STEP 1-  BIRTH CERTIFICATE Issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) on security paper. See sample form below. This can take a lot of time if you do not currently have a legal birth certificate on file. In our case my wife was never issued a birth certificate or it was lost. We had to prepare documents stating there was no birth certificate on file in the city where she was born. it ended up taking a year before we finally had the official birth certificate shown below. When we were married we used a different type of birth certificate which was allowed for the marriage but not for immigration purposes.

          

Back to the top

STEP 2-  I-130 or I-129F

If you choose the I-130 the faster method, the following info is supplied: Fill out the I-130 and sent to: the INS Service Center Having Jurisdiction over the applicant's or petitioner's place of residence. This process takes about three months before you receive the "Choice of Agent" form. The "Choice of Agent" is where you can specify where you want your materials mailed to. I chose a travel company in Cebu City that specialized in this type of work to have all my forms sent to. Also, since I was residing here in the Philippines while her paperwork was being processed I had the forms sent here as opposed to being sent to my home address in Texas.

When the I-130 had been approved you will receive a document in the mail,  "I-797C, Notice of Action". It lists the Receipt Number and personal information about the case. It also lists a web site where you can check the current processing time for this kind of case on their web site uscis.gov. On this web site there is a place where you can sign up for E-mail notices whenever your case status changes. Keep this document as you will need to information i it later.  You will also receive a "I-797, Notice of Action", This will state something like: The above petition has been approved. We have sent the original visa petition to the Department of State National Visa Center (NVC) 32 Rochester Avenue, Portsmouth NH, 03801-29009. NVC processes all approved immigrant visa petitions that need consular action. It also determines which consular post is the appropriate consulate to complete visa processing. NVC will then forward the approved petition to that consulate.  Also on this important document is receipt number something like "WAC0123456780" and an email address where you can

The next section lists the appropriate service centers to send your completed I-130 to.

INS SERVICE CENTERS:

EASTERN: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rice, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Virgin Islands, West Virginia.

Department of Homeland Security
Vermont Service Center
75 Lower Welden St.
St. Albans, VT 05479-0001

NORTHERN: Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

Department of Homeland Security
Nebraska Service Center
P.O. Box (insert appropriate box number from the list below)
Lincoln, NE, (insert appropriate zip code from the list below)

SOUTHERN: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas.

Department of Homeland Security
Texas Service Center
P.O. Box (insert appropriate box number from the list below)
Mesquite, TX (insert appropriate zip code from the list below)

WESTERN: Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada.

Department of Homeland Security
California Service Center
P.O. Box (insert appropriate box number from the list below)
Laguna Niguel, CA (insert appropriate zip code from the list below)

Documents that you, the American citizen, need to send with this form.

1. Legal Birth Certificate (with raised seal) or Naturalization Certificate or Certificate of Citizenship or FS-240 (Report of Birth Abroad of a United States Citizen).

In place of any of the above you can supply copies of all pages of your Valid Passport.

2. Copies of detailed evidence that you and your fiance'(e) have personally met within the last two years.

3. Original statements from you and your fiance'(e) whom you plan to marry within 90 days of his/her admission, and copies of any evidence you wish to submit to establish your mutual intent.

4. Consent To Marriage of a Person Under the Age - If the fiance'(e) is under the age of 21.

5. Glossy untouched Color Photo of you and one of your Fiance'(e) taken within 30 days of the date of this petition. The size should be with the face being about one inch, showing a 3/4 frontal view showing the right side of the face and the ear. These are US Passport style photos.

6. Completed G-325A Biographic Information for you and you fiance'(e).

Back to the top

2. I-129F, Sent to Missouri Service Center, P.O. Box 648004, Lee's Summit, MO 64063
(this form is for the K3 Visa Only, I have been told by a congressman that this form takes several years for the processing to complete, therefore we did not use it. Anyone having knowledge of this process, please advise).

K3 (I-129F MAILING ADDRESS)

Missouri Service Center
P.O. Box 648004
Lee's Summit, MO, 64063

After the I-130 has been submitted to the appropriate crevice center, you will receive a package sent to your address containing a form called the "Choice of Agent and Address" form, fill this form and mail back to NVC. This form tells NVC how to contact you during your immigrant visa processing. Your agent can be your petitioner, another relative, a friend , and attorney, or a charitable organization, such as a church or other immigrant assistance organization. 
 
3. DS-3032 (Choice of Agent and Address), Is sent to Applicant from NVC, goes back to NVC at:

National Visa Center
ATTN: ACL
32 Rochester Avenue
Portsmouth, NH 03801-2909
United States of America

When the DS-3032 has been received by NVC they will send you the following form usually within a few weeks.

