Boorai

i think that if you look closely at the I130 requirements you will see that it is needed or at least encouraged to be sent with the I130. But i think it is wise to try and consdier EVERYTHING; so as to prevent RFEs or any other delay.

My wife and I have brainstormed many times in an effort to send everything this is required and then addtions to that. My wife had mailed the CENOMAR to me from QC for purposes I needed it here...then I actually have sent it back to her..for her use with the interview portion.

Keep working through...the reward is waiting for you both.

Motivated by an earlier post about air fares....

What sites does everyone suggest for teh best international rates? If anyone has specifis for flights to Manila, Philippines; that would be very useful.

I have used several sites in the past, but am finding Orbitz to have the best rates for my needs.

Any offerings?

I qualify for I-864EZ. I completed form with following attachments.

Form I-864EZ (Signed and dated)

2007 Tax Transcript with W2

2006 Tax Transcript

2005 Tax Transcript

Letter of Employment

Verify Employment and Income through the Work Number web site or phone

Form 50 -- Employee detail information (From Employer)

I am still waiting I-864 coversheet (with barcode).

I-864 is not generated yet.

After it generates, I am planning to pay online. After paying online, I think I have to wait about three days before I can print coversheet (with barcode). If that barcode coversheet says I-864 and If I file I-864EZ will there be any problem?

I did the exact same thing..and teh 864 EZ was processed without problem. You are ok. I sent everything you listed, but I also sent the one year worth of paycheck stubs. I would rather overwhelm them with information that verifies all my claims.

But you should be ok...attach the document cover sheet and send it off.

Good luck

I have sent in my I-864 way before the DS-230, which I sent last week. It's been about 2 months since I sent in I-864....does NVC send a letter stating whether I-864 has been accepted or not?

best advise I can give you.........call, call, call! You cannot call too many times.

Starting to prepare paperwork for AOS with a few questions please:

Do I pay the fee for each person (my new wife plus her 2 kids (12 & 11 yrs)? Also Social security office is telling me I need EAD for her 2 kids before they are given a social security number. They are only kids? and will not be working, but rather going to school. It's a bit confusing, so any inputs would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

When I paid teh AOS bill...the fee of $70 was paid only once for both my wife and our daughter. Am sure the same will happen for you. I think any minor children listed on her I130 are approved with her payment.

The social security cards...when you complete you DS230, your next step, there is an option on each application to announce your decision to have the government automatically send out a social security card or you can decided to complete that process on your own once they arrive. My suggestion would be to get SSN for your wife and the children and do it via the automatic process. The kids will need SSN for school to begin with...and other things along the way.

Hope this helps.

Ask to speak to an operator.

When I call NVC AVR it states that out case number is not recognized and is not able to be located. If you view my timeline..I have done all of NVC save for the DS230..which is going to be sent within two days.

So, sorry...can't help you with your questino..because AVR have never recognized our case number.

i'm up to 7 tries, nothing. i guess i'll try a few more times before i call it a day.

the last guy almost gave it to me too. he was like what? umm.. one second sir.." then he muted me, probably to ask someone if he could give it to me, then he came ack "its on the invoice we sent to you.. um, today sir."

dammit dammit, i just want to pay AOS!!

anything helpful i could say to get it out of them. is there a rule or something as to why they just wont tell me?

also, do they document every time i call. if i call, can the next guy see that i've already tried 7 times?

tell them u have to update ur file thats why you need ur iin that what i told them... goodluck i hope it helps

Amazing, because..i called them for something else and they freely gave me both the case number and the IIN. I was surprised when she offered them too me. Had no problem getting both numbers.

If you feel your loved one is in danger, file an expedite through VSC. Call them and plead your case.

Congressionally, I believe that you should have sent them a written (faxed or emailed) request with the reasons you would like their help. When I did this through my congressman (John Hall) his office was wonderful, following up the entire way.

I sent a letter, with all supporting documents to my congressman for their "congessional inquiry"...they told me they could do nothing for me...this was AFTER they told me they would do the inquiry.

Sent out all the info to all THREE of his offices and still no help. thankfully, our case is moving through quickly.

Thank you guys and i guess i will start calling everyday starting tomorrow.

