FILIPINA FIANCEE VISA SERVICE

Transcription

1 FILIPINA FIANCEE VISA SERVICE FIANCEE VISA WAIT TIME *ESTIMATES* *Petition Sent to National Visa Center (NVC) by the USCIS 2-14 Days to receive *Approval by NVC - About 2-4 Weeks *Embassy Receives Paperwork from the NVC 3-14 Days *Medical Exam 1-2 Days *Embassy Wait Time to Interview Days *Embassy Interview 1 Day *To Receive Visa - Typically 3-7 Days, (up to 21 Days possible) *CFO Class 2-3 hours (Only required if interview is in Philippines) *Your Fiance(e) Can Leave the country

2 Each step must be completed before you can do the next one. (Step 2): For AMERICAN Send your fiancee your Affidavit of Support. It MUST have your original signature and it cannot be a copy, it cannot be faxed or ed. Send it by FedEx or UPS. Your Affidavit of Support is in your account and you must print it out. WHEN TO DO THIS: Your fiancee must have this at their embassy interview. You may send it anytime as long as they have it in time for their interview. You will need to include the following supporting documents: 1. Four of your most recent pay stubs. We suggest 4 but if you only have 2, then send Your last tax return and W2 or They will not accept it without your W2 or 1099 (if you filed a W2 or 1099 with your last income tax return). They will know. If you don't have a copy of your W2 you must get it from your employer, even if it's a past employer. If you are self-employed you will need to provide a copy of your last 6-9 months of bank statements with your deposits highlighted instead of pay stubs and your last tax return and your W2 or 1099 if you filed one of these, plus a self-employment letter (a sample self-employment letter is at the end of this package). Signed letter from your employer listing your job title, start date, your salary, and the status (fulltime?) of your position. See sample employment letter toward the end of this package. 3. Send it by DHL, FedEx, or USP. You cannot the affidavit of support, IT MUST HAVE AN ORIGINAL SIGNATURE OR THEY WILL DENY IT. She will also need a copy of any and all divorces that you might have had or copies of the death certificates of any prior spouses and copies of any criminal record that you may have which was filed with the initial petition. They will need copies of all divorces, annulments, or death certificates, and any criminal records for their interview and for the CFO class so make two sets. Don t assume that the USCIS will send anything to the embassy, they usually keep all these documents and only send the embassy the forms.

3 Each step must be completed before proceeding to the next step. (Step 3): For AMERICAN OR ALIEN Either one can do this step The embassy will want a Form DS-160 which will be completed and submitted online. Go to your account and you will see where it says Generate DS-160. Click on that and it will generate your DS-160 worksheet which contains all the answers you will need to file the DS-160. The answers on the DS-160 Worksheet are the answer which you provided to us so if they are wrong or incomplete that is because that is the information which you gave to us. The worksheet is to assist you. You do not have to put the answer which we have given you, if you know something is wrong then by all means put the correct answer. If either of you has moved since your initial application you can put your new address here. When you are ready to file this form go here: And fill out and submit your DS-160. The embassy will also want a form DS-160 completed online for EACH applicant including all children that will also be receiving a visa. If your fiancee will be bringing 4 children, then you will need to complete and submit a DS-160 for all 4 children, plus your fiancee. Towards the end of the form DS-160 it will require you to upload a 2x2 passport size photo with a white background. You must try to upload a picture or it will not allow you to continue. When you have completed the form and uploaded the picture you will click the SUBMIT BUTTON. Once you submit it, it will be sent directly to the US State Department and it will provide you with a confirmation page. You MUST print the confirmation page and take it to your embassy. They do not want you to bring the entire form, they want you to bring the confirmation page, that s it.

4 Each step must be completed before proceeding to the next step. (Step 4): For ALIEN FIANCEE Pay the $265 embassy visa fee. The embassy visa fee MUST be paid for every applicant or CHILD that is part of the visa petition. This means that if you are bringing 5 children with you, you will need to pay the visa fee for EACH of the 5 children. You can pay your nonimmigrant visa application fee with cash or debit card at any Bank of Philippine Islands. You can pay in U.S. Dollars or Philippine Pesos. Before going to the bank, you must print the applicable U.S. visa application deposit slip available below on this page. Take the printed deposit slip with you to pay your fee. These deposit slips are only good for 10 days once you print them. Bank agents will NOT accept payments based on expired deposit slips. Upon receiving of your payment, bank will issue you a receipt. Save your receipt. It cannot be replaced if it is lost. You will not be able to schedule an appointment without your receipt. Get your deposit slip to pay the $265 embassy visa fee here: All children, even newborns, MUST attend the embassy interview with their parent.

5 Each step must be completed before proceeding to the next step. For ALIEN FIANCEE (Step 5): The normal process is this: the NVC will send your petition to the Embassy when they send you the NVC letter telling you they are doing so, it can take 3-14 days for the Embassy to receive your petition from the NVC (typically within 1 week), then the Embassy will postal mail the alien applicant the Embassy letter within 2-3 weeks typically What is the Embassy Letter? The Embassy letter is NOT sent by the NVC or the USCIS. The Embassy letter is a one page letter sent only to the alien fiancee by the Embassy inviting them to make an appointment with the Embassy and explaining the items they should bring to their Embassy interview. The Embassy Letter is ONLY sent to the alien fiancee. When you call to make your embassy appointment they will ask you if you have received the embassy letter. Once you have received the embassy letter call the embassy and make an appointment for your interview. Embassy of the United States of America Manila (632) , (632) or (632) For callers from within the United States (mainland only) call after 8pm Eastern time. The Visa Information and Appointment Service is open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Manila time), except on Philippine and U.S. holidays. You must have the case number, passport number, and passport expiry date for each applicant (principal applicant and derivative family members (Including Children). Even though a fiancee visa is a nonimmigrant visa the embassy has them listed backwards and you must choose immigrant visa when calling. One last thing, when making an embassy appointment a CEAC confirmation letter of number is not necessary for a fiancee visa. After making an appointment the embassy will send you an confirming your appointment, you MUST have this no matter what. You need to print it and take it to your medical exam and to your embassy interview. This confirms that you have an appointment with the embassy. You must also choose Immigrant Visa NOT Non-immigrant Visa as they classify it backwards. The Embassy will never call either of you to make an appointment. If you do not make your appointment yourself, then you won t have an appointment.

6 Each step must be completed before proceeding to the next step. For ALIEN FIANCEE (Step 6): Once you have an embassy appointment get a NEW NBI clearance and Cenomar. Under no circumstances should they be over 90 days old at the time of your interview or you risk being put into administrative review which will cause a 3 week to 3 month delay. NBI CLEARANCE (Green Form). 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 names and any aliases or nicknames used, including different spellings you have used of those names. The NBI website is National Bureau of Investigation. MAIN OFFICE NBI Building, Taft Avenue, Ermita, Manila, Philippines You can order an NBI clearance online here: CERTIFICATE OF NO MARRIAGE RECORD (CENOMAR). If you have never contracted marriage, a CENOMAR (Singleness) issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and printed on PSA secur ity paper should be submitted. You may call the PSA Information Center at (02) to inquire on Address: Philippine Statistics Authority 17th Flr. CyberPod Centris Eton Three EDSA, Quezon City Philippines. Website:

7 For ALIEN FIANCEE (Step 7): Medical Exam for Immigration Philippines (St Luke s) You can do the medical exam any time before your interview, but it must be done at least one week prior to the actual interview date as you want to allow enough time for the results to make it over to the embassy. YOU MUST REGISTER FOR THE MEDICAL EXAM HERE: REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR MEDICAL EXAM: 1. Embassy Letter 2. Full list of documents found here: ST. LUKE'S WEBSITE: St Luke s Ermita Extension

8 MEDICAL EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR FIANCE(E) & SPOUSE VISA APPLICANTS Under U.S. immigration law, ALL applicants for fiancé(e) visas are required to undergo and complete a medical examination, regardless of age. The medical examination findings by a panel physician are binding on the consular officer and used to determine eligibility to receive a visa. St. Luke s Medical Center Extension Clinic (SLMCEC) is the Embassy s accredited medical facility. It is located at 1177 J. Bocobo St., Ermita, Manila. The telephone numbers are and , and it is open for business Monday through Friday (except on Philippine holidays), from 6:00 p.m.to 4:00 p.m. It is important to complete your medical examination at least a week before your interview appointment. Otherwise, your visa application may be refused or you may be asked to return for another appointment. The medical examination results are delivered directly to the Embassy. First-Come, First-Served Applicants are examined on a first-come, first-served basis. Medical examinations may take more than one day to complete. Female applicants may request a female doctor to perform the examination. Unless it is necessary, do not bring companions due to space limitation at the clinic. You must register online. Fees The medical examination fee is US$245 for adults (15 years of age or older) and US$185 for children (14 years of age or younger). Repeat X-rays will cost US$7 each. Fees must be paid only in Philippine pesos at the prevailing exchange rate. X-Rays A chest X-ray is not required for children below 15 years old, unless symptoms of tuberculosis (TB) exist, there is a history of TB, or there has been possible exposure of TB with a known case such as a family or household member with TB. The U.S. Public Health Service/Centers for Disease Control (USPHS/CDC) mandates women who are pregnant to have chest X-ray examinations conducted. Chest X-rays for pregnant women are not dangerous if taken with the proper shielding. Applicants who have previous chest X-rays must bring the results with them to SLMCEC for comparative analysis.

9 VACCINATION REQUIREMENT FOR K VISA APPLICANTS U.S. immigration law requires that ALL immigrant visa applicants be vaccinated against certain vaccine preventable diseases before they can be admitted to the United States for permanent residence. Vaccinations currently required are as follows: Mumps Measles Rubella Polio Tetanus Diphtheria Pertussis Haemophilus influenzae Type B Rotavirus Hepatitis A Hepatitis B Meningococcal disease Varicella Pneumococcal Influenza Any other vaccinations recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices. K visa applicants who refuse to comply with the vaccination requirement will not be denied a visa on that basis. As a matter of expediency, however, it is encouraged that K visa applicants meet the vaccination requirement before they are admitted into the U.S. Bring Your Vaccination Records for the Panel Physician s Review (If Available) You should bring records to show that you have already received vaccinations against certain vaccine preventable diseases. The panel physician will review the vaccination records and will determine if you meet the vaccination requirement. Only the panel physician can determine which vaccinations are medically appropriate. If you cannot find or do not have any vaccination records do not worry about it as the physician will determine which vaccinations are medically appropriate.

10

11 BRING ALL OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS TO YOUR EMBASSY INTERVIEW REQUIRED DOCUMENTS. It is important that you submit ALL of the following documentation to facilitate the processing of your application. You may be asked to return for another appointment if you fail to bring any of these documents: a. NONIMMIGRANT VISA ELECTRONIC APPLICATION (DS-160) CONFIRMATION PAGE. You must print the DS-160 Confirmation Page that contains the barcode information to bring to your interview. b. 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 Department of Foreign Affairs - Office of Consular Affairs (DFA- OCA), Aseana Business Park, Bradco Avenue corner Macapagal Boulevard, Paranaque City. Applicants may set an appointment by going online at or by calling The DFA website is c. BIRTH CERTIFICATE. Your birth certificate should be a copy issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) on security paper (not from the Local Civil Registry Office). 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 to inquire on securing a birth certificate or visit their website at 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. National Statistics Office Solicarel Building Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard Sta. Mesa, Manila 1016 d. NBI CLEARANCE (Green Form). 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 website is gov.ph. National Bureau of Investigation. MAIN OFFICE ADDRESS: NBI Building, Taft Avenue, Ermita,. Manila, Philippines e. 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 website at f. COURT AND PRISON RECORDS: Applicants who have been arrested, charged or convicted of a crime must present copies or transcripts of court or prison records relating to the crime or offense. g. MILITARY OR POLICE SERVICE RECORDS: Applicants who served in the military or police should present certified copies of their military or police service records. EVIDENCE OF A GENUINE ENGAGEMENT. You must be prepared to prove to the consular officer that you have a genuine relationship with your petitioner and a clear intention to marry within

12 90 days of admission into the U.S. In the past, successful applicants have submitted photographs, letters, e- mails, phone records, bank records, and remittance records as evidence supporting their relationships and intent to marry. h. 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. i. CERTIFICATE OF NO MARRIAGE RECORD (CENOMAR). If you have never contracted marriage, a CENOMAR (Singleness) issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and printed on PSA security paper should be submitted. You may call the PSA Information Center at (02) to inquire on securing a CENOMAR or visit their website at j. 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 with original signature must be provided 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, recent pay slips, and bank statements may be included to substantiate the I-134. If self-employed 6-9 months of bank statements are recommended. k. VISA PHOTOGRAPHS. You must bring three (3) color photographs; two are for the visa and one is for the medical report. Size and format specifications must be strictly observed: Photos should measure 2 by 2 inches (roughly 50 mm square) with a white background and the head centered in the frame. The head (measured from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin) should measure between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (25 mm to 35 mm) with the eye level between 1 1/8 inch and 1 3/8 inches (28 mm and 35 mm) from the bottom of the photo. l. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS) DOCUMENTS: If you have applied for any benefit, such as a change of status, adjustment of status, or asylum, before United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), or have been the subject of any enforcement proceedings, such as deportation or removal proceedings, by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), please bring all documents pertaining to such matters with you to the interview. m. MEDICAL EXAMINATION. All K1 and K2 visa applicants must complete a medical examination at St. Luke s Extension Clinic at least a week before the interview appointment. This can ONLY be done at St. Luke s Extension Clinic in Manila and nowhere else.

13 Additional Items Needed for Embassy Interview: Don't assume the embassy will have ANY of the items initially filed with the petition. Despite what was filed with the petition they require certain items to be brought to the interview as if nothing will make it to them. They require proof of an ongoing relationship be brought to the interview. These are examples of proof. Copies of phone bills, cell phone bills, s (you can edit personal info with a marker), letters (you may edit personal info also), include the stamps on the letters to document the date they were sent, include a receipt for an engagement ring (if you have it) and she should wear it to the interview, chats, and other written documentary proof. Provide a reasonable amount of evidence; two to four of each type of evidence. Pick a range of dates up to and including the present. No reason to overdo it, you do not need more than 20 pages total. They simply won't look at more than that in the limited time they have. They just want to know that you are a couple, in love, who want to get married and you have been in regular contact with each other. Do your best to document this for them. Also bring about 20 pictures of you together in an envelope. Do NOT bring more than 20 pictures of you together. If you lack any other type of evidence of your ongoing relationship, make a 1 paragraph letter addressed to "Embassy of the United States of America" and explain how you have been communicating and why you cannot document it. Sign and date it. NOTE: If your fiancee is between the embassy requires they get notarized written parental consent from at least 1 parent and if your fiancee is between the embassy requires they get notarized written evidence of parental advice from at least 1 parent. Also send her a copy of your birth certificate as the CFO will want to see it as well as any divorces you have ever had or copies of death certificates of any former spouses. PLANE TICKET You can purchase a one-way or round trip ticket for your fiancee to come to the United States, whichever is cheaper.

14 IMPORTANT REMINDERS Come To The Embassy On Your Appointed Interview Date. If you are eligible for a K1 or K2 visa, your passport with the approved visa will be delivered to your designated delivery address at no additional cost. The Embassy uses a guaranteed courier service to handle visa deliveries. 2GO commercial courier is the new Embassy's authorized courier service provider for the visa units. Delivery should be within two weeks from your visa issuance. Applicants also have the option to pick up the visas at any 2GO branch. If we have questions about your application, we will send a letter and ask you to submit additional documents, or to return to the Embassy for another interview. No Embassy representative is authorized to tell you that a visa has been approved until a consular officer authorizes printing of the visa. For the safety and security of all applicants and employees, visa applicants are no longer permitted to bring cell phones or other electronic devices into the U.S. Embassy. Applicants who bring such devices will be denied entry. Please make arrangements to leave your electronic equipment in a safe location off Embassy grounds during your interview appointment. 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. Your passport must be valid for at least six (6) months. We will ask you to submit a new passport if your current one has a validity of less than six (6) months. The K1 or K2 visa is NOT an immigrant visa (IV), nor is it a lawful permanent resident card (green card). The K1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa (NIV) that allows you to travel to the United States to marry your petitioner within 90 days of your entry to the United States. Once you marry, you need to apply to the USCIS to adjust your status to a legal permanent resident (LPR). Traveling outside of the U.S. while an adjustment of status application is pending may have severe consequences. You should contact the USCIS before you travel to determine if you require a travel document to re-enter the U.S. It is important that you obtain proper documentation before leaving the United States, even on an emergency. The K1/K2 visa is valid for only one- entry into the U.S. Once you enter U.S. territory, e.g., Guam, you will not be allowed to re-enter the U.S. on the same visa if your onward flight transits a third country. Minor children who are identified and listed in the approved I-129F petition may follow-to-join their petitioned parent. However, such follow-to-ioin K2 visas can only be issued within one year from the time the parent was issued the K1 visa. After one (1) year, they will no longer be able to derive immigration benefits from the I-129F petition and you or your spouse will have to file an immediate relative or second preference petition for them to qualify again for immigration benefits. If you have one or more children not listed on the visa petition, or a current pregnancy, or a prior undisclosed marriage even if the marriage has now been terminated, or are currently afflicted with a contagious or communicable disease of public health significance, you must be prepared to present a notarized letter from the petitioner stating he/she is aware of the discrepancies between the facts stated on the petition and your actual personal circumstances, and still wishes to proceed with the proposed marriage. Do not finalize arrangements for travel to the United States, dispose of properties, or resign from your iob until a visa has been issued and delivered to you. Generally, a one-entry fiance(e) (K1) nonimmigrant visa is valid for six months from the date of issuance, unless its validity is limited by medical or other restrictions. W A R N I N G VISA FRAUD IS A SERIOUS OFFENSE. ATTEMPTS TO MISREPRESENT A MATERIAL FACT OR MISLEAD A CONSULAR OFFICER MAY JEOPARDIZE CURRENT AND FUTURE VISA APPLICATIONS

