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caradavie Explorer

caradavie   11

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

Hi VJers, Finally arrived in my new home, USA! :) I had a long flight but it's worth it. I can't explain the feeling of seeing my fiance waiting behind those doors for me and smiling. Such a nice sight to see. It's priceless!

I had 4 hours layover in Narita and flew with Delta. I feel proud seeing and talking to Filipinos who are working at the Immigrations and Customs at San Francisco Airport. The POE went smoothly. He just asked me what is the purpose of my visit, when do we plan to get married and if my fiance is a good guy? Then opened my packet and told me i have until December 12 to get married or else I need to leave. And then that's it! I got in! :) At the customs, the Filipino personnel asked me what foods do i have and i said dried mangoes, banana chips and korniks. And then he asked, no MAGIC SARAP and Lucky Me Pancit Canton? hehehe!

Anyway, weather is good here in San Francisco and I am loving it. Thanks to everyone who prayed and wish for my safe trip. Hope everyone gets to see the beauty of the people and USA itself. God Bless America!

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VirtualLee Collaborator

VirtualLee   12

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

Hi VJers, Finally arrived in my new home, USA! :) I had a long flight but it's worth it. I can't explain the feeling of seeing my fiance waiting behind those doors for me and smiling. Such a nice sight to see. It's priceless!

I had 4 hours layover in Narita and flew with Delta. I feel proud seeing and talking to Filipinos who are working at the Immigrations and Customs at San Francisco Airport. The POE went smoothly. He just asked me what is the purpose of my visit, when do we plan to get married and if my fiance is a good guy? Then opened my packet and told me i have until December 12 to get married or else I need to leave. And then that's it! I got in! :) At the customs, the Filipino personnel asked me what foods do i have and i said dried mangoes, banana chips and korniks. And then he asked, no MAGIC SARAP and Lucky Me Pancit Canton? hehehe!

Anyway, weather is good here in San Francisco and I am loving it. Thanks to everyone who prayed and wish for my safe trip. Hope everyone gets to see the beauty of the people and USA itself. God Bless America!

Congratulations and ENJOY!! I'll be coming home soon too :dance: :dance: :dance:

Our Time Line
---------------------------
CR-1/CR-2
---------------------------

USCIS Stage: (13 DAYS)
Apr 15, 2012 - Filed I-130 ($420 x2)
Apr 19, 2012 - NOA-1
May 2, 2012 - NOA-2

NVC STAGE: (56 DAYS)
05/21/12 - Case finally entered into NVC system
05/25/12 - Received case #, IIN, and BIN, gave e-mail addresses, sent optin e-mail
05/25/12 - Received info package and AOS bill e-mails from NVC
05/25/12 - AOS bill invoiced & paid ($88)
05/29/12 - AOS bill appears as PAID
06/01/12 - IV Bill Invoiced & PAID ($230 x2)
06/04/12 - IV Bill Shows PAID
06/15/12 - AOS & IV Packages sent
07/02/12 - RFE email received
07/06/12 - Sent NSO copy of MC and BC
07/16/12 - Case Complete (2nd Wedding Anniversary)
08/01/12 - Interview Date Assigned -->>>>(Sept.5, 2012@ 6:15am)


Medical/CFO / Consulate / POE:
08/29/2012-------- Medical Exam: PASSED
08/30/2012 ---------Advance CFO @SMEF-COW
09/05/2012-------- Interview: VISA APPROVED!!!!
09/11/2012 ------- VISA RECEIVED!
10/02/2012 -------- POE = Honolulu, Hawaii
Welcome to Hawaii

10/18/2012 - received 10yr. GC & SSN#

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del-2-5-2014 Experienced

del-2-5-2014   1,339

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Filed: Timeline
Posted

Hi VJers, Finally arrived in my new home, USA! :) I had a long flight but it's worth it. I can't explain the feeling of seeing my fiance waiting behind those doors for me and smiling. Such a nice sight to see. It's priceless!

I had 4 hours layover in Narita and flew with Delta. I feel proud seeing and talking to Filipinos who are working at the Immigrations and Customs at San Francisco Airport. The POE went smoothly. He just asked me what is the purpose of my visit, when do we plan to get married and if my fiance is a good guy? Then opened my packet and told me i have until December 12 to get married or else I need to leave. And then that's it! I got in! :) At the customs, the Filipino personnel asked me what foods do i have and i said dried mangoes, banana chips and korniks. And then he asked, no MAGIC SARAP and Lucky Me Pancit Canton? hehehe!

