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Anyone have any advise on the purchase of airline tickets for Gem for her journey to the U.S.??. Should I purchase them here, or is it better to get them while I'm in the Philippines. I read some where on here that there are additional taxes or fee's if I get them in Phls?? any heads up on this I'd appreciate it. Thanks...Frank :unsure:

December 13, 07 - Filed I129F

December 14, 07 - Received 1st NOA

January 17,2008 - Touched

February 17,2008 - Touched

March 13, 2008- Touched again!

March 16,2008- Received NOA2 via email

March 19,2008- Left NVC, received case number. On its way to the USE in Manila

March 27,2008- Paperwork received at the embassy in Manila

May 7, 2008- Medical review at St. Luke. Additional tests required.

May 29, 2008- Interview postponed :(

July 23, 2008 - Finished Medical at St. Luke

July 28, 2008 - Interviewed at US Embassy

July 31, 2008 - Received visa

August 16,2008 - Fly to USA ( Portland, Oregon as POE)

September 19th, 2008 - Wedding

AOS

March 17, 2009 - Sent in the package through USPS

March 19, 2009 - Received at the Chicago Lockbox

March 25, 2009 - Received NOA1

March 27, 2009 - Received Biometrics appointment letter

April 14, 2009 - Received a notice that case was transferred to CSC

April 17, 2009 - Biometrics appoiment at 8:00 am

April 30, 2009 - Touched

May 1, 2009 - Touched

May 5, 2009 - Approved AP and EAD

May 11, 2009 - Received AP

May 12, 2009 - Approved AOS

May 14, 2009 - Received EAD Card

May 16, 2009 - Received Welcome Notice thru mail

June 8, 2009 - Received greencard....finally! :)

ROC

Feb 22,2011 - Submitted I751

Aug 23,2011 - Approved I751

Aug 25,2011 - Received GC

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I can only speak from my own experience. I found it was about $150 USD cheaper to buy the ticket over there. I sent my wife (fiance then) the money and she purchased the ticket from a local agency. I also found similar savings for my step daughter to come here in July. Online the best I could do for one way here was $820 and in CDO, we could get the ticket for $688. It takes some shopping around there too as not all travel agents in the Phils are the same either, but I find you can get better deals if she looks there then getting it here.

I found the best deal for a ticket to Manila from here on a site called www.cidtravelpro.biz. Most airlines were getting $1400+ USD for a roundtrip ticket in July. I got a ticket on Northwest for $1169 each. Once you hit the site, you have to click on book travel and then on the international flight search from the next page. That takes you to another search page that is for an airline consolidator. Only word of warning is that since its a consolidator, tickets refunds AND changes are NOT allowed, so once you buy it you're stuck to that itinerary. The search engine is a little finicky sometimes too, but keep trying.

That's my two cents......

Scott

Removing Conditions on Wife's GC

08/14/09-Mailed Packet to CSC

08/24/09-Packet Received at CSC

08/24/09-Check Cashed

09/16/09-NOA 1 Received (My Error)

09/16/09-Biometrics

10/20/09-Interview PASSED!!!!

10/28/09-Approval Notice Received via US Mail

AOS for Daughter's K-2

07/14/09 - Mailed AOS Packet to Chicago

07/16/09 - Received AOS Packet in Chicago

07/27/09 - NOA1 Received

08/10/09 - Biometrics ---DONE!!!---

09/16/09 - Interview Date AOS Held Pending Outcome of Wife's I-751

10/20/09 - Mir Passes ROC Interview

10/23/09 - Email received-Card Production Ordered!Woohooo!!!

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its cheaper if one has to purchase it in phil pertaining you'll find the best deal... my husband was so excited when i texted him that i got my visa already so that very moment he bought me the ticket in orbitz.com lol... i did ask the local agency here in cdo also and guess what? at least $200 cheaper and if you include the airport tax, it would would have been even more cheaper but oh well. lol... good luck on the planning and have a safe trip!!!

