ChoKevin

I went to Saint Luke as early as 4:30am and finished noon time, right in time for lunch. Was asked to go back 9:00am the next day. Second day was super fast for me, I went there at 8:30am, finished before 10 am.

The advantages of going to Saint Luke as early as 4:30 is that you'll be finished early too and you will be asked to go back early in the morning for your second day.

Don't forget the following:

1. Black pen

2. NOA2 or Interview Appointment letter

3. Passport

4. 2 pcs 2x2 pictures

5. and ask your fiance for his contact num, address, his contact person and the number.

6. Wear easy to be removed clothes for the disrobe part

7. Be attentive ( they will be calling your name and tell you where to go next)

Hello guys.. Just want to ask when is the best time to come for Medical Exam @ St. Luke .. 4am ? or better later around 10 ? and the to do's and dont's also if there is any.

Just a little worried since plan to go on Monday, already booked my ticket .. any suggestions ?

DAGHANG SALAMAT. :-)

Wow, excellent info. guys. One thing I have noticed left out on all Post's on St. Lukes. Seems this is a two day event. My Fiance' lives in Dumaguete, a bit of a travel. Does anyone have suggestion on inexpensive motel / Hotels? With her time to be there early and distance, looks like a overnight stay somewhere close to the hospital. All suggestions welcome & prices per night also Thanks Kevin & Ardith

Hello Everyone!

My fiance usually purchase an asian international calling card but the quality is not good because phone connection is bad...either I cannot hear him nor he cannot hear me clearly, a lot of static on the line....

I use Globe tipid card and it's cheaper and more clear.....We are now enjoying the use of chikka messenger....Text messaging from PC to cellphone....additional way of communication for a long distance relationship....

The best International Calling card I have found is Verizon's which is sold at Costco.com Thier rates generally beat any other card and there are "No" extra fee's or time limits unless you use it on a Payphone. I call the Philippines for 15 cents a minute to a Landline. Mobile phones will be a little higher, I think it goes to 17 or 19 cents a minute. You will see other cards advertised with super low rates, don't believe it. Read the fine print, there are all kinds of fee's tacked on and the minutes usually expire within a given time frame. You may also be able to buy the card at HTTP://prepaid.verizon.com I have yet to find a better card and the line quality is excellent

Kevin & Ardith

Hello all,

My Fiance' wants to come visit me in the US on a Tourust Visa. We have not filed for a K1 and do not plan to until 2010. I have heard that Tourist Visa;s are being denied in record numbers, although I have seen no "Proof" of this. Let me add she does not plan on staying, she will return to to PH. My concern here is if she applies for the Tourist Visa and is denied, later down the road in 2010, is that going to send up some kind of red flag when we file for the K1? I wonder if they will see it as someone just looking for a way to get into the US and deny the K1.

Thanks for any help,

Kevin Hawley

My son and I have passed the interview. Done with the CFO seminar and got our stickers. And today, we purchased our one way tickets to LAX. We got such a great deal from my Travel Agent. Got 2 one-way tickets for under a thousand dollars only. I am very pleased with my tickets so I decided to share it to those who are looking for affordable plane tickets to the U.S. To those interested, please let me know and I'll gladly give you her contact numbers.

CHEERS EVERYONE!

Hello mkatt8, Yes I would be very interested in any contact info. you have on cheap airfare to / from the Philippines. I'm planning on going in either Aug. or Sept of 2009, and have been pulling my hair out as I search online and watch the prices change daily and in two cases right before my eye's.

So I will gladly take any info. you have and / or tips for this long flight.

Thanks,

Kevin & Ardith

My son and I have passed the interview. Done with the CFO seminar and got our stickers. And today, we purchased our one way tickets to LAX. We got such a great deal from my Travel Agent. Got 2 one-way tickets for under a thousand dollars only. I am very pleased with my tickets so I decided to share it to those who are looking for affordable plane tickets to the U.S. To those interested, please let me know and I'll gladly give you her contact numbers.

CHEERS EVERYONE!

Many US Citizens on disability have been approved at Manila (USEM). The most common reference is $5 in assets to each dollar short in the 125% of poverty level, but I have not seen this in writing from the USCIS or DOS.

I was on disability and attending college when my wife was approved at USEM.

thanks for the response. Wow $5 - $1 is big. But you said they didn't apply it to you. You were on disability & in school. Is there anyway you can expand on this? Do you know why they passed this? Are there some exceptions to the rule that got you approved? What did you show on your Affidavit of Support? You can send me a private message on that last question if it is to personal. This is not the first time I have heard of the Manila (USEM) being overlooking the Poverty Guideline Rules.

If you found an edge on this I would love to know. But it could have been luck or they were pushing paper work thru as they were to backed up.

Take Care,

Kevin & Ardith

Hello all,

I am ready to begin Filing the K1 Process and all should be good to go, except that I do not meet the 125% Poverty Guidelines. This is do to a Disability in which Social Security pays me a fixed income under the SSI/SSDI Program. I am aware of the Value of Assets option, but even though I own outright all my Assets, this seems iffy' at $3 to every $1.00. I have heard talk of having a certain amount of money in the bank is an option and that Posting a "Bond" is another option. But I can find no concrete answers and I am trying to save going to an attorney as a last chance scenario. So I am stuck, I don't think I should start the Process without this issues resolved. I would hate to file and head straight into a Denial.

If anyone has info., suggestions, or can point me in the right direction you will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Kevin & Ardith

If you are on disability, you will encounter a few more problems than not having enough income. They will take a serious look at your bonafides to make sure you are not just exchanging a green card for a live-in caregiver. Just some advice, and a heads-up.