All I can tell you is call, call, call...they will tell you to wait 4-5 days(NVC operator that is)...but it could be teh very next day. This has been my case, so far. And you can announce the choice of Agent via an email...check out some of teh Wiki for suggested templates for those...send that out ASAP.

only waiting you have to do is for the processing of the fees, once it changes to PAID...send out the associated document. You can get through NVC very quickly, if all is ready to go.

You cannot open an on-line HSBC account at a branch...it MUST be done on-line. You can do NO business in a branch with you on-line account. The convience is the no-fee bank to bank transfer

here is the link to HSBC US.....

https://www.us.hsbc.com/1/2/3/personal?home=personal

YOU likely cannot open this account as it DOES require a US SSN. Will hafta be your husband to do this. Once open have him request TWO ATM cards...AND to call HSBC to explain withdrawals in the Philippines.

You cannot open an on-line HSBC account at a branch...it MUST be done on-line. You can do NO business in a branch with you on-line account. The convience is the no-fee bank to bank transfer

he has no credit card but i do have... the thing is, i am going to submit this II30 and other documents to my husband this week.. i have no time to call the HSBC for me to make my husband as a supplementary.

i'm about to give up on this #### visa journey. if only i could live here in phils i would love to.. but i need to be with my husband.

Can he get a duplicate credit card in your name? That's what we did. And my husband has my name on his lease saying I can stay, so we sent that in too.

Ok...these you CAN do..because I have for me and mmy Pinay wife.

1)I wanted to be able to send my wife and our daughte money WITHOUt paying for outrageus western union fees...so(I bank with Chase)..i asked Chase for an additional debit card and sent that to Grace. She was able to withdraw cash from any ATM machine in PI with it. But there are attached fees, which are not outrageous, but at there no the less.

move on the #2...

2) to avoid those fees...I called HSBC, here in the states,,they have two type of on-line accounts. Saving and Checking. You husband can open one of these then make a bank-to-bank transfer from his account into the HSBC account. You can then withdraw cash from ANY HSBC ATM without any attached fees. HSBC does take 3 business days for the transfer to occur...but with some prep, he can transfer to you without delay.

My wife RyandGracey, suggested having you placed on his health insurance plan. This can be done WITHOUT any social security number for you or you child. I did this just 1.5 months ago. 1)this further validates your marriage and 2) you have health coverage both there AND the second you step off the airplane when you get here...WHIC IS HUGE!! I cannot convey how important that is. My insurere is Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield. If this is his..it shold be no problem.

I do hope this helps. don't hesitate to ask me any follow up questions.

And your journey has just started...don't bail out of it now.

Plus I open an account with Visa credit card, put Grace as an authorized user...and sent her the card. She uses it in PI....plus if he get s a credit card with airline miles bonus...purchases on the card can go toward airline ticket costs later.

and also..in terms of phots and such...they way took that was; I could not send enough information. i sent nearly 150 phtos with the I130. That may be a bit excessive, but I did not want there to be ANY question to our relationship. I also send trave reciept(plane tickets, stubs)..reciepts from trips to Tagaytay, Lake Caliraya, our honeymoon suite reciepts, we sent an affidavits ALONG with the marriage cert, i sent copies of letter, I even printed out a ream of emails(which i did not send but have ready), I sent DVDs of ALL photos, and DVDs of videos i took when I was there, I put ALL of our YMs on a flash drive card(did not send, but have ready). This was all JUST for teh I130.

I did not know or understand the process then, so I went excessive thinking it could not hurt and it has not. Less than 2 months from sending of I130 to approval of AOS. That is really fast processing.

Speaking of AOS..that ONLY asks for the last year tax returns....suggests last 3 years returns, but is not required. I sent my last 4 years of returns, a years worth of pay stubs, employment verification letter, and every HSBC statement(downloaded via their site). Again, too much can't hurt.

The AOS was approved in one week

So, I say be excessive. I can't hurt a bit.

he has no credit card but i do have... the thing is, i am going to submit this II30 and other documents to my husband this week.. i have no time to call the HSBC for me to make my husband as a supplementary.

i'm about to give up on this #### visa journey. if only i could live here in phils i would love to.. but i need to be with my husband.

Can he get a duplicate credit card in your name? That's what we did. And my husband has my name on his lease saying I can stay, so we sent that in too.

Ok...these you CAN do..because I have for me and mmy Pinay wife.

1)I wanted to be able to send my wife and our daughte money WITHOUt paying for outrageus western union fees...so(I bank with Chase)..i asked Chase for an additional debit card and sent that to Grace. She was able to withdraw cash from any ATM machine in PI with it. But there are attached fees, which are not outrageous, but at there no the less.

move on the #2...

