Today, I received my new SS card with its restrictions removed. I applied for removal of restrictions last October 20, at SSA's district office in Westminster which is just 20 minutes away. I and Craig actually was thinking of going to Baltimore which is where the SSA headquarters is located, but it's a 45-minute drive going there. So, it was really a smart idea to go and do it at the district office. Besides, when we reached the office only couple of costumers were there, so it wasn't really busy. I was done in 20 minutes or so :).
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Last Thursday (September 30, 2010), I finally was able to pick up my Philippine passport at the Philippine embassy in Washington D.C. It was all a breeze as there were no crowds inside :).
I just gave my receipt to the lady at the window, then she let me signed through the computer. I got to repeat it 3 times because I got confused and forgot what signature did I use, LOL! The lady told me I have to sign the same signature I used on my passport. I told her I wasn't sure what signature I used. Luckily, my passport already has my signature stored in it. The passport has somewhat like a computer chip installed in it like my US passport, so both passports are now digital-scan capable :). All is set and complete for my documents in time for my upcoming trip to the Philippines this November. Praise the Lord! Finally, Ging was able to take her oath to re-acquire her Filipino citizenship last Wednesday (Augut 25) at the Philippine embassy in Washington DC. She was originally scheduled to have it in August 11, but we decided not to because we both can't make it that time. Thank God that it was only a week wait before she was rescheduled again for the 2nd time and so, we made it!
The only challenge left is that Ging has to apply for a new Philippine passport because the one she recently renewed was issued to her before she became a dual citizen. The passport takes 4 weeks and we still have to wait for a call from the embassy for the passport pick up. Anyway, here are some photos we had during and after the ceremony. I and hubby arrived at the Philippine Embassy in D.C. around 10:45AM. We were a little bit concern about where to park, but thank God, the metered parking in front of the embassy was vacant so we were able to get a parking spot.
As I went inside the building, there were only couple people in line, so it wasn't busy. When I reached my turn at the counter I submitted the following documents to the lady:
She then asked me to sign my signature again on the 3 sets of application forms because I happened to photocopy the 3 sets from the original application form I printed online. Just a reminder:
So, the waiting begins!... First and foremost is my big thanks to Him up there who continues to answers our prayers and constantly gives us more than enough blessings with our lives daily. Thank you Lord!
When I came here in the US to finally join my husband, I was granted a conditional permanent residence for 2 years. Of course, we still consider paper works as hassles since we keep on submitting the same documents, forms, etc...and yet the payments continue to increase! Plus, we can't just imagine long months of waits before we could finally get a result...well, in this case where you don't have any choice but to follow the law is a tough hurdle. But in the end of each final step of struggle, it is all worth it. Dealing with the US immigration involves a lot of paperworks, not to mention some interviews...I consider this as a battle - just like fighting for my marriage and relationship with my husband, which is really the focus, anyway. It took me 9 months to wait before I received a letter of approval last week (March 11) from the USCIS congratulating me about being a permanent US resident, and will be a green card holder for 10 years! But on the other hand, the wait is not yet over until I have the 10-yrs green card in hand. (letter says I have to wait within 60 days). Of course, the approval is as well an automatic eligibility to take the US citizenship or Naturalization test. So, in this case, one more final step to get that test and I'm done. This means, it's one more step of doing the same routines..fingerprinting, submitting paperworks and forms, etc..., wait another several months, before getting the final result! {{sigh}}....it's one more FINAL step of long waits but I wouldn't be minding it since it would be the final hurdle with USCIS! :). By the way, I will be eligible for citizenship on August 30, 2009 onwards :). Isn't that cool? (Yay). |
AuthorI am a Filipina wife, an amateur writer and a blogger, and author of this site, inspired by my husband with God as the only source of our strength and wisdom. Archives
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