Chuck and Grace

If there is some problem, they would tell you or ask for additional items. Ours seemed to take forever also and some of the items they requested we had to go to a Philippines agency to get and they took a long time to process, but the US embassy held the case until all the papers were provided, then took a week or so to finally respond and another week or so to finally get the visa. I know it seems to take forever, but sounds like you will receive your visa soon.

We submitted some papers they requested right away, but then they called back and said they needed certified ones, that is what took about 5-6 weeks to complete, so that is why ours took over 2 months from the interview to complete.

I have two questions:

1) On the AOS thread, it says "Payment(s) as required by USCIS. Be sure to include the payment for both the I-485 and the biometrics fee*. Use a money order so you can track the payment. If a personal check is allowed, use that instead.

>> The fee for I-485 applications filed on or after July 30th 2007 inlcudes the cost of the I-131 and I-765 (no need to pay for them if filed with or while your I-485 application is pending adjudication -- as long as you paid the "new" rate for the I-485 effective July 30th 2007). " and it was noted on there that payment was 1010.00, however I have not seen anything on the USCIS site that says the $305 filing fee for the I-131 is not required but the Biometrics fee of $80 is - Can anyone confirm that $1010 is ABSOLUTELY correct? I am running out of time to file and dont want to get this rejected for a payment issue.

2) I think a set of Passport photos (2 photos) are required for I-485, but is a second set of passport photos required for the I-131 also?

Thanks.

On the I-485 form, Part 3, Section B, it says "List your present spouse and all of your children . . . "

Based on my situation:

My wife has a daughter that is intending immigrant also

We have a daughter together that is a US Citizen already

I have 2 children by previous marriage

Since this form is for her - does she list just her two biological children? Since it says list spouse and all of your children, your could refer in singular to the person in the application or to the couple.

Knock on wood.

I think I am in luck. Visa should arrive TODAY! I am in the Philippines now with Grace and am planning to bring them back with me (FINALLY!). Thanks to everyone for support and advice this this extremely slow process.

Hello to everybody,

If there is anyone who has the same situation or who can share something is gladly appreciated. I am a Filipina ,divorce (3 yrs) with a 12 yr.old child .My ex husband is a Japanese. My daughter is Japanese citizen and i am permanent visa holder in Japan .Currently residing here in the Philippines .

I am now engaged to a U.S citizen (Fil Am). There are a lot of questions but for now i will just ask what are the procedures in requesting a petition through the US embassy ? I understand that my fiancee will do have to file a petition separately for both me and my child but he will have to do it through both Philippines and Japan individually? We are just confused because i am a Philippine citizen and my child is Japanese .

Thank you for the time reading these. Thank you in advance and GOD bLess . . .

PinoyWife is right, but if your child only has a Japanese passport currently, I suggest you get them a Philippines passport. It will make things easier. As a Japanese citizen, your child doesnt need a visa to come to the US, but they can only stay for 90 days, 6 months with extension and to avoid complications you should get the K2 visa for them because it should be required for AOS.

You must interview in the country you reside in, whether you are a citizen of that country or not. However, if you are not a citizen of that country, it makes the process slower and more complicated. That is why I suggest you get your child a Philippines passport and citizenship status.

I am NOT an expert, but my situation was not so different - My Fiancee lived in Japan when I applied, but her child lived in the Philippines. The Japan embassy held our application for about 11 months and wouldnt grant her an interview. She moved back to the Philippines and I got the case transferred, within about 6 weeks, we were scheduled for an interview (interview was 2 days ago). While the paperwork required by the embassy is essentially the same for every country, each country has some unique things (like CENOMAR in philippines). So I think if you interview in a country and you are not from that country, they need to check paperwork to the country you are from and the whole process gets slow or stopped. Since the Japanese citizenship is your child's, it may not be as big of an issue as it was for us, but I still suggest to get them the Philippines citizenship.