Thanks for the heads up, but got that one covered already. Mounds of Medical Documentation and although I am considered Disabled I do not require a care giver and can function in society on my own. Paper work already prepapred for this including the fact I did not become disabled until after I met my Fiance'.

Well - how about for starters - what is your minimum requirement for your household size? And what is your income? (or what amount is your shortfall between the two if you don't want to disclose either of the above.)

(Co-Sponsor is also an option.)

Thanks for the response. I forgot to include my main problem in meeting the Poverty Guidelins, we also do not have a co-sponsor, that would solve our problem. To reply to your two questions on my income. I recieve Approx. $16, 800.00 annually from Social Security's SSI/SSDI Disability Program. My household size will be 2, making the magic number to meet $18,212.00.

All advice welcome!

Thanks,

Kevin & Ardith

Hello all,

I am ready to begin Filing the K1 Process and all should be good to go, except that I do not meet the 125% Poverty Guidelines. This is do to a Disability in which Social Security pays me a fixed income under the SSI/SSDI Program. I am aware of the Value of Assets option, but even though I own outright all my Assets, this seems iffy' at $3 to every $1.00. I have heard talk of having a certain amount of money in the bank is an option and that Posting a "Bond" is another option. But I can find no concrete answers and I am trying to save going to an attorney as a last chance scenario. So I am stuck, I don't think I should start the Process without this issues resolved. I would hate to file and head straight into a Denial.

If anyone has info., suggestions, or can point me in the right direction you will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Kevin & Ardith

I'm preparing to start the K1 Process, but do not meet the financial requirements and do not have anyone who will co-sponsor.

I know about the use of assets as an option but the $3.00 to $1.00 rule I cannot meet either. I live on SSI/SSDI Social Security Disablity Income. It won't make you rich but I do make enough to support my Fiance', but not enough to beat the poverty guidelines.

Besides the use of assets & gifts to make up the difference, does anyone know of other options? I keep hearng about filing a Bond, but have heard no answers or is thier a number to call where you get a Human who can answer the question and / or requiements.

any helpis appreciated.

thanks,

kevin

Hello everyone. I have a couple of financial questions regarding the K1 requirements.

1) I am now on SSI/SSDI - Social Security Disabilty and I fall approx. $3,000.00 below the 125% Poverty Guideline Requirement. Last years Tax return will not help me as it is pretty much a joke. I "was" in the Mortgage and Housing industry and when it crashed so did I, but enough whining. Does anyone know if there are any provisions for the disabled to get arounf the 125% Poverty Guideline, such as having a certain amount of cash in the bank?

2) I know about the co-sponsor program. My question is, how many co-sponsors can you have? Are you limited to just one?

Any and all help, answers, or direction to am area that can help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Kevin

I have one friend that whose young fiance was able to come visit him and she didn't have much of anything showing she had to return to PI. Also a friend who was pregnant mom made who didn't have much to show she wasn't going to go TNT was approved.

Only cost $131 plus expenses to apply. Doesn't seem to hurt chances of getting a visa later also.

It would suck if they were turned around at POE tho. Don't know how often that happens tho?

Okay, I replied once and now can't find it, so it may show up twice. I don't know much about the forums yet...First, thanks to all for the great info. One correction, this is my older sister of all the children 30yr. it looks like the resonses on whether it (Visitors Visa B2) are 50 / 50. One reply sounds good and I would do except for one reason. The reply stated sinve the fee is only $133.00 to just go for it, nothing to lose except you don't make the trip. More of the third habd info. i have heard is that if you have a B2 denied and then at a later date apply for a different type of Visa, I came in on a K1, then they a

I have one friend that whose young fiance was able to come visit him and she didn't have much of anything showing she had to return to PI. Also a friend who was pregnant mom made who didn't have much to show she wasn't going to go TNT was approved.

Only cost $131 plus expenses to apply. Doesn't seem to hurt chances of getting a visa later also.

It would suck if they were turned around at POE tho. Don't know how often that happens tho?

I-130 is for IMMIGRATIONS only.

If sister wants to just visit the USA then sister files a DS-156 to the consulate in the home country, you can send her a letter of invite and perhaps an I-134 to show how she will be supported while visiting.

http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwh3024.html

Thanks to all for the great resonse. First a correction, this is not my younger sister but older sister of all children. it lloks like the resonses on whether the denial rate are high or not are about 50 /50. Many recommend that since the fee is only $133.00 to just go for it. I would normally, but that brings up more third party rumors I here. If you are denied this visitors visa, it can adversely affect your chances for another type of Visa in the future such as a K1 which is how I arrived. Apparently they see a Red Flag if that Visa is denied and then later you apply for another type. Comments anyone??? I don't want to kill a future chance of her apllying for a Visa just because $133.00 seemed like a cheap gamble. Any help appreciated.

Thanks

Ardith

Hello all, I am wanting to bring my sister to the US from the philippines for a temp. visit. I am now a US Citizen. She has a good job to return to, the rest of our family and holds a lease on an apt. I understand this requires a I-130.

My concern is I have heard numerous reports that the I-130 temp. Visa has an extremely high rate of denial.

Does anyone have some solid info. on this? I can't seem to find a sizeable stat. to go buy and everything else is heresay. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Ardith

Thanks for the correction of Forms needed. I-134 & DS - 156. Now just need to find out if there is any truth to the word that these Visitor Visa's have a high rate of denial. Anyone??

Hello all, I am wanting to bring my sister to the US from the philippines for a temp. visit. I am now a US Citizen. She has a good job to return to, the rest of our family and holds a lease on an apt. I understand this requires a I-130.

My concern is I have heard numerous reports that the I-130 temp. Visa has an extremely high rate of denial.

Does anyone have some solid info. on this? I can't seem to find a sizeable stat. to go buy and everything else is heresay. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Ardith