Stevephoto

Thanks! It definitely sucked. I think I am out of the woods but I will keep the syrup in mind. Yeah...QR code...that's it (nod to Jon Lovitz)!!!

Mabuhay! Sorry this is a "late" review. Joan and I visited family and to check on the progress of our house (many of you know that we are planning a move in early to mid-2024) in June. This note is late is because unfortunately, despite being extremely careful for the past 3 1/2 years, I tested positive for COVID the day after we returned to Hawaii. Many of you also know that I have Cerebral Palsy and I am on the list of people at high risk for a severe respiratory outcome--or worse--from COVID. In fact, it has now been a month and while I am thankfully alive, I am still congested with an annoying cough. So, no editorial intent here, but this junk is still out there (always will be), so be cautious. I can now say that this is not a fun virus to deal with. Oh, for what it is worth, I was only around people I did not know without a mask for 5 minutes maximum. Anyway... Things are moving along beautifully. The house looks amazing! There were some questions about eTravel before we left and I had some questions about Joan traveling as a dual citizen. I know that this information is a month old (so things could have changed plenty by now!), but our experience was very easy and smooth (relatively!) First: eTravel. VERY simple. Fill out the form online and download and/or receive a scan code by email. Save the the scan code (sorry, I'm old and don't know the actual name for those thingys (NO laughing @RO_AH!). To be honest, I am not sure that anyone actually looked for the code. I know that we passed a quarantine section in the airport and we both had our phones out. There were two lanes--one for those who had the code and one for those who still needed to register. Remember, I was receiving wheelchair assistance, so perhaps the assistant "nodded" us along. I don't know, but we were never stopped for a check. We were also "required" to register for eTravel for the return trip to the US and I am sure that no one checked it at the airport. The hardest part was getting the information registered on the website with the hotel wifi (I think we just used the data part of our phone plan instead). Nothing to it. No vaccine card check. No questions. Nothing. The information stated here about traveling as a dual citizen was spot on. US Passport in the US. Both passports in the Phils. Done. The only "funny" incident was returning. I had the "balikbayan" extension marked in my passport. I was asked if I had extended my stay and then the immigration officer noticed Joan and put two and two together. Done. Easy...for now! Salamat again to all of you for your support! I hope this helps those traveling soon. Safe travels...and don't forget...it is HOT in the Philippines!

You beat me to it! I was just going to say that the etravel replaced the One Health Pass. The website seems pretty straightforward.

Salamat as always everyone! You "Da Bestest!"

Mabuhay Everyone! Sorry if this has been asked before. I couldn’t find anything in the archives. Joan and I are going to the Philippines in June. This will be her first time returning as a dual US-Filipino citizen. We booked the flight using her US passport. Are there any special things we need to do? Does she present both passports at each step (TSA, security and the gate in the US, immigration in the Philippines, security and immigration leaving the Philippines and immigration when we return to the US?) I reached out to Philippine Airlines, but they could not answer my question. Salamat!

Thought so. Worth asking. Thanks.

My best GUESS is that she would need to get tourist visas for each of those countries (if needed from the Philippines). I don't see how the K-1 application in and of itself would have any impact on her traveling as a Filipino citizen. Others, please correct me if I am wrong.

@JMPM when is she scheduled to return to the US? @Mike E First, thank you for all the incredible support and knowledge you share--I still learn from you 11 years into this. Pardon my uninformed question (I think I know the answer...), but is there any way for JMPM to contact USCIS on behalf of his wife and tell them that she is out of the country?

That is `what I thought. Thanks for confirming it.

"Back ion the day" (2013?) there were lines of chairs set up--each line representing a different visa category. We got there at "Oh-dark-thirty" and were about the fourth in line for the K-1 line. It actually did not matter because the chairs were still (pick a number) of feet from the first security check-in. You can figure out what happened when the doors "opened!" There was a second "official" seating area--still outside the embassy--where you waited for your number to be called---THEN you got inside to wait for your biometrics and interviews. I have a complete review of the process in my timeline, but like @Chancy said, probably no need to be there before sunrise! Best of luck!

AWESOME!!!

We went to El Nido about 5 or 6 years ago. It is still the most beautiful place I have ever seen--and I live in Hawaii which has its own spectacular spots! Please feel free to contact me when you get closer to your move. I will be happy to share what I learned (here from my VJ friends as well as what happens as we go). Best of luck to you. Good info on BPI. That is our first choice and now might be a "Day 1 visit" when we go back to set things up. Salamat.

These updates have been extremely helpful. Salamat. Most of you know that I will be starting the 13A/move process in a few months and, while exciting, it is a bit daunting too. I THINK what I am about to say is true but PLEASE correct me if I am wrong: Doesn't the 13A also allow you to work in the Philippines but not the BB? I feel like I felt 11 years ago when Joan was coming here! I want to (again) thank all of you. I hope that my experiences and comments have helped some people along the way, but I KNOW you have all helped--and continue to help--us for 11 years.

Aloha! Believe it or not, Joan and I are about T-minus 11 months and counting before the move to the Philippines! It will be here before we know it and we will have a LOT to do, especially in the second half of the year. We do have some (OK, a lot!) questions as we plan for the move. Any information would be appreciated as always! Our local consulate is once again processing 13A Spouse Immigrant Visas. The processing time is about 15 days—way better than months in the Philippines! We still do not have an exact move date, but we are looking at the end of 2023. I will be 62 years old when I retire/we move. 1. VISA questions: The process seems straightforward and similar to what it was to bring Joan here (application form, medical, chest x-rays, financial statements, etc.). A. How long before the move would be a good time to apply for the visa? B. I assume the question about arrests does not include minor traffic violations. Am I correct? I have a few traffic tickets over 40 years but have never been arrested for anything. C. They ask for a local police clearance. I assume they want it from Hawaii and not the FBI? Either is fine, I just don’t want to waste time sending the wrong one. D. I will obviously note that I have Cerebral Palsy in the “physical defect” question on the application but will note that it does not qualify as an A or B category medical issue (same will be noted on the medical form). Do you see any issues with that? E. I searched and searched but could not find any specific reference to the financial requirements. We will own our house and land outright by the time we move and my pensions from NY, CA and HI along with SSA, while not a great deal of money, will cover our bills with some left over. I will not be retired yet if I apply for the visa from Hawaii. Would the calculated estimates plus title (I am listed on the title as “married to...) be sufficient to prove financial stability? 2. Banking Issues: A. Our current bank will allow us to keep the account with a Philippine address, so that is very helpful. We will be setting up a bank account in the Philippines when we visit this summer (I know about the IRS form we need if we maintain a foreign account with at least $10,000.00—no biggie). My pensions need to go into a US bank account (which is OK because we will still have some bills and taxes that will come out of our US account), but SSA can be deposited directly in the Philippines—but I assume that my name needs to be on that account and I believe I can be listed on the account with Joan. We will have to send some of my pension from the US account to the Philippines, so it is not a major problem to have the SSA deposited to the US account and transfer if that is easier. B. Speaking of sending money from the US to the Philippines once we live there, do you have any recommendations? We use Remitly now (I know that there are other choices, but so far, they work for us), however, they are only licensed to remit funds from the US if the sender resides in the US. They have a 6-month grace period but will then shut the accounts down. I have looked repeatedly online and I cannot find any options besides bank to bank transfers or ATM withdrawals and both of those are expensive. Do you have any recommendations? We may also have a larger amount to send once we sell our condo, but that might need to be bank to bank transfer unless someone has other experiences. 3. Health Insurance A. Do you have any recommendations for health insurance? I am looking at the Kaiser International Senior Plan for me and something else for Joan, but not sure which way to go. 4. Driving issues A. I have had a driver’s license for over 40 years. I understand that getting a driver’s license might be “interesting” once we get there. Do you see any issues with me obtaining a driver’s license as a person with a disability? To be honest, I would not be terribly upset to “retire” from driving, but it would be good to have a license for emergencies. 5. Credit card issues A. Do you know of any US credit card companies that allow you to have a foreign address? We have 3 now, but probably need to cancel them because they do not allow foreign addresses. We aren’t thrilled with the idea of using a friend or relative’s address. We also need to figure out how to cancel them without hurting our credit score. We have worked very hard and both have high scores. I think that is it for now. We hope that we have not asked too much!! Salamat mga kaibigan!