Pinoy IN Germany

Reader Questions - Batch 5

2012-04-20T20:44:00.002-07:00

Anonymous said...

Hallo.Guten Tag! .Im Melody from davao just want to ask I'm now getting my documents para sa visa application ko. I and my fiancee plan to get married there... What are the papers should i send to him.. Hope to hear from you!!!

Anonymous, please read these links:

http://pinoyingermany.blogspot.com/2008/10/marriage-requirements-in-philippines.html

http://pinoyingermany.blogspot.com/2008/10/legal-capacity-to-contract-marriage.html

Anonymous said...

i just want to ask wht is the colour of transcript of record

Anonymous, it depends on the school or university. My Transcript of Record has the text in black with green background of our university's logo and name.

Anonymous said...

i need to get my NSO birth certificate with the DFA red ribbon but im in abroad, what should i do...

Anonymous, some travel agencies in the Philippines offer this kind of service. I got mine with the help of a travel agency in Cebu.

Anonymous said...

wanna ask does a red ribbon has an expiration date???
i had my requirements in red ribbon for almost a year...and i wanted to apply abroad, is it still valid?

Anonymous, my Document with the Red Ribbon does not have an expiration date. So I say no, it does not expire. But please also ask other people.

Reader Questions - Batch 4

2012-03-26T19:03:00.000-07:00

If no marriage counseling was done does that make the marriage valid? What about if there was no parent consent form sign either?

Marriage counselling and parental consent are Marriage Requirements. It simply means that you can't get married if you have not completed all the marriage requirements. Of course, it depends if you are required.

hi! tanong ko lang, do you think it's possible na after we get a judge from the raffle pwede i-set ang wedding date within the same week? thank you.

It depends on the availability of the judge. But you can always ask and negotiate. Otherwise, you are dependent to the judge's availability.

tanong ko lang if you have an idea in my case. Im late registered and its quite complicated because I had also different family when I was in Elementary and right now im having problem with documents becuase of different identity. My family is different now. Please if you have an idea.. or anyone have an idea regarding with that.. thank you so much..

I have friends who have the same problem as you. What my friend did is file an affidavit (honestly, I don't know what the correct term form is) that Person/Name A is the same as Name/Person B. Until now it is still in processing stage. He does not know when it will end. But as what I've heard, it is better to just follow the name that is written in your NSO Birth Certificate.

hello, where do you think is easy to marry, in Philippines or Berlin?

Based on my experience, in the Philippines. Why? You don't have to go through the long process of getting a fiance visa. Once you are married (in the Philippines), you only have to file a spouse visa (which only took 5 months in my experience).

Reader Questions - Batch 3

2012-02-05T19:35:00.001-08:00

" Hallo poh.Guten Tag. ask ko lang sana kong kailangan paba ng embassy and signature or personal apperance ng hubby ko kapag mgpapa translate ng Legal Capacity of marriage?Balak kasi ng bf ko na ipapadala niya tapos ako nlng ang mgdala sa LCM don sa embassy para sa Consular Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage...I need some info..danke "

The German fiancee/fiance should have the documents (from the Filipino fiancee/fiance)Translated to German by a Certified Translator. In my experience, we did the processing of the papers ourselves.

"hello i just want to ask what is affidavit of civil status?because when i got to NSO i ask that and they said that its also CENOMAR..are they the same??and do i still have to get a parental advice even im already 27 years old..kisndy email the answer to amazing_sassy1202@yahoo.com.ph..

thank you,i really appreciate it."

Affidavit of Civil Status is a document stating that you are single.

CENOMAR means CErtificate of NO MARriage. This is another you have to get from the NSO.

http://pinoyingermany.blogspot.com/2008/10/marriage-requirements-in-philippines.html - For ages 18-24, appearance of both parents, with valid ID for parental consent or advice.

"hello, ask ko lang kung meron agencies na nagpaprocess ng legal capacity to marriage sa GERMANY?My fiance is german national but he's living in spain.Pinakuha nya ko tourist visa but unfortunately the spanish embassy refused it.Is there somebody who can help us? thanks and best regards, marisce"

Let your fiancé ask the German Office if there is an agency. I believe that is more convenient.

"Hello! I am Cherrel... me and my fiance are planning to get married here in the Philippines on the 2nd week of february.. his whole family is coming... but, we have this dilemma... in his place, before he can get his certificate of legal capacity to marry, i should submit all the required documents (original and translated into German).. i sent all the required documents in Germany last Sept. 9, 2011.. the officer there checked the papers and approved them.. then the officer said that the documents will be sent to the German Embassy here in Manila for verification...

But, yesterday (november 27) my fiance received an email from their local office that the embassy wanted me to submit additional documents of my addresses and sketch from 15 yrs old up to present and also 2 passport size pictures... they also send an authorization letter to authorize them to verify my documents...