Okay... I am approved... just waiting for my visa to arrive..

Thanks for all the assistance!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!! Good luck.

Thank you... I am just waiting for my passport to be deliver.... Now, I am looking for cheaper airfare... Hahahaha... coz I spend so much already to some wedding stuff...

Anyway... hey.. hang in there.. you will be fine... soon... she will be with you...

Thanks.

As things are going, i guess I will join the Sept filers thread for this year - maybe this time I will be the 1st to finish. hehe

Okay... I am approved... just waiting for my visa to arrive..

Thanks for all the assistance!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!! Good luck.

Hehehehe... It seems that everybody busy.

Anyway, I hope everything is going well to everyone......

I am just a bit nervous and excited on my interview this coming May 14....

Dont worry. Whkle it seems like it is their job to keep people apart, it isnt. I am sure you will pass easily. Glad to know you survived the typhoon too.

Yeah.... very sheesh!

Hope yours will be okay soon...

R U Excited? Nervous? Let us (maybe me - I might be the only one left) know how your interview goes. Good Luck!

Hehehehe... It seems that everybody busy.

Anyway, I hope everything is going well to everyone......

I am just a bit nervous and excited on my interview this coming May 14....

Dont worry. Whkle it seems like it is their job to keep people apart, it isnt. I am sure you will pass easily. Glad to know you survived the typhoon too.

Hi!...

My fiance called SLEC today and was told that I can have my immunization any time from Monday-Friday at 8am - 5pm. I am just happy to know that I am okay. I hope I can get schedule for interview this week.

Congratulations!!!!!! Things are finally moving again. Hopefully it wont be long now.

Does anyone know where I can get my documents translated?

I found something in a forum once that had some certified sites, but I believe all you need to do is have someone translate it, sign that they are fluent in Japanese and English. That is what I did, however, the did say they needed a translation although one had been provided, so I resent it and translated on a scanned copy of the original document. Since then, no response. Additionally, I think Tokyo Embassy website has a translation form for some standard documents, but you need to dig through the web-site to find it.

thanks for your reply.

Yeah, I was confused if i had to get it done professionally or if I could just have someone whose fluent in both to translate it for me.

Thank you again.

They really are not clear, but my understanding is no and I did find some forms they already had for some common items that needed translation. Good luck. I hope you get your interview soon.

Does anyone know where I can get my documents translated?

I found something in a forum once that had some certified sites, but I believe all you need to do is have someone translate it, sign that they are fluent in Japanese and English. That is what I did, however, the did say they needed a translation although one had been provided, so I resent it and translated on a scanned copy of the original document. Since then, no response. Additionally, I think Tokyo Embassy website has a translation form for some standard documents, but you need to dig through the web-site to find it.

I called SLEC yesterday, they still don't have result. I was told to call on the day in my calling slip... Haaaaaaaaaaay... Even though I am scheduled to call on May 6... Hehehe... I will call again on May 4.

hang in there. soon you will have the results.

Thanks! By the way, is your case already transferred here in Manila embassy? I hope it will be process soon. As soon as you get your interview date in the embassy, you will be good.

Honestly, I am getting nervous every day. I am having paranoia again for some reasons.

No, havent requested to move to Manilla yet. now it is too late because our daughter will be born soon, and then we need time to get her passport, so now I have missed the window of time to get her here, I cant bring her here until maybe July or August. The Visa extension expires in July, so I thought I would let Japan keep doing whatever they are doing - which seems to be nothing, then request to transfer with next visa extension request. If Japan happens to finish by then, I will request the transfer to Manilla.

Dont worry - I am sure your results will be fine.

I called SLEC yesterday, they still don't have result. I was told to call on the day in my calling slip... Haaaaaaaaaaay... Even though I am scheduled to call on May 6... Hehehe... I will call again on May 4.

hang in there. soon you will have the results.

Sheeeeeeesh!

1 more week... then the result of my culture is coming...

