Follow To Join....

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Kidd

kidd636 said:
Thanks a lot Bisdak! I'm going via MNL consulate too. Kabayan ka pala :D

I just got my GC in the mail today, so Q#1 is no longer relevant :)
From the list you have given below, the only thing that I do not have ready is the I-140 approval and I-824 receipt. So I'll file I-824 ASAP and get a copy of I-140 from my employer.

So in your case, how long did it take from the date your wife submitted the accomplished packet 3 to her actual approval? My PD is also current as per latest visa bulletin.

And lastly, what's the email address to where you wife sent her requirements?
All I can see in the website are phone numbers and addresses.


Thanks again in advance! :)
Click to expand...


Kidd,
Sorry for late reply.

Our family's case was caught in retrogression between Packet 3 and Packet 4 so timeframes may be irrelevant. In any case here are our timelines:
-Jul06 - spouse GC approved
-Aug06 - spouse filed 824
-Nov06 - 824 still pending but sent email to MNL consulate
-Dec06 - 824 still pending but we received Packet 3 in Phils address and also in US address (note: PD is current at that time). Returned Packet 3 on that same week. However in Jan07 retrogression caught us so no movement in our case from Jan07 to May07
-May 07 - saw in Jun07 Visa Bulletin that we will be current so we called MNL consulate just to check on our case and correct some incorrect data (such as Date of Birth and others)
-Jun07 - our PD is current but we only got our Packet 4 showing a Jul07 schedule
-Jul07 - went through medical and interview. Got our visas a week after
-Aug07 - finally we arrived US

Hope this info helps. Good luck, kababayan! :)
 
My gratitude goes out to Bisdak, kamrans, bhooshan and to those who took some time answering my questions. I know some of you are already through with your respective FTJ journeys, so we really appreciate it that are you still devoting some time helping us who are still in the dark :)

Again, thank you so much for those details kabayang Bisdak! :) At least I have a benchmark now. My PD is Aug 2001, so I hope I won't run into the same problem you encountered. (cross fingers)

I filed my I-824 last week and got receipt yesterday... So it's time to send
the FTJ docs to Manila consulate to initiate my case! :)

I am planning to email them scanned copies of the following:

 Copy of my Green Card (I-551)
 Copy of my I-485 Approval Notice (I-797)
 Copy of I-824 Receipt Notice (I-797C).
 Copy of our Marriage Certificate (NSO)
 Copy of my wife’s Birth Certificate (NSO)
 Copy of my wife’s Passport (just front and back pages)


Follow-up Questions:

1. The above docs should be sufficient to initiate my wife's case right? My employer refused to give me
a copy of the I-140 Approval Notice, so I hope the I-485 notice would suffice to establish my PD (it's also stated in there).

2. Also, is the Cover Letter just the email body requesting to create a case for the FTJ beneficiary? Or do I have to attach a formally signed and notarized document for this?

3. The email address to send all these to is "ConsIVManila@state.gov" right?
Also, it's just funny that I read here that http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwh3230.html attachments are not allowed when sending emails to the embassy, but since it worked for Bisdak's case, then I'll give it a shot too hehe :)


Goodluck to us all!
 
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Email cover letter

Also, here's the message I'm planning to put in my FTJ email. Is this enough to serve as the "cover letter"? This is basically a combination of the samples I found in this thread. This might also serve as a reference to others, but please do comment on it if something needs to be changed or added. I'm planning to send this email this weekend. Thanks! :)

===============================================


ATTN: Immigrant Visa Section - Consular Section
U.S. Embassy, Immigrant Visa Branch, Roxas Blvd., Ermita, Manila 1000.

Re: Following to Join Visa for my Wife

Dear Immigration Officer:

I, became a Lawful Permanent Resident of the United States of America on <GC DATE> (Employment Based, Priority Date of <PD DATE>). In line with this, I’d like to file “Follow to Join” visa benefits for my wife, <NAME>, so that she can join me here in USA at the earliest time possible.

