Form I-130 for Sister of USC

Nov. 15, 2013- This day, I send my I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative- siblings of USC) packet application to the USCIS Chicago Lockbox for my married sister.

I have included the following supporting documents in the  Package:

* Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance
*Filled and Signed Form I-130  (Me)
*Personal check of $420- processing fee for I-130
*Copy of Petitioner's US Passport (Me)
*Copy of Petitioner's Naturalization Certificate
*Copy of Petitioner's Birth Certificate- evidence that shows petitioner and sister have one common Mother/parents
*Copy of Petitioner's Marriage Certificate- Proof of legal name changed

*Copy of Beneficiary's Birth Certificate- (sister)
*Copy of Beneficiary's Marriage Certificate- proof of legal name changed


In my country, the visa availability for Siblings of US Citizen is two decades unless something change on the US Immigration process along the way.

Update:
Nov.22, 2013- I received an email and text notification from USCIS informing me that they have received my I-130 Petition for my sister.

Citizenship and Updating Immigration Status at Social Security Administration (SSA)

As you may know or may not know,  I came here on Fiancé Visa or K1. After I got married, I applied for SSN and AOS. I was issued an SSN #  but with a note on the card that says "FOR DHS AUTHORIZATION ONLY". It just means, that without EAD or Green Card, I won't be allowed to work. So, back in 2006, few months after I got married,  I applied for Employment Authorization together with my Adjustment of Status. It didn't take me long to  get the EAD card in the mail . When I got hired, my employer  asked me for my EAD and SSN card.  A month or two, I got the 2 yr. conditional GC, so I gave my current employer a copy of my GC to update my status. Ninety days before my 2 yr. GC expired we filed for the removal of my conditional status. Me and my husband were interviewed together at our local USCIS. After the interview, I was approved and was given a I-551 card for 1 yr extension of my permanent residency while waiting for the actual 10yr GC in the mail.  For some reason, there was a delay of the issuance of my GC. I think because, we moved to a new place and we had to changed our address. So, instead of waiting, I applied for Naturalization. because by that time I was already qualified for file for N400 based on the 3 yr. permanent residency rule, married to the same US citizen spouse. I made a copy of my 2yr GC and the 1 yr. extension card and mailed it together with my N400 application plus some civil documents that were required in filing. Less than a year from filing, I had an interview and passed it. Jan2010, I took an oath and became a United States Citizen.
Right after the oath taking, there were voters registration outside available for us that day whomever wants to register to vote which I did.

After all these years, I did not update my SSN status until today, Nov.8, 2013. The reason of the delay is because I did not change employer where they never ask me again my SSN card. Anyway, we went to the Social Security Administration Office today, 11/8/13  and updated the status of my immigration. I downloaded a form from SSA website and filled it out with my information and brought it to their office with my naturalization certificate and US passport. It only took them 10minutes to update in their system . After that, I was given a receipt showing the date of my visit and I should have my new card  with no restriction on it ( but same #)  in about 2 weeks.

UPDATE: Nov. 15, 2013- I got my new Social Security Card today with no restriction written.

VISA ON HAND (F2a)

Nov. 4, 2013, my brother picked-up the visa packet at 2GO Gaisano Branch, Davao City. His interview was on Oct 29th, and the visa was issued the next day (oct 30). But because of the weekend and the  observance of All Souls day and All Saints day in the Philippines, it wasn't delivered on time. The visa was available for picked-up at 2GO branch after 4 business days from the date it was issued.

VISA ISSUED- CEAC Status

Less than 24 hrs from the interview, we checked the status of my brother's visa application at the CEAC website and to our surprised it's now say ISSUED, very quick indeed. We are expecting to have the visa delivered by 2GO this week.

F2a, unmarried child of LPR under 21yrs old- Interview Done-APPROVED

Oct 29, 2013 at 6:30am, was my brother's immigrant  Visa Interview at the US Embassy in Manila. Approximately 21months from his priority date of Jan 20, 2012. According to him, there were already a lot of people in-line outside the embassy when he got there at 4:30am.  His interview was done at 11:00am. He was interviewed by a Filipino consul first which asked him more questions than the American CO. The final interview was with the American CO, which only took about 1 minute as he speak.
Questions were:
His name & Date of Birth
Name & Date of Birth of the Petitioner
What does she does for living? (petitioner)- Mom is unemployed
American CO asked him who is ( Me, and my Husband)?.. We are the co-sponsors and his sister and bro-in law.
Job/s of co-sponsors
What date/year , mom immigrated to the US?
He was also asked, on what year I (co-sponsor) came to the US.


At the Filipino CO, he was asked to provide his baptismal certificate. We did not expect them to ask for one but we're glad my brother had it with him during the interview. The Embassy returned back all the photographs and some of the original documents that we submitted at the NVC, like, co-sponsors marriage and birth certificates.
After the interview, he was told by the American CO, that his visa is APPROVED. He also seen the consul stamped APPROVED after the interview. He was instructed to proceed to 2GO, the visa courier for final steps. 

3 weeks before his interview I sent a duplicate copy of all the paper works/documents that I've sent to NVC to my brother. He wasn't asked any of those. Contrary to what others say, that the US Embassy in Manila might asked for the new DS260 Form, my brother wasn't ask to provide the new Online Immigrant Application form, this is because he already submitted the old DS230 Form prior to the implementation of DS260, which was before Sept 1. 2013.

PRIORITY DATE- JAN 20,2012
DATE OF APPROVAL- JUNE 11,2013
CASE COMPLETE- SEPT 6,2013
Interview letter received- Oct 15,2013 (expedite approved)
Interview Date- Oct 29, 2013

Medical Done in 1 Day @ SLEC

Oct 17 & 18 was my brother's scheduled  medical exam at St. Lukes  Extention Clinic (SLEC) . A day before his scheduled medical, he made an appointment by registering online  at the SLEC website and printed out the appointment confirmation. He made photocopies of the SLEC appointment letter and took it with him including 3 (2x2) id pictures with white background, 2 photocopies of his passport(biographic page), medical fee of  $223 . Fees must be paid in Philippine pesos at a current prevailing rate.

 But, that online registration  does not guarantee him or any applicants for  fast service because it's a first come, first serve basis. So, whoever gets there early, will be served first.

According to SLEC website, EACH APPLICANT/IMMIGRANT  MUST PRESENT THE FOLLOWING:
1. Valid passport
2. Photocopy of Passport Biographic/Data Page, the page in the passport that contains the applicant's photo and information. The photocopy should be the same size as the original, not enlarged or reduced.
3. 3 pieces recent 2x2 visa photos (2 for submission to the U.S. Embassy, 1 for clinic file)
   
   The US Embassy requires you to bring the 2x2 photos for your visa issuance. SLEC, regret not to release the medical report until such time that the applicant can provide this requirement.
4. Visa Interview Appointment letter from the Embassy or Instruction letter from the National Visa Center (NVC), if available,
5. 2 photocopies of your Appointment Letter/ Instruction Letter
6. Applicants are also required to provide the name, address and contact number of their petitioner in the U.S.A.

My brother stayed at the nearby Casa Bogobo hotel, a walking distance to SLEC. He  thought he was there early, but was 10th in line. When the clinic opened, the guard called the first 10 to get inside and start by filling out the necessary paper works  that was given by the staff.  The reception area opened at 6:00am. He was done with his medical by 11:00am and was instructed to come back in the afternoon for the result. He went to his hotel room for lunch and came back around 1:00pm at SLEC. He PASSED his medical and he was given a CD. Basically, his medical was done in half day. If he had a problem on his x-ray, it would be a different story.


Next is his interview at the US Embassy on Oct 29, 2013.