Now, my fiance and I are worried if the Embassy in Manila would be able to give him his certificate of legal capacity to marry... or if they can still give it to him before January 28, 2012 which is their arrival here in the Philippines... Is there anyone here who have the same experience? Thanks! CHERREL"

It is normal if you are asked for additional documents. Just submit the required documents as soon as possible to avoid delays. In my experience, I was not asked for additional documents. As I have mentioned many times, it always depends.

Reader Questions - Batch 2

2012-02-04T20:00:00.000-08:00

"My german fiance is only 20 years old, does he still need to have a parental consent/advice?"

I would suggest to ask the "Civil Wedding" office both in Germany and in the Philippines. This is to make sure that you have the information needed from both offices.

"Which is better? Civil wedding or go directly to church wedding?"

If I have money, then I would choose the church wedding.

"My german BF will arrive in a week. It is possible to get married here in the Philippines though it is our first meeting?"

Of course it is possible considering you have all the necessary papers. Please this post: http://pinoyingermany.blogspot.com/2008/10/marriage-requirements-in-philippines.html

"I am already married to my german husband. Do I still need a basic german language certification though I have a degree here in the Philippines?"

During the time I filed for a spouse visa, I was exempted from this rule. But please ask the German Embassy as rules change from time to time.

"Me and my boyfriend from Stockholm, Sweden want to get married here in the Philippines. What should I do?"

Sorry. I am married to a German national. No idea with the rules in Sweden. You better contact the Swedish office directly or better ask your Swedish boyfriend.

"I am also from cebu and just got married with my German Fiancee in Hongkong. The Marriage Registry in Hongkong did not ask for the legal capacity to contract marriage. Just want to ask that if I apply for a family unification visa, should we need the legal capacity from the aliens office even if we are married in hongkong already?"

Sorry. Your situation is different from my experience. I am married in the Philippines not in HongKong.

"hi im arlyn my fiancee from germany is coming here on january and were planning to get married here in the philippines.and he just plan to stay here for 3 weeks or 4 weeks.because he cant stay longer here becuase of his job.do u think we can marry on 3 weeks or 4 weeks.if our papers is complete...."

If you have the complete papers, why not?

"helo....im just being crazy if ill listen to who ever i asked,,,,they have so differnt answer,,,the one that i asked were also married on german...WHICH WAY I COULD FASTER GO GERMany:

1.we marry ist here in philippines ?or

2.we marry in germany for applying fiance or spouse visa.?"

Option 1, based on experience.

"hi im abby from silang cavite..i have a german fiance and we are planning to get married this year here in the philippines..ask ko lang sana kung kailangan pa ba e translate sa english ang papers nya from germany kapag pinasa ko ang papers nya sa church? please help me,i need your advice..thank you! this site is really helpful.."

IMO, you have to translate it to English as that is one of our official language.

Reader Questions - Batch 1

2012-01-30T03:14:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

Thank you for your comments but I apologize if I can't answer all your questions.

Sorry also if don't reply to your private email address. To share the answers to the world, I will just do "Reader Questions - Batch #". This way, more people will know.

Where can I find a Certified German to English translator in Cebu?

In my experience and as far as I can remember, I went to Banilad, Cebu and met the translator in a bakery which he own. He is German and he knows to talk in Cebuano! Sorry I forgot the name of the bakery. That was 5 years ago!

Does the German Embassy need a signature or personal appearance of my husband if I need to translate my Legal Capacity of Marriage?

Please read this post: http://pinoyingermany.blogspot.com/2008/10/legal-capacity-to-contract-marriage.html

Is there an agency that will help you process your Legal Capacity to Marriage in Germany?

Based on my experience, no. Please read this post: http://pinoyingermany.blogspot.com/2008/10/legal-capacity-to-contract-marriage.html

Which is faster? Fiance Visa or Spouse Visa?

There is no exact answer to this question as it really depends a lot to the embassy. Based on my experience, 5 months after we got married in the Philippines, my German Spouse Visa got approved.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Just write a comment below. Thanks!

New Country, New Life

2012-01-29T05:40:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

First of all, thank you very much for visiting my blog.

Thank you also for your warm words.

It feels so good when you say that my blog really helped you in many ways.

Especially in going to Germany.

If you have any questions, please feel free to post in the comments section.

Make sure that you comment on the right post. E.g. if you have questions about the marriage requirements, visit his post and comment. There are many people who are willing to help you.

Now, I lived in a new country, not in Germany anymore.

New Country, New Life, New Challenges, New Journey.

But of course, I will still update this blog from time to time.

Again, thank you very much to you all! Enjoy Life! ^_^

German Spouse Visa Guide - How I processed my German spouse Visa

2011-08-13T07:48:00.000-07:00

This is just a summary of who I got my Germany spouse Visa.

