PDOS, NAIA, and POE experience

[RitzF2A 1]

Hi! I just want to share my experience from after the interview until after my entry to the US.

I was interviewed on May 17, 2013 a friday after having been rescheduled from May 13 due to the Philippine Elections. The interview day itself was packed because of the rescheduling.

After the interview I monitored the status of my case via https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx and on Monday afternoon, it was updated to "ISSUED". The following day I called the US Embassy to follow up my case however they could not provide any definite answers at that time and told me that it is up to the consul when to release my passport as they might require more time to make sure my case is good to go, or something to that effect. Wednesday no new updates, and Thursday after lunch I called the embassy again only to be told that it is again the prerogative of the embassy when they will be release my passport. At this point I was frustrated. So I keep calling 2GO for updates since they have friendlier staff to entertain calls. At around 5pm I was told by 2GO that they have my case on file but when I checked http://supplychain.2go.com.ph/CustomerSupport/etrace/index.asp my case is still is invalid.

CFO: Anyway, I got the visa packet the next day and I proceeded with the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar at the Commission of Filipinos Overseas. All immigrating Filipinos are required to have the emigrant stickers on the passport in order to be allowed to pass through immigration authorities at NAIA. Only senior citizens, and children 12 and below are exempted from attending the actual seminar. Children 13-19 have their own special seminar which is scheduled daily from 9:00am -11:00am. While adults for the US are scheduled Monday, Wed and Thurs 10:00am - 12nn and Tues and Fri 2:00-4:00pm. It is located at Citigold Center, 1345 Pres. Quirino Avenue corner Osmeña Highway (South Superhighway). If you come from a far off place it would be best to schedule your seminar for the afternoon dates. This summary is for F2A only as CR1/IR1 applicants have already attended the seminar before applying for a passport. They will only be required to present the certificate to have their passports issued with the cfo sticker. Upon arriving at the CFO you would need to present to the incharge officer that sits beside the guard your passport, xerox of the bio page of the passport, xerox of the visa page and xerox of the Immigrant Summary Data Sheet and 1pc 2x2 ID picture. When you photocopy the Data Sheet, you dont have to remove it from the packet, just have it xeroxed while inside the plastic. After checking that all the requirements are complete, you will be given a form to complete, and will be asked by the guard to submit one ID with photo in exchange for the CFO with code E (color light blue) this code represent that you will be attending the seminar and that you are headed for the US. Submit all forms at Window 2 or 3 and pay the cfo fee of 400 pesos. Then at around 30 minutes before the scheduled seminar you will be asked to go to the 2nd floor US Room. The actual seminar is around 2 hours but before the seminar begins, a audio video will be shown to "condition" the immigrants as to how the life of Filipinos abroad in general are. The seminar composts of the cfo aim, what is cfo and what are its target, projects, etc and how will it help Filipinos living abroad, etc. Then it will cover everything from forms to fill up, what are not allowed in the airport, what to pay at the airport, citizenship and sponsorship. These stuff actually helps the immigrant understand better the rules for immigrating abroad and how to petition for family etc. Its like a guide, they gave us pamphlets and how to contact cfo or the embassy/consulate where we will reside in case we need help and all that. After the seminar, the orienting officer will be the one to release the passports with the cfo sticker already attached. Having completed all the pre departure requirements, you can now fly anytime you wish.

NAIA: When I arrived at the NAIA 1, the guards will check passport and ticket upon entry. Then all baggages, irregardless of being checked in or not will pass through the xray. After x-ray I proceeded with the Travel Tax payment of PhP 1,620.00. Checked In, they asked for the visa packet, checked it and returned, was given a small form to sign for immigration. It contains basic information like name address in PH address in Destination, phone number, etc. Each person leaving are required to fill out the form. Then Payment of the Terminal Fee of PhP 550. Afterwards passed through immigration, was interviewed a bit (name of petitioner and address), asked for the visa packet again and returned it after a bit of checking returned it to me. After passing through immigration, will pass through pre departure scanning (remove belt, wallet, phone, coins, etc, body scan and hand carry scan). Upon arrival at the gate, we went through another scan. Ok so that was a lot of scanning... but it was for safety so I guess its ok.

Flight was hassle free but a bit turbulent. Didn't sleep a wink At the flight we were given a customs form, asking if we're carrying certain stuff and if the money we are carrying does not exceed $10,000. These forms have been discussed at the PDOS so please listen at the seminar, dont sleep or you'll miss this. Put USA as country of residence since you are already a resident.

POE: Upon arrival at Honolulu, I was directed to the First Timers Immigrant Window. The Immigration Police took my passport and visa packet. Took my fingerprint and signature in a form. Then another officer took my biometrics and interviewed me, same questions that were asked at the embassy, name of petitioner, address, last time I saw him. Then took my four finger scan and told me that my visa (the sticker in the passport) will serve as my temporary green card valid for one year. He told me to expect my green card to be delivered some where between a month to 6 months. My SS will be delivered in 3-6 weeks depending on the availability. Asked me if I have any other questions. I told him I don't have any as of that time, so he welcomed me and wish me goodluck. After the immigration, I took my checked in luggage and have to undergo customs screening, they ask question that are already on the form. Just a small reminder, if they serve you banana or any other fruit at the airline, either you consume it or you leave it behind. Or you wont pass through customs until you leave that behind and might risk a security check. The security check is random and they only do that if they suspect you either bring with you contraband goods (example MAGIC SARAP) so dont bring any especially seeds, fruits etc. We then had the officer sign the customs form and proceeded at the gate and surrendered the form before exit.

