAR that she had gotten in July was only valid for 6 months. I was about ready to order her a new one and have to delay the interview, but instead had her to talk to the embassy in person. According to the Embassy, since she had her DELBROS verification done, there was no need for the CENOMAR. Wish me luck for the interview on Tuesday!

We ran into a slight problem yesterday. While Lenie was doing her medical, she found out that the CENOMAR was only valid for 6 months (meaning hers expired in January). I was worried we would have to get another one and delay the interview. I had her go over and ask them about it at the embassy. According to the embassy, because she has already done her DELBROS authentication, which certifies her singleness, an updated CENOMAR wasn't needed. They said we could have our interview as scheduled.

Lenie is also at St. Lukes right now for her second day. She was telling me how weird the medical exam was yesterday. She is heading over to the embassy right now to ask them a few questions about her interview in a week.

haha..you got me there! I don't know Cebuano, only Tagalog, but I am sure you fine ladies are just as nice.

Quick update:

Lenie is enroute to the St Luke's Clinic as we speak. She had to get up way early this morning and travel from Laguna, and the traffic is pretty bad. Interview is next week and then she'll be coming here around the 27th of March.

It has got to be the long silky black hair! Oh, and the Tagalog language. Sobrang sexy ang boses ng isang magandang pinay na ginagamit ang tagalog!

Is this 3 working days IF we do the DEBROS verification early? I am having Lenie do that tomorrow. Is it generally recommended to do Visa pick-up? Lenie lives in Laguna and could pick it up herself, but it is somewhat of a hassle. I am just wondering if it is really worth it. Also any other advice we could get to have our visa ASAP.

hey T & A!

You and I are in the same boat. Our interview is on March 4 and I want her to come about the last week in March. A lot of good information has been said on this thread:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=109771

Also I will PM you if you find some good deals. PM me too if you find anything good. I was going to have Lenie go to the travel expo yesterday, however she lives in Laguna and it was sort of short notice and she couldn't make it. If you can pass on any good info..that would be great!

Just a quick message to all those out there. Edward Mabunga, from WWW.EMABUNGA.COM who is a Filipino travel agent here in Utah, talked with me on the phone for a while yesterday. He suggested that find travel agents out in Manila and that would we would get the best prices from them. I have noticed a few good contacts posted in this thread, and I have also found a lot of good agents on this website:

http://www.philippinetraveler.com/philippi...el-agencies.htm

I have already gotten a quote for $660 taxes included from Manila to Salt Lake. Go ahead and take it for what it's worth and make sure they know this is for a first time immigrant K-1 visa. If your fiancee lives near Manila, have her go compare prices with some local travel agents going straight through to your destination. This will be much better than any of the online fares we can get here.

Quick question about the St. Lukes Medical Fees:

Do I need to pay these before the examination like we have to with the Visa fees? If so, where can we pay them? I cannot find any information about these fees. Lenie's interview is in about two weeks.

Thanks!

The area codes are only used with landlines. If your girlfriend has a cellphone, then it is going to be a 10 digit number starting with a 09. Try not to make much sense of it. The first 4 digits in a cellphone just determine which cellphone carrier the sim card is. (I lived in the Philippines for two years...and in that time, you pick up a few things...haha.....)

Is this a PI or US phone number? is it incomplete, or am I just missing something?

Yes, it is a PI phone number. You will need to dial 011-63 first though. 02 is the area code for Manila, then the number.

I have a quick question about EVA Airlines. They have pretty good prices too on their website, however it looks like you can only buy the ticket for someone else if you are planning on traveling with them. I am not going out to pick up Lenie, so I am having her travel by herself. Is there any way to get around this rule with EVA? Does anyone have any experience with this?

just a correction on the rate i wrote above, as i got my trip itinerary just now, airfare is $615 + international taxes of $35.40 and Php1620 Philippine travel tax.

Hey Everyone!

The last few days I have been scouring the internet for deals on one-way tickets from Manila to the United States (more specifically Salt Lake City). Her interview date is March 4 and I want to buy the tickets shortly after that (or when she gets her visa) for around March 20th or maybe a week later. I've noticed a lot of folks have purchased their tickets, and I was looking for some good advice on where to get a good deal. I have noticed a lot of the discount sites don't do one way trips from Manila. Also, if you know of any good travel agents, let me know as well. I am just looking for some direction here.

Thanks!

try calling skyland travel and tours at (02)521-7025 and look for virgie. my airfare manila to LAX (los angeles) is $358 and the tax is $119 excluding the Philippine travel tax and it is via Cathay Pacific. depending on the departure time from Manila, lay over in Hongkong is between 2-4 hours but then Hongkong Int'l airport is one of the best airports for lay overs, lots to see that promo fare will ran up to end of March.

Wow, those are really great deals. How do I get on that first time immigrant deal mikeandlani? Also what is the contact number of your travel agent? Do you think I can get those same prices with only 2 or 3 weeks notice? I don't want to buy the tickets until she has her visa in hand, and want her to get here before the end of March. Thanks!!

Hey Everyone!

The last few days I have been scouring the internet for deals on one-way tickets from Manila to the United States (more specifically Salt Lake City). Her interview date is March 4 and I want to buy the tickets shortly after that (or when she gets her visa) for around March 20th or maybe a week later. I've noticed a lot of folks have purchased their tickets, and I was looking for some good advice on where to get a good deal. I have noticed a lot of the discount sites don't do one way trips from Manila. Also, if you know of any good travel agents, let me know as well. I am just looking for some direction here.

Thanks!

I just turned 23 (Jeff USA)

She is almost 26 (Lenie PI)

We are about 2 years 6 months apart.

It is great dahil pwede ko magkulit sa kanya dahil mas bata ako!

Feb. 26 Medical

March 4 Interview

We're having the wedding after I finish the semester in May.

My IV Schedule same. Feb. 26 at 7AM and Interview Mar. 4 at 7AM.......Am I dreaming.....Someone pinch me!!!!!!!

Congratulations! My girlfriend's interview is the same day at 6:30 AM, so they will probably see each other there. Any ideas yet for airline tickets?

Quick question for all the filers from the Philippines...what are all of you planning on for airplane tickets? I have been checking prices lately and found some great deals from China airlines. One-way tickets from Manila to either Seattle, San Fran, or LAX are only $480 after tax. I think I am planning on getting that price and then probably just having her fly Southwest into Salt Lake City. Does anyone else have any good ideas?