Actually I just gather the links I posted before.

Please note that as laws change, there might be things I have said that are not applicable anymore.

Enjoy reading!

How to get a German Spouse Visa?
Do you have the complete Steps or Instructions on how to get a Spouse Visa?
How did you get your visa approved?
What are the necessary papers you should gather in applying for marriage?

In this post I share to you on the procedures or steps I did from Marriage Requirements in the Philippines up to Registration as a Resident at the local Town/City Hall or Rathaus here in Germany.

1. Marriage Requirements

2. Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage (“Ehefähigkeitszeugnis”)

3. Pre Marriage Counselling

4. Wedding or Marriage in the Philippines

5. DFA Red Ribbon

6. Endorsing of Certificate of Marriage to the NSO

7. CFO-SMEF-COW Seminar

8. German Spouse Visa Requirements

9. Basic German Language Visa Requirement, Required or Not?

10. German Visa Appointment at the German Embassy in Manila

11. Interview at the German Embassy in Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines

12. Approval of My German Spouse Visa

13. My Flight FOR and My Arrival IN Germany

14. After Arrival - Registration as a Resident at your local Town Hall/City Hall in Germany

A little geographic information about Germany

2009-03-17T03:08:00.000-07:00

Today, I am going to share to you the things that I have learned at school. The information that I am going to give you might come out in your Deutsch Orientierungskurs Prüfung (German Orientation Course Exam). But don't worry and don't be pressured, the examination is just easy. Everyone of my classmates passed the exam.

Germany or Deustchland is a country located in Europe (Central Europe to be specific). There are 9 neighbooring countries (die Nachbarländer) that surrounds Germany.

Switzerland - die Schweiz
Austria - Osterreich
France - Frankreich
Poland - Polen
Denmark - Dänemark
Belgium - Belgien
Luxemburg - Luxemburg
Czech Republic - Tschechien
Netherlands - die Niederlande

Image from http://www.deutschland.de

Germany consists of 16 States (just like the 50 states of the USA-United States of America). These 16 States (Bundesländer) are:

State (Bundesland)	Capital (Haupstadt)	Area-km² (Fläche)	Population (Einwohner)
Baden-Württemberg	Stuttgart	35,751	10,717,000
Bayern	M ü nchen	70,549	12,444,000
Berlin	Berlin	892	3,400,000
Brandenburg	Potsdam	29,478	2,568,000
Bremen	Bremen	404	663,000
Hamburg	Hamburg	755	1,735,000
Hessen	Wiesbaden	21,114	6,098,000
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern	Schwerin	23,178	1,720,000
Niedersachsen	Hannover	47,619	8,001,000
Northrhine-Westfallen	Düsseldorf	34,084	18,075,000
Rhineland-Pfaltz	Mainz	19,853	4,061,000
Saarland	Saarbrücken	2,569	1,056,000
Sachsen	Dresden	18,415	4,296,000
Sachsen-Anhalt	Magdeburg	20,445	2,494,000
Schleswig-Holstein	Kiel	15,763	2,829,000
Thuringen	Erfurt	16,172	2,355,000

Germany (Bundesrepublic Deutschland)	Berlin	357,046	82,500,000

Germany's popluation is about 82.5 million and the most populated state is Nordrhein Westfalen with a population of 18 million. Perhaps the reason why Nordrhein Westfalen is the most populated state is because the place have many industries (can't give you some information about this since I live in the state of Bavaria).

Official German Integration Course Books

2009-03-16T01:36:00.000-07:00

Disclaimer: The information that I am going to share to you in this article is based on my experience as a student taking up the German Integration Course (Deutsch Integrationskurs) in BFZ located in Karlsplatz, Munich.

These are the official German Language Course books. I was thinking of selling my books but I decided to keep it for reference. Maybe I will sell my books in the future.

During the first day of class, we (me and my classmates) were told to buy specific books for the German Language Course. Which means don't buy German language books ahead (especially if you are not really sure), wait for your instructor or teacher's advice on which books to buy. Some of my classmates bought books but unfortunately the teacher said that we were not going to use that book. So they ended up wasting money. These people don't have any information on which books we were going to use. I don't know why they bought those books without knowing which one to buy, perhaps they are excited? I really don't know.

Below are the official books that we used in the German Language Course (Deutsch Integrationskurs) :

Dont worry about the BOOK LINKS above, they are not scams.hehe These are BOOK/PRODUCT LINKS from AMAZON GERMANY (Deutschland).

Why are you giving us Amazon Germany links? We could not understand German.

Well, the reason why I put Amazon Germany links is because first of all, these are German Books. These books are also available at Amazon UK and Amazon US BUT if you order at these locations, you have to pay extra cost for the shipping. In addition, the waiting time for your books to arrive will be longer compared to ordering here in Germany. So, why not just order these books at AMAZON GERMANY?

