Talako

Usually the number one trip up on the NBI clearance are aka's. Make sure to include all names. This sometimes this pops up on birth certificate corrections.

No you wouldn't. (You always have a Balikbayan privilege with a no outward ticket requirement in your back pocket should something go sideways.)

On SRRV, yes, they changed the law to 50+. You can thank the Chinese. You can get a driver's license with a Balikbayan visa. I was able to. (Maybe which office, who you know, and the voice of your wallet determines success). As far as working, you don't want to work here. Pay is so low that it is not worth your time and effort even as a professional. As a digital nomad working for an overseas company, then that is possible if you rationalize the technicalities. I worked on a 13A here, and I gave up. After changing requirements, a fight with NBI over middle names, and a form requesting 5 things I dislike about my wife (I'm not that frickin stupid), I decided to forego it until I stop traveling and getting a Balikbayan visa becomes an issue. Then maybe an SRRV at that point.

As I read through this thread there seems to be this odd mixture of confusion and a refusal to listen. All I can say to that is Good Luck.

Ok, I will give it a shot. I've been in PH for several years using a Balikbayan. Q1-2: All I remember is that there are a few step in Manila. They should have told you the steps. Review the info on the consulates website. Q3: Yes, that is my understanding. The visa doesn't expire, but the card does every five years. There is an annual report every Jan-Feb. Q4: I use a VPN showing my location as being in the US (both phone and computer). I use Xoom, and I have not had a problem in over two years. I transfer USD to my wife's BPI USD account. VPN set to a US server. Q5: Yes, I have had no issue with any of the websites you mentioned. I have had no issues with SSA, IRS, banks, brokerages, and etc. However, it is important that you maintain a US phone number for verifications. Some sites you can use email or app notifications, but some do not. See Q7. Q6: Pick one. I would use it before you leave to make sure you understand, and you are happy with it. My VPN service is ok. Make sure you can install it on your phone and/or tablet as well. With Netflix, you play a game at times. Every once in a while they will detect the use of VPN, and you will have to change servers. My wife watches the Good Doctor (not offered in the US) on Netflix, and we have had to change the servers from Portugal to Germany to Israel to Australia to now, New Zealand. Watch a few episodes and the proxy service warning comes on. You change servers, and the games resets. Your experience will be different with each VPN service. Q7: I don't know if it is the best, but Google Voice works for me. I have no issues with authentications. It acts just like a US number with calls and texts to and from. Q8: Yes, it will cut off. The number is cutoff from your provider (Verizon, TMoble, AT&T, etc.) Port the number to Google (and pay the fee) before you go to make sure it works. The number will work again once ported, but only through wifi (Google Voice app) if your phone doesn't have a data plan. Q9: I have a PH local number and data plan through Smart. It is $15 for 90 days or about $5 a month. The local data allows me to use the Google number anywhere I have wifi as well as anywhere there is cell service. The local data plan and number will make your life easier. The only thing weird to happen to me with Google Voice is that every once in a while it wants to re-authenticate my phone number. I found that logging into Google voice using my computer and VPN (Seattle), it goes away on my phone. Secondly, if you travel back to the US or visit another country like Japan, you can use an eSim service like Airalo for data temporarily assuming your phone can do eSims. That allows the phone data as well as letting Google Voice to work. Not mentioned in your list of Qs, but you should have a US physical mailing address. If you don't and you have a brokerage account, they (Schwab, Fidelity, Vanguard, etc.) may hunt you down and give you grief. I know from experience. Hope there is some help somewhere in all that.

There is both a garage and a surface parking lot.

I have no idea how it works in connection with the DS160. I do know that it would be discussed in the interview. Have a look at this for what I mean: https://www.boundless.com/immigration-resources/how-to-prove-strong-ties-b1-b2-travel-visa/

When interviewing for a visa, they look for ties to the Philippines that would bring them back. Are there more incentives for them to return than to stay in the in US? So all ties such as jobs, businesses, relatives, property ownership, investments, and various other commitments help bolster the belief that they would return. Having a house is just one of many factors that create a belief that they will return.

In my experience, EVA Airlines is an excellent airline. The only horrible thing I can think of is the Hello Kitty themed gate area in Taiwan.

Here is an alternative if you decide on becoming a world traveler: https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions?affiliateId=sherpa&language=en-US Any place to any other place, this covers it.

The best place I have found for information is the airlines, as they are the gate keepers. Try this link, and enter your info: https://www.philippineairlines.com/en/covid-information-hub/covid-requirements

I can see that they might want to see her CENOMAR. You wouldn't need one. Are you sure they are asking for one from you specifically?

Last year I sent 36 XLarge BB boxes. It was anywhere from 3 to 12 at a time. What was utterly amazing was that all 38 arrived to the Central Visayas unmolested and unopened. My wife used simple, over broad, general categories. She used "Kitchenwares," "Home Decor," "Shoes," etc. My suggestion is to pick an overarching bland generic term to label your stuff. Nobody is going to care. I would suggest that you do not itemize. Itemization will probably give you nothing but grief.

I have never heard of that because there is no such certificate that can be produced in the US. We can provide proof that we are born, married, divorced, or widowed, but we cannot provide certified proof that a person is single. I do not know what to tell you. Maybe Chancy, Adventine, RO_AH, or Top Secret can provide some guidance on the best course of action.

It is a 2 day ordeal that sometimes completes in 1. You should plan for 2.

Given the snark, yes I can. Meek = bad

As RO_AH responded, there is no cost. The only issue with CFO is ever changing requirements. As a side note, Filipina's who are shy, quiet, meek, and avoid eye contact will find it a rough go. They are chum to the CFO sharks.

Unless something has changed recently, I don't believe any document needs to have wet signatures for the embassy. The I-134 doesn't mean much. It is the I-864 filed at AOS that commits.

Once you get that CFO completed, she's ready to go. Congrats

Depends on what you need it for. A lot of electronics are dual voltage.

I was in McDonalds today, and there was someone in there yelling "Merry Christmas everyone!" Really weird.

It is September 1st here in the Philippines. So, to kick off the Christmas season: Merry Christmas! If you have no idea why I am saying this on September 1st, then ask or read up on Filipino culture. haha

Just so you know, you can through the whole process only to get a blurry, jacked-up birth certificate copy from PSA. My wife's BC was pretty close to unreadable. It was stamped best copy possible. It got us through, but it was messed up. Good luck.

You need to forget about it. Do nothing. You won't get a RFE. You keep picking at it, screwing with it, draw attention to it, you will potentially create a problem out of nothing. An explanation letter will do nothing but put a red light and siren on it. That can cause stupid people to do stupid things. Don't let stupid people have a chance or the opportunity to screw up your journey. Frozen, "Let it go."