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Yanyan

Anybody can share experiences POE in LA...

By Yanyan in Philippines

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Yanyan Collaborator

Yanyan   3

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

Hi all,

I'm a K1 visa. from Manila Phils.

Just like to asked ideas here to those who went through in Los Angeles California as their/ your POE? How's your experienced with the immigration officer?

I will be traveling alone on Nov 28, my fiance will just wait me at the arrival area.

I heard some info that LA is very strict especially for the first timers, and more on to your check-in luggages and hand carry, Is it true?

I hope you share your experience.

Thank you in advance.

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_Paul&Jesica_ Collaborator

_Paul&Jesica_   70

Posted
Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

We came through LAX as our POE in early august. My wife was K-1 at the time. Our experience was very positive. The Immigration officer was friendly, asked her for her packet,took her picture and fingerprints and asked a few questions and reminded us that we had to get married within 90 days. Took about 10 minutes in total.

K-1 Visa

**AOS**

09/03/2014 AOS packet (I-485, I-765, I-131) delivered to Chicago lockbox

09/08/2014 NOA1 received for AOS, EAD, AP

10/01/2014 Biometrics

11/04/2014 I-485: Status changed to Testing and Interview

11/12/2014 EAD & AP Approved, combo card in production

11/22/2014 EAD/AP Combo card received

02/04/2015 AOS Interview - approved! Card in production

02/12/2015 Card received!

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Zedayn Experienced

Zedayn   485

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Philippines
 Timeline
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LA was very easy to go through. Me and my wife went through the line together and the immigration officer was really nice. He had a really pleasant attitude, was really nice to my wife and even joked with her a bit. He took her big yellow envelope, pulled all the papers out and quickly flipped through them, stamped something on it and her passport and said we were good to go. Took maybe 5 minutes.

K-1
NOA1: 04/08/2014; NOA2: 04/21/2014; Visa interview, approved: 07/15/2014; POE: 07/25/2014; Marriage: 09/05/2014

 

AOS

NOA1:  09/12/2014;  Biometrics:  10/06/2014;  EAD/AP Received:  11/26/2014;  Interview Waiver Letter:  01/02/2015;  

RFE:  07/09/2015;  Permanent Residency Granted:  07/27/2015;  Green card Received:  08/22/2015

 

ROC

NOA1:  05/24/2017;  Biometrics:  06/13/2017;  Approved without interview:  09/05/2018;  10 Yr Green card Received:  09/13/2018

 

Naturalization

08/09/2020 -- Filed N-400 online

08/09/2020 -- NOA1 date

08/11/2020 -- NOA1 received in the mail

12/30/2020 -- Received notice online that an interview was scheduled

02/11/2021 -- Interview

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clairegie Proficient

clairegie   265

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

Hi all,

I'm a K1 visa. from Manila Phils.

Just like to asked ideas here to those who went through in Los Angeles California as their/ your POE? How's your experienced with the immigration officer?

I will be traveling alone on Nov 28, my fiance will just wait me at the arrival area.

I heard some info that LA is very strict especially for the first timers, and more on to your check-in luggages and hand carry, Is it true?

I hope you share your experience.

Thank you in advance.

The immigrations officer was funny and very friendly. He barely asked any questions. Mostly checking if all the papers were there, if the envelope was tampered, and double checking if I was the person on the documents. Just reminded me when my 90 days were up and to get married before that. I dont think they were strict about luggages at all, just the usual security procedures that us Filipinos probably arent used to.

Wear comfortable shoes that are easy to take off and put on because you will be doing this A LOT. Be honest about what you brought with you. LAX is REALLY HUGE and there is a lot of walking involved. The airport is easy to navigate. You just have to go with the flow of people and you wont get lost.

All in all it wasn't scary at all for me either. I was on my own and it was my first time to travel on my own. As soon as I left the customs area, I immediately saw my fiance (now hubby) and had no problems whatsoever.

Edited by iammrsregi

My timeline: http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/profile.php?cfl=0&id=163489

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tolitzpogi Explorer

tolitzpogi   37

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (pnd) Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

My fiancee arrived at 8am on 11/09/2014 and was already out of the airport at 845am. Granted it was a Sunday and there were not that many people arriving at the time.

She said that it was a smooth process for her, the immigrations officer only asked her when she will be married and where she will live, and just took the "do not open" packet and looked through it.

She was out so quick that she was actually waiting for me outside the Tom Bradley terminal while I was inside checking out some flowers to give her since I totally overestimated the waiting time. We were very fortunate for the smooth and quick process.

K1 Timeline:

02/28/2014 - I-129F Submitted
04/08/2014 - I-129F NOA2 Received

07/03/2014 - SLEC Medical Appointment 1 (Result: Sputum Culture)

09/18/2014 - SLEC Medical Appointment 2 (Result: Passed)

10/14/2014 - K1 Visa Interview (Result: Approved)

10/23/2014 - K1 Visa Issued

11/09/2014 - Entered USA (POE: Los Angeles)

01/02/2015 - Wedding Day

AOS Timeline:

03/02/2015 - I-485 Submitted (with I-765 & I-131)

03/13/2015 - I-485 NOA Received (with NOA for I-765 & I-131)

03/30/2015 - Biometrics Appointment Completed

05/12/2015 - I-785 & I-131 Approved

05/20/2015 - EAD/AP Combo Card Received

06/10/2015 - AOS Interview (Result: Approved)

06/18/2015 - Conditional Green Card Received

ROC Timeline:

05/15/2017 - I-751 Submitted 
05/26/2017 - I-751 NOA Received 
06/13/2017 - Biometrics Appointment Completed

07/18/2017 - Extension NOA Received (twelve month extension)
03/05/2018 - I-751 Received by Local Office
04/20/2018 - Infopass Appointment (Result: I-551 Stamp on Passport, six-month extension)

06/18/2018 - Extension NOA Received (eighteen month extension)

10/29/2019 - Infopass Appointment (Result: I-551 Stamp on new Passport)

11/06/2019 - I-751 Approved

11/14/2019 - Permanent Green Card Received

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jhonster Explorer

jhonster   23

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

Having purposefully spent time with a few of these officers at LAX, I can tell you they're a pretty good bunch. I work for LAFD as a Heavy Equipment Mechanic. And we have to go there to service the droop snoop and other fire fighting equipment on a regular basis. So when LAFD is there, we have access to any and all area's of the airport. I've asked them about the things they look for, and provided you've got your documents all in order...and you're not a member of Al-Queda or Isis (joking...they've already verified this by now), you'll be fine. So don't worry. But if you do get any slack from any of these sworn officers, kindly....but firmly have your U.S. citizen ask to speak to a supervisor. He or she will be the one to have any pull with this dept, so just have the mindset that they're supposed to be there to help you....not make your life more miserable. If you're going to be living in Los Angeles....then ENJOY it!!

I'm a native Angelino. Born and raised in L.A. It's a great place for Filipinos/Filipinas because there's a large Philippine community in Long Beach, Van Nuys (Panorama City) in the San Fernando Valley...and of course....Filipino Town which was founded in the 1930's. There are a TON of things to do in Southern California, and our culture is very ethnically friendly depending on where you live. Good luck and you'll be fine =))

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