Merry Christmas to All!

Philippine Christmas Song (practice) sang by my Co-teachers during the Faculty Christmas Party

Christmas here is really different from what I got used to. In Philippines, Christmas starts as early as November. They say that when a month ends with -er, it is Christmas season already. That is why, some people decorate Christmas decors in September but mostly, decorating starts in November. All the schools, homes and other establishments feel the Christmas spirit when decorations are displayed. It is the same here in US, people start to decorate in late November but still I can feel the difference in celebrating Christmas here. Maybe people are too busy with work and we don't have much time visiting our friends here. All my friends are miles away from where I live and every one's busy with their own chores. I miss my hometown so much, I miss my family and friends. Especially this Holiday season, friends and family are always together and people share the warmth of Christmas joyfully.

Every 16th of December, people start carolling in our neighborhood but some people start earlier. All the kids will form a group and bring their spoons, forks or tin cans to use as their musical instruments for carolling. I like the cute kids singing the Christmas songs in their own tune and words. A peso will make them happy and they will always sing "Thank you, ang babait ninyo, thank you! (You are so kind, thank You) and run, looking for another house. I remember when I was a kid, my mom had asked me to go to a store and buy something one night. But what I did, before I bought the thing that Mom asked me to buy, I sang a Christmas song first for the store owner and he gave me some coins. He knew me since he was my brother's Godparent and our neighbor. They enjoyed listening to my song and they laughed because after that, I spent the coins he gave me and bought candies from his store. I almost forgot to buy what my Mom asked me. There are kids like me even today. They like a "solo flight" as what we call it for carollers who are alone or on their own. Thinking what I did makes me chuckle. It was a funny experience :) I didn't care before, as long that I have sang my song heartily and I have something in return. When I grew up, I sang with friends, co-teachers and co-club members. We received more from the residents because we gave them a letter informing them why we did the carolling and for what purpose we will use the money.

The other things that I miss are the fireworks and the Noche Buena (Midnight Dinner). When midnight of the 24th comes, parents will wake up their children for the noche buena and to witness the firecrackers and fireworks display. People are too busy with their own fireworks too that some end up in the hospital. We used to stay up till dusk and spent the whole time chatting and eating. The guys will drink and play with fire crackers. But here, there are no fireworks or firecrackers because these are not allowed for use. Residents are only allowed to play with fireworks every Independence day (June) which is really opposite to Philippines' tradition. I really miss those days... It makes me home-sick. Last Christmas here, hubby and I planned to have a noche buena but he was sick so as what most Americans usually do, we just slept after opening our gifts and heard no sound in our surrounding. But this year, I will try our best to prepare for Noche Buena. I want this year a very merry Christmas for us. I wish a merry Christmas to all of you too!

State ID and Driver's License

It is easy to get a State ID and a Driver's License but it takes time for the latter. If you have the requirements, then the processing is quicker. For the state ID, your I-94 should be at least 30 days valid (here in California state because each state's policy is different as what I have heard). If it is not valid anymore, you can still apply for a non-driving state ID. You need a Social Security number instead of the I-94 or departure card in order to obtain one. Present it along with your passport.

As for the driver's license, a Green Card is required, SS number and a passport. Since I had my Philippine Driver's license, I had applied right away for a CA Driver's license. I just presented my State ID as a requirement for the application along with the DMV form. After the application, a written test is scheduled then a manual test, meaning, a hands-on driving with the instructor/examiner. I suggest if you get a license if you are still in Phillipines so it would be cheaper and easier to get a license here. If you don't have yet a DL when you apply here, you will be asked to enrol in a driving school which is expensive here (around $300) compared to Philippine fees. Once you are done with the lessons, the same procedure is made to apply a DL. You can visit your local DMV office for the requirements and more information. You can also check the web online.

Applying for a Social Security Number

This has been always a raised question and a topic in the forum. Wether to apply SSN before marriage or after marriage upon arrival as K1 entrants. And my answer is always the same. This is my experience.

Both have benefits, applying in married name (after marriage within the 90-day period) or applying after two weeks upon arrival in States in maiden name (the name that reflects on the I-94 or the departure card).

It's quicker if you apply right away in your maiden name because they can verify right away their records with ur record. So you will have your card and number for about a week or a couple. But you need to go back again for the name change later (Imagine the waiting time and the long line... but it's ok.)

