Manila Embassy Interview

[one...two...tree 2,762]

And I have questions for those who got an annulment and was approved. Did you use your maiden name? or your former married name? Did you get your NBI clearance in your maiden name? married name?

I am using my maiden name now, and have my NBI clearance with my maiden name. However, since I used my former married name for 17 years of my adult life, logic tells me the embassy "might" ask for a clearance with the former married name. How did you do it? Can I even get 2 NBI clearances?

Thanks again guys.

Gen

Hi Gen,

Those are questions worth asking the embassy by calling them up and they should be able to give you a definitive answer. I would also recommend going to the NBI offices with the same question. If it is like it is in the states, a person's file is kept together with notations of any aliases or other names used - but those name variations would be indicated on the file itself.

As far as using your maiden name - here in the states, a woman has to actually go through and legally change her last name back to her maiden name.

Sorry if I didn't really answer your questions but hopefully you can get some reliable answers from the embassy and NBI.

[rebelheart 0]

Hello guys! I am leaving tomorrow morning for America. I got Luz and Robins tickets the other day. They will arrive in the US on April 6! Next week they do the CFO and get copies of all their docs. Everything is ready now!!! Good luck to everyone with interviews coming up!

Have a safe trip Kuya Gary, regards to Ate Luzy ...... it'll gonna be a joyful 41 days of waiting for you now that your lovely Luzy and Robin will be reunited for life now.

God bless more!

-rebelheart-

[Michael and Milahjean 0]

Question for the Manila Listers...is anyone other than me having constant problems with the Cebu Pacfic and Philippine Air online reservation website? Over the past 2 weeks I cannot get the transaction to complete no matter what I do. I've tried different cards, tried different days and times and also calling the agents (Cebu Pacific, who tell me to try online again, which doesn't work) and I've made certain that the Mastercard Secure Code and Verified by Visa registration is correct, to absolutely no avail. I've called my credit card issuers and all is okay. As a last resort my wife last week had to send someone direct to the airport across Leyte to book the trip for her medical. This is absurd. I've tried contacting a travel agent in Manila, but they want funds deposited in a bank account before they will issue the e-ticket. My wife and her wise traveling companion didn't trust that setup. Looks like I may need to have her ramble across the island again. Thanks for any suggestions.

Mike

[soulm8z0928 0]

I've tried contacting a travel agent in Manila, but they want funds deposited in a bank account before they will issue the e-ticket.

Mike

hi mike, i'm not 1000% sure on this, so i hope others will chime in, but i do believe that this is a very common way of doing business there in the philippines and quite legit, it seems to me that my wife and i had to do this sometime in the past but i can't remember the exact circumstance of it. good luck! bernie

[soulm8z0928 0]

I don't think they have the liberty to change the rules concerning passports without a change in their laws. I have a little more info now that Fely's awake. She says they told her specifically that she must attend the CFO for a name change. But it gets worse. She was also told that our marriage certificate is only 5 months old, and she must wait until 6 months to get the name change. I think the person she dealt with at the DFA had his own personal vendetta.

Well, at least it's only a couple of weeks until our 6 month anniversary.

hi gary, what DFA told ur wife in regards to CFO is correct. my wife had to attend cfo before she could change her passport. My wife said that it will be listed on the back of the passport app what the requirements are to get a new passport due to name change. of course thats not to say that other people won't have different experiences with this procedure depending on who they talk to, but my wife specifically attended cfo to get the new passport and she remembers it being listed on the back of the app. take care, it gets easier as you get more along in the process and before you know it Fely will have her interview date! good luck!

[StarProg 0]

hi gary, what DFA told ur wife in regards to CFO is correct. my wife had to attend cfo before she could change her passport. My wife said that it will be listed on the back of the passport app what the requirements are to get a new passport due to name change. of course thats not to say that other people won't have different experiences with this procedure depending on who they talk to, but my wife specifically attended cfo to get the new passport and she remembers it being listed on the back of the app. take care, it gets easier as you get more along in the process and before you know it Fely will have her interview date! good luck!

Thanks soul. We're going ahead with Fely attending the CFO, but not until our 6-month anniversary which was also what they "suggested." Meanwhile Fely has been told by a friend whose daughter came to the US on a K-1 visa last December, that the cost of the CFO is 9000 PhP. I have no idea where she got this number from, as I know it's only 400 PhP. But I'm having trouble convincing Fely of the real cost. Does anyone reading this have any idea where the 9000 P amount came from? That's about $180, which is the fee for the original petition.

