Dabawenya Babe goes to Hawaii

I received my green card today

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.

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Tags: Featured, fiancee visa

My green card processing or AOS

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 .

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Tags: fiancee visa, US Visa

Some insights about PDOS or CFO Seminar

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.


More »

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Tags: fiancee visa, US Visa

A checklist on K1 Visa Requirements

This is my checklist during my k1-visa processing:

I. The petitioner must be (any of the 3 choices):
a. Natural born U.S. citizen,

b. Naturalized US Citizen - in our case, he was naturalized (my hubby is a pure blooded filipino but they migrated here in the US when he was young so he is a naturalized US citizen)

c. Born outside US but with US Citizen parents

II. Requirements in Filing K1 visa (petitioner needs to send this to USCIS):

• I-129F [My husband (formerly my fiance) completed and signed this form]

• Letter of Intent to Marry [both of us]

• Birth Certificate [Certified copy for my hubby and an NSO BC for me]

• G-325A [both of us completed and signed 1 form each]

• Passport-style color photo [both of us]

• We provide copies of evidence we have met in person. (Pictures, some chat conversation, photocopies of his receipts during his visit, stamped passport and/or boarding pass)

• FEE of $455 - for us, we only paid $170, they recently raised their fees and it started last July 30th, 2007.

• Certified copy of Divorce Decree - Hence my fiance was married before.

Downloadable:

• I-129F - Click on that link to download the I-129F form.

• G-325A - Click on the link to download the form.

• I-129F Instruction - List of instruction for I-129F filing.

My hubby filed/send his petition at the California Service Center because New Mexico belongs to the California USCIS office. And for the lists of areas where the USCIS branches served, I’ll refer you to the I-129F form. The I-129F form has the guide and its complete.

I know it looks easier, that’s what I thought when I first check it…. but I was wrong. The filling up of the forms takes a LOT of time. There are questions that are tricky and most of the forms are not savable. Meaning, you need to print it before you turn off your PC because you cannot save what you typed. You can save the form itself but whatever you typed in there, you cannot save it. Like me, my schedule was hectic on that time. I was finishing my school and I have a 9 to 5 regular job and here comes the visa paperworks…it drained me a lot.

Or else, one thing that you can do too is you can use a correctional fluid for the corrections later. But I’m not fond of this because it sometimes look messy, anyway, its up to you. One technique that hubby and I used was, we do it together. Like when he filled up the I-129F form, we are also talking/chatting online. If he is confused on something, he can ask me right away and I can research it and browse it online while he continue filling up the form. After he is done, he copied and saved it in an image file (jpeg) and send it to me. I can then correct it (of course the I-129F has my informations too) or I’ll do the double checking just to make sure, we’re doing the right thing. You might be wondering why did I said that the form is not savable but I then said that he can save it as an image file. To lighten you up, the USCIS forms are all in an acrobat file, hence we cannot what we typed, we used the “Print Screen” and “Ctrl V” method or in short, the copy and paste.

Print Screen in our keyboard functions as ‘copy’ so whenever you hit that, it means you’re copying whatever is showing in your monitor. You can then open a MS Word, Power Point or any image editor, then press the Ctrl +V (you can find all of this in your keyboard) or else right click your mouse and hit ‘PASTE’. For me, I always use the ‘paint image editor’ because its easier and I feel comfy using it.

The checklist is based on my experience alone, it may be incomplete and inadequate (USCIS can change their forms anytime they want) so I am referring you the USCIS website to check for further clarification and verification.

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Tags: fiancee visa

My US Visa Interview Experience

After the long period of waiting for my visa interview to come and after finishing the agony of completing the medical exam, here comes Monday- the day of my long awaited interview.

As expected it brought me sleepless Sunday night, it was a mixed emotion. I was excited and yet a little scared because I know there are other applicants who failed their interview and it’s either I’ll pass it or fail it. There are no other options.

Anyway, around 3am Vanessa and I were already up preparing ourselves and re-check our papers for our interview. As I’ve said in my previous entries, I was with 2 other applicants Mitch and Vanessa and Mitch was already done last Friday and had already passed her interview.

So we took a shower and at 4am, we’re already in the street looking for a taxicab. Our interview was scheduled at 7 30am but we opted to go to the embassy hours earlier since we ‘ve always heard info that it is an advantage to go to the embassy earlier especially that there will be hundreds of other applicants.

We stayed in a hotel where it is only a few blocks away to SLEC and the US Embassy. It was not necessary to ride a taxicab but hence it was too early and we were not familiar with the place, we opted for one. We arrived in the US Embassy building after 5 or 7 minutes.

There were already people outside the embassy gate when we arrived so we just joined them. Hence it would take us hours to wait for the embassy office to open (they usually open around 6 00am), Vanessa and i rented chairs (P30 each) from the kiosk sari-sari store that is located in front of the building. This store is also offering rental space for cell phones, keys, or anything that is not allowed to bring inside the embassy.

It’s not that safe but if you have no choice then you need to gamble, as for us, we left our cell phones and keys in our safe deposit box in the hotel.

This is also one thing that the interviewee needs to take note, she/he needs to be research/ask this simple things before going in the embassy. This way, it will save more time and its more convenient.

So anyway, here comes 6 00am and the workers in the embassy started going in the front gate to call for the 6 30am visa applicants and around 6 45am, they started calling the second batch which is our schedule..the 7 30am batch.

These are the papers that they asked in the gate:

- Appointment letter
- DS forms (DS 156, 156k and 157)
- ID

I believe they are checking the DS forms to double check if the forms were correctly filled up. So then we continued to wait in line (it was a long line) until we were told to go inside the door for k1 visa applicants. Take note that there were k3, student visa applicants and etc that were also scheduled for interview or for paper processing on that time.

When we get inside the building, we were still following a line going to the first paper check and here’s what they checked and gathered from us:

- DS forms (156, 156k & 157)
- Birth Cert

After this, they marked my papers with a number. They then issued me a copy of this number and told me to wait for my fingerprint.

This is the time that I was able to sit down and wait for my number to show in the queing board for my fingerprint and for my interview. After around 20 minutes, I took my fingerprint then I went back to sit down and wait for the first interview/collection of my papers.

Then I saw my number on the queuing board and told to proceed to a window # (sorry I forgot what window number was that). It was a Filipina and she collected papers like: CENOMAR, NBI Clearance, Divorce decree of hubby, the evidences of relationship that I compiled (she took the whole folder) and there was a preliminary interview on this time. Like she was clarifying/verifying the information I submitted.

To be honest, I was trembling while walking going to this window but after our talk, I felt at ease. The questions were all about me and my then fiancé –now hubby; some information about him and some information about our relationship.

It runs around 5 to 7 minutes then I went back to sit down again to wait for the consul interview. Now this was different, I feel like I’ll be on for an electric chair or something. Though my confidence was boost up, I’m still nervous.

I can’t really help it, I know on the other side of the world, somebody’s nervous too.

45 minutes went by….

My number was blinking in the queuing board and displays I need to go to window #27 (yeah I still remember this number) and so here comes my moment :-)  . I went to the room nervous but confident. The consul started the interview by saying “Hi” and “How are you?”.

He was very professional and was also cracking jokes in between serious question that’s why my tension flew away. It was mere like a conversation per se and not an interview. Everything he asked was all about hubby and I and there was nothing that he asked that I didn’t know. Carlo (hubby’s name) and I would talk/chat forever for like 2 years in our long distance relationship.

The only time we can’t talk is when he or I’m sleeping. That’s true. When he’s at work and I’m at home, we talk via email..until I’m about to sleep. When he comes home from work and I’m going to work (time difference), we talk on email again and during weekend, we study together and if he goes out or I go out, we text each other. Even when he attended biz trips, I am the first person to have a copy of his itinerary.

So anyway, after 10 minutes, I got the consul’s smile and my warm congratulations, my take care on my incoming trip and best wishes for my incoming marriage. Then he also told me proceed to window # (sorry I forgot the window number) to get some papers and to pay for my visa delivery, and I give him big thanks. You know, I can’t thank this consul enough for giving me an “at ease” interview experience.

I was almost crying on that time, I became very emo or rather I should say..I was full of emotion. I calmed myself first before proceeding to the next window or else I’ll faint :-). Then I went to Delbros booth, I filled up a paper (details for the visa delivery -address, contact #, case # and etc) and then I went back in our hotel and this time I went walking.

You might be asking about Vanessa? She had her interview ahead of me; I believe all of those who had a child/children with them on that time were interviewed first. She was also approved.

My only advice to give for all of those applicants that are waiting for their incoming interview, compile all the papers that the US embassy is requiring ahead of time so when the interview/medical time is approaching; you don’t panic.

Don’t get nervous on the interview, everything they’ll ask from you are all relevant in your ongoing relationship. I know that may sound unavoidable (not being nervous) but take it from me, I was there and everything was really easy.

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Tags: Featured, fiancee visa

My medical Exam at SLEC

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 ..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

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Tags: fiancee visa

My k1 (Fiancee) visa timeline

Here’s a guide for anyone out there who wants some inputs on their k-1 (fiancee) visa processing time. I’ve already posted this with my previous blog but apparently I’m still working on with that blog right now so I have to re-post it here. I hope it helps and I’ll be posting my medical as well as my interview experience soon.

Type of visa: US fiance(e) visa

10-16-06 - Sent I-129f to Texas USCIS
11-05-06 - Recieved NOA 1
01-16-07 -NOA2 approval thru email
01-22-07 - Received NOA2 via snail mail
02-06-07 - NVC forwarded our case to USE Manila (issued our mnl case #)
02-10-07 - Received NVC letter thru snail mail
03-31-07 - Received Packet 4
04-27-07 - St. Lukes/ Medical Exam
05-07-07 - Interview
05-16-07 - Visa Received (GenSan)

*Total time of processing 7 months.

Terms:

NOA1 - or Notification of Action 1 /a notice stating that the application was already received and entered the USCIS system.

NOA2 - Notification of Action 2 / a notice of approval of the petition. Usually arrives after 2 or more months after the NOA1.

Packet 4 - is a package from US Embassy, includes all the forms for the interview. The most important content is the letter containing the medical and interview dates.

mnl case # - (Manila Case Number) this is given after the NOA2, to track the schedule of medical and interview dates.

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Tags: fiancee visa