Attached herewith are the following documents:

 Copy of my Green Card (I-551)
 Copy of I-485 Approval Notice (I-797)
 Copy of I-824 (Application for Action on an Approved
Application or Petition) Receipt Notice (I-797C).
 Copy of our Marriage Certificate
 Copy of my wife’s Birth Certificate
 Copy of my wife’s Passport


Our contact details:


PRINCIPAL:

Name: XXX
US Address: XXX
Tel#: XXX
email: XXX

FOLLOW-TO-JOIN BENEFICIARY (Applicant):

Spouse Name: XXX
Address: XXX
Landline: XXX
Mobile No: XXX
Email: XXX



We would highly appreciate it if you could let us know if these documents are already sufficient to initiate and create a “Follow to Join” case for my wife, so that we’ll know if we’ll just have to wait for Packet 3. But if something is lacking or missing, we would appreciate your expert advice.


Thank you very much.


Yours truly,
<NAME>
 
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kidd

kidd636 said:
Also, here's the message I'm planning to put in my FTJ email. Is this enough to serve as the "cover letter"? This is basically a combination of the samples I found in this thread. This might also serve as a reference to others, but please do comment on it if something needs to be changed or added. I'm planning to send this email this weekend. Thanks! :)

===============================================


ATTN: Immigrant Visa Section - Consular Section
U.S. Embassy, Immigrant Visa Branch, Roxas Blvd., Ermita, Manila 1000.

Re: Following to Join Visa for my Wife

Dear Immigration Officer:

I, became a Lawful Permanent Resident of the United States of America on <GC DATE> (Employment Based, Priority Date of <PD DATE>). In line with this, I’d like to file “Follow to Join” visa benefits for my wife, <NAME>, so that she can join me here in USA at the earliest time possible.

Attached herewith are the following documents:

 Copy of my Green Card (I-551)
 Copy of I-485 Approval Notice (I-797)
 Copy of I-824 (Application for Action on an Approved
Application or Petition) Receipt Notice (I-797C).
 Copy of our Marriage Certificate
 Copy of my wife’s Birth Certificate
 Copy of my wife’s Passport


Our contact details:


PRINCIPAL:

Name: XXX
US Address: XXX
Tel#: XXX
email: XXX

FOLLOW-TO-JOIN BENEFICIARY (Applicant):

Spouse Name: XXX
Address: XXX
Landline: XXX
Mobile No: XXX
Email: XXX



We would highly appreciate it if you could let us know if these documents are already sufficient to initiate and create a “Follow to Join” case for my wife, so that we’ll know if we’ll just have to wait for Packet 3. But if something is lacking or missing, we would appreciate your expert advice.


Thank you very much.


Yours truly,
<NAME>
Click to expand...

Kidd,
Cover letter looks okay. Re "no attachments" to email, they didnt have that in the website before so maybe its a new rule. In any case, just send them the email at that email address. Also suggest to send thru fax as well to be double sure. They posted a fax number where you can send follow to join documents in the MNL consulate website. Good luck, my friend!
 
Congrats!

Kamrans,
Congrats!! I have been waiting to hear this news from you. Good Luck.

-Thanks
HBG2001

kamrans said:
My wife finally got the visa. Thanks everybody who helped me in this journey. I will be here from time to time to help others.

Good Luck.
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FTJ forms

I've already emailed the embassy and will be faxing them the same stuff this week as advised by Bisdak. While waiting for their reply, I decided to be pro-active and check out the next forms that need to be submitted. I have some questions though:

1. I couldn't seem to find the download link for DS-2001 in Manila US embassy website? Where can I get the latest/proper form? I tried searching but I ended seeing diffent versions from different embassies.

2. Is DS-2000 (Evidence Which May be Presented to Meet the Public Charge Provision of the Law) needed in my case and what is this form? I saw one DS-2001 form stating that this should be enclosed.

2. What's the difference between I-134 and I-864 affidavit of supports?
In my case, I just need I-134 right?

Thanks in advance for your help! :)
 
kidd636

hi kidd,

kababayan! hope u read all my post, and know what to do, but if not, bisdak and me can help u get through FTJ... :)

based on your post, i believe you have NO problem in creating an ftj case for your wife.

for me, MAIL and FAX(just a copy) all the documents needed to create the case. they will NOT reply if they created the case or not. what u do is call the visa specialist(get the number from my previous post) here one week after the embassy received the documents.

if you Mailed all the documents needed(original, notarized etc.), your wife will receive packet 4, not packet 3.

with the forms, just google it. read my post and bisdak's, you will learn more from it.

