Armenia

My wife has met me both times i came out the airport....take the ramp down to the right and she was waiting right there for me. Is that the area you are talking about? We then walked across the street to the parking lot to the van that was going to drive us. the first time they drove the van to where we were standing.

Yes that is the greeters area.

The area where the accredited taxis (fare paid in advance in the arrival lobby) are is different, I think. I'm not sure because I've never taken a taxi from the airport. I've usually been picked up by a van that a family member brought to the airport.

Greeters are not allowed in the arrival area so I was wondering how I can get my sister to the area where the taxis are. Or could be the other way around, get the taxi then get pick up my sister. This is confusing for me. I thought it would be easier to just take the taxi and then my sister and I can just zoom quickly out of the airport. I've momentarily forgotten that, in NAIA, the arrival area is off-limits to greeters.

Hmmn, I think I'll just go the usual route ... greeter brings own vehicle to pick-up arriving passenger.

I have a question about Arrivals for those who recently flew in/out of NAIA.

I know that if someone is going to meet you/pick you up, you're supposed to go down to the Greeter's area. Once your relative (greeter!) sees you then they can drive the car up to where you are.

If you're leaving via taxi (accredited taxi), the taxi is just outside the arrival area.

My question, what if it's both? My sister is meeting me but we are taking a taxi. How does she go up to where the airport taxis are lined up?

Claudeth always orders more than she can possibly eat, not sure what that is all about. We go to Goldilocks in Cerritos a lot and also a place in West Covina (can't remember the name.....little hole in the wall place by the seafood grocery store) and she always orders enough food for a week.

She will order a hamburger and eat two bites and is done. Of course she can go through 50 pounds if rice in about 2 months

That's what we would call "takaw tingin" - i.e., getting lots and lots of food because you WANT them without considering how much you can actually eat. You see that all the time when people go to eat-all-you-can restaurants. Have you ever been to eat-all-you can restaurants in the Philippines? There's a big difference in restaurant policy between the Philippines and the US. It's pretty common in the Philippines for an eat-all-you can restaurant to have a policy requiring customers to pay for food they've left on their plates. I guess it's their way of counteracting the takaw-tingin tendencies of people. I think that policy makes sense (even from the point of view of the client), when applied reasonably (well, there could be reasonable reasons why someone would not be able to eat all the food on his plate, say a medical emergency or something) since it also means that we don't unnecessarily waste food.

It's the inherent (food) greed in us all (very much more pronounced when we go to a buffet restaurant or go shopping when we're in a super-hungry state). We see all these different food and our eyes light up, our minds go - I want that, I like that, ooohh i like that, i want that and that and that..... The trick is, if you really want everything, to just get really tiny portions of everything. That way, you do satisfy your craving to taste everything without having to force yourself to eat so much.

My wife has been here 4 years and still doesn't eat much American food at all. Daughter does tho.

She's lucky as here in Hawaii we have the same foods as the Philippines.

We even grow ampalaya, camote, petchay, calabasa, obo, gabi etc. You can buy FRESH bangus and tilapia also.

Fresh bangus?!!!

Where does Hawaii get them? Do you have fish farms there?

I like bangus, tinik and all!!!

If you spent more than 6 continuous months in Canada, I'd be more concerned with the police clearance report for Canada, THAN the address of where you lived. That PCC has to be presented during NVC processing.

The RCMP Canadian police certificate is not a problem. I already have that.

If you were interviewing in Montreal, then I would not concern anything about the Manila address.

Since you are interviewing in Manila, then you should have track of the addresses where you lived, perhaps in an updated G-325-A to be presented on Interview Day.

I thought the DS-230 contains your current permanent residence address, yes?

wassup?

The DS-230 form asks for "PERMANENT address in the US where you intend to live" and "Present Address."

My present address is in Canada. I am not a Canadian citizen nor permanent resident. I am here as an international grad student. Our (mine and my husband's) initial plan was for me to extend my stay here in Canada while waiting for my visa which is why we put Montreal in #22 (apply for visa abroad at the American Consular post in) on the I-130. However, plans have changed. I will be going home to the Phils this spring and not requesting for extension of my study permit. By the time I have to submit the DS-230, I will already be in the Phils. That is why I asked in the first post if I still have to inform USCIS at this point (before receiving NOA2) if my DS-230 will be showing my Phil address anyway.

