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fiancee visa

My US Citizenship timeline (N-400)

Mar 20th, 2011
by Gladys Erhardt.
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And lastly, my US Citizenship timeline.. This is if you are also planning to apply for one, here’s my timeline. Again, each applicant has different timeline; some are faster than mine and some are slower.

Just be patient…you’ll get there :-)

US Citizenship Timeline (N-400)

11-03-10 — sent N-400 application [used the USPS express delivery service]
11-04-10 — N-400 app received [tracked it online]
11-08-10 — INS cashed check
11-09-10 — received NOA1
11-16-10 — Biometrics Notice sent out [tracked it online]
11-20-10 — Biometrics Notice recieved
11-30-10 — Biometrics Appt
01-20-11 — Interview [Passed]
02-15-11 — Oathtaking

*Total time of processing 3 months and 2 weeks.

Popularity: 19% [?]

My I-751 timeline (Removal of Condition)

Mar 20th, 2011
by Gladys Erhardt.
2 comments

Here’s my I-751 timeline or the removal of condition timeline. Removal of condition because I arrived here in the States on a fiance(e) visa and I was on a conditional visa for 2 years (that’s the approved AOS).

It has to be removed inorder for me to legally stay in the States. I-751 (if approved) will give an applicant a 10 year unconditional visa/greencard. It is renewable OR you can also apply for a US citizenship after some conditions are met.

So here it is..

I-751 timeline (Removal of the condition/10 year green card)

09/15/09 — sent sponsor change of address (since we relocate)
09/16/09 — applicant online change of address
09/25/09 — mailed out application
10/05/09 — cashed check
10/06/09 — received 1 year extension
10/22/09 — received biometrics schedule
11/12/09 — biometrics
11/20/09 — Approved and Document production

*Total time of processing 2 months and 6 days.

*** please read all my other posts regarding my K-1 fiance(e) visa application so you will understand some terms I used here.

Popularity: 24% [?]

My AOS (Adjustment of Status) Timeline

Mar 20th, 2011
by Gladys Erhardt.
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Here’s my AOS timeline , please take note that each application is handled differently so we may never have the same timeline. Yours might be faster or sometimes slower but nevertheless this is mostly the sequence of how it works.

One great advice, make sure to submit ALL the required documents needed to avoid delays. The more RFE’s (request for evidence) you get, the longer the process is. As always, you can download all the forms at www.uscis.gov.

AOS TIMELINE

06-19-07 -TD shot
06-28-07 – Completed filling up the AOS forms
07-06-07 – Vaccination Transferred
07-16-07 – Sent the AOS package to USCIS (Chicago)
07-18-07 – USCIS received our package
07-26-07 – Our application entered the USCIS system
07-31-07 – NOA1 via snail mail
08-04-07 – ASC Appointment Notice(Biometrics)
08-25-07 – Biometrics DONE
10-18-07 – Interview APRROVED
10-29-07 – Received the welcome Notice
11-02-07 – Received my green card

*Total time of processing 4 months and 2 weeks.

*** I know this has long been overdue but it’s better late than never lol. Sorry, I was really really busy and posting an update about my K-1 process became my last priority.

Popularity: 14% [?]

Thanks

Jan 18th, 2008
by Gladys Erhardt.
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I would like to say thanks to the visitors who posted replies to others who are asking questions. Last year, I posted notes about my k1 or fiancee visa experience, to help others and for it to serve as a guide. I’ve been into that situation and I know how it feels to have bunch of documents and you don’t know where to start.

Recently, there have been a lot of readers who read that article, posted questions and there are also visitors who answered in behalf of me. I’ve been busy lately (both with housewife duties and blogging) and couldn’t stretch my time to scan my notes. I am planning to create a page about my experience for an easy view instead of the visitors scanning the bulky archive.

Popularity: 3% [?]

I received my green card today

Nov 2nd, 2007
by Gladys Erhardt.
5 comments

I’m so happy!! I received my green card today :) . After 3 and a half months of processing, I’ve got my card now.  This is still a conditional permanent resident (since I came here in the States as fiancee) but this card is my valid proof that I am leggaly able to live here in the States.

If you are processing for a k1 visa too, you may want to check out my k1 timeline. I also posted my experience since we started my visa application until I got my green card. I would rest for the processing for 2 years then will remove my conditional permanent resident after 2 years.

Thanks for checking me out, let me know if you have questions about the visa processing and I’ll do my best to help.

Popularity: 4% [?]

My green card processing or AOS

Sep 6th, 2007
by Gladys Erhardt.
4 comments

AOS stands for Adjustment of Status or in short green card processing. My K1 (fiancee) visa when I get here in the US is equivalent of a visitor’s visa and since I married a US citizen and wanted to stay here, I need to adjust my status. We got married way back in June of this year and filed for my AOS last July. It took us almost a month to gather the requirements as we had a hard time getting my vaccination record transferred into the INS form.