NVC Expedite Approved

On Sept 7, 2013 , a day after my brother's F2a case was completed at NVC, I faxed a letter ( explaination and reason for expedite) including a privacy release form to our State Senator asking for assistant to expedite his interview. I did not hear from them until first week of Oct. The senator's office sent me a letter in the mail with the attached letter from NVC stating that our request for expedite has been approved by the US Embassy in Manila and NVC, and that my brother's case has left NVC building on Sept 30, 2013. We were also instructed that all future inquiries will be directed to the Embassy or the Department of State including interview schedule. I called NVC the following day to confirm about the letter, and yes the agent told me on the phone that the US Embassy in Manila is now responsible for my brother's interview scheduling.
Oct. 2, 2013- CEAC status in now  "In Transit". I called Manila on Oct 7 to follow-up but the lady told me that they have not gotten the file yet. Oct. 8, CEAC status is now  "Ready" and says it's ready for interview. Because of the time difference, I was not able to call back the following day.
Oct 15, -My brother called the US Embassy and to our surprised he was told that he can schedule for his interview right away. He was given dates to pick for interview. He picked Oct 29 @ 6:30am as his interview schedule. After 10 minutes we got an email appointment confirmation for his interview. On the phone, he was instructed to have his medical done a week before his interview. He decided to have it done on Oct 17 &18. So, I booked a round trip flight and hotel  right away.

1 Day Medical Done....next post

Puzzling DS260 vs DS230

As many of us know, on  Sept 3, DOS has implemented  the online  DS260 for the Application of Immigrant visa instead of the old DS230 form.. All immigrants who were required to submit DS230 form for immigrant visa application are now required to fill the DS260 form online at the CEAC site.

On my brother's case, we submitted the IV documents and DS230 on Aug 8 and was entered into their system on Aug 14. Since they did not find anything wrong on his IV application after Sept 3rd, he was not required to fill the DS260 online.But if we got a checklist for his DS230, then he would be required to fill DS260online. But, since we previously got a checklist for his AOS, I knew they will not send a second checklist. True enough his case was completed on Sept 6, 2013 with just the DS230 on their system.

While other visa applicants who are on the same stage are filling out the DS260 online eventhough there is no email instruction from NVC, we did not do it, because I believed if we filled it out, it could open the case again and will further delay the process. Some say, that the interviewing embassy might require him to fill the DS260 online during the interview. But, I think that is not a problem, he can do it right after the interview. I don't think it will take them another 20business days to review the form and to issue the visa.

F2A Case Completed 9/6/13

Sept. 6, 2013- We normally called NVC at least once or twice a week to follow-up the status of the case. This time my brother called them and told them the case was completed on Sept 6 which is exactly 16 business days from the time the IV documents was entered into their system.

On Sept 13, we got this  email(below) with the subject line of  "Case Status".

Dear Sir or Madam:

The National Visa Center has received all documentation necessary to complete pre-processing
of your case. As soon as an interview date has been scheduled, the applicant, petitioner
and attorney (if applicable) will be notified.

The applicant should NOT make any travel arrangements, sell property, or give up employment
until the US Embassy or Consulate General has issued a visa.

The US Embassy or Consulate General may require additional documentation at the time of
the interview. Additional documentation requirements if applicable can be referenced at
the following URL: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3742.html

Sincerely,

Director
National Visa Center

IV- Immigrant Visa Application DS230

Aug 8, 2013-  This day, we sent my brother's DS230 Form application and supporting documents. They call it IV packet. It was received by NVC on Aug 10 and was entered to their system on Aug 14 per customer service representative. We were told to wait for 20 business days to finish reviewing the IV packet.

Here are the documents inside the packet IV

*IV Barcoded Cover Sheet showing the case #
*DS230 Form- Part I was signed and dated but not Part II
*2(2x2) id pic with white background
*copy of approval notice that was sent from USCIS
*Photocopy of his(brother) passport's biographic page
*Original & Photocopy of applicant's birth certificate
*Original  & copy of NBI clearance (green color/no record on file)

Update : As of Sept. 3, 2013, the DS230 Form or the Online Immigrant Visa Application has now being replaced by the DS260 online form which can be completed at the Consular Electronic Application (CEAC) website and follow the direction on the website.

Affidavit of Support Checklist

So, on July 15, 2013 , NVC received my brother's AOS documents. But on Aug 7, we got two  checklist, I-864a for me and my husband.

When we mailed the AOS on July 15.  My Mom filled Form I-864 with letter of explanation of not filing based on zero income  and a publication from IRS. So, that was right since we did not get a checklist for hers.  As soon as I read the I-864a checklist , I knew right away that I did something wrong on my form. On the initial AOS, I submitted the wrong form. I used I-864 for myself . But NVC wants me to use I-864a because on my Mom's I-864 on Part 6, 6a &7b she used  our  income (me &husband) so on #10 of Part 6 her current annual household income is not zero.  

Anyways, we mailed the right  and corrected AOS and IV packet at the same time on Aug 8 and NVC got it on Aug 12. My brother called NVC right after they got it and they said that they just entered the IV documents on Aug 15 with the corrected AOS.  So another 20 business days to wait till completion hoping there's no other checklist.

August 2013 Visa Bulletin for F2a

So every second week of the month, the Dept of State post its monthly visa bulletin for all categories. For the month of Aug, the VB for F2a category is "Current" for all countries. Being "Current" for F2a preference rarely happened. This means a lot to family members of LPR who are legally here in the United States. Because of this, they can file to adjust status while they are here legally  in the US.  They can file  Form I-130, Form I-485  concurrently without waiting for their PD to become current.

From Dept of State website:   F2A: This category has become “Current” for August, and is expected to remain so for the next several months. This action has been taken in an effort to generate an increased level of demand. Despite the fact that there are large amounts of registered F2A demand, currently there are not enough applicants who are actively pursuing final action on their case to fully utilize all of the available numbers.

Philippine Passport Application in Davao City

July 12, 2013- This day is Saturday, and I'm surprised to learn that DFA Davao is opened on weekend (at least on Sat.) My brother told me that it's because the office is located inside SM City. This is a good thing that they are open on Saturday because some people don't have time to go to the DFA office during weekdays. Anyway, a week before this date, my brother went to DFA but was not granted application because they needed his Form 137 and voter's id or registration receipt.  He had his NSO Birth Certificate, old elementary school id and his college school ID(current) with him but that wasn't enough. He was given a checklist on what is needed besides the one that he has. So he had to come back the next week which is July 12. This time he brought his voter's registration receipt, (my sister got it from our local comelec)and baptismal certificate ( but it wasn't needed).  He didn't have his Form 137 because the school needed a written request to get it so I told him to just go ahead to the DFA and see if they will accept what you have. Luckily, this time  his application was accepted. He paid for the RUSH Processing which is supposed to be  7 working days for P1,200 according to their website.  It's already July 27, it would be 10 working days now but haven't heard anything from the DFA. He went to the  DFA SM Davao to follow-up for his passport yesterday (Sat in Ph), one of the employee told him that it is now 20 working days for express or rush processing and 35 working days for regular processing. So he has to come back next Saturday Aug. 3 to pick up his passport, hopefully they will have it this time.

Lesson learned: We should have him apply for his Passport 3 months ago to avoid this delay. But we didn't know that he will needed it this soon because we thought his petition won't be approved until next year.

For future reference, accdg. the DFA website these are the Requirements:


PASSPORT FEES:

For First time passport applicants:

• Regular Processing (15 working days): P950.00

• Express Processing (7 working days): P1,200.00

For Renewal of passport applicants:

• Regular Processing (15 working days): P950.00

• Express Processing (7 working days): P1,200.00

For Replacement of a lost expired passport:

• Regular Processing (15 working days): P950.00

• Express Processing (7 working days): P1,200.00

For Replacement of a lost valid passport:

• Regular Processing (15 working days): P950.00

• Express Processing (7 working days): P1,200.00

Please take note that there is an additional fee of P200.00 for a lost valid MRRP / MRP or P350.00 for a lost valid e-passport.

PASSPORT GENERAL  REQUIREMENTS:

• Personal appearance

• Confirmed appointment

• Birth Certificate (BC) in Security Paper (SECPA) issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) or Certified True Copy (CTC) of BC issued by the Local Civil Registrar (LCR) and duly authenticated by NSO. Transcribed Birth Certificate from the LCR is required when entries in NSO Birth Certificate are blurred or unreadable. (Report of Birth duly authenticated by NSO if born abroad)

• No need to submit a passport size photo

• Valid picture IDs and supporting documents to prove identity (Please refer to List of Acceptable IDs and List of Supporting Documents)

LIST OF ACCEPTABLE IDS (At least 1 of the following):

• Government-issued picture IDs such as the following:
  • Digitized SSS ID
  • Driver’s License
  • GSIS E-card
  • PRC ID
  • IBP ID
  • OWWA ID
  • Digitized BIR ID
  • Senior Citizen’s ID
• Other acceptable picture IDs such as the following:
  • Old College ID
  • Alumni ID
  • Old Employment IDs

LIST OF SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS (At least 3 of the following):

• Voter’s ID
• NSO Marriage Contract
• Land Title
• Seaman’s Book
• Elementary or High School Form 137 or Transcript of Records with readable dry seal
• Government Service Record
• NBI Clearance
• Police Clearance
• Barangay Clearance
• Old documents issued at least one year prior to date of application that show correct name, date and place of birth, picture and signature of applicant such as the following:
  • NSO Birth Certificate of child / children
  • SSS-E1 Form or Microfilmed Copy of SSS-E1 Form
  • Income Tax Return
  • Voter’s Certification, List of Voters and Voter’s Registration Record (for newly issued VRR, please attach receipt)
  • School Yearbook
  • Community Tax Certificate

Information About DS3032 -Choice of Agent and Address Form

Along with the DS3032 form, NVC will also send the petitioner the infomation about the Choice of Agent form. The petitioner will forward the information to the applicant for next step.

Add caption

DS3032- Choice of Address and Agent

July 3, 2013- Mom received an email from NVC for my brother's Choice of Address of Agent. The email contains  6 pages of pdf file , all instructions including the Affidavit of Support (AOS) Processing Fee Invoice .
This DS3032 is for the applicant/beneficiary. The Applicant has the option to email the DS3032 using his/her email address , you can use this template from visajourney in emailing DS3032. Give NVC at least 2 weeks to response on your email. You can also print and fill-up the  DS3032 form that NVC sent on your email (beneficiary or petitioner) Below is the actual DS3032 form from NVC. I covered the barcode, name of the applicant and case # to protect the identity.

If you decide to mail your Choice of Agent form, make sure  you signed and date it . Mail the form  with the original signature and not the photocopy.
I noticed the form has the expiration of 2006 but they just sent it on July 2013 so I guess it doesn't  matter.

F2A Unmarried child of LPR under 21

So, on Jan2012 right after my Mom got her Green Card , she filed Form I-130   to the USCIS  for both my brother and sister who are in the Philippines. . My brother was born on Dec1992 so he was 19 yrs and 1 mos old when the petition was filed.
My sister is over 21 so she is on F2B visa category preference.


Jan. 20, 2012- F2A Priority Date for my Brother
Jan. 20, 2012-F2B Priority Dater for my Sister

FAST FORWARD......

June 11, 2013-  Approval Date (I-797  Notice of Action)  for both categories . But only my brother F2A is                            eligible for further processing.