You're right. The place of interview is more important. I think that's more important to update right now. I found another thread where someone updated the beneficiary address by sending a snail mail to the USCIS address on NOA1. I'll do that - snail mail them with a request to change "American consular post where I (beneficiary) will apply for visa accompanied by photocopies of my Canadian study permit (to show alien status in Canada and expiry date of status), Phil passport (to show my Phil citizenship/nationality), and current USA B1/B2 visa (again, to show my Phil nationality).

Before my wife got here to the USA, she told me that she will eat a lot of food when she gets here as she has a big appetite. I kept telling her that American food is 5 times more filling than food in the Philippines. Once she got here, we went to quite a few restaurants. One of which is Hu-Hot Mongolian Grill where you have a buffet of uncooked foods and they cook it up in front of you on the grill. She got her first place of noodles and meats and it dominated it her. She didn't even eat half the plate mean while I devoured most of my plate, though I didn't go up for 2nds. It's been like this at every restaurant...she comments on how full she gets from the food here unlike in the Philippines. And so I have to say:

American Food: 1

My Wife: 0

The properties of the food or maybe it's the amount of food per plate serving?

In my experience, the amount of food in one plate serving in the US/Canada is at least 3x what I'm usually served in the Philippines. Which is why, when I order take out here, I divide the food in 3, eat one portion and store the other two portions in the fridge. Although, I can probably finish all that food but it leaves me filling sickly full and I don't want to get used to eating more than what I need.

what city will the interview be in ?

Manila

I'm the beneficiary. My address on the I-130 and my G-325A is my Canadian address but I will be visiting/staying in the Philippines during the 3-4 mos that I am waiting for the medicals/interview. We've already received NOA1.

Do I have to call USCIS to inform them of the change of address right away? i.e., even before my husband receives the AOS bill and DS-3032 ( I will be appointing my husband as agent in the DS-3032)? Or is it enough that my "new" Philippine address is the one that will be on my DS-230? I'm assuming here that since my Phil address is on the DS-230, that they're automatically going to replace whatever address of mine was entered in their database/system.

Has anyone (beneficiary) changed address while their I-130s were still in the before-NOA2 stage?

So, please, while there are women who see marrying a USC as ticket to freedom or opportunity, one shouldn't generalize all women from third world countries think that way.

Having lived in Canada for over five years as a graduate student, and stayed in the US several times, and been to many North American message boards, it pains me that the rest of the world seems to see a Filipina as someone who is so deprived and desperate (as in I'd-sell-my-soul-if-I could desperate) to go to the US/Canada. I was actually asked by a professor how many Filipinos I think would want to be in my place. Good God! Not that it doesn't provide me with some amusement. I do find it entertaining to watch white people's facial expressions when I tell them "horror" stories like two (drunk) Filipinos stabbing each other because one hogged the microphone in a karaoke bar.

Not that some white people are entirely to blame for concluding that Filipinas are a desperate group of people. In my first year here, there would be at least one Filipino I'd meet each month who would eagerly tell me that her husband has this friend who owns this blah blah blah property, is ancient (mostly in their 70s) but wants a young Pinay girlfriend to go traveling with... That doesn't include the conversations among Pinays during small dinner invites where the conversation would eventually veer towards how to catch a white guy. It's very difficult to be polite while saying "No, thank you. I am not looking for a white man with properties. I do not need to be "saved". I can take care of myself just fine."

The stereotype of the Filipina stays but, like a lot of stereotypes, it's true for some and not for others.

What kind of payment do they accept?

Cash, check, debit card? The USEM website only mentions that it has to be in pesos but didn't say if it's just cash that they accept.

arbind.ariadne: wow that was fast with CFO... i just got my visa and planning to go get that sticker but can't decide if it's better to go in the morning or afternoon. what time did you go to CFO?

armenia: i only presented my passport for ID when i had my seminar in PRISM. because that was the only ID i have in my married name you are good.

Thanks. Good to know that they require just one ID.

I asked about the NBI clearance as another photo ID because there's this CFO website (http://www.cfo.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=329&Itemid=78#First) that says two valid IDs with photos are required for the Guidance and Counseling Program, which I assume refers to the Guidance and Counseling Session.

Is an NBI clearance certificate considered a valid ID by the CFO for purposes of attending the CFO seminar?