Prices: What does "Bester Preis EUR 6,99" and "oder neu EUR 13,95" mean?
In english, that means that you can buy the book for the best price of 6.99 Euros or buy a new book for 13.95 Euros. The "best price" book is not new which means its used and therefore it is cheaper. The comma "," is not a typo. That's how money or prices are written in German, instead of a period ".".

How long is the German Integration Course? For how many days/weeks/months were you using these books?

The German Integration Course lasted for about 6-7 months. From June 2008 until December 2008. As far as I can remember, below are the durations on how long we were using these books.

Tangram Aktuell 1 Lektion 1-4 : July 2008
Tangram Aktuell 1 Lektion 5-8 : August 2008
Tangram Aktuell 2 Lektion 1-4 : September 2008
Tangram Aktuell 2 Lektion 5-8 : October 2008
Tangram Aktuell 3 Lektion 1-4 : November 2008
Tangram Aktuell 3 Lektion 5-8 : mid November 2008 to first week of December 2008
(Second of week of December was the German Orientation Course)

I also suggest that when you buy at Amazon.de, ask help from your German spouse or ask help from your friends who understand German.

Learn the German Language for Free

2009-03-12T06:43:00.000-07:00

Yes, my post title is right. There are free online German courses/tutorials from the Internet. And up until now, I visited these sites from time to time. I visited these sites because it is completely FREE and educational.

If you try to look or search for web sites that offer free German tutorial, you can probably choose from thousands of these sites. Try searching for the keywords below:

Free German Language Tutorial
Free Online German Course
Free German Lessons in English
Free German Language for Beginners
Free German to English or English to German Dictionary
Free German Grammar Lessons

I have played, visited and learned a lot of things from these sites. But I only saved/bookmarked sites that I like the most simply because it is FREE, clean and fun. Here are the sites that I always visit from time to time:

Of course there are still many better sites out there that offer German Course for free and I will update the list whenever I encounter one.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

If it's not FREE then you just close your browser immediately.hehe
The information shared in this article does not guarantee you to pass the German Language Certification Exam.

If you some sites bookmarked or sites that you know are also a good source for learning German, please don't hesitate to drop a message (comment). ^_^

German Language Certificate B1

2009-03-06T03:26:00.000-08:00

Guess what? Last week I have just received a letter from BFZ, the school where I attended my German classes. Here is a snippet from the mail:
"anbei schicke ich Ihnen das Prüfungergebnis des Zertifikats Deutsch. Sie Haben die Prüfung bestanden. Herzlichen Glückwunsch!"

Do you know what that means? Here is the English Translation:
I am sending you the test result of the German Language Certificate Exam, enclosed with this mail. You have passed the exam! Congratulations!

I am very happy that I have passed the test. And now I already have the Official German Language Certificate B1 in my hands. What does this German Language Certificate look like? Here is what the Official German Language Certificate B1 looks:

Surprisingly, I have never thought that the grade/test result of my exam is above 80%! ^_^

So, what does that mean if you already have a German Language Certificate B1 (these text came from the certificate itself)?

Zertifikat Deutsch/telc Deutsch B1 demonstrates the candidate's ability to:

understand a variety of standards everyday spoken and written texts
react to the content of such texts
deal with important language tasks that may occur both in everyday life and at the workplace,
follow and take an active part in everyday conversations, both in private and working contexts.

telc (The European Language Certificates) examinations are set centrally and carried out and marked throughout the world according to standardized criteria.

This certificate is only valid if it carries the telc seal.

How did you pass the exam?
Well, I just went to school everyday (like I was a high school student), participated in the class, asked so many questions to my teacher, and worked on my home work.

Don't be scared with the German Language Course, I am 100% sure that you will pass the exam. Why? I may sound cocky but the truth is that B1 certification is easy. It is just the basics of the German Language. Did you pass the exam? I believe you did pass. ^_^

Illiterate people can't become German citizens

2009-03-01T12:14:00.000-08:00

I have just received a newsletter from www.auswaertiges-amt.de that people who can't read and write in German can't become a German citizen.

Illiterate foreigners are not eligible for German citizenship, according to a German court ruling disclosed Thursday 26 February.

The verdict came in the case of a Turkish citizen who has been resident in Germany for 20 years. The man, born in 1970, was granted asylum by the German state in 1993. He can't read or write. The higher administrative court in the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg ruled that it was not enough to speak the language, and said knowledge of written German was a prerequisite for citizenship.

In order to integrate socially and politically, the court argued, it is necessary to be able to follow the media and communicate with Germans.

