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What's cheapest way to Phone home?

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Filed: Country: Philippines
Timeline

Hey VJ People,

My fiance wants to keep in touch with her family back home in the Philippines, What is the smartest (cheapest) way to do this on a regular basis?

Thanks,

Ben

K-1 VISA

Jan/10/08 - I-129f submitted

Jan/24/08 - RFE (incorrect amount sent)

Feb/01/08 - correct amount sent

Feb/06/08 - NOA1 received

Jul /03/08 - RFE (Evidence of meeting)

Jul /17/08 - visa stamped page sent

Aug/14/08 - NOA2 Approved!!!

Sep/22/08 - Medical (pending sputum)

Sep/29/08 - 3 days sputum collection

Oct/02/08 - interview (to be re-sched. by saint luke)

Dec/08/08 - medical Approved!!!

Dec/22/08 - interview APPROVED!!! YAHOOOO!!!

Jan/01/09 - visa in hand!!!

Jan/14/09 - Arrived on U.S.A ( Idaho)

Jan/21/09 - married!!!

------------------------------------

AOS

2009/02/09 - Filed AOS

2009/02/17 - NOA

2009/03/06 - Biometrics

2009/05/05 - Interview PASSED!

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Hey VJ People,

My fiance wants to keep in touch with her family back home in the Philippines, What is the smartest (cheapest) way to do this on a regular basis?

Thanks,

Ben

If her family has a computer @ home, she can use Skype.. it's FREE :thumbs:

"No saan nga makaammo nga nangtaliaw ti naggapuanna, Saan a makadanon ti papananna..."


*04/23/10 - GC recieved in the mail!! d( -_-)b
*07/30/12 - ROC Approved!!
*08/08/12 - 10/yr GC received in the mail!!

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
Timeline
Hey VJ People,

My fiance wants to keep in touch with her family back home in the Philippines, What is the smartest (cheapest) way to do this on a regular basis?

Thanks,

Ben

Also, you can use Yahoo messenger to make calls on the internet (thru their Yahoo! voice). Been using this since last year...it's great !!

"One moment of patience may ward off great disaster. One moment of impatience may ruin a whole life."

Service Center : California Service Center

Consulate : Manilla, Philipines

I-129F NOA1 : Oct 3, 2008

...

Interview for AOS: approved on Dec 16, 2009

Greencard received: January 4, 2010

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
Timeline

Yeap, invest in a computer for the home and pay for them to get and maintain high speed internet. My fiancee is in the US now, but her computer that I gave to her is still in her room in Iloilo so her family can keep in touch easily. Going to the internet cafe isn't convenient long term and it gets expensive and phone calls are expensive. Also, the phone doesn't allow for a cam and to share photos.



Life..... Nobody gets out alive.

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I used to use Yahoo Messenger, there is a phone option that worked fine.

usa_fl_sm_nwm.gifphilippines_fl_md_clr.gif

United States & Republic of the Philippines

"Life is hard; it's harder if you're stupid." John Wayne

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Hey VJ People,

My fiance wants to keep in touch with her family back home in the Philippines, What is the smartest (cheapest) way to do this on a regular basis?

Thanks,

Ben

get a magic jack. go to www.magicjack.com and that will give you more information. there is a retailer here in the philippines already and you can ask them to buy it from here. not over 3k pesos. PM me and il give you the retailers cell number. i have one here and it works perfectly fine. all of my family in different city and provinces has one. since we get a mainland phone number, you (in the US) can call it just like calling another state. you can bring the magic jack anywhere. the thing is they would need to be online for you to call them anytime and for them to call you also. you dont need to be online for them to call you bec they can call your cell in the US or your landline for free. thats calls to US and canada for free. hope this helps.

