MactanLove

MY lawyer charged me $2000.00 for just filing I-129 f.

is it reasonable?

does it cost extra for further procedure? ( after marriage?)

thanks alot

No, this is NOT reasonable at all. Can I make a suggestion? If you haven't paid him yet...tell him many lawyers only charge $600-$1,000 for this service. Offer to pay him $1,200. He'll take it.

WOW!!! Unusual topic. However, the obvious difference is intent i.e. looking for an honest relationship vs. looking for some guy to scam. Same as here in the U.S.

LOL!! Yes, CookieMonster always starts "unusual topics"...and always about the same type of thing.

HI PhilandShir

I got a little problem, I hope you could help.. How did you scheduled your fiancee interview appointments and even the medical exam? Did you call the USEM? did you bought a pin for that?.. Im just confused cost we already got our MNL case number but we're still thinking when and how we're goin to schedule it... thanx for the help.. and good luck to you....

Called and set up our interview date last night. I have the appointment letter via email and it looks like everything is set to go.

Planning on the medical Jan 27th and the interview on Feb 6th.

Anyone here in VJ who will also have those dates?

I would love for my honey to have some company cause I can't be there at those times...

GWN

You make the interview appt by calling either the Philipines number on a land line, or from the USA using the toll free number. We called from the USA number, bought a pin for $18. They ask you for a valid email address and you can also give them your USA fiance email and both will get a confirmation of your interview date. You don't make an appt for medical. It's first come/first serve, just show up with your email confirm and all the other stuff required for medical. Do the medical 1-2 weeks in advance of your interview.

So, I flew to Manila yesterday to have my medical today. I got done with medical but they told me that I need to come back NEXT week for vaccinations!! They said that because my interview isn't until early Feb, they need to make room for people with earlier interviews! I tried to explain I took the whole week off from work to get my medical done this week, but they won't listen. Anyone ever hear of this? I always hear people getting everything done in two days. Any suggestions?? URGH!

That's a first for me.

I'd go back and try some more.

Thanks. I agree. I think I will try again tomorrow and Friday. It doesn't hurt to ask. I've never heard of this happening to anyone before.

So, I flew to Manila yesterday to have my medical today. I got done with medical but they told me that I need to come back NEXT week for vaccinations!! They said that because my interview isn't until early Feb, they need to make room for people with earlier interviews! I tried to explain I took the whole week off from work to get my medical done this week, but they won't listen. Anyone ever hear of this? I always hear people getting everything done in two days. Any suggestions?? URGH!

Wow, I'm bummed. I went to have medical today and they told me I have to come back on the 19th for my vaccinations! I took this week off from work to get all the medical out of the way before my interview in Feb. They said they have to prioritize for those who are having their interviews sooner. UGH! Now I have to make another trip to Manila or get vaccinations a few days before interview. But I already made my flight, so now I'll hve to pay money to reschedule my flight. I never heard of anyone being told to come back in a week for vaccinations. Anything I can do? Anyone? Thanks!

Once you've set an appointment over the phone, you will be sent an email regarding your interview. Print that and bring it to SLMEC.

Thank You !!!!

That was the information I was lacking.

The appointment email is for the interview at the embassy...not the medical exam. There aren't appointments for medical...it's first come/first serve. Set up your embassy interview appointment and they will ask for your email. They sent confirm emails to both of us. I print out two copies to bring to medical.

I just called Manila on the 1.888.877.9888 phone number

I was told I can not even schedule an interview until they send me a letter.

I thought I only needed to wait a couple of weeks after my application left NVC and then call for a schedule...

Its been 2 weeks so far and the man said to wait at least another 2 weeks maybe 3 cause they were ... backlogged...

Is this normal for others??

GWN

We emailed consivmanila@state.gov and gave them our case number and asked when we might be getting the packet 3. At first, we got an auto-email back saying The email address was dedicated for US government agency correspondence only. Then, a few days later, we got an email IVManilaReplies@state.gov saying that we were eligible to set up the appointment. So, we called and set appointment. Still haven't received my packet 3 and it's been a long time! But, I don't think it matters...we have appointment confirm email!

Radz is at CFO in manila at prizm as im typing this she called a few minutes ago said she only has one on one interview left then she gets her sticker on her passport. Radz said they have been very nice to her at the interview and she had a good time there. IM excited now her flight is Wednesday and im packing up so to fly to San Fran will meet her at the airport when her flight arrives.

