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A great reminder that we are all following in the footsteps of some very famous immigrants; this is a photo of Albert Einstein taking his oath of citizenship in New York on October 1st, 1940.

Thanks! I received email and SMS updates because I signed up for it, and yes, the website was also updated. The updates are very detailed--card production ordered, then card mailed, and finally even a tracking number for USPS.

I just had my interview at the US embassy in Manila last week and all the staffers I dealt with were aware that Singapore no longer issues the COC. So they did not ask me for one. This may be a case of a localized and non-official briefing.

I slowly gained during the first few years after my arrival until about 3 years ago I had gained 25 pounds! I felt horrible, unhealthy and didn't like how I looked or felt. I have always been a careful eater but now making full meals every night for my husband who came home from work hungry, plus big breakfasts on the weekend and eating out more, yes that contributed to the weight gain.
I used to live in an upstairs apartment and was constantly running up and down stairs all day back in Canada, plus go for walks in the evening. Here we live in a single story ranch so no stairs, although I still manage to get some walks in, just not as much as before.
Finally, one of the biggest differences is in the food itself. It is not only the portions when you eat out (I almost always get 'doggie bags' and enjoy another one or two meals from the leftovers) but so many foods containe high fructose corn syrup. I know the ads say it is 'corn' and there is no problem with it, but it has been processed into a chemical formulation that the body does not recognize as corn and does not respond to it the same way as it would to the natural sugars in unprocessed corn. I really found that so many of the foods here tasted different - much sweeter - and on reading labels it seems high fructose corn syrup can be found high up on the ingredients list in nearly everything. If you buy low fat products as well, you will see that they make up the difference with HFCS. It is added to foods where there is absolutely no reason to add it as well. I have seen it listed on cream and even on milk (having overheard a conversation in the grocery store between two women discussing how good this premium price milk tasted and how they wouldn't drink anything else now. When I checked the jug I saw it contained HFCS!).
So, I joined the Sparks.com programme on line, started carefully watching what I ate and counting calories, stopped eating big breakfasts on the weekend, cut down on portion sizes at meals and over a number of months lost 20 of those 25 additional pounds. I have been holding steady at this weight now for the last 2 1/2 years. So, yes, a combination of life style changes and 'bad food' habits in the US, both my own and the food manufacturers.

Been here 6 months and lost 6 lbs so far. My husband has lost about 8. And it's primarily because we are happy to be together and eating more healthily.
We are walking and exercising more, avoid eating too much fast food, and when we do, order smaller portions (when possible I order child's portions!). It also helps that we both like to cook and have planted a vegetable garden. We avoid processed food, never try the samples at costco, and try not to put junk food in the shopping cart. It also helps that California is a great place to be for the great variety of fruits and veggies available, almost the whole year 'round.

May I suggest that you use the generic term "foreign fiance/e" instead of "Filipina" when referring to negative behavior on the part of the foreign national? This is out of respect to the many Filipinas like myself who are in genuine relationships and only wish to be with their loved ones, like most people on this site.
By the way, good luck on your own visa journey :-)

I arrived in the US mid-July this year on a K-1. Got my ticket from Motivation Tours in Makati. It was USD 430 + 245 taxes, with the so-called "First time immigrant discount". Flight was on PAL, economy, one way direct to SFO. Compared to the PAL website price, it was about 300 USD cheaper.
No problems at all. Contact camiabriones@yahoo.com. Good luck!

Perhaps it's just me, but I think expensive weddings, church weddings, are just a waste of money. The less spent, the better, because that leaves more money for NEEDS of the family.
I have a friend who's GF started making EXPENSIVE wedding plans just after they started dating. I told him to RUN AWAY!! He is new in the military, and she was planning a wedding and reception and honeymoon that would have cost him over $15,000... RIDICULOUS!! Good thing for him he broke up with her and her sayang ideas.
Why start off a marriage with a huge debt? I mean, if you have the money (cash) to spend, and won't miss it, then fine, have an expensive wedding. But if you don't already have 2 cars (she needs to drive to work right?), or if you have bills to pay off, then WHY spend lots of cash on a wedding? Dress up, take pics, and have the family around, but there are cheaper ways to do it. Or, since you are ALREADY married (in this case), anyone can act as the priest conducting the ceremony, including her mother or father. It's just symbolic for the family, right?
Me, I plan to have a friend conduct the ceremony (free), with very few friends (neither of us will have family present) attending. If we go with her plan, then there will be 4 people... her, me, our friend who marries us, and the helicopter pilot who is flying the bird. Pretty simple, and cheaper than a reception hall!!