I am so nervous...

I am really hoping... everything will be okay.. and I hope I will have my interview.. first week of May...

Anyway... congrats to the good progress of everybody!

Probably no problem.

I just came back from the Philippines - Damn it was HOT! Seemed rainy season started early, but maybe just my bad luck.

I got approved!

I'm on the phone with my fiance right now, and he's telling me how he got the approval notice in the mail!

OMG, I can't believe it. I'm so happy, I'm in tears....

After 7 and a half long months.

Thank you for all the support and good luck to everyone on here.

Congratulations!!!!!!!!! Hopefully all goes smooth for you from here. Gambate!

He arrives on Sunday! Just 4 days away! Guys I haven't seen him in over a year so this is so awesome.

Congrats Karri!! I am so happy for you!!! I just got Aldo home with me on Monday and you cannot even imagine how surreal it feels when they are finally here. I keep having to pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming! I wish you both the very best!

Chuck, you and Grace are in my prayers. I'm SO SO sorry that this process is being dragged out for so long. I know it is killing both of you. I'm glad you are able to be with Grace for a little while now. Hopefully a miracle will come through soon--don't ever give up!

Karri - WOW, a year is a long time. I am really happy for you. It is nice to hear some good news.

None for me I am afraid. Grace did get a letter today from US Embassy in Tokyo saying they accepted my request for extention - unbelievable that I need to request an extension for visa expiration because they cant do their job.

Well, I have been in Japan for about 2 weeks now, tomorrow is departure day for the Philippines. We have the apartment almost packed, but still need to sell a bunch of stuff tonight or throw it out tomorrow. It has been nice to be here. Our baby is getting bigger and bigger everyday. It is nice to feel her kick. I hope I can be there when she is born, but I dont know how to time it . If I come too early and she is late, I will miss it. If I wait, I might miss it. It really sucks that it takes about 24 hours to arrive from when I leave the US. So if I get a call and leave immediately, still could be too late.

Akiko, any progress for you?

Amy & Aldo - nice to hear Aldo has finally arrived. Hope all goes well from here.

This thread seemed to have died. I hope that is because everyone has progressed to their final stages. I am going to have to request the visa application to be transferred to Manilla now, so it is going to take even longer. I am hoping they can be in the US with me before Christmas, but it is hard to keep positive anymore. maybe a cruel joke for me. When Grace and I talked about kids, I wasnt exactly thrilled with the idea as I have two and they are getting older (17 and 13), so it would be like starting over. Then I thought about it more and realized that there is really nothing I want to do so much in life as be with a happy family. So I got excited when we found out she was pregnant. This was a chance for me to start over, and try to spend a lot more time with our baby as she grew up. Dont get me wrong, I try to spend a lot of time with my kids now, but I made the mistake of spending too much time on a career to try to provide them with a better life - but I sacrificed the time with them when they were young. So I hoped to be with this baby for her first steps, and all the things that babies get to do. Now it looks like I am going to miss out on a lot of that again. I hope everyone else doesnt make the same mistakes I made - spend the time with your new spouse, kids, or whatever - if you dont, you will probably regret it later.

We just got our visa!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!! Sorry i am so late, I dont generally check this email except for Visa Journey and messages from Grace, but I am in Japan with her now, so I havent bothered to look in a while. This is Great news for you. When does Sam arrive?

Just to update everyone here, Sam got a 221g on Monday. We've been bustin our butts this past week to get all the additional evidence ready so we can submit it early next week. Whew! Please pray for us =)

good luck, but what is a 221g?

I havent been around much, so I thought I would finally work up the nerve to try to read through all I missed and see how everyone was doing. Turns out I didnt miss many posts, but I would like to hear how everyone is doing.

Karri - Do you have an update? Should have been this week right?

Tahoma - Did you get the visa?

Adiiann - Hang in there. I may be the only person with a longer outlook than you.