Congrats!

When you filed for I-129F, you both submitted letters of intent to marry. Give your fiance a copy of everything you submitted to USCIS, that includes those letters of intent.

My fiance didn't ask me to give him a letter of intent to marry him. But he did submit his letter of intent to marry me.

However, We got our NO2 approval without an RFE and said that they will forward it to NVC.

Since he is the only one who submitted the letter of intent, what will happen? Is it possible that the NVC will ask for RFE?

Who Knows?

Make sure you have one ready for the interview at USEM.

I suspect if it made it this far, then you should be fine, but you will need one at the interview.

Right, i will just bring the letter during interview. Thanks for all of your replies. Good Luck and God Bless..

We are going to update our two letters and bring them as sign of on-going relationship. I'm happy to hear they don't ask for them, but they will go along with our other evidence of relationship, like photos, chats, emails, etc. Not going over-board, but will have some of these things.

Got approved today and paid the DELBROS visa delivery fee of 250.

CONGRATS!!

I just want to know if the beneficiary needs to submit a letter of intent to marry???

Thanks..

For submitting the I-129F? The answer is yes.

Hey folks,

Just want some info, i called the embassy today to set for an interview appt and they gave me jan 16th. Now im checking the visa interview appointment list on their website: what is the IV case number??

I was only given confirmation number that's it.

pls give me feed backs,

thank u!

jazz

Hello, I did check my appointment date on my interview on Jan.16, 2009. I just enter my case number there and it goes out my appointment date and my supposed to be medical date, and the time for interview , it means that your interview date has been verified and confirmed in that date, mean ready to go for interview. Try to enter your MNL case in that box down here and you will see what I mean. Whereas if you had your confirmation email on your interview date you are all set for interview, you are good to go just print it and bring during your interview as I did mine. But its good to verify also in the appointment box to verify your interview date and time indicated in the confirmation email. The purpose of that box is just for verification that your case number is ready for appointment in that date of your interview.

Try it in the box in the link below! You will see what I mean.

http://203.177.135.10/ivappointment/login.asp

Good luck to all of us. We are three now here in VJ who have the same interview date(you , PacificG, and I ) Good luck to all of us. May God shower us all His blessings on that Big day! Keep in touch! God bless!

hello,

thanks for the reply, i tried a lot of times to enter my MNL number on that box and its not working. Its says case number not found on appointment list.

thank u

I get same message "not on appointment list". I think it must take some time for them to get it in the system. But, I made my appointment last week, so it's taking a long time. I have my appointment e-mail, so I am not worried.

believe this is for non immigrant visas, other than K Visas.

i think so too. i know you can do it if you're applying for a tourist visa. but never heard w/ K visas so far

Ah ok.. thanks.

Definitely can NOT use it for K-1. I signed up and it didn't work. It would be nice if they were a little clearer about that! Oh well...what's another $10 added to this process, right? The call in lines are the way to make your appointment.

Can someone tell me all the information I need about by U.S. citizen fiance for completing the medical forms at St. Jude's? Do I need his address? His phone number? His Social Security Number? His place of work? Work address? Can someone please tell me what info is required on the forms? THanks very much!

OOOPS! I meant St. Luke's in Manila! Thank you!

Can someone tell me all the information I need about by U.S. citizen fiance for completing the medical forms at St. Jude's? Do I need his address? His phone number? His Social Security Number? His place of work? Work address? Can someone please tell me what info is required on the forms? THanks very much!

Look what we received today : I didn't know that they sent emails in between so I thought that it was my approval

Receipt Number: WAC**

Application Type: I129F, PETITION FOR FIANCE(E)

Current Status: Response to request for evidence received, and case processing has resumed.

On January 2, 2009, we received your response to our request for evidence. We will notify you by mail when we make a decision or if we need something from you. If you move while this case is pending, call customer service. You should expect to receive a written decision or written update within 60 days of the date we received your response unless fingerprint processing or an interview are standard parts of case processing and have not yet been completed, in which case you can use our processing dates to estimate when this case will be done. This case is at our CALIFORNIA SERVICE CENTER location. Follow the link below to check processing dates. You can also receive automatic e-mail updates as we process your case. Just follow the link below to register.

Why the sad face? This is like the best news for your application yet. If you complied w/their request, the formalities are over and this NOA2 is coming very soon.

