USCIS Launches New and Improved Website

Web Portal will serve as a “one stop shop” for all U.S. immigration and citizenship information

Washington, DC – One of the most trafficked websites in the Federal government has a fresh new look. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has replaced its old website with a new, more effective, www.uscis.gov. USCIS hosts an average of redesigned Web Portal available at the same Internet address, 135,000 daily visitors for a total of nearly six million total visits a month.

The improved Web Portal will serve as a “one stop shop” for all information about U.S. immigration and citizenship. Visitors to the “new” USCIS.gov will find it easier to download petitions and applications, file forms electronically, and sign up online for appointments at their local district offices using InfoPass. The new site is easier to navigate, visitors can use the built-in search engine to easily locate needed information
and can find answers to their immigration questions through the interactive “How Do I…?” page.

“USCIS.gov is often the first point of contact for USCIS applicants, their families and the interested public. Our previous website left many of those visitors without answers to their questions,” said USCIS Director Emilio Gonzalez. “With the launch of the new Web Portal, visitors will find the in-demand information they need within a sleek, modern framework. You’re going to like the updated Web Portal, it’s a giant step forward for our agency and a helpful new tool for our applicants.”

Many of the pages that visitors have bookmarked have changed. Please refer to the USCIS Fact Sheet, “U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Launches New Website,” for new links to your favorites: Applications & Petitions, Services & Benefits, Information for Lawful Permanent Residents & Green Cards, e-filing, Booklets & Fact Sheets and InfoPass.

Please visit the new USCIS Web Portal at www.uscis.gov for answers to all your citizenship and immigration questions.

– USCIS –

CGFNS redesigns its website

The CGFNS International website (www.cgfns.org) has been redesigned to improve navigation and streamline the information located on the site. The redesigned website will launch November 1, 2006. Applicants are still able to apply online, check their status online, and download applications from the website. New logos have been created for all CGFNS programs. Under each program is a link to a Requirements document that has been developed for each program in pdf format. "Announcements" now has its own section on the website. General news is located under "About Us", along with important information about CGFNS International.

A new "Tools and Information" section has been added to the website. This section contains various subsections for the various audiences who visit the CGFNS International website, including applicants, state boards of nursing, recruiters/employers/immigration attorneys, and test site administrators. Statistical data regarding the number of certificates/reports issued for each program and the top countries of education is also contained in this section. The document library contains electronic copies of various CGFNS publications. Frequently Asked Questions can also be accessed in this section.

The online store, containing various study aids and other materials for purchase, remains part of the CGFNS International website. The "Contact Us" email form is also linked to the homepage of the website. Emails are answered during CGFNS'' normal business hours.

CGFNS 2006-2007 Exam Dates and Exam Sites for the Nov. 8 exam

CGFNS has posted dates for the Certification Program (CP) Qualifying Exam for 2006 to 2007. The new date schedule can be found on this address: http://www.cgfns.org/sections/app/examdateslocs.shtml
You will also find in that page, at the lower half, all participating examination sites for the November 8, 2006 CGFNS Certification Program.

Good luck to all CGFNS takers this November!

Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) Cebu

Requirements:
Essentially identical to those required by CFO Manila. See requirements here: PDOS Manila

Fees:
Pursuant to CFO Board Resolution No. 2006-02, CFO fees effective 01 August 2006 are as follows:
Registration Fee PhP 400.00
Replacement of lost Guidance and Counseling Certificate PhP 800.00

Schedule:
Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar Schedule for Emigrants (CFO Cebu City)
[1] United States of America and Canada Mondays to Fridays 10:00 am - 12:00nn
[2] Australia, New Zealand and Other Countries Mondays to Fridays 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Schedule of Peer Counseling Sessions for Youth Migrants (CFO Cebu City)
[1] All Countries Mondays to Fridays 10:00 am - 12:00 nn and 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

CFO Cebu Desk
Causing-Lozada Building
Osmeña Boulevard corner MJ Cuenco Street
Cebu City, Philippines
Telefax: (032) 255-5253
Email: cfocebu@mozcom.com
URL: http://www.cfo.gov.ph

(click map for larger image)

2006-2007 CGFNS Certification Program (CP) Qualifying Exam Dates

2006-2007 Certification Program (CP) Qualifying Exam Dates

The deadlines are fast approaching for internationally educated registered nurses who wish to take the November 8, 2006 and March 14, 2007 Certification Program Qualifying Exam of nursing knowledge, required for licensure in the majority of U.S. states.

