I got an email from the US Embassy in Manila. I emailed them last Aug. 9, 2006 and I received their reply just today.
Here is my email last August:
Dear Consulate,
I'm Engr. XXXX of Naga City, Philippines, and a beneficiary of Follow To
Join.
I would like to know if the US Embassy in Manila will create a Case Number for
Follow To Join Petition with an I-824 Receipt(Application for Action on an
Approved Application or Petition), not the I-824 Approval Notice? Or do I need the Approval Notice for the I-824 in onder for the Embassy to create a case number for me and process the petition?
What are the other documents needed for Follow To Join Petition?
In the US Embassy-Manila's website, I got this:
"If applicable, Form I-824, Application for Action on an Approved
Application or Petition."
Why is it stated "If appicable, Form I-824"?
God Bless...
Sincerely,
Engr. XXXX
This is their reply:
Dear Mr. XXXX:
This is in reply to your inquiry regarding your immigrant visa concerns.
In order for us to determine the eligibility of an applicant for
following-to-join derivative immigrant visa status, we need clear copies
of the (1) principal applicant's green card (front and back) and the
USCIS-stamped pages of his/her passport confirming her adjustment of
status as a permanent resident, (2) Notice of Approval of the Form
I-140/Form I-130, and (3) birth and marriage certificates of the spouse
and children issued by the Philippine National Statistics Office (NSO)
printed on NSO's security paper.
The documents may be sent to the Embassy's Immigrant Visa Branch (Attn:
Operations Unit) by regular mail, by fax at 011-632-338-4129 or
011-632-523-1158, or as e-mail attachments, with the applicants'
complete names, current Philippine mailing address and contact (phone)
number, clearly indicated.
The documents may also be personally submitted to the Embassy's
Immigrant Visa Unit (Window X) on any workday between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00
p.m. for review.
We will send the applicants a package of instructions to pursue the
immigrant visa applications if qualification for following-to-join
status is established.
Immigrant Visa Correspondence Unit
Consular Section
U.S. Embassy, Manila
1201 Roxas Boulevard
Manila, Philippines
Telephone: (632) 528-6300
Fax: (632) 338-4129
Conclusion:
Based on the email I received, the Embassy in Manila will process FTJ even without the I-824 approval.
Yahoooo!!!!
I'll send the papers needed next week...
I'll keep you posted,
Judex