2) to avoid those fees...I called HSBC, here in the states,,they have two type of on-line accounts. Saving and Checking. You husband can open one of these then make a bank-to-bank transfer from his account into the HSBC account. You can then withdraw cash from ANY HSBC ATM without any attached fees. HSBC does take 3 business days for the transfer to occur...but with some prep, he can transfer to you without delay.

My wife RyandGracey, suggested having you placed on his health insurance plan. This can be done WITHOUT any social security number for you or you child. I did this just 1.5 months ago. 1)this further validates your marriage and 2) you have health coverage both there AND the second you step off the airplane when you get here...WHIC IS HUGE!! I cannot convey how important that is. My insurere is Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield. If this is his..it shold be no problem.

I do hope this helps. don't hesitate to ask me any follow up questions.

And your journey has just started...don't bail out of it now.

Plus I open an account with Visa credit card, put Grace as an authorized user...and sent her the card. She uses it in PI....plus if he get s a credit card with airline miles bonus...purchases on the card can go toward airline ticket costs later.

he has no credit card but i do have... the thing is, i am going to submit this II30 and other documents to my husband this week.. i have no time to call the HSBC for me to make my husband as a supplementary.

i'm about to give up on this #### visa journey. if only i could live here in phils i would love to.. but i need to be with my husband.

Can he get a duplicate credit card in your name? That's what we did. And my husband has my name on his lease saying I can stay, so we sent that in too.

Ok...these you CAN do..because I have for me and mmy Pinay wife.

1)I wanted to be able to send my wife and our daughte money WITHOUt paying for outrageus western union fees...so(I bank with Chase)..i asked Chase for an additional debit card and sent that to Grace. She was able to withdraw cash from any ATM machine in PI with it. But there are attached fees, which are not outrageous, but at there no the less.

move on the #2...

2) to avoid those fees...I called HSBC, here in the states,,they have two type of on-line accounts. Saving and Checking. You husband can open one of these then make a bank-to-bank transfer from his account into the HSBC account. You can then withdraw cash from ANY HSBC ATM without any attached fees. HSBC does take 3 business days for the transfer to occur...but with some prep, he can transfer to you without delay.

My wife RyandGracey, suggested having you placed on his health insurance plan. This can be done WITHOUT any social security number for you or you child. I did this just 1.5 months ago. 1)this further validates your marriage and 2) you have health coverage both there AND the second you step off the airplane when you get here...WHIC IS HUGE!! I cannot convey how important that is. My insurere is Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield. If this is his..it shold be no problem.

I do hope this helps. don't hesitate to ask me any follow up questions.

And your journey has just started...don't bail out of it now.

I am still laughing at this, really funny

Classic!!..Exactly on point. And the darn Automation is NEVER right. My AOS has been approved...but automation states my file number is not on recognied yet....LOL

Goog job...and someone PLEASE shot the parate.

We will mail, to NVC, the DS230 very soon. We are creeping near the end of NVC and hten onto the US Embassy in Manila.

Anyone have any suggestions or tips on how to expedite the process henceforth? Or any views into what to expect.....an hints or suggestions?

Anything would be well recieved.

Does NVC send out any validation documents to the Agent of Choice? Or does everything just go to the embassy?

Hello to all,

After 356 days since filing for my wife and sons I-130 petition, they were approved on Sept. 15, 2008. I have two questions. The first is about the form DS-230 regarding my Filipino wife and step-son, and this is...

My step-son's biological father is not listed on his NSO birth certificate. N/A is shown where the father is supposed to be, but he was recently issued a Passport from the DFA and they accepted this birth certificate as did USCIS to approve his I-130 petition. Is anyone aware if this will be an issue at the embassy during my wife's and son's interview? My son is 3 years old, and my wife and I have a biological daughter (7 months) who already has her citizenship as we were all there at the U.S Embassy on Sept. 3, 2008 for the legitimacy of our marriage and proving to be both her biological parents.

The second is, because I filed an I-130 for each my wife and son do I need to fill out all the forms for both of them? And include each other as an immediate relative traveling to the USA on each others forms? This is so convoluted, errr!

We are currently awaiting our invoice number from the NVC to begin this process of obtaining their (wife and son) visa, but just ensuring we have all our i's dotted and t's crossed.