4. Affidavit of Support (I-864) Processing Fee Bill Sent to Petitioner goes to NVC.
This form is for fees pertaining to the visa petition, usually about $450.00

5. After NVC receives the I-864 Processing Fee Bill  and  the DS-3032 they will send a Packet containing additional materials to be sent to NVC. Complete and send materials as directed in this Packet. A form in this packet is called the Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the Act.

On this form you will show that you are a U.S. Citizen and it will determine your eligibility to sponsor and immigrant by demonstrated ability to maintain an annual income at or above 125 percent of the Federal poverty line. you will also provide financial information with this form.  See links at the bottom of this page for more information about this form.
(This is where my wife and I are in this process, I have no more experience beyond this step.)

6. Complete Immigrant Visa Medical Examination at Authorized Doctors Office.

You will be sent packet #3 containing information for the last step in the CR-1 process. basically you receive a list of shots you need along with instructions for your medical exam done in Manila along with the location of this facility. You will also receive your interview appointment date and time. We are planning on coming to Manila  two weeks early to get all the medical exams and shots done.

Required Vaccinations:

mumps, measles, rubella, polio, tetanus and diphtheria toxoids, pertussis, influenzae type b (Hib) and , hepatitis B, varicella, pneumococcal, influenza.

St. Luke's Medical Center Extension Clinic
1177 J. Bocobo St.
Ermita, Manila
Phone 521-86-47, 521-00-20
Located near Roxas Blvd and the U. S. Embassy.

Make sure you have your shot record with you along with any additional documents they need at the interview. In packet #3 there is a page listing any additional documents you may not have sent to NVC. Also be prepared to pay for any fees you may not have paid previously. If you paid your fees remember to bring your receipts.

7. Interview by Consul in Embassy or Consulate Section in Manila.

This will be scheduled in packet #3 sent from National Visa Center. Once you receive this packet you are finished with NVC. All remaining processing is done at the Embassy in Manila.

8. Receive Visa or Further Instructions.

This can take from 3 to 30 days. But usually is within 3 to 10 days.

Back to the top

The below narrative is of our CR-1 Visa experience. My wife was approved and will be traveling to the United States on November 25th 2006. The CR-1 Visa took us just about one year to complete all the various steps, forms and mailings. I believe this process was fairly straight forward and the instructions sent from the Visa Processing Center were easy to follow.

