DEERS Enrollment - Can I enroll without my Spouse/Sponsor?

I was able to discuss from my previous post about enrolling as my spouse’s dependent and getting the DEERS ID card at the US Embassy, Manila after we got married. 

Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) is a computerized database of military sponsors, families and others worldwide who are entitled under the US law to receive TRICARE benefits. So it is really important to register each family member as soon as possible to receive such benefits in a timely manner, even if the sponsor has already retired!

Active-duty and retired service members are automatically registered in DEERS, but they must take action to register their family members and ensure they're correctly entered into the database. In my case, since we got married, this was the first thing we did. Good thing, enrollment and ID capture facilities are readily available at the US Embassy, Manila.

I got a question that came from my formspring account and a fellow newlywed, with almost the same situation as I am, asked me this:

“hi..pede magtanong? im married to US army last May 28 and now he's in okinawa japan. sabi nya sken dalhin ko daw sa US embassy yung papers namen para mailagay ako sa DEERS at makakuha ng Military ID. Okay lang ba nawala sya at ako lang ang mag process nun?”

The sender was just asking if it’s okay for her to do the DEERS/Rapids ID enrollment even if the spouse is unable to accompany her. I was only able to cover previously how I was able to do it with my husband. 

The only reason why I had my spouse with me was because we both knew that there would be additional requirements, which I will discuss in a few. Aside from that, being with your spouse can make you avoid the VERY LONG LINE for Filipino applicants because there’s a separate lane for the US citizens, which is typically "just a few”. D and I were already 3rd in line when I would have been the 20th if we queued up on the other.

Now if you don’t have your spouse to accompany you to the embassy, there‘s no problem. You can still enter the embassy premises, but will have to be really early to get in line with the rest of the other people applying for visa as you CANNOT queue up to the American Citizen's lane, unless, of course, you’re an American Citizen. Falling in line early will give you peace of mind since you are required to be there before your scheduled appointment, and besides, you would only have to do this once!

Okay, enough with queuing up, on to more important things.

Yes, I just recently found out that an APPOINTMENT must be made via this website: http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwhju18.html. You must arrive 30 minutes prior to your appointment. One appointment is good for one family. Available slots would ONLY be 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of every month.

Here are the OTHER requirements if spouse or sponsors are unavailable:

The dependent (YOU) must bring along a DOD Form 1172 signed by the sponsor (your husband) and notarized from a DEERS/RAPIDS workstation validating you as a dependent, along with a valid national ID (such as a Philippine/U.S. Passport, driver's license, NBI report, voter's card, etc.)

- OR -

The dependent must bring along a valid Power of Attorney notarized by a US notary which gives her the power to act on the sponsor’s behalf, along with a valid national ID as stated above.

- OR -

If the sponsor is deceased, the un-remarried spouse or unmarried former spouse may act on their own behalf.

But to be more clear with the LATEST procedure, call Joint United States Military Assistance Group (JUSMAG) at 301-2000 Ext 6340.

Status Update: US Petition (v)

Oh Em Gee!

I woke up at around 6am knowing that I'd be expecting a package anytime today. I have been tracking my courier since yesterday's text I received from Air21.

I have been keeping track of it almost EVERY minute (yeah, I know it's ridiculously excited of me), but then at around 10 or 11am, our usual courier guy showed up and handed me my most-awaited mail of the year!

And behold:

Well, it has actually been 7 months since we became man and wife and 5 months ago when my husband first filed a petition. It shouldn't be a surprise anymore 'coz I am really destined to be where I should be, and that is with my D (I'd never find myself so cheesy like this. Ew.)

And with this, I now update my ongoing time line, which I intend to continue as our journey still does (after all!) continue.