I have no other current Philippine ID anymore except for my PH passport. I'm thinking an NBI clearance (renewal) is easier to obtain than a postal ID. All that the CFO website says about valid IDs is "One (1) valid identification card with photograph (eg., SSS ID, GSIS E-card, PRC ID, driver's license, postal ID, ARC, etc.)" I have no idea what IDs are included in their "etc."

Hi,

For those of you who were not married in the Philippines and your interview was at the US Embassy Manila, which marriage certificate were you asked to submit?

1. marriage certificate issued in the country where you got married

2. NSO-certified marriage contract (obtained by filing a Report of Marriage with a Phil consulate/embassy. The Phil Consulate/Embassy then forwards the Report of Marriage to the NSO, then the NSO issues an NSO-certified marriage contract)

I'm hoping just #1 will be sufficient for the US Embassy in Manila. I'm not changing my name so the only reason I'd be filing a Report of Marriage would be just for the US Embassy requirement, if they require it.

Thank you.

We didn't have a problem. We lived together for a little over a year so all of our stuff was mixed together...ie there was no longer a divide in who owned what any longer so the items were all addressed from me to me. We shipped our books, electronics etc. Her clothes were not shipped as they are obviously not mine.

And yes you can write personal effects. Also books and paperwork can never be charged a duty so for those you can just write "printed materials" or similar.

My problem with sending from "USC husband" to "USC husband" is there's a signature line in the Customs form. He has to sign it if he's the sender.

Although, if all the Canada Post postage/labels are purchased online (online EST, electronic shipping tool), can he/we just paste his signature (jpeg image) on the label/customs form? Or does signing the label/customs form means he has to be physically present in Canada?

Just a thought, but unless you're sending boxes full of dresses and make-up, if you addressed them to your USC and listed them as personal effects, how are they going to ask the USC to prove that he owns them?

That's a good question.

I was thinking of that too because my USC husband does have a lot of stuff here with me too. He keeps clothes and shoes/etc here for when he comes over to visit.

If I mail them to him, they're not gifts, right? So do I declare them as "personal effects of recipient"?

Hi there,

Just to let you know I mailed for medium sized boxes from Canada with my personal effects in them. Book, pictures, clothes, scrapbook goodies, etc. The first two I sent down with just gift written, ( and what's basically in the box) and fragile stickers on them. They were all about 50 lbs or so. After I moved, I sent my son a copy of my visa and I-94 to put on the other two, ( important numbers blacked out) and he sent them. I got all of them no problem, and I probably could have mailed the other two myself.

I'm sure if your parcels aren't too big, you should have no problems.

Thank you for everyone's input. They're very helpful.

I'm donating most of my stuff and trying to trim everything down to just what I need (+ stuff with sentimental value!). I'll try sending a couple of boxes as gifts.

@TimandJoyce - What is the size of a medium box?

When one declares the value of the items in the Customs forms, do you declare the purchase value, the depreciated value or the replacement value? If say, a pair of hiking boots was $200 but are 3 years old, what would be their declared value? When US Customs decides to inspect contents, do they assess the value of used goods as if they're new?

I'll think about the alternative option of storing my boxes in a friend's (no family here in Canada; I am here only for studies) basement and having her ship them to me when I'm in the US already.

I'm the beneficiary (husband is the US citizen) and I'm living in Canada right now. I'm planning on staying in the Philippines for the 3-4 mos I have to wait for the medicals/interview and spend that time visiting with my mom. I'm having items shipped (freight cargo) to the Philippines and would like to have a box or two sent (as parcels) to the US to my husband as well. I thought I cannot send my stuff over to the US yet since they're "personal effects" and so I should already have my visa when they are sent over. My husband says I should be able to just mail them to him. I'm not sure how to declare the contents though.

Has anyone mailed/shipped their personal belongings to their USC spouse before entering/moving to the US themselves? How did you declare the contents of your parcels/boxes?

I've been looking at the NVC process flowchart - http://www.visajourney.com/examples/NVC_Pr...wchart_v1-2.pdf. It says that NVC sends DS-3032 to both petitioner and beneficiary. Then, the beneficiary/alien completes and sends the form back. So, what is the other DS-3032 (sent to the petitioner) for?

Another question:

After reading through many of the threads here, I've noticed that it is usually the petitioner who is the appointed agent. Is it ok if the beneficiary is the one who receives all mails?