Benika - Did you get the police reports and interviewed scheduled yet?

Bigticket77 - How did the interview go?

Akiko - Are you still waiting for NOA2? (I am still waiting on Tokyo - since early January)

UScanDual - did you ever get out of AP?

darwinsfinch - how did the interview go?

Sweettiebaby - are you in the US yet? Congrats to you!

probablyamerican - Goodluck! soon, real soon.

dogspot - Congratulations.

For me, I am still waiting for an interview in Tokyo for Grace. It appears I am going to have to request to move the case to Manila because our baby will be born in June, so time is running out for travel. I expect that to further delay things for the transfer and then more of a delay if our baby is born there - then I need to get the baby a passport. I may have to cancel depending on timing, maybe just get married and start over.

I have been stuck in AP in Tokyo almost as long as it took to get NOA2 from USCIS - remember all that waiting (sorry Akiko, maybe ur still waiting)? This is torture.

The good news is, I have been so depressed and negative about it, I no longer have high expectations, but I am somehow OK with that. I know someday, somehow, we will be together. Even if it takes another year or two.

I am also starting to cheer up because I leave for Japan next Friday to see her. If I cant get the interview in the 2 weeks while I am there, I will help her move to the Philippines and spend another week with her. So at least I will get 3 weeks with her soon.

congratulations of all of you.

I'm still waiting on mine. Almost 6 months.

Hopefully its soon.

Akiko,

Once you get your NOA2, I hope your interview goes faster than ours. We got NOA2 in Dec, Tokyo Embassy received in January and we are still waiting for them to approve us to interview.

Got my "letter" from the Embassy today (the Seoul embassy sends out an e-mail) I really want to schedule my appointment, but I am waiting for my South African police report and I dont want to trust that they will send it in the 21/28 days that they say it takes.

The checklist that the embassy send me does not include many of the things that other places say I should bring with to my interview. Non of the following: NOA1, RFE, NOA2, NVC letter, Copy of I-129 Package, New letters affirming desire to marry, Proof of ongoing relationship. I am planning on still taking them, butI am curious if they will want them. IF they need them I am going to be very happy I did some research, not only followed the embassy instuctions.

Good luck with the paperwork for everyone else too

For some embassy's the way to schedule the appointment or re-schedule an appointment is on-line and fairly easy to change. I that is the case, you might want to schedle it, just give a little extra time for your police report. If it doesnt come, then push back the appointment a little. Depends if your in a hurry or not. Good luck to you, I am sure all will go well.

Just check in that I got my interview date. yayyy!!!

Congrats on your interview

Adiaan, any news on your medical? I am sure all will go well for you.

I am in Gothenburg, Sweeden (Business), on my way to Frankfurt, Germany (more business) bukas, then Innsbruck, Austria on Thursday evening for a little skiiing this weekend. Hope all is well with everyone.

No.

I feel bad... They saw a small scar in my lungs, so I need to undergo sputum test.

Hopefully it is no big problem. Good luck.

Karri - congratulations, things are moving for you.

Amy - nice to hear from you, sounds like you have been really busy.

For me, still no word from Tokyo.

Just check in that I got my interview date. yayyy!!!

Congrats on your interview

Adiaan, any news on your medical? I am sure all will go well for you.

I am in Gothenburg, Sweeden (Business), on my way to Frankfurt, Germany (more business) bukas, then Innsbruck, Austria on Thursday evening for a little skiiing this weekend. Hope all is well with everyone.

We got our NOA2 - after checking my status online almost dayly last week (usually after a RFE it seems to take 2 weeks to get approval) with no change, we got the NOA2 in the mail yesterday. Very unexpected, but great news!!

I am very happy now I started the process to get my police reports. (The South African website says 21 days ... but we all know the difference between the website time estimate and the real time stuff takes)

Now I get to compile stacks and stacks of papers again ... such fun!

Congratulations!!!

Hopefully all goes smooth from here.