Anyway, weather is good here in San Francisco and I am loving it. Thanks to everyone who prayed and wish for my safe trip. Hope everyone gets to see the beauty of the people and USA itself. God Bless America!

Congratulations.

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NikkiWicki Collaborator

NikkiWicki   3

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

Hi VJers, Finally arrived in my new home, USA! :) I had a long flight but it's worth it. I can't explain the feeling of seeing my fiance waiting behind those doors for me and smiling. Such a nice sight to see. It's priceless!

I had 4 hours layover in Narita and flew with Delta. I feel proud seeing and talking to Filipinos who are working at the Immigrations and Customs at San Francisco Airport. The POE went smoothly. He just asked me what is the purpose of my visit, when do we plan to get married and if my fiance is a good guy? Then opened my packet and told me i have until December 12 to get married or else I need to leave. And then that's it! I got in! :) At the customs, the Filipino personnel asked me what foods do i have and i said dried mangoes, banana chips and korniks. And then he asked, no MAGIC SARAP and Lucky Me Pancit Canton? hehehe!

Anyway, weather is good here in San Francisco and I am loving it. Thanks to everyone who prayed and wish for my safe trip. Hope everyone gets to see the beauty of the people and USA itself. God Bless America!

omg magic sarap is not allowed? ?

03/27/2012- I-129F sent to USCIS

04/02/2012- NOA1 email

04/05/2012- NOA1 hard copy received

07/23/2012- finally some light! RFE via EMAIL

08/05/2012- Sent RFE reply from Philippines

08/09/2012- RFE Reply Response Review Notification Email

08/15/2012- NOA2 Approval via Email

08/22/2012- Hard copy of NOA2 received!

08/24/2012- MNL case number noted!

08/31/2012- Physical Exam at SLEC- Passed!

09/07/2012- Big Day! Interview-> APPROVED!

09/14/2012- CFO Seminar->done!

09/18/2012- Visa on Hand!, CFO Sticker DONE! YAY!!!!

10/04/2012- America Here I Come!!!

10/05/2012- Touchdown Chicago!

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Tintin and Mike Experienced

Tintin and Mike   127

Posted
Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

Welcome to the Bay Area! :dance: :dance:

K1
05/22/12 - Mailed I-129F
08/17/12 - Approved I-129F NOA2 (85 days)
11/19/12 - Approved Visa!! (179 days)
12/01/12 - POE Honolulu, HI
12/21/12 - Wedding Day!
AOS, EAD and AP
01/05/13 - Mailed I-485, I-765 and I-131
01/09/13 - USCIS accepted case and received text
01/11/13 - Cashed check
01/08/13 - Received NOA1
01/18/13 - Received Biometrics Appointment Notice
01/22/13 - Early Biometrics Walk-in (scheduled Feb 7)
01/27/13 - We're pregnant!!
02/04/13 - Received Appointment Notice
03/04/13 - Approved EAD and AP (58 days)
03/12/13 - Received EAD and AP combo card
03/12/13 - Interview and Approved GC (63 days)
03/20/13 - Received Green Card

10/3/13 - Baby #1 arrived

2/17/14 - Pregnant again! LOL

10/20/14 - Baby #2 arrived
ROC
01/09/15 - Mailed I-751

01/12/15 - NOA

01/16/15 - Received NOA Letter

01/20/15 - Mailed DMV 1yr Extension

02/05/15 - Received Biometrics Letter

02/09/15 - Early Bio (Walk-IN)

02/19/15 - Biometrics Appointment

06/15/15 - Approved
06/15/15 - Card Ordered and Mailed

08/22/15 - Card Received

N-400 on or after 12/15/15



and they'll live happily ever, ever after...
Relationship Journey: Our pursuit to happiness

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newbster Enthusiast

newbster   4

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

I love reading these posts. Thanks for posting and congrats on completing your visa journey. :dance:

Pls post back more thoughts on what is interesting for you about being here in the U.S., ideas to help Filipinas adjust or how you are adjusting, etc. Thanks and have fun. :thumbs:

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caradavie Explorer

caradavie   11

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted

omg magic sarap is not allowed? ?

