An open letter to my Daugther

I miss my daugther alot it was chaos without seing her for a long time like eight months al- ready. I hope she understand why for the meantime will be separated. I'm trying to process her papers as soon as possible so she can join me here and my life will be complete. Everyday i was thinking what shes been doing, Im longing for her smile, laughter and joy. The way she hugs me cuddle and call me mom. There are sleepless night for me thinking of her if shes ok . And sometimes I'm worried if shes hurt. I spoiled her alot when were together I want to give everything to her coz shes my life. When I feel down before shes my strenght and continue to be strong because I know my daugther needs me. I brougth her up in a wrong time I have her in young age like Im not prepared of everything but I try my very best to brougth her up. Everybody is againts me during my pregnancy because I haven't accomplish anything that time and abortion is not my option. I'm not ashamed of what happen to me even I was pregnant going to school I see people laughing at my back gossiping about me. My family was a very conservative so its a no no being pregnant without getting married. But what should I do it happens I cant kill an innocent one just because of our reputation or my future. One day my daugther will read about my article maybe she will be proud of me and understand me.

Applying for Dual Citizen

Dual Citizenship

The status of a person who is a legal citizen of two or more countries. Was born in the foreign country and parents is either a citizen of that country and the other one is not.

I want to share my experience on processing a dual citizenship. My cousin is a German citizen and his in Philippines to study at first I get him a special study permit when he was in high school but in college it requires him to get a student visa. Dual citizenship enables him to study, work and stay in Philippines as long as he wants. And we don't need to renew his passport everytime. This process takes place in Philippine immigration and a bunch of paper work. As a guardian of my cousin they required a special power of attorney from his parents notarized and authenticated in the Philippine Consulate. Every document needs to be notarized and authenticated.

Requirements:
* Former Philippine passport of mother to prove that she was still a Filipino at the time of birth
*Authenticated Birth Certificate of mother (Filipino)
*Marriage Contract of Parents
*Baptismal Record of my cousin
*NBI Clearance of my cousin
*Foreign Passport of parent
*Birth Certificate of my cousin authenticated by the Philippine Consulate

As far as I remember those are the documents that I prepared. It's hard to deal with the immigration especially if you dont know anybody so we get an agent affiliated by the immigration to make the process easier for us. That time we pay 18,000 pesos. Including everything. And we attend several hearing in the immigration office after they approved the petition they will send that to the Department of Justice for the approval. And the documents sits there for a couple of months. That's the stigma or trend on processing papers in Philippines. Or you need to give tip to speed up.

*Adjustment of status (AOS). A procedure through which an eligible applicant becomes a lawful permanent resident of the United States States.

*CENOMAR: Certificate of No Marriage this is required by the U.S embassy during the interview to prove that the fiance is free to marry.

*Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) - This seminar is intended for Filipino before they leave the country you cant board a plane without your CFO sticker.

*DS-156 - Non-immigrant visa application form. This form is required for any non-immigrant such as visitor visa and business visa.

*DS-157 - Supplemental Non-immigrant visa application.

*Employment Authorization Document (EAD) - Obtain when filling I-765 this card will permit you to work legally.

*G-325A (biographical information)- Both fiance and petitioner needs to fill-up this form

*I-129f (petition for alien fiance). Petitioner and fiance need to fill-up this form.

*I-485 - Application to request permenent residency or to adjust status this is you going to apply after getting married before the I-194 expired.

*I-551 - Known as Green Card issued to Lawful Permanent residents of United States.

*k1 - Fiance visa maybe used by United States citizen who wish to bring there prospective husband and wife to the United States with the intention of getting married.

*K2 - A visa for a child fiance enable his/his to bring the child or follow to join.

*K3 - allows alien's spouses to enter the United States to await the availability of the visa.

*K4 - A visa issued to a child of a K3 visa holder.

*NOA1 - Notice of action sent to a U.S petitioner to inform that the application fee and the package had been receive.

*NOA2 - Notice of action sent to a petitioner to inform that the petition is approved or disapproved you need this to file for AOS later on.

*Port of Entry (POE) - Means the first place of your entry in the United states.

Sample forms in filling K-1 visa

G-325A- http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/g-325a.pdf

You will need to complete 1 G-325A for petitioner and 1 for your fiance. There should be 4 copies and all 4 are duplicates copies. Additionally,the petitioner need four copies same with the fiance you need to sign all 4 and the signatures must be original. If you fill out the form online it should auto-populate all 4 copies with the information you enter on the 1st copy.

1)File number A - leave it blank that's for the permanent resident.
2)All other names used (includes names by previous marriage) - If you were married before or widowed put the name of your previous husband or wife.
3)U.S Social Security Number - petitioner need to fill-up, fiance just put NONE
4)Former Husband or wives- write the name of former husband or wife if your divorce , annulled or widowed
5)Applicants residents for past five years list present address - EXAMPLE (if you only lived in 1 place for the last 5 or + years):
#5 Banana Lane, Manila Phillipines, 1999 - present

EXAMPLE (if you have lived in multipe places for the last 5 years). You count 5 years back. This takes us to Sept of 2004. Where were you living in Sept of 2004? Let's say you were living at #153 Apple Pie Lane, Davao, Phillipines.

Let's say you moved to Samal in Feb of 2006.

Let's say you moved to Manila in March of 2008 until present time.

You'd need to put everything STARTING from most recent place you lived. You would put:
#5 Banana Lane, Manila Phillipines, March 2008 - present
#88-D Whip Cream Boulevard, Samal Phillipines, Feb 2006 - March 2008
#153 Apple Pie Lane, Davao Phillipines Sept 2004 - Feb 2006
6) Applicants last address outside the united states of more than 1 year - I put NONE
7) Applicants employement last five years. State the present employment first - you need to fill up the job you have for the last five years if the space provider is not enough you need to make an attachment.
8) This form is submitted in connection with the application for- check the box other (specify) I-129f if your applying for fiance visa.
9) Alien number - Put none

I-129f http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-129F.pdf

Part A. All information is intended for the petitioner
7) Other name used including maiden names - Put you name includes your maiden if not just write NONE
8) Social Security number A# If any - A# just write NONE this is for those who are naturalize american stands for alien number.
9) Name of prior spouses - If you are divorce write down the name of you ex spouse/husband.
10) My citizenship was aquire through - check the box that is intended for you. If your a USC check birth in the U.S or if you acquired you citizenship through naturalization and write down the certificate number.

Part B.

13) List all the children of your alien fiance - Put all the names of your fiance dependent children espicially for those who gonna follow to join or she have a k2 derivative.

DS-156 https://evisaforms.state.gov/ds156.asp

1)Passport - Write your current passport number passport must be six month valid beyond the applicants intended period of stay.
2)Place of issue - City: where passport was issued example: Manila
Country: Country from where passport was issued example: Philippines
State/Province: state.province from where the passport was issued
3)Issuing Country - Country that issued your passport.
4)Issuance Date: Date when passport was issued.
5)Expiration Date: Date when passport is expiring.
6)Surnames (appear on passport): Your surname of last name.
7)First and Middle Name - Your first and middle name or Given name.
8)Other surname used - Any other surnames that you might have been used in the past. "Maiden" names means a woman name used before she is married.
9)Other first and Middle Names Used - If you used any other names in the past, write them here. Married women must make sure to include their full name as used before marriage, after marriage and any other aliases.
10)Date of Birth - Date you where born.
11)Place of Birth - Place when you were born.
12)Nationality - Country of citizenship example: Filipino
13)Sex - Your gender male/female
14)National Identification number - Just write NONE
15)Home Address - Complete home address like apartment number, street city, province, postal code and country.
16)Home Telephone Number: If you have the telephone at home write the number, else write NONE
Business Phone Number: NONE most of us don't have it.
Mobile Cell Number: write it down or else NONE
Fax Number: NONE if you have write it down
17)Marital Status - Check appropriate box that pertains to you.
18)Spouse's Full Name - If you are married ,divorce or separated, write spouse name even if is not going to travel with you or not applying for visa. Include maiden name also K1/K2 must write NONE here.
19)Spouse DOB - Your spouse date of birth, K1/K2 NONE.
20)Name and address of Present Employer or School - Write here complete name and address where you work. If you were self-employed write where your business is located. If you are retired and not working write NONE.
21)Present Occupation - Write your current occupation and be specific.
22)When Do you Intend to Arrive in the U.S? - You must provide the date. A specific date or a tentative date.
23)Email address- Write down a valid email address or else NONE.
24)At What Address You Will Stay in the U.S? - Write the address where you will stay
25)Name and Telephone Number of Person in U.S. Who Will be Staying With or Visiting for Tourism or Business - If you are staying at some relative or fiancee place write down his/her phone number here.
26)How Long Do You Intend to Stay in the U.S? - Be specific, K1/K2 permanently.

27)What is the Purpose of you trip? - To marry my fiancee
28)Who will pay for your trip? - If someone is sponsoring you, his/her name should be there in the "affidavit of support".
29)Have you ever been in the U.S? - If you been there check yes if not check no be carefull consule know everything.
30)Have You Ever Been Issued a Visa - Write details here correctly or else NONE.
31)Have you ever been refused a U.S visa? - If you have been refused before write the detail you need to tell the truth or else answer NO.
32)Do You Intend To Work in the U.S? - Write NO because you intend to marry you fiancee not to work there.
33)Do You Intend to Study - NO because you will go there to marry your fiancee.
34)Names of Persons Traveling With You? - You enter only the names of close family members that is traveling with you or else NONE.
35)Has Your U.S Visa Ever Canceled or Revoked? - Answer appropriately. Either USCIS or State Departmen may have canceled a visa if they discover that the visa holder has violated the terms of the visa.
36)Has Anyone Ever Filed an Immigrant Visa Petition on Your Behalf? - Answer if somebody have filed on your behalf or else NONE.
37)Are Any of the Following Persons in the U.S, or Do they Have U.S Legal Permanent or U.S Citizenship? - Mark yes or no and indicate that persons status in the U.S.
38)Important Question - All of this question check for the grounds of inadmissibility. If you check yes or any of the, you will be denied a visa. In rare cases, waiver maybe available and you should talk to a competent immigration lawyer.
39)Was These Application Prepared by Other Person on Your Behalf? - If you have an agent write "Yes" and put his details if you do it yourself state NONE or Myself.
40)Application Prepared By: - If your answer to question 39 is "Yes" ask the person to fill this section.
41)You must sign and date the application, even if someone else fills out the form




































































































































































+

Visit Philippines

Geography

The Philippine archipelago lies in Southeast Asia in a position that has led to its becoming a cultural crossroads, a place where Malays, Chinese, Spaniards, Americans, and others have interacted to forge that unique cultural and racial blend known to the world as Filipino. Multiple etnicity are found throughout the island. Philippines is one of the most country in the world it comprises of 7,107 island. Manila is the capital city it's often overlooked by traveller because of it's location on the wrong side of the South China sea. Philippine is a great place to escape its a place of natural wonders a string of coral fringed island strewn across a vast expense of the western pacific.

Off the coast of eastern Mindanao is the Philippine Trough, which descends to a depth of 10,430 meters. The Philippines is part of a western Pacific arc system that is characterized by active volcanoes. Among the most notable peaks are Mount Mayon near Legaspi, Taal Volcano south of Manila, and Mount Apo on Mindanao. All of the Philippines islands are prone to earthquakes. The northern Luzon highlands, or Cordillera Central, rise to between 2,500 and 2,750 meters, and, together with the Sierra Madre in the northeastern portion of Luzon and the mountains of Mindanao, boast rain forests that provide refuge for numerous upland tribal groups. The rain forests also offer prime habitat for more than 500 species of birds, including the Philippine eagle (or monkey-eating eagle), some 800 species of orchids, and some 8,500 species of flowering plants.

The country's most extensive river systems are the Pulangi (Rio Grande), which flows into the Mindanao River; the Agusan, in Mindanao which flows north into the Mindanao Sea; the Cagayan in northern Luzon; and the Pampanga, which flows south from eastCentral Luzon into Manila Bay. Laguna de Bay, southeast of Manila Bay, is the largest freshwater lake in the Philippines. Several rivers have been harnessed for hydroelectric power.

Step by step guides when applying a fiance visa

Step 1.Proof of meeting in person within the past two years

*Photos of you together
*Photos of you and her family
*Travel etiniraries/receipts like hotel receipts etc..
*Emails that discuss about the trip
*Passport stamps
*Boarding pass

It start with the fiance(e) filling the petition

Petitioner
1. I-129F [type legibly, if not applicable put N/A]
2. Letter of intent to marry
3. Birth certificate
4. Submit a completed and signed Form G-325A
5. Give USCIS a passport-style color photograph.
6. FEE of $455

If either you or your fiancé(e) were married before, give copies of documents showing that each prior
marriage was legally terminated

Step 2. Once the petition has been approved you will be notified by the USCIS fiance(e) receive the notice in his email thats why i strongly advice to sign up for an email updates (it takes for months before my petition was approved) both of the parties will receive the notice. It’s important to inform them of any change of address and telephone number to avoid any delay in receiving the notice. You can also track your application by simply register in there website heres the link:
https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/Dashboard.do. So you better prepare all the documents for the fiance ahead of time heres the list:

1) Updated letter of intent to marry
2)Employment letter
3)Bank certificate
4)Bank statement
5)Affidavit of support
6)Income tax return
7)Divorce or death certificate of previous spouse for both the applicant and the petitioner

Step 3.In this stage everything goin fast in my case so better send all those required papers to the fiance. USCIS will forward the approved petition in NVC my papers stuck there for 2 weeks that the time there doing the background check on the fiance. Some cases it took 2 to 3 months it depends if theres a red flag goin onThe Embassy will send the fiancé(e) information on how to apply for the K-1 visa, including the medical examination and the visa.

Step 4. Once you receive a letter from the Embassy, your application starts! You should follow all interview preparation instructions located at http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwh3238.html

Step 5. Fiance prepare all require documents

a. PASSPORT. You must have a passport valid for at least six (6) months. If you do not have one, you should apply in person at the Passport Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, Metro Manila. For passport renewal, you can call the DFA Information Center at 02-737-1000. The DFA web site is http://www.dfa.gov.ph.

b. DS-156 NONIMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION. Each applicant must submit two (2) completed copies of this form. Download form at http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/forms/forms_1342.html.
(K1/K2 Applicants’ Interview Preparation Instructions – English/May 2008) Page 2 of 10

c. DS-157 SUPPLEMENTAL NONIMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION. Each applicant must submit two (2) completed copies of this form. Download form at http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/forms/forms_1342.html.

d. DS-156K NONIMMIGRANT FIANCE(E) VISA APPLICATION. Each K1 applicant must submit one (1) completed copy of this form. This form is not required for K2 applicants. Download form at http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/forms/forms_1342.html.

e. BIRTH CERTIFICATE. Your birth certificate should be a copy issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) and printed on NSO security paper. If applicable, you should also submit NSO birth certificates for all your children, even for those who are not applying for a visa. You may call the NSO Information Center at 02-737-1111 to inquire on securing a birth certificate or visit their web site at http://www.census.gov.ph. If the NSO does not have a copy of the birth certificate, you must obtain a statement about its unavailability from the NSO and obtain a certified original copy (not an extract) of the birth certificate from the local registrar in the town where you were born.

f. NBI CLEARANCE. Applicants aged 16 years and older must have a valid Record Clearance for Travel Abroad Purposes from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). Clearances should be in the applicant’s current name, birth certificate name, maiden name and any aliases or nicknames used, including different spellings you have used of those names. For immigration purposes, an NBI clearance is valid for one (1) year from the date it was issued. The NBI web site is http://www.nbi.doj.gov.ph/index.html.

g. OTHER COUNTRY POLICE CERTIFICATES. Applicants aged 16 years and older must also present police certificates from other countries where they have lived for six (6) months or more after reaching the age of 16. As with NBI clearances, foreign police certificates should be obtained in any maiden names, aliases or nicknames used while in the country in question, including different spellings you have used of those names. Country-specific information on how to secure police certificates is available on the State Department’s web site at http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/reciprocity/reciprocity_3272.html.

h. EVIDENCE OF A MEETING PRIOR TO THE PETITION. You and your petitioner must have physically been together at some point within two years before the petition was filed. Proof of this meeting should be submitted unless the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) waives this requirement. A few photographs of the applicant and petitioner together during the specified time may serve as evidence of this requirement. You may visit the USICS web site at http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis for further information.

Organize your documents I use different color of folders for easy access and dont use fastener.

i. EVIDENCE OF A GENUINE ENGAGEMENT. You must be prepared to show documents that you have a genuine relationship with your petitioner and a clear intention to marry. Letters, e-mails, phone records, bank records, photographs, or other evidence of a genuine fiancé(e) relationship should be submitted.

j. PROOF OF TERMINATION OF A PRIOR MARRIAGE. If applicable, official documents (divorce decree, annulment decree or death certificate, etc.) that prove all prior marriages contracted by you and the petitioner have been legally terminated prior to the filing of the petition must be submitted.
(K1/K2 Applicants’ Interview Preparation Instructions – English/May 2008) Page 3 of 10

k. EVIDENCE OF SUPPORT. You should be able to demonstrate that you will not become a public charge or be a burden on the U.S. taxpayers for financial support. A completed I-134 Affidavit of Support Form will be useful to the consular officer to evaluate your petitioner’s ability to be financially responsible for you. You should also submit your petitioner’s most recent U.S. Federal income tax return (Form 1040) and wage statements (Form W-2). Employment letters stating salaries and bank statements may be included to substantiate the I-134. Download Form I-134 at http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis.

l. VISA PHOTOGRAPHS. You must bring two (2) colored photographs printed according to given specifications. The specifications for visa photos should be strictly observed. Visit the web site at http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/info/info_1287.html for information.

m. MEDICAL EXAMINATION. All K1 and K2 visa applicants must complete a medical examination at St. Luke’s Extension Clinic. Refer to Step 9 for more information.