As I am contemplating the so-called pieces of primary evidence (such as joint assets, birth certificates etc.) for our I-751, here is the true proof of our marriage being a legitimate one:
We pet, feed, and water our cats together. For the past week, together we've been forcing an antibiotic pill down one of our cats' throat as she had an infection of the ear. Together, we hold on to the cat, taking a joint risk of being clawed.
When we got married, each of us had one cat. After a few months, our cats had accepted their owner's spouse as a potential cuddle partner. Furthermore, they became feline friends. But they also fought which we shouldn't mention to USCIS as it would sabotage our argument.
We eat a mango together in the evening before we go to bed.
We feed our daughter together in the kitchen, making a mess of it every single time.
I mow the lawn so that my wife doesn't have to do it. I hate yard work. I really do! That must be love!
My wife tried her admittedly broken German in Germany last year. It didn't work so well, and she said something very rude by accident when she tried to order a sausage but ended up ordering feces. Later, in a big public place she and a friend of mine discussed the severity of swine flu (then plaguing the U.S. as you might remember), and after a couple of seconds, literally, the place was empty. We still joke about this.
My wife calls me lazy sometimes. But that's because I've metamorphosed from uptight German to easy-going American. I guess she could draw up an affidavit and have it notarized (Oh wait, notarizing isn't required).
Well, the list could go on...
What evidence would USCIS never accept? Wouldn't it be funnny to throw it in with the package? After all, immigration officers have to look at humdrum documents and corny pictures all day. Has anyone ever included something humorous in their I-751 package?

You might be filipina if you say yes by a subtile movement of your eyebrows in the pitch dark. but who am i to complain? I lub her so. i cant wait till we have her grin card. then we can go swimming at the ###### every day and wont even sweet as long as were in the tubig, and when we get back home we can eat borgers sitting in front of the lecticfun.

You might be filipina if your first time to Walmart you are looking for the whitening soap and lotion.
You might be filipina if you look at an american broom, and make your husband find a walis tambo, and walis ting-ting.

It does *almost* sound like an 'I'm doing you a big favor by going there and marrying you' viewpoint...which I would feel very uncomfortable about. I don't think this is just a cultural thing either...my wife is filipina and never hinted at anything like that.
As others have said, it sounds like she's trying to tell you something, but she really doesn't know how to say it. Not saying she doesn't love you, but that is doesn't ring completely right either. You definitely need to get to the bottom of her feelings about the entire thing.

Don't feel you need to apologize to anyone for being a kind and trusting person who was hoping for real love. We make ourselves vulnerable when we open ourselves to what we hope is a reciprocal, loving relationship. Yes, the red flags were there waving furiously but you wanted to see something different and he was clever enough to convince you he was something other than who he was. Many people do not understand just how talented some of these con artists can be. I know from my own experience what you have had to deal with. Hold your head high and understand you are the better person here. You have demonstrated love and courage and these are wonderful qualities to have!

Well, the human being to whom the hair is attached is no slouch, either, no man. Sexist poll, or at least exclusionist, but I will answer anyway (mentally substituting "barber shop" for "beauty salon," si man).
I used to spend $14 monthly for really good haircuts, but with a demanding young Mini-Bone now on the scene, I can't afford to schedule haircut appointments, so I found this nearby walk-in place -- run by Thai or other East Asian ladies who speak little English and understand even less -- for $3.99. I look like a clown afterwards, but at least the hair is shorter, si man.
I miss going to Mexico for the best haircuts on the planet for $4, sigh man...

Hey everyone...
Junior has been in the U.S. for 30 years. Let's pretend he doesn't know the meaning of "cold feet."

From friends - they were struck by her youth, beauty, and charm. Because they know me, their comments are along the lines of how wonderful she has been for my life. They were all thrilled for me because I was thrilled.
Malicious people will of course try to invalidate your marriage and put you on the defensive with the types of comments mentioned in the OP. Maximum jealousy and envy.
Those aren't your friends.