Click here for the 2006-2007 Certification Program (CP) Qualifying Exam dates and locations. The exam sites that will be open for the November 8, 2006 exam are also posted here.

June 2006 Phillipine Nurses Licensure Examination Results

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announces that 17,821 out of 42,006 passed the Nurse Licensure Examination given by the Board of Nursing in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legazpi, Lucena, Tacloban, Tuguegarao and Zamboanga last June 2006.

Due to the increase on the number of examinees and after a thorough scientific statistical treatment to the report of irregularity, the results were released in twenty-seven (27) working days from the last day of examination.

Registration for the issuance of Professional Identification Card (ID) and Certificate of Registration will start on Monday, May 29, 2006 but not later than June 19, 2006. Those who will register are required to bring the following: duly accomplished Oath Form or Panunumpa ng Propesyonal, current Community Tax Certificate (cedula), 2 pieces passport size picture (colored with white background and complete nametag), 1 piece 1” x 1” picture (colored with white background and complete nametag), 2 sets of metered documentary stamps, and 1 short brown envelope with name and profession; and to pay the Initial Registration Fee of P600 and Annual Registration Fee of P450 for 2006-2009. Successful examinees should personally register and sign in the Roster of Registered Professionals.

Registration of successful examinees will start on Tuesday, August 15, 2006. The schedule of registration in alphabetical order will be announced later. The oathtaking ceremony of the successful examinees in the said examination as well as the previous ones who have not taken their Oath of Professional will be held before the Board on Tuesday, August 22, 2006 at 8:00 o’clock in the morning at the Araneta Coliseum, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City; on August 23, 2006 in Cebu; on August 26, 2006 in Zamboanga; on August 29, 2006 in Iloilo; on August 30, 2006 in Tuguegarao; on August 31, 2006 in Legazpi and Davao; on September 3, 2006 in Baguio; on September 6, 2006 in Tacloban; and on September 7, 2006 in Cagayan De Oro. Please contact the Accredited Professional Organization (Philippine Nurses Association) local chapter for further details. All must come in their white gala uniform, nurses cap, white duty shoes, without earrings, hair not touching the collar and without corsage.

No oathtaking will be allowed before the August 22, 2006 schedule in Manila. Oathtaking will be administered by the Board of Nursing as per RA 9173. Tickets will be available starting Tuesday, August 1, 2006 at the Ground Floor of PRC – Main Building, Sampaloc, Manila.

Download the exam results: June 2006 Nursing Licensure Exam Results*
*File is in PDF (Portable Document Format). You will need a PDF reader to open the file. I suggest you try Foxit PDF Reader

Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) Manila

Pre-Departure Registration Requirements & PDOS Schedule
Website: http://www.cfo.gov.ph

CFO Manila Registrants:
Filipino emigrants or those leaving the country to settle permanently abroad are required to register with the CFO. Part of its registration requirements is attendance in the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) to prepare them for settlement overseas. Those who are 12 years old and below are exempt from attending the PDOS. They must, however, be registered, even if by proxy. Children of emigrants, aged 13 to 19, are required to attend the Peer Counseling Program to help facilitate their adjustment to a new environment.

Requirements for Registration
1. Original valid passport;
2. Original and photocopy of visa;
3. One (1) passport-size photograph;
4. One (1) valid identification card with photograph;
5. Original and photocopy of Confirmation of Permanent Residence (for CANADA-bound emigrant);
6. Original and photocopy of Immigrant Data Summary (for USA bound emigrant);
7. Original and photocopy of letter of approval for Work to Residence visa (for New Zealand bound emigrants);
8. Photocopy of employment contract(for immigrant workers);
9. Duly completed registration form (downloadable at www.cfo.gov.ph); (Also see below)
10. Payment of the authorized registration fee ; and
11. Attendance in the PDOS or peer counseling session

For children 12 years old and below, the following additional documents are required if the proxy is not the legal/natural/adoptive parent of the registrant.
1. One(1) valid identification card with photograph of the proxy; and
2. Special Power of Attorney or notarized authorization letter from the parent/s/ or guardian/s authorizing the proxy to register the minor children.