Edited February 25, 2007 by StarProg

[over 0]

hi gary, what DFA told ur wife in regards to CFO is correct. my wife had to attend cfo before she could change her passport. My wife said that it will be listed on the back of the passport app what the requirements are to get a new passport due to name change. of course thats not to say that other people won't have different experiences with this procedure depending on who they talk to, but my wife specifically attended cfo to get the new passport and she remembers it being listed on the back of the app. take care, it gets easier as you get more along in the process and before you know it Fely will have her interview date! good luck!

Thanks soul. We're going ahead with Fely attending the CFO, but not until our 6-month anniversary which was also what they "suggested." Meanwhile Fely has been told by a friend whose daughter came to the US on a K-1 visa last December, that the cost of the CFO is 9000 PhP. I have no idea where she got this number from, as I know it's only 400 PhP. But I'm having trouble convincing Fely of the real cost. Does anyone reading this have any idea where the 9000 P amount came from? That's about $180, which is the fee for the original petition.

You are correct.

Who ever suggested that is wrong, and here is the link with the cost listed at the top right side of the web site.

http://www.cfo.gov.ph/

best wishes, and hope this helps relieve her fears.

R&R

[Dean iWait 0]

Question for the Manila Listers...is anyone other than me having constant problems with the Cebu Pacfic and Philippine Air online reservation website? Over the past 2 weeks I cannot get the transaction to complete no matter what I do. I've tried different cards, tried different days and times and also calling the agents (Cebu Pacific, who tell me to try online again, which doesn't work) and I've made certain that the Mastercard Secure Code and Verified by Visa registration is correct, to absolutely no avail. I've called my credit card issuers and all is okay. As a last resort my wife last week had to send someone direct to the airport across Leyte to book the trip for her medical. This is absurd. I've tried contacting a travel agent in Manila, but they want funds deposited in a bank account before they will issue the e-ticket. My wife and her wise traveling companion didn't trust that setup. Looks like I may need to have her ramble across the island again. Thanks for any suggestions.

Mike

Not sure. I booked tickets on Cebu Pacific last week and again just now. No problems.

Edited February 25, 2007 by Dean iWait

[StarProg 0]

Question for the Manila Listers...is anyone other than me having constant problems with the Cebu Pacfic and Philippine Air online reservation website? Over the past 2 weeks I cannot get the transaction to complete no matter what I do. I've tried different cards, tried different days and times and also calling the agents (Cebu Pacific, who tell me to try online again, which doesn't work) and I've made certain that the Mastercard Secure Code and Verified by Visa registration is correct, to absolutely no avail. I've called my credit card issuers and all is okay. As a last resort my wife last week had to send someone direct to the airport across Leyte to book the trip for her medical. This is absurd. I've tried contacting a travel agent in Manila, but they want funds deposited in a bank account before they will issue the e-ticket. My wife and her wise traveling companion didn't trust that setup. Looks like I may need to have her ramble across the island again. Thanks for any suggestions.

Mike

Not sure. I booked tickets on Cebu Pacific last week and again just now. No problems.

Someone suggested previously clearing the cookies in your browser, maybe trying a different browser, different computer if possible. I know on my Mac I have occasional problems when using Safari but if I switch to Netscape it sometimes works.

[kismet 0]

And I have questions for those who got an annulment and was approved. Did you use your maiden name? or your former married name? Did you get your NBI clearance in your maiden name? married name?

I am using my maiden name now, and have my NBI clearance with my maiden name. However, since I used my former married name for 17 years of my adult life, logic tells me the embassy "might" ask for a clearance with the former married name. How did you do it? Can I even get 2 NBI clearances?

Thanks again guys.

Gen

Hi Gen,

Those are questions worth asking the embassy by calling them up and they should be able to give you a definitive answer. I would also recommend going to the NBI offices with the same question. If it is like it is in the states, a person's file is kept together with notations of any aliases or other names used - but those name variations would be indicated on the file itself.

As far as using your maiden name - here in the states, a woman has to actually go through and legally change her last name back to her maiden name.

Sorry if I didn't really answer your questions but hopefully you can get some reliable answers from the embassy and NBI.

Thanks for taking the time to reply, Steven! I am definitely calling the embassy and NBI tomorrow morning, Monday.