15 Items which are NOT required or necessary to bring to the Embassy Interview YOU DO NOT NEED TO BRING THESE 1. The fiancee visa petition which was filed in the United States. 2. Proof of having met in person. This has already been established. 3. Letter of Intent to Marry (Either one). 4. Birth Certificate of American (The CFO will want to see this though). 5. Do NOT bring any electronic Device. This include cell phones. 6. They will not look at pictures or any evidence on CD s or DVD s. 7. They do not want to see photo albums full of your pictures together. Just 20 pictures together in an envelope.

16 STAGE 1: Outside the Embassy 1. Line up for K1 Visa 2. At the base of the foot bridge 3. Wait for the guard's or vendors go signal before going inside USEM's premises OR you may ask the guard directly just to be sure if you can already line up inside USEM's premises STAGE 2: Inside USEM's Premises 1. Line up for K1 Visa 7:30AM appointment

17 2. Wait for the guard's "GO" signal before you go to the next step 3. Leave any prohibited items. If you have your USC fiance with you, he/she can hold it for you and deposit in the security room STAGE 3: Inside USEM's Premises - Tent Area - Checkpoint 1. Prepare your Passport 2. Form DS-160 Confirmation Page 3. Appointment Confirmation 4. The greeters will staple some of your papers together, they will also give you a plastic ziplock for the passport STAGE 4: Inside USEM's Premises - Security Checkpoint Room 1. USC's are allowed to deposit their belongings in this room but Filipino applicants are not allowed so do not bring any prohibited items STAGE 5: Inside USEM - Ticketing booth 1. You will be given a small sheet of paper that list the required documents to be presented during the interview and our ticket number for the whole procedures STAGE 6: Waiting Area 1. Wait for your number to flash on the monitors/screens for the biometrics or wait for the greeter's go signal if you can already go inside the Annex bldg (IF your number did not show up on the monitor/screen) 2. If your number flashed on the screen, you may go inside the building for the biometrics STAGE 7: Biometrics 1. Once your number flashed on the monitors/screens, go to your assigned window 2. Your will be asked for your name and date of birth 3. Biometric procedures: first 4 fingers (left) then 4 fingers (right) then 2 thumbs together 4. On this stage, the officer will either get your passport/not STAGE 8: Filipino Officer/Consul 1. The Filipino consul asks for the following: Passport Birth certificate CENOMAR NBI Clearance I-134 with original signature Photocopy of latest Tax return

18 Photocopy of latest W2 BPI receipt (you can give a photocopy but you may also bring the original for comparison or to confirm that you are really paid) Proof of relationship, etc... The Filipino officer will also ask you some questions STAGE 9: American Consul 1. Oath taking 2. Might ask questions almost the same to the Filipino Consul 3. Might ask some evidence too, etc Will be the one who will tell you if you are approved or not.. sometimes, they don't tell if you are approved or not STAGE 10: Confirmation of the VISA Packet Delivery 1. First your number will be called by an officer who is using a microphone (your ticket number won't flash anymore on the screen) to come over to his/her window. 2. The personnel will ask you some questions then will inform you if you are approved or not or if you need to submit more papers. 3. If approved, you will be instructed to go to another window number to confirm your passport/visa packet delivery. 4. Once you are at the window for the confirmation of your passport/visa packet delivery, the personnel will ask you if you already had selected on where to pick up or to have your passport delivered; if you scheduled online and chose a pick up or delivery location, then there is no need to fill out a form for the delivery/pick up; you may just inform the personnel that you had selected online already on how your visa will be delivered / picked up. If you will be picking your visa up it will be ready in 5-7 days typically. If they will deliver it to you it will take longer.

