Manila Embassy Interview

[sunandmoon 450]

hi,

actually, i was kind of disappointed when they didn't tell me anything at all about my medical results, not that i was expecting that i'm sick. It's just that the reason why most of us wanted to have it done earlier than it was scheduled was to know beforehand, if there are some abnormalities in our health that we could take care of. sadly to say, they won't give you any hint at all, as to what i had experienced. i just hope and pray that all of us would pass the medical and interview as well.

God bless to all,

tam

hopefully, it's as the saying goes, no news is good news. best of luck with the interview!

[Rogin35 0]

Hi everyone:

We really need help. I am on K1. My interview will be next month we just noticed that on my birth certificate from NSO, my father's first name is mispelled instead of lorenZo it is lorenSo. We're still going to LCR to have this corrected but i understand this will take time and we have 2 months to go.Anyone have the same case or any input on this?

Thanks in advance.

Rodel&Gina

[RonMay 1]

Hi everyone:

We really need help. I am on K1. My interview will be next month we just noticed that on my birth certificate from NSO, my father's first name is mispelled instead of lorenZo it is lorenSo. We're still going to LCR to have this corrected but i understand this will take time and we have 2 months to go.Anyone have the same case or any input on this?

Thanks in advance.

Rodel&Gina

im curious about this kind of situation too. how would they know that your father's name is misspelled? would they need our parent's BC too, or our parents wedding certificate, or its just because we know that its misspelled and it should be corrected? my mom's been using the name magdalEna ever since and it is what in my BC and my TRO. but when she got her BC 4 yrs ago it spelled magdalIna! what she just did is get it notarize that magdalena and magdalina is one and the same person. lol... kind of confusing. not sure how it really affect or not in my interview.

[robhankins 0]

Hi everyone:

We really need help. I am on K1. My interview will be next month we just noticed that on my birth certificate from NSO, my father's first name is mispelled instead of lorenZo it is lorenSo. We're still going to LCR to have this corrected but i understand this will take time and we have 2 months to go.Anyone have the same case or any input on this?

Thanks in advance.

Rodel&Gina

It is much better that you DON"T correct it. Just leave it the way it is. A correction on your BC is more likely to get you AR than a misspelled name of your father. At least your birth certificate remains unchanged and original, and hopefully not late registered. At least it is authentic.

There has already been one case of AR because the BC was changed to reflect the correct spelling of the father's first name.

[Glenn & Rosemarie 0]

Hello Everyone,

PW, Please update us. Rosemarie has her interview on January 25, 2007. Can someone tell me what a "CFO" is? My wife has said nothing about it, nor has our attorney. I am just curious.

Thanks,

Glenn

She must attend a CFO Seminar before she can leave the country. This is a Philippines government requirement. The seminar is given in Manila and Cebu.

PS: Your attorney is a slacker.

Jeez........ I had wondered what a CFO was. What did I pay an attorney for?

I think for his country club dues. :lol

Well, I emailed my attorney and the response was "Oh yes, she must have a CFO. However, that is not a US requirement, so we don't tell you those things." I guess they assume that the day my wife attempts to board the plane for USA, she find out then? Jeez!........................Does she have to have her VISA first or can she take this CFO course prior to her interview? I see requirements online, but just want clarification from those who have experienced this. Thanks!

[BJZags 17]

Does she have to have her VISA first or can she take this CFO course prior to her interview? I see requirements online, but just want clarification from those who have experienced this. Thanks!

She does NOT need the visa before she attends the seminar. But she will have to return to the office when the visa is received to get the official CFO "stamp of approval."

[Glenn & Rosemarie 0]

Does she have to have her VISA first or can she take this CFO course prior to her interview? I see requirements online, but just want clarification from those who have experienced this. Thanks!

She does NOT need the visa before she attends the seminar. But she will have to return to the office when the visa is received to get the official CFO "stamp of approval."

Thank you for much for your answer and help!

