Maldez

I am in the US and I get my fiance to sign up for Globe's US Duo program. It's only $10 for unlimited calling for 1 month! The promo is until May and after that it will cost I think $20 only. They assign him a US number that I use to call him at anytime. I can use my cellphone (TMobile) to call him at anytime and for as long as we want as I have unlimited minutes as well. Check Globe's website for the promo! Hope this helps! Only I can call him though so it doesnt use up his load. But he always gives me a missed call if he needs me to call him.

OK, thanks! I'll check it out.

Hi, I was wondering what kind of international telephone calling plans everyone is using to call your families back in Phils. My wife, R, has a plan with Verizon that allows 500 minutes a month for a monthly fee of $19.99 but we're finding even 500 minutes isn't enough!

We're considering one of the VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol ) setups like Vonage which gives you unlimited minutes for an even lower fee. My main question is, does your family in the Phils need any special equipment to call them this way, or can you just call their regular cell phone? My wife's family lives in the remote hills and has no internet.

Any other ideas for unlimitied international calling?

Thanks,

T and R

Does anyone here have experience in applying for a Travel Document? I applied for my Philippine Passport renewal back in October 2013, but still have not received it, even I was told it would arrive December 8, 2013. The New York Consulate says all passport issues are being delayed because of a problem in Manila.

I have already bought my plane ticket to go back to Phils on February 18, 2014, but without a passport I'm worried how I can do this. Going online I read about the Travel Document. Is this easy to get and use or will it just frustrate me with more delays and problems?

Thanks,

Revelyn Molodetz

Cortland, NY

I was hoping I could just use my H20 SIM card in my new quad-band, GMS phone. Any reason why that wouldn't work?

Why does using a stinking cell phone have to be so complicated!

OK, thanks. I've read elsewhere online that if your have an unlocked, quad-band, GMS phone you can make calls anywhere in the world, so am shopping for something reasonable.

Thanks! Do you know what type of cell phone will work if I want to call Phils from China at the airport?

Hi - I'll be travelling from the US to the Philippines soon and understand that my US cell phone will not work once I am in Phils.

Can someone please tell me what kind of phone I will need? Does it require a special SIM card? Any specific reccomendations?

Thanks!

Tom

Cortland, NY

Don't need to hope I am right, I gave you a link to the consulate website, requirements are there.

I just went to the offical Embassy site and it says in order for a woman to use her husband's surname for the first time she must submit a "Report of Marriage" document.

The requirements for a "Report of Marriage" document are "4 identical passport-sized phjotographs of each of the spouses in white or royal blue background".

http://www.newyorkpcg.org/our-services/legal-and-notarial/report-of-marriage

Are you saying the embassy will take these photos there?

Thanks,

Revelyn

Read the consulate website, I know they took new photos right there on the spot for my wife's renewal

OK, I guess I was looking at something dated where it instructed applicants to bring photos of themselves and husbands in offcial-sized photos with proper background colors, proper clothing, and all that baloney.

I'll just trust the embassy to take the phots there. Hope you're right!

Thanks,

Revelyn

Yes you can do the Report of Marriage at the same time, then you can get your passport in your married name. Turn in all the required forms and documents when you do the passport renewal... piece of cake. My wife did both during an outreach event.

http://www.philippinesnewyork.org/index.php?page=consular-services-new-york/faq-new-york/#marriage

Forms are listed on the right side of the page.

Do we really need the photos of each of us with all the offical sizing, background colors and all that nonsense?

Thanks,

Revelyn

If you don't use your married name on the passport - NO, you do not have to report your marriage, and it should not affect your renewal

http://www.philippineconsulatela.org/consular%20services/CONSERV-ePassport.pdf

Oh, no. We'll be travelling to NYC in 2 1/2 weeks to renew the passport, but have not done anything yet about reporting the marriage. Is there still time? What if I renew the passport under my maiden name, can I have it changed later to my married name?

Thanks,

Revelyn

Hi - my Philippine passport needs to be renewed and I will be going to the Philippine Consulate in New York soon. I was married in the U.S. to my asawa 4 years ago but never reported it to the Philippines Embassy.