It's called CFO, it just another scam by the Philippines to extract money from you.
They will push her to get to set up a bank account with BDO, and they will also show her pics and tell her about how woman from PI go to USA and get beat by their husbands and sold into prostitution rings or become sex slaves.
It' kinda Bull$hit, but they offer two places in Manila area, and it all can be done in one day
PRISM and St. Marys (St. Marys is easier to deal with), PRISM tend to be on a Power Trip.
Google CFO Philippines and learn all you need to know about times and locations...........

I complain since i put my feet in this beautiful country in January 2011, but when I read some friends in this website i find my self lucky, I come with a fiancee visa k1 in January 2011, I began working as an assistant in recreation, in a hospital in February 2011 not even a month after i arrived, it was in new jersey, 1 hour drive from home, i want a job closer, no problem i find it very quickly, is not heaven but it's a job i pay my bills, i went to www.amazon.com, i took an appointment for an interview, they hire me i started working after 3 days, 10 hours a day 4 days a week ( by the way i am shocked about taxes in the United States its just crazy i do not understand why i must pay a police officer that will stop me in a highway and give me a 400 dollar ticket to pay lollll). in February, i pass the Writing test for the driver's license, i had two mistakes, three mistakes mean you fail, After 2 weeks i pass the driving test, i got my driver licence, in the Same time i took the advanced ESL classes, i graduate from the literacy center last week, english is my 3rd language after Arabic and french, (i dont understand why the United States does not recognize the degree bring from Arabic country, and they do for degree taken in urope), anyways after five months in may 2011, i receive my green card after paying 1070 dollars of course, i can stay 2 years with ma wife now yayyyyyy ( i love her alot she's for a lot for what i have done till now ).
now i register for classes in college for fall 2011 they start August 2011 in LCCC "lehigh carbon community college", I'll start with english 100, and next year i began studies for occupation therapy assistant program, my wife and i knows that will be hard for us, working for 10 hours and still going 3 hours of school at the same time, anatomy, psychology, human growth and development, mental health, therapeutic adaptation, and more, 5 years of hard work and study and money, but it's worth, they start paying 35 dollar a hour with my degree, it's highly motivating,
I must be proud of me for what i have done till now so god bless america and my wife lol

Darren : obviously you are referring to your particular experience with your fiancee when you say "Filipinas are this..." or "Filipinas are that". So I would thank you to avoid generalizing your perceptions to the whole population of Filipino women.
Perhaps it would be better to say "My fiancee is...". Nobody would disagree with you (Except perhaps, your fiancee)

Darren : obviously you are referring to your particular experience with your fiancee when you say "Filipinas are this..." or "Filipinas are that". So I would thank you to avoid generalizing your perceptions to the whole population of Filipino women.
Perhaps it would be better to say "My fiancee is...". Nobody would disagree with you (Except perhaps, your fiancee)

Hi there, how did you track it? I had my interview June 3 and they never gave out tracking number.
Hopefully I can get my visa within this week...
good thing your wife got hers..and for sure, shes coming over there not later than nextweek..

My K-1 visa was approved today. We are both very happy and relieved. Of course there is still a way to go, but we wish to thank everyone here on VJ who has helped us to get to this stage of the journey!
I will post an embassy review soon. Good luck to you all!

I speak some French from having worked with a French company for many years, and I took lessons too. I noticed that at that time, though I was quite uncomfortable speaking French to people I knew well (such as French friends or colleagues) because I didn't want to seem stupid, I was much more comfortable and surprisingly more fluent speaking French to STRANGERS-- such as taxi drivers or hotel personnel. Obviously this was because their opinion about me mattered less.
Maybe you could encourage your wife to interact more with shopkeepers, the mailman, cashiers, etc. The conversations will be shorter and more standard, something she could practice saying every time she sees them. Eventually she will develop confidence to speak with other people whose opinion she values more.

