J and O

We were told by our Senator's office (Oregon) that we did not have to have anything done with the medical which was done in June 2010 at St Luke's for her K1 VISA. The immigration worker for senator contacted the immigration attorney and she got the information directly from them.

We just had our AOS interview yesterday and all the medical information was fine. We sent in with the AOS everything she received from her St Luke's including current updated immunizations she has received since arriving here.

Nothing was asked further regarding medical. Of course if the medical is over one year ago then everything has to be redone.

Don't know if you want to take the chance or contact your senator's immigration workers and see what they tell you or not.

J & O

I forgot to also add this about the medical for the AOS.

When we started to apply for the AOS and came across the medical forms that needed to be transferred I contacted a doctor referred and he said that everything would have to be redone that he could not read anything from St. Luke's (Manila). Telling me that the cost would be between $500-$700 to do another complete medical.

I had to have some pushing done with the Embassy in Manila during the K1 process from our senator's office. I contacted his immigration staff regarding her medical and she talked to their attorney that works with immigration and they said that the medical does not have to be done and nothing else needed to be completed if the medical had been done within one year. So we went with that and sent in the medical papers from St. Luke’s plus the vaccination card and a copy of her second vaccination from her doctor here.

This appears to be fine so if anyone from the Philippines had their medical done at St Luke's and it is within the last year you most likely do not have to spend the extra money for the transferring of the documents. OR at least it works for us. You may want to at least give it a try since you have already spent the money for the medical once and it is at a government approved facility.

J and O

Oregon

Been quite some time since I have posted anything on VJ...but just wanted to update that we had our interview today in Portland, Oregon. Everything went well...except I was sick last night...nerves got the best of me.

The lady that conducted the interview was very helpful and explained everything to us as went through the process. The actual interview only took about 15 minutes.

Appears everything to be completed with this step.

YEAH and by the way I am feeling okay now. After reading some problems couples have had I got nervous.

We don't want to be separated especially with Baby on the way.

I thought you said you would no longer post on VJ, and you were gonna delete your account

Bi - Polar ?

No not Bi - Polar ?

Just thought that some would like to know that another success story but maybe I was wrong?????

Just want to let my fellow VJ Supporters know that Olive gets here tomorrow (8/18). She is at Manila right now ready to board her flight to Tokyo. She will arrive at PDX tomorrow (8/18) morning.

This has been a long and hard journey but this part of our journey is over and on Sept 4 we will be getting married.

As just a little side note this is the best birthday gift I have or ever will receive...Thursday is my birthday and Olive will be here to help me celebrate.

J & O

Thank you for finally pointing out there was an earlier thread. That would be a thing to link to in the OP, as many of us do not follow every thread here on VJ. You didn't have to re-type it. Showing us where the discussion was would have been fine.

So if I can summarize, her original birth certificate was mis-spelled. Her family name is Olive, but it was mis-spelled as Olib.

She had used Olib officially in her past, which included a passport in the name Olib. It is threfore definitely an alias now that the Birth Certificate has been changed.

She requested the birth certificate mis-spelling be changed to Olive before you applied for K-1, but after the I-129F was approved in the name Olib. She applied for the K-1 visa under the name Olive, which was not the name you used on the I-129F. You included the alias Olive on the I-129F, but you would have received your I-179C Notice of action in the name Olib.

She had a passport in the name Olib (Original misspelled birth certificate name) expiring Sept. 2010. She requested it be renewed under the name Olive.

She has received now the corrected Birth Certificate, in the name Olive. She also has a new passport in the name Olive. But you have an I-129F application approved for the name Olib. Furthermore, she did not include the alias Olib in her CENOMAR and NBI clearances. She had them done under Olive.

Now I understand why at the interview she was told to do CENOMAR and NBI in the name Olib. It is because your I-129F application was in the name Olib; because it was her birth certificate and passport names before you did anything under primary applicant name Olive immigration-wise.