Please click to enlarge

Some VERY IMPORTANT notes about the Immigrant Visa Packet (with emphasis on the RED words):

1. DO NOT OPEN, or even attempt to open, the visa packet (yellow envelope). You may only open the plastic pouch to retrieve the passport.
2. You will experience a significant delay if the visa packet is torn. You will not be allowed to board and difficulties will be encountered at any US port of entry. 
3. DO NOT DETACH the stapled "Immigrant Data Summary" in the visa packet.
4. The visa packet will be opened only by the Immigration or Public Health Service Officer at the US port of entry. 
5. Make sure that all personal information in the visa is correct before boarding. The visa can be returned if it contains incorrect data.

The next step is to affix my CFO sticker. I will provide a feedback on this later.

Pre-departure Orientation (CFO Seminar)

D suddenly told me one day that I had to attend some seminar before I could even leave the Philippines. He said that one of his colleague’s wife had been asked to go to the said seminar, and the same thing may apply to me. He also mentioned some PHP650+ fee that I need to pay them in order for me to have an affixed sticker on my passport so that I’ll be allowed to fly. At first I didn’t understand what the hell was going on, but after much research, he was actually referring to the Commission of Filipinos Overseas (CFO) seminar (more about my experience later).

So what’s this about?

This commission was created in order to have records of Filipino Emigrants who wish to settle abroad permanently. This seminar is applicable to those who will acquire permanent residence, including children (eg. Green card or LPR for US, etc), those married or will marry foreign nationals who reside abroad (most of which are female).

In my case, my husband’s really Filipino by birth and spent a quarter (or more) of his life in the Philippines. However, since he got naturalized to another citizenship, he is now considered an “alien” or foreigner already. Thus, I really needed to attend the legally mandated seminar also known as the Pre-departure orientation.

If you think you can get away with this, just think of the actual day that you will be flying abroad without the CFO. Think of the immigration officer actually denying your entry to your gate, which is just a few meters from the plane you will be riding that day. 

 image c/o Philstar

Think of all the hassles of arguing only to find out in the end that you will really never gonna step on that very plane that will take you to your milk and honey. Think about the money you already spent on that wasted ticket.

It's not a pretty sight (and a frustrating one, at that).

There are no exceptions to the case because immigration officers will check your visa, and if it turns out to be an immigrant visa (of any country), they will next look for the CFO sticker and affixed green certificate on the pages of your passport, and if they don’t see it, just kiss that flight goodbye, and they will only let you aboard once you have the sticker and the certificates to show them.

FYI, CFO seminar is actually mandated by RA 79 and other laws governing this.
http://www.cfo.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=270&Itemid=23

In other words, there is no other choice. The seminar is specifically designed or targeted to inform a lot of migrating women on what they may expect in case something bad happens to their marriage, not because something bad will happen. Registered individuals can also contact shelters that ACTUALLY exist for any sort of immediate assistance needed.

Who are required to get registered with CFO?

(click on the links below for info, as requirements may vary):

1. Fiancee, Spouses and Other Partners of Foreign Nationals

2. For Filipinos leaving the country with an immigrant VISA

3. Exchange Visitor Program participants

In my case, numero uno is applicable for me.

There are actually 2 venues for my seminar:  St. Mary Euphrasia Foundation - Center for Overseas Workers (SMEF-COW) and at People’s Reform Initiative for Social Mobilization, Inc. (PRISM).

Contact details:

PRISM
2nd Floor BDO Building, 2422 Taft Avenue
Tel. Nos.: (632) 525-3114, (632) 525-3783, (632) 525-4314
Fax No.: (632) 5253114
E-mail: prism_inc06@yahoo.com.ph

SMEF-COW
Good Shepherd Convent, 1043 Aurora Boulevard
Quezon City, Philippines 1108
Tel. No.: (632) 913-6439
Fax No.: (632) 913-6438
E-mail: smef_cow@yahoo.com.ph
Website: www.smef-cow-phil.org

It would be best to call them first for schedules, requirements, etc. and the staff would be happy to help. Let me tell you about my experience next time once I receive my immigrant visa.

Status Update: US Petition (iv)

Yes, there's a new update! I just got my Packet 3 instructions via mail. It was no one's fault after all since I just counted the number of business days, and that I have to exclude the holy week from the count -- and it was all right. 