STEP 6: Schedule your interview at the US Embassy.

“Starting March 19, 2008, those applying for K-1, K-2, K-3 and K-4 visas who have been notified by the Embassy to prepare for their interview can call 1-909-101-7878 (within the Philippines) to schedule an interview appointment at the U.S. Embassy. The cost of the 909 service is U.S. $0.98 per minute; this amount will be charged to your telephone bill.

Applicants, Agents or Petitioners calling from within the United States will also be able to use this service by calling 1-888-877-9888. The cost of the 888 service from the United States is a U.S. $18 PIN payable using a Visa or MasterCard once you have called into the service.

Applicants or their representatives must have the applicant’s Immigrant Case Number as given in the Embassy notification letter available when they call to schedule an appointment.

Callers can speak with an English or Tagalog speaking operator. The service is available to the public from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, Manila local time.” (Source: US Embassy Manila)

Step 7: Pay visa application fee of $131. The application fee for a K1 or K2 nonimmigrant visa is US$131, payable only in Philippine pesos at the prevailing exchange rate. The fee should be paid by each applicant at designated branches of the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) and Citibank. The bank will validate your payment on the DS-156 Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form or on the DS-157 Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form. The payment is valid for one (1) year. Remember: BRING the DS-156 or 157 forms with you when you pay for bank validation. Keep the deposit slip and bring it with you at the interview in case you may need it.

Step 8: Have your medical examination at St. Lukes Extension Clinic.This is a first-come, first-served basis. I arrive there at 4:30 so better to be early the guard will give the number. Once the clinic is open the security guard will check all the documents you have and you need to fill up the form.There giving a flowchart that you need to follow. Make sure that you dont have your period that time coz they wont let you do the physical exam. On the first day I finish my medical exam at around 3.00 pm. The next day I was there a little bit late like 8.00 so I encourage you be be early as possible and did my vaccination its waiting time again. So I checkout at 5:30 to get my results waiting is killing me coz Im scared that there something wrong with my medical but thanks GOD I was ok. The medical fee is $213.35 (adults) and $185.35 (children).

ST LUKES MEDICAL EXTENSION CLINIC: 1177 J. Bocobo St., Ermita Manila. (632) 521-0020/ 521-8647/524-6083

What to bring to St. Lukes: Embassy confirmation email (they will send this after you set your interview appointment), Embassy letter (the one where they notified you that you are eligible for interview), black ballpen (not sign pen), visa photos (they only asked for 3 pcs but bring at least 5), and your passport.

Reminder: Tell the truth about your medical history coz doctors will know everything during the exam.

Step 9: Your Interview Day. Be 1 hour early at the Embassy. Separate your DS-application forms (with visa photos) embassy letter from the other requirements because the guard will check for these before entering the Embassy. DO NOT BRING ELECTRONIC DEVICES (cellphones, mp3’s, ipods, pdas).

Reminder: Make sure that you have everything you need as far as requirements go. Photocopy everything in case you need extra copies. It’s better to be prepared than be sorry. Bring black ballpen.

EMBASSY PROCEDURE:

The guards call visa applicants per visa category so wait for your turn at the waiting shed.

Once your visa category is called, fall in line at the entrance. Prepare your passport (if you have it. Usually, St. Luke’s forwards your passport to the embassy along with your med exam result), DS forms and embassy letter.

Once inside the embassy, the guard will tell you which gate to go.

After the guard screened and searched you, proceed to the Immigration Area. Follow the arrows.

A guard will instruct you where to sit and wait till it’s your turn to get a ticket number. Prepare your DS-Forms, email confirmation and Embassy letter. Be sure to fill out everything on your DS-forms. Put N/A where you don’t have answer or if not applicable.

Line up at the ticket booth for your ticket number. Submit the requirements above. Get your number.

Wait for your name to be called for finger scanning.

Wait for your number to be flashed on the screen, for the initial interview. Prepare the rest of the requirements in this order: 1st set: NBI and birth certificate, other police certificates, if any. 2nd set: Affidavit of Support and W-2 ITR and other evidence of support. 3rd set: evidence of meeting, evidence of genuine engagement.

After the initial interview, wait again for your final interview. Pay attention to the numbers on the screen. Your next interview is with the consul just relax and be yourself everything will go smooth as long as your relation is genuine.

Attention: this is an incomplete list Im not assuming that everything I posted are correct.