After applying for I-129F and having it approved in the name Olib you had her birth certificate changed, her passport changed, and applied for the K-1 under the name Olive, and did not do CENOMAR and NBA clearances with the name she had apparently used her entire life officially up to that time.

Wow, no wonder this is all bolloxed up. It does not surprise me at all this would take another six weeks to to through, and that it would require going back to the consulate. I do not agree it is the same thing as requesting additional information.

Window X may be a possibility insofar as information, yes - but I do see why they are saying it would take another six weeks.

My condolences. It is really tough to go through this, and i think indeed you are in for the wait. If nothing else, I think people can learn that this manner of applying will cause some real complications.

No it is not "all bottoxed up" because when I first called to set up her interview date I had them change my papers to say Olive which they have changed and I do know this because when they email me regarding her it is in reference to Maria Olive not Maria Olib...the embassy has changed their records....what they wanted was to be sure that under her name which she went by for 26 years was to be sure there was no previous marriages or police records in the name Olib which we have no provided to the embassy...so why would there be up to another 6 weeks wait?

I am curious as to why you think this is all bottoxed up? Now I am really confused and why would it not be the same as requesting additional information? At 8 a.m. I am calling the embassy and maybe we will have some additional answer by then.

Thanks for your thoughts, however.

Justin

There is still something missing from this story, and it is impossible to answer until it is pinned down. It is the most important part: the beginning. Where did the whole thing with mis-spelling start? The fact you are omitting this and seem to be evasive about it makes it look like something fishy is going on. The way most people start a story is from the beginning. When someone leaves out the beginning of a story, suspicions naturally arise.

Did you mis-spell her name on some document? Did the interviewer just invent some different spelling out of thin air and order you to do a CENOMAR in that name out of spite?

It just doesn't make any sense. I would put it at the bottom of my pile too if it was explained to me as you have. Remember, you have lived this and we know nothing but what you tell us. Please be clear.

It is a terrible thing being in the clutches of bureaucracy and you have my sympathy for it. But please explain the story in a way that makes sense, and that means not leaving out why this whole thing got started. It could be a minor thing, and it could be a major thing. Correcting a problem requires knowing what the problem is in the first place.

I hope you can clarify this. Thanks.

I keep getting the feeling that you think we are hiding something...I can begin from the beginning and repeat this entire story that has previously been posted. In December 2009 Olive decided to correct the spelling on her BC before we applied for our VISA. It was very important to her that she get the spelling corrected from Maria OLIB to Maria Olive. When I did my K1 paperwork the last part of Feb 2010 I spelled her name as Maria OLIB because we were not sure that the BC would be changed because as of that time nothing was heard from regarding the change within the Philippine gvt. On my papers there was a section for other names used so I added the name Olive which was name she used. (some on the forum said she should do the change but this was very important to her to get corrected, and now I understand why it is because of her honesty). The corrected BC finally arrived in her hands and then she had to renew her passport which was to expire in Sept 2010. While she waited for the passport she went to SL and did day 1 of her medical. Once she received her passport port she went back and did day 2. When Olive did her papers for the interview, which was July 23, 2010 she filled out her name as Maria Olive, which she also did with the NBI Clearance and NSO CENAMOR) which bother came back clear. She said she didn't think about under alias on NBI & CENOMAR to put OLIB. When she did the interview everything was fine except she was told she needed to get NBI Clearance and NSO CENOMAR for OLIB. She went that same day (Embassy told her to go to NSO Pasay to get her CENOMAR) which she did the same day as her interview 7/23. She returned to Angeles to get her NBI Clearance because the car driver got lost and the day was getting late trying to find the NBI in Manila. She picked up her NBI on 7/29 and returned that to Embassy the same day. The Pasay NSO told her on Monday 8/2 that her CENOMAR would be completed on either late that day or Tuesday. She called Tuesday and was told that is was completed on Monday however only the Embassy could pick up the paper and they only pick up on Fridays. When she called on Friday 8/6 she was told that it was ready to be released to Embassy. When I called the Embassy around 12 noon on Friday I was told that they didn't have the paper, she could deliver it to window X and I explained about the Embassy pickup and got the same answer from the girl again and that was when she told me it could be another 6 weeks before her VISA is approved and she said something about it needed to go to Consolute and to CEBU and could be up to 6 weeks. I called back around 1 and this time I talked to someone else and found out that the Embassy would not be picking up at the NSO Pasay until about 4:00. I called the Embassy several times around 5 to 5:30 and got no answer (which frustrates me because the Embassy is open until 6 p.m.)