Back to the top

CR-1 Visa

Back to the top

This is our story of how the CR-1 Visa process worked for us at the United States Embassy in Manila on October 30th at 8:30AM: Shortly after arriving in Manila, we ate breakfast at the ChowKing located across from the embassy. Then we went over to the waiting area directly next to the Embassy, and across Roxas Blvd from the restaurant. The waiting area although crowded, is where it all starts. You can buy a chair for ten pesos and sit while you wait for your appointment time. Our idea was to get there early so that we could be first in line, but soon realized this is not how it works. You only need to arrive about an hour and a half before your appointment time, any sooner is just wasted time sitting in a crowded area, better spent sleeping in your hotel or eating some breakfast nearby.  The security guard comes out of the Embassy area and commences calling out appointment times, starting around 6:00AM, and then about every half hour or so. This is how it works, the security guard calls out 6:30 immigrant visa, and for these people to line up on the street next to the waiting area. About twenty people lined up and marched into the Embassy. Just inside the embassy gate area, the security guard checks your appointment letter and Photo ID or passport, so have them ready. After that you go on into the embassy. Then again the guard calls out "7:00", "Seafarers...", this group of 30 or so people line up. Then 7:30 Non-Immigrant visa people lined up. Then finally they called the Immigrant Visa for 8:30 which was our appointment time. Just remain seated until you hear your appointment time called. We ended up being the last person in line, which does not really mean a whole lot. Be careful when you get in the line inside the gate area before you get to the security guard, one line is for non-immigrant and the other is for Immigrant Visa people. The immigrant line is the one on the right.  Once inside and past the security check, which includes one of those airport type scanners, we were told to sit in an assigned area of the main immigrant waiting room inside the embassy building, we waited until the guard called us for the screening window. The guard called a row of chairs at a time, you go to a window across the room from we were where, to have our forms reviewed and get your number, ours was 6097. Remember to protect this number it will be used for all your interviews. Then we went to window 17 for fingerprinting. There are monitors in the waiting area that describe the entire process in Tagalog and English and they are very informative. We were directed to go to room 32, another fingerprinting facility, for Marianne's fingerprinting, to help speed things up a bit. Then we went back to the same chairs we were sitting in before. Marianne's Mom was able to come inside the embassy with us to care for the baby which was a great help to us. The guard allowed it after a long look at her.  We ended up sitting there for about three hours before our number was called,  The numbers are not called in order, some times a number much higher may be called before a lower one, a typical sequence might be, 6015, 6099, 6045... that's why you don't necessarily need to be in a hurry. And, being first in lineup means nothing in this process. We were last but ended up getting called about two thirds the way through our group. I think it all depends on how fast they get your stuff together back behind the scenes. The numbers are flashed on six brightly lit led displays, sequencing the numbers throughout the display with the new number always displayed in the first of the six windows. Our number finally came up on the monitor around 11:00AM. Our first window to visit was window #20. At this window we were greeted by a fairly young Filipino man, I'd guess late 20s or early 30s or so. he was friendly, and courteous which put of at ease. Since we had Matthew with us, our one year old baby, he asked for his passport and Citizenship documents first, we had them handy in our pouch therefore could get at them quickly. He said they were all OK. Next he  asked Marianne a single question, which was, "What is your Wedding date?", which Marianne promptly responded with "September 21, 2004."  After that he told us to sit down and wait for our number to be called again. It wasn't long before we were told to go to Window #38. At this window we were interviewed by an American man, again in his early 30s.  He was friendly and courteous toward us. The first words out of his mouth were "Hello!", then he said "I will try to get you out of here as quickly as possible". He asked Marianne if we were going to live at the property I listed on my paperwork, a house I owned in Texas, and to this she said "yes".  Then he asked, "How will your husband support you?"  She said that I had my military pension and money invested in stocks, well not quite, actually it's mostly retirement properties, with some stocks. To that, He said, "OK, I'm satisfied". Then he went through our file checking to see if we had all the forms filled out and appropriate documents, which was quite thick. He handed us back a few forms for our safe keeping but kept the majority of them for our file. Then he grabbed a paper which was green and white striped, that said "Approved". Once you have this paper you are approved for your US Visa. We left just after that and went out to find the address of a hotel in Ermita that we were going to use for a mailing address for them to send the visa to, as we did not know the exact address while there in the embassy. After about a one hour drive around Ermita looking for the Hotel, no one knows where it was. we found it and made our reservations for that evening. Then we went back into the Embassy around 12:30 with the correct address and paid the P 150.00 Visa processing fee and gave the clerk the Hotels address. The form you use for mailing your Visa to you was confusing so we asked the guard for help us fill it out.  We chose the Paragon Tower Hotel at 531 A. Flores St. Ermita Manila Phone 526-5541 to 47. Using a hotel instead of Pampanga where we were staying previously, meant that the visa arrives here in only three days instead of three weeks if mailed out to a more distant address. The Paragon Tower Hotel was recommended by a Filipino lady Marianne was speaking to, at the Embassy waiting area, she said the Swagman was not near as clean as this one is and the price is comparable. We plan to stay here up to five days or until the visa arrives at the hotels front desk. We chose to rent the Family room as we had her mom, sister and her daughter with us. This room is excellent, plenty of room and the tile floor was clean. The price for a Family Room is P 2,485.00 a night. Over all I come away with a positive experience of our day at the embassy, in spite of all the stories we had heard about visa's being disapproved, and unfriendly personnel. Everyone including the two interviewers were very nice to both of us, even the security guards out side. I'm thinking, just maybe, we got lucky getting both male interviewers. The woman out side told us only a few are approved each day. Also I think the guys seem to have less hang-ups about American guys marrying young Filipina girls than the women do, possibly a cause for some disapproved visas... They shouldn't allow their personal views to affect their decisions, but I'm sure they do anyway, but that's just my opinion. After the Interview we drove back to Pampanga, a one hour trip and got our bags and things and headed right back into Manila to stay in our Hotel. I Wish we had planned this better at the start but we just didn't know the process. Originally we were going to wait for the visa in Pampanga therefore we left most of our things there, thus the reason for the extra trip to and from Pampanga. We got to sleep fairly early as we were all tired from all the traveling. I don't think Marianne has realized the depth of the situation yet, I think she is simply warn out from the long day.  Now I can finalize my plans and pay for our tickets. See some photos of our excellent hotel room below.