The case can still be reconsidered by the federal administrative court, on whose related 2005 ruling the judgement was based. - Source: dpa, www.auswaertiges-amt.de

So to those who want to live here and want to acquire a German citizenship, it would be better that you start studying or polishing your German skills. I believe you should be able to speak, write and read German if you want to live in Germany. How can you communicate with people if you can't understand a word they say? Not just in Germany but any country in the world; If you want to live in the USA you should be able to communicate in English, in Spain - Spanish, in Italy - Italian, In Japan - Japanese, etc. Don't complain if you are required to study German to get your Visa approved. Don't hate or blame the German Embassy if your visa will not be approve if you don't have a Basic German Language certificate. Trust me, its for your own good. Germany is not your country, have a different culture, a different law, a different place and most of all a different language.

German Visa Interview Tips

2009-02-23T05:00:00.000-08:00

What are the questions asked during a visa interview?
What are the common German Visa interview questions?
Are the German Visa interview questions hard?
Will you lose your chance of getting your Visa approved if you fail to answer the questions?

In this post I will give additional information and tips about my Interview at the German Embassy in Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines.

If you already have a scheduled interview date from the German Embassy, the first thing that you should do is book a plane ticket. Make sure of the DATE and TIME. Check it twice, thrice or many times just to make it sure.

The complete address of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany is:

25/F Tower 2 RCBC Plaza
6819 Ayala Avenue
Makati City, Metro Manila

Visa Interview Tips

Have a good sleep - Before the interview day, it would be best to have a nice rest or you might end up sleeping in the chair in the Embassy.
Be Punctual - Note that Germans are very known of their punctuality so be on time on your scheduled interview. It would be best if you arrive 30 minutes before your interview. And never underestimate the traffic situation in Manila.
Prepare the documents - Make sure you have all the necessary documents prepared and inside your bag (or whatever) before you go to sleep.
Dress neatly - I did not say that you have to wear a formal suit like a job interview.
Be attentive - The appointment system inside the German Embassy is based on PRIORITY NUMBER. Don't confuse yourself with the Visa Appointment by Phone. Therefore it is still first come first serve basis. When your number is called, make sure that you are there and immediately go to your counter. If it happens that you are not there or you have not heard when your number is called, you just SIMPLY WAIT AGAIN for your number to be called.
Be patient - As you really have to wait for your number to be called.
List your questions - Prepare what you would like to ask.
Ask politely - Speak or talk in a polite manner.
Speak clearly - You will be talking with an agent using a mic.

German Visa interview questions
The German Visa interview questions are actually PAINFULLY HARD.

How did you meet your German spouse?
Where did you meet your German spouse?
When were you married?
How many years were you in a relationship prior to wedding?
When is your planned departure date to Germany?
Does your German spouse already worked in Germany?
Where is your German spouse residing?
What is the name of your German spouse?

As I have said in this post, you don't have to worry about the questions the Embassy will ask if you and your German spouse/fiance are legally married, have legal papers, and your relationship is “Genuine” (Sorry I could not explain the previous sentence further but I think you understand what I mean ^_^).

As for the question "Will you lose your chance of getting your Visa approved if you fail to answer the questions?", I could not answer this question as I have no idea on how the Embassy will investigate your Visa Papers.

Good Luck on your Interview! ^_^

700,000 job losses in Germany this Summer

2009-02-23T04:37:00.000-08:00

Last week I have just posted an article regarding 1.2 million jobless Germans. This coming summer, expect that the number of jobless people will increase up to 700,000. So that would be around 1.9 million jobless people (Germans and other citizens). I was surprised that many companies are already starting to shorten the working days as one of its solution to the economic crisis in Germany. In addition, 33 percent of companies were planning to lay off its employees.

I am not trying to scare those who wanted to migrate or work in Germany. I am just sharing the news and stating the facts.

News and Image Source: TheLocal.de

11 Reasons why I prefer Travel Agencies to process my DFA Red Ribbon papers

2009-02-17T01:08:00.000-08:00

This post is a response to an anonymous person who commented that "you could have went to DHL for the red ribbon. it costs so much less. you've been robbed." You can see his/her comment here - DFA Red Ribbon.

First of all, I would like to clarify that the only location where you can get a DFA Red Ribbon is at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila. Second, I lived in Cebu City so I have 2 options to process the papers: ask help from a Travel Agency and pay 1900 Pesos (or any agency that helps you process your papers) or process the papers myself.