I am not really sure if it's not allowed. i think it is, they just don't like stinky foods. hehe. and the guy was just being funny to make me feel comfortable. :)

thanks everyone! :thumbs:

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caradavie Explorer

caradavie   11

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted

I love reading these posts. Thanks for posting and congrats on completing your visa journey. :dance:

Pls post back more thoughts on what is interesting for you about being here in the U.S., ideas to help Filipinas adjust or how you are adjusting, etc. Thanks and have fun. :thumbs:

i love it so far. and i'm sure you already know how Filipino praises US for having such a clean street lol. And it's quiet and peaceful. I just find it funny that my fiance complains about the traffic here. then i guess if he'll be driving in Manila, he'll go ballistic. lol! :rofl:

i had my first meal last night in a Chinese Restaurant in Martinez, CA and i learned that you get what you pay for. Really big servings that I wasn't able to finish my food. :wow:

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VirtualLee Collaborator

VirtualLee   12

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

i love it so far. and i'm sure you already know how Filipino praises US for having such a clean street lol. And it's quiet and peaceful. I just find it funny that my fiance complains about the traffic here. then i guess if he'll be driving in Manila, he'll go ballistic. lol! :rofl:

i had my first meal last night in a Chinese Restaurant in Martinez, CA and i learned that you get what you pay for. Really big servings that I wasn't able to finish my food. :wow:

Woow, nice to know your that enjoying! :star: :star: can't wait to fly soooon. missing my hubby so much!

Our Time Line
---------------------------
CR-1/CR-2
---------------------------

USCIS Stage: (13 DAYS)
Apr 15, 2012 - Filed I-130 ($420 x2)
Apr 19, 2012 - NOA-1
May 2, 2012 - NOA-2

NVC STAGE: (56 DAYS)
05/21/12 - Case finally entered into NVC system
05/25/12 - Received case #, IIN, and BIN, gave e-mail addresses, sent optin e-mail
05/25/12 - Received info package and AOS bill e-mails from NVC
05/25/12 - AOS bill invoiced & paid ($88)
05/29/12 - AOS bill appears as PAID
06/01/12 - IV Bill Invoiced & PAID ($230 x2)
06/04/12 - IV Bill Shows PAID
06/15/12 - AOS & IV Packages sent
07/02/12 - RFE email received
07/06/12 - Sent NSO copy of MC and BC
07/16/12 - Case Complete (2nd Wedding Anniversary)
08/01/12 - Interview Date Assigned -->>>>(Sept.5, 2012@ 6:15am)


Medical/CFO / Consulate / POE:
08/29/2012-------- Medical Exam: PASSED
08/30/2012 ---------Advance CFO @SMEF-COW
09/05/2012-------- Interview: VISA APPROVED!!!!
09/11/2012 ------- VISA RECEIVED!
10/02/2012 -------- POE = Honolulu, Hawaii
Welcome to Hawaii

10/18/2012 - received 10yr. GC & SSN#

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Mogambi Community Regular

Mogambi   96

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

Strangely, Pancit Canton is NOT allowed through, as it contains chicken powder. Not sure about Magic Sarap, but it might be the same actually. Nothing with anything 'chicken' is allowed in. I had my Pancit Canton taken away from me, although of course I was able to buy it again here.

My fiancé just arrived a month or so ago, and we're also in the bay area, up near wine country in Sonoma county. Welcome to the Bay Area!!!

If your fiancé doesn't know already, there is a big Filipino grocery store in Vallejo, not too far from you, called Seafood City, and in the same building is a Max's of Manila, Chowking, Jolibee, Goldilocks and Red Ribbon. So if you feel homesick, make him take you there. My fiance and I go about once every two weeks to get groceries there. The north-east Bay area has a large Filipino community, so that should help as you ease into life here.

Welcome!

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Mogambi Community Regular

Mogambi   96

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

It's strange that the quite large Filipino grocery store here in the bay area doesn't sell Magic Sarap then. I assumed it was something that wasn't allowed, since I know how much it's used in the Philippines, they would most certainly sell it if the could, I would think. We scoured the store and it definitely wasn't there.

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