The Flight Going to the US

Conclusion of blog post: Journey to US Immigrant Visa

So my mother’s US visa was delivered on Nov 11 (yes it was the 11-11-11 day) last year and my sister was able to schedule a US flight for my mother on Nov. 29. Though we are all expecting that my mother would be traveling to the US before year 2011 ends, you can just imagine how busy we all were in November. First my mother had to figure out where to book a flight for my mom. She first asked me to inquire the schedule and rates of Philippine Airlines. When I called PAL, the schedule they gave me was this: my mom would need to have two stop-overs and in both stops, my mom had to wait for six to twelve hours. My mother is traveling alone so we don’t want her waiting that long.

Then my other sister who is working in Abu Dhabi had to go home (only for a one week visit) because she wants to see my mom before her flight to US. She also wants to personally help my mother pack her things because as an OFW for almost 15 years, she is a pro when it comes to traveling abroad. Then we arranged two small despedidas for my mother. I also had to buy some stuff for my sister in the US.

Back to my mom’s flight, my sister just contacted a travel agency from the Philippines and booked a flight for my mother and then gave me the contact details of the agency. My mom and I went to that travel agency to pay in US dollars and claim the ticket and itinerary.

In this flight, my mom had to travel on a Tuesday morning, around 8 am then by 1:00 she would have a stop over in Narita, Japan where she would only stay for two hours. My sister chose Delta Airlines (formerly Northwest Airlines).

Then the next flight would be from Japan to Detroit, USA which is my mom’s US port of entry. She would only stay there for three hours then she would board a flight going to Baltimore. She was set to arrive in US time at 3pm. But in the PH time, that would be around 4 am.

As my mother is not used to traveling overseas, my sister requested wheelchair assistance for her. Though my sister already specified it in to the travel agency, I still called the airlines a day before the flight to confirm the wheelchair assistance and I also informed them that my mother would need help in filling out immigration forms.

I also did little research and found this short but helpful video for those traveling to US for the first time. I let my mother watched his video several times so she would have an idea what woud happen in the course of her flight.

On the day of the flight, we are all up early and arrived in NAIA three hours before the sched. It surely pays to be early, because as my mom is traveling to US for the first time, she still needs to undergo a PDOS seminar. That got me worried for a while but the airport officer told me that the PDOS formality would only take a few minutes. We had to pay PHp400 for this seminar and I filled out an immigration form for my mom. They also checked in and weighed our baggage. I am nervous about this part because my sister requested many items for her balikbayan box.

We are over the 10 kilo-limit but since the excess is only two kilos, they let it pass. I think an excess of up to 5 kilos is allowed. Then we had to take pictures before saying goodbye and bon voyage to my mom. My brother and pamangkins, husband and daughter were all there.

All throughout the flight, I am praying for my mom’s safety. I love Delta Airlines because they have this flight tracker tool in their website- www.delta.com

I was so relieved when I saw my sister’s facebook status about my mom arriving safely in Baltimore. My mother has been in the US for four months now and though she sometimes complains about boredom as there is barely nothing to do around the house (meaning no chores), she is happy and intends to stay for a year before coming back here for a vacation.

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US Visa Finally Arrived!

In Continuation of: US Embassy Interview for Immigrant Visa

After mailing the documents, we patiently waited. According to what I researched, if the visa officer is still not satisfied with what we submitted, they might call us or we might receive an email with details on the additional requirements. My sister said that if two weeks passed after mailing the docs and we still get no reply, I think I can already call the Embassy for a follow-up.

So I think about two weeks passed and we still get no reply from the Embassy. I am getting worried and was about to call them to make a follow up when finally the much awaited visa arrived!!! It felt like I run for miles and miles and finally I hit the finish line.

I was at work then and my mother called to inform me that a messenger just delivered a big brown envelope from the embassy. I was so excited and happy because I know that it is already the US Visa. I asked my mom to open the package and thank God my mother did not obey me. According to her, there was a big written note that the sealed brown envelope should not be opened.

True enough; the package should only be opened by the visa officer at the US port of entry. We can only get the passport which is outside the sealed envelope.

When we opened the passport, we were all so happy to see the US Visa stamped. I immediately informed my sister that my mom’s passport now has a US visa stamp. We felt so triumphant and thankful. So now it’s time to book a flight for my mother.

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US Embassy Interview for Immigrant Visa

In Continuation of Medical Exam for a US Visa: Sputum Test Procedure

We were early at the US Embassy on the day of the scheduled visa interview. I am very nervous because for the first time since the start of this visa application, my mother had to face this alone since only the applicant can go inside the US embassy.

Before the interview, I prepared all the documents my mother would need. I arranged the docs in a folder with several pockets. The documents she will need are categorized in three, the docs she needs to show the guards, to the first window,and to the consul officer. I also gave my mom ideas on the questions that may be asked. I told her to be calm and honest in all her answers as she just needs to prove her relationship with my sister. I also instructed her that if she wants an interpreter, she should specify her request at the first window she will go to.

Many are saying that this interview is going to be easy, sort of like a formality, but we are still nervous. We prepared all the docs specified in the instructions and we also brought some docs that were not specified but may be asked such as remittance slips from my sister, my mother’s passbook etc. Unfortunately, we failed to bring any pictures showing my mom and sister together. It is because all of our old photo albums are in the house where my brother lives. He promised to bring it to us but failed to do so because of his busy schedule. So we just went to US embassy without it, hoping the US embassy people would not ask for it.

But alas, according to my mom, at least three visa officers requested for a picture. I think it pays to bring old photographs. Thank god they let it pass as my mother just presented copies of remittance slips to prove constant communication with my sister. Most of the questions of the visa officer were about my sister, her job, her family and how long they had been in the US. After several questions, the consul thanked and congratulated my mom and asked her to go to the last window.

I think I waited for more or less three hours outside the US embassy. When I saw my mother, I immediately asked her for the outcome and she said it was positive. I was so happy, but then my mother is holding a blue form and when I read it, my heart sank.

It was a 221(g) form and according to it, we need to present an NBI clearance with also known as (aka) specifications. My mother’s name start with Maria and even though she spells it with only Ma., some of her docs spells it with the full Maria. So she needs a new NBI clearance with a tagged also known as (aka as) Maria --.

After that, we need to submit the docs and the form to the nearest 2Go branch. We don’t have to pay anything as the 2Go officer already knows what to do with the docs. The visa officer repeatedly said to my mom that she doesn’t need to go back to the US embassy for another interview; they just need to receive the document so I guess that means my mom really passed the interview.

Although I am a bit disappointed, I know we do not have much time so that same day, we went to the NBI satellite office in Mandaluyong to get an NBI clearance. By this time, I am already getting frustrated with this US visa. It was fortunate that as my mom is a senior citizen, we don’t have to wait in line and she was accommodated right away. I love the senior citizens law!

However, the NBI officer said that we need to wait for I think 3 weeks before they can issue the clearance because my mother shares a similar name with someone with an estafa case.  I panicked because the medical and the US visa will expire in less than 2 months.

I explained and pleaded that we can’t afford to wait that long because my mother already has a flight schedule to US. I had to lie because I am desperate. I think it worked because they said that the fastest time they can deliver is after 7 working days.  I still think that’s a long time but as the NBI officer offered no further help, we decided to take a drastic measure. We had to seek the help of a police officer we know at the City Hall. He is our neighbor and a friend of my brother. He holds one of the top ranks there so even though I don’t really know him, I know that is not the time to be shy.

Guess what, my mom has an NBI clearance after two days! I immediately went to the 2Go branch in Megamall to mail the docs.  What happened after mailing the 2GO form– to be continued.

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Medical Exam for a US Visa: Sputum Test Procedure

In Continuation of: Medical Exam at St Lukes Medical Center

For three consecutive days, my mother had to undergo a sputum test. She needs to expel phlegm which they would examine to see if she has an active tuberculosis.

For three days, we were at St. Lukes as early as 5:30 am. Before the test, my mom can’t eat or drink anything. She was also not allowed to wear lipstick. The sputum test was a quick process and for three days, my mother got a negative result.

But then the sputum would now be cultured so we have to wait for sixty (60 days). In case we got a call from them before the 60^th day, it means the culture had developed into something and my mother needs to start treatment right away.

I am so scared to receive a call from them because I read somewhere that in case my mother’s sputum proved to be positive, she would need to go to St Lukes everyday for 6 months just to get her medicine. That is every single day for 6 months! I first thought it was a joke but they were serious. 

In cases like this, it is best to prepare for the worst scenario. So my sister said that in case my mom’s sputum culture is positive, we will rent a place near St Lukes where my mother would live alone for 6 months. That would really make me sad!

Thankfully, two months passed and we got no call from St Lukes. Actually, I am the one who called them to ask about the sputum result and they said it was negative. To hear them say that my mother can come to St Lukes for the vaccines and the medical certificate made us all so happy.

My mother got the shots for the required vaccines and got the medical certificate. I had to call the US embassy call center to schedule another appointment for a visa interview. They also said that our medical exam and the visa will expire in less than 2 months so we need to act fast.

Fortunately, I was able to get a visa interview quickly. What happened at the US Visa Interview – to be continued.

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Medical Exam at St. Luke's Medical Center Extension Clinic for US Visa

In continuation of: Journey To a US Immigrant Visa

So we were all so glad to receive an email from the National Visa Center (NVC) that they are satisfied with the documents we submitted. Therefore, we are ready for the next step of visa processing which is the visa interview. However, one requirement in the visa interview is a clear medical exam.

I am not so nervous about it because at 70, my mother is strong and healthy. She doesn’t have any illness and is very cautious of what she eats.

The instruction was that we have to accomplish the medical exam before the scheduled visa interview. We don’t need to set an appointment; we just need to go to St. Luke's Medical Center Extension Clinic (SLMCEC).

So we went to SLMCEC two weeks before the scheduled interview. We were there at around 5 am as we were advised to come early to avoid long lines and for us to finish early. There are already many people waiting outside when we arrived. We had to wait before the guards would let us in which was around 6 am. To allow entry, we need to present the visa interview appointment letter; passport and I think 3 pictures of the required size. We also need to submit a photocopy of the requirements. Once inside, we were given a form to accomplish and we have to wait for our names to be called. There was a separate lane for the senior citizens and that is where we submitted our forms and docs. We first had to go to a screening process to see if my mother had complete requirements. One thing they check is passport validity. I think the person in that area is quite rude especially to old applicants.

Anyway after that, we need to pay the medical exam fee at the 4^th floor I guess. Sorry I forgot the exact floor but all throughout the medical exam, I think we were able to tour the whole building as there were designated floors for different medical procedures. After paying around Php 9,800, my mother had to undergo a physical exam. Everything went well I guess, then a complete blood count. The third step was a thorough physical exam which left my mother quite shocked because she really had to undress and bare it all. Then there is the x-ray.

I thought the medical exam would be finish in one day but we were asked to return the next day for the results and other instructions.

This time, we don’t need to be so early as our entry card indicates a time when the result would be available. I am expecting a clear medical exam so just imagine my disappointment when the nurse said that they saw something white or something blurred in my mothers x-ray. They are not sure if that was a result of my mom moving while the x-ray is being done or it can be a scar. To be sure, my mom needs to undergo a sputum test which will be done for three consecutive days. If the result of the sputum is positive, they will start to give treatment. If it is negative, we would need to wait for two months for the sputum culture result.

Because of this, the visa interview would not push through but we were advised not to call the embassy as they will be the one to inform them of the medical result.

It was devastating because my mother always had negative x-ray result. We were all sad but we can’t do anything but to comply and wait for the sputum test result.

As a consolation, my mother is not the only one who received this bad news. A lot of people were also required to undergo a sputum test and most are young and look really healthy. To be continued: Medical Exam US Visa: Sputum Test Procedure.

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Journey To a US Immigrant Visa

My sister who is working and living in America for eight years filed a US immigrant visa petition for my mother who is already 70 years old. Well, I have applied for a US tourist visa before so I kind of have an idea that the petition process may not be a walk in the park. But I am also hoping that this one will be fast and easy because of my mother’s age and my sister’s US citizenship. Anyway, I am the one living with my mother so it is my duty to take care of everything that my mother needs for the US petition. Of course, I constantly coordinated and followed the instructions from my sister in the US.

The first thing that my sister told me is to wait for the letter from the National Visa Center (NVC). From the time she said it, I think a month passed before the letter in a bulky brown envelope arrived. That first correspondence letter comes with instructions on the form that I need to fill out and the documents I need to submit.  

The form can be downloaded online and in the letter there was an instruction that I can submit the form and the documents online. I just need to inform them that I want to communicate with them thru email. I tried that option but the US Embassy replied that email communication with the NVC is not yet available in the Philippines. So I downloaded the forms and filled it out carefully. It was quite scary because I can’t afford to make a mistake. I also prepared the needed documents and then sent the form to my sister in the US thru Fedex. I think I paid more than Php2,000 so the forms will be delivered securely.

My sister will be the one to send the forms to the NVC in US as she also needs to fill out some details in the form. Anyway, after sending it to NVC, I think less than two weeks passed before we received a reply from them. We were disappointed because apparently, our forms have some inaccuracies. It was in the date where we need to indicate my mom’s addresses and dates of residences. The US Embassy wants us to list down all the places where my mom stayed for at least six months since she was sixteen. It was stressful on my part since my mom transferred to four locations so it’s difficult to list down the exact addresses and dates of residences.

I also found it difficult to fill out the area where I need to write the name of the parents of my grandmother and grandfather. My mom’s father passed away even before she was born- so I just had to specify that the data is unknown. To make up for our mistake, the NVC requested police clearances from all the cities where my mom resided. Each of the police clearances should indicate my mom’s address and date of residence. That was such a hassle then as I need to take a leave from work so I can accompany my mom to  four different locations and explain to government employees what we exactly need.

Anyway, after two weeks, we were able to complete all the police clearances they want. This time, we need to fill out a new form and my sister and I were extra careful now as we don’t want them to request new requirements.
 
So I prepared two forms. I filled out the first form and then prepared one blank form. The blank form only contains my mom’s signature as my sister will be the one to complete the blank form. She will only copy the details in the form I filled out. I went to Fedex again to send the forms.

After a week, we received an email from the NVC. We both felt triumphant because the NVC is satisfied with the requirements we submitted. This new correspondence letter instructs us to go to St. Lukes Center in Manila for my mom’s medical exam. What happened to the Medical Exam at St. Lukes for US Visa--to be continued.

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