The medical is the easy part... pick a day... show up early! (plus bring all the required docs)

I'm more worried about setting the interview, since I expect it to be a month from whenever the interview date is requested, in that month there will be plenty of chances to go to the medical. I'm hoping that besides the extra delay in scheduling an interview (because they simply aren't there to schedule) we may be looking at a bit of an extra backlog as a result of them not being there for the holidays in general. I'm hating these holidays (well, mostly the combined holidays the embassy takes, I'm all for the holidays I personally get off!), I want to move on to the next step...

I don't know when my fiancee will do the medical, she won't have her passport until the 8th so it'll have to be after the 8th, is anyone aware of any days that tend to be lower number of people like wednesday or anything? It'd seem most people would want to go early or late in the week since they most likely have to get time off from work to do the medical.

When you say "she won't have her passport until the 8th", what do you mean? Is this a new passport being issued? As I look at the instructions, you must bring to the interview a passport that has been "valid for at least six months". I always thought that meant you can't use new passports, they need to be issued for at least six months. I could be wrong???

My fiancee's interview will most likely be in March 2009. I am going to play it safe too. I'm going to get my I-134 notarized at the bank. Since I am a customer at that bank, they will notarize it for free.

Here is a list of other documents I will include with my I-134:

> Tax transcripts...from 2005, 2006, and 2007.

> Copies of my income tax returns...from 2005, 2006, 2007. and 2008.

> The originals of my W-2...from 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008.

> A letter of employment from my employer.

> Three months of recent paycheck stubs.

> Originals of recent bank statements...checking account...savings account...and other accounts.

> Home ownership documents.

I will not include a tax transcript for 2008 because it will not yet be available from the government.

I believe this will be enough for the consul officer, but I am still a bit nervous about the whole thing.

Am I forgetting anything?

This is definitely "playing it safe"! If you go to this Manila Embassy webpage, it says you only need the most recent tax return: http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwh3217.html. However, that's not enough. The instructions to the I-134 say you must have "sufficient income OR financial resources" so that the alien fiancee will not become a public charge and that you should supply supporting documents "that apply to your situation" (that is, documents to evidence EITHER sufficient income OR financial resources). In our case, my fiance has enough annual income to meet the minimum requirements, so we are only filling out the salary information and we are going to say "N/A" to all the financial resources questions. To provide documentary evidence of "sufficient income", we are supplying an employer letter as required in the instructions. However, since we are not going to show sufficient "financial resources" and not filling out the asset-based portion of Question #7, we are not completing all the asset information and therefore are not going to supply a bank letter and serial numbers and denominations of bonds, etc. because that supporting documentation does not "apply to our situation."

Here's our strategy: When they ask for the I-134 and supporting docs, we are going to use the October 2008 Form I-134 and not have it notarized. For supporting docs, we are going to provide his 2007 tax transcript and the 2007 W-2, and the employer letter. That's all we're going to give them because these are the only documents required. PLEASE NOTE: the documents required by the Form I-134 must be provided "in duplicate". So we are submitting TWO copies of the employer letter. However, to play it safe, I am going to bring some recent pay stubs and his 2005 and 2007 W-2s and, if available, his 2008 W-2. But, I'm only going to produce these other items if they ask for additional information. I'm also going to print out the instructions listed on the link I provided above and the Form instructions. If there are any problems, I'm going to show them that I followed their instructions precisely. Personally, I think you are producing way too much information, but I suppose it doesn't hurt. I would be shocked if they ask for your home owner docs. Also if you're income is sufficient, I don't think you will need to provide your bank statements, etc. Read the Form I-134 instructions, all of the first four paragraphs under "Supporting Evidence" indicate you only need to provide evidence of sufficient income OR financial resources.

Thanks for your response. Maybe I am a bit over-prepared, but it sure makes me (and my fiancee) feel better. I like your idea of including all of the instructions in case any questions come up. That is a great idea. But, I still may have my I-134 notarized.

Also, thanks for reminding me about the income requirement. I won't have any problem with the income requirement unless my fiancee demands an Imelda Marcos lifestyle. (Just kidding, baby)...

Let's hope the California Service Center picks up the pace again.

Good luck everyone...