Considering that I lived in Cebu City, here are my reasons:

A 2-way plane ticket from Cebu to Manila cost more than 1900 Pesos.
If I go to Manila, can I really get my Document(s) with the Red Ribbon the same day?
If not (from #2), I have to book for a room or inn where I could rest and wait for another day(s). Therefore another waste of TIME and MONEY.
(from #3) Can I really get my papers the next day?
I don't have any connections at the DFA in Manila, the Travel Agency have.
If I chose DHL, how can I track my very important Paper(s)? How will I know that it is already in the hands of the DFA? Who can I call for follow-ups? Several long distance phone calls from Cebu to Manila? Again, another waste of TIME and MONEY.
I don't have to fall in line for hours.
I don't have to wait to be called.
If something is wrong with your papers or the DFA needed some additional/supporting papers but you don't have it with you, you forgot to bring it or you need to process this additional paper in your hometown, then it would be a TOTAL WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY.
The Travel Agency did all the work for me, while I continued working with my business.
Hassle Free.

Please note that these are based on my experience and situation. I am not saying that you should always seek help from travel agencies to process your papers. I believe this is not a good option for people living in and around Manila simply because they are living near. I wrote this article so that people who are living far away from Manila, will have an idea on the pros and cons. I hope these helps.

Is 30 Days enough to get married in the Philippines?

2009-02-16T05:17:00.001-08:00

How long would it take to process all the necessary and important papers to get married in the Philippines?
How long would it take to process papers for a Church Wedding?
How long would it take to process papers for a Civil Wedding?

Marriage in the Philippines takes time. Best case, 30 days would be enough, worst case, 30 days would not be enough. Unfortunately, I could not share any information about Church wedding in the Philippines simply because I don't have any experience. Just Civil Wedding.

All marriage papers that you are going to process takes time and patience. The factors below will give you an idea and approximation on how many days you should consider to get married (Civil Wedding) in the Philippines.

Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage (“Ehefähigkeitszeugnis")
Pre Marriage Counselling
Marriage Notice posted or announced in the church for 10 days
CENOMAR (Certificate of No Marriage, issued by the NSO)
Saturdays and Sundays
Holidays
Absences or leaves of the Employees who will process your papers
Availability of the Judge who will conduct the wedding

With your 30 days, 10 days are already taken due to Marriage Notice which will be posted or announced in the church. So if you are a foreigner or an OFW (overseas worker), be very extra careful in planning your marriage. It would be best if you already have all the necessary marriage papers and just process the papers which can only be made in the Philippines, after you arrived there. Note that the list I have mentioned above will depend from case to case. For example, if you are a minor who wants to get married, you might need a Parent's Consent paper. So this would mean an additional time.

The wedding ceremony will be held in a court room and it will only last for about 10 minutes. Processing of the marriage papers will take days but the wedding ceremony will only take 10 minutes. Congratulations on your wedding!

Image Source: www.appleanimation.com

A quarter of German Youths are Jobless in Germany

2009-02-13T06:24:00.000-08:00

"The study indicated that 900,000 able-bodied youths under 25 are on the dole, known in Germany as Hartz IV. The study also revealed that another 300,000 Germans from the same age group receive Arbeitslosengeld I – or basic unemployment compensation – putting the total number of "needy" youths at 1.2 million. " - Source and Image: The Local

These numbers were collected in Summer 2008. The study was reported last Thursday that one in four employable Germans between the ages of 15 and 24 is on welfare.

My Experience
No wonder why I still don't have a job until now. I arrived here in Germany last May 2008 and immediately applied for jobs after I got a German Residence Permit. Believe it or not, I have applied for a job in 100+ different companies. I received a couple of phone interviews and personal interviews but still no luck. Considering I am a foreigner here and my German Language skills are still basic, maybe companies would prefer to choose and hire candidates that are both Good in English and German and already have an experience working in a German working atmosphere. I am 23 years old and competing with these 1.2 million Germans is absolutely CHALLENGING! In addition with these 1.2 million Germans, there are also hundreds or even thousands of foreigners who came from around the world who are also jobless. So definitely my chances of getting a job are very slim. My luck in getting a job has not come yet but I believe one day it will come.

Until now I am still looking for jobs and always say to myself "Never lose hope and Never give up". Life must go on... So help me God... ^_^

(back to job searching...)

When do you need the DFA red ribbon?

2009-02-09T02:16:00.000-08:00

When do you need the DFA red ribbon?
How much does it costs?
In which travel agency did you ask for help to process you papers?

People asked me these questions on my post about DFA Red Ribbon. So I would like to explain further, restate and share to you my experiences about Red Ribbon.

In foreign countries, your Philippine documents or papers are not considered as valid, genuine or legal if it does not have a DFA red ribbon. The red ribbon is a proof or an authentication that your paper is valid, genuine and legal.

For example, if you are using your NSO Birth Certificate just INSIDE the Philippines, you don't NEED a red ribbon for it. But if you are using your NSO Birth Certificate OUTSIDE the Philippines, then you NEED a red ribbon for it. Papers that need red ribbon when I applied for a German Spouse Visa were the NSO Birth Certificate and the NSO Certificate of Marriage.