My husband-to-be is my petitioner but, between the two of us, I have more patience and tenacity in finding information, storing and organizing docs, and filling up/gathering docs. Wouldn't it be strange that all mails sent to USCIS/US DOS/NVC are postmarked Canada not US?

Once you hit the NVC stage, you have 1 year window period to respond

Thanks. That's good to know. I thought it would be like some other immigration processes where you're supposed to respond within 90 days.

Once you get NOA1 and the packet of forms from NVC, is there a requirement to submit the docs within a time limit beyond which the application is automatically invalidated/cancelled?

I'm still in the process of getting my NOS/DofState waiver. It's a bit difficult to schedule dates (when to send I-130 pack) when I'm not sure when I'll be receiving the DofS docs. I know that I should have my DofS waiver before I mail the NVC forms since DS-230 asks about the 2-yr HRR.

Hmmn, credit cards are obviously getting a very bad rap on this thread.

I like using credit cards and their "badness" or "goodness" depends on the person using it.

The problem is, a lot of people view a credit card as an unlimited source of funds. When I use a CC, I know exactly how much I make in a year, how much I have in the bank, and how much I should be spending per month for each expense category (food, toiletries, medicines, clothes, etc.). I could always pay by cash but I find using a CC very advantageous. I use my CCs to pay for everything, even if it's less than $5. I gets points/cash back for every dollar I spend! Who else would pay me just for buying groceries or paying my tuition?

I pay my balance in full every month. I've never paid interest on any CC purchase. I've only had two fraudulent transactions in my lifetime and they were immediately cancelled by the CC company after I called in. I know a few people who had fradulent transaction on their bill but noticed them too late or were not sure if they were fraudulent or not. (They never called the CC company). I do not miss suspicious transaction entries because, at the end of the month, I always check the bill entries against my receipts. It's like doing my personal monthly auditing.

The problem is humans who cannot manage themselves. They take out CCs to pay other CCs. They buy appliances/etc. that their salaries cannot pay for. I just don't get that. How can you not know how much you can afford just because you are holding a piece of plastic in your hand? For those who are used to relying on CCs, think about your annual interest rate whenever you use your CC. Is that something you're buying worth paying 15-18% interest for?

Then again, some people don't really know how to use a CC. When I was still in PH, I had a friend who needed money and called me because I have a CC. She wanted me to w/draw money from my CC for her. I said, "are you crazy? Don't you know a CC withdrawal is a "cash advance" and I will have to pay interest starting the day I withdraw the money? Where do you think the money is going to come from eventually? You want me to go into debt for you?"

Is the wife liable for debts incurred by the husband before they were married?

You seem to have more money sense than your husband. I would insist that there be changes made like you and the others suggested (change school, apartment, get rid of most credit cards). It seems even before the two of you got married, he was already managing his finances very badly (depending on credit cards to pay for travel expenses to visit you = living beyond his means). The most you can really do is insist. But, what if he doesn't take you seriously and make those changes? Would he be willing to see a credit counselor? What are your options if he doesn't even want to see a credit counselor?

Expecting you to find a higher-paying job (if you could even find one at this point) to pay for his debts was not very nice of him. I have a friend who married a USC. For seven years, she had to support her husband because her husband's pay (and part of her pay) went entirely to paying off debts he had before they were married.

I am very interested in hearing other people's suggestions about this because I think this problem is not uncommon at all.

This is for a CR1 visa

I'm in BC, Canada and am planning that when it comes time for the medical exam and interview, I will have the medical exam in Montreal as well. I'm too far from Vancouver to schedule a separate flight going there just for the medical exam.

I read that 2 days are required for the medical exam and that it takes 48h for the results to be released. Has this been the case for those of you who did your medical exam and interview in Montreal?

I'm trying to plan how early or how long I have to stay in Montreal - i.e., have the medical exam 4 business days before the interview (2-d medical exam + 2-d waiting period for results to be released). Or is 48-h just the min it takes so I should allow one more business day just to make sure that the medical exam results really have been released and received?

Here's a program (freeware) for typing directly on a PDF file - PDF-XChange http://pdf-xchange-viewer.en.softonic.com/.

I prefer its typewrite feature over that of Acrobat 8.0's. PDF-XChange typewriter feature lets you choose the font, font size, alignment, style. Acrobat 8.0 only allows changing the default font size and line spacing.