1) Do I really need to report my marriage?

2) If I don't report it, will it effect my passport renewal?

Salamat,

Revelyn

While you are at a consulate, you may also want to consider reporting your marriage to the Philippines. Also, note that if you need to travel to the PI your passport must have a validity period of 6 month. Since yours is expiring in 2 months, you will need to get a emergency travel document (also obtained at a consulate). Just a heads up.

Ah, more good information...thanks!

Revelyn

You can renew your passport anytime, once you apply that is your new passport expiration date. Have you checked to see if the Philippine embassy outreach is coming to your area? Philippine embassy officials travel around the US renewing passports, register marriages, births etc. for Filipino citizens. This is very convenient, we went and drove 3 hours instead of 13! Here is the link for the Washington DC service area. Be sure your current state is served by the DC office. Different states are served by different consulates and you need to go to the correct consulate.

Washington DC schedule:

http://www.philippineembassy-usa.org/news/3059/589/2013-Consular-Outreach-Schedule/d,phildet/

On the right side of the embassy webpage is a map to locate the correct conculate.

Great! I didn't even know there was such a thing as "embassy outreach" but will be sure to check it out. Also, I had no idea I had to go to a specific consulate. The New York Consulate is actually about 2 hours closer nbut was going to go to the DC Consulate to avoid the big-city traffic of NYC. How awful that would have been to drive 6 hours to DC only to find out they can't serve me! Thank you so much!

Revelyn Molodetz

Cortland, NY

You can renew your passport now why should you have to wait until it expire. Are you married to a US citizen? If so you can file for your US citizenship now.

Y4es, I'm married to a US citizen....thanks for your help!

Hi - I am a Philippine citizen living in the US almost 4 years now and have my green card, but my Philippine passport will expire in 2 months. How soon should I start the renewal process? We have to drive about 6 hours to the Philippine Consulate in Washington DC, and don't want to be told we can't renew until it is actually expired or some such nonsense,

Thanks!

Revelyn

Cargo Plus, Inc.

104 Maple Grove Road.

Syracuse, NY 13209

315-657-2727

That is the shipper my mother-in-law has been using. I believe she told me that it was somewhere around $80 for the large box which if I remember right is 24"x24"x24". Averages about 6-8 weeks door to door. Can also track the shipment like UPS and FedEx. She has sent well over 20 boxes and has never had any problems with them.

Hi, just wanted to thank you again for your help! We called the number you gave us and spoke to a very nice man of filipino origin who is going to come to Cortland to pick up our balikbayan box this Sunday for no extra charge! Just $85 for a very large box.

Thanks again!

Tom and Revelyn

Cortland, NY

Cargo Plus, Inc.

104 Maple Grove Road.

Syracuse, NY 13209

315-657-2727

That is the shipper my mother-in-law has been using. I believe she told me that it was somewhere around $80 for the large box which if I remember right is 24"x24"x24". Averages about 6-8 weeks door to door. Can also track the shipment like UPS and FedEx. She has sent well over 20 boxes and has never had any problems with them.

Wow ! That sounds great if it works for us like it did for your mother-in-law!

Thanks so much!

Tom and Revs

Been using Johnnyair for last 18 months. They may be able to pick up from you or local Pinoy store in your area.

Takes a while to get there though.

Thanks! I'll check 'em out!

Tom and Revs

I've moved this topic from Off Topic forum to the Philippines Regional forum as a more appropriate forum for this discussion

Thanks, but how can anything be "inappropriate" in a category called "Off Topic"?....too funny.

Hi - does anyone have any tips on finding the cheapest was to ship a large box of clothing, kitchen supplies, etc. to the Philippines from upstate New York? I keep hearing the term "balikbayan box" but seems you have to live in California or some major city to ship that way. We live in upstate NY (Cortland)and can't seem to find a way to ship that costs less than the value of what we're shipping which is probably $100 to $150.

Any help at all would be greatly appreciated!

Tom and Revelyn Molodetz

Cortland, NY

I'm sure this is a totally stupid question, but I'm new to all this and just have to ask.