This is where we are at...told twice that it could take up to 6 weeks longer...needs to go to Consulate and what we don't understand is why would the NBI and CENOMAR documents be any different than needed to supply additional income proof, tax documents from previous years, etc. Also one of our Senator's told me that once these documents are received our petition will go to the bottom of the 1000's of applications and have to work its way to the top again, which too doesn't make a lot of sense.

Justin

Sorry, but I am confused by this because of the word "misspelled". An alias is different spelling, sure - but that isn't a "misspelled" name. She has her name, and she has an alias. My recollection is that you have to report any aliases used in the visa application, along with her legal name.

CENOMAR application is here, and it indicates using your legal name:

CENOMAR

I see that in the NBI clearance it talks about people with "Namesakes" taking longer:

NBI FAS

I am inferring that you have to put both your legal name and your Alias (namesake?) on the NBI application, which would make sense but I could not find a copy of the form online. Maybe someone else with a copy can chime in.

The upshot is I think you are saying she did not report aliases, not that she failed to report a misspelling. I am not sure what they do when someone fails to report aliases. But regardless we should clarify exactly where she failed to report aliases, and if it is on the visa application too. That would really gum up the works.

It is the Embassy that is calling her name misspelling an alias.

CENOMAR was done with her correct spelling and taken to interview -- requested at interview that she go to NXO Pasay and have CENOMAR for misspelling of name....this was done on Monday 8/2 but she was told only the Embassy could pick up the document NSO Pasay told her it was done and was ready to be released on Friday and the Embassy told me that they would be picking up from NSO around 4 p.m. on 8/6

NBI was done with her correct spelling and taken to interview -- requested at interview that she get NBI clearance for her misspelled name which she did in Angeles and delivered to Embassy on 7/29. Called and this document had been documented as received.

What we don't understand is why it would take up to 6 weeks longer now for her VISA to be approved when these documents once completed would seem to be no different than someone that needed to have a 2010 tax form or additional payroll stubs for there VISA.

Also one of my senator's office told me that her VISA would now go to the bottom of the stack of 1000s of applications and have to work its way back to the top????

J & O

We are both so upset about this VISA interview process...maybe someone out there can give us some advice. Olive had to get her NBI Clearance and NSO CENOMAR with her alias name spelling. She had neglected to put down her misspelled name on these two documents. She received her NBI from Angeles and took that back to the Embassy. The Embassy told her to go to the NSO Pasay and pay the fee and they would pick up the CENOMAR and take care of it. She did this on the same day as her interview (7/23). She called the NSO on 7/30 and was told that the Embassy had already pickup up the a.m. and her documents were not completed yet, however they should be done by Monday or Tuesday. She call late on Monday and was told they were completed but she could not pick them up and deliver them to the Embassy...only the Embassy could pick them up. She was told that they were to be released to the Embassy on Friday (8/6 yesterday). The Embassy told me around 12 p.m. that they did not have them and that the VISA could take up to 6 more weeks because it would have to go before the Consolute??? I didn't stop there and called back again about 1 p.m and was told that the NSO pickup wouldn't be until about 4 p.m. and once again that there could be 6 more weeks of waiting.