Someone told me from this post that the German Embassy did not ask for a Red Ribbon. If they said that you may not submit a DFA red ribbon copy than I guess its fine since the words came from the embassy itself. No Red Ribbon might be okay for Visa Processing BUT... You might have problems processing and extending your visa and other papers when you are here in Germany. Believe me, every time I process my papers here, they always ask for a Red Ribbon. They even ask for a German translation of my Philippine Papers. Examples of these papers are my NSO Birth Certificate and NSO Marriage Certificate. Germans are very strict! ^_^

My suggestion:
It would be better that you get a DFA Red Ribbon for your NSO papers. Specific examples of these which I also did are NSO Birth Certificate and NSO Marriage Certificate. Or you might end up processing your papers here AND by contacting DFA in the Philippines (hassle).

Travel Agency:
The travel agency that I sought help with is called JEWEL SKIES Travel & Tours located in Lahug, Cebu City (I think Jeepney 04L still go in this route). It is located just near Ayala Center (Metro Ayala Entrance).

Related Posts:

Transportation in Germany - S-Bahn, U-Bahn, Trams and Buses

2009-02-05T03:41:00.000-08:00

In this post, I will give you an idea on the types of transportation here in Germany. I live near (around) Munich and the transportation in the other areas in Germany might not be as exactly as what I am going to state here. But I am quite sure that the transportation system around Germany is more or less the same (but not exactly the same as I have said).

What is S-Bahn?
S-Bahn is an abbreviation for the German word Stadtschnellbahn which means "fast train, fast city train". These are Suburban trains that runs every 20 minutes and serve passengers in the greater areas. The logo on the right is an S-Bahn logo. If you see a post with an S-Bahn logo, that means that you are near an S-Bahn train station.

What is U-Bahn?
U-Bahn is an abbreviation for the German word Untergrundbahn which means "underground railway, underground train or subway" in English. These are Subways that runs every 5 to 10 minutes and serve passengers in the inner parts of the city. The logo on the right is an U-Bahn logo. If you see a post with an U-Bahn logo, that means that you are near an U-Bahn train station.

Buses and Trams
Buses and trams serve passenger in the inner city and fill in the gaps between the S-Bahn and the U-Bahn.

Comparison of Transportation System between Germany and the Philippines

S-Bahn is like a Bus in the Philippines.
U-Bahn is like a Jeepney in the Philippines.
Buses and trams are like tricycle, habal2x and traysikad in the Philippines.

For example you live in a province in Cebu. Lets say Carmen or San Fernando and you want to go to the Taoist Temple in Lahug (I am not sure, Lahug or Opra? Yes Bisdak ko! Bisaya kong dako!). First you ride on a Bus to go to Cebu City. Second you ride on a Jeepney to go to Lahug. And third, you ride on a habal2x to go to Taoist Temple.

Assuming you want to go to a certain shop in Munich. And assuming you live in a place around Munich (just like me), First you ride on a S-Bahn to go to Munich. Second you ride on an U-Bahn to go to the inner part of the city. And third, you ride on a Tram or Bus to go to a certain shop in the city.

But of course not every shop or every place you want to go in Munich need a S-Bahn, U-Bahn or trams/buses to be able to get there. Just stating this as some readers might be confused or philosophic. ^_^

Tips for contacting the German Embassy

2009-02-04T04:41:00.000-08:00

Do you have questions for the embassy?
Are you stuck on what to do next in processing your visa?

If your processing your visa and don't know what to do next, it is better that you search the Internet for answers. But sometimes not everything is on the Internet. So the best place to ask your questions are the people processing your visa, which is the Embassy.

I have experienced calling and sending an Email to the embassy a couple of times because I have many questions that only the Embassy itself could answer. And they have answered all my questions.

Here are some tips I share to you for contacting the German Embassy whether via email or phone.

Visit the official site of the German Embassy First - the answers for which you are looking for might just be there
Prepare the documents - they might ask for your passport number and it would be a waste of time for them and a waste of money for you if you say "...please wait for awhile, I will find my passport first..."
List your questions - Prepare what you would like to ask.
Ask politely - Speak or talk in a polite manner.
Be patient - As I am sure that you can't connect to their phone lines immediately.
Scan and Attach files (images) to your email - If necessary to make things clear and it would be easier for the Embassy to better assess if your papers are correct or not.
Speak clearly - You should do this all the time especially when talking on the phone.

I am quite sure they receive so many phone calls and have many unread emails in their Inbox so just be patient and wait for their reply.

Related Posts:

Tom Cruise playing as a German Hero in the movie Valkyrie

2009-02-04T04:22:00.000-08:00

Valkyrie is a movie based on a true story during the second world war. It depicts the plot by German officers to assassinate Adolf Hitler.

Valkyrie is the name of the operation and taking control of Germany is its goal. The leader of the assassination plot was Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg and was played by Tom Cruise.