You're welcome. It's always better to be OVER-prepared than UNDER-prepared, especially if it gives you peace of mind. For notarizing the I-134, you may want to locate the previous form so that the Notary has pre-filled lines that he/she can easily fill out. The new form has no room for a notary to sign and notarize (the signature block is very small now and it's at the bottom of the page right above the bar code and there's just no room). I can only find forms from third party sites like visapro, but we never use them because we are concerned they might not be exact replicas of the government's forms. I don't know how to retrieve the previous form from a gov't site.

Thank you for your help! I wish they would update the instructions so they don't confuse people!

Hi Psalm...actually, they DID update the instructions. Look under the October 2008 new instructions under the heading "Execution of Affidavit" on the first page, first column. The new instructions are actually extremely clear. No notarization required because the form is signed under penalty of perjury. They changed the instructions to reflect the new form. Good luck!

My fiancee's interview will most likely be in March 2009. I am going to play it safe too. I'm going to get my I-134 notarized at the bank. Since I am a customer at that bank, they will notarize it for free.

Here is a list of other documents I will include with my I-134:

> Tax transcripts...from 2005, 2006, and 2007.

> Copies of my income tax returns...from 2005, 2006, 2007. and 2008.

> The originals of my W-2...from 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008.

> A letter of employment from my employer.

> Three months of recent paycheck stubs.

> Originals of recent bank statements...checking account...savings account...and other accounts.

> Home ownership documents.

I will not include a tax transcript for 2008 because it will not yet be available from the government.

I believe this will be enough for the consul officer, but I am still a bit nervous about the whole thing.

Am I forgetting anything?

This is definitely "playing it safe"! If you go to this Manila Embassy webpage, it says you only need the most recent tax return: http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwh3217.html. However, that's not enough. The instructions to the I-134 say you must have "sufficient income OR financial resources" so that the alien fiancee will not become a public charge and that you should supply supporting documents "that apply to your situation" (that is, documents to evidence EITHER sufficient income OR financial resources). In our case, my fiance has enough annual income to meet the minimum requirements, so we are only filling out the salary information and we are going to say "N/A" to all the financial resources questions. To provide documentary evidence of "sufficient income", we are supplying an employer letter as required in the instructions. However, since we are not going to show sufficient "financial resources" and not filling out the asset-based portion of Question #7, we are not completing all the asset information and therefore are not going to supply a bank letter and serial numbers and denominations of bonds, etc. because that supporting documentation does not "apply to our situation."

Here's our strategy: When they ask for the I-134 and supporting docs, we are going to use the October 2008 Form I-134 and not have it notarized. For supporting docs, we are going to provide his 2007 tax transcript and the 2007 W-2, and the employer letter. That's all we're going to give them because these are the only documents required. PLEASE NOTE: the documents required by the Form I-134 must be provided "in duplicate". So we are submitting TWO copies of the employer letter. However, to play it safe, I am going to bring some recent pay stubs and his 2005 and 2007 W-2s and, if available, his 2008 W-2. But, I'm only going to produce these other items if they ask for additional information. I'm also going to print out the instructions listed on the link I provided above and the Form instructions. If there are any problems, I'm going to show them that I followed their instructions precisely. Personally, I think you are producing way too much information, but I suppose it doesn't hurt. I would be shocked if they ask for your home owner docs. Also if you're income is sufficient, I don't think you will need to provide your bank statements, etc. Read the Form I-134 instructions, all of the first four paragraphs under "Supporting Evidence" indicate you only need to provide evidence of sufficient income OR financial resources.

This is one case where there is conflicting information. The pdf for the instructions states indeed that is need not be notoraized (10/30/08).

However, the USCIS webpage dated 12/30/08 states that it does. Getting it notarized can't hurt, and may be the safe play. Some banks do it for free. A public notary generally charges about $10 a page.

You're correct, there's a conflict. But when you compare the old form with the new October 2008 form, the USCIS has removed all the lines on the signature page where the Notary would stamp and sign the form. The instructions on the old form say it must be notarized, but the new form instructions are explicitly clear that it does not need to be notarized. As you say, it certainly does not hurt to have it notarized, but if you look at the new form, there's no room for the notary to sign and stamp it. Without the notary language "subscribed and sworn before me...", I just don't know how this form can be notarized.