We don't know if the papers arrived at the Embassy I tried to call many times around 5 p.m. and couldn't get anyone to answer the phone a message kept telling me to "please try again later" On the Embassy site it says they are open until 6 p.m. for phone calls...but guess not!

We just don't know what to do at this point...it seems everytime we take a baby step forward we get pushed back a mile and are feeling that this VISA process is never going to end.

I have contacted my Senator's office and one is looking into what is going on while the other one just seems to be giving me the run around too. I also am waiting for a call back from my congressman. I would appreicate any feedback or suggestions on what to do about this. I know that she is legally free to marry and her NBI clearance was fine.

Thanks

Justin & Olive

Olive has decided on her own to go on Wednesday and do the PRISM with her decision the same as Chinook's one less thing to do and the sooner "I can leave" once she received her VISA. She also called NSO on Tuesday afternoon and the CENOMAR has been completed and she was told it should be pickup on Friday when the Embassy comes to their weekly pickup. I am going to call the Embassy Friday afternoon before they close just to verify that it has been received and see where we are then.

Thanks for the encouragement and information. It is very much appreciated. Will post an update just as soon as some good news arrives.

Justin

I agree with scotty's girl. I also suggest that you tell your fiancée to wait until she gets her visa. When she receives her visa packet, there will be a CFO guide in the Air21 plastic. That way, she'll get to accomplish the seminar and have the sticker affixed to her passport all in one day.

The seminar starts at 10:00 am and the next schedule is at 1:00 pm. (PRISM)

Once she has her visa, tell her to bring the ff:

-photocopy of passport

-photocopy of visa

-Php 250 payment for the seminar

She might be asked to apply for a BDO Kabayan Savings account. She can decline. If she decides to apply for it, tell her to bring the ff:

-1x1 or 2x2 I.D.

-photocopy of a valid I.D.

-Php 50

For the sticker and Guidance and Counseling Certificate at CFO:

-Valid ID

-photocopy of passport

-photocopy of visa

-photocopy of Guidance and Counseling Certificate of Attendance (from PRISM or SMEF-COW)

By the way, how is the case going? Has she contacted the Embassy?

She picked up her NBI clearance Thur 7/29 and dropped it off at the Embassy...the CENOMAR was done at Passay and wasn't ready for Friday's Embassy pickup. She called Monday a.m. and found out she can't pick it up...only the Embassy can...however they did tell her that it should be done late on Monday or Tuesday. She is going to call again late today to be sure it is done.

However, I did contact my local senator's office and she sent an email last Friday and called today and what they emailed her back with was that the petition was ready to have VISA issued or denied and that there was a notation that the document was received on Thursday. We talked about the CENOMAR and I called the Embassy a little while ago and they said they are still waiting for the CENOMAR and that she should drop that off at the window between 1 and 2 p.m. Monday thru Thursday. I will be calling the senator's office again tomorrow to see if she can find out anything more about the CENOMAR drop off on Friday.

We are trying really hard to keep right on top of everything...and I think we will revert back to original plan to have her go to PRISM/CFO the following day after she receives her VISA/Passport. See no reason why the VISA will not be approved but sure tired of waiting! Not that she isn't worth it but I would sure like to have her here. Also am getting nervous because this petition expires on August 20.

Thanks for asking how this process is going. Appreciate it. By the way congrats on this part of your journey now complete.

Justin

I do realize that PRISM and CFO are two separate identies. Thanks I think I have it figured out???

Thank so I guess we have to wait until after she receives her VISA/passport and letter to make a reservation for her PRISM/CFO meeting. She needs her passport and it is still at the embassy. Best guess now for her to get here will probably be maybe the end of August....ugh!!!!

Getting ready for Olive to do her PRISM and CFO and I am so confused now after reading posts and looking at their website.

Can she do her PRISM without her VISA being approved yet...we are waiting for the embassy to pickup her CEMONOR at the Passy office on Friday before the VISA will be approved. Somewhere I read that you need a reservation can you not just walk in.