June 21, 2013- The National Visa Center (NVC) received my brother's case (also my sister's F2B) that                                was forwarded by the USCIS after the approval.
Note: After you get the approval letter in the mail, give NVC at least 2 weeks before calling for your case # and IIN . When calling, have your USCIS receipt # ready, name of the  petitioner and applicant , and their date of birth. Once your case will be in their system, a case number  will be assigned to you that starts with MNL for Manila Consulate. Different Consulate starts with different letters. Once you case number is assigned, you give that number everytime you call NVC for future follow-ups. Also,  have NVC update the petitioner and applicant's email address for future correspondence.

July 3, 2013- The National Visa Center (NVC) assigned a case # for F2A. (brother) with the Identification                            Invoice Number (IIN)
July 5, 2013- NVC  assigned a case # for F2B (sister), which I find it odd since it's still not eligible for                                further processing. But NVC attached  a letter with the case # saying as I quote:

Unfortunately, visa numbers are not presently available for your use. You will be notified when further
consideration can be given to processing your application for immigration. The reason for this delay is that thereare more applicants for visas than there are immigrant visa numbers available under the limitation prescribed by law.

Forward: 

July 3, 2013- By logging in at the  Immigrant Visa Invoice Payment Center , we pay the Affidavit of Support                      (AOS) for $88 .
                      Note: You need you case number and IIN in order to log in and US checking or savings                               account .
July  9, 2013- Affidavit of Support (AOS) status shows "PAID".
July 10, 2013- AOS Barcoded Cover Sheet received via email. (NVC sent it via email this time because the payment portal would not let us  print the  cover sheet. So if this happens to you even after your status shows "PAID", give NVC a call and request for the cover sheet to be sent in your email.

July 11, 2013- Affidavit of Support packet mailed.  

AOS and Supporting Documents that was sent: 

Signed I-864 -Mom
Letter of Explanation of non-filing for ITR ( no job & zero income)
Signed I-864a- Me-household member
Last 3 yrs of Transcript of Records
Last 3 yrs of W2's ( and 1099 if you have one)
Employment Letter (latest)
Paystubs (6 mos worth)

Signed I-864A from my husband as household member since we are combining our income
W2's
His employment letter
paystubs

Supporting Documents:
Joint Sponsor's proof of citizenship( passport and naturalization copy)
Joint Sponsor's birth certificate( orig & photocopy)

7-15-13- NVC received AOS packet

7-18-13- DS3032 accepted

7-19-13- IV invoiced

7-21-13- IV Payment "In Process"

7-25-13- IV bill "PAID"

NOTE: Base on experienced from my previous immigration encounter, for I-864, eventhough, your individual income is above the poverty line of your household size and NVC approves your I-864, but  if you are married and filing jointly, your local consulate will  determine if you need form I-864A from your spouse. Because on my situation when I filed for my mom's visa, manila consulate requested Form I-864A from my husband when my Mom had her interview. So the visa was delayed for 2 weeks, but that depends on how quick you send their request. 

NEXT POST....DS3032

Update: Aug 7,2013, So after 18 business days  my brother got a checklist for his AOS-Affidavit of Support which I posted it here. NVC did not accept my own I-864. The were asking for our I-864a (husband and I). A household contract for Affidavit of Support. We mailed them the next day, Aug 8,2013  together with my brother's Immigrant visa application documents.

Aug 8, 2013- IV packet mailed.

Update: As of Sept 6, 2013, my brother's f2a case was completed at NVC.  We are now  waiting for interview schedule per NVC instruction

Update: Sept 7,2013- Made an expedite request through the assistant of our State Senator.
Sept 30,2013- Expedite Approved . Case File left NVC building this day.
Oct 2, 2013- Case "In Transit" to Embassy per CEAC
Oct 8, 2013- Case arrived at Embassy and CEAC says "Ready" for interview.
Oct 15, 2013- Phone call the US Embassy. Made interview appointment on the Phone.
Oct 17, 2013- One Day Medical Done
Oct 29, 2013- Interview