19 INTERVIEW QUESTIONS - FIANCEE VISA How did you meet your fiancee? When did you meet in person? How long have you known each other? When was the last time you met your fiancee? Where? When did your fiancee propose? What do you love about your fiancee? When are you going to travel to the US? Have you ever been to the US? If so, on what kind of visa did you travel to the US? How long did you stay? When did you return? What is your birthday? What is your fiancee s birthday? Where was your fiancee born? What does your fiancee do for living? Where does your fiancee work? What is your fiancee s designation at work? Does your fiancee have any brothers and sisters? Where does your fiancee live? Where do your fiancee s parents live? Do you have any brothers and sisters? What do your parents think about this engagement? Do they approve of it? When did your fiancee divorce? Why did your fiancee s first marriage not work out? Does your fiancee have any children? How many, how old? Do they live with your fiancee? Are you willing to take care of your fiancee s children if they live with him/her? When and where are you going to have the wedding? How much time have you spent together? Did you have an engagement party? Did you make a formal announcement of your engagement to family and friends? How do your families feel about your plans to get married? From our survey of applicants here are the Top Questions Asked How long do you know your fiance? How did you meet? Have you ever been to the US? When is the last time you have seen your fiance? When will you leave for the US? When did we meet in person? When did my fiance propose? Why was my fiance's first marriage not working out? Does my fiance have any kids? How many, how old, who do they live with? When did your fiance divorce? What is your fiance's birthday? What is your birthday? Does your fiance's have any brothers and sisters? Do you have any brothers and sisters? Where do your fiance's parents live? What does your fiance do for a living? Where does your fiance live?

20 Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar Visa in Hand, Your Fiance(e) is Approved What's next? Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar once your k1/k3 visa is in your hands. This is a mandatory Philippines government requirement and has nothing to with the US Embassy interview or the K1 Visa. (CFO) Seminar Commission on Filipinos Overseas What you need to know before you can travel abroad to the United States. As Filipinos going abroad as Fiance(e)s, spouses or other partners of foreign nationals, you are required to attend the CFO's guidance and counseling session in order to secure the Guidance and counseling certificate (GCC) and the CFO Sticker. Requirements for Attendance to Guidance and Counseling Program (Offirr nf thr JlrrinVnt nf the JJbUippiiKM COMMISSION ON FILIPINOS OVERSEAS MARINELL D. LETADA JANUARY UNITED STATES OF AMFRICA EMIGRANT NO. A FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTC *Two (2) valid identification cards (IDs) with photograph; *Duly completed guidance and counseling form; *If married, original and photocopy of marriage contract on security paper from the National Statistics Office, or Local Civil Registry Offices; or original and photocopy of marriage contract duly authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/ Consulate (if married abroad) *Other documents as may be required by the counselors; *Payment of P counseling fee. ^Original and photocopy of Passport; ^Original and photocopy of visa

21 Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) Guidance and Counseling Session. This is "Not" a requirement from the U.S. Embassy, rather, a requirement from the DFA for all Filipinos Fiance(e)s or spouses of foreign nationals. Important Information: No seminar, no departure. The Fiance(e) needs to attend this to receive a certificate and have his/her passport stamped as proof of attendance/registration. If attending the CFO class before applying for the passport, the DFA may require the applicant to have the CFO prior to issuance. You will also need to present this certificate together with your spouse/partner visa, at the Immigration office at the international airport on your day of departure. To attend the seminar, you may proceed to either two of CFO's service providers located at Manila or Cebu. Manila or Cebu location address and schedules. Location maps, phone numbers and for contacting. NOTE: After your fiancee receives her visa they must go to the CFO and take the CFO class which takes about 2 hours. After the class they will put a sticker on the visa which will allow them to board the palne. You cannot take the CFO class if you don t have the visa in your hand. Any Philippine citizen who wishes to leave the Philippines on a Fiancee visa must first attend the CFO seminar. This is a Philippine government requirement and has nothing to do with the U.S. government or the U.S. visa process. This seminar can only be completed in Cebu or Manila. For more information about the CFO seminar, see the official Philippine government website here: Review the items that are listed of the Embassy letter for your interview. Do not assume that they have any of the items that you originally included when your petition was filed.

22 COMMISSION ON FILIPINOS OVERSEAS -Responding to the Challenges of Migration and Development" CFO: GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING PROGRAM (GCP) PROCEDURES MANILA STEP 1: AT THE RAMP Fall in line at the ramp STEP 2: GROUND FLOOR RECEPTION AREA K1: Present your 2 valid ID's and photocopy of each Spouses: Present your 2 valid ID's and photocopy of each and your NSO Marriage contract and a copy Fiance(e)'s and Spouses will be given an "F" category ID, the receptionist will return 1 of your I D's STEP 3: GROUND FLOOR WAITING ROOM Fiance(e)'s and Spouses will have to wait until called to go upstairs (3RD Floor) for the GCP STEP 4: 3RD FLOOR - FILLING-OUT THE GCF The counselor at the reception area will hand you a Guidance and Counseling Form to fill-out

23 Fill-out the GCF Please write LEGIBLY. The counselor prefers the answers to be in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS Once done, return the GCF to the counselor at the reception area The counselor checks the form and might ask you some questions or documents After checking the form and stamping your GCC #, is the picture taking for the GCC (Guidance & Counseling Certificate) Once done, wait for the seminar to start at 9am (don't be late) Wait at USA room The counselor might ask your group to move to another room esp if there are many applicants (some are seat in) STEP 5: 3RD FLOOR - REVIEWING THE FORM Before you start, you will be given a "Client Feedback Form" that you will use to evaluate the GCP. This will be given back to the counselor after the lecture The counselor will give back your GCF and all of you will go through the form and review each number and provide the correct answers if there's any mistakes After reviewing and correcting some answers on the form, you will pass the form to the counselor and the counselor will check the form again, and will ask you to go to her; while she is checking the form she will ask you some questions or documents. The counselor will give you 10minutes to call your relatives/petitioner if you missed some information or go to the ground floor to look for the zip code in their zip code directory. STEP 6: PAYMENT After the counselor checked your form and everything is OK, you can now go to the ground floor and pay the P400 You will bring the form to the cashier, and the cashier/clerk will input your GCC# on their computer & will keep the form. After paying, the cashier will give you a receipt. Keep that receipt. Once you are done in paying, you will go back to your room for the lecture to start. Don't be late! STEP 7: LECTURE Once everyone is done paying the P400, the lecture will now start The lecture is more than 2 hours long STEP 8: RELEASING OF GCC After the lecture, they will evaluate the GCP. Once done, you will go to the ground floor and wait for your name to be called at Window 4 Once called, you will be instructed on how to use your GCC. And to write your name and certificate number on their log book If you were on "HOLD" you will not be able to get your certificate until you fulfill what the counselor had asked from you and You're done! IF NO VISA IN HAND YET If you don't have the visa yet, you will need to go back to CFO for the sticker. Do not forget to bring your certificate and the requirements for registration.

24 SAMPLE AFFIDAVIT OF PARENTAL ADVICE TO MARRIAGE WE and both of legal age, Filipino citizens, and presently residing at, Philippines, after having been duly sworn to in accordance with law, do hereby depose and state: THAT we are the parents of who was born in, on ; THAT our said daughter is intending to enter into marriage with an AMERICAN CITIZEN by the name of, presently residing at ; THAT parental advice is being sought by our said daughter to marry and for this purpose; we hereby giving our advice favorable and have no objection to her marriage. THAT parental advice has been given to her favorably for the reason that she is still single, has all the qualifications to marry and without legal impediment. THAT this affidavit is executed to attest to the truth of the foregoing facts and for whatever purpose this may serve. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto affixed our signatures on this day of, 20 _ in the City of, PHILIPPINES. Affiant / Father Affiant / Mother SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO BEFORE ME this day of 20, affiant exhibiting his/her/their issued on, in, known to me to be the same person who executed the foregoing instrument, and they acknowledged to me that the same is their free and voluntary act and deed.

25 SAMPLE AFFIDAVIT OF PARENTAL CONSENT TO MARRIAGE I, of legal age, single/married/widowed, Filipino citizen, and presently residing in, Philippines, after having been duly sworn to in accordance with law, do hereby depose and state: THAT I am the father of, on born in THAT my daughter is intending to contract marriage with on in born in THAT I am are giving my consent to my daughter, marrying THAT I am executing this Affidavit for the purpose of informing the authorities concerned of the veracity of the foregoing facts and for whatever legal purposes it may serve. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have signed this Affidavit on this in the City of, Philippines. Affiant SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO BEFORE ME this day of 20_ affiant exhibiting his issued on, in, known to me to be the same person who executed the foregoing instrument, and they acknowledged to me that the same is their free and voluntary act and deed.

26 SAMPLE EMPLOYMENT LETTER On Company letterhead and it needs to contain, todays date, hire date, employment status, job title and salary. Here is a sample. "To whom it may concern, xxx xxxx has been employed by this Company since xx-xx-xxxx. His/Her status is full time/part time and his/her job is as a xxxxxxx. His/her weekly/monthly/annual income is $xxxxx." Signed x xxxxxxx Date xxxxxxx Printed Name xxxxxxxxxx Title xxxxxxxxx

27 SAMPLE SELF-EMPLOYMENT LETTER Date xxxxxxx To Whom It May Concern: Dear Sir/Madam, My name is XXXXXX. I am residing at: XXXXXXX I make the following statement under penalty of perjury that: I am self-employed for XXXXX, and I have been self-employed for more than five years since xxxxxxx. My annual salary is $XXXXX. I pledge that my fiancee XXXXX XXXXX will not be any public charge. I will provide for all her financial needs. Thank you very much for your kindness and your attention to this letter. Sincerely, XXXXXX XXXXXX Petitioners Signature

28 FOR RETIRED OR UNEMPLOYED Letter Explaining my Yearly Income (date) U.S. CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES U.S. Department of Homeland Security To whom it may concern, Please find the following information below explaining about my Income. I am retired/unemployed, but I have Income from (write sources of your income). I make more than enough to support my fiancee and myself. My Yearly Income from : $ My Yearly Income from : $ $ (Total Yearly Income) Sincerely, (Your Signature) (Your Full Name)

29 SAMPLE LETTER IF YOU ARE ONLY USING ASSETS You must edit this letter. This must be typed and cannot be handwritten. (Date) To Whom It May Concern, I will be using my assets to meet the income requirements for the Fiancee Visa. I have the following assets: 1. A 401 k account in the approximate amount of $50, A Mutual Fund account in the approximate amount of $60, A home worth approximately $75, Approximately $20,000 in a checking account. The total value of these assets are $205,000. I am attaching proof of the value of these assets to this letter. Sincerely, (Your Signature) (Your Full Name)

30 Adjustment of Status (Green Card) Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!!! Please don't forget that by law their Adjustment of Status must be filed within the 90 days after your fiancee arrives in the United States. We do provide complete assistance with filing your Adjustment of Status. This is not part of your fiancee visa service, this is a separate service and there is an additional fee. We fill-out absolutely all the paperwork for you and all you have to do is sign your name. You can be sure that this complex paperwork will be done 100% correct. There is about 3 times more paperwork for the Adjustment of Status than the Fiancee Visa. We recommend that you marry within 60 days of him/her entering the United States so we can begin the Adjustment of Status. This must not be filed late, this proves to them that you were married within the allotted time. Failure to file the Adjustment of Status can result in their status changing to illegal and can result in deportation. We can begin the Adjustment of Status up to 1-3 weeks prior to you getting married. You just need to have set a wedding date and she must be here in the USA. About 90 days after your Adjustment of Status package is filed he/she will get their Work Authorization Card and Travel Permit in the mail. At this point she can travel. She can take her Work Authorization Card to Social Security and they will issue her a Social Security Card. Then she should go to the DMV and they will issue her a State ID Card or Driver's license. At this point she can work. It takes between 6-12 months to receive the actual green card but she can still work and travel while waiting for it. She cannot legally work in the United States without her Work Authorization Card. Total Fees $1,070 Adult Filing Fee $550 Fee to Filipina Fiancee Visa Service $1620 Total of All Fees Fees for Children The filing fee for Applicants 14 or over is $1070 ($985 application fee plus an $85 biometric fee). The filing fee for Applicants under 14 years of age filing with the application of at least one parent is $635 plus an $85 biometric fee plus we charge an Extra $300 per child added to your Adjustment of Status. To read more about the process and SIGN UP for the Adjustment of Status go HERE