Why can I, a US citizen with a passport, get on a plane and go to the Philippines with no problem. I'm issued a visa on the spot. But my Filipino gf, who also has a passport, can not do the same? She's a virtual prisoner in her country. What would happen if she just got on a plane, passport in hand, and flew to the US?

I was thinking an attorney would be able to help with specific answers as to the legality of entering the US on a tourist visa when the ultimate goal was marriage.

ok, here is it in a nutshell. It is virtually impossible for a normal filipino to get a tourist visa to the USA. In fact last year 2 filipino congressmen were denied tourist visas. they were coming to Washington for a big seminar. Some people do get them, but its very rare. If your girl is a celebrity there or is very rich then she can probably get one. If she is not, her chances are about 1% success.

Secondly the legality of entering the USA on a tourist visa with the intention or goal marriage is not legal at all and is visa fraud and a felony. Attempting it and getting caught will result in a ten year ban. Do people do it, sure, a few get away with it.

Unfortunately there is no short cut to the immigration process if your girl is from the Philippines. They normally cant even visit here and are not part of the visa waiver program that most of Europe is on. You will have to file for her and wait the time. You can visit her.

Chris

Ah, that really puts things in perspective. Thanks for all that. I guess I just have to grit my teeth and work through the damn K-1 visa process with my honey on the other side of the world for 6 months!

Thank you, very much, to all of you who answered. I think it's beginning to sink in. Here's how I see things:

1) It's perfectly legal for someone to enter the US on a Tourist Visa while waiting for a K-1 visa to process.

2) While legal, it's very uncertain as to whether the tourist visa holder would be granted admission.

3) It's extremely difficult for a young woman, citizen of the Philippines and of simple means, to be granted a tourist visa to the US, but worth trying for. Costs about $100 to apply.

4) An immigration attorney would be of no value to this process.

Getting back to Point 3. I have to assume that tourist visas in the Philippines would be issued by the US Embassy there, correct? That probably means Revelyn, my fiancee, waiting in line all day? I've passed the US Embassy 3 times on my visits and have seen long, long lines outside. My driver told me people start lining up at 3:00 AM!

Getting back to another poster's question, yes, I've met Revelyn in person. Three times in the last 6 months!

Does it help our prospects at all if I've got more financial assets than probably the average working stiff? I'm not quite rich but could probably live off my investments if I wanted. Or at least I could have before the damn stock market TANKED!

Your continued advice and comments are extremely appreciated!

There's no reason to hire an attorney, it won't have any effect on the POE officer, which is where the issue lies. You'd be wasting your money.

I was thinking an attorney would be able to help with specific answers as to the legality of entering the US on a tourist visa when the ultimate goal was marriage.

The easy answer is that you can get it even after applying for a K1 visa and that it can be valid for up to 6 months (with an option to extend it even further)

BUT: For some countries it is almost impossible for a young attractive single lady to get a tourist visa at all. They just do not believe that there is no immigration intent. For anyone get a tourist visa you need to proof that you have no intent to immigrate. This can be done by proofing you have a job to return to, you have a significant invenstment in property and money in the bank, you have close ties with your family. Most likely if your fiance is planning on coming to stay with you and then premanently move to the US this will be difficult for her.

Then once you have the visa you need to proof the same things at the Point of Entry. Strong ties with your home country and a plan to return - at least you will need a return airplane ticket. Many people get in just with this, but people also get turn away despite having this and having a letter from their employer and other evidance that they plan to return. A surprising number of people get turned back at this point.

At the POE you will be given a I-95 form. On this will be indicated the real length of your stay. Many people get given the standard 6 months, but this is to the discression of the officer at the point of entry. If you have a return airplane ticket saying that you are planning to only stay for a few weeks, you might only be given that few weeks. (Many people book their airplane tickets to show that they will only be there for a short visit and then move their ticket date after they arrive in the US - since you are more likely to be denied entry if you show from the start that you plan to stay the full 6 months.)

Thus - although technically it is possible, be very aware that it will not be easy and it might not happen.

Damn this stuff is complicated! Apparently, there is no clear-cut, black and white answer. Maybe she can, maybe she'll have trouble. It might be OK, it might not be. Maybe I need to find an immigration attorney.