Thanks for your feedback,

I am going through a very similar issue right now...check out my posts as there are several replies that may answer your question. Seems that since the biological is NOT on the birth certificate..then on teh DS230 you can simply put "n/a"..which is what my wife and are are going to do as well.

But check out my posts.

You can put the info of the biological father. It will not affect them leaving the country as long as the child is travelling with the mother, they do not need a letter of consent from the biological father or permission from DSWD. Me and my 11-year old daughter is now here in the US. At the airport, I just showed the birth certificate of my daughter to prove that I am the mother. Next time post your questions in the Philippine Thread as most people are quick to give answers there and help out because of similar experiences.

my wife and I have decided to put "n/a" for ALL of the father's info. She really only remembers his name, he currently cannot be found, nor does she want to find him. will "na/a" affect anything. We will also send teh birth cert, of course and an updated Affadavit of illegitimacy stating the father cannot be found....think that will raise any red flags? or NVC will process it without any isses?

It will not cause any red flag. Do not worry too much. If your wife has no unterminated prior marriage then you are good to go.

would submitting the affidavit of illegitiacyalong with teh DS230 be a wise decision?

You can put the info of the biological father. It will not affect them leaving the country as long as the child is travelling with the mother, they do not need a letter of consent from the biological father or permission from DSWD. Me and my 11-year old daughter is now here in the US. At the airport, I just showed the birth certificate of my daughter to prove that I am the mother. Next time post your questions in the Philippine Thread as most people are quick to give answers there and help out because of similar experiences.

my wife and I have decided to put "n/a" for ALL of the father's info. She really only remembers his name, he currently cannot be found, nor does she want to find him. will "na/a" affect anything. We will also send teh birth cert, of course and an updated Affadavit of illegitimacy stating the father cannot be found....think that will raise any red flags? or NVC will process it without any isses?

It will not cause any red flag. Do not worry too much. If your wife has no unterminated prior marriage then you are good to go.

This issue has caused us both a great deal of stress over the last coupleof days. There will still be a lot of apprehension over this issue.

thanks for the info.

Is the checklist sent out ONLY if they need more information for something or is it sent out regardless?

What exactly is on the check list?

You can put the info of the biological father. It will not affect them leaving the country as long as the child is travelling with the mother, they do not need a letter of consent from the biological father or permission from DSWD. Me and my 11-year old daughter is now here in the US. At the airport, I just showed the birth certificate of my daughter to prove that I am the mother. Next time post your questions in the Philippine Thread as most people are quick to give answers there and help out because of similar experiences.

my wife and I have decided to put "n/a" for ALL of the father's info. She really only remembers his name, he currently cannot be found, nor does she want to find him. will "na/a" affect anything. We will also send teh birth cert, of course and an updated Affadavit of illegitimacy stating the father cannot be found....think that will raise any red flags? or NVC will process it without any isses?

My wife is at the point of completing the DS230...and I understand that the biological father's info is needed on the form. But the biological father IS NOT on the birth certificate, my wife has an affidavit of illegitimacy for her daughter, and the biological father has never provided financial nor emotional support during the entire 5+ years of her precious life.

Nor was my wife ever married to him.

Will we be REQUIRED to have a letter of consent from the father, in order for the baby to be able to leave the country? The father cannot be found; what is needed for that? Will NVC process our packet and send it on to teh embassy or will then deny the application or put it on hold?

Can my wife just put "n/a" for all of his info since he has NO legal rights to her? According to Filipino law...she legally has no father.

Alot of questions with no guidance at this point...please any info anyone can provide would be VERY helpful.

i did call NVC 5 different times and got 5 different answers

sorry, guess i should have clarified... i was referring to how many 'passport-style' photos I'd need. thx!

passport style....check out the requirments for the phots first. Then you need one each for every person your are petitioning.

NVC should have sent you 1) a case number 2) identifiaction number....if you have both of these you can log onto travel.state.gove..click the immigratn visa link and from there you can log on with 1 and 2 and pay your fees via a checking account or a saving account only.

I send 7 of me and 1 of my husband.

(as you said, 2 for I-131, 2 for I-485, 1+1 of him for I-130, and 2 for I-765).

Check out my timeline.......I sent about 150 photos...I know that seems like a bit much, but again...check out my timeline. Maybe that helped. Way I see if , once cannot send too much info to validate the relationship.