Need Advice..

[TeapotGirl 66]

He may very well need an agency because no matter what you think about her ability in your rude commentary. He doesnt think she can function alone in this difficult situation. There are many people that have asked for help here because they couldnt do this alone. She isnt any different other than she lives far away from Manila. I am sure it would intimidate anyone to have to go to do all these things alone.

I do not know anybody here that used an agency to work on a petition when they are the beneficiary. Filipinos in general are resourceful, if we don't know it, we ask. We ask help but don't pay for it. We do things in hard way because that's how we are brought up and that's what we are used to.

Well the OP hasn't answered yet where that mountain is because I live in mountain. Who knows she's just a next door neighbor who doesn't know how to get a bus to Manila. Maybe someone here could show direction, exchange text messages. I do not believe that that fiancee doesn't know a single person who have been to Manila. No way. I just can't.

Edited October 18, 2011 by teapotgurl1983

[rheanick 42]

I was just perusing this forum looking for unrelated info and saw your post. I am not one to get on forums and such but all the naysayers got my attention so thought I would try to give some useful info.

For airlines, I would check Eva Air and China Airlines. Both have reasonable fares < $1000 from the West coast. And fees to change flights are reasonable, unlike the US based carriers. Example, we flew China Airlines from LAX to MNL for $650 round trip in March. Had to change return flight which only cost $30. If you are not near the West Coast, which I am not, fly Southwest to LAX. Unlike the other US carriers can just buy one way tickets and change flights or use unused tickets with no penalty. I usually buy cheapest fare I can with them about 3-4 weeks in advance and then keep checking for something cheaper. And if not sure on the return, I buy separate one way ticket, and just watch the fares and try to finalize a couple weeks in advance to get best deal. Tue and Wed usually cheapest days to fly, but sometimes Sat Sun also good.

Despite what others may say I would suggest you avoid any Agency (most all are scams and ripoffs)and if possible do fly and help your fiancee as much as you can. I had found some good info on this forum but the whole process can be very confusing. Getting anything done in Manila takes forever, long and multiple lines to stand in for everything. St Lukes could take 2 days. Timing could be a problem as there is a time gap between the medical and the interview. I think two weeks for us. Not sure what current rules are as it was 4 years ago for us but I did go with my wife to her interview (i think I saw where US citizens can no longer do so). We stayed at the Best Western, walking distance and not too expensive. She was very nervous and when that happens her English tend to fail her which is common. (even after 15 years of going to the Philippines and with my wife for 8 years I still have to remind myself of the cultural differences) The Filipino clerks at the US Embassy tend to give their fellow Filipinos a hard time but the Consulate is American so more understanding. Our interview was mostly me and him talking sports. If you cannot accompany her then practice with her in English the responses to the typical questions they will ask. You can find on this forum.

Good Luck.

This is a very good suggestion.

If the OP is going to the Philippines, i would like to warn him that their might be unforseen expenses besides the visa application, i.e. a celebration before she leaves the Philippines. I have seen how the people in the mountain areas celebrate. The whole town is invited, even a passing tourist will be asked to join in and eat with them.

Though i would recommend for the OP to experience celebrations in mountain provinces... It really highlights the culture of the Philippines.

[Mhayonaise 14]

OP its not advisable to book ticket before your fiancee has her visa on hand. I understand your concerned and excitement but there are things to be considered before doing a move. I supposed she must be a shy type of person. Thus, she feel uncomfortable travelling alone. Now is the opportunity and a good time for her to get out from the shell. Maybe she can rent a computer at internet cafe nearby to her place and start reading VJ thread about St. Lukes and USEm Manila experiences. Let her do extra research about travelling to Manila. You may arrange a hotel that is closed to St. Lukes and Us Embassy and during her Medical she can make friends with other applicants and who knows she'll know someone who has the same interview date as hers. In this way it will benefit both - your current financial situation and for her to conquer her fears going to crowded city

Goodluck to both of you!

[TeapotGirl 66]

Now is the opportunity and a good time for her to get out from the shell. Maybe she can rent a computer at internet cafe nearby to her place and start reading VJ thread about St. Lukes and USEm Manila experiences. Let her do extra research about travelling to Manila.

Exactly! I am exchanging text messages with other VJ members here to get an idea how things go.

I have seen how the people in the mountain areas celebrate. The whole town is invited, even a passing tourist will be asked to join in and eat with them.

[PaulnUsa 19]

I do not know anybody here that used an agency to work on a petition when they are the beneficiary. Filipinos in general are resourceful, if we don't know it, we ask. We ask help but don't pay for it. We do things in hard way because that's how we are brought up and that's what we are used to.