Hi All,

We're also preparing for the visa interview and we're debating on whether the I-134 need to be notarized. It does not specifiy in the packet but under the "Where to File" section of the USCIS website where you download I-134, it says:

Where to File :

To file this form, it needs to be sworn to or affirmed by a USCIS Officer at any USCIS Office, by a notary public, or other official authorized to administer oaths for general purposes. If the sponsor is outside the United States, the affidavit must be sworn to or affirmed by a USCIS Officer or Consular Officer at any U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Once the form is affirmed, it should be mailed to the same USCIS office where the application was filed.

Looking forward to your help!

Rootbeer

The I-134 MUST be recent and notarized. My now husband had his notarized in the bank.

Just an fyi for everyone - Form I-134 was updated in October 2008. Per the I-134 current instructions, the Form NO LONGER needs to be notarized because, as it says on the first page of the instructions under "EXECUTION OF AFFIDAVIT", "Signing Form I-134 is under penalty of perjury under U.S. law. FOR THIS REASON, IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO SIGN FORM I-134 BEFORE A NOTARY, NOR TO HAVE YOUR SIGNATURE NOTARIZED AFTER YOU SIGN IT." I hope this post helps reduce the burden and expense for people who read it.

Goodluck!

I am reposting this because I accidently embedded it in the previous poster's post and I want it to be a separate posting so people will see it:

Just an fyi for everyone - Form I-134 was updated in October 2008. Per the I-134 current instructions, the Form NO LONGER needs to be notarized because, as it says on the first page of the instructions under "EXECUTION OF AFFIDAVIT", "Signing Form I-134 is under penalty of perjury under U.S. law. FOR THIS REASON, IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO SIGN FORM I-134 BEFORE A NOTARY, NOR TO HAVE YOUR SIGNATURE NOTARIZED AFTER YOU SIGN IT." I hope this post helps reduce the burden and expense for people who read it.

Hi All,

We're also preparing for the visa interview and we're debating on whether the I-134 need to be notarized. It does not specifiy in the packet but under the "Where to File" section of the USCIS website where you download I-134, it says:

Where to File :

To file this form, it needs to be sworn to or affirmed by a USCIS Officer at any USCIS Office, by a notary public, or other official authorized to administer oaths for general purposes. If the sponsor is outside the United States, the affidavit must be sworn to or affirmed by a USCIS Officer or Consular Officer at any U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Once the form is affirmed, it should be mailed to the same USCIS office where the application was filed.

Looking forward to your help!

Rootbeer

The I-134 MUST be recent and notarized. My now husband had his notarized in the bank.

Just an fyi for everyone - Form I-134 was updated in October 2008. Per the I-134 current instructions, the Form NO LONGER needs to be notarized because, as it says on the first page of the instructions under "EXECUTION OF AFFIDAVIT", "Signing Form I-134 is under penalty of perjury under U.S. law. FOR THIS REASON, IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO SIGN FORM I-134 BEFORE A NOTARY, NOR TO HAVE YOUR SIGNATURE NOTARIZED AFTER YOU SIGN IT." I hope this post helps reduce the burden and expense for people who read it.

Goodluck!

Age gap is a NON-ISSUE when it comes to relationships IMO!!! YES, there are generation gaps in certain areas BUT...It all comes down to, IS IT THE RIGHT PERSON or not. My ex-wife was my age and it should have never happened, but I dont regret it for I have three great kids.

FYI ~ General MacArthur's first marriage FAILED to a lady that was his age after 7 years. He later married a lady that was 18 years younger and it lasted almost 30 years till his death in 1964 at the age of 85. She never remarried and stayed loyal to him till her death in 2000 at the age of 101.

JUST ONE EXAMPLE that age gaps can work. Age shouldn't be the measuring stick, maybe measure it by compatibility and commonality!

I agree that age gap for the most part is inconsequential to the success of a marriage. However, when it comes to age, I do think it is relevant in that marriage requires an emotional maturity in order for it to succeed and is most likely the reason behind PI Law requiring parental consent.

Agree...

Maturity is the KEY to almost everything we do, with maturity comes better decision making skills, but age doesn't necessarily constitute maturity. We would like to think so, and in most cases its true, but not always. I am 40 and still think Im 25, my Fiancee is 24 and probably thinks she is older than that... so it all equals out in the end.

We are WAY off point with this discussion. This is a thread about parental consent. Cookie Monster! You have several threads dedicated to age differences. Let's get back to answering the original poster's question! Thank you!