Bringing stepchildren to U.S...what next?

[Mark&Fatima 14]

Hello, my wife (from the Philippines) and I have been married since 2011. She had two boys (both are still minors) from a previous relationship (they weren't married so there are no issues with the boy's actual father) that still live in the Philippines. I am about to file the I-130 for both of them (as the U.S. citizen stepfather). Here are my questions:

1 - After the I-130 is approved, what happens next?

2 - Do the boys have to go to the U.S. embassy for anything? (like how my wife did for her visa)

3 - Do I have to attend anything in the Philippines (since I'm the petitioner) or can my wife do it (since she'll be in the Philippines anyway)?

4 - Is there any kind of medical exam (like my wife had before her interview)?

Any help would be greatly appreciated,

Mark & Fatima

Edited July 20, 2015 by Mark&Fatima

[aaron2020 11,651]

Hi,

1. USCIS approves the I-130s and forwards them to the NVC. You pay the fees and file for the DS-260 and I-864. NVC collects DS-260, I-864 and supporting documents and forwards to US Embassy. Beneficiaries will get medical exams and attend interviews at US Embassy. Visas get issued. Children enter US and get 10 years green cards.

2. Yes, interview. Same as your wife.

3. Wife can take the children to the embassy.

4. Yes, every potential immigrant must get a medical exam.

Best of luck

[Mark&Fatima 14]

Thanks for the fast response, and for the answers!

[Dean_De 61]

Hi,

1. USCIS approves the I-130s and forwards them to the NVC. You pay the fees and file for the DS-260 and I-864. NVC collects DS-260, I-864 and supporting documents and forwards to US Embassy. Beneficiaries will get medical exams and attend interviews at US Embassy. Visas get issued. Children enter US and get 10 years green cards.

2. Yes, interview. Same as your wife.

3. Wife can take the children to the embassy.

4. Yes, every potential immigrant must get a medical exam.

Best of luck

Just an add on:

After visa is issued> 1. They minor will have to get a CFO Sticker. To do that,they need to attend Peer counselling. Exception: For children 12 years old and below are exempted from attending the PDOS. They must, however, be registered, even if by proxy. The following additional documents are required if the proxy is not the legal/natural/adoptive parent of the registrant.

1. Original and photocopy of one(1) of valid identification card with photograph of the proxy
2. Special Power of Attorney authenticated by Diplomatic Post if parent/s/ or guardian/s are based overseas; or a duly notarized authorization letter executed by parent/s or guardian/s while in the Philippines.
3. Other documents that may be required by the registration officers.

Source: http://www.cfo.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1347%3Afor-filipinos-leaving-the-country-with-an-immigrant-visa&catid=139%3Apre-departure-orientation-seminar&Itemid=833

2. Pay the Immigrant fee ( $165 for each applicant )

3. DSWD clearance, if applicable.

[aurpol 17]

You may consider requesting to expedite their cases once it reaches NVC and have paid all the fees (AOS and Visa Fee), if in case you want them to arrive on a much earlier time or speed up the process.

[jobenpez1 0]

To aurpol: I am also interested in the case can you please explain how to expedite the case to make it fast? I am filing in August and really want my kids to be here for Christmas so please what is the procedure? Thanks

[leeandcorinne 1]

Hi everyone!

The I130 Immigrant Petition for my son (my husband (US Citizen) filled for it as his stepson) has been approved on June 12th and sent to NVC on June 19th, I still did not receive any letter from NVC or case number.

My question is : How long did it take for you folks to have a case number after the petition has been approved by USCIS and sent to NVC.?

Thank you for your replies.

Corinne

[tasakchy 9]

Hi everyone!

The I130 Immigrant Petition for my son (my husband (US Citizen) filled for it as his stepson) has been approved on June 12th and sent to NVC on June 19th, I still did not receive any letter from NVC or case number.

My question is : How long did it take for you folks to have a case number after the petition has been approved by USCIS and sent to NVC.?

Thank you for your replies.

Corinne

Since its been over a month, you should probably start calling NVC. They can give you the case number over the phone and you can also ask for the invoice number so you can log on to ceac and start the process.

Also, another note, once they give you your case number, you should also provide your email addresses so they can send everything through email.

Edited July 24, 2015 by tasakchy

[Brassballs 48]

It can take 6+ weeks for the NVC to acknowledge receipt of case from USCIS and actually issue their own case #.

Re expedite... There are specific rules to allow case to be expedited. Search on the NVC website. I'm pretty sure that wanting your step kids here by Christmas is NOT a qualifying event.

Re what happens next... I read on another post that CR2 child under 18 at time of POE will become automatic USC. Someone here said they get 10 year green card. One is right and one is wrong. Which is it? And if the citizenship is correct. what additional forms must be filed?

Previous responses provided about process in the Philippines are correct. Everything is just the same as for your wife except there is no need for NBI background check or CENOMAR stuff. When you get AOS invoice you only need to pay once since both cases will be at NVC at the same time. I don't know how this happens though, so you will probably need to call after you have both MNL#'s in hand. You WILL have to pay the $325 IV filing fee twice.

Interview for CR2 at USEM is not really an interview. My step-daughter was asked if her name was Marilyn. She nodded her head 'yes' and that was it. For 7-9 yo maybe a little more general chit chat. What's your dad's name? Where does he live? Etc.

You can get specific questions answered in the Phil forum here. Good luck. Be prepared for a possible 9-12 month wait.

[leeandcorinne 1]

Thank you for your reply folks!

I got my case number today by mail.

I will provide my email, good idea Tasakchy!

[rayman2333 0]

Since its been over a month, you should probably start calling NVC. They can give you the case number over the phone and you can also ask for the invoice number so you can log on to ceac and start the process.

Also, another note, once they give you your case number, you should also provide your email addresses so they can send everything through email.

I'm also waiting for Case # from NVC to Start process, for Stepson, it's been over 5 weeks now, should I call ?

[Laz 1]

I'm also petitioning my step-son from the Philippines but he just turned 18. My case is complete at the NVC and we're waiting for an appointment at the US Embassy in the Philippines. The CFO is new to me and this is the first time I hear of this. Does he have to go through this once he get's his immigrant VISA? Do all Filipinos have to do this to leave the country?

Thanks,

Laz