Well the OP hasn't answered yet where that mountain is because I live in mountain. Who knows she's just a next door neighbor who doesn't know how to get a bus to Manila. Maybe someone here could show direction, exchange text messages. I do not believe that that fiancee doesn't know a single person who have been to Manila. No way. I just can't.

She lives on the island of Guimaras. She lives about an hour motorbike ride from anything. She has never been to manila. She is just 18 years old and is very worried about doing anything. Her parents have never let her go anywhere alone. They also have never been to Manila or outside of iloilo they pretty much never leave their home area.

[BJZags 17]

The Filipino clerks at the US Embassy tend to give their fellow Filipinos a hard time but the Consulate is American so more understanding.

That's exactly what my wife told me five years ago!

She was placed on AR for a time after the interview (until my Congressman made a call to the embassy) so I would NOT book flight to US until the visa is in-hand. One-way tickets purchased short-term are not too steep if your good at scouring the web for deals.

I like the suggestions of booking the hotels and having them providing transportation to and from airport, will make her stay in Manila more manageable.

With all the information you can glean from this forum, there really is no reason that you NEED to fly to the PHL and help her. Just do your research and prepare her for what to expect. In the end, it will be her "performance" in the steps of the process that gets her the visa.

[Kang 22]

She can request for translators in the US Embassy.

[Kang 22]

That's exactly what my wife told me five years ago!

She was placed on AR for a time after the interview (until my Congressman made a call to the embassy) so I would NOT book flight to US until the visa is in-hand. One-way tickets purchased short-term are not too steep if your good at scouring the web for deals.

I like the suggestions of booking the hotels and having them providing transportation to and from airport, will make her stay in Manila more manageable.

With all the information you can glean from this forum, there really is no reason that you NEED to fly to the PHL and help her. Just do your research and prepare her for what to expect. In the end, it will be her "performance" in the steps of the process that gets her the visa.

I just remembered what my friend shared to me. He is Amerasian. He tried to apply for US VISA (not citizenship) and the Filipino clerk told him in Tagalog "maybe your birth certificate was made in Recto". (Recto is a famous area in Manila where all the fake documents are made). He felt insulted, very insulted, he withdrew his application.

I dunno, their Filipino staff in the US Embassy tend to be more arrogant than the American consuls themselves

[rheanick 42]

She lives on the island of Guimaras. She lives about an hour motorbike ride from anything. She has never been to manila. She is just 18 years old and is very worried about doing anything. Her parents have never let her go anywhere alone. They also have never been to Manila or outside of iloilo they pretty much never leave their home area.

She lives in an island. She could go to Cagayan De Oro first to get a flight to Manila. Get a hotel that provides transportation to pick her up. Bayview hotel in front of the US Embassy might have a pick-up option.

Guimaras is a well known tourist area in the Philippines.

If you meet in the internet, she decided to find husband via internet of which a very shy and conservative local girl wont think about. She is not as helpless as you think she is.

Edited October 20, 2011 by rheanick

[Loolie 56]

She can request for translators in the US Embassy.

She doesnt need a translator bcoz if they were able to have a relationship then they were able to understand each other... in what way? She speaks english... Hehehehehe. and yeah rheanick is right. If she was able to use computer and chat or talk to him then shes not that ignorant in some things. Just like me i have never been to manila but i went there alone for interview. and i have never been to cebu... But i went there alone to have my cfo seminar. i live in the city but honestly i dont know how to go to some places there... what jeepney to ride. The op just need to let her fiancee learn to do things on her own.

[TeapotGirl 66]

She lives on the island of Guimaras. She lives about an hour motorbike ride from anything. She has never been to manila. She is just 18 years old and is very worried about doing anything. Her parents have never let her go anywhere alone. They also have never been to Manila or outside of iloilo they pretty much never leave their home area.

My neighbors are from Guimaras, Ilo-ilo. Then have at least one of her parents go with her in Manila. If they don't have any relative here in Manila which is unlikely, As other suggestion say,have her rent a hotel. She's 18, so this is the chance to grow up.

[TeapotGirl 66]

She is not as helpless as you think she is.

[Kang 22]

Given that she is going to the US, she really NEEDS to start doing things herself. This will be a good practice. At least, she can practice in Filipino environment

[Kang 22]

Given that she is going to the US, she really NEEDS to start doing things herself. This will be a good practice. At least, she can practice in Filipino environment

[Tahoma 2,292]

She is just 18 years old...

Because she is only 18 years old, the CFO likely will require her to have parental consent to get married. Maybe the Embassy will require parental consent too.

By the way, I think you're getting some very good advice from the Filipina posters on this thread. Your sweetheart may be nervous about doing things on her own, but that doesn't mean that she can't do them. Never underestimate a Filipina.

I also like the idea of having her parents go to Maynila with her.

If both of you do your homework and get prepared for the medical, the interview, and the CFO, she should have no problem.