Oh boy, that was really hard. Firstly, my husband is working (8 to 4pm) and the offices location’s here are 50 to 100+ miles from our house so we can’t do it during the lunch break of my husband. He always needs to file a leave whenever we would file something or whenever we have an appointment. One of the AOS requirement is the transfer of the vaccination record into their form. It goes this way, when we had our medical exam in Manila, the results are given to us and Saint Luke’s staff specifically instruct to keep it for further use here in the States. This form is not sealed but with all the signature’s of the doctors and the clinic’s name. Now, the AOS require us( the filer) to transfer the data of this form into their form (the I-693a). They call it, the vaccination supplemental form. Before you can let the surgeon transfer this, you need to get the TD Shot. TD Shot is not available in the Philippines that’s why I never had the shot during my medical exam. So anyway, since Carlo is in the AF, I had mine in the base and it’s free. Some says, the cost of TD Shot ranges from $10 to $35.

So I had my TD Shot, and the next thing that we need to do is to transfer it into the I-693a form and have it sealed by the civil surgeon designated by the USCIS. I thought all of the designated civil surgeon knows the process….I was wrong. The first civil surgeon’s clinic we went, they know NOTHING at all with the entire process. I would say nothing because they (the staff) insisted me to get the whole medical exam and told us that it is the process. They even said, we’re doing it the wrong way. End point, we ended up very frustrated (plus the fact that we always deal with the boarder patrol when we go to other cities – everything went out of our way on that time) and went home accomplished nothing.

The next day, I started calling all the list (in our area) of the civil surgeon the USCIS displayed on the website. I think, I’ve got my luck on my 10th call, all of the 9 calls I’ve made are a bad one I may say. Bad one because they don’t know the process.

Fast forward…I’m already done with my biometrics (fingerprinting and picture taking for green card) and we’re just waiting for any RFE (Request for Evidence)  or my interview schedule. Hopefully I’ll get my green card soon as I’ve already memorized the four corners of our bedroom :) and quite honestly, I’m getting bored and tired doing NOTHING. You know it’s so hard to adjust shifting from a full time career person to a full time NON WORKING person.

I’ll provide the list of of requirements on AOS (for k1 visa holders only, i don’t know to the spouse or k3 is processed) next post .

Popularity: 4% [?]

Some insights about PDOS or CFO Seminar

Aug 30th, 2007
by Gladys Erhardt.
92 comments

Hi everyone, let’s talk again about my US Visa procedures and one of the requirement before I came here in the US. But firstly, let me emphasize this: All of what I’ve written here are based on my OWN experience; the process may or may not change so I would advice you to do more research on this topic, also this is only for K1 or fiancee visa procedures.

Before you buy your luggage, pack your things or get that despedida (go away) party, you need to attend a Pre Departure Orientation Seminar first to get a CFO stamp in your passport. Remember, YOU CAN’T LEAVE THE COUNTRY WITHOUT THE CFO STAMP. Why? Our government requires it and they are so strict when it comes to this rule. Plus you don’t want to delay your flight just because of this right?

Now, what is a Pre Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) and what is a CFO Stamp?

PDOS is required for all Filipino emigrants or those leaving the country to settle permanently abroad. The main topic of this seminar is to help the emigrants prepare themselves for settling overseas. Like adjustment to a new environment, how to deal with homesickness, travel regulations, immigration procedures, cultural differences, settlement concerns, etc. 12 years old and below are exempted from attending the PDOS and are only needed to be registered to the CFO Office.

PDOS Requirement:

  • Photocopy of passport biographic page
  • NBI Clearance
  • Fee of Php250 or roughly $5.50

Address: People’s Reform Initiative for Social Mobilization Inc.(PRISM)
2nd Floor Equitable-PCI Bank Building, 2422 Taft Avenue, Manila
Phone Numbers: (632) 525-3114, (632) 525-3783, (632) 525-4314

CFO Stamp is a sticker, stamped into the emigrants passport. This stamp served as a proof that this visa holder has attended the PDOS and is now ready to travel.

CFO Stamp Requirement:

  • PDOS Certificate
  • Passport
  • US Visa
  • Fee of Php400 or roughly $9

Address: Citigold Center, 1345 Quirino Avenue corner Osmena Highway Manila Phils
Phone numbers: (632) 562-3848,(632) 561-8321 ext. 104, 105, 201- 203

*PDOS and CFO Office are NOT located in the same building.


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Popularity: 55% [?]

My medical Exam at SLEC

Aug 6th, 2007
by Gladys Erhardt.
2,011 comments

Medical Examination Day

I remember my medical exam at Saint Lukes (SLEC) was a pain in the butt. If you happen to hear the phrase ‘ hurry up and wait’, well, you’re in when doing the medical test.

I stayed in San Carlos Mansion, a few blocks away from SLEC and is a 5 minute walk from and to SLEC. I and 2 ladies (who are also processing their fiancee visa and whom became my friends) got up at 3 30am to prepare for our medical exam day.