Citizenship N-400

4/15/2010- sent my N-400 via fedex overnight

4/16/2010- signed and delivered

4/29/2010- check cleared

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;) Okay, thanks for the advise. I'll ask her to start looking at travel agents in the area and see what prices she comes up with and start the comparison. Does anyone know the fee they will charge her when she is actually in the airport with ticket in hand...Is there some sort of departure fee or tax, other than the 750peso Americans pay when they leave? I heard they have a separate area that filipino's go to, and pay some other departure tax or fee?

December 13, 07 - Filed I129F

December 14, 07 - Received 1st NOA

January 17,2008 - Touched

February 17,2008 - Touched

March 13, 2008- Touched again!

March 16,2008- Received NOA2 via email

March 19,2008- Left NVC, received case number. On its way to the USE in Manila

March 27,2008- Paperwork received at the embassy in Manila

May 7, 2008- Medical review at St. Luke. Additional tests required.

May 29, 2008- Interview postponed :(

July 23, 2008 - Finished Medical at St. Luke

July 28, 2008 - Interviewed at US Embassy

July 31, 2008 - Received visa

August 16,2008 - Fly to USA ( Portland, Oregon as POE)

September 19th, 2008 - Wedding

AOS

March 17, 2009 - Sent in the package through USPS

March 19, 2009 - Received at the Chicago Lockbox

March 25, 2009 - Received NOA1

March 27, 2009 - Received Biometrics appointment letter

April 14, 2009 - Received a notice that case was transferred to CSC

April 17, 2009 - Biometrics appoiment at 8:00 am

April 30, 2009 - Touched

May 1, 2009 - Touched

May 5, 2009 - Approved AP and EAD

May 11, 2009 - Received AP

May 12, 2009 - Approved AOS

May 14, 2009 - Received EAD Card

May 16, 2009 - Received Welcome Notice thru mail

June 8, 2009 - Received greencard....finally! :)

ROC

Feb 22,2011 - Submitted I751

Aug 23,2011 - Approved I751

Aug 25,2011 - Received GC

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Filed: IR-5 Country: Philippines
Timeline
;) Okay, thanks for the advise. I'll ask her to start looking at travel agents in the area and see what prices she comes up with and start the comparison. Does anyone know the fee they will charge her when she is actually in the airport with ticket in hand...Is there some sort of departure fee or tax, other than the 750peso Americans pay when they leave? I heard they have a separate area that filipino's go to, and pay some other departure tax or fee?

http://www.philtourism.com/ttax.html

What is Travel Tax?

The travel tax is a levy imposed by the Philippine government on the following individuals who are leaving the country irrespective of the place where the air ticket is issued and the form or place of payment, as provided for by Presidential Decree (PD) 1183, as amended:

A. Citizens of the Philippines;

B. Permanent resident aliens whose immigration status maybe any of the following:

Sec. 13 Quota or Preference Immigrant Visa

Sec. 13 A Visa issued to an Alien Spouse of Philippine Citizen

Sec. 13 B Child born outside the Philippines by a 13A Mother

Sec. 13 C Child born in the Philippines by a 13A Mother

Sec. 13 D Loss of Citizenship by a Filipino Woman by her Marriage to an Alien

Sec. 13 E Returning Resident

Sec. 13 G Former Natural-born Citizen of the Philippines who was Naturalized by a Foreign Country

TRV Temporary Residence Visa

RA 7919 Alien Social Integration Act of 1995

RC /RFC Recognition as Filipino Citizen

RA 7837 Permanent Resident

C. Non-resident aliens who have stayed in the Philippines for more than one(1) year.

Travel tax rates:

First Class = PHP 2,700

Economy Class = PHP 1,620

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Thank you. I knew I seen it somewhere but I just could never find it again. That answers my question :thumbs:

December 13, 07 - Filed I129F

December 14, 07 - Received 1st NOA

January 17,2008 - Touched

February 17,2008 - Touched

March 13, 2008- Touched again!

March 16,2008- Received NOA2 via email

March 19,2008- Left NVC, received case number. On its way to the USE in Manila

March 27,2008- Paperwork received at the embassy in Manila

May 7, 2008- Medical review at St. Luke. Additional tests required.

May 29, 2008- Interview postponed :(

July 23, 2008 - Finished Medical at St. Luke

July 28, 2008 - Interviewed at US Embassy

July 31, 2008 - Received visa

August 16,2008 - Fly to USA ( Portland, Oregon as POE)

September 19th, 2008 - Wedding

AOS

March 17, 2009 - Sent in the package through USPS

March 19, 2009 - Received at the Chicago Lockbox

March 25, 2009 - Received NOA1

March 27, 2009 - Received Biometrics appointment letter

April 14, 2009 - Received a notice that case was transferred to CSC

April 17, 2009 - Biometrics appoiment at 8:00 am

April 30, 2009 - Touched

May 1, 2009 - Touched

May 5, 2009 - Approved AP and EAD

May 11, 2009 - Received AP

May 12, 2009 - Approved AOS

May 14, 2009 - Received EAD Card

May 16, 2009 - Received Welcome Notice thru mail

June 8, 2009 - Received greencard....finally! :)

ROC

Feb 22,2011 - Submitted I751

Aug 23,2011 - Approved I751

Aug 25,2011 - Received GC

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Share on other sites

There is also a terminal fee of $750 in Manila if it hasn't gone up any since my wife came here in June. It's separate from the travel tax for Filipinos leaving the country. Everyone pays the terminal fee.

Removing Conditions on Wife's GC

08/14/09-Mailed Packet to CSC

08/24/09-Packet Received at CSC

08/24/09-Check Cashed

09/16/09-NOA 1 Received (My Error)

09/16/09-Biometrics

10/20/09-Interview PASSED!!!!

10/28/09-Approval Notice Received via US Mail

AOS for Daughter's K-2

07/14/09 - Mailed AOS Packet to Chicago

07/16/09 - Received AOS Packet in Chicago

07/27/09 - NOA1 Received

08/10/09 - Biometrics ---DONE!!!---

09/16/09 - Interview Date AOS Held Pending Outcome of Wife's I-751

10/20/09 - Mir Passes ROC Interview

10/23/09 - Email received-Card Production Ordered!Woohooo!!!

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Share on other sites

Hi - just a correction, should be 750 PHP not USD :)

There is also a terminal fee of $750 in Manila if it hasn't gone up any since my wife came here in June. It's separate from the travel tax for Filipinos leaving the country. Everyone pays the terminal fee.

AOS:

07/16/08 - filed AOS application

07/18/08 - received by USCIS

07/22/08 - USCIS mailed our NOA

07/24/08 - touched

07/25/08 - received NOA (AOS, EAD, AP)

07/29/08 - received ASC Appointment Notice (Biometrics)

08/09/08 - biometrics appointment

08/11/08 - I485 and I765 touched

09/17/08 - AP approved

09/19/08 - EAD approved, card already in production

09/24/08 - EAD card received

09/25/08 - SSN application

10/01/08 - received letter re: SSN card delivery in 2 weeks

10/06/08 - SSN Card received

02/17/09 - AOS Interview - APPROVED!

ROC:

11/19/10 - Submit requirements for Lifting of Conditions

11/22/10 - NOA1 received

12/22/10 - Biometrics Appointment

02/09/11 - ROC APPROVED!

02/10/11 - Green Card Received

US CITIZENSHIP:

12/19/11 - Submit requirements for US Citizenship

12/22/11 - NOA1 received

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans not to harm you but to prosper you. Plans to give you hope and a better future."

- Jeremiah 29:11

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Filed: Timeline
Hi - just a correction, should be 750 PHP not USD :)

There is also a terminal fee of $750 in Manila if it hasn't gone up any since my wife came here in June. It's separate from the travel tax for Filipinos leaving the country. Everyone pays the terminal fee.

Well, I had given all my pesos away before heading to the airport.. and no one told me about there terminal fee of $16.50 UDS.. I had $10.00 in cash in my wallet thinking I would just eat and drink on the plane until I arrived in Tulsa.. I did my good byes :crying: and headed to the line got my luggage checked in and proceeded to the customs line.. I had 20 minutes to make it to the terminal.. Well, I see the sign saying all need $16.50 terminal fee.. I looked in my wallet and said.. of all times not to have any cash. I was told about the ATM at the window... but it wouldn't take any of my cards.. So.. I missed the flight.. and got to stay with my fiancee another day and got to have chicken adobo one more time and other things :dance: But being $6.50 short cost me about $250.00 in other fees for missing flights ect.. But, one more day with my girl was worth every penny.