Does she only need her passport when she goes to the CFO office or does she need that for the PRISM too, and can she just walk in for the CFO?

Also would appreciate if someone could give me the times for the PRISM...it seems like I had read somewhere 10:00 for the morning time???

Thanks J & O

I too, think I would be more concerned about her "new friend" and her secretative actions at this time then the dent in the boat at this time.

Justin

Had not thought about calling Embassy for status thanks so much will do that. Thanks again

Thanks for the info...this waiting game is beginning get to be very old now...but she is more than worth it....

Thank you so much...we are trying to be sure there is enough money for her to leave Manila but not have too much extra in pesos left over.

Thanks for the quick reply.

Justin & Olive

Air21 is real iffy i would give a week leeway if I were you we recieved ours in 2 days all the way in Mindanao but who knows.

Yes she will have to pay the P1620 travel tax as she is a Filipino citizen plus the airport tax of P750.

The CFO at PRISM will take a few hours and the total fees are P650 she will attend the conseling session at the BDO building then go to another locatin for her CFO sticker register on the CFO website

Good Luck Justin

The travel tax then where and when is that paid???

I have a few questions which have come to mind trying to get all the loose ends tied up.

Olive returns to the Embassy on the 29th with her NIB Clearance for her misspelled name and she also had to get her CENOMAR for the misspelled name. When she returns these two papers to the Embassy and they are approved will she receive her pink slip tomorrow?

Looking at some of the other timelines it looks like the VISA/Passport are being delivered within about 3 days...is this about the right time to figure for AIR21 to Angeles CIty?

I am going to purchase her air ticket for Delta via Tokyo but have seen on a pinned topic something about an Travel Tax Flight to US which converts to about $40.00, does she have to pay this. I do know about the airport tax which is about $17.00? And no I will not book a ticket until she has the VISA in hand.

Also when she does her PRISM and goes to the CFO to get her passport stamped will this take her most of the day to do? I had seen a post about PRISM visit but can't find that now. Also can someone give me the cost for her PRISM/CFO visits?

We are almost there, finally.

Justin

So she got a blue slip? 221g form? Give it a few days. The same thing happened to me. Congratulations!

Yeah...the dreaded blue slip...but it is okay...she didn't make it to the NSO on Friday but will go first thing Monday morning and then return to Embassy with the document and then wait for Air21. The waiting game gain. We are really getting use to this waiting game now. Feel fairly confident that she will be leaving the first week of August. Hoping for August 3 because we can get the cheapeast flight rate that day.

Olive had corrected the spelling of her name and when she did her NBI Clearance she only got the clearance in her new spelling. She needs to just take in the NBI Clearance for the old spelling. She is returning to Angeles right now and will go this afternoon and get that started so hopefully on Monday she will have that and be able to return to the Embassy on Monday with that documents and get her pink slip. Just a few days hang up but everything else was fine with the interview. She said they only asked her a few questions and the whole process was really very easy.

Congratulations! My Sarah and I are about two weeks behind you. We cannot wait to get all this over with! While it is exciting, it is also a bit stressful for her.

Understand completely about the stress you are talking about...

We have the same interview date, July 23. Mine is at 7:15am.

Best of luck with the interview...prayers are in the works for all of us...god bless us all

Thanks again Seattle...Olive is finally beginning to believe that this is not just a dream and that she will soon be here.

Olive passed her medical today...almost there.

She picked up her renewed passport on Friday and today she went back to SL for the 2nd day of medical. Because it had been longer than a month since day 1 of medical she had to another pregancy test and then it was on to immunizations. She had 3 shots and as of just a few minutes ago she was waiting to check out.

Friday is her interview at 7:00. Her sister is going with her to Manila for the interview. She has all her paperwork completed and has everything ready for the interview. She has been going over her papers and reviewing all the paperwork I sent to her.

We are both so excited because it really looks like she will finally be here within a few weeks.

Justin