The exit was the best part... I no longer have to bear the separation again... I'm with my heart and that's all that matters now... all the hardship... well, we would all go through that... but its part of the journey, it makes the end result a lot sweeter...

about the USCIS fee, my husband was not able to pay it because the site was down. I did that just now... so that was why I was told the stamped visa on my passport is valid for a year... if you'll check out the site you'll see why...

so goodluck to everyone, and again my deepest thanks to VJ community!

[ljmp_10 105]

Thank u sis! Bawal ba ang MAGIC SARAP?

[gayle blue 4]

this is a very good post for us first-timers in this journey. Thank you.

[Hank_ 9,174]

You are not a resident of the USA, you are traveling on a VISA (residents don't travel with a visa), you are still a resident of the Philippines until AFTER you clear immigrations at POE (you can be turned away, not likely but not impossible either).

Or as in your case your visa was stamped valid for one year, you were still "traveling on a visa" even after clearing immigrations. (just a moment in time I know)

[Memphis 26]

Very informative for first-timers.. Thanks for sharing.. Good luck

[Maebert 0]

Thank u sis! Bawal ba ang MAGIC SARAP?

yes bawal ang magic sarap

[RitzF2A 1]

You are not a resident of the USA, you are traveling on a VISA (residents don't travel with a visa), you are still a resident of the Philippines until AFTER you clear immigrations at POE (you can be turned away, not likely but not impossible either).

Or as in your case your visa was stamped valid for one year, you were still "traveling on a visa" even after clearing immigrations. (just a moment in time I know)

I was also very doubtful of that one hank. I didnt know what to put so I decided to leave it blank because my reasoning was I have never been to the United States so I couldn't likely answer US however it simply earned me a scolding and was instructed to put US since that is where I will be living in the future and no longer in the Philippines. It was a customs declaration form, it means I have already passed immigration and I already have a stamped visa, that being my temporary green card because of the problems they were having with the payment site. I was told that I could travel back and forth using the same (since that is valid for a year) until I get hold of my physical card. I was able to make the payment 6 hours ago and the payment method was kind of complicated but Just follow instructions, keep your email open so that you could back and forth with the security pin.

I'm not really sure if it will be the same for everybody. But for first timers like me who will be flying out within the next few days, I would like to remind you guys of the most important thing I learned here in vj, answer only the questions that are being asked briefly and concisely, to avoid staying long at the line. Do not provide extra answers as this might cause your delay. Anyway in my very limited experience all the people that I have come across so far were nice but have short fuses they easily explode when faced with difficult immigrants who do not know how to follow instructions.

As for the green card, the site said they were having problems with payment processing. The steps were not simple so I guess many were probably complaining. In my case my husband was not able to make the payment because it confused him so he had to wait for me so that I could pay for it myself! Lol!

I hope you guys will benefit from my experience. Yes, magic sarap is banned in the US due to some component in its ingredient. meat, poultry, balut (lol!), fruits, seeds... All of these will be discussed at pdos, pati anting anting n bala bawal kahit s checked in. You could get checked for that.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Well you do have a point there that its a custom declaration form which you don't present until after clearing Immigrations... I stand corrected.

I wonder what it is with Magic Sarap that its not allowed now.

Edited May 27, 2013 by Hank_

[jmack 1]

I guess my fiance got away with one on the magic sarap also dried cebu mangoes and some coffee .... ...her poe was dfw texas......

[Hank_ 9,174]

I have never had issue with the dried mangos, I have even shown then to the customs guy and he said fresh fruit and vegetables are the issue.

[Louis and Aya 17]

What fee are you talking about paying when you arrived? I think I have seen this on here before, can someone just send me a link so I can read up on it myself.

Welcome to the US

[let-it-be 36]

It is the Immigrant Fee. http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=3a2bb75e8109b310VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=fe529c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

This is only for immigrants (IR-1, IR-2, IR-5).

For non-immigrants (K-1, K-2, B-2 etc) no need to pay this fee.

Edited May 28, 2013 by let-it-be

[Hank_ 9,174]

What fee are you talking about paying when you arrived? I think I have seen this on here before, can someone just send me a link so I can read up on it myself.

Welcome to the US

Doesn't relate to the K-1 visa.

[April-n-Gary 17]

Not sure of the make up of Magic Sarap, but it could be it contains meat by-products. Beef, pork, etc and b-products (i.e. bullion, flavorings) is not allowed into the US except for certain countries (New Zealand, Australia) items containing seafood flavoring is usually ok. The prohibition on fresh fruits/vegetables is due to the possible infestation by insects. The Med fruit fly infestation in California was caused by 1 infected orange that entered the State, causing millions in damage to the fruit crop in that state also the cost of eradication and containment.

[Rhej&Jack 0]

My POE was Dallas TX (Dallas Forth Worth Airport)

I have 5 big packs of "MAGIC SARAP" (It's a seasoning granules) 3 big packs of "CRISPY FRY" (chicken breading) and 6 Packs of Dried Mangoes and everything was fine

Its ok to bring magic sarap but make sure its a new unopened bag (very sealed)