Anyways, once I got the packet, I sent in right away the DS-230 and DS-2001 forms to the embassy via fax. After 2-3 weeks, I may expect my appointment letter to be mailed right to our doorstep.

Oh, and by the way, I was also able to improve the time line, thanks to dipity. With this, I could always update and save all the stuff we've already accomplished.

Behold, a more detailed account of our journey!

click to enlarge, kudasai

Meanwhile, I wait again.

Status Update: US Petition (iii)

Here's our updated timeline:

D received an email from US Embassy Manila, which stated that they have already received the approved form I-130. In addition, they have also sent the instruction package for immigrant visa applicants (aka "packet 3").

I am so itching to get packet 3 already. They sent the email at around Holy Wednesday, so I am expecting delays because of the long holiday we had (holy week).

Still hoping for the best!  

How I got my Japan visa

D always wanted to show me around his turf and what Okinawa has to offer, aside from the fact that we both miss each others company. Thus, we planned my trip to Okinawa on Valentines. The first step would have to be obtaining a Japan visa.

Disclaimer: The narrative will only state the actual things I did, and results may still vary. Visa requirements differ as per Japan Embassy’s requirements. I suggest that you visit your travel agent or the Japan Embassy in the Philippines website for more details, and feel free to click the blue links on this post. :)

Here are actually the visa types posted on the Japan Embassy website:

http://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/visiting/index.htm

To download the application form, click this link:

http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/apply-form.pdf

The most appropriate type in my case would be the VISIT RELATIVES / FRIENDS INVITED BY US MILITARY PERSONNEL (SOFA STATUS)

After much research, the best bet to get a visa for me was to go to Reli Tours & Travel Agency at SM Megamall. When I made my inquiries via phone, all the staff were very accommodating and answered all my queries and I got everything covered. Good business indeed! By that time, I had already prepared some of the documents required. D also mentioned that some of his friends with fiancées and spouses would go there for services. Even Raunche, one of my friends, also mentioned Reli Tours to me. After all, SM Megamall’s only a stone’s throw away, or maybe a few meters would be a better way to describe it.

Reli Tours & Travel, 5th floor, SM Megamall (Near bridge)

So D sent out our required documents via FedEx so that I can start my application at Reli Tours.

There was one slight problem though -- he was not able to send a notarized photocopy of his DOD ID. He said that it is NEVER allowed to have their Mil ID photocopied as per Federal Law. That really made me quite nervous because the guy assisting me said that it was indeed a needed requirement for me to obtain the visa. He even added that I was the first and only one who said such things. I instead handed the agent a printed copy of the narrative from the US army website that prohibits those in the military to have their IDs photocopied.

I wouldn’t want my man be in trouble just because of some ID! Of course, the agent was actually surprised, but then went ahead and gathered all my documents together. I used D’s US passport and CA Driver’s license as the substitute IDs. I mean, they already have the Statement of Service (dry seal included), so it should suffice as evidence that he’s indeed an active duty member.

I even added a copy of his current orders, just so that they’ll see that he was really based in Okinawa, even if I have already given the Statement of Service and Certificate of Residence. The embassy encourages to affix other documents that would strengthen your proof as to why you deserve to be granted a visa.

Although this type of visa is supposed to be gratis (meaning free) for Philippine passport holders, the travel agency fee for this type was PHP2000, whether the visa would be granted or not. The good thing about this is that they’ll take care of everything else, and you wouldn’t have to personally go to the embassy for an interview. I also surrendered my passport, along with the prayers in the hope that my visa would get approved. I gave also my cell phone number in order to receive updates from that agent. He said that it may take a week or so for the results.

Turns out, I shouldn’t have been worried after all! In 5 days, I received a text from them stating that I can claim my Japan Visa straight from Reli Tours. In just five days, I became Japan-ready!

Lesson here: Completing documents is key, and additional related documents won’t hurt

Next stop, Japan!