PM me if you need my no. here.

godbless...

UdeX


kidd636 said:
I've already emailed the embassy and will be faxing them the same stuff this week as advised by Bisdak. While waiting for their reply, I decided to be pro-active and check out the next forms that need to be submitted. I have some questions though:

1. I couldn't seem to find the download link for DS-2001 in Manila US embassy website? Where can I get the latest/proper form? I tried searching but I ended seeing diffent versions from different embassies.

2. Is DS-2000 (Evidence Which May be Presented to Meet the Public Charge Provision of the Law) needed in my case and what is this form? I saw one DS-2001 form stating that this should be enclosed.

2. What's the difference between I-134 and I-864 affidavit of supports?
In my case, I just need I-134 right?

Thanks in advance for your help! :)
Click to expand...
 
Thanks Judex!

I have read almost this whole thread already and even took notes about your case, as well as Bisdak's and Simala's :) Very helpful stuff indeed! I've learned a lot.

I just sent you a PM too. :)


judex said:
hi kidd,

kababayan! hope u read all my post, and know what to do, but if not, bisdak and me can help u get through FTJ... :)

based on your post, i believe you have NO problem in creating an ftj case for your wife.

for me, MAIL and FAX(just a copy) all the documents needed to create the case. they will NOT reply if they created the case or not. what u do is call the visa specialist(get the number from my previous post) here one week after the embassy received the documents.

if you Mailed all the documents needed(original, notarized etc.), your wife will receive packet 4, not packet 3.

with the forms, just google it. read my post and bisdak's, you will learn more from it.

PM me if you need my no. here.

godbless...

UdeX
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Rammy - Can I get Police certificate before cosnulate

bhooshan said:
Rammy,
Thank you very much for your advice ;Got Email reply from Chennai ;
They wrote : expect an interview in the month of December !!

------------
Today ,I received my 824-Receipt Notice (applied on Aug 28th 07);
Date on Receipt was 3rd Oct ,it took one month to open the application
it seems.

Bhooshan



---------------
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Rammy,
I got my gc few months back and filed 824 in usa three years back. Of course it did not come through retrogression. After your advice I have directly mailed my documents and Chennai consulate created case for my family.
Now it again retrograted and I beleive that next month may be consulate get
numbers and may call my faimly interview soon.
What ALL the document which I can get before hand and ready. Like I seen one mail we can get police certificate from local police and passport office.
can you please advice what all form we need and how to go about it,
thanks
Puskar
 
I guess you know the list of the Documents needed.
The documents you can get ready before hand is

I-134(Should be Notarized)
Police clearance Certificates(You need both).
From Local police Station.
From passport Office.
Secondary Evidence of marriage
Wedding Pictures and other pictures with friends and family,wedding invitation,
Common Bank Statements,Insurance etc(whatever you have)

Police clearance certificates, you need to approach the the SP's office. Now a days everything is Standardized and there are forms to fill and fees to pay to get one.
Also apply in the Regional Passport Office for Police Clarence from the Passport office(In Hyderabad PO it took 3 Days).

Hope this helps.

Rammy.

followontojoin said:
Rammy,
I got my gc few months back and filed 824 in usa three years back. Of course it did not come through retrogression. After your advice I have directly mailed my documents and Chennai consulate created case for my family.
Now it again retrograted and I beleive that next month may be consulate get
numbers and may call my faimly interview soon.
What ALL the document which I can get before hand and ready. Like I seen one mail we can get police certificate from local police and passport office.
can you please advice what all form we need and how to go about it,
thanks
Puskar
Click to expand...
 
Wait for three days. They normally reply in 3 days. The address that you have is correct. I mixed it up with the name on the address.
Hope you will get it soon.

Good Luck.



RashidB said:
Thank you very much kamrans for your answer. I tried to send email to the address you wrote but it does not work. The email bounces back. The address that I used is pakivinfo@state.gov . I got it from the embassy's web page on following link:

http://islamabad.usembassy.gov/pakistan/im_nutshell.html

This address does work, but no one has replied me so far.
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Thanks a lot. I wish good luck to everybody here but things get change drastically.
My father is seriously sick and we have decided to go back for at least 5-6 months. Please pray for our family.