On the other hand, If you apply in your married name, you will go to the SSA (Social Security Administration) office once BUT it will take 3 weeks or more to get your card (it depends). Why?

Because your name is different now from their records, thus they need to verify the name from the DHS office if the person in the SSA record is the same with the person, now married, in a different name. They will chek if your new surname is the same with the surname of the petitioner...if he's the person who sponsored you to get here. It will take 3 weeks or more (a month or so) for the verification. Your lucky if the verification is quicker then you will have your card after 2 weeks, just like what I've said it depends.

After the verification, you need to wait another week for the SSA to prepare your card... So don't worry if it takes longer compared to other applicants. Each of us has a different case...

Just bring your passport with the I-94 (be sure it is not expired yet or else you need to wait for your Permanant Resident Card or Green Card to get your SS#) and fill up the form at the SSA. For married applicants, bring your passport, married license (the one from the Hall of records and not the marriage certificate), form. Visit the SSA website and check for other new requirements if there are and the application procedures.

QUOTE
How do I get a number and card?
To apply for a Social Security number and card:

Complete an Application For A Social Security Card (Form SS-5); and
Show us original documents or copies certified by the issuing agency proving:
U.S. citizenship or immigration status [including Department of Homeland Security (DHS) permission to work in the United States];
Age; and
Identity.
Then, take or mail your completed application and documents to your local Social Security office.

Citizenship or immigration status: We can accept only certain documents as proof of U.S. citizenship. These include a U.S. birth certificate, U.S. consular report of birth, U.S. passport, Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship. If you are not a U.S. citizen, Social Security will ask to see your current U.S. immigration documents. Acceptable documents include your:

Form I-551 (includes machine-readable immigrant visa with your unexpired foreign passport);
I-94 with your unexpired foreign passport; or
Work permit card from the Department of Homeland Security (I-766 or I-688B).
International students must present further documentation. For more information, see International Students And Social Security Numbers (Publication No. 05-10181).

Age: You must present your birth certificate if you have it or can easily obtain it. If not, we can consider other documents, such as your passport to prove age.

Identity: We can accept only certain documents as proof of identity. An acceptable document must be current (not expired) and show your name, identifying information and preferably a recent photograph. Social Security will ask to see a U.S. driver’s license, state-issued nondriver identification card or U.S. passport as proof of identity. If you do not have the specific documents we ask for, we will ask to see other documents including:

Employee ID card;
School ID card;
Marriage document;
Health insurance card (not a Medicare card);
U.S. military ID card;
Adoption decree; or
Life insurance policy.
All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. We may use one document for two purposes. For example, we may use your U.S. passport as proof of both citizenship and identity. Or, we may use your U.S. birth certificate as proof of age and citizenship. However, you must provide at least two separate documents.

We will mail your number and card as soon as we have all of your information and have verified your documents with the issuing offices.

The process for your children to apply is pretty much the same as it is for you to apply, although you probably need to go with them and may have to also sign some things.

Below is my timeline:

March 30, 2007, I submitted the following documents for SScard (SS office, Bak, CA):

-Passport/visa with I-94
-marriage license
-ssc application form

They told me to wait for 3 weeks cos they will send copies of the documents to the Dept of Homeland Security for a name check.

April 24, 2007, I received a notice that I will have my SSC within two weeks, if not, I'll just give them a call.

It takes a month and few days for you to have your SSC if you apply in your married name. It will take 2 weeks only to wait for the SSC after application if you'll apply in your maiden name...then another papers and weeks for the name change...

Related Links:

TIN
Non-Immigrant Visa for a Spouse (K3)
SSA Handout

Adjustment of Status

It was August 22 last year when I had my Adjustment of Status interview. My husband was with me and he drove me to Fresno where the USCIS office was. It was also our 5th month of marriage and our interview for AOS application.

So everything was ready. We packed up all documents and pictures then headed to fresno at 5:30 am. My interview was 8:30 but we arrived @7:30am so we had time to have our breakfast. Also, they won't allow us to get inside the office since it was too early for our schedule or appointment. They didn't want to have a lot of people inside waiting so we strolled for a while after having our breakfast. We entered the building @ 8am and was called @ 8:35 for the interview. The interview was quick. The officer just asked me the same questions I answered on the form I-485. After that, he let me sign and he checked our ID cards. When he came back, he said, my card will be received after 10 days and he reminded us when to apply for I-751 or removal of conditions. That was it, so quick. We just told them that we prepared everything and he just smiled and said " I believe You're being truthful." Hubby and I even kissed in front of him. We were so happy! A nice gift for our monthsarry. We headed to the Fresno Zoo and Yosemite park after. We had a great time!

USCIS Service and Office Locator

How To Apply For a Teaching Job in USA?

If you are wondering what to do inorder for you to get a job, you need to know this. This is only good for foreign people who are in USA and have a transcript of records taken from their homeland.

The first thing you need to do is have your foreign transcript evaluated for employment in United States. Like in my case, I came from the Philippines which have different educational system so I need my records to be evaluated inorder to be accepted here. The Phil educational system has 6 years in elementary , 4 years in secondary school while the US has 6 years in elementary and 6 years in high school. There are a difference of two years before a student can proceed to college. Also the grades used are different. We have numbers while they have letters. But some colleges in Philippines use letters too like the Xavier University. That is why evaluation of our TOR is important. But wait, you can't go right away to any agency that does evaluation. There are a lot in here. If you are applying as a teacher, you need to go to your school district to inquire first what are the requirements and what to do inorder to get a teaching job or any work that the district offers (clerk, management information specialist, child development center aid etc). They will then instruct you to have your records evaluated by their acceptable/certified agencies that do the evaluation. It depends to the district where they would recommend the applicants to have the evaluation. They have the list of agency where to go. Then do your part. My high school transcript and diploma was accepted by the district here in our county. I had it translated first befor I submitted it. In the equivalency evaluation result that I had, it was stated there that the university I was in was accepted or credited by their system. The school where you studied is important along with the courses too.

The results also vary for a different situation. I have a friend who took the certification of educational equivalency for her Phil HS diploma because it was needed for a job she was planning to apply but she was asked to take additional units to obtain the equivalency. She joined the adult school to take classes and received her US HS diploma successfully. So it depends on the school. (If you are looking forward to enroll in college, you can have your High School credits evaluated at World Educational Services.)

By the way, I just passed the requirements as a Teacher Aid and started to work. The principal has recommended me to teach in vocational schools or middle schools because my qualifications fit well to be a teacher. I just need to take the licensing exam first. So to those who plan to apply for a job, prepare your transcript of records to be evaluated now. When you have your, SSN, Green Card/ resident permanent card or your EAD (Employment Authorization Documents), you are good to go. Below is an iformation regarding EAD.

[quote name='MrkGrismer' date='Nov 25 2008, 04:15 PM' post='182279']
The law says that a K-1 entrant is authorized to work as part of the K-1 visa. However the K-1 entrant is also required to obtain documentation from USCIS. USCIS considers that documentation to be the Employment Authorization Documents (EAD). However, a K-1 entrant that is working without the EAD is not in violation of the law (the K-1 is, by law, allowed to work). However the employer could be fined for not having the proper documentation on file. Although such a thing seems unlikely to happen as it is not generally worth it for immigration to make an issue of it. "

Goodluck to all applicants!

Vaccinations for AOS

During my visa process, TD vaccine (tetanus diphtheria) was not available at St. Luke's Medical Clinic yet. That was why when I got here in US, I took my vaccination at a county clinic since it was required for my AOS (Adjustment of Status) application too. The form I-693 was requested which has the transcription of my medical record from St Luke's clinic and the vaccination I received here and in Philippines. I also continued the other vaccinations (second doses and so on) I received from Phi such as the MMR. I believe that the TD vaccine now is offered at St Luke's. That means, a K1 visa holder will no longer take that shot here and will right away look for a CS (Civil Surgeon) for the transcription of the medical record for the form I-693 which is a requirement for the Adjustment of Status after marriage. Within the 90-day period which is given to a fiancee/fiance visa (K1) holder, the petitioner should marry the fiancee/fiance and after that, AOS will follow anytime. AOS is needed to obtain temporary/permanent US residency. There's no deadline for this but if you can apply right away, the better. Fees are increasing and it might cost more in the coming years.