AOS: Adjustment of Status. A procedure through which an eligible applicant becomes a lawful permanent resident of the United States

ASC: Application Support Center. DO NOT confuse this with a “Support Center”, defined below.  An ASC is not the same as a Support Center.   “Some INS applications, such as the Application for Naturalization or the Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, require the INS to conduct a FBI fingerprint background check on the applicant. Most applicants that require a background check will be scheduled to appear at a specific Application Support Center (ASC) or Designated Law Enforcement Agency (DLEA) for fingerprinting.” //US// 

Authorization for Release of Federal Tax Data: This form is used to validate federal tax return information that you provide to the Department of State. //US// 

Cabling: a method of electronically filing forms, possibly through fax or scanned images, used by Service Centers. Refer to I-824. //US// 

CENOMAR/CERNOMAR: Certificate of No Marriage: Insist that St Luke accept this, as it’s required by the US government, even if St Luke says it isn’t. Issued by the Philippines National Statistics Office (NSO). //RP//Certificate of Maideness & Certificate of Singleness: Statements from local NSO offices that officials may give if you inquire about a CENOMAR.  They are not the same document. They will not serve in place of an official CENOMAR obtained in Manila.  See CENOMAR. //RP// 

Consent Form: This form is required for marriage in the Philippines if the fiance(e) falls into a specific age range (typically, young). //RP// 

CFO - Commission on Filipinos Overseas (Manila office is in Citigold Center in Manila). //RP// 

DIMA: Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (Australia), Makati, Manila.  //AU//

 District Office: “There are 33 INS District Offices in the United States – and three more District Offices overseas. Each District Office, headed by a District Director, has a specified service area that may include part of a state or territory, an entire state, or many states. District Offices are where most INS field staff are located. District Offices are responsible for providing certain immigration services and benefits to people resident in their service area, and for enforcing immigration laws in that jurisdiction. Certain applications are filed directly with District Offices, many kinds of interviews are conducted at these Offices, and INS staff are available to answer questions, provide forms, etc.” //US//DFA: Department of Foreign Affairs. //US// 

DS-156: Non-immigrant Visa Application Form. //US// http://travel.state.gov/DS-0156.pdf 

DS-157: Visa Application. //US// http://usembassy.state.gov/posts/rp1/wwwfform.pdf 

DS-230 Part 1: Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration.  A U.S. Department of State form.  Part 1 requires biographical information.  Replaces OF-230, part 1. //US// 

DS-230, Part 2: The portion of the DS-230 that request a sworn statement that essentially guarantees that everything in Part 1 was true and accurate. //US// 

DS-3032: Choice of Address and Agent. //US// 

EAD: Employment Authorization Document.  Obtained from INS by resident aliens who wish to work in the United States.  Obtained through the filing of an I-765 application with the INS. //US//

Emigration: This is when a person leaves his or her native counry to live in another (for example, a Filipina may emigrate from the Philippines).  This is different from "Immigration", which is when a person settles in a new country.  In other words, a person emigrates from one country, and immigrates to another. //GN// 

EM-00154: Evidence of Employment Authorization. //US// 

ER-750: Form where you promise that photocopies of documents are exact copies.  “The Immigration and Naturalization Service has changed the policy requiring submission of original documents or certified copies of documents with applications and petitions.   You may now submit original legible photocopies of the original documents required, including Naturalization Certificates and Alien Registration Cards.” //US// 

FC-029: Certification of Authenticity, guarantees that photocopies are identical to originals. //US// 

FORM 40SP: Sponsorship for a partner to migrate to Australia (if applying outside Australia). //AU// 

FORM 47A: Details of child or other family member aged 18 years or older.  //AU// 

FORM 47SP: Application for migration to Australia by a partner.  //AU// 

F Visa: A "family" visa. An "F" petition is filed by a U.S. citizen on behalf of a son or daughter, or by a legal permanent resident on behalf of a spouse, son or daughter, or child.  

G-325A:  Biographical information form.  Both the fiance and fiancee must fill out one of these. //US// http://www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/g-325.htm 

G-731: Inquiry as to status of Green Card application. //US//

http://www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/g-731.htmI 

I-129F:  Petition for Alien Fiance(e).  DO NOT confuse with an I-129, which is a petition for a Non-Immigrant Worker, which has nothing to do with your fiancee, in all probability. //US// http://www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/i-129f.htm 

I-130: Petition for Alien Relative. //US// http://www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/i-130.htm 

I-131: Application for Travel Document. //US// http://www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/i-131.htm 

I-134: Affidavit of Support. Employment based. “To file a promise with the Service to support an alien entering the United States and that the alien will not become a public charge.” //US// http://www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/i-134.htm 

I-485: Application to Request Permanent Residency or Adjust Status. //US// http://www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/i-485.htm 

I-551: The famous "Green Card."  Issued to Lawful Permanent Residents of the United States who are not citizens.  By the way, the card isn't green anymore.  //US// 

I-693: Medical Examination of Aliens Seeking Adjustment of Status. //US// http://www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/i-693.htm 

I-765: Application for Employment Authorization. //US// http://www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/i-765.htm 

I-797: Notice of Action form issued by the U.S. INS.  See, “NOA” below. //US// I-824: Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition. “This form will be used to request a duplicate approval notice, to request approval notice to another U.S. Consulate; and to request notice to a U.S Consulate for derivative visas to family members.” Refer to Cabling. //US// http://www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/i-824.htm 

I-864: Affadavit of Support. Family based. “To show that an intending immigrant has adequate means of financial support and is not likely to become a public charge.” //US// http://www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/i-864.htm 

I-865: Sponsor's Notice of Change of Address. //US// http://www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/i-865.htm 

Immigration: Entering, and remaining in, a new country.  //GN// 

INS: Immigration and Naturalization Service.  Part of the Department of Justice. //US// 

IR-1 Visa: An "Immediate Relative" visa.  That would include a wife or husband. //US//  

IRS-9003: Additional Questions to be Completed by all Applicants for Permanent Residence in the United States. //US// 

K1 (K-1):  A visa for the fiance(e) of an American citizen.  "A citizen of a foreign country who would like to come to the United States to marry an American citizen and reside in the U.S. will have to obtain a K-1 visa. To establish K-1 visa classification for an alien fiancé(e), an American citizen must file a petition, Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) having jurisdiction over the place of the petitioner's residence in the United States. Such petitions may not be adjudicated abroad. The approved petition will be forwarded by INS to the American consular office where the alien fiancé(e) will apply for his or her visa. A petition is valid for a period of four months from the date of INS action, and may be revalidated by the consular officer." //US//http://travel.state.gov/visa;fiancee.html  

K2 (K-2): A visa for the child of a fiance(e) who is a K1 visa holder.  Child must be under 21 years old, and typically accompanies the K1 parent to the U.S., though the child may arrive up to a year later, so long as he/she is not 21 years of age. //US// 

K3 (K-3): A new type of visa for the spouse of a U.S. citizen. "The K-3 visa allows alien spouses to enter the United States to await 'the availability of an immigrant visa.' While visa numbers are of course not limited for spouses of U.S. citizens, the INS rule requires an alien who enters the U.S. on a K-3 visa to continue to pursue the immigration process by having an I-130 petition or an adjustment of status pending approval by INS. To ensure that K-3 visa holders are actively pursuing immigration, INS will grant only a two-year admission period when the K-3 visa holder enters the United States. INS will also grant employment authorization in two-year increments." //US// http://travel.state.gov/kvfaqs.html 

K3 (K-3) NIV: A visa for the child of a spouse who is a K3 visa holder. "To qualify for the new K nonimmigrant visa (known as the K3 NIV),the applicant for the visa must prove: his/her marriage to a U.S. citizen is valid, and he/she is the beneficiary of a petition (I-130) already filed with the US Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) as the spouse of a U.S. citizen, but which petition has not yet been approved by INS, AND he/she is also the beneficiary of a special petition filed with and approved by INS in the United States, AND he/she wishes to enter the United States to await the approval of the I-130 petition by INS or the availability of an Immigrant visa. All four qualifications must be met before overseas processing of the request for the K visa can begin. If an I-130 petition for the spouse is already at the overseas post, then an immigrant visa will be processed instead of the nonimmigrant K visa. If an immigrant visa based upon the I-130 petition for the spouse has already been denied, then neither the spouse nor the spouse’s children may qualify for a K3 or K4 visa."  //US// http://travel.state.gov/vvisas/qualifying_for_the_k.html.  Also see: http://www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/publicaffairs/newsrels/life081401.htm 

K4 (K-4): A visa issued to the child of a K3 visa holder. "To qualify for K-4 issuance, an applicant must be the minor, unmarried child under 21 years of age of a qualified K-3 visa applicant. The U.S. citizen who files an I-129F petition for an alien spouse does not have to file a separate I-129F petition for a child of his/her spouse. These children should be listed on the I-129F petition for the spouse. While the U.S. citizen must also file an I-130 petition for the alien spouse, there is no requirement to file a Form I-130 immigrant visa petition on behalf of the alien's children seeking K-4 nonimmigrant status, since K-4 is merely a derivative nonimmigrant classification." //US// http://travel.state.gov/kvfaqs.html 

LRT: A mass-transit monorail in Manila.  It runs from Monumento (the northern end of Edsa) to Baclaran, travelling first along Rizal Avenue and then Taft Avenue.  Cost is around 10 Pesos. //RP// 

Marriage Application: Application for Marriage License inside the Philippines. //RP// 

MRT: Another Manila mass-transit system, newer than the LRT, that runs from the North Avenue Station in Quezon City up to Taft Avenue Station in Pasay City.  //RP// 

NBI: Philippine National Bureau of Investigation. Clearance is required by this body in obtaining passports fro Filipinos. //RP// 

NDD - National Direct Dialing - a cellular or a landline phone with a National Direct Dialing capability. //RP// 

NIV: Non-immigrant Visa Appointment. //US// http://usembassy.state.gov/posts/rp1/wwwhappo.html 

NOA #1: Notice of Action.  An INS form (I-797) sent to a U.S. petitioner to inform him/her that his/her application and fee have been received. It is simply a statement of receipt, and do not indicate approval or disapproval. //US//

NOA #2: Notice of Action.  An INS form (I-797) sent to a U.S. petitioner to inform him of the of a petition’s status (approved, disapproved, etc.). This normally arrives a few weeks after the NOA #1.This document expires four months after issue, though it may be renewed.  //US// 

NOIM: Notice of intended marriage.  

NSO: Philippines National Statistics Office. The office in which all documented history such as Birth Certificates, Marriage and Divorce history is recorded.  //RP//

 OF-156: Obsolete form now replaced by DS-156. //US// 

OF-169: Instructions for Immigrant Visa Applicants. //US//  

OF-179: Biographic Information for Visa Purposes.  //US// 

OF-230, Part 1.  Obsolete form now replaced by the DS-230, Part 1. //US// 

PDOS: Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar.  Filipino emigrants or those leaving the country to settle permanently abroad are required by law to register with the CFO. Part of its registration requirements is attendance to the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) to prepare them for settlement overseas.  //RP// http://www.cfo.gov.ph/filmigrants.htm

 P.I.: Philippine Islands.  A popular name for the Philippines commonly used by current or former U.S. military personnel.  Also called, “the P.I.”. //US// 

POE: Port of Entry.  “There are over 300 ports-of-entry (POEs) in the United States, including international airports, land border ports, and seaports. POEs fall under the jurisdiction of an INS District or Sub Office.” //US// 

Poverty Requirement: The U.S. Government requires that, in general, a petitioner for a foreign spouse make at least 125% above the poverty level for his or her region.  You can find more information at: http://travel.state.gov/i864gen.html //US// 

Regional Office: There are three INS Regional Offices that supervise the work of INS Districts and Border Patrol Sectors. The Regional Directors report to the Executive Associate Commissioner for Field Operations in INS Headquarters, Washington, DC. The three Regional Offices are located in (Eastern Region) Burlington, VT, (Central Region) Dallas, TX, and (Western Region) Laguna Niguel, CA. //US// 

RP: Republic of the Philippines. //GN// 

Service Center: “The INS' Service Centers were established to handle the mail, file, data entry, and adjudication of most applications for immigration services and benefits. Those applications should be mailed to INS Service Centers -- Service Centers are not staffed to handle walk-in applications or answer questions. Three of the four Service Centers have established special Post Office boxes to receive applications mailed to the Center by applicants or petitioners residing in its service area. The applications and petitions processed by each Service Center are listed on its home page, as are the special Post Office box numbers and zip codes by form type for the Service Centers using them. Prospective applicants should look at this list of forms to confirm that they are accepted by the Service Center in their area.” //US// 

Sponsor: The foreign partner who undertakes support obligations for an applicant arriving from overseas. //GN// 

V1 (V-1) & V2 (V-2): Visas. "The new V1 and V2 nonimmigrant visas allow certain spouses of lawful permanent residents and the children of those spouses to travel to and from the US and to reside in the US while they wait for the final completion of their immigration process.   It does not matter whether that process will be completed by adjusting status in the US or in securing an immigrant visa overseas. The spouse and unmarried children of lawful permanent residents who qualify for the V1 and V2 visas will be able to visit and reside with their lawful permanent resident family member.  The V visas for adults will be valid for multiple requests for entry for ten years; for children under the age of 11, these visas will also be issued for multiple entries and with a 10 validity date; for children 11 years old or older, the visa will be valid for multiple requests to enter and will remain valid until the holder’s 21st birth day. Moreover, holders of V1 and V2 visas may apply for employment authorization documents to work in the US."  //US// http://travel.state.gov/vvisas/the_v_visa.html 

 V1: Eligibility for Spouse: The spouse of a lawful permanent resident of the United States (a “green card” holder) may apply for a V1 nonimmigrant visa overseas, if the following conditions are met: The lawful permanent resident filed an immigrant visa petition for his or her spouse on or before December 21, 2000, and the spouse has waited three years since the filing of the petition and has not been scheduled for an immigrant visa interview. The spouse may be waiting either for INS approval of the petition or, if the petition was approved by INS, for availability of a visa number in order to complete immigrant visa processing. //US// http://travel.state.gov/vvisas/qualifying_for_the_v.html 

V2: Eligibility for Children: For the child of a V1 applicant to qualify for a V2 visa, it must be established that: he/she is the child of a principal applicant who qualifies for V1 issuance, or he/she is the child of an lawful permanent resident who filed an I-130 petition in his or her name, and the priority date and the three-year waiting period since the filing of the petition both meet the requirements of V eligibility. //US// http://travel.state.gov/vvisas/qualifying_for_the_v.html