I recommend staying at the Paragon Tower Hotel located at 531 A. Flores St. Ermita, Manila, Phone 526-5541 - 47. This hotel is not that expensive, it was clean and roomy. It is located two buildings down from the Medical Facility "St. Lukes" which is where you go for your medical exam. It is also walking distance from the US Embassy here in Manila. There are other hotels listed on the Hotels page, but for the price and location you can't beat this one. Our family sized room you can view a photo of our room on this page near the bottom on entry "Monday October 30th 2006", the cost was only P 2,485.00 per night. Standard rooms will be cheaper. On the same page you can see a photo showing the St. Lukes Medical Facility building clearly visible from our hotel window. There is also a huge Robinsons Mall visible as the two tall towers near the hotel, and is also pictured on this page. Also bring a book to read, the entire process can take four to five hours to complete and there are many people in the building at any one time.

Photo of Marianne with her United States Visa in hand. She received it on Friday November 3ed 2006. Our interview was October 30, 2006. That means it took three or four days, however you look at it, to have it delivered to our hotel. Also the package of documents she must take to immigrations when she gets to the US. This packet must not be opened or tampered with in any way.

Direct Consular Filing (DCF)

Back to the top

Starting the Direct Consular file Process: Prepare the I-130 and G-325A form. These forms and detailed instructions can be found on Mag Anak Web Site: http://www.mag-anak-photos.net/forms/INS-Form-I-130A.pdf

The US Embassy requires DCF sponsors to have permanent residency in the Philippines. The easiest way to show proof of permanent residency is by way of an RP 13A Visa. They understand many of its married members do not elect to obtain 13A status, but still reside in the Philippines for extended periods using some other form of Visa like a Tourist Visa or Balikbayan Visa. So if there is no 13A to prove residency, the US Embassy will still allow for US citizens to file DCF if they can prove they have established a residence in the Philippines and are living in the Philippines on a permanent bases.

CR-1 = Conditional Residency.

IR-1 = Immediate Relative

CR-1 and IR-1 is pretty much the same thing, just different conditions upon arriving in USA

If the expat is living in the Philippines and is a permanent resident, he/she is married to a Filipino and has a desire to petition their spouse to the states, they may do so by way of CR-1 or IR-1 INS Form I-130 Direct Consular File (DCF). To be eligible to apply for DCF CR-1/IR-1 the sponsor must be married to the applicant, show he/she is a permanent resident of the Philippines. When filing a DCF the sponsor must have the intent to return to the states to permanently live. Permanent does not mean forever. If there is a desire for the Filipino spouse to visit or live outside the USA certain Immigration rules must be adhere to ensure immigrants status is intact.

In March 2005, when I first inquired with the the US Embassy in Manila about what needs to be done to show/prove I was a permanent resident of the Philippines; I was informed I would either be required to produce a 13A Visa or produce any documentation that shows a history/pattern the sponsor is residing in the Philippines on a permanent bases. Some examples: passport entries; rent, cable, land line, electric, water and other such monthly maintenance bills and receipts, substantiating I met their residency requirements.

The US Embassy has no clear guidelines on what is considered 'Permanent". Determining whether or not someone meets their permanent residence requirements is decided case by case. When I asked the Embassy how long was I required to be living in the Philippines before I met their residency requirement rules, the Embassy could not give me concrete/definite answer. The Embassy did instructed me to provide at least six months rental, TV cable, utilities, water and garbage bills/receipts to help substantiate my permanent residency claim.

For sponsors, the easiest way to file DCF is to obtain your RP Permanent Residency/13A status.

Catch 22: What I am about ready to mention next, some may think this is a catch 22. The petitioner has to fill out Affidavit of Support/I-864 as part of the DCF process and to be qualified to do this; the petitioner has to be domiciled in the U.S. Some may question how the petitioner can be a permanent resident in the Philippines and still be domiciled in the states at the same time. Answered easily: Have a stateside address. Have a place to come home to when you and your wife move to the states. The sponsor must be financial able and must have the means and capability to support the applicant .

If you do not have a stateside address, you still may be able to file a DCF. It all depends upon how the sponsor articulates their spouses petition. If the sponsor can show an intent to return to the states to live upon approval and if they have the means to support applicant, there should be no problems with approval. The US Embassy most likely will require the DCF sponsor to return to the states and establish a residents prior to the Visa being issued.

If the sponsor has been married to the DCF applicant for at least two years upon entering the USA for the first time, the applicants Immigration status should be IR-1. When a new immigrant enters the United States on IR-1 status they will receive a Ten Year Green Card and there is no need to go through Adjustment of Status. If the sponsor and applicant have been married less than two years. The applicants Immigration status at the point of entry will be Conditional = CR-1 status and will be issued a temporary green Card and will be required to go through immigration's Adjustment of Status.

Gather the documents you will need to file a CR-1/IR-1 DCF I-130

If applicable, make sure you have your original birth certificate, Marriage Certificate, any Divorce Decree's from previous marriages.

Copies of your IRS federal income tax returns for the last three

Lots of photos of before and after your wedding

Receipts, documents, medical records, Last Will and Testimony, Insurance Policies and any other documents, records and such that will help you to substantiate the validity of your marriage

Proof of income, i.e letter from your employment, bank statements, pay roll stubs

MY WIFE, PRELIA'S DCF CR-1 I-130 TIME LINE

March 7th Window 44 US Embassy submitted I-130. Paid $185.00 in fees

April 25th US Embassy contacts me for additional information to substantiate validity of marriage

April 26th Additional information submitted. (See US Embassy Word document)

May 17th Received letter from the US Embassy, dated May 10th stating Prelia's I-130 petition was approved

August 8th Received Packet 3, dated August 1st 2005

Aug 12th Submitted Packet 3, DS 2001 and DS 230 Part 1 to US Embassy, Manila

Aug 24th Called US Embassy in Manila and discovered Prelia's Interview date is set for Oct 25, 2005 and Saint Luke's medical examination for October 11, 2005

Sept 11th Received Packet Four Letter from the US Embassy

Sept 12th Prelia goes through St Luke's appointment a month earlier. Fee's $90.00

October 25 Scheduled Interview Date. Fee's $380.00. The I-864 Affidavit of Support is collected during my wife's interview at the US Embassy. To prove income provided notarized copies of my proof of income per INS instructions.

Nov 6th CR1 Visa Received by Messenger. Per US Embassy paper work, Visa was approved on October 26, 8:05 Am.

From beginning to end; complete CR-1 Direct Consular File process took exactly eight months.


=========================================================================


MY WIFE'S, PRELIA'S US EMBASSY EXPERIENCE

Visa Type: CR1 Direct Consular File I-130 Petition Time at Embassy from Beginning to End 0300 Hours – 0850 Hours

On October 25, 0330 am my wife and I arrived at the US Embassy. After making contact with the Embassy guard, we were instructed to wait in the rest covered area north of the Embassy compound. Upon arriving at the rest area, we were greeted by vendors soliciting hot coffee, cigarettes, chairs to seat up, airline ticket information, snacks and such. My wife was the fourth applicant in line; the first person, showing up at 3:00 AM. By about 4:00 AM seem to be the magical time period, the line drastically increased in numbers as applicants arrived.

It was obvious the vendors knew what they were doing, coordinating with the Embassy guards. All the 6:30 applicants were line up. By 5:00 AM, the Embassy guard instructed all those with 6:30 interview appointments to remain in line and to follow him. Applicants were than brought inside the Embassy compounded in same order. By 5:30 the line went from the initial forty applicants to over eighty applicants and by 6:00 PM the line increased in numbers to over one hundred and twenty applicants.

At 6:30 AM the Embassy doors open. Applicants remained in line, same order and we allowed inside the Embassy where all applicants again lined up in another line, in the same order at a desk just inside the main lobby of the Immigrations waiting room. Applicants were instructed to turn over the original copy of the appointment letter, Passport, (which she did not have because it was turned over to Saint Luke's during her medical exam) and part one and part two Form 230 for submission. After submitting initial documents, applicants were given a number and were instructed to seat and wait for their number to be called.

In my wife's situation, she was the forth to arrive at the Embassy, so she was the forth in line and the forth to be called. Almost immediately after she turned her in her part one and Part two INS Form 230 and original appointment letter, her name was called to report to Window Y. She was given a number slip for notification purposed and instructed to return to her seat. The process went very fast. Moment after she sat back down her number was called (which also displays on a large cuing board). The second window she went to was Window 24. A Filipina about thirty or so years old asked my wife where and how she met me, our wedding date, wife's birth date, if we had any children and than collected the Affidavit of Support and supporting I-864 documents, birth certificate, NBI Clearance and than instructed her go to Cashier One (CR1) and pay the $380.00 application fees. About ten minutes later my wife's number was called again and instructed to go to Window 38. This time she was interviewed by an attractive Korean female in her late thirties to early forties. The Korean lady asked my wife what her birth date is and than took her fingerprints. My wife informs me this lady was very pleasant towards her. My wife was instructed to return to her seat again and wait for her number to be called again. At the second to last window, Window 24 there were some problems with the lobby notification paging system. The cuing board went blank and the voice paging alerts ceased. My wife met with a male employee, blond hair, slim American male in his late thirties who was having an obvious bad hair day. I post this because he cope an attitude with my wife. He was very rude when questioning her in a demeaning manner about her tardiness to his window. He did not give my wife the chance to explain the cuing board and paging system was disrupted and she did not hear or see her number when called. This employee asked my wife a few of the same questions she was previously asked at the other two windows. He than asked my wife about my income. There seems to be some confusion over the Affidavit of Support. Though I explained in detail on cover letter, explaining Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rulings and regulations, this employee disregarding my letter and
became irritated. My income did not match my Income Tax Return and he seemed unfamiliar with certain forms of compensation that is exempt under Internal Revenue Service rules. My wife was again instructed to have a seat and wait for her number to be called again. Within a few minutes her number was called again to her last window, Window 34. She was given a currier voucher and instructed to pay currier fees at Gate 4. Currier fees were 225 pesos.

No one indicated to my wife one way or the other if she would be issued a Immigration Visa. In fact the male that interviewed my wife, the one that was rude made remarks "He was not sure if she submitted a valid Affidavit of Support/I-864." In this particular situation, I am not really worried about his remarks because from what my wife has informed me, he never took the time to read the cover letter attach and to understand the majority of my income is exempt under current IRS Rulings. If others were to take the time to read, they would understand I far exceeded income requirements and met all I-864 requirements.

There was also question about my domicile. Her interviewer (male) questions my wife if I returned to the states after our wedding and when I returned to the Philippines. From what my wife's says; the interviewer was on a power trip. My wife was not given a chance to inform him I own and maintain two properties; primary in California and small studio apartment in Oregon. (As of Aug 2006 we are living in this apartment.)

Observations: I noted while writing this Post, my wife's experiences somewhat different than other Mag Anak members experiences. My wife was interviewed not by one individual, but by three different Embassy employee's, at three different windows.

Since the whole process from beginning to end took about six hours. My wife completed the Embassy process by 8:55A. Referencing my earlier post; Post 219804: My wife and I had more than enough time to get to the Bureau of Immigration in Intramuros. In this situation the secretary of the Immigration official was not pleased to see me. Because my wife and I were able to attend out mandatory 10:00 AM appointment for my RP Permanent Residency/13a Visa Change of Status from Probational to Permanent status, I was not required to pay her 3,500 Peso waiver fee. This meeting went well. During Immigrations appointment, I was asked how long I would be staying in the Philippines. I was honest with him and answered by informing him my wife took it upon herself to have me became a permanent resident of the Philippines, I am doing the same and bringing her to the States. He seemed very please, as he rubber stamped my application "APPROVED"

Summary: It was a good day. Everything we hope to get done, got done. We were able to take care of the business we needed to. I just wish the Embassy employee my wife had trouble with was as polite as the Filipino gentleman that interviewed me at Bureau of Immigrations. As far as my wife's Visa goes, I guess in the next few days to weeks, hopefully I will learn something.


OTHER NOTES:

My wife's CR-1 Visa was approved on October 26, 2005. To avoid US Immigration Adjustment of Status (AOS)and to change my wife's Immigration status from CR-1 to IR-1, my wife and I actually waited an additional 2.5 months before moving to the states.

I had every intent on returning to the states upon my wife's Visa approval. At the very beginning of the process I informed the US Embassy my intentions were to return to the states once my wife was issued a visa. For specific details send me an off line and I will provide you what I provided the Embassy.


Domicile issue was easy. I own and maintain a home in the Sacramento California area. I am paying property taxes, garbage, street lights and water bills for my stateside residence. When I was living in the Philippines I rented my home out and had trusted friends care take the property.

Whenever you submit documents to the Embassy you will be required to validate the the authenticity by showing the original copy.

MORE INFORMATION HERE
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Philippine_Living_Island_Paradise/msearch?query=
direct+consular+file&submit=Search&charset=windows-1252

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Philippine_Living_Island_Paradise/message/27584

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LivingInThePhilippines3/message/20867

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MAGANAK/msearch?query=
direct+consular+file&charset=windows1252

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MAG-ANAK/message/242193
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MAG-ANAK/message/242051

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/US_Military_Retirees_Of_The_Philippines/message/2175
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MAG-ANAK/message/241551
 

View of Roxas Blvd near the U.S. Embassy

The gray building in the bottom of this photo is St. Lukes Medical, where your visa medical will be performed. The twin towers in the background are residential and a Robinsons Place mall, one of the largest I've seen yet, containing lots of shops and restaurants. They have a McDonalds, Supermarket, plenty of Filipino fast food restaurants and just about anything else you could think of.

Map of Ermita area of Manila. The white area near the Museum of Philippine Art is where the U.S. Embassy is located. Click on the map for a high quality printer friendly version.

Embassy of the United States of America, Manila Philippines
From the Philippines and a PLDT Land Line pone with NDD or IDD access,
call: 1-909-101-0011
$6.00 flat rate for the call will be charged - From the USA 63-998-101-0011

National Visa Center 7:30am to Midnight ET Monday - Friday
(603) 334-0700

FAX: (603) 334-0791
E-mail: nvcattorney@state.gov ( include the case or receipt number as the subject and include the beneficiary and petitioner's name and date of birth in the body of the email.

Ground Level, Waterfront Hotel,
Salinas Drive, Lahug, Cebu City 6000
Tel.#: (63) (32) 231-1261
Fax#: (63) (32) 321-0174

 

A Sample Medical Exam Report:

Back to the top

I completed my medical exam last July 6 and 7. I'm glad it was smooth sailing and it was all worth it. I stayed in pension house which is 3-5 minutes away to St. Lukes. I just want to share with you the details of my medical experience and hoping to be of help to you. I arrived at St. Lukes at 6am but I ate my breakfast first to get the energy I need for the day, there is a canteen just in front of St. Lukes where they also offer 2 minute visa picture and photocopy.

1st Step: Before I entered St. Lukes a personnel asked for my passport and appointment letter (bring a photocopy). He arranged the number tag, pds forms, appointment letter, and instruction sheet inside the passport and gave it back to me. I was asked to fill out the first two pages and wait for my number to be called for picture taking then fall in line for the data encoding where you will also submit 1 visa picture (write your complete name at the back).

2nd Step: I went to the 5th floor for the payment of the medical fee, I paid P 5,130 (I think depending on the present exchange rate).

3rd Step: Then I proceeded to the Third floor for the X-ray, I submitted my papers and the personnel asked me to sit down and wait for my name to be called. She will ask you to sign 5 forms and ask for your first day of last menstrual period then you will go to the dressing room to change, there will be lab gowns available. It only took me less than 3mins for the x-ray. Then I put my clothes back on. Personnel will instruct you where to go for the next step.

4th Step: I went to the 4th floor for the Blood Test and Urine test, you will get a form stacked at the left side of the reception area and fill it out. You should always submit your papers to the reception area and will be asked to sit down and wait for your name to be called.

5th Step: I went to the 5th floor. This process is slow because the height and weight, blood pressure, eye test and physical exam are being performed simultaneously. In every process I was asked to sit down and waited for my name to be called. After the eye test, the personnel at the US counter will give back your papers and a number tag for the physical exam. I'm surprised that my physical exam was fast, the Dr.MJB (initials only) interviewed me about my medical history and asked me to disrobe and checked me only less than a minute. She said if there's no problem it wouldn't take you that long.

6th Step: I proceeded to the 2nd floor for the Immunization interview. The Doctor will ask you if you have any immunization record, in my case I don't have one and cant recall what vaccines I had already and she asked me if I had chicken pox, you should show a scar/mark. She will tell you what vaccines you need according to your age, in my case I need (measles, mumps and rubella).

7th Step: I went to the 3rd floor and waited for my name to be called, the personnel gave back my passport and receipt and asked me to go back at 9am the next day for immunization and releasing. That was it, I left the clinic fulfilled and happy because I'm done. You just have to wait patiently and I'm sure you will meet new friends whom you can chat with, I did.


2nd day (July 7)

I arrived at St. Lukes at around 9am. I showed the guard my receipt and check my name on the master list then proceeded to the 2nd floor for the immunization. You will put your receipt on the drop box on the immunization counter and will wait for your name to be called. After that I went to the ground floor and waited for 4 hours before my name was called for the releasing. When my name was called, the personnel asked for my passport, 2pcs visa pictures (write your complete name at the back), what's my name, my birthday, my age and if im the person on the picture and gave my xray and immunization record. But the waiting is just ok with me since its my last day and i chatted with nice people there. I left St. Lukes smiling because I'm one step closer to being with my baby again. My advise would be, just smile, relax and be patient, you have nothing to worry about.

I'm just preparing for my upcoming interview on July 21,2006,im so excited and to be with my love of my life. God is so Good and exceedingly faithful. He blessed me beyond my expectations and needs.

November 28,2005***USCIS receipt date
February 27,2006****Approved petition
March 9,2006*******Received NVC letter
April 24,2006*******USE sent packet (DOS info)
July 6-7,2006*******I'm done with my Medical exam
July 7,2006********Picked up my packet at St. Lukes
July 20,2006********Attended CFO seminar
July 21,2006 (at 7:30am)******Interview date (Praise Jesus I'm APPROVED!!!)
August 1, 2006(",) ******Be with my baby

THANK YOU LORD JESUS! ALL THE GLORY BELONGS TO YOU+
 

Use this email address for case inquires only, such as the current status or your case or informational questions.