Thanks and wish you all the best.



HBG2001 said:
Kamrans,
Congrats!! I have been waiting to hear this news from you. Good Luck.

-Thanks
HBG2001
Click to expand...
 
kamrans said:
Thanks a lot. I wish good luck to everybody here but things get change drastically.
My father is seriously sick and we have decided to go back for at least 5-6 months. Please pray for our family.

Thanks and wish you all the best.
Click to expand...

Karmans,
We pray for your fathers speedy recovery.Our prayers and god wishes are with you and family.

Thanks,
RM
 
Judex

Got your PM Judex, thanks! :)

I just called the visa specialist this afternoon. They couldn't seem to help me without a case number (but I'm calling to ask if I my wife already has a case no. :confused: ) As you advised, I also asked if my wife's name is included in my case no., as derivative. So I gave my (I-485) case number, but she said that what she needs is a case number starting with MNL (which is a case that's supposed to be created at Manila Consulate right?), but of course I don't have that since my case was processed here. Our conversation ended with her just giving me the Manila consulate's contact no. and told me to call them instead. Not sure if she just misunderstood me somehow... :confused:

I guess I'll be calling you soon bro if I'm not able to figure this out... :)
 
Hi Kidd, just wait for your packet 3 brother!

kidd636 said:
Got your PM Judex, thanks! :)

Kidd, if you have sent your papers to USembassy already, just wait for the packet 3 to arrive, it will have your MNL, case number, my friends here whom I told to do so, got theirs in 3 weeks time.

My dependents are waiting for their visas as of now due to our priority date which is still 2006, I believe you will be given the visas ahead of us, you are current my friend.. just wait and pray! I know how you are feeling now, hehehe,, we are on the same boat kababayan,, let us put our trust in GOD alone!

To you dear Kamrans, we will be praying for your father, always believe in community prayers my friend, God is our healer, amen!

Judex and bisdak, we are still waiting for our reunion, hehehe, Kidd will be with us maybe, right Kidd? Hope so...

To all of you here in this thread, let us continue to pray and hope in the Lord, He has promised answers to our prayers, God never fails!

God be praised!
Simala2006
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kidd

give the case no. that was created by embassy manila, it starts with MNL, i already forgot where you will get it from your forms, just scan it :) i know you have it. your wifes case no. will be same as yours.

i believe your wife will be with you here within 8-10 months... just add more prayers :)

judex


kidd636 said:
Got your PM Judex, thanks! :)

I just called the visa specialist this afternoon. They couldn't seem to help me without a case number (but I'm calling to ask if I my wife already has a case no. :confused: ) As you advised, I also asked if my wife's name is included in my case no., as derivative. So I gave my (I-485) case number, but she said that what she needs is a case number starting with MNL (which is a case that's supposed to be created at Manila Consulate right?), but of course I don't have that since my case was processed here. Our conversation ended with her just giving me the Manila consulate's contact no. and told me to call them instead. Not sure if she just misunderstood me somehow... :confused:

I guess I'll be calling you soon bro if I'm not able to figure this out... :)
Click to expand...
 
simala

sorry, can't find time/vacation to be with you guys. but i'm sure we will see each other :)

judex

Simala2006 said:
kidd636 said:
Got your PM Judex, thanks! :)

Kidd, if you have sent your papers to USembassy already, just wait for the packet 3 to arrive, it will have your MNL, case number, my friends here whom I told to do so, got theirs in 3 weeks time.

My dependents are waiting for their visas as of now due to our priority date which is still 2006, I believe you will be given the visas ahead of us, you are current my friend.. just wait and pray! I know how you are feeling now, hehehe,, we are on the same boat kababayan,, let us put our trust in GOD alone!

To you dear Kamrans, we will be praying for your father, always believe in community prayers my friend, God is our healer, amen!

Judex and bisdak, we are still waiting for our reunion, hehehe, Kidd will be with us maybe, right Kidd? Hope so...

To all of you here in this thread, let us continue to pray and hope in the Lord, He has promised answers to our prayers, God never fails!

God be praised!
Simala2006
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