let me share my opinion about this.. coz me and my fiance had already discussed this.lol
i am a filipina (hardheaded) lol and my fiance is an american (and a hard headed too) lol hehehe..
but what i like about our relationship is we talked and share everything that goes to our mind even if sometimes it will lead us to disagreement coz we dont drop the issue or just keep it in ourselves. we listen,argue,understand and come up with a solution that will be fair to the both of us..
so like for me i explained to ryan that helping our parents is a way of appreciation to our parents for giving us life and oppurtunity to live in this beautiful world.its one of the culture of the filipino(a) to help their parents at all cost.which some or most of the americans dont understand, coz their culture is different from us.
so what i did i told my fiance my plans and said that it is what it is u cant take it away from me i must help my parents,if the time comes that i will be able to get a job im going to help them but it doesnt mean that ill be sending them monthly pension, nope it wont be like that. we come up with a plan which is fair and my fiance agreed with it and that is we will give my parents 2 gifts...
1.) HOUSE =we are going to help them to have a nice and a comfortable house to live in.
2.) BUSINESS = we are going to give them some money for business and they shouLd work on it to make that business profitable where they can get all there daily expenses...and not expect that whenever they need they'll just call us and tell us we need money and there you go we wil be like an atm machine and thats not fun at all and we dont like it.
so a business that is profitable will make us feel good that our money is not wasted and my parents are helping us too and they still have their pride coz they dont just wait for our help they are the one who will work on it.so if the busines will work im sure it will, then good for them coz all the benefits of that business will go to them.
i already discussed it to my parents too, that this what will happen and never to expect and think that my husband to be is rich.. plus im not going to the US for just a vacation and rob all the banks there to send them money lol i am going there to be with the person whom i love so dearly and start a family of our own live a happy married life..
my parents understand and agreed to me..which is good and a relief in my part. so i think its fair to the both sides..
ohh plus i think
its more nice if the filipina will be the one to tell the parents and explained to them this things rather than let your fiance tell them this. coz it will be much nicer, more respectful and the pride of your parents wont be step on...
so me and my fiance are done discussing about this and i know in the near future we wont have this drama anymore.lol
its just a matter of compromising and trying to work things together! a WE and not I..
HAVE A NICE DAY EVERYONE!

I have some of the same issues. The best thing I can suggest is setting clear expectations in a harsh manner. I say harsh because I have noticed Filipinos will bend you over and take you for all you are worth if you are nice (they will do this with a smile on their face). How? Her family charged beer and household supplies to my hotel account with out my knowledge. I paid it and told them nicely to never do it again. They did.. Then I turned harsh I refused to pay the tab and sat there for 4 hours in the lobby until they paid the tab. Told them if they ever did it again I would inform the hotel staff and have them removed.
I have chosen to give her mother who is a widow a small amount of money for food and groceries to help out. The brother then stopped giving any money to her and told her she would have to get money from me. I called his bluff and stopped sending money and when he asked I told him she is his mother and she can starve for all I care. He started giving her money again.
I am lucky that for the most part I can trust my fiancée with money around her family although she has fallen into the guilt trap with them and I always keep one eye on my bank account (to quote Reagen "trust but verify"). You will need to trust her at some point (you are marrying her) be honest with her about your concerns chances are if she is anything like my fiancée she is ashamed of it and feels stuck.
I also send them information on my finances so that they do not think I am a filthy rich american and I am just being an a-hole. If you do have an abundance of money and her family is not lazy but is struggling and you choose not to help them but instead buy a BMW then you are an a-hole. I love my fiancée and she loves her family seeing her upset over them struggling makes me upset and want to help. Her family members are extremely hard workers and I helped them move rice in the family store and some are school teachers so it is not just a matter of them laying around not working and drinking beer.
Just think of it like this if you do not let them know how much money you have imagine you had a rich uncle that you thought had 100 million dollars and you were working 10 hours a day struggling to support a family on 30k a year. The uncle never gave you money or gifts but knew you were struggling, what would you think of him? Now if you knew your uncle really only had 100k and had monthly expenses of 99k lived modestly and worked 10 hours a day to support his own family you might not think any less of him. (sorry i think a rambled a little on this point)
I also financed a new store for them so they could do more than just rely on me for money but actually have a new revenue stream. I have visited them twice and checked on the store, I also require receipts just to make sure they are following through.
TLDR; You marry a filipina you marry the whole family.. if you are not ok with this leave now.