My reverting back to my maiden name goes with the legality of the annulment. My old passport was in my former married name, but I was able to get a new one recently in my maiden name without any problem... just showed my annulment papers issued by the court, and the old passport in which they punched holes in (cancelled). And for Gary (Starprog). even if your case is the other way around (change from maiden name to married name), just so you know... I was also asked to present the CFO certificate.

Thanks again... and a happy & safe trip for Jinky and Job!

Gen

[Mike and Jennie 0]

Hello all VJers,

Congrats to all that were approved and good luck to those upcoming. We were approved and picked up our VISA from USE on 2/22. It seems so easy now. A lot of waiting. Pre-interview was maybe 3 minutes. Standard questions that we see from past experiences. Consular was even easier than pre-interview. We got the English consular. He didnt even want to see all the proof we brought. Said it was unnecessary because he can tell when there is a genuine relationship. I guess it helps that we look cute together.

Approved within a few minutes. Asked if we could pick up and he said no problem...one or two days. USE called us 2/21 to tell us VISA would be available 2/22. They called while we were right in the middle of watching IMAX movie "A Night at the Museum" at Mall of Asia. We took the call anyway. We werent going to miss that call no matter what.

Picked up VISA on 2/22, jumped in a cab and went to CFO same day. Everything completed. Fly to states 2/27. WOOHOO. Lot's of packing, dinners with friends and family and tears now.

Thank you VJ for everything. We were definitely over-prepared. It is a good thing.

INGAT!!!!

Mike and Jennie

[Ken_Maria 0]

Just came through the Honolulu POE today and Hawaii does require the X-ray. Not many questions and if you are traveling with your finacee, they will process both of you together. If your x-ray is in the check luggage like ours, they will go to the baggage claim with you and get it.

As far as Visa delivery, interview was on 15 Feb and received Visa on 22 Feb, 7 days total or 4 working days. Delbros text me on the 21st and the Visa was delivered on the 22nd. Ken & Maria

someone posted in another thread to hand carry the X Ray coz they asked for it at the at their POE in Hawaii. everything I've read or heard is you don't need to hand carry the X ray. I told Yazi to put it her in checked in. I just want to check to be sure, do you need to hand carry the X-ray?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Question for the Manila Listers...is anyone other than me having constant problems with the Cebu Pacfic and Philippine Air online reservation website? Over the past 2 weeks I cannot get the transaction to complete no matter what I do. I've tried different cards, tried different days and times and also calling the agents (Cebu Pacific, who tell me to try online again, which doesn't work) and I've made certain that the Mastercard Secure Code and Verified by Visa registration is correct, to absolutely no avail. I've called my credit card issuers and all is okay. As a last resort my wife last week had to send someone direct to the airport across Leyte to book the trip for her medical. This is absurd. I've tried contacting a travel agent in Manila, but they want funds deposited in a bank account before they will issue the e-ticket. My wife and her wise traveling companion didn't trust that setup. Looks like I may need to have her ramble across the island again. Thanks for any suggestions.

Mike

Hi Mike,

Did you get that message window on PAL's website that says you have to register your CC with some international registry before you can use it? (I don't if that's the problem, but worth checking). As an alternative method, I'd recommend sending her cash through Xoom.com where she can pick it up at any PCI Equitable Bank. The charges are a lot less than Western Union.

[dims1 0]

Hi Mike,

I bought Lorna's ticket form cebu to Manila for her interview on the Cebupacfic website.

I actually used my DEBIT card for my bank. It does say Visa on it but it also says debit. I thought I would give it a go. I did have a problem in the end of transaction cuz winxp has the pop-up blocker turned on and I never got to the end of transaction to see a receipt. but got an emaill for transaction.

Then they didn't take money out of my acct. So that worried me. So i emailed CebuPacifc and they wrote back in a few minutes saying eveything was fine. They still didn't take my money out of my acct. for about 4 days.

Also one of my visa cards has this thing where it did a security check and i had to give a password.

Also on a side note... I have this one visa card where if its over a certain amount, they won't clear it. I have to call them and tell them so they can unlock my acct. for the transaction.

Hope this helps,

Mike

[bangus delight 0]

Are any of the fiancees out there claiming, if any, their deposit into the govt SSS, Philhealth and Pag-ibig. After all most of us will give up our PI citizenship.. Is this hard to do?