Arrived Honolulu June 8, 2009
Got Married: June 17, 2009
Applied for SSN Card: June 19, 2009
Received SSN Card: June 25, 2009
AOS Timeline[
Sent AOS Packet: July 8, 2009
NOAs for AP and EAD: July 23, 2009
NOA for AOS: July 27, 2009
Biometrics date for my K2: Aug 22, 2009
Biometrics for me: Aug 20, 2009
Notice date for biometrics: July 31 and Aug 4, 2009
RFE received and AOS resumed: Sept 3, 2009
AP and EAD approved: October 22, 2009 (MY BIRTHDAY!)
AP approval notice received in the mail: Oct 25, 2009
EAD approval notice mailed: Oct 28, 2009

LIFTING CONDITIONS:
APPROVED FOR BOTH me and my daughter: 3/12/2012

NATURALIZATION:
Filed: 9/13/2012
I797C: 9/17/2012
Interview: 1/3/2013
Oath: 2/13/2013

IR5 (MOM)

NOA1: February 27, 2013

NOA2: November 19, 2013

NVC Received: Dec 19, 2013 but assigned an SDO case number

NVC changed case number to MNL: 1/23/2014

Paid AOS fee: 1/25/14

IV Invoice via email: 1/30/14

Paid IV: 1/30/14

CASE COMPLETE: 3/7/14

NVC Schedule: 4/10/2014

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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Pakistan
Timeline

magic jack retailer in the philippines? hhhmmm...i wanted to get one for my house and get another one and send it to my husband in the philippines but i would have to end up paying 20$ yearly for both phones which is 40$ each year...but then i guess it is unlimited...please give me the number of the retailer of magic jack in the philippines...maybe my husband can go see how it really works over there. we have internet at home but it would be nice if he called thru magic jack to my verizon cellphone in the us without being charged per minute!

June 2004...i sat down on the bench to tie my shoelaces (literally) not knowing i would marry the man i just sat down next to...

Oct. 18, 2007...Married

Oct. 27, 2007...my beautiful son is born

USCIS IR-1/CR-1 Visa Journey

Service Center : Vermont Service Center

Consulate: Manila, Philippines

Feb. 05, 2009: I 130 sent

Feb. 12, 2009: NAO1

Feb. 17, 2009: first touch

Feb. 18, 2009: Touch

May 01, 2009: Touch and NAO2 mailed...yeah hey!

May 08, 2009: NAO2 in the mail

NVC Journey

May 15, 2009: NVC case number

May 18, 2009: Gave email add to NVC

May 28, 2009: Received DS 3032 / I-864 Bill

June 1, 2009: Paid I-864 Bill

June 5, 2009: sent AOS stuff

June 29, 2009: sent DS 230

June 28 - Aug. 8: i spent time with my boys in the philippines

IN A BIG HUGE BLUR...OUR CASE WAS COMPLETED AUGUST 5, 2009 (AFTER RFE: HUSBAND'S ORIGINAL BIRTH CERTIFICATE) AND MY HUSBANDS INTERVIEW WILL BE SEPTEMBER 25, 2009...WE HOPE AND PRAY WE GET IT!

CURRENTLY DOING: PREPARING DOCUMENTS FOR MY SON'S PETITION!

...I am one day further from the last time I saw you but I am one day closer to the next time I will...

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hi, Me and my wife use different media where there is availability in the Philippines.

- YM is excellent both for video and phone talk as well chat conference and photosharing ( the only disappointment is signal interference there coz not every household has internet connections - i was using the smart and globe wireless connections before I came here and they gave me headaches )

- VONAGE which is also connected to internet since we use comcast service a lot, the vonage phone is connected to it, the # there is US Number, we are the one's paying here.

- kung walang magagawa at walang internet doon e di calling cards he he he he he, we always get a good deal at www.hellocallingcards.com - $2 lang ayos na ang usapan

- just watched at TFC yesterday SMART has now a magicjack style service...iniba lang ang pangalan...haaaay talaga naman..sana naman gumana ng maayos.

June 11 - Mailed I-129F to TSC

June 14 - CSC Received I-129F

June 20 - I-129F Notice Date

Nov 2 - NOA2

Nov 8 - NOA 2 hard copy

Nov 20 - Package left NVC

Nov. 26 - USEM received our packet from NVC

Jan 8- Early Medical, received Packet 4

Jan 10- Medical Passed after 3 days in SLEC!!! Whew!!!

