Hoofie Puppet

Excellent, thank you!

Interesting but it does FORMER.

Ok great! So it doesn't matter if she's a dual citizen or former? Here's what the Washington, DC Embassy told me (they didn't say you had to be a FORMER Philippines citizen ONLY): If you are a former Filipino who is now a naturalized citizen of a visa-free country (under Executive Order 408), you can avail yourself of the Balikbayan Visa-Free Privilege and stay in the Philippines visa-free for a period of one year from the date of arrival in the Philippines. Your family members (spouse and children) with foreign passports can also enjoy this privilege if they enter the Philippines with you and present proof of filiation to the immigration officer. The following documents need to be presented to the immigration officer upon arrival: Former Filipino Citizens: Philippine Birth Certificate or old Philippine Passport. Dual Citizens Using a Foreign Passport: Dual Citizenship Identification Certificate Foreign Spouse: Marriage certificate as proof of relationship. Children: Birth certificate as proof of relationship. Note: Passports must be valid for at least six months upon arrival in the Philippines.

Hello. Not sure if I'm quite understanding the Balikbayan program. My wife is here in the US with me and NOT a dual citizen. Yes, she's been here longer than one year. She still has a valid Philippines passport. If we decide to go back to the Philippines, can I ask for the 1-year balikbayan visa? Can this visa be used only for FORMER Philippines citizens? Thanks.

Here is what I wrote on a Google review for a small-town North Carolina DMV. They did issue the ID until the end of the K1 stamped in her passport, but she's in the system for a simple renewal after we bring her green card in once it's issued: -------------- Quite possibly one of the rudest, ignorant DMV employees that I've had the honor of experiencing in my many years on this planet. The employee in question, an older female, absolutely refused to issue a regular ID to my wife who is here on a K1 Visa. The woman said, "You have to extend the visa - it's almost expired! I won't help you!" After I explained multiple times that K1 visas aren't "extended" and that it is a matter of adjusting status (getting married is the only requirement) - she refused to help saying she has over 7 years experience. Finally, after me being very stern with her and educating her on the law, she called her boss and guess what...I was right (I know, I paid for this visa) and she never apologized although I asked her if she learned anything new today. Her answer: "Well, I usually don't do this..." The ID was issued. Zero stars. What a horrible waste of tax money on this individual.

UPDATE: NVC states it's in transit!

No ...its still at NVC

Got this in my email today. I guess this means it won't be much longer until I can start scheduling things? (I omitted my MNL number, FYI): To whom it concerns: This notice is to inform you that NVC is currently holding your approved Form I-129F (Petition for Alien Fiance(e)), and it has been at least 60 days since we received it from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). Your case number is MNL----------------. Where local conditions and restrictions allow, some embassies and consulates have resumed processing a limited visa workload, including K-1 nonimmigrant visa applications. For embassies and consulates that were unable to resume processing their visa workload, NVC is holding your approved Form I-129F. We cannot predict when routine visa services will resume, and we cannot guarantee or predict when your case will be sent to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General in Manila. When NVC does forward your case, you will receive another notification. Approved Forms I-129F have a 120-day expiration date from the date of approval by USCIS. Once your designated embassy or consulate resumes normal operations, a consular officer will revalidate your petition for another 120 days. You do not need to take any action for this revalidation to happen, though you may need to provide evidence that you still qualify for the K-1 nonimmigrant visa. For the most up-to-date information about the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General's operating status, visit their website at https://usembassy.gov. Thank you for your patience. Sincerely, National Visa Center Director

All: It won't be much longer before I pick up my fiancée. We're bringing our cats back to the US with us. Yes, I know about the BAI permitting and all that (I've done this before). I've been looking at several itineraries from CLT-MNL and back. Our real only choice for in-cabin pet travel is Korean Air / Delta codeshare. It seems as flying from Manila with Korean Airlines is a bit more expensive than Delta all the way back (although they're codeshare). Delta has some sort of pet embargo; I understand that is for pets checked in cargo ONLY and not in-cabin internationally? Thoughts? *checking my cats in cargo with any airline doesn't work for us. Thanks!

All: Getting ready to do the medical in the next few weeks. Do you know if St. Luke's requires fasting before the blood test on the first day? Fiancée doesn't want to deal with feeling faint. Thanks.

Wow! They sent my MNL number quickly! I received it after using the inquiry form. In fact, about 10 days ago when I landed in Manila, I received it via email! I suppose I'll get a letter soon. How long does it t take to get the letter in the mail? I have to pay the embassy fee, right?

Is this the proper form to start inquiring about my NVC number? https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/ask-nvc.html

Per RapidVisa's instructions: The U.S. citizen sponsor must print, sign, and mail this form, along with photocopies of the required supporting documents, to the beneficiary 30–90 days before the interview date. The sponsor’s original signature is required –– the U.S. Embassy will not accept a scanned or faxed signature. When I wanted this clarified whether or not I have to FedEx sensitive (tax etc.) documents from here to Philippines, RapidVisa said: I understand your concerns about mailing sensitive documents. In situations like this, sponsors are permitted to electronically send scanned copies of the original documents. For the signature page of the Form I-864, it is necessary for the sponsor to sign it with a wet signature, preferably using a black pen. After signing, you can scan the document and send it to the beneficiary so that she can have it prepared before the visa interview. So, there are contradictions and wondering if any of y'all have FedExed your affidavit of support documents to Philippines or merely scanned, emailed. Also, RapidVisa said to send them "...30-90 days before the embassy appointment." Is there a timeframe on this, as well? Thoughts??

Does anyone know if Casa Bocobo will need any deposits or my card when she checks in? I won't be there.

She'll be by herself. She's from Kawit (45 min south of Manila). Certainly, she's been to Manila several times but probably hasn't spent any significant time in that specific area. I assume it'll be early morning for the medical and prob will start to go to USEM probably around 0430 or so. Just curious about that specific area.