Note: After satisfactory completion of the requirements, an emigrant registration sticker is affixed to the emigrant's passport

Downloads:
Form for US Bound Filipino Immigrant Workers (Nurses)
All other forms

Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar Schedule for Emigrants (CFO Manila)

United States of America and other countries
Mondays to Fridays 10:00 am - 12:00 nn and 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Canada
Mondays to Fridays 9:30 am - 12:00 nn

Fees
Pursuant to CFO Board Resolution No. 2006-02, CFO fees effective 01 August 2006 are as follows:
Registration Fee PhP 400.00
Replacement of lost Guidance and Counseling Certificate PhP 800.00

How to get there:
CFO Manila
Citigold Center
1345 Pres. Quirino Avenue corner Osmeña Highway (South Superhighway)
Manila, Philippines 1007
Tel. Nos. (02) 561-8321 locals 300 to 304; 200 to 204; 101 to 105
Fax No. (02) 561-8332
Email: cfodfa@info.com.ph ; cfomieo@info.com.ph
URL: http://www.cfo.gov.ph


(Click picture for larger image)

Note: CFO has offices in Manila and Cebu. For complete information about CFO and their services, please visit their official website.

A printable copy of this post is available in Word Document (DOC) format. Click to download: PDOS Information (pdos.doc, 133KB)

Required Documents for Visa Applications (US Embassy Manila)

Required Documents for Visa Applications

When a beneficiary is eligible to apply for an immigrant or fiance(e) visa (that is, priority date becomes current and/all the pre-processing requirements have been met), the National Visa Center (NVC) queues the beneficiary for a visa interview. The NVC will send the applicant a packet with the visa interview appointment, information, the application forms and a list of the required application documents. It is important that visa applicants submit documentary requirements to NVC to be documentarily qualified for the visa interview, otherwise they will be found ineligible for visa issuance and be asked to return to the Embassy for another appointment. The basic documents that an applicant must submit are:

1. PASSPORT valid for at least six (6) months.

2. DS-230 Parts I and II: Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Forms. These forms are sent to applicants along with their appointment letters. Each family member applying for an immigrant visa is required to complete these forms.

3. BIRTH CERTIFICATE. Copies must be issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) and printed on NSO security paper. Copies are needed for beneficiaries, derivative family members and Philippine-born petitioners. You may call the NSO Information Center at 02-737-1111 or visit their e-census webpage to inquire about how to secure a birth certificate.

4. NBI CLEARANCE. Applicants aged 16 years and older must have a valid Record Clearance for Travel Abroad Purposes from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). An official letter of explanation from the NBI is required for any notation of “No criminal record”, No pending criminal case” or “With derogatory record.” NBI is located along Taft Avenue in Manila. For immigration purposes, an NBI clearance is considered valid only for a year from the date it is issued.

5. POLICE CERTIFICATES. A police certificate is required from a country in which the applicant lived for more than one year (six months if you are applying for a K visa) after turning 16 years old. Information on how to secure police certificates from countries where these are available may be obtained by contacting U.S. Embassy Manila’s Immigrant Visa Branch, or an Embassy/Consulate of the country from which the Police certificate is required.
The State Department's Visa Office offers online information on availability of country documents including police certificates through its Country Document Finder. Click on the letter that begins the country name, select the country and scroll down to "Documents".

6. MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE. If married in the Philippines, a copy of the marriage certificate issued by the National Statistics Office and printed on NSO security paper should be submitted.

7. PROOF OF TERMINATION OF A PRIOR MARRIAGE. As applicable, official documents that prove all prior marriages have been legally terminated must be presented. This may be an annulment decree or a copy of a death certificate issued by NSO and printed on NSO security paper, a foreign divorce decree, or foreign death certificate whichever is applicable.

8. CERTIFICATE OF NO MARRIAGE RECORD (CENOMAR) - If never married, a Certificate of No Marriage Record (CENOMAR) issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) and printed on NSO security paper should be submitted. You may call the NSO Information Center at 02-737-1111 or visit the NSO webpage at https://www.ecensus.com.ph/Secure/frmIndex.asp to secure a CENOMAR (Singleness).

9. SUPPORTING EVIDENCE OF IDENTITY AND/OR RELATIONSHIP. Applicants should be prepared to submit documents that further establish their identity and/or their relationship with the petitioner or the principal applicant. Personal photographs with family members together, taken over a period of time may help to establish the existence of a relationship. Personal correspondence, home telephone records, bank records, proof of joint property ownership and/or joint financial obligations, original baptismal records, medical record and adoption decrees are often useful.

10. EVIDENCE OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT

* Form I-864 Affidavit of Support (AOS). The I-864 AOS is required for visa applicants in all family-sponsored categories (IR and F) and certain E visa categories. The I-864 AOS is NOW VALID INDEFINITELY ONCE IT HAS BEEN SIGNED AND NOTARIZED (this is a change from the previous requirement of being good for one year only). In other words, applicants will no longer need to submit a new I-864 AOS or tax forms simply due to long processing delays between the date of the signature and notarization of the I-864 AOS and the date of the interview.

Additionally, petitioners (or cosponsors, if needed) filing an I-864 AOS are required to submit ONLY ONE YEAR'S TAX RETURN, CURRENT AS OF THE DATE THE SUBMITTED I-864 WAS NOTARIZED (this is a change from the previous requirement of submitting tax returns from the three most recent tax years).

The actual signed and notarized I-864 AOS must be an original copy. However, faxed copies of tax returns are acceptable.

Click here to read more about the required I-864 Affidavit of Support (NOTE: THE RECENT CHANGES IN I-864 AOS REQUIREMENTS ARE IN THE PROCESS OF BEING UPDATED ON THE MAIN U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE WEBSITE)

* Form I-134 Affidavit of Support.
* The I-134 Affidavit of Support is required for returning residents (SB-1), fiancé(e)s or spouses of U.S. citizens (K1, K3), children of K1 and K3 applicants, spouses and children of LPRs, applicants with special immigrant status, and follow-to-join derivative family members of employment-based (E) applicants. A copy of the sponsor's most recent Federal income tax return (Form 1040) should accompany the I-134. Fax copies of the ITR are acceptable.

10. VISA PHOTOGRAPHS. Two (2) colored photographs printed according to specifications, provided in the visa application packet.

Employment-based applicants require the following additional documents:

* Official Job Offer with the salary stated from the potential U.S. employer
* Visa Screen Certificate (for nurses and physical therapists)
* Old and current professional identification cards

* Any document not in English must be accompanied by an English translation. A competent translator must certify the translations.

* Consular officers may require additional documentation to adjudicate your application.

* Consular officers may ask to see originals of documents. The applicant may submit a photocopy of a document along with the visa application but should bring the original document for the officer’s inspection.

From http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwh3217.html

Personal Note:
If you are a nurse with an agency or recruiter, most of these requirements might have already been submitted by your agency or recruiter (DS-230, NBI and Police Clearance, Birth Certificates). Please refer to your Packet 4 instructions regarding the needed documents you have yet to present during your interview. As always, it is safe practice to bring all originals in your possession, and at least 1 photocopy of each document.

The CENOMAR requirement for single applicants might or might not be asked of you during the interview, but then again, since it is listed as one of the requirements, it is still safe practice to secure one when you can. I believe this is most pertinent only for those applying for fiance visas (but then again I might be wrong). For single nurse applicants, it will not hurt (or cost) that much to secure a CENOMAR from NSO. Regular processing time can take up to 10 working days and will cost PhP180 per copy on security paper. And when you secure a CENOMAR, or any other NSO document for that matter, please double check that it has documentary stamps. Do not purchase these documentary stamps outside NSO, as there is a likely chance you'll get fake stamps.

Good luck to all applicants with a scheduled interview.

Alzheimer's Vaccine Shows Promise

An experimental vaccine is showing promise against Alzheimer's disease, reducing brain deposits that are blamed for the disorder.

The deposits have been cut by between 15.5 percent and 38.5 percent in mice, with no major side effects, researchers said Monday in the online edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Tests of the DNA-based vaccine are under way in monkeys, and if those are successful, testing in people could begin, perhaps within three years, said lead researcher Yoh Matsumoto of the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Neuroscience in Japa

Forbes.com: Alzheimer's Vaccine Shows Promise

CGFNS Announces Policy Changes For Length Of Time Applications May Remain Open, Time Limit For Receipt Of Payment, And Refunds

Effective May 1, 2006, applicants applying for the CGFNS Certification Program, Credentials Evaluation Service and VisaScreen™ will be given 12 months to meet the requirements of each program. Orders for these three services that have not resulted in the rostering of an applicant to take the Qualifying Exam for the Certification Program, that have not resulted in the issuing of a Credentials Evaluation Service report, or that have not resulted in the issuing of a VisaScreen within 12 months of the application date will be closed.