Jan 17: Early CFO seminar

Jan 30 - SLEC Medical Exam Appt

Feb 7th - INTERVIEW appointment at USEM (APPROVED!!!)

Feb 12th - Visa on Hand!

Feb 15th - Patrick's departure

Feb 18 - Pat filed for Social Security # and we applied for marriage license

March 1- WEDDING DAY

March 14 - Pat got his SS card thru the mail

Mid-April - We received our marriage license in the mail

May 2- Michelle's graduation :)

May 5- AOS Filing

May 13 - NOA 1 for AED AOS

May 31 - Biometrics

June 25- Notice of Tranfer of Docs to CSC

July 16 - EAD - Card Production Ordered

July 24 - EAD Card RECEIVED

July 25 - AOS WELCOME NOTICE RECEIVED

July 28 - GREEN CARD received!!!

April 30,2010 - I-751 sent to VSC

May 04, 2010 - I-767C

MARCH29, 2012 - N-400 SENT

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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Pakistan
Timeline
hi, Me and my wife use different media where there is availability in the Philippines.

- YM is excellent both for video and phone talk as well chat conference and photosharing ( the only disappointment is signal interference there coz not every household has internet connections - i was using the smart and globe wireless connections before I came here and they gave me headaches )

- VONAGE which is also connected to internet since we use comcast service a lot, the vonage phone is connected to it, the # there is US Number, we are the one's paying here.

- kung walang magagawa at walang internet doon e di calling cards he he he he he, we always get a good deal at www.hellocallingcards.com - $2 lang ayos na ang usapan

- just watched at TFC yesterday SMART has now a magicjack style service...iniba lang ang pangalan...haaaay talaga naman..sana naman gumana ng maayos.

i noticed your wifes a doctor...??? did she take the USMLE here? WHATS THE thing called from smart like magic jack

June 2004...i sat down on the bench to tie my shoelaces (literally) not knowing i would marry the man i just sat down next to...

Oct. 18, 2007...Married

Oct. 27, 2007...my beautiful son is born

USCIS IR-1/CR-1 Visa Journey

Service Center : Vermont Service Center

Consulate: Manila, Philippines

Feb. 05, 2009: I 130 sent

Feb. 12, 2009: NAO1

Feb. 17, 2009: first touch

Feb. 18, 2009: Touch

May 01, 2009: Touch and NAO2 mailed...yeah hey!

May 08, 2009: NAO2 in the mail

NVC Journey

May 15, 2009: NVC case number

May 18, 2009: Gave email add to NVC

May 28, 2009: Received DS 3032 / I-864 Bill

June 1, 2009: Paid I-864 Bill

June 5, 2009: sent AOS stuff

June 29, 2009: sent DS 230

June 28 - Aug. 8: i spent time with my boys in the philippines

IN A BIG HUGE BLUR...OUR CASE WAS COMPLETED AUGUST 5, 2009 (AFTER RFE: HUSBAND'S ORIGINAL BIRTH CERTIFICATE) AND MY HUSBANDS INTERVIEW WILL BE SEPTEMBER 25, 2009...WE HOPE AND PRAY WE GET IT!

CURRENTLY DOING: PREPARING DOCUMENTS FOR MY SON'S PETITION!

...I am one day further from the last time I saw you but I am one day closer to the next time I will...

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Share on other sites

hi, Me and my wife use different media where there is availability in the Philippines.

- YM is excellent both for video and phone talk as well chat conference and photosharing ( the only disappointment is signal interference there coz not every household has internet connections - i was using the smart and globe wireless connections before I came here and they gave me headaches )

- VONAGE which is also connected to internet since we use comcast service a lot, the vonage phone is connected to it, the # there is US Number, we are the one's paying here.

- kung walang magagawa at walang internet doon e di calling cards he he he he he, we always get a good deal at www.hellocallingcards.com - $2 lang ayos na ang usapan

- just watched at TFC yesterday SMART has now a magicjack style service...iniba lang ang pangalan...haaaay talaga naman..sana naman gumana ng maayos.

i noticed your wifes a doctor...??? did she take the USMLE here? WHATS THE thing called from smart like magic jack

here's the link: http://smart.com.ph/corporate/newsroom/plugntalk.htm

Nope, my wife is a Pharmacist, she's been here since her middle school. She petitioned me.

June 11 - Mailed I-129F to TSC

June 14 - CSC Received I-129F

June 20 - I-129F Notice Date

Nov 2 - NOA2

Nov 8 - NOA 2 hard copy

Nov 20 - Package left NVC

Nov. 26 - USEM received our packet from NVC

Jan 8- Early Medical, received Packet 4

Jan 10- Medical Passed after 3 days in SLEC!!! Whew!!!

Jan 17: Early CFO seminar

Jan 30 - SLEC Medical Exam Appt

Feb 7th - INTERVIEW appointment at USEM (APPROVED!!!)

Feb 12th - Visa on Hand!

Feb 15th - Patrick's departure

Feb 18 - Pat filed for Social Security # and we applied for marriage license

March 1- WEDDING DAY

March 14 - Pat got his SS card thru the mail

Mid-April - We received our marriage license in the mail

May 2- Michelle's graduation :)

May 5- AOS Filing

May 13 - NOA 1 for AED AOS

May 31 - Biometrics

June 25- Notice of Tranfer of Docs to CSC

July 16 - EAD - Card Production Ordered

July 24 - EAD Card RECEIVED

July 25 - AOS WELCOME NOTICE RECEIVED

July 28 - GREEN CARD received!!!

April 30,2010 - I-751 sent to VSC

May 04, 2010 - I-767C

MARCH29, 2012 - N-400 SENT

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Filed: Country: Philippines
Timeline
Hey VJ People,

My fiance wants to keep in touch with her family back home in the Philippines, What is the smartest (cheapest) way to do this on a regular basis?

Thanks,

Ben

If her family has a computer @ home, she can use Skype.. it's FREE :thumbs:

That looks like the way to go.

Thanks,

Ben

Hey VJ People,

My fiance wants to keep in touch with her family back home in the Philippines, What is the smartest (cheapest) way to do this on a regular basis?

Thanks,

Ben

Also, you can use Yahoo messenger to make calls on the internet (thru their Yahoo! voice). Been using this since last year...it's great !!

Plus she has a little sister who is probably interested in the internet too.

Thanks,

Ben

K-1 VISA

Jan/10/08 - I-129f submitted

Jan/24/08 - RFE (incorrect amount sent)

Feb/01/08 - correct amount sent

Feb/06/08 - NOA1 received

Jul /03/08 - RFE (Evidence of meeting)

Jul /17/08 - visa stamped page sent

Aug/14/08 - NOA2 Approved!!!

Sep/22/08 - Medical (pending sputum)

Sep/29/08 - 3 days sputum collection

Oct/02/08 - interview (to be re-sched. by saint luke)

Dec/08/08 - medical Approved!!!

Dec/22/08 - interview APPROVED!!! YAHOOOO!!!

Jan/01/09 - visa in hand!!!

Jan/14/09 - Arrived on U.S.A ( Idaho)

Jan/21/09 - married!!!

------------------------------------

AOS

2009/02/09 - Filed AOS

2009/02/17 - NOA

2009/03/06 - Biometrics

2009/05/05 - Interview PASSED!

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Share on other sites

Filed: Country: Philippines
Timeline
Yeap, invest in a computer for the home and pay for them to get and maintain high speed internet. My fiancee is in the US now, but her computer that I gave to her is still in her room in Iloilo so her family can keep in touch easily. Going to the internet cafe isn't convenient long term and it gets expensive and phone calls are expensive. Also, the phone doesn't allow for a cam and to share photos.

That's awesome advice, we are going to have to look into that.

Thanks,

Ben

I used to use Yahoo Messenger, there is a phone option that worked fine.

Yea, it looks look it save us money

Thanks,

Ben

Hey VJ People,

My fiance wants to keep in touch with her family back home in the Philippines, What is the smartest (cheapest) way to do this on a regular basis?

Thanks,

Ben

get a magic jack. go to www.magicjack.com and that will give you more information. there is a retailer here in the philippines already and you can ask them to buy it from here. not over 3k pesos. PM me and il give you the retailers cell number. i have one here and it works perfectly fine. all of my family in different city and provinces has one. since we get a mainland phone number, you (in the US) can call it just like calling another state. you can bring the magic jack anywhere. the thing is they would need to be online for you to call them anytime and for them to call you also. you dont need to be online for them to call you bec they can call your cell in the US or your landline for free. thats calls to US and canada for free. hope this helps.

Yea, we need to look into that too. But I think we'd better get them a computer first.

Thanks,

Ben

magic jack retailer in the philippines? hhhmmm...i wanted to get one for my house and get another one and send it to my husband in the philippines but i would have to end up paying 20$ yearly for both phones which is 40$ each year...but then i guess it is unlimited...please give me the number of the retailer of magic jack in the philippines...maybe my husband can go see how it really works over there. we have internet at home but it would be nice if he called thru magic jack to my verizon cellphone in the us without being charged per minute!

Sounds like, where the smart money is.

Thanks,

Ben

I think Skype have the cheapest rate and most consistent.

http://www.skype.com/prices/callrates/

I definitely need to look into that.

Thanks,

Ben

K-1 VISA

Jan/10/08 - I-129f submitted

Jan/24/08 - RFE (incorrect amount sent)

Feb/01/08 - correct amount sent

Feb/06/08 - NOA1 received

Jul /03/08 - RFE (Evidence of meeting)

Jul /17/08 - visa stamped page sent

Aug/14/08 - NOA2 Approved!!!

Sep/22/08 - Medical (pending sputum)

Sep/29/08 - 3 days sputum collection

Oct/02/08 - interview (to be re-sched. by saint luke)

Dec/08/08 - medical Approved!!!

Dec/22/08 - interview APPROVED!!! YAHOOOO!!!

Jan/01/09 - visa in hand!!!

Jan/14/09 - Arrived on U.S.A ( Idaho)

Jan/21/09 - married!!!

------------------------------------

AOS

2009/02/09 - Filed AOS

2009/02/17 - NOA

2009/03/06 - Biometrics

2009/05/05 - Interview PASSED!

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Share on other sites

magic jack retailer in the philippines? hhhmmm...i wanted to get one for my house and get another one and send it to my husband in the philippines but i would have to end up paying 20$ yearly for both phones which is 40$ each year...but then i guess it is unlimited...please give me the number of the retailer of magic jack in the philippines...maybe my husband can go see how it really works over there. we have internet at home but it would be nice if he called thru magic jack to my verizon cellphone in the us without being charged per minute!

its 0922 8561360 thats the cell phone number here in the philippines.

Arrived Honolulu June 8, 2009
Got Married: June 17, 2009
Applied for SSN Card: June 19, 2009
Received SSN Card: June 25, 2009
AOS Timeline[
Sent AOS Packet: July 8, 2009
NOAs for AP and EAD: July 23, 2009
NOA for AOS: July 27, 2009
Biometrics date for my K2: Aug 22, 2009
Biometrics for me: Aug 20, 2009
Notice date for biometrics: July 31 and Aug 4, 2009
RFE received and AOS resumed: Sept 3, 2009
AP and EAD approved: October 22, 2009 (MY BIRTHDAY!)
AP approval notice received in the mail: Oct 25, 2009
EAD approval notice mailed: Oct 28, 2009

LIFTING CONDITIONS:
APPROVED FOR BOTH me and my daughter: 3/12/2012

NATURALIZATION:
Filed: 9/13/2012
I797C: 9/17/2012
Interview: 1/3/2013
Oath: 2/13/2013

IR5 (MOM)

NOA1: February 27, 2013

NOA2: November 19, 2013

NVC Received: Dec 19, 2013 but assigned an SDO case number

NVC changed case number to MNL: 1/23/2014

Paid AOS fee: 1/25/14

IV Invoice via email: 1/30/14

Paid IV: 1/30/14

CASE COMPLETE: 3/7/14

NVC Schedule: 4/10/2014

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