My Journey K-1 and CR-1.

[coa24 69]

For some here know my story in full. I actually went through the visa process twice in Manila. The first time was a K-1 visa and was married in 2015. My first wife would develop breast cancer during pregnancy and then later died in the Philippines in 2017. The k-1 visa was a breeze and I wad easily able to bring my first wife to the USA. After her death, I would be married again to our best friend a year after the death of my first wife. We were married in the Philippines. And since I had been living in the Philippines for the last two years, was able to apply for the spouse visa via DCF. We filed on December 12 and received the need for more docs on December 20, 2018. We then sent the docs in late January and on February 12 was.approved for the interview. March 25 was our interview, it was a nice experience. We received a 221g for not having the proper PSA documents and for not having my sponsors tax transcripts. We sent the 221g docs in on April 3rd. The received them on April 5th. April 8, 11, and 12 were date changes but stayed at Administrative Processing. April 15 the status finally changed to issue. But then the 4 holiday came and no word on the visa and passport being sent. Finally on April 23, the date changes again as issued and finally April 25th the passport was sent. 

 

We inquired with 2go multiple times. They stated that if the passport wasn't picked up by 9am from the embassy then the visa was not sent that day. Was surprised how accurate that statement was because around 10 am this morning I noticed a change of status on the ustraveldocs website to left the consular section.

 

We also did not receive a text message or email from 2go regarding the passport being sent unless it us sent later. We saw the change on 2go with the UID and not the passport or case no. around 1pm. 

 

So a little tidbit for those wondering if their passport was sent yet or not. The reason why we were looking foe her passport is because she has a business trip starting May 1. So time was extremely important as she will be leaving the country. 

 

It has been a good learning experience. And grateful that we are finally on the road to migrating back to the USA (though personally would stay in the Philippines if able). Hope this helps those wondering about the process, especially those who are waiting on their passports after the issuance of visa.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Glad all is going well for y'all!! 

 

Happy for you!

[coa24 69]

Thanks Hank. We received our passport today. Our travel date will be at the end of June. The fee of $160 is paid at the airport at immigration in the USA? What is that for exactly, just curious.

[Hank_ 9,174]

10 minutes ago, coa24 said:

Thanks Hank. We received our passport today. Our travel date will be at the end of June. The fee of $160 is paid at the airport at immigration in the USA? What is that for exactly, just curious.

 $160 ??     not sure what that is.   There is the ELIS fee ($220), paid online, which is payment for the processing of the green card, once your wife clears POE and USCIS gets the case file they will issue that, along with ordering her SS card.   Best to pay that as early as possible as the green card will not be processed until payment is received ... most pay it before leaving the Philippines.

 

https://www.uscis.gov/forms/how-pay-uscis-immigrant-fee

There is the travel tax (P1620), here is a link, info is at the bottom of this page as to the options for paying that. 

http://www.visaconnection-philippines.com/cfo-orientation-seminar.html

 

 And if you have been in the Phils for 6 months or more there is the ECC fee you need to handle through B-I.

http://immigration.gov.ph/faqs/emigration-clearance-certificate-ecc

 

 

Edited April 27, 2019 by Hank_

[coa24 69]

59 minutes ago, Hank_ said:

 $160 ??     not sure what that is.   There is the ELIS fee ($220), paid online, which is payment for the processing of the green card, once your wife clears POE and USCIS gets the case file they will issue that, along with ordering her SS card.   Best to pay that as early as possible as the green card will not be processed until payment is received ... most pay it before leaving the Philippines.

 

https://www.uscis.gov/forms/how-pay-uscis-immigrant-fee

There is the travel tax (P1620), here is a link, info is at the bottom of this page as to the options for paying that. 

http://www.visaconnection-philippines.com/cfo-orientation-seminar.html

 

 And if you have been in the Phils for 6 months or more there is the ECC fee you need to handle through B-I.

http://immigration.gov.ph/faqs/emigration-clearance-certificate-ecc

 

 

Ahh okay thanks for the information on that. On the last part. I am still on the Balikbayan (wrong spelling?) visa which will expire in August. Didn't think I needed to get the ECC for that. I did get it before getting married though because I was here more than a year and 6 months. But then left the country for our honeymoon. 