The film is very controversial here in Germany because of the fact that the German Hero was played by an American actor.

For me I have no problems with Tom Cruise playing as a German Hero. In fact he is a great actor and I believe that this is a great movie. Knowing that the German Hero was played by a famous Hollywood actor, the popularity of the movie would certainly increase and it will be a Box Office hit. Anyways, I will just wait for this movie.

Somali pirates seize German tanker - 12 Filipinos and 1 Indonesian on board

2009-02-04T03:55:00.000-08:00

Last week a German tanker was seized by pirates in the east waters of Somalia. The tanker was transporting liquefied petroleum gas.

What troubled me with this news is that I have 3 uncles who are seamen and 1 of them worked for a German Company. I just hope and pray that everyone of them will be safe.

I believe this people (pirates) did this because of hunger and poverty. I just hope that the government will do something about this problem and will stop this madness before anyone will be in danger. If the government can't fix this, chances are many poor people from different countries will do the same.

German Spouse Visa Cook Book

2009-02-03T02:03:00.000-08:00

How to get a German Spouse Visa?
Do you have the complete Steps or Instructions on how to get a Spouse Visa?
How did you get your visa approved?
What are the necessary papers you should gather in applying for marriage?

In this post I share to you on the procedures or steps I did from Marriage Requirements in the Philippines up to Registration as a Resident at the local Town/City Hall or Rathaus here in Germany.

1. Marriage Requirements

2. Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage (“Ehefähigkeitszeugnis”)

3. Pre Marriage Counselling

4. Wedding or Marriage in the Philippines

5. DFA Red Ribbon

6. Endorsing of Certificate of Marriage to the NSO

7. CFO-SMEF-COW Seminar

8. German Spouse Visa Requirements

9. Basic German Language Visa Requirement, Required or Not?

10. German Visa Appointment at the German Embassy in Manila

11. Interview at the German Embassy in Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines

12. Approval of My German Spouse Visa

13. My Flight FOR and My Arrival IN Germany

14. After Arrival - Registration as a Resident at your local Town Hall/City Hall in Germany

Pinoy IN Germany Disclosure Policy

2009-01-29T08:01:00.000-08:00

This policy is valid from 10 February 2009

This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. For questions about this blog, please contact pinoyingermany@googlemail.com.
This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation.
This blog abides by word of mouth marketing standards. We believe in honesty of relationship, opinion and identity. The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post will be clearly identified as paid or sponsored content.
The owner(s) of this blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, we always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the bloggers' own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.
This blog does contain content which might present a conflict of interest. This content may not always be identified.

http://www.disclosurepolicy.org

Visa Processing Tips

2009-01-22T06:05:00.001-08:00

What are the tips and tricks in processing your Visa?
How to make your visa get approved quickly?
How to get a visa quickly?

Please note this: As I have said in this post, I just follow their rules and guidelines. There are no shortcuts in getting a visa quickly but the TIPS below will help you process your visa. (Not unless your aunt or sister is one of the person in charge in processing visas ^_^)

1. Prepare your documents - It is always good to be prepared and ready.

2. Immediately process your documents - Do not process your documents later. Don't be lazy.

3. Ask for the complete requirements - Do not just work on the papers because of what your friends told you. Always make sure and follow-up on the additional requirements.

4. Ask to the embassy directly - If you have questions that no one else could answer clearly or you are having doubts on what exactly you are looking for, ask the embassy. Not just do things because that is what your friends told you. That is what you have read in the internet. You "think" that is everything. Asking the people in charge (people at the Embassy) is always the best way in looking for answers.

5. Do make at least 5 photocopies of your documents - You might need these copies in processing your other requirements.

6. Scan your documents - It is always good when you have a soft copy of your documents. When you ran out of photocopies, just print.

7. Back up your scanned documents - Your USB or Hard Disk might not work later so make sure to make back-ups. For example, burn it in a CD.

8. Be patient - Do not ever fight with the person in charge. The counselor in your pre-marriage seminar, the clerks that work on your marriage papers, the people at the embassy, etcetera. I know some of you are very excited to go to Germany or US or any part of the world and you want your Visa to get approved quickly. BUT keep in mind that confronting the people who process your papers will not help hasten the processing time. Chances are your paper will be delayed because the person processing your paper is mad at you.

9. Plan ahead - Don't waste time. Plan and execute your next step.

10. Always check the official site of the Embassy for updates, read a lot from their website - You will never know what additional requirements the embassy might ask you. Like when the embassy required the Certificate of Basic German Knowledge which they asked last 2008.

Delaying to process your papers also delays your Visa. Keep in mind that Time is needed in every action you take. If you do not act immediately, then the progress of your Visa Process will also be delayed.

Related Posts: