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Hi Ray,

I was just chatting with Raquel the other day on yahoo and she has such an incredible story on how she got her visa.   Anyway she started to call the US Philippine Embassy two times a week after the notice of approval for her I-129F.  I told her that I would think that it could put you on the bottom of the list if someone gets upset with so many calls.  It was the idea that it shows you care and it will give you more attention.   The squeaky wheel gets the grease theory LOL.   It seemed to have worked for her but I am reluctant to do that right now.   Raquel called about her package and they said it would be sent in 2 weeks.   That means a total of 3 weeks from the time her husband received the approval notice.  Now I know that was different times but my question is when is it a good time to reasonably call the Embassy to see when the package will be sent?   Tomorrow will mark 2 weeks since the notice of approval was sent to me.  
I have sent my wife the Affidavit of Support along with the DS-56 and assorted emails I had printed out from her web site.   I typed directions for each packet so it would be easier for her and the post office says 5 to 7 days delivery time.  
Raquel confirmed to come at least one week before the interview to go to St. Luke’s for the medical.
That the embassy and St. Luke’s fees with travel, hotel and food expenses would be about $1000 or a bit less
That they will send you the passport after the interview
That the CFO can be stamped in Manila even though the seminar was in Cebu
That the govt. workers there were very nice and seemed to care
That prayer helped a lot
Later Peter Lee

... in response to For Ray Emassy call?, posted by Peter Lee on Jan 27, 2004

Peter,
 Whenever you mention a specific amount of money somebody will always say it's too much.   $1,000 - $500 - $100 - $10 etc.  For an outragous example, I think if you quoted getting a plane ticket from New York to Manila for $225, somebody will laugh and tell you that you were robbed.  :)  

 My feeling about it is that this is your wife.  Don't put her in a bad situation trying to tighten the budget down to the last penny.   Do you want to send her to Manila and have her run short of money and then call you in a panic telling you to wire more while she waits like a college kid begging daddy for money?  I wouldn't treat her that way if it were me.   Not once you marry her.   Send what you think she needs being liberal in your estimate(which I think you have done well already) and then add in the emergency money.  
     OK, that's all the advice you can get for 2cents. :)

    SteveG

... in response to My two cents worth, posted by SteveG on Jan 28, 2004

Your advice was worth more than 2cents SteveG.  It is interesting to see what others would do.  Also I wanted to guage if what I was doing is in the mainstream of what others have been doing.  I was calculating expenses for days in Manila and I wonder if just 7 days prior to the Interview is enough.  Times have changed in the past you could go to the medical at St. Lukes and the Interview on the same day.  Now it is done on different days and I was adived to come with plenty of time before the Interview in case there is a mix up with tests results and they have to be redone.  
Later
Peter Lee

... in response to Re: My two cents worth, posted by Peter Lee on Jan 29, 2004

Peter,

A mix-up in test results at St. Luke's isn't a big concern. What often causes a delay in issuing the final medical report is the need for further Tuberculosis testing. If the chest X-ray shows any abnormalities consistent with TB, then the patient may need to return later so they can do a sputum smear test on 3 consecutive days, to determine if there is any active and infectious TB present. That’s the main reason for starting the medical at least a week before the interview.

But I ain’t no MD, so as always I could be wrong :-)

Ray

... in response to Re: Re: My two cents worth, posted by Ray on Jan 29, 2004

Ok thanks,

That confirms that she gets there at least a week early.  So far so good

... in response to Re: Re: My two cents worth, posted by Ray on Jan 29, 2004

Ray,
 You may not be a doctor but you play one on TV, right?  LOL   Seriously, that's exactly what happened with Melly.  Her X-Ray was suspicious so she had to have the extra tests.  We had to go back 3 consecutive days for the tests and luckily we had 3 days before the interview.   I say luckily because it was purely accident that we went for the medical exam early enough to have 3 days available prior to the interview.  
  SteveG

... in response to Re: Re: Re: My two cents worth, posted by SteveG on Jan 29, 2004

K

... in response to My two cents worth, posted by SteveG on Jan 28, 2004

Hi Steve,

Personally, I don't care how much money Peter sends. He did ask for advice and $1000 sounded high to me at the time. My wife went through the process several years ago and spent less than half of that, even though she had access to more money. But, she is very good at budgeting and is quite simple. After reading what Peter has later posted $1000 might be reasonable for what he expects to occur...along with St. Lukes and the Visa fee, his wife and her mother will fly round trip to Manila, they will arrive 7-10 days before her interview and stay at a nice hotel, and probably won't be eating rice. ;o)))

Dave H.