NVCINQUIRY@state.gov

 

U. S. Veterans Administration
Chancery Annex Bldg.
American Embassy
1131 Roxas Boulevard
Manila, Philippines
1-800-1888-5252 (PLDT only)

 

Philippine Tourism Authority
Ground Flr. LDM Bldg.
Legaspi St. cor MJ Cuenco St.
Cebu City
(032) 2551858 / 2557748 / 25499262

 

Visa Appointment & Information Service
Hotline # 1-909-101-7878 (8am - 6mp M-F)
(PDLT and SMART w/ NDD or IDD access)

 

Citizenship & Passport Unit Manila
Tel.# (02) 528-6300 Ext. 2555

 

Social Security Administration
Room 1402, Annex Bldg.
American Embassy
1131 Roxas Boulevard
manila, Philippines
Tel.#: (02) 528-6300 Ext. 2459

 

Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs

Causing-Lozada Bldg.
Osmeña Boulevard cor.
Lapu-lapu St., Cebu City
Tel.# (032) 253-6798
Email: dfacebu@mozcom.com

 

Philippine Bureau of Immigration & Deportation

P. Burgos Street, Tribunal,
Mandaue City (near Dire Dep't.)
Tel.#'s: (032) 345-6443 / 345-6444
 

TRAVEL INFORMATION

CFO

1. You need to attend the CFO. If you live in Cebu the seminar is held in Ayala, call for address then let me know what it is so I can include it here. I also need info on the Manila location.

2. You need to have the CFO sticker or stamp affixed to your visa after you receive your US Visa. If you are from Cebu, the stamp is done at the original location Causing Lozada Bldg, Cebu City.

Department of Foreign Affairs, Commission On Filipinos Overseas (CFO)

MANILA
Citygold Center, 1345 Pres. Quirino Ave.
Corner South Superhighway, Manila
Tel. No.: (0632) 561-8321 ext. 101, 103, 104, 105,
Fax No.: (0632) 561-8332

CEBU CITY
2ed Floor Causing Lozada Bldg.
Osmena Blvd. Corner M.J. Cuenco Ave.
Telefax: (032) 255-5253
E-mail: cfocebu@mozcom.com
Website: www.cfo.gov.ph
Cebu City

NOTES:

Prior to traveling to the Philippines:
1. Get certified copies of your divorce(s) prior to leaving the USA.
These will be needed for US Embassy to issue you "Affidavit in Lieu of Capacity to Marry" (required by the Phil. govt. to get marriage license). Also, proof of court decree via certified divorce will be required to get your permanent residence visa (13a) 6months or so after you are formally married.

2. Bring certified copies of your DD214/215 to enroll your new wife in DEERS so she can get her Uniform Services ID Card after marriage. Also, if you are VA Eligible, your 214 will be required as well to use the VA Clinic services in Manila (For Service Connected Disabilities Only).

3, Bring certified copies of Birth Certificate as well as a precaution.

Make sure those documents are CERTIFIED. You can get CERTIFIED copies of your DD214/215 by filling out form SF-180 (can be done online). Go to:

http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/standard-form-180.html

 

TRAVELING TO THE UNITED STATES

CHECKED BAGS

1. Quantity 2 pieces per person, Weight 32 KGS or 70 lbs. Dimensions 62" total L+W+H
    per piece.

2. Be at the airport at least three hours before your flight it takes time for check in and
    security.
 

CARRYON BAGS

1. You are allowed one carryon bag and one additional item like a laptop or purse

2. New Carryon Luggage regulations, bags can be no larger than 56x45x25.

2. Liquids need to be in 3oz bottles all to be placed in a plastic ziplock bag.
 

REQUIRED ITEMS

1. Valid Philippine Passport

2. US Visa including the package of forms from the embassy

3. Plane Ticket

4. X-Ray film given at St. Lukes Medical during your medical exam.

5. Pay your travel tax P2,700 for Business Class, P1.620 for Economy Class.
    This can be paid when you make your travel reservations at your travel agency.

6. Enough US and Philippine cash for your trip up to $10,000.00 USD.
    If you intend to carry more than $10,000.00 you must delcare it with a form CF 4790
    Downloaded from the internet.
 

YOUR DAY OF DEPARTURE
.
1. Be at the airport three hours before your scheduled flight.

2. Check in at your airline. two checked bags per person, one carryon and an additional item like a laptop, purse is allowed.

3. Pay the terminal fee currently it is P500.00

4. Present your travel documents at the Philippine Immigration counter, passport will be stamped.

5. Proceed to the wait in lounge.

6. Board your plane when your flight is called.


Back to the top