NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) Departure Procedure/Experience

April 11, 2014-  After 2 years of my brother's visa journey, this is the day we have been waiting for. His scheduled flight was 6:45am but they left a little bit early at 6:30am via Delta Airlines going to Japan then Detroit as his first port of entry.
At the NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) Terminal 1, after all the security checks he fall in line at the DELTA counter when they opened the checked-in lane. He gave his passport to the custom officer that was on duty  and he was asked few security questions which all of them are just self-explanatory.  Then he was sent to the Department of Tourism counter located inside the airport-just right before DELTA's counter-  to pay for the travel tax of 1,620PHP. At the Tourism area, he gave his passport and the amount for the travel tax and was given a receipt. He went back to the lane and ready to checked-in.  He had one (1) piece of luggage -Delta allows 2 luggages  for free  with 23kg each- and his carry-on bag which has all his documents and books. He handed his e-ticket and his passport to the lady at the counter. They weighed his check-in luggage and was given an official ticket and boarding passes for Manila, Japan and his US connecting flight.
Next step was the payment of 550PHP for the terminal fee which is located inside the terminal. Then next  was immigration check- show your passport with the terminal fee receipt. The last step was the final security check before going to your boarding gate.

At the boarding gate, there's another security clearance check. Every time you step-out; to buy for souvenirs or just to roam  around while waiting for the boarding time, you will be checked again but you don't have to fall-in line  along with the new comers.

PS: After checking-in and before entering into the terminal, you are allowed to step outside the building , you just have to present your boarding pass to the security officer and you will given an entry id. That entry id will serve as your clearance without falling on line.

Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS)

April 8, 2014 (Tuesday)This day, my brother attended the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) at the Commission of Filipino Overseas (CFO) in Manila. He was accompanied by my sister. They went there around 11am but the next available session is at 2pm, so he had to wait until that time. 
First Step:  At the entrance desk he was asked to provide a valid  identification card (he gave postal id) in exchange for the official PDOS ID that is given for you to wear all the time while inside the building. A queue number was also given at the entrance which serves as your number.
Second Step: His number was called and he submitted all the required papers that is listed on their website like; Registration form-can be downloaded at the CFO website, copy of the data summary, original  with photocopy of the passport (front page), processing fee of 550PHP-make sure to bring the exact amount to avoid any delay, (1) 2x2 id, original and photocopy of the visa,
Last Step, would be the schedule for the next seminar. It's normally  a two-hour seminar that covers issues and concerns on finding employment rights and obligations of immigrants as well as policies and procedures on how to secure foreign citizenship.

    There is no reservation required for CFO PDOS because it's a first come, first served basis only. But you can pre-register online and you can print it ahead of time then just bring it with you so you don't have to fill-out the form when you get there.

For whole reference on current fees and requirements please refer to their website at here.

These are the Locations for CFO/PDOS:

CFO Manila

 

Citigold Center, 1345 Pres. Quirino Avenue
corner Osmeña Highway (South Superhighway)
Manila, Philippines 1007
Tel. No.: (02) 552-4700
Fax No.: (02) 561-8332
E-mail: info@cfo.gov.ph This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: www.cfo.gov.ph

 

 CFO Cebu Desk

 Causing-Lozada Building, Osmeña Boulevard corner
MJ Cuenco Street, Cebu City, Philippines
Telefax: (032) 255-5253
Email: cfocebu@cfo.gov.ph This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: www.cfo.gov.ph

 

 

Philippine Travel Tax & Tax Exemption

To date, the Philippine Travel Tax Rates are as follows:

	FIRST CLASS PASSAGE	ECONOMY CLASS PASSAGE
Full Travel Tax	PHP 2,700.00	PHP 1,620
Standard Reduced Travel Tax	PHP 1,350.00	PHP 810.00
Privileged Reduced Travel Tax for a Dependents of an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW)	PHP 400.00	PHP 300.00

But, many have asked me if  US Green Card holders have to pay for travel tax when leaving the Philippines. So, who has  to pay and who are exempted ?  According to the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA),  US permanent residents or Green Card holders who are staying in the Philippines for not more than one (1) year are exempted to pay for travel tax fee of PHP 1,620 when leaving the Philippines,  only if  they can provide the Travel Tax exemption Certificate issued by the PTA. To obtain the certificate,  individual  have to go to the Philippine Tourism office /travel tax offices and present your original passport, Green Card and a processing fee of  200PHP per certificate.  When checking in to your respective airline, present the tax exemption certificate along with your unexpired passports,  Green Cards and airline tickets. If you don't have the certificate with you,  the custom officer that will check your passport will  send you to the travel tax booth located at the airport.

For more information on the tax exemption and requirement for availability, visit the Philippine Tourism  and the TIEZA ( Tourism Infrastructure and Zone Authority) websites.



THE FOLLOWING ARE SUBJECT TO THE PHILIPPINE TRAVEL TAX:

1. Citizens of the Philippines  (except for citizens and family members who are covered by  R.A. 6768)

2. Taxable Foreign Passport Holders (Table 1)

3. Non-immigrant foreign passport holders who have stayed in the Philippines for more than one (1) year (Table 2)

 

 

 

 

"Airfare Shopping from Manila to USA"

So, it has been 3 months since my brother was issued an immigrant visa to come to the US. His visa will expire in April, but he's going to enter the US before the expiration.
 I've been shopping  for his airfare  and the cheapest I found is 909$ for one way at cheapOair.com. The itinerary for that price is MNL-NRT-ORD, through Japan Airlines & American Airlines. From  Chicago, he's going to fly to our nearest airport.
Expedia.com 's airfare for the same itinerary is $916 which is not bad compared to   CheapTickets.com airfare cost through Delta AirLines which is  $1,169, so that's definitely off the table.  I searched other airline booking sites but so far CheapOair  is on my top list. Hopefully by February I will be able to book for his flight.

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.