[Hank_ 9,174]

6 minutes ago, coa24 said:

Ahh okay thanks for the information on that. On the last part. I am still on the Balikbayan (wrong spelling?) visa which will expire in August. Didn't think I needed to get the ECC for that. I did get it before getting married though because I was here more than a year and 6 months. But then left the country for our honeymoon. 

Correct!  No ECC with the BB stamp .. you are golden!

 

 

[coa24 69]

We had the CFO today in Davao City. 4 out of 11 participants (2 spouse and 9 fiancee) received CO stickers. The rest were denied for one reason or the other (could be lack of docs). They focused on the my late wife and the relationship my late wife had with her and myself (we were all friends). They also wanted to know if my daughter and wife had a good relationship with one another. My wife was given the approval and was told that we have a very unique story. Glad we were approved. Davao seems like a difficult for the fiancee visa holder. Or maybe it was just one of those aberrations. 

 

The ELIS fee was paid online several weeks ago, so I think we are good to go. I guess the question with this is if I should make a copy of the payment receipt for the immigration officer. Though I doubt it is needed.

 

Our journey to the USA begins June 23.

Edited June 10, 2019 by coa24

[Hank_ 9,174]

5 minutes ago, coa24 said:

We had the CFO today in Davao City. 4 out of 11 participants (2 spouse and 9 fiancee) received CO stickers. The rest were denied for one reason or the other (could be lack of docs). They focused on the my late wife and the relationship my late wife had with her and myself (we were all friends). They also wanted to know if my daughter and wife had a good relationship with one another. My wife was given the approval and was told that we have a very unique story. Glad we were approved. Davao seems like a difficult for the fiancee visa holder. Or maybe it was just one of those aberrations. 

 

Our journey to the USA begins June 23.

 

CFO loves to be a PITA  ... which is why I list all the "other documents" they are known to ask for.

[coa24 69]

Yes they do. It is why we followed your website and the CFO site for guidance. You have a good site that many should follow. I followed it twice already as you know, for the k-1 with my late wife and my current wife on the spouse. You learn so much from the experience, but most of you learn patience. 

 

The only document they requested was our marriage contract and the photos of our wedding day. Other than that nothing else was asked beyond what was the initial requirement. 

Edited June 10, 2019 by coa24

[coa24 69]

What was also interesting about my wife's interview versus the others is that hers only took 5 min. With one doc requested. While the others took almost an hour with multiple docs being asked (according to the wife). 

 

My thinking it has to do with confidence and being believable. Of course a little favor from above goes a long ways as well.

 

Will update the POE account once we are in the USA on Monday.

[Hank_ 9,174]

POE should be a breeze.   Then having the green card and SS card arrive in the mail  (you did pay the ELIS fee?)  after your wife arrives is cool .. 

 

Then a 2 year break until it is time for ROC ..   

[coa24 69]

2 hours ago, Hank_ said:

POE should be a breeze.   Then having the green card and SS card arrive in the mail  (you did pay the ELIS fee?)  after your wife arrives is cool .. 

 

Then a 2 year break until it is time for ROC ..   

I did pay the ELIS fee about a month ago. I assume we do not need a copy of that receipt correct? Happy for the break for sure. Though will be missing the Philippines. Have really enjoyed my 2.5 years here. But also eager to start new in USA.

Edited June 17, 2019 by coa24

[Hank_ 9,174]

1 hour ago, coa24 said:

I did pay the ELIS fee about a month ago. I assume we do not need a copy of that receipt correct? Happy for the break for sure. Though will be missing the Philippines. Have really enjoyed my 2.5 years here. But also eager to start new in USA.

 

No one will ask for the receipt, but good to have for your personal records.

[coa24 69]

The POE was Washington D.C.

 

Before leaving Manila, I learned at immigration that they required proof of my daughter's dual citizenship, especially since American passport BB Visa expired last February 2018. I am glad we got her Filipino passport. After that, it was smooth in Manila.

 

Beijing is very strict and when you go through there you feel like they are against you. But we were able to make it through after several re-screenings (they did not like the projector, the separate bottle water that was not in the baby bottle, and the power bank). 

 

The POE was a breeze. Took about 30 minutes. The first officer was nice, then he placed the passport in the red container and called another officer to take us tot he secondary holding place. The second officer then question my wife privately asking her if she loved me and what the address in the USA was. After that, we were released to get our bags. 

 

Then we got our massive amount of bags.