1_678006162l.jpg

x6myw1.jpg

1589m5i.jpg

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
Timeline
Hi - just a correction, should be 750 PHP not USD :)

There is also a terminal fee of $750 in Manila if it hasn't gone up any since my wife came here in June. It's separate from the travel tax for Filipinos leaving the country. Everyone pays the terminal fee.

Well, I had given all my pesos away before heading to the airport.. and no one told me about there terminal fee of $16.50 UDS.. I had $10.00 in cash in my wallet thinking I would just eat and drink on the plane until I arrived in Tulsa.. I did my good byes :crying: and headed to the line got my luggage checked in and proceeded to the customs line.. I had 20 minutes to make it to the terminal.. Well, I see the sign saying all need $16.50 terminal fee.. I looked in my wallet and said.. of all times not to have any cash. I was told about the ATM at the window... but it wouldn't take any of my cards.. So.. I missed the flight.. and got to stay with my fiancee another day and got to have chicken adobo one more time and other things :dance: But being $6.50 short cost me about $250.00 in other fees for missing flights ect.. But, one more day with my girl was worth every penny.

The departure fee in Cebu is 550 PHP.

I'm looking at ticket prices, and not knowing when we should plan this is making me crazy, so maybe I should stop looking at tickets.

My Journey to Motherhood

Our Wedding Pics

Onli In Da Pilipins - Collection of sights and thoughts for my beloved country.

Our Love HIStory

06/26/06: Met at Bigchurch.com

07/14/07: First meeting in person.

12/19/07: Got my surprise gift through snail mail: my engagement ring!

02/11-18/08: Valentine's Week together!

AOS Timeline (I-485, I-765)

04/09/09: Sent packet to Illinois Lockbox

04/20/09: Received Notice of Action

04/27/09: Received Biometrics Appointment

05/09/09: Biometrics Appointment

06/01/09: Received EAD Card

08/18/09: Interview (postponed due to baby's delivery)

12/16/09: Interview - Approved!

2_613061495l.jpg

In her eyes I see the reflection of what love is all about.

"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

Ecclesiastes 4:12

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
Timeline
if your looking for round trip tickets to manila and back this site is good. http://www.bt-store.com/

hi i checked out this site and it's only for flights from the US to other countries. it didn't give me any flights for Manila to US. thanks anyway for the info.

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
Timeline
if your looking for round trip tickets to manila and back this site is good. http://www.bt-store.com/

hi i checked out this site and it's only for flights from the US to other countries. it didn't give me any flights for Manila to US. thanks anyway for the info.

Try some of these

economytravel.com

cheapoair.com

discounttravel.com

vayama.com

My Journey to Motherhood

Our Wedding Pics

Onli In Da Pilipins - Collection of sights and thoughts for my beloved country.

Our Love HIStory

06/26/06: Met at Bigchurch.com

07/14/07: First meeting in person.

12/19/07: Got my surprise gift through snail mail: my engagement ring!

02/11-18/08: Valentine's Week together!

AOS Timeline (I-485, I-765)

04/09/09: Sent packet to Illinois Lockbox

04/20/09: Received Notice of Action

04/27/09: Received Biometrics Appointment

05/09/09: Biometrics Appointment

06/01/09: Received EAD Card

08/18/09: Interview (postponed due to baby's delivery)

12/16/09: Interview - Approved!

2_613061495l.jpg

In her eyes I see the reflection of what love is all about.

"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

Ecclesiastes 4:12

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if your looking for round trip tickets to manila and back this site is good. http://www.bt-store.com/

hi i checked out this site and it's only for flights from the US to other countries. it didn't give me any flights for Manila to US. thanks anyway for the info.

it always that way in most websites. even orbitz.com doesnt offer but my husband called them and talk to a live operator and he did get a ticket for me at orbitz mnl-denver last yr... try calling them or the other sites see if they offer

Edited by RonMay

Citizenship N-400

4/15/2010- sent my N-400 via fedex overnight

4/16/2010- signed and delivered

4/29/2010- check cleared

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