Glenn

[cguytx 0]

That would be me and my wife ha. I have some feedback but it is full of an adult nature. LOL

I would follow others advice and leave it alone. If I had known my wife 6 years ago when she corrected her fathers middle name on the bc I would have had her leave it alone oh well.

good luck all, with interviews this month, may the consul be giddy with Christmas Joy!

Hi everyone:

We really need help. I am on K1. My interview will be next month we just noticed that on my birth certificate from NSO, my father's first name is mispelled instead of lorenZo it is lorenSo. We're still going to LCR to have this corrected but i understand this will take time and we have 2 months to go.Anyone have the same case or any input on this?

Thanks in advance.

Rodel&Gina

It is much better that you DON"T correct it. Just leave it the way it is. A correction on your BC is more likely to get you AR than a misspelled name of your father. At least your birth certificate remains unchanged and original, and hopefully not late registered. At least it is authentic.

There has already been one case of AR because the BC was changed to reflect the correct spelling of the father's first name.

[windchaser_4 0]

Hi everyone:

We really need help. I am on K1. My interview will be next month we just noticed that on my birth certificate from NSO, my father's first name is mispelled instead of lorenZo it is lorenSo. We're still going to LCR to have this corrected but i understand this will take time and we have 2 months to go.Anyone have the same case or any input on this?

Thanks in advance.

Rodel&Gina

It is much better that you DON"T correct it. Just leave it the way it is. A correction on your BC is more likely to get you AR than a misspelled name of your father. At least your birth certificate remains unchanged and original, and hopefully not late registered. At least it is authentic.

There has already been one case of AR because the BC was changed to reflect the correct spelling of the father's first name.

I don't agree. To be honest i think if they request you to change it or submit more proof it will take longer than a review of documents. I assume you spell is right on all your documents. They can always think that the BC isn't correct because of the diff spelling and the fact that It's a pretty common name. The question that no can answer is will they Accept it or put you on AR. That could be totally diff depending on the consular.

The other problem is, 2 months isn't enough time to correct it unless you know someone in the Manila NSO who handles Corrections. Best bet is to bring some of your fathers documents and let them know it is being corrected. I'm sure they won't miss it and they might even say it's not a problem. It doesn't hurt to be honest about it because we all know records in the Philippines are pretty bad. That my Opin.

Hey guys. The CFO lady at the seminar told my gal that she would not be allowed to use her knockoff L. Viton luggage to travel to the US since they are banned by the US govt. Anybody heard of this, and which agency would be implementing the policy. My quick scan of the regs found nothing.

this is from Bureau of Customs and Border Protection website:

USTOMS DIRECTIVE

ORIGINATING OFFICE: OR&R DISTRIBUTION: S-01

CUSTOMS DIRECTIVE NO. 2310-011A DATE: JANUARY 24, 2000

SUPERSEDES: 2310-11 July 30, 1991

REVIEW DATE: JANUARY 2002

PERSONAL USE EXEMPTION: UNAUTHORIZED TRADEMARKS

1. PURPOSE. To clarify Customs policy with respect to the proper application of the personal use exemption.

2. AUTHORITY. Generally, Section 526 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. §1526) and section 42 of the Act of July 5, 1946 (60 Stat. 440; 15 U.S.C. §1124) (the Lanham Act) proscribe the importation of goods bearing counterfeits of trademarks which have been registered with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office and recorded with U.S. Customs.

3. BACKGROUND. According to the statute (19 U.S.C. §1526(d)(1)), such restrictions do not apply to the importation of articles accompanying any person arriving in the United States, when such articles are for his personal use and not for sale, provided such articles have been approved and enumerated by Customs, and that such person has not been granted a 1526(d) exemption within 30 days immediately preceding his arrival. However, 19 U.S.C.§1526(d)(4) also authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out that law.

3.1 At 19 CFR §148.55, Customs has promulgated regulations which provide for the importation of one article of a type bearing an unauthorized protected trademark. Importations of quantities greater than one article of a type bearing an unauthorized trademark are subject to the provisions of 19 CFR §133.24.

4. ACTION. Customs officers shall permit any person arriving in the United States, to import one article, which must accompany the person, bearing a counterfeit, confusingly similar, or restricted gray market trademark, provided that the article is for personal use and not for sale.