Here are the things we prepared:

  • 3pcs visa photo’s (put your name on the back of each photo’s)
  • Passport (bring the original and photocopy the biographic page for 2 copies). The purpose of this is that, the original passport will not be given back by the SLEC staff because they are the one who will forward the passport as well as the medical result to US Embassy in Manila -for the interview. I needed the photocopies for my CFO seminar and as an identification.
  • Appointment letter ( bring the appointment letter and have it photocopied also). The photocopy willbe collected by SLEC staff and they will verify it with the original. They will stamp the original to prove that the medical exam has been performed.
  • Cost of the medical exam - $95.00 USD (for adults -15 years and older)
    – $67.00 USD for children 14 years and below.
    - Repeat X-rays costs $7.00 USD/per person.

*Note: Memorize your fiance’s biographic information and the manila case number as you will need these information to fill up the PDS (Patient Data Sheet). If you do not know how to fill it up or doubtful of what to answer, do not hesitate to ask the SLEC staff. They may not be that friendly but they will help you fill it correctly. Also DO NOT leave any question blank, if it is not applicable to you, write N/A or NONE to minimize (if not prevent) delays.

We arrived at SLEC around 4 30am and there were around 20+ people that are ahead of us; so it’s a pretty busy clinic huh?

The guard gave us a what they called “priority number” since there are hundreds of applicants that are taking/retaking tests each day; priority number was issued (maybe to ensure easy process). The guard also gave us a paper that contains a step by step guide. I find the guide very helpful hence there is a step by step PROCESS to follow. If you cannot fulfill step 2, you can’t proceed to step 3. SLEC is also a 4 story building, there are steps that you need to take on the 2nd floor; some are on the 3rd then back to 1st floor and etc. So by having the guide in hand; it’ll lessen the burden. And lastly, the PDS or Patient Data Sheet to fill out.

After filling up the PDS, we decided that it was too early to wait (SLEC opens at 5 30am and we still have a couple of minutes to burn) so we left our PDS to the guard ( they don’t allow applicants to bring it outside the premises) and went outside to eat because we are starving.

We went back to SLEC around 6am and viola, there were more than a hundred people who were already lining up outside the the building. It was a chaotic and VERY crowded. SLEC’s fron’t office pathway is too small to accommodate hundreds of people. Plus the fact that it’s located in an intersection and car’s, trike’s (tricycle), people and etc are passing by; it feels like you would want to hurry everthing.

We gave our priority number to the guard inside the building near registration booth (Yes there is a registration booth). Registration booth is used  to register applicants to their machine, SLEC’s staff collected our PDS, a copy of the appointment letter and cued us for the picture taking. This is probably their kept copy of photo of applicant’s info.

So that was pretty much the process on how to start the medical test. If I’ll put it in a simple sentence; line up to get your priority number, submit the required docs on the registration booth, have your picture taken and start taking the tests.

The next steps were to get all the needed medical tests:

  • x-ray,
  • urine test,
  • physical exam (get naked and lay on the table so the doctor can examine your butt..lol),
  • get some vaccine,
  • eye test and etc (if I’ll say etc, that means I forget the test but I know there is more and I’m just making an excuses :-D ..kasi nakalimutan)

As I’ve said, SLEC is a 4 story building and each of the test are taken on different floors. Not to mention that there are also VISA applicants from Australia, Canada and other countries that are also processing their med test so it is a bit challenging; meresay a challenge on your patience.

We weren’t able to get all our test done, me and my friends (Michelle and Vanessa) were pretty much exhausted around 5 in the afternoon so we decided to finish taking the test the following day.

The next day we went to SLEC, it was easier; we finished taking our test and waited for our interview back in our hotel. By the way, after taking/clearing all the tests, we submitted some signed docs in an office located on the first floor and wait for another minutes or hours for the result .  I tried asking the staff during that time if I did passed or failed but she told me, “we are not allowed to divulge the result, you will know it in the Embassy”. She also told me that my passport will be forwarded to the Embassy then handed me some papers ( I’m sorry I’ve completely forgotten what papers are those); it might be my receipt and some original docs..I don’t know .

So that was it, I was waiting for my interview with mixed emotion. Exhaustion, anxiety, excitement, joy…every emotion you can think of; is what I felt after I completed my med test.  Here comes another day of waiting for interview and few days of waiting for the final verdict.

Anyway, here’s SLEC info; in case you’ll stumble on this article and would want to contact them:

Saint Luke’s Medical Center Extension Clinic Information:

Saint Luke’s Medical Center Extension Clinic
1177 J. Bocobo Street
Ermita, Manila
Contact Numbers: (2)-521-0020 or (2)-521-8647 or (2)-524-6083
Website: http://www.stluke.com.ph/


Just so you know, FEES and PROCESS may vary; I had mine in 2007 and if by chance you read this on the years to come; please consult the USCIS website or the US Manila Embassy website for the latest FEES or PROCESS.


last updated 1st of July 2009

Popularity: 100% [?]

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