I've always loved photoblogs. I feel like I'm more of a
visual person than a writer. Sometimes though my brain
loves to tell stories and thanks to Inquirer, one has
been published already. So this blog will be a mix of
both: things I see through my lens or letters I type down
on my laptop. (: Best viewed using Google Chrome.
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Ready for the Interview
Monday, August 30, 2010,
Yes, I am! And I hope you're getting ready too. :) Well today, I had the time to take some photos of everything that I'll be bringing to the embassy for the interview. It's overwhelming to just look at these things and remember all the time I spent completing all the documents I need. Falling in line was the worst part but the rest like having things printed and photocopied was a breeze. I have everything I need and I'm now confident to head on to my interview. This is it. Most of these things, if not all, have already been posted in my previous blog entries. I'm just reposting the completed version now. I'll be bringing my folder, a heap of paper as the proof of genuine relationship, and plastic envelopes which hold original boarding passes and plane tickets in the pink one and our photos in the green one.  An overview of all the documents  A closer look. You'll see the blue receipt from BDO, my USEM letter which has the St. Luke's stamp already as evidence that I went to the required medical examination, underneath that is the email printout of the USEM interview schedule and my completed DS forms.  Here is another shot of my NBI clearance, birth certificate and CENOMAR.  These are the financial documents that are separated as photocopies and originals, the proof of genuine relationship and my 2x2 photographs.  And lastly, a closer look of the two envelopes that hold boarding passes, plane tickets, hotel receipts and our photos.  I've even prepared three outfits for the interview itself. My J loves the second look but I like the third. So to lessen the argument, maybe I should wear the first. :p    And of course the shoes, I'd prefer flipflops or really flat sandals on regular days. Above are almost four-inch heels. I'm almost 5'9'' in those shoes. I look like a tower! But I guess that's where the extra confidence comes from. :p To all those who are preparing for their upcoming interview, I wish all the best. :) [Edit] One of the most frequently asked questions are the complete list of things that you may need after getting your NOA2. I've posted blog entries about them here, here, and here. BUT PLEASE read the official information from the USEM Manila K1/K2 Interview Preparation Instructions HERE. You may need Adobe Reader to view the last link. God bless! Labels: 1-134, evidence of support, forms, k1 interview, k1 requirements, paperwork for k1 interview, pictures, requirements  Leave a comment? // 0 Comment(s)
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Financial Documents received via Express Mail
Tuesday, August 17, 2010,
We all know I have been sick, so apologies for those who have been waiting for updates. But what a big update this is! I'm almost done with my antibiotics, I've received all remaining paperworks that I need from J and say what... a new blog layout too? :p I hope you all like it. I think, it's cleaner version of what I had before. I've lost my comments page but hey the chat box is there for all of you to leave comments or just feel free to say anything. And although I want to thank J's insomnia attack, because I have too much time in my hands right now, I'm also wishing him a good rest as he has been working too hard lately. Shall we begin?  It was late afternoon, last Thursday, when I received my USPS package from J, which was delivered via FedEx. We didn't know anything when we were trying to gather the paperworks. That's why I'll be sharing photos of it and its contents so that other people trying to complete the package will know the difference of a 1040 from a W2. It was a good thing that J's dad is anal about documents that he kept all of J's tax records since 2007. Also thanking my future mother-in-law for helping J gather all his pay stubs since January 2010. :) We were actually done gathering those files in 10 minutes. Miss Michelle from his HR was also quick in trying to respond in giving him an employment letter and a copy of his insurance policy. The thing that we needed to wait for was the bank statement that came early August. With everything that was placed in separate envelopes, let's just say I received a hefty amount of original paperworks. This is the exact copy of the US Embassy requirement with regard to financial documents or the Evidence of Support. As you can see, I've murdered my copy with an orange highlighter and my black pen.  You need SIX basic things to complete this evidence to "substantiate the I-134." 1. The two-page I-134 form, completed by your Fiancé and notarized.  2. US Federal Income Tax Return or Form 1040. I found that this has different versions, depends on whether your Fiancé completed his form manually or electronically.  3. Wage Statement or Form W2. The perforations are just a big temptation as I just want to tear it to pieces. :p  4. Employment letter stating salary.  5. Bank statement.  6. Pay stubs. Although not part of the requirement, it has been suggested many times in VJ to just bring some. J gets paid bi-weekly, so I have around 14 of his pay stubs! Not only was he given a certificate to celebrate his third year in the same company but he was also given a raise. Proud of my J. :) A copy of that certificate is going with our files.  There you go, the exact things I received from J. Just a few reminders, because these are very important files, please do make it a point to photocopy them. Before J sent them, he also scanned all these. It's not bad being anal sometimes. We'll never know what might happen, right? Besides, it does say in the Important Reminders: "We will try to return documents that you submitted and asked us to return, but do not give us anything that cannot be replaced. Make copies of important documents and submit copies along with the originals you want returned to you." [Edit] One of the most frequently asked questions are the complete list of things that you may need after getting your NOA2. I've posted blog entries about them here, here, and here. BUT PLEASE read the official information from the USEM Manila K1/K2 Interview Preparation Instructions HERE. You may need Adobe Reader to view the last link. God bless! Labels: 1-129F, 1-129F package, 1-134, evidence of support, fiance visa, financial documents, forms, k1 interview, paperwork for k1 interview, requirements, visa interview Leave a comment? // 0 Comment(s)
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Genuine Relationship Bliss
Monday, August 2, 2010,
This is 120 pages of utter bliss. Although it was hard work to gather all the info, I had fun re-reading all the old conversations J and I had. :) And yes, this contains 40 pages of Facebook wall-to-wall screenshots. :p  Labels: 1-129F, 1-129F package, fiance visa, k1 interview, paperwork for k1 interview, requirements, visa interview Leave a comment? // 0 Comment(s)
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Lucky 8
Monday, July 26, 2010,
After having some salty encounter with Angelina Jolie, my J came home excited to book us an interview appointment. We tried a couple of days ago but the line kept hanging up on J, that's when we realized we were trying to reach them on a weekend. For those planning to call the US Embassy in Manila, this will be available in your Packet 4, but let me just give the number again: 1-888-8777-9888 (from the United Stated) 1-909-101-7878 (from the Philippines) Available from 8:00am - 6:00 pm Mondays to Fridays only. J, of course, used the 1800 number and was charged with a flat rate $18. This was a little cheaper for us since he stayed on the phone for almost 16 minutes. From the Philippines, you'll be charged Php53 per minute. I guess it's a personal choice of what to use, but you can also toss a coin if you're still not sure which service to avail. Funny how J presses too many buttons on his Sidekick whilst he was trying to enter his debit card details. Yup, the 1800 number allows you to use both your credit card or, like what J did his, debit card. Tina, who helped out J, asked him some verification and continued on asking more details. Here's a rundown of the things that would be asked before you could choose a date for your interview: - Manila/MNL Case Number - Name of the Petitioner - Name of the Beneficiary - Beneficiary's birthday, residential address, mobile number & e-mail address He was asked a date and we've always targeted the 8th of September. Not only was it our 14th month together as a couple but it is also the Feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. We're two big Catholic kids so I was excited when J confirmed that we got that date. He was also guided by Tina to visit the K1 Interview Requirements from the Manila US Embassy website and was advised to do the medical a week before the scheduled interview. (The interview guide that I've posted a few days ago might also help you. So here's the link to that.) Before J hung up, he was given an appointment confirmation number and I've already received the e-mail confirmation too.  Well there it is, a screen shot of the e-mail I've received which I just need to print out. I will update you as soon we're done paying the fees and also after my medical. Hopefully I'm as healthy as a horse! :) Labels: 1-129F, fiance visa, k1 interview, k1 visa, paperwork for k1 interview, requirements, visa interview Leave a comment? // 0 Comment(s)
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Submit ALL Requirements
Wednesday, July 21, 2010,
Why hello there! I know I haven't been updating this blog religiously so that's why I'm taking this time to do it now! :) Just got extra time in my hand since I just finished a quest in Frontierville via Facebook and my J is actually doing his ab ripper via P90x. I got around 20 minutes in my hand and so I probably should stop the vomit of words. What's for today, well it's "how to arrange your documents so that you can have an idiot-free day on your interview." Later on, I might update this same blog entry with photos of the ones that I've done so at least you have an idea of how everything will look like. Cool with that? As J would reply, "COOLios!" :p Hot from today's mail is a copy of the letter I received from the US Embassy.  I know Packet 4 from Manila Embassy just asks you for tons and tons of requirements. But it all comes down to four things: 1. DS Forms, 2. Certificates, 3. Proof of Existing Relationship/Genuine Engagement and of course the 4. Evidence of Support. I've made the list below as per JORDANTONI09's post in VJ about how she did it, I will be sharing the link of course once I find it again. I would make this my checklist as well so bear with me because I'm one of those over thinkers who have an unconfirmed obsessive-compulsive disorder attacks. Are you laughing? You should, because it's a joke! :p DS Forms This, I've read, will be submitted and you should have two separate sets. -DS 156K -DS 156 -DS 157 -DS 156 -DS 157  Certificates Read Packet 4 carefully on what other certificates you need, in my case, I only need 3. -NSO Copy of Birth Certificate -NSO Copy of CENOMAR (Certificate of no Marriage) -NBI Clearance (The Green one which is good for Travel Abroad)  Proof of Existing Relationship/Genuine Engagement This is couple-dependent. Some of you might have the same list as I have, some of you may have more or less. Just remember that the CO will have the right to ask for the original of whatever copies you've sent in your I-129F package. Our package has timeline from May 2009-May 2010. So for the interview, we will be updating it and adding details from June 2010 until around end of August 2010 as we're planning to schedule my interview on second week of September. -Your Fiancé’s updated Intent to Marry Letter -Original Receipt/Insurance/Warranty of Engagement Ring -Original copies of Snail Mail -Chat/Windows Live Messenger Logs -Home/Mobile Phone Bills - Online Purchases like flowers and gifts delivered to each other -Money Transfer/Xoom.com Transactions -Photos As proof of meeting each other within the last 2 years: -Scanned Copy of Stamps on J's Passport -Boarding Passes  Evidence of Support Since the Embassy will request for the originals, J scanned everything that is on the list below. -Notarized I-134 -Letter of Employment -2 Years Worth of W2's and 1040's (He has only been working for 3 years and paperwork for his third year in the company will come out by the end of this year. So getting one is out of the question.) -6 months worth of Pay Stubs -Bank Statement -Copy of Life Insurance There, that's about it. I'm still waiting for the Original Copies from J, which he will be sending at the end of the month, like boarding passes of his flight to come here and our flights from Manila to Bacolod and vice versa. He's waiting for his latest bank statement that will come out by the 28th and after receiving that then express mail will be our new found BFF. Here's my organizer, too. A good find in the world of National Bookstore! :)  Keep going back, I will be updating this entry and show you some more pictures. Ciao! [Edit] One of the most frequently asked questions are the complete list of things that you may need after getting your NOA2. I've posted blog entries about them here, here, and here. BUT PLEASE read the official information from the USEM Manila K1/K2 Interview Preparation Instructions HERE. You may need Adobe Reader to view the last link. God bless! Labels: 1-129F, 1-129F package, fiance visa, k1 interview, paperwork for k1 interview, requirements, visa interview Leave a comment? // 1 Comment(s)
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