diverdon

Thanks to all for the advice. We got a infopass appointment in Buffalo USCIS and spoke to an office there who assured us there would be no problem so long as we took all the legal name chance papers along with us.

Replacement/corrected green cards take 6 months or longer to be processed generally.

Thank you for your reply, but I am not sure how this information helps us.

Generally, after biometrics it takes only a few weeks to get an new green card. Our Biometrics were done on 20 Dec,2010 so generally we should have a new card by now. Generally, you should be able to see where your case is by putting your number into the USCIS site. We can not. Generally, when you call the USCIS they can at least tell you where your case is. In our case they can or will not.

What we need to know is if my wife's green card will be good for a trouble free return on 13 Apr 2011. Or if someone has a method by which that can be discovered.

We were married in NY 0n 8 August 2009. The clerk who issued our marriage license told us that my wife could not change her middle name by marriage only her last name. My wife told me that this was going to be a big problem because in the Philippines your former last name becomes your new middle name. Sure enough when we went to the Philippine embassy to renew my wife’s passport they would not accept her legal name, and they issued her new passport as Jane B Doe not Jane A Doe.

So my wife has two different names Jane B Doe on her green card and Jane A Doe on her passport. This caused a lot of worry in our house. So I came up with a good solution, I hired a lawyer to help my wife legally change her middle name from A to B. $2000 later it is done. We go to the NYS DMV and the Social Security office and report the name change and get new documents. Then we go to the USCIS to get a new Green card, and that is where the trouble starts.

USCIS received this application 04 Nov 2010, and sent us a receipt number LIN**********. Subsequently my wife was scheduled for Biometrics on 20 December, 2010. We were on time and completed the Biometrics that day. We expected the new green card to arrive shortly thereafter. Alas this has not happened.

When we go to the USCIS website and attempt to check our case by putting our case number (LIN**********) into their system the only reply we get is:

[Your case can not be found at this time in My Case Status. Please check your receipt number and try again. If you need further assistance, please call the National Customer Service Center at 1.800.375.5283.]

My Wife and I and our infant son have tickets to visit her family in the Philippines 10 February, 2011 and returning home to NY 13 April, 2011.

As our travel date approaches I needed to find out what was going on with this. So I called the number. The agent we spoke with (Jonathan) was uniquely unhelpful. The only useful information he was able to give us was that the USCIS in Nebraska was having computer trouble with all case numbers beginning with LIN. He seemed to enjoy inferring that it might take years to solve this problem.

As my wife and I are traveling with our son John (a US citizen) who at the time or our return home will be less than six month old we cannot chance some bureaucratic snafu separating our family. I do not know what to do. We have really been looking forward to this trip, further John’s grandmother would be crushed if we had to cancel this trip.

Is there any way to ascertain for certain that my wife will be able to use the green card she currently has to be able to return home with us even though this green card does not have her current legal name and may have been replaced by mail while we were gone? If this cannot be determined we will have to cancel the trip.

I emailed our congressman yesterday, but as yet we have not received any reply

In the NYS DMV website it says:With the increase in requirements for public security, the DMV frequently updates the list of acceptable proofs of identity and date of birth. Carefully read the requirements for proofs of identity and date of birth. Make sure that you have the proofs required before you apply for any DMV document.

We needed to get to six points of ID. Else wear on the website they say that foregin passports are worth 4 points if they are accompanied by a current visa As we do not have the green card and the I-94 expired in August, I was worried that they would not accept her passport.

We presented the Passport with the I-94, and the NOA, the marriage contract, my wife's health insurance card, her Social security card, and her bank statement. No problem, the lady gave her 9 points. My wife then got 100% on the written test.

As your wife's passport contains her visa, why not wait with the renewal until she gets her green card?

Hmmm, her passport expires this coming July, what if we do not have the green card before then?

If your wife can get her new passport now, it will help. You will have at least 6-8 weeks' notice if there is to be an interview, plenty of time to get her passport updated.

We will get the passport off for renewal next week. Still I worry that with no green card and no passport, my wife's only Government issued ID will be a NYS drivers permit. We are planing a road trip to visit national parks, Washington DC, South Carolina, and Florida for the week after next. I hope that will not be a problem.

Looks like you are within normal time frame, could be another month..

Thank you, that's good to know.

Don't worry, you are fine. AOS approvals can be all over the board from as little as 3 or 4 months to as much as 2 years. Ours took 22 months, including 8 months after it was transferred to CSC. That is the far extreme of the process - there was nothing wrong, (although I think it sat on someone's desk for a long time). You are not experiencing any delays as you are within normal processing times - and no, unfortunately, there isn't anything you can do to speed things up. Hopefully you will hear something soon. The good news is that being transferred to CSC means you almost definitely will be approved without an interview.

Thank you, Your post made my wife smile. (She is always nervous about interviews.)

We were married Aug 8, 2009 and we filed for our AOS on Aug 25, 2009.

We received a I-797C Notice of Action dated Aug 27, 2009, stating that "the application has been received."

We received a second I-797C Notice of Action dated Sept 15, 2009---Notice type: Transfer Notice. this notice said that to give us faster service they had transferred our case to the California service center. We have received no further communication of any kind. We were never notified for any biometrics appointment, nothing.

When I check my case status online it says that we are at the initial review stage:

My wife should send her passport to the Philippines Embassy this month for it to be renewed, but I worry that she should hold the passport until she has a green card.

My Questions are as follows:

It took us a while to get the visa because of the CNCC we needed from Singapore, and after we got that the Embassy may have dragged their feet another month. So Jovy arrives today. I been tracking her flight, my cell rings.

I expect to here Jovy tell me excitedly how she breezed right through. It was not her but a very nice lady from DET asking me questions about do we still intend to get married? On what date do we intend to get married? Do you know your paperwork is expired?

WHAT, we only got the visa a week ago? Yes but because of when the Embassy got the approval, the paperwork expired May 29. But, no problem based on your answers I can extend new paperwork.

All I am saying is best to be near your phone when your girl arrives at her POE.

Thank you all very much.

8 months, 26 days from the time I turned in the I-129f. Jovylyn ask me to explain the entry procedure, I was doing fine until she ask me "Where do I get the I-94"

I have tried to search but there are thousands of posts about the I-94, I just can not seem to be able to find one that tells when and where we actually get it.

If it matters our POE in Detroit.

She can attend the seminar at PRISM - Taft Avenue, in front of De La Salle. It is 20-30 minutes drive from CityState Hotel.

~Chinook

Thank you that is just what she did and she is back in Sabang packing to come here on Monday, Yeah!

Thanks, I guess I was confused by the difference between the PDOS and the CFO. I still need to know if one of the places you can get the cfo is near by the City State Tower hotel or if it would be better to stay at another hotel.

Hi guys,

First of all thank you so much for your help during those last few months.

I passed my interview 2 days ago; and I couldn't have done it without your help. So THANK YOU .

Second of all; now it's time to plan and I am very confused.

We were supposed to get married in July; but because my fiance's employer won't grand him days off for his wedding; we had to push the date 1 month later.

So that makes me wonder about the papers.

Can I still apply ;

1. For my SSN

2. For my employment authorization

3. For Advance parole

BEFORE getting married. Cause I will be in the States for about a month before our wedding.

I was counting on us getting married in July but I guess not... and I would love to still have all those papers at the time I was planning on.

Also; another question. If I work as an independent, do I still need to wait for the EAD to start working ? I guess so, but I wanna make sure. And you guys know everything.

Thank you so much,

Take care.

I am no expert on these things, but if you feel the need to go right to work, a justice of the peace can marry you in 15 minutes after your fiancee gets out of work or on his lunch break. You can then proceed with the paperwork, and have a more formal ceremony when he can get the time off.

Great news everyone!!!

We got the visa today thank god.

I am reading post after post about the CFO. That really is her job but Jovelyn in on the ferry from Cebu to Manila. She said they wanted too much for the plane ticket so she would take the ferry. So She asked me to find out all I could about the CFO and Email it to her.

I have found most of the information we need. Just two questions, I have traveled with my fiancee to Singapore, if she did not need CFO for that why will she need it now? I mean she had traveled internationally before she and I ever met and she did a stint of work in Singapore, I know she had to get a CFO for that. Is that old CFO still good? Or do we really need to get another one?

Second question: We have stayed at the Citystate tower Hotel on Mabine st several times and Jovelyn is comfortable there is one of the places to get the CFO handy to that area? If not can you recommend a hotel that is handy to one of the CFO places.

Thanks,

Don & Jovelyn

My fiancee got a text from air 21 that they will be delivering a package to her on Friday. At this point we can only hope that the package is the visa and not some kind of denial.

I have always used Ed Mabunga http://mabunga.com to purchase my tickets to the Philippines. I emailed ed to see what kind of deal he could get for us and Ed responded---

HI DON

IT IS MUCH CHEAPER IF YOU BUY THE AIRLINE TICKET IN MANILA, THAN BUY THIS FROM HERE, IF THE PASSENGER IS COMING FROM THE PHILIPPINES

THEY HAVE SPECIALS FOR FIRST TIMER,

HAVE HER CHECK AROUND IN MANILA FOR THE CHEAPER FARE

IF THERE IS STILL ANYTHING I CAN DO, PLEASE GET BACK WITH ME

GOOD LUCK

EDWARD M. MABUNGA

As I live in Buffalo about the only airline with good connection to and from Manila is NWA. My fiancee is now in the provinces, she has to travel to Cebu to pick up the package from Air 21. From Cebu she will travel back to Puerto Galera, Mindoro. This could be done through Manila. Does anyone know if:

1) It is true she can buy the ticket cheaper than I can?

2) Where is a safe honest place for her to go to buy the ticket in Cebu or Manila?

Thanks,

Don

I am now here in the Philippines with my finance. My finance Jovelyn worked in Singapore for two years so I am sure we will need a Singapore police clearance. We are ready to schedule the interview at the embassy and I found out that she had not realized she would need a Singapore police clearance.

I went to every bank in Cebu today to try to find a way to buy a bank check denominated in Singapore dollars. (there website is quite clear that is what is required) there seems to be no way to get a bank check denominated in Singapore dollars here in Cebu.

This is now the bottleneck in our process, so I am quite frantic to solve this problem. all ideas greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

On March 11 Jovelyn and I traveled to Singapore to get her police clearance. Instead on making another special trip to pick it up on march 21 I elected to have it sent to us by registered mail thinking that it would arrive in plenty of time for April 3 interview. I was wrong, it finally arrived today, A[r 22. We went into the interview without it hoping for the best. The Embassy left our case open, Jovelyn is going to Manila tomorrow to give them the paper.

If I had it to do over I would have asked her to make another trip to Singapore, so that we would have had the paper at the interview.

We have our interview on Friday and my 2008 taxes are not done. We should not need them because they are not due until April 15. That is when my accountant always gets them done.

I am now here in the Philippines with my finance. My finance Jovelyn worked in Singapore for two years so I am sure we will need a Singapore police clearance. We are ready to schedule the interview at the embassy and I found out that she had not realized she would need a Singapore police clearance.

I went to every bank in Cebu today to try to find a way to buy a bank check denominated in Singapore dollars. (there website is quite clear that is what is required) there seems to be no way to get a bank check denominated in Singapore dollars here in Cebu.

This is now the bottleneck in our process, so I am quite frantic to solve this problem. all ideas greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Thanks to all for all of the help we have received so far through Visa Journey. I came to the Philippines Last November to be with My fiancé. I hope to stay here with her until we can return to America together. I just followed the advice on these forums to fill out all of the paper work with the I-129f. I did not use a lawyer or any other helper, except the information posted here. I am thrilled to have our application accepted with out any RFE’s or delays.

Receipt Number: EAC123456789 (number edited to post to VJ)

Application Type: I129F, PETITION FOR FIANCE(E)

Current Status: Approval notice sent.

On January 29, 2009, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E). Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service.

I think this is what is referred to as the NOA2. Am I correct?

As I am not at home to read any instructions on the Approval notice, I do not know what to do next. Can any one advise me, do I need to have this mail forwarded to me here in the Philippines? Or is there something that has to be done back in America? Or can we just let that gather dust while we wait for the packet three to arrive? I am worried that it may be lost or delayed it I have it mailed to me here.

Is there anything I have to return to America to get done before she gets her packet three? If there is how urgent is this to do? I want to get my fiancé to America as soon as possible, but I would prefer to avoid the expense and inconvenience of unnecessary travel.

I have another question in regard to the I-134. I brought what I feel is sufficient documentation of my income and worth, but I did not actually fill out the I-134 and have it notarized, now it occurs to me that I may have a bit of a problem. I wonder, will the embassy accept a Pilipino notary? Is there any way to get this form notarized in a way that will be acceptable to the Embassy while I am here in Sabang Mindoro Philippines?

If my finance has to go to the interview with out the NOA2 because I have not been home to get my mail will this be a problem?

I filed for my I-129f at the Vermont service center and receiver the NOA1 on 9/9/2008. I am currently an extended leave of absence to be with my fiancé here in the Philippines. I had hoped to be able to get her through the interview before my return home in early March.

When I initially put this information into my timeline back in Sept. it projected a NOA2 of Jan 6 so I have not given too much thought between then and now. But I just signed into the USCIS site and it has not been touched. So I clicked the pink to see processing times

https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/jsps/Processtim...eviceCenter=VSC

Form Title Classification or Basis for Filing Processing Timeframe

I-129F Petition for Alien Fiance(e) K-1/K-2 - Not yet married - fiance and/or dependent child March 07, 2008

To me this looks like the Vermont center is just now processing people who applied in March of 2008 and this is about five months behind where I thought we were.

On the VJ site I look at many people with similar timelines to mine and it seems to me that they are getting done in the timeframe I initially expected. Which is correct? When should I expect the NOA2?

hello..

to those who have travelled, how much did you pay for the luggage carts in the airport- in naia and in your poe?

thanks:)

In NAIA they are still free, and they are very nice. Or if you want to look at it the other way, your departure tax pays for them.

hi guys, i was planning on booking a ticket (economy) this coming friday or saturday on northwest website. I dont know if this is the cheapest. Just have a couple of questions..

1. do they really require 50 lbs only per luggage? i remember before that my fiancee usually put 70 lbs on hers.

2. i know they only allow up to two carry-on luggage, i'm bringing a small luggage and a back pack but i also need to bring as a hand carry the x-ray i had at st lukes together with the vaccination sheet...o and also the brown envelope that my visa came with. will that be considered as another hand-carry?

3. any idea how much money i need to bring to pay at the airport, etc?

please enlighten me...i'll very much appreciate it.

You have received bad advise on this board. I know because I always fly NW For flights originating US 48 states going to Manila. 2 times 70 pound checked a 40 lb carry on + a personal item

http://www.nwa.com/travel/luggage/checked.html

Opps, my bad! Seems that they may have changed it for coach tickets. Sorry.

Congratulations! Will you be able to do the interview whil you are still in the Philippines? How do you get from the NOAA2 to the interview?

Once again I would like to thank those who responded to my last minute request to help make sure I had everything I needed to have in my I-129f package. I got it in the mail Last Saturday. I just went to the USPS website and I found that the Vermont USCIS office got the package on 8 Sept. When I went to the timeline portion of this website and entered the date I sent the package in and they say that “based on timeline data your I-129f may be adjudicated between Jan 6, 2009 and Jan 14, 2009.

I have already planed and bought the tickets for a long trip to the Philippines. I made arrangements for a leave of Absence from work. I am leaving to be with Jovelyn mid November and not returning to the USA until early march.

When I sent in the I-129f I did include my travel plans and dates. As part of my proof of ongoing relationship I included a copy of the e-ticket, and I made a separate sheet which listed the dates of my travel and gave the phone number and email address to use while I am in the Philippines.

This leads me to a endless series of questions.

1) How will I know when I receive the NOA2?

2) Is it possible to get the paper work here in America to the point where Jovelyn can do her embassy interview while I am still in the Philippines? Is that likely?

3) What documents should I take with me to insure Jovelyn has a smooth time at her interview? I have an aversion to taking my income tax returns. For one thing they weigh several pounds each because my tax situation is extremely complicated. For another thing it is extremely unlikely that anyone other than a CPA or a IRS employee could really get any useful information out of them. Most importantly my tax returns contain a lot of information which I consider confidential. I keep them locked in a safe. Neither I nor Jovelyn has a safe to lock these papers up in. I am hoping to show sufficient evidence of income just by showing a W-2 and my retirement papers from a large company. What level of income do I really need to show? My retirement income is in the mid 30k range and includes healthcare. Would that be sufficient by its self? Or do I need to take some further documentation of assets?

4) Anything else I should be sure to bring with me this trip?

5) Anything I had better make sure I do before I leave?

6) Jovelyn currently lives in Cebu and we will be spending most or all of our vacation in Sabang Mindoro. Does Jovelyn need to get the NBI clearance while she is still in Cebu or does she need to do anything else before she leaves Cebu to meet me in Mindoro.

7) Anything important that I am missing?

Thanks for any information you hav on any of these points.

Don & Jovelyn