RO_AH

Wait...Do I understand this right? (BTW my 2 boys are 3 & 4) So if I take early retirement at 62 (my kids will be 6 & 7), my children can also start receiving benefit? So say my benefit is 1k USD, they would receive 500 USD ea as well??

Not sure yet when I plan top start. Currently 59 so 2 1/2 years from now would be the soonest.

Wow yes, I guess you were. I filed and it got rejected. I wish I had known about this.

I was looking into it and couldn't find any solid information on it so I went the route I described above.

Been thee done that. Yes jointly is the way to do it. Here will be your hurdles: 1. You need to mail in your returns, you cannot e-file (just the first time). 2. You will need her passport, not a copy. Getting it can be difficult. I had my friend who was visiting close by my wife's city, meet up with her and get her passport. When her returned to USA he mailed it to me. 3. Passport name must match the name on the returns. So if you are married and she has your last name now her passport must reflect that. If not, file with what is on the passport. I sent passport with maiden name along with marriage certificate. That didn't fly. 4. After she arrives here and gets a ssc, you must send the IRS a letter stating that she will no longer use the ITIN and will start using her ssn. I tried filing with her SSN and it was rejected, I had to send the taxes with her ITIN and then send a letter so I could start using the SSN on the next year. I have the address to send to along with a sample letter if you dm me.

My wife was flagged for sputum also and the completion date had nothing to do with her validity date. They went off of the date she first went to SLEC. I think they should make it 6 months from completion myself. My wife was messed up because it was during covid lockdowns so our problem was getting the new interview date after the sputum. Then we got a 221g at the interview which was cleared up pretty quick but we were still out of time and had to get a second medical. Luckily she didn't get flagged the second time.

To be specific the 6 month timer starts when you first go to SLEC not when the medical is completed. P.S. I know @Chancy knows this, I just wanted to clarify for others.

I did not know that is a requirement. We have to sons who would also be eligible for death benefits. The are both US citizens and my wife and kids all came a little over a year ago. Do you know if they would still be eligible?

I am lucky enough to live a few miles from 2 LBC offices and I always use them for BB boxes. I think your boxes need to be a certain size and they sell the boxes there. They are super heavy duty which is good with how heavy they are when full.

Why would they? There is no weight limit on BB boxes. Forex would be good, you can always google (balikbayan box south dakota) too...

There is no net neutrality in US either That's one reason I have T-Mobile. Free international SMS and data roaming But calling would be expensive. Most definitely just using fb messenger is the easiest and best option. Like MarryMe987654 said, FB messenger is free on all prepaid plans. No calling, images, videos on the free service but at least you can communicate through text.

Does she have a job? How often is she out and about? You know you can still call her cell phone while she is out. There are apps and and companies you can use. What others said above is true. I know you don't want Facebook but you can just create a Facebook account and add her only. Then you could use messenger. My ex wife has Facebook with zero friends and zero posts. Only uses it to back up her games on her cell phone. If you were concerned you should get he google info and you can check timelines and such. My friend set up his girl friends google account for her and turned on location tracking and backing up all pictures and videos. It was very good he did.

I think a lot of people here are giving you correct information but false hope at the same time. Please note that none of the previous posters have experience with the Philippines and every country has different difficulty levels in getting a visa. It is extremely hard to get a tourist visa to the USA from the Philippines. The strongest ties are financial assets, jobs that you have been at for a long time, and property. These things all show that you have strong ties to the Philip[pines and will return at the end of your stay. Most of your brothers will have an extremely hard time getting approved due to their age and being single, not to mention lack of ties. Your parents might have a better chance if they have property, but as you mentioned they don't seem to have any financial assets, which will make it difficult for them as well.

A 221g always has a reason. Read your 221g and it will tell you what is needed. You can post a picture of it with your name removed if you want.

You would think wrong. There is no national database. Marriage info is only at state level.

Everything you need is found here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/MNL-Manila.html

Yes

It took me 3 years to get my wife and our 2 children here. Covid made it take an extra year.