4.1 Customs officers shall permit the arriving person to retain one article of each type accompanying the person. For example, an arriving person who has three purses, whether each bears a different unauthorized trademark or whether all three bear the same unauthorized trademark, is permitted one purse.

4.2 Imported items over and above one article are subject to disposition under either 19 CFR § 133.21 (counterfeit) or 19 CFR § 133.24 (gray market and confusingly similar). Under 19 CFR § 133.21, counterfeit items, in the absence of permission from the trademark owner, must be seized and forfeited. Gray market or confusingly similar goods are subject to detention under 19 CFR §133.24(a). Upon such a detention, Customs officers should orally advise the person(s) arriving that the articles are subject to detention and that in accordance with 19 CFR §133.24©(2), such articles may be:

4.2.1 Exported or destroyed under Customs supervision; or

4.2.2 Imported if the mark is removed or obliterated to Customs satisfaction; or

4.2.3 Released if permission to import the goods is obtained from the trademark holder.

4.3 Where the trademark holder consents to the importation of goods bearing unauthorized trademarks in quantities above the regulatory exemption, Customs officers shall allow the greater quantity to be imported.

4.4 Where the importer has failed to obtain release of such detained goods after 30 days from the date of presentation to Customs, said goods shall be seized and forfeiture proceedings instituted.

4.5 In the past, there has been confusion over whether the personal use exemption contained in 19 CFR §148.55 applies equally to crew members. 19 CFR §148.55, and its governing statute, 19 U.S.C. §1526(d), state that the personal use exemption is available to "any person." This includes crew members.

5. RESPONSIBILITIES. Customs field officers are responsible for following these guidelines. Area/Port directors, assistant port directors (trade operations), supervisory import specialists, and supervisory inspectors are responsible for ensuring that their staffs are aware of the content of this Directive and adhere to the guidelines provided.

Commissioner of Customs

This stuff is crazy, I can understand if you are bringing suitcases of illegal stuff. But i've read several stories of stores in malls in the Philippines selling rip-offs, seems like the government should spend more time making sure no one is a terrorist coming into the country rather than a few pieces of luggage. I have a hard time believing if a custom agent finds 2 pieces of clothing that doesn't sound familiar he is going to take the time to take them and do all the paperwork....i could be wrong i guess.

[robhankins 0]

Hi everyone:

We really need help. I am on K1. My interview will be next month we just noticed that on my birth certificate from NSO, my father's first name is mispelled instead of lorenZo it is lorenSo. We're still going to LCR to have this corrected but i understand this will take time and we have 2 months to go.Anyone have the same case or any input on this?

Thanks in advance.

Rodel&Gina

It is much better that you DON"T correct it. Just leave it the way it is. A correction on your BC is more likely to get you AR than a misspelled name of your father. At least your birth certificate remains unchanged and original, and hopefully not late registered. At least it is authentic.

There has already been one case of AR because the BC was changed to reflect the correct spelling of the father's first name.

I don't agree. To be honest i think if they request you to change it or submit more proof it will take longer than a review of documents. I assume you spell is right on all your documents. They can always think that the BC isn't correct because of the diff spelling and the fact that It's a pretty common name. The question that no can answer is will they Accept it or put you on AR. That could be totally diff depending on the consular.

The other problem is, 2 months isn't enough time to correct it unless you know someone in the Manila NSO who handles Corrections. Best bet is to bring some of your fathers documents and let them know it is being corrected. I'm sure they won't miss it and they might even say it's not a problem. It doesn't hurt to be honest about it because we all know records in the Philippines are pretty bad. That my Opin.

OK, if you want to be really prepared, make sure you have two copies of current BC. Then change it through NSO, but hold back corrected copy until interview. You will be prepared if they catch the spelling error and you will be prepared if they don't.

[Ken_Maria 0]

Hey guys. The CFO lady at the seminar told my gal that she would not be allowed to use her knockoff L. Viton luggage to travel to the US since they are banned by the US govt. Anybody heard of this, and which agency would be implementing the policy. My quick scan of the regs found nothing.

What, you mean they sell knock-off goods in the RP?

I have been through both Terminal 1 and 2, five times this year alone and many more times with friends wearing the knock off watches from the PI and Thailand, clothes from Korea...etc. None of them have ever even been questioned. I think what they are referring to to is the mass quanities OSWs try to bring back to the states or wherever they are working for profit.

Dress normally, pack with 70lbs or less in your bags, no more than 2 check bags, one carry-on and mail the rest through UPS/FEDEX/LBC or leave it for friends and family. LBC is the cheapest and one price reguardless of weight. Good luck, Payato

[Danoco 0]

thought i'd share this article for everyone coming to america with all the illegals being center stage in current politics guess who has to pay the price for the lack of immigration processing

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061129/lf_nm/usa_greencard_dc_3

its a very sad situtation.

This doesnt have much to do with k-1 and k-3 Nonimmigrant visa.

This is only immigrant based greencards that are so backedup.

This has been a problem for many years due to the high demand for the u.s to fill jobs with qualified workers that most americans either dont want to do or are not educated enough to do.

actually it does have a lot to do with all visa's my wife's AOS an EAD paperwork has been delayed for additional 64 days so far. we have our congressman and senators offices working on it, but the delay is based on the backlog of illegals immigrants paperwork being processed. although getting her here may not be as big an issue as you think. she wont be able to do much till the rest of the paperwork is done ,and that can be very cruel to your future atawa.

[Ken_Maria 0]

St. Lukes discovered that she had active TB! She is undergoing treatment and will not be eligible for her interview in 6 months. No one knew of her aliment until she went to the medical exam, about a week early. St Lukes told her that they canceled the interview, for now.

Ok, what do they mean active TB? Did she test postive for exposure (most common) or did they run labs and xrays to determine if she has TB? The treatment is 9 months not 6... my daughter and I both tested postive for exposure. If she has active TB, make sure she gets the proper treatment and medications.

I would think all you would have to do is contact the Embassy and reschedule the interview since you have a medical justification for delaying it and her missing the interview. Good Luck, Payato

[hotairguy 0]

St. Lukes discovered that she had active TB! She is undergoing treatment and will not be eligible for her interview in 6 months. No one knew of her aliment until she went to the medical exam, about a week early. St Lukes told her that they canceled the interview, for now.

Ok, what do they mean active TB? Did she test postive for exposure (most common) or did they run labs and xrays to determine if she has TB? The treatment is 9 months not 6... my daughter and I both tested postive for exposure. If she has active TB, make sure she gets the proper treatment and medications.

I would think all you would have to do is contact the Embassy and reschedule the interview since you have a medical justification for delaying it and her missing the interview. Good Luck, Payato

I am also interested in what happened at the initial medical exam date. When the x-rays were taken, what happened then? I have a friend who's fiancee had her medical recently. They have asked her to come back for three days of phlem testing. Did the same happen to you? When did they inform the girl she had active TB? Thanks, Marilyn and Peter.

[Glenn & Rosemarie 0]

I would like to take the time to say that is certainly a lot of good people here on Visa Journey in the Philippines section. It has been a long road for Rosemarie and I. We were married December 29. 2005 and I was unsure of this process being we were married in the Philippines. So, I decided I would hire an attorney when I returned to the USA in late January 2006. In March I decided I would take some time off and be with her so off to Cagayan de Oro I went. When I returned to the USA in May, I quickly learned that all the attorney had done was cash the check I gave him. If I ever see him, he will walk with a cane for quite a few weeks! lol I hired another attorney in May and have been moving forward since. Had I known of Visa Journey and the fine people here, I honestly believe the process would have moved along just as quickly, not to mention the savings.

I am always posting questions here and I always get a good solid answer from someone. It really good to know that people like all of you still exist and thank you all on behalf of my beautiful wife Rosemarie also. I wish everyone here wonderful and fulfilling lives together filled with blessings and happiness.

Glenn & Rosemarie

Edited December 2, 2006 by Glenn & Rosemarie