**Once an order is closed, an applicant can re-apply and pay a second year re-application fee. Re-application orders will remain open for 12 months starting from the date the re-application order is placed. A re-application order cannot be placed until the previous order has been closed.
In addition, CGFNS now requires payment in full within 60 days of application date. Applications received without a payment will be deleted if full payment is not received within 60 days of application date. The applicant will have to fill out a new application and submit the appropriate full price to place a new order.

Finally, CGFNS has instituted a "no refund" policy for its Certification Program, Credentials Evaluation Service and VisaScreen™. Individual consideration will be given on a case-by-case basis if a refund is necessary due to a CGFNS error.

Track your visa shipment with Delbros (PH)

Delbros is the official courier for the U.S. Embassy in Manila. You can reach their website at http://www.delbros.com. At the index page, you will see a small tracking box at the lower left of the page. Just type in your tracking number if you have pending visa applications waiting to be shipped. For Metro Manila clients, Delbros is committed to deliver your visa within 1-2 working days upon release from the Embassy. Provincial clients can expect a 5-7 days delivery time. Delbros will notify the applicant about the status of his visa, but this may actually not be current info. The fastest way to check for the latest info about your pending visa shipment is through their website, where the info is updated real-time. For applicants, the tracking number is usually your passport number. You could also send messages to the DELBROS TEXT HOTLINE to facilitate your inquiries regarding the status of your Visa or you could read some of our FAQ's for clarifications. Please follow this format before sending your inquiry to the DELBROS TEXT HOTLINE: Type " " then send to +639176221949 For Example "MNL00235120301 status " then send to +639176221949 Your Visa's tracking number is located on the upper left-hand corner of your DELBROS Official Receipt. Delbros Iloilo City Distribution Center: +63 (33) 3372243

U.S. Embassy (New Delhi) Announces New System For Immigrant Visa Applicants

Press Releases 2006
U.S. Embassy Announces New System For Immigrant Visa Applicants
May 4, 2006

JALANDHAR -- The U.S. Embassy is pleased to announce an agreement with VFS that will provide better services to immigrant visa applicants. VFS is the private Indian company that manages the Non-Immigrant Visa appointment system for the U.S. Embassy and its consulates in India.

The new system will allow immigrant visa applicants to turn in required documents at three convenient VFS locations in Jalandhar, Chandigarh and New Delhi prior to the date of their visa interview. Beginning May 1, 2006, immigrant visa applicants must appear at the U.S. Embassy only on the day of their interview. In addition, the new VFS agreement will expedite immigrant visa processing procedures on the day of an applicant's interview.

Under the new system, all immigrant visa applicants scheduled for interview on or after May 1, 2006, should submit their completed Packet-4, "Information for Immigrant Visa Applicants," documents at their nearest VFS office (list of offices given below). The documents along with a photocopy of each applicant's passport must be submitted at a VFS office no earlier than 15 working days and no less than 10 days prior to the scheduled interview date. VFS will provide a receipt for all documents left at its offices and place a bar code sticker on the original passport. The fee for this service is Rs. 337/- for each applicant.

When the visa is issued, it is sent back to the applicant via courier. If additional documents and items are requested at the time of an immigrant visa applicant's interview, together with each applicant's passport, all documentation and items must be submitted to a VFS office. The fee for this service is Rs. 337/- for each applicant. Applicants should not submit documents piecemeal, but must submit all requested items at the same time.

If the Embassy requires additional information from an applicant with regard to the applicant's pending immigrant visa application, a courier will deliver the request. Payment of a new fee may be required.

Read the Press Release

December 2005 Phillipine Nurses Licensure Examination Results

December 2005 Phillipine Nurses Licensure Examination Results

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announces that 13,108 out of 24,287 passed the Nurse Licensure Examination given by the Board of Nursing in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legazpi, Lucena,Tacloban, Tuguegarao and Zamboanga this December 2005.

The results of examination with respect to Six hundred four (604) examinees were withheld pending final determination of their liabilities under the rules and regulations governing licensure examinations.

The members of the Board of Nursing are Eufemia F. Octaviano, Chairperson;Remedios L. Fernandez, Letty G. Kuan and Anesia B. Dionisio, Members.The results were released in eleven (11) working days from the last day ofexamination.

Download the exam results: December 2005 Nursing Licensure Exam Results*
*PDF format. Requires Acrobat or any PDF Reader.