JEFF & CARMELA'S
HOME ON THE NET

Jeff is from Tennessee, USA and I am originally from Manila, Philippines.
This page serves as a "journal" of our experience of getting a US visa for me, so that Jeff and I can be together, get married and start our life together.
This has been a long process but we believe that it makes our relationship stronger and show how much we love each other. 'Coz no one in their right mind would go through all of this tedious and loooong process except of course if they are really madly in love! Excuse the mushiness.

March 27, 2000:

I finally received my social security card in the mail.

Our Photo album

Following are what has happened so far ever since I left the Philippines

August 22, 1999: Arrived at Atlanta Airport where Jeff met me

October 24, 1999: The moment we have been waiting for...our wedding day! It was a very intimate ceremony, as only our family and closest of friends were in attendance. Just the way we wanted ;) We then went to Disneyworld Orlando, Florida for our honeymoon.

November 18, 1999: I mailed my application for Adjustment of Status and Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to the INS office that has jurisdiction over our State.

February 18, 2000: Received in the mail, notice from the INS that I can get my EAD from their Memphis office. It also included the receipt for the EAD application fee. However, I have yet to hear from them regarding the adjustment of status application I filed together with my EAD application. This prompted me to call the INS National Inquiry Line (1-800-375-5283). I was advised that it may take them up to 4 months to send the notice of action and receipt for this type of application. She also suggested to call them again once the said 4 months has elapsed.

March 20, 2000: Got my EAD from Memphis INS. I was also able to apply for my Social Security Card there, and was advised that it will be mailed to me in 7 to 10 days.

March 27, 2000: Received my Social Security Card in the mail, 7 days after I applied for it.

A Quick run-down of what we have accomplished so far:
(Visit our timeline page for full details and several tips for each process)

March 24, 1999: Jeff sends the necessary forms and document to the INS

April 10, 1999: Received INS letter of petition approval

Mid April 1999: Called the US embassy here in Manila to inquire if they have received the copy of the approved petition sent by the INS. They haven't.

April 19, 1999: Went to the Dept. of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for my appearance in order to get a passport.

Early May 1999: US embassy still have not received the INS approval. Was informed that it could take up to 2 months! Discovered the K-1 FAQ SITE that provides a wealth of information.

May 17, 1999: US embassy finally received the INS approval letter.

May 21, 1999: Received first notice from the US embassy.

May 23, 1999: Returned completed forms to the embassy.

May 25, 1999: Informed by the embassy that it usually takes a month for them to "qualify" the completed forms.

June 4, 1999: Completed my Barangay Clearance, Court Clearance and Police Clearance.

July 6, 1999: Finally, my appointment letter arrived in the mail.

July 14, 1999: Went to St. Lukes Medical Extension Clinic for the required medical exam.

August 6, 1999 The most awaited day for Jeff and I - my visa interview!

August 10, 1999: Picked up my fiance visa

August 11, 1999: Attended a required seminar to all intending immigrants to the US

August 21, 1999: Left for the US. Arrived at my port of entry, i.e., San Francisco.
On a different note, I posted some pictures of "going-away" parties given to me by family and friends on my personal homepage. Feel free to check it out :)

August 22, 1999: Arrived at Atlanta Airport where Jeff met me

October 24, 1999: OUR WEDDING DAY!

November 18, 1999: I mailed my application for Adjustment of Status and Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to the INS office that has jurisdiction over our State.

February 18, 2000: Received in the mail, notice from the INS that I can get my EAD from their Memphis office. It also included the receipt for the EAD application fee. However, I have yet to hear from them regarding the adjustment of status application I filed together with my EAD application. This prompted me to call the INS National Inquiry Line (1-800-375-5283). I was advised that it may take them up to 4 months to send the notice of action and receipt for this type of application. She also suggested to call them again once the said 4 months has elapsed.

March 20, 2000: Got my EAD from Memphis INS. I was also able to apply for my Social Security Card there, and was advised that it will be mailed to me in 7 to 10 days.

March 27, 2000: Received my Social Security Card in the mail, 7 days after I applied for it.

Information regarding the fiance visa contained on this site does not constitute legal advice. They are based only on the author's own experience.

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August 22, 1999:	Arrived at Atlanta Airport where Jeff met me
October 24, 1999:	The moment we have been waiting for...our wedding day! It was a very intimate ceremony, as only our family and closest of friends were in attendance. Just the way we wanted ;) We then went to Disneyworld Orlando, Florida for our honeymoon.

November 18, 1999:	I mailed my application for Adjustment of Status and Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to the INS office that has jurisdiction over our State.
February 18, 2000:	Received in the mail, notice from the INS that I can get my EAD from their Memphis office. It also included the receipt for the EAD application fee. However, I have yet to hear from them regarding the adjustment of status application I filed together with my EAD application. This prompted me to call the INS National Inquiry Line (1-800-375-5283). I was advised that it may take them up to 4 months to send the notice of action and receipt for this type of application. She also suggested to call them again once the said 4 months has elapsed.
March 20, 2000:	Got my EAD from Memphis INS. I was also able to apply for my Social Security Card there, and was advised that it will be mailed to me in 7 to 10 days.
March 27, 2000:	Received my Social Security Card in the mail, 7 days after I applied for it.

March 24, 1999:	Jeff sends the necessary forms and document to the INS
April 10, 1999:	Received INS letter of petition approval
Mid April 1999:	Called the US embassy here in Manila to inquire if they have received the copy of the approved petition sent by the INS. They haven't.
April 19, 1999:	Went to the Dept. of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for my appearance in order to get a passport.
Early May 1999:	US embassy still have not received the INS approval. Was informed that it could take up to 2 months! Discovered the K-1 FAQ SITE that provides a wealth of information.
May 17, 1999:	US embassy finally received the INS approval letter.
May 21, 1999:	Received first notice from the US embassy.
May 23, 1999:	Returned completed forms to the embassy.
May 25, 1999:	Informed by the embassy that it usually takes a month for them to "qualify" the completed forms.
June 4, 1999:	Completed my Barangay Clearance, Court Clearance and Police Clearance.
July 6, 1999:	Finally, my appointment letter arrived in the mail.
July 14, 1999:	Went to St. Lukes Medical Extension Clinic for the required medical exam.
August 6, 1999	The most awaited day for Jeff and I - my visa interview!
August 10, 1999:	Picked up my fiance visa
August 11, 1999:	Attended a required seminar to all intending immigrants to the US
August 21, 1999:	Left for the US. Arrived at my port of entry, i.e., San Francisco. On a different note, I posted some pictures of "going-away" parties given to me by family and friends on my personal homepage. Feel free to check it out :)
August 22, 1999:	Arrived at Atlanta Airport where Jeff met me
October 24, 1999:	OUR WEDDING DAY!
November 18, 1999:	I mailed my application for Adjustment of Status and Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to the INS office that has jurisdiction over our State.
February 18, 2000:	Received in the mail, notice from the INS that I can get my EAD from their Memphis office. It also included the receipt for the EAD application fee. However, I have yet to hear from them regarding the adjustment of status application I filed together with my EAD application. This prompted me to call the INS National Inquiry Line (1-800-375-5283). I was advised that it may take them up to 4 months to send the notice of action and receipt for this type of application. She also suggested to call them again once the said 4 months has elapsed.
March 20, 2000:	Got my EAD from Memphis INS. I was also able to apply for my Social Security Card there, and was advised that it will be mailed to me in 7 to 10 days.
March 27, 2000:	Received my Social Security Card in the mail, 7 days after I applied for it.

JEFF & CARMELA'S HOME ON THE NET

JEFF & CARMELA'S
HOME ON THE NET