... in response to My two cents worth, posted by SteveG on Jan 28, 2004

I guess "some people" think Peter is taking money out of "their" pocket to send to his wife. It's HIS money and it's HIS wife.

But I really think Peter gets a kick out posting these questions and watching the weird reaction he gets. Right Peter? :-)

Ray

... in response to I agree!, posted by Ray on Jan 28, 2004

Well about me watching the weird reaction.

I did think it was a worth while post with the pupose to drain the brains of those who have gone through it I didn't expect the same answer from everyone.  I have gotten a lot of information from this already.  It is hard to hold back and not make fun of my post coz it is really not a life and death subject.  So having an attitude or having some fun specially when they know I can take it is sometimes very funny.  But after the funny stuff is said they always come back with their experiences and I get lots of help.  Mostly I have an idea of what I think is ok to do.  I pass it on to this forum and see how far off I am compared to others.  Sometimes I am way off and I change my mind and sometimes I am way off and do my way anyway.  But at least I know the consequences.  Or sometimes I am doing what most of you think is the right course.  
This forum has given me confidance to do things knowing that others have done them before.  
At the same time I have doubled up in laughter in some of the posts.
So yes I do get a kick out of some of the answers to my posts.  It is a big mix of information and fun.
The ATM idea was from this forum and it has been invaluable to me.  So simple idea and I would never have thought of it myself.  I get on the internet banking and as long as I can get access to a computer I can send any ammount from my savings to my ATM account in seconds.  Since she has the ATM card she can withdraw from Iligan, Cebu and I am sure Manila.  This way she can withdraw as she needs it before or during the trip.  I can budget how much I have to expect to transfere and the rest is easy.  The ATM only lets her withdraw 20,000peso per day and I have instant notice of any transactions.  This way she doesn't have to travel with lots of money on her just the
ATM card.

... in response to I agree!, posted by Ray on Jan 28, 2004

...well then, send $5000! :o)))

Dave H.

... in response to Not My Money..., posted by Dave H on Jan 28, 2004

Hi Dave,

You can't win :-)  $500 is not enough and $5000 is too much.  The only advice these guys are going to agree with is a line of credit -LOL

Jim

... in response to Re: Not My Money... ROFL!, posted by Jimbo on Jan 29, 2004

TNTPIMMFP!

But I think Dave H had it right Jimbo.

Best way to keep her happy: calculate to the dollar how much she really needs to get by and then send her 10 times that amount. Five grand sounds about right... :-)

Ray

... in response to Re: Re: Not My Money... ROFL!, posted by Ray on Jan 29, 2004

Hey Ray,

How can you go wrong using my new and improved
"Manila Embassy Formula?" Everybody HAPPY...HAPPY...HAPPY!!!  Well..please don't tell my wife about my new formula!!! She no be HAPPY...HAPPY...HAPPY!!! :o)))

Dave H.

... in response to New Formula..., posted by Dave H on Jan 29, 2004

Well guys, my old formula didn't work out too well: "If she needs money, she'll ask."  She didn't ask so I didn't send it.  I still hear about that little oversight from time to time......... :-(

Jim

... in response to Not My Money..., posted by Dave H on Jan 28, 2004

$5,000 ?? Is this a loan proposal DaveH or a gift?  You guys are too generous.  

$5,000 would take 14 days to withdraw from the ATM LOL

At 20,000peso per day she would have to start withdrawing abut 3 weeks before she left. LOL

Imagine the fun she would have with Mama in Manila with 275,000peso.

They might forget about the visa altogether hahhahaaha.

Peter Lee who?

... in response to Re: Not My Money..., posted by Peter Lee on Jan 29, 2004

Hi Peter,

I heard that a new super mall opened near the US Embassy. ;o)))

Dave H.

... in response to For Ray Emassy call?, posted by Peter Lee on Jan 27, 2004

$1000 is way too much. Going to cost you alot later on to get her here. You should send only what she may need, nothing more. Any extra hundreds you send is going to be spent on family, relatives and friends. Get Smart

... in response to Don't send unreasonable amounts of $$$$$, posted by greg on Jan 27, 2004

11,200     14 day 800peso pention house close to St.Lukes
7,700    $10 per day 14 days food for 2
 6,600   $120 Plane for 2 $60 ea    
11,000   $200 fees medical pink receipt med exam
 2,000   Taxi Misc 100peso per day 20 days
 5,500   Visit Cebu get ready to go to Manila
11,000   Reserve money to stay in the ATM

55,000 =  $1000

How did you break your interview down Greg?

I am beginning to understand that family and friends are a hole where money goes.  Finally she can buy stuff she could never buy before.  I thought a little bit is ok as long as it is controled.  

I could put $300 in the ATM to start and deposit more when she is in Manila.  That way she will not carry a lot of money with her as she travels.  But I expect her to spend about $800 by the time she is done with the interview with her mama.  

I thought getting her here would be cheaper.  The going away party $100 and the one way plane ticket with no discount notice to the USA $1000.

Where did I go wrong?
Later Peter Lee

... in response to Re: Don't send unreasonable amounts of $..., posted by Peter Lee on Jan 27, 2004

of $$$$$ (sigh). Sorry Pete, for my manners. Do whatever make you happy, she's your wife. If you want to send her $1000, $2000..Do it, your an adult. As for myself, I've learned to Ignore or say No to unreasonable requests for additional funds. Decided that I'm no longer a Cash Cow.

... in response to Just don't send Her lump amounts, posted by greg on Jan 28, 2004

Hi Greg,

I didn't see you as bad manners, by me asking these questions it opens me up to all kinds of things.  But this post did sound a bit condescending hahaha.  I tried to break down the cost to see if the amount was unreasonable.  I know if I was there with her in Manila I would not feel comfortable with any less than $1000 for the whole process.  My wife has no knowledge of what I am going to send her.  She has no idea of the cost and has not asked me to send her any money.   I was trying get your and other opinions on the what amount to send.   Talking to some now married Filipinas who have gone through the process and others I get the rough idea that $1000 bucks would cover it with about $200 to spar.  The main reason for asking the approximate amount was so no one in the family would be tempted to see me as a  cash cow.   But we know the fees are $200 to start,  then the air-fair for two and the pension house and food for about 10 to 14 days.  I was there in the Visayas driving around on my motorcycle for 2 months and it can get expensive away from home.  They have to eat out and get into taxies and probably need more photos and stuff.  After waiting months for the interview with all its paperwork it would be a shame to miss the interview appointment coz a test had to be repeated of no fault of her own.  I had some one tell me the story of just making the interview date coz the St. Lukes results held them up.   In this case I felt it would be a small price to pay for peace of mind and have them come a week or more early.  
But I did get your message loud and clear to not become a cash cow and to say no to unreasonable requests.  Last time she had to make a list of how the money I sent was being used.  I felt a bit of an attitude about it but she did it and will continue to do it.  
Later Greg

... in response to Just don't send Her lump amounts, posted by greg on Jan 28, 2004

their hard earned dollars. A funny thing, I brought my Son's Mommie an expensive cell phone..She hasn't called to talk to our Son for over a year, out of the blue she said her cell phone was lost..so she asked me to buy her a new phone so she can talk to our Son. Do I believe that her phone was lost??? No...Will I send her money for a New phone? Yea, becuz I've no proof, do know that they make up all kinda sad sack stories to bleed us dry. Oh, my family member is sick, need you to send money ASAP, other Crap.

... in response to Guys are tricked into giving away, posted by greg on Jan 28, 2004

Hi Greg,

Sounds like you had your arm bitten off by a shark LOL.

My wife needed another cell phone coz the other one got wet.
After reading past posts it had red flags popping up in my head.   But our last conversation was garbled and almost un hearable.  She had just got off the ferry in a storm comming back from Cebu.  Weather reports confimed her story.  I sent her money for another cell phone whacha gunna do?  I did send money to help with her parents new house.  I did that coz now I feel I did my part and no stories they can come up with will make this cow give anymore milk.  
I have a good attitude towards the whole thing coz I don't mind if she goes to Manila and goes to the movies or buys something for her sisters of mama while she is there.  But as you said as long as it is not unreasonable.  I can see her feeling out just how much money I have to spar and what her boundary lines are.  I think that is natural and the younger the woman is the less secretive they are about what they are really thinking.  
So Greg lets not feed anymore sharks ok hehehe
Later Peter Lee

... in response to Re: Guys are tricked into giving away, posted by Peter Lee on Jan 28, 2004

You should put a Hold on sending Her money for her family. You should wait until you take care of her business, until she is living with you in America before giving anymore help to her family. Let her get a Job in America, then she can send some of her own money to help her family. Right now, your money should be only to help her and nothing more.

... in response to Hey Son, Wait, posted by greg on Jan 28, 2004

You know Greg, I know you are right and that is what I should have done.  Against most advice I sent money anyway and to me it was "well I did my part" thing.  Now I can say no to any request with a clear concense.  In the back of my mind was, what if it is true that the highway is commming through and the house is comming down.  The new house is almost done now except for doors and the additional kitchen.  It went over budget as I expected and is not completly finished.  I was not asked for anymore money and I don't expect to be asked.  I spoke to the parents on the phone and they could hardly speak english but were very greatful.  My wife was in Cebu and we decided that she should live with her parents in Mindanao to save me money.  Was it premature to send money so soon?  Yes.
I had a few sleepless night over that one.
I also had sleepless nights thinking what if it is true and they will be borrowing against their farm at 20%.
I know my wifes' whole world has been her family.  So to help now was important to her.  I at first said no way and it was not mentioned again until I brought it up. So I had the choice of sending or not sending.  So far I have no regets about it.  
Yes when she gets here I was told she could apply for her Social Sec card right away and work is she wants send money home.  I have talked to her about it and a part time job would be good to start if that is what she wants to do.    
So Greg I will focus to help only her now as that makes sense.  The little help I gave the parents will make that easier.  But it looks like only a few months away and she will be here to give me headaches LOL
Later Peter Lee

... in response to For Ray Emassy call?, posted by Peter Lee on Jan 27, 2004

First, my Honey spend 2 months in Manila waiting for her Visa, they refused to give it to her there, she had to go back to Davao.  I will admit that my calling the embassy and complaining, and my contact with a local senator got her the visa papers faster.  But after I did it numerous others tried and failed.  Several I told to go to the "X" window at the Embassy and they got their Visas in Manila but Honey and I were refused.  Tricks don't always work.

Second I think if she had friends or needs a place to stay some here could help her.  Honey stayed at a boardinghouse with others who were awaiting Visas for about P500/week. I'd bet absolutely no more than $500 nescessary including room, board, airfare and fees;  I only gave Honey $200 and paid the airfare and fees.  RT airfare here another $800 but I wouldn't send it until after the interview, period!

Bear, Honey and Lil' Bear

... in response to For Ray Emassy call?, posted by Peter Lee on Jan 27, 2004

Peter,

I would wait 30 days after NVC approval and then call if she hasn’t heard anything yet. You can call weekly to check on the status after that, but it won’t speed them up at all.

She will need $100 for the visa fee and $95 for the medical. If you tell her to ride the motorcycle to Manila and sleep on the streets, another $100 should tide her over for gas and rice. Seriously, you will be sending more money for her plane ticket, luggage, clothes, shopping, and etc. soon anyway. I don’t think it would be unreasonable that she have a grand available in her ATM account so she’s covered for whatever comes up, especially if she needs a hotel room. Does she have relatives in Manila to stay with?

Nobody ever said this would be fast or cheap… :-)

Ray

... in response to Re: Embassy call?, posted by Ray on Jan 27, 2004

Nope no relatives in Manila and she is taking her Mama on the trip.  Using the ATM I can put in it any amount at anytime.  So she will always have what she needs as she goes.  But thanks I think about $1000 in the ATM should do it when the time comes.

... in response to For Ray Emassy call?, posted by Peter Lee on Jan 27, 2004

[This message has been edited by Dave H]

Hi Peter,

It's been a few years since we went through this, but I would think easily half that amount. Maybe $500 if she goes by plane and stays at a nice hotel. I don't think we spent more than $300 in total (including St. Lukes) and her brother went with her. They went by ferry and were only in Manila 3 days.

Dave H.

... in response to $1000?, posted by Dave H on Jan 27, 2004

ok DaveH

I was told to go at least a week in advance to St. Lukes in case there is a problem with any tests.   If they have to be done over you may not make it for the interview.  Fees for the pink receipt and the medical is about $200 alone.  There are unforseen photos and copies of this or that in the last minute.  They are a long way from home with no friends in Manila.  A pention house will be cheaper than a hotel but still about 800peso per day.  I hear that food is also expensive in Manila and two will have to eat for about 10 days.  The ferry takes 3 days and is not much saving coz they both have to eat for those 3 days.  So flying is probably cheaper but Mama may want to go with the ferry.  
I did not want them to do this on the fly.  My idea was for them to take their time and do it right.  I would not feel comfortable getting them there 3 days before the interview coz if anything unforseen happens I am not sure how long it would take to get another interview if you miss the appointed one.   Does any one know what happens if the interview is missed how long it takes to reschedule another?

... in response to Re: $1000?, posted by Peter Lee on Jan 27, 2004

Peter,
 We did miss Melly's interview in spite of the fact that we were there at the Embassy 4 hours early.   Sounds crazy, doesn't it?   Well, if you go to the so-called “American” embassy and it is still like it was, you would see why we missed it.   ( I say ‘so-called’ because nobody could speak English well enough to answer any questions.)   Nobody there really spoke English well and they are very unwilling to even try.   The typical response we would get when asking what to do next was a blank stare and maybe pointing in some vague direction with their lips.  :)  

 Ok, what happened is this.  After a long wait in line outside in the rain, we got in the building to a waiting area with chairs and took a seat.   After a while we were called up to a window and asked a bunch of questions.   "How did you meet, etc?"   There was lots and lots of confusion when we asked the woman what to do next and where to proceed.   The lady began talking in Tagolog....at least I guess that the dialect she was using...and would not speak to me in English.   I got mad...Melly got frustrated....and the lady couldn't care less.   We walked away and began to think that maybe that was the interview.   We DID go to stand in another line based on somebody’s direction - the purpose of which I can no longer remember - and were treated with the same cool reception by the embassy employee.  No instruction whatsoever as to what the process was and where to go next.   We talked and decided that the questions at the 1st window WERE the interview and left.   Just walked out happy as if we had good sense!  LOL    Luckily we dropped back by that afternoon to look at the VISA bulletin board and then took a peek inside the waiting room.   Someone saw us and said they had been looking for us all day!  We had missed the interview.  I figured, "Crud! Now what?"   But in a few minutes we were in a small room being interviewed by the 1st (and ONLY) helpful person that I saw while in the embassy.   In maybe 10 minutes we were done.   If we had not come back until a day or two later, I'm not sure how they would have handled it.  
           SteveG

... in response to Missed Interviews, posted by SteveG on Jan 28, 2004

Good story SteveG,
Sounds like you were lucky, my wife will be with her mama and I will not be there so I hope they will be more helpful to her than what happened to you.  

I know about pointing in general directions with the lips LOL.   When I was on the motorcycle and a fork in the road came up there was never any steet signs.  When I asked which way to a town I got the same direction in a general lip pointing this way or that way.  It seems commen as they don't want to say "I don't know ask some one else?".  After a while I got used to it and next time I needed directions I fliped a coin hehehehe.

... in response to Re: Missed Interviews, posted by Peter Lee on Jan 28, 2004

Yep Peter,
 You sure have my admiration for traveling on your own over there.  I always figured it would be hopeless because as you said there are NO signs anywhere.  Just roads going who knows where!?  LOL  
        SteveG

... in response to Re: Re: Missed Interviews, posted by SteveG on Jan 28, 2004

It got very humeous after a while.

If I pulled out a map there would be a big meeting and discussion on what the map was about LOL.

But I had a secret weapon

A compass on my watchband [still have it ]

I even used it to find my way out of the big malls to find our motorcycle again.

Heck, I used that for navigating on my sailboat so why not on the motorcycle?

... in response to Re: $1000?, posted by Peter Lee on Jan 27, 2004

Hi Peter,

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner is included in the price of the ferry. In 2001, my wife paid P500 ($10 then) per night for 2 persons in an aircon pension house just off Roxas Blvd, close to St. Lukes and the embassy. She was only there 3 days since the interview wasn't a requirement then.

Dave H.

... in response to ?, posted by Dave H on Jan 27, 2004

Dave H.

Yes, all the ferries I was on througout the Visayas had a place to buy food.  No food was included in the fare.  My motorcycle cost as much as a person.  So far one post says 700 peso for a pention house in 2003.  It all boils down to how long they will stay in Manila as that is where the expens is.  I was advised to have my wife come 10 days to a week before the interview.  I will probabley put $1000 bucks in her ATM card and trust her to take out what she needs.  That way she won't have to travel with much money as she goes.   The ferry from Mindanao to Manila is 3 days I bet the cost of the plane could be cheaper coz they have to eat for 3 days on the ferry.  But if Mama don't want to fly they will take the ferry if there is enough time.  
Do you see any problems with my plan?

... in response to Re: ?, posted by Peter Lee on Jan 28, 2004

[This message has been edited by Dave H]

Hey Peter,

Sounds like they made you pay for food because you are a Kano. LOL Just joking! You were on inter-island short ferry trips in the Bisayas. On longer trips, Mindanao to Manila (and reverse), the food is usually included in the fare.

I don't see any real problems with your plan as long as your wife can budget the money. My wife is very good at budgeting and getting good deals. She always had a lot of money left over whenever I sent it for something.

St. Lukes should go smoothly...but there are things that could postpone her physical, such as being there during her menses. If all goes well, it should take 2 days. Getting the physical done a week or so before her interview date sounds like a good idea.

Dave H.

... in response to Kano Price..., posted by Dave H on Jan 28, 2004

there are things that could postpone her physical, such as being there during her menses.
I never thought about that DaveH I will calculate that in once we have the Interview date.  
Ya I would feel more comfortable is she was there at least a week ahead of time.  Maybe if I was with her it could be shorter but as it is thats the plan.
I did not know about the food included going to Manila.  The ferry to Palawan was 2 days and we had to buy our own food on the ship.
Last note on the bugeting, I mentioned that in the other posts about using the ATM and having her withdraw what she needs as she needs it.

... in response to $1000?, posted by Dave H on Jan 27, 2004

Where is she staying the Hilton! lol Thats way to much!
Hum

... in response to Re: $1000!!!, posted by Humabdos on Jan 27, 2004

I was told that the Pention house was 900 peso per day for one.  I don't know how much for two maybe a little more if they use the same room.  Deluxe rooms have a fan LOL.  Do  you have inside information a cheaper place?  

Oh my God I am sounding like Johann LOL

... in response to Re: Re: $1000!!!, posted by Peter Lee on Jan 27, 2004

Peter, my fiancee and i were in manila last oct. together with my Papa. It's located in Mabini, very near to the embassy and it only cost us 700pesos per day for the 3 of us.
yan

... in response to hi peter, posted by Robian on Jan 28, 2004

Ok thanks,

I was figuring 800peso for my wife and her mama.  So thanks it seems I was not too far off.  The rest of the expenses taxie, visa, medical fees and food along with misc. expenses like extra photos and stuff for 10 days would still be close to $700 to $800 bucks.  The extra $200 is for emergency.  How does it sound to you?

... in response to Re: hi peter, posted by Peter Lee on Jan 28, 2004

We spent 4 days in manila and we spent nearly $400 dollars. I think the amount that you set for her trip is enough.
yan

... in response to Re: Re: hi peter, posted by Robian on Jan 28, 2004

Ok, thanks for the input

... in response to Re: Re: $1000!!!, posted by Peter Lee on Jan 27, 2004

Rooms in the Philippines are always the same for two. I guess you should know that by now ;-)
Hum

... in response to Re: Re: Re: $1000!!!, posted by Humabdos on Jan 28, 2004

Hum  I did know that in most hotels but in Cebu I was charged extra for two as they give a free breakfast sometimes.  In my expenses I did not add any extra for the hotel room.  I figured on food for 2 would be extra as they have to eat out each day.  Is the $800 and $200 reserve seem unreasonable?