Manila Embassy Interview/Visa Status

[Chantel 0]

how many copies exactly do i have to make for the DS156 DS157 DS156K? thanks

DS 157- 2 copies one of it is validated by the bank

DS 156- 2 copies with barcode

DS 156K- 1 copy

[lirachadsbaby 0]

Hay.. I had trouble with the DMV too. The people here were actually nice about it.. They were going to give me a state ID (I still use my Philippine license, since here I'm allowed to drive on it for a year, unless I get Permanent residence status first), but weren't sure how long it would be valid. They called the Columbus office, and THOSE people said they can't give me one because my passort and visa are in my maiden name (of course.. it's a k1 visa) and my letter from the DHS (NOA) was in my married name (Duh.. i got married), so even if I had the marriage certificate (original!) it doesn't count. The people in the local office were surprised, but.. they had to go with what was said. But at least I didn't pay them yet.

Any of the other AOS people gotten their interview dates yet? Besides Ate Luz? Just got mine today, and I'm *(@^#in scared. Stress levels just skyrocketed! Mainly because I have no idea where to get "evidence". We only have marriage-stuff, a joint bank account, and insurance. No bills, no nothing, because we live with my parents-in-law (but pay them rent) so everything's in their name. Gah. :stress:

Sis Jackie, ano balita sa iyo? Haven't heard from you in a while!

Hi sis!!!! We have been very busy lately for doing lots of packing some stuff because we are moving to Las Vegas on Fri. since my hubby got his job transferred there. Supposedly last Aug. 14 is our schedule to move out. However, i got my biometrics schedule for aug.24 therefore we cancelled our original plan. With your encountered at DMV i had the same scenario. One of the reason why we had to drove by to Phil. Embassy at San Francisco (5-6 hrs. driving from south lake tahoe) is for my passport need to be change since one of the DMV officer required it as well as for our joint accounts they want my married name to be appear exactly in my passport. They dont recognize the marriage certificate (sakit sa ulo )! we spent $50 for new passport and $25 report of marriage. One thing that is good for that DMV officer she said she would rather not to take our pay and make everything be in order on our part than to give me temporary ID and turn out wasted in the end. I will still have to wait for my greencard till I am qualified to have license.(Thank God my new passport is done). Goodluck and God Bless to all of us here.

i had somehow the same experience wit u guys. i applied for state ID here and i was refused to. they said i need to change my status first for i entered here with k visa. we waited there for more than 2 hours and just wasted our time. hopefully i would have my interview soon and be able to get green card.

Edited August 25, 2007 by lirachadsbaby

[David-and-Mae 15]

i had somehow the same experience wit u guys. i applied for state ID here and i was refused to. they said i need to change my status first for i entered here with k visa. we waited there for more than 2 hours and just wasted our time. hopefully i would have my interview soon and be able to get green card.

My state ID arrived in the mail yesterday. It's a non-driving class as I still need to learn how to drive and take various tests. I didn't have any problem applying for one because the lady who accomodated me at the DMV knew about immigration BS and she said I did the right thing of applying for the state ID before my I-94 expires. Otherwise, I will need to wait until I got my greencard.

--Mae

[iya 0]

My state ID arrived in the mail yesterday. It's a non-driving class as I still need to learn how to drive and take various tests. I didn't have any problem applying for one because the lady who accomodated me at the DMV knew about immigration BS and she said I did the right thing of applying for the state ID before my I-94 expires. Otherwise, I will need to wait until I got my greencard.

--Mae

Congrats, Mae, on your successful acquisition of a StateID!! (inggit ako)

If I'd known that they would give me hell over the State ID, I would have just applied for one in my maiden name, even though it would expire in a month - I really only need it to open a bank account! Oh well, guess I'll wait for the greencard. Hope it's soon, though! I would solve a LOT of problems for us I want to start working. (I can feel my brain turning to mush with my inactivity.. I'm so not domesticated)

SideNote - it's fun to know that coupons in the US are worth something, unlike the ones in PI. Hehe, I've been keeping myself busy with coupon clipping and decimating my CVS shopping from about 100 down to 50 dollars, or 40 and 20 down to 2 dollars.

I need a greencard so I can stop this coupon nonsense!

Edited August 25, 2007 by iya

[lirachadsbaby 0]

i had somehow the same experience wit u guys. i applied for state ID here and i was refused to. they said i need to change my status first for i entered here with k visa. we waited there for more than 2 hours and just wasted our time. hopefully i would have my interview soon and be able to get green card.

My state ID arrived in the mail yesterday. It's a non-driving class as I still need to learn how to drive and take various tests. I didn't have any problem applying for one because the lady who accomodated me at the DMV knew about immigration BS and she said I did the right thing of applying for the state ID before my I-94 expires. Otherwise, I will need to wait until I got my greencard.

--Mae

that is great Mae. ur so lucky and am not i guess the DMV personnel who accommodated me is not as expert as what u have there or it might be it's really in their policy here. i still have few months to stuck myself here if my husband is at work. more patience

[lirachadsbaby 0]

My state ID arrived in the mail yesterday. It's a non-driving class as I still need to learn how to drive and take various tests. I didn't have any problem applying for one because the lady who accomodated me at the DMV knew about immigration BS and she said I did the right thing of applying for the state ID before my I-94 expires. Otherwise, I will need to wait until I got my greencard.

--Mae

Congrats, Mae, on your successful acquisition of a StateID!! (inggit ako)

If I'd known that they would give me hell over the State ID, I would have just applied for one in my maiden name, even though it would expire in a month - I really only need it to open a bank account! Oh well, guess I'll wait for the greencard. Hope it's soon, though! I would solve a LOT of problems for us I want to start working. (I can feel my brain turning to mush with my inactivity.. I'm so not domesticated)

SideNote - it's fun to know that coupons in the US are worth something, unlike the ones in PI. Hehe, I've been keeping myself busy with coupon clipping and decimating my CVS shopping from about 100 down to 50 dollars, or 40 and 20 down to 2 dollars.

I need a greencard so I can stop this coupon nonsense!

hello! iya,

when we applied for my bank account, they didnt asked about state ID, just my SSN and i applied using my married name.

different place, different policy...and more to deal for us.

[David-and-Mae 15]

My state ID arrived in the mail yesterday. It's a non-driving class as I still need to learn how to drive and take various tests. I didn't have any problem applying for one because the lady who accomodated me at the DMV knew about immigration BS and she said I did the right thing of applying for the state ID before my I-94 expires. Otherwise, I will need to wait until I got my greencard.

--Mae

Congrats, Mae, on your successful acquisition of a StateID!! (inggit ako)

If I'd known that they would give me hell over the State ID, I would have just applied for one in my maiden name, even though it would expire in a month - I really only need it to open a bank account! Oh well, guess I'll wait for the greencard. Hope it's soon, though! I would solve a LOT of problems for us I want to start working. (I can feel my brain turning to mush with my inactivity.. I'm so not domesticated)

SideNote - it's fun to know that coupons in the US are worth something, unlike the ones in PI. Hehe, I've been keeping myself busy with coupon clipping and decimating my CVS shopping from about 100 down to 50 dollars, or 40 and 20 down to 2 dollars.

I need a greencard so I can stop this coupon nonsense!

hello! iya,

when we applied for my bank account, they didnt asked about state ID, just my SSN and i applied using my married name.

different place, different policy...and more to deal for us.

Yeah, I must agree with you Lira. We'll be working on a bank account and medical benefits for me sometime next month when it's a lot cooler and nice to travel. I already got my second SS card (I changed name after we got married) so I assume we won't be having any trouble doing those. We have to start working on pro ofs of marital relation for our AOS, even though as of yet, our check remains uncashed. David thinks it's not necessary that we include my name in our utility bills and such, so right now I'm slowly working my way to make him do it.

@iya,

Hang in there sister! We love coupons too and we're always on the look for big sale . What I couldn't get over until now is the cost to have your nails done. Goodness! $35 plus tip for manicure/pedicure??? Ever since I got here, I only had my nails done once (for the wedding) and I was really shocked and almost got choked of how expensive it was. Everytime we would pass by a nail salon, David would ask me if I want some pampering. My answer's always "HECK NO!" Now, I do my own nails. Not so bad, even though it's unprofessionally done. I should have brought with me my manicure set in PI.

[Richard&Maria 0]

My state ID arrived in the mail yesterday. It's a non-driving class as I still need to learn how to drive and take various tests. I didn't have any problem applying for one because the lady who accomodated me at the DMV knew about immigration BS and she said I did the right thing of applying for the state ID before my I-94 expires. Otherwise, I will need to wait until I got my greencard.

--Mae

Congrats, Mae, on your successful acquisition of a StateID!! (inggit ako)

If I'd known that they would give me hell over the State ID, I would have just applied for one in my maiden name, even though it would expire in a month - I really only need it to open a bank account! Oh well, guess I'll wait for the greencard. Hope it's soon, though! I would solve a LOT of problems for us I want to start working. (I can feel my brain turning to mush with my inactivity.. I'm so not domesticated)

SideNote - it's fun to know that coupons in the US are worth something, unlike the ones in PI. Hehe, I've been keeping myself busy with coupon clipping and decimating my CVS shopping from about 100 down to 50 dollars, or 40 and 20 down to 2 dollars.

I need a greencard so I can stop this coupon nonsense!

hello! iya,

when we applied for my bank account, they didnt asked about state ID, just my SSN and i applied using my married name.

different place, different policy...and more to deal for us.

Yeah, I must agree with you Lira. We'll be working on a bank account and medical benefits for me sometime next month when it's a lot cooler and nice to travel. I already got my second SS card (I changed name after we got married) so I assume we won't be having any trouble doing those. We have to start working on pro ofs of marital relation for our AOS, even though as of yet, our check remains uncashed. David thinks it's not necessary that we include my name in our utility bills and such, so right now I'm slowly working my way to make him do it.

@iya,

Hang in there sister! We love coupons too and we're always on the look for big sale . What I couldn't get over until now is the cost to have your nails done. Goodness! $35 plus tip for manicure/pedicure??? Ever since I got here, I only had my nails done once (for the wedding) and I was really shocked and almost got choked of how expensive it was. Everytime we would pass by a nail salon, David would ask me if I want some pampering. My answer's always "HECK NO!" Now, I do my own nails. Not so bad, even though it's unprofessionally done. I should have brought with me my manicure set in PI.

Hi Sisters,

As your Ate, I would like to share with you some of my experiences. I applied for a state ID using the marriage certificate, bank account, SSN and proof of biometrics completed, together with a download print-out of a DMV regulation stating that a state ID can be issued while awaiting for the finality of the AOS/greencard. We requested to talk to the supervisor who readily understood that the state ID was needed to encash checks, do money transactions like paying for credit card purchases, etc. The sate ID came in the mail within 10 days and it costs $9.

My son waited for his greencard then we presented it at the DMV and immediately he got his state ID within minutes also at $9.

You an apply for a driver's license if you can present your green card, passport, and birth certificate. They will make you take the vision test, the computerized touch screen signs and instructions theoretical test (read the driving manual first) and if you pass, they will sked you for a road driving test.

I have a local Manila driver's license and an international driver's license so I did not go through a temps (should drive with a companion with a valid license) but I still need to get a regular driver's license before the international license expires. Also consider that cost of car insurance if you do not have a driver's license.

Hope I have shed some light on your predicament. After being here for 5 months, i already learned how ti drive the US way...speed limits posted everywhere. And yes, obey traffic signs.

Maria

[iya 0]

hello! iya,

when we applied for my bank account, they didnt asked about state ID, just my SSN and i applied using my married name.

different place, different policy...and more to deal for us.

When hubby added me to his account, they just asked for my SSN and my passport. But when I wanted to open my own account, I started encountering problems - one wanted a State ID, the other wanted a "credit card from another Big US Bank", another wanted a GreenCard! Hala... different places, different banks, different policies! Gosh...

Hang in there sister! We love coupons too and we're always on the look for big sale . What I couldn't get over until now is the cost to have your nails done. Goodness! $35 plus tip for manicure/pedicure??? Ever since I got here, I only had my nails done once (for the wedding) and I was really shocked and almost got choked of how expensive it was. Everytime we would pass by a nail salon, David would ask me if I want some pampering. My answer's always "HECK NO!" Now, I do my own nails. Not so bad, even though it's unprofessionally done. I should have brought with me my manicure set in PI.

Haha, I never got a manicure or pedicure even back in the Philippines, BUT! Haircuts. Haircuts!! The prices here are killing me. All the time I say I need to get my hair cut (it really gets in the way, and it doesn't dry as quickly here!), and all the time hubby says "Let's go to Fantastic Sam's" and.. I never go. I said I'd give that "layer your own hair" thing a shot, but I'm too chicken. Hahay.

Hi Sisters,

As your Ate, I would like to share with you some of my experiences. I applied for a state ID using the marriage certificate, bank account, SSN and proof of biometrics completed, together with a download print-out of a DMV regulation stating that a state ID can be issued while awaiting for the finality of the AOS/greencard. We requested to talk to the supervisor who readily understood that the state ID was needed to encash checks, do money transactions like paying for credit card purchases, etc. The sate ID came in the mail within 10 days and it costs $9.

I have a local Manila driver's license and an international driver's license so I did not go through a temps (should drive with a companion with a valid license) but I still need to get a regular driver's license before the international license expires. Also consider that cost of car insurance if you do not have a driver's license.

Hope I have shed some light on your predicament. After being here for 5 months, i already learned how ti drive the US way...speed limits posted everywhere. And yes, obey traffic signs.

Maria

Yes, I had all of that except the printout. My boo-boo. Sayang, but I think I'll just wait it out. It's just a couple more months anyway.. if the interview goes well. I did manage to open a checking account with Chase, which came with a free Visa Check Card, so I don't have to bring cash with me anymore. In the case of check encashments, I'll survive - no one will issue me a check anyway

And I agree - obey traffic signs and speed limits I don't care of I have a "parada" behind me, I'm not breaking any laws and speed limits while I'm on my International License! :laugh:

[lirachadsbaby 0]

i never tried to have my hair cut here. seeing those high prices/rates for different services made me shocked. what i do is, cut my own hair and so with coloring it(black). for that, i saved 40$ or more. i wont be bothered anymore spending that much just for a hair cut.

[Sheriff Uling 3]

I cut my wife's hair and everybody loves it... Now all I have to do is act gay and start my own salon... Shine na!!! Hehehehe!!!

[lirachadsbaby 0]

I cut my wife's hair and everybody loves it... Now all I have to do is act gay and start my own salon... Shine na!!! Hehehehe!!!

hahaha..that's cool!

[Lina 0]

I cut my wife's hair and everybody loves it... Now all I have to do is act gay and start my own salon... Shine na!!! Hehehehe!!!

Same like my husband he cut my hair and I cut his hair too .

[Lina 0]

i never tried to have my hair cut here. seeing those high prices/rates for different services made me shocked. what i do is, cut my own hair and so with coloring it(black). for that, i saved 40$ or more. i wont be bothered anymore spending that much just for a hair cut.

Welcome to America Lira everything here is expensive

[island_princess 2]

Concerning this....

Is is advisable to buy shoes and clothes here in the Philippines before departing to US?

i never tried to have my hair cut here. seeing those high prices/rates for different services made me shocked. what i do is, cut my own hair and so with coloring it(black). for that, i saved 40$ or more. i wont be bothered anymore spending that much just for a hair cut.

Welcome to America Lira everything here is expensive