DEERS Enrollment, US Embassy Manila -- 11.04.09

Having a husband always has its benefits. Not only do you have a life partner, a best friend and a lover all rolled into one, but also you get to officially spend the rest of your life with him.

What's even better is that you also get to be a dependent to health benefits for having an active duty military spouse.

In order to receive such benefits, the sponsor must immediately enroll/register eligible family members to Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). After family members are registered, they can update personal information such as addresses and phone numbers.

The only way for us to accomplish this task is to rush down US Embassy Manila to have myself registered in their database. We were not able to immediately go to the embassy on the day after the wedding, which we originally have planned, because they only process such applications on the 1st Wednesday of each month. It was fortunate for us to have our wedding fall a week earlier, like things fell really in its place.


So we planned the embassy visit and set the date for November 4. Again, we woke up during the wee hours of morning to be able to queue up at the gates along Roxas boulevard at around 5AM. Luckily, D was second in line specifically for American citizens, while I simply stayed at the Starbucks across the embassy for my morning coffee. This was also the day when the 2010 Starbucks Planner was launched. Hence, I got a free sticker for being one of the first customers! :)

At around 6:30am, I went to where D was lined up as they would be opening the gates at 7:00AM. If you're wondering why we have to put up with this is because they only process applications on a first-come-first served basis. US Embassy Manila is one of the busiest US embassies in the world so just imagine how many people would queue up each day to have visa applications and other consular services processed.

It is important to bring your passport when entering the US embassy for identification purposes, otherwise, you will not be allowed to get inside.

You are to bring at least 2 valid IDs (not really required, but recommended), other than the passport. Why?

1. Electronic devices such as cellphones are not allowed inside. One must leave electronic gadgets at the front desk, along with a valid ID, and a claim stub will be given. Now, you wouldn't want your passport to be your claim stub just for your stuff, wouldn't you? (**UPDATE: leaving electronic gadgets are NOT ALLOWED anymore, so don't bring them). 
2. The Social Security and Veterans' Affairs section would ask you to leave an ID and a visitor's pass/ID will be given upon entering its premises.

You may bring your SSS, TIN or any of the government-recognized valid IDs, so that you can still keep your passport with you.

Most importantly, a personal appearance by the sponsor (in this case, my husband), is a must. Not bringing your sponsor may give you A LOT of additional requirements.


We needed to go to window 3 in the Social Security and Veteran's Affairs section for the DEERS/RAPIDS ID Card. Again, they're open on a 'first come, first served' basis, with only limited slots available.  They would normally allow only 30 applicants per day. It was indeed vital to get included in those 30 slots, otherwise, you'd have to wait another month to get this done. Much to my delight, we were 3rd in queue. Their office officially opens at 8:00am, but you are free get in the embassy by 7:00am. (**UPDATE: Now, you will have to schedule for an APPOINTMENT by going to http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwhju18.html. All the UPDATED information are there, but most are still pretty much the same).

Make sure to bring along valid documents to prove your relationship. You are required to bring your NSO copy of the birth certificate. Recently married couples also need to present the ORIGINAL copy of the marriage certificate. They do accept even the one that came from the Local Civil Registry (LCR), as long as it's original. The ID guy will only ask you to come back some other time with an original copy in case you just brought a photocopied one, and nothing else could be done. At window itself, they will use a scanner to save the document(s) in their database. Your spouse also must bring their DOD (Department of Defense) ID/Military ID to complete the process. There is absolutely NO FEE for the ID card, and it will be issued the same day.

Specimen only, but this is the very card I currently have
(source: http://whfrtc.ky.gov/iddeers/teslin.htm)

Who may avail?

The following personnel are eligible for DOD ID Cards: Active duty members, retired members, and members of the Reserve components not on active duty in excess of 30 days. Retired Reserve members who have reached their 60th birthday. Family members of military sponsors on active duty for more than 30 consecutive days. Family members of Ready Reserve (Selected, Individual and Standby Reservists) Family members of Retired Reservists, who have qualified for retired pay at age 60, yet have not reached age 60. Un-remarried or unmarried former spouses previously enrolled in DEERS. Medal of Honor recipients and their eligible family members. One hundred percent disabled veterans (DAVs) and their family members. Former members having reached age 60 and in recipient of retired pay for non-regular service, and their family members. Also eligible are survivors of the following: Active duty members. Retired with pay members. Reserve members on active or inactive duty. Retired reserve members who qualify for pay at age 60 but die before reaching age 60. One hundred percent DAVs. Medal of Honor Recipients. "Please note that DAVs MUST HAVE A COMBINED RATING OF 100% TO BE ELIGIBLE!!! DAVs receiving 100% because of unemployable status but your combined rating falls below 100% are not eligible, No exceptions will be made. (Source: http://www.dav3philippines.com/DEERS.htm)

Now I can use TRICARE and freely enter and exit military bases, commissaries, and other facilities!

All questions may be directed to (63) (2) 524-2227 on Tuesdays and Thursdays between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Calls placed outside of these times will not be entertained. The workstation will be closed on all weekends and U.S. and Philippine federal holidays.

For more tips in planning a trip to the US Embassy in Manila, and to see how our first visit went, click here.

Trip to the US Embassy and elsewhere -- 09.14.09

Like what was mentioned earlier, Dave went back to the Philies to have some paperwork done. Part of the many things we needed to do was to wake up on the break of dawn to get to the US Embassy, Manila. 

You see, since he became a naturalized US citizen only last May '09, the requisites for marrying a foreign national is not really as complex as it seems. The difference is only in the form of paperwork to be submitted. Also, make sure that the marriage is well-planned for smooth execution -- no shortcuts here, and it should not be something that you would just jump into, I may add.


For instance, in our case, we need to go down to the US embassy for him to get a "Legal Capacity to Marry". Actually, I don't have to be there for him to get this piece of paper. I only tagged along so that I know how the process goes. 

All I knew was we have to be early as the lines in the embassy could already be long by 5AM. We were correct! There were already about 20 people in queue at the gates by 5:00AM! Good thing, Dave already has a "blue" passport, which only means that he has a separate queue -- and he was first! Yay!

Things to know when going to the US Embassy, Manila:

1. Plan ahead - Some offices in the Embassy could only accommodate requests on a certain date or time. Sometimes, only a certain number of people can be accommodated. Be sure to contact first the Embassy for schedules, or check their website.
   
2. Always bring your passport. No passport, no entry -- simply put.
   
3. Be at least an hour earlier or 2 if you have an appointment.
4. If you don't have an appointment, it is advisable to go as early as 5:00AM to avoid long queues, and to avoid missing cut-offs for quotas or times.
   
5. Cellphones/cameras/electronics are not allowed inside. They are to be left on the counter upon entering the gate. You will be leaving another valid ID to deposit your gadgets. 
6. Gates open at 8:00AM, but they let in a few people by 7:30AM
   

I ended up waiting at the Yellow Cab pizza, which is open 24 hours, since I forgot to bring my passport. Dave then had to fall in line. 

Once I've finished the Charlie Chan Chicken pasta I ordered, I went to Starbucks just right across to have some morning coffee. By that time, it was already 6:00AM and Dave was still on queue. We were just exchanging text messages until the time he went inside the embassy, which was around 7:30AM. 

By that time I got really bored that I had to read ALL the magazines inside Starbucks. If you ask me whether I remember what I learned, I'll just answer no. Haha! 

After this, we decided to go home and relax for a while (actually naligo kasi we didn't have time to take a bath that morning coz we were rushing! Haha!).

So we then went to Trinoma and tried Steak Sizzlers located at the 2nd floor food court. The meal was very filling and very affordable.  I think the sizzling steak below was probably at the PHP100-130 range.

After walking around looking for a wedding band, and several pictures taken later, we decided to get some fro yo (frozen yogurt). And since we were already in Trinoma, the best way to satisfy this urge is to run down at Red Mango! 

Now that's some craving! 

For complete pics: