ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
PhilippinesThe Birth Certificate and the Cenomar

Unless Manila has changed their policy they will not accept a CENOMAR from the beneficiary as proof of not being married. If the embassy believes they need to validate that the beneficiary isn't married they will request one. This has to do with document fraud in the RP.

Sad but true in most cases.
Seems they tend to do their own CENOMAR checks on older women and woman with children more often which is understandable do to the difficulties associated getting an annulment in RP for the average pinay.
I know having one used to be suggested in the requirements and it's normally no biggy to get one and may as well get one and not be concerned not having one.


I personally know of one married woman who changed her name and got a new NSO BC and CENOMAR in her new name. Now she's single!!! :o

If she gets a K-1 interview do you think they will catch her?
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2007-08-15 12:59:00
PhilippinesThe Birth Certificate and the Cenomar

Unless Manila has changed their policy they will not accept a CENOMAR from the beneficiary as proof of not being married. If the embassy believes they need to validate that the beneficiary isn't married they will request one. This has to do with document fraud in the RP.


That explains why they never asked my fiancee for her CENOMAR, which surprized me. My fiancee (now my wife of course) pointed out that they probably felt no need to get it since her current legal name matched her name on her BC, and in the Phils a woman's name is always changed when she marries so will not match her BC unless she gets an annulment (in which case she is single again). Makes sense I guess.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2007-08-15 11:50:00
PhilippinesPOE...Guam

In my reserve flights, I will arrive at Agana, Guam 4:00am and depart of Houston at 6:25am (non-working hours).
Do they have immigration officers at this hours?

I heard Guam may not be an 'official' POE and you may get deferred to Honolulu. You may wish to consider bypassing Guam and go directly to Honolulu - then onto Houston.

PAL flies direct. Leaves Manila at 330pm on Tu, Thr and Sat and arrives in Honolulu at 745am the same day. Immigration has been staffed both times I came thru at that time of day.

Bill


Guam is an official US POE. Only customs is deferred to Honolulu, so you don't collect your bags until you are in Honolulu.

In this case, what is the difference between POE and customs? I am very curious as this is a option for Joan also. As far as bags, that's no big deal as she needs to get them anyways to transfer to an inter-island airline to get to Maui.


POE is where she enters the US and where her VISA will be checked by a CPB officer. The Officer may scan her finger, take her photo, and ask a few questions from the docs in the packet. I think the officer is mostly just verifying that she is who she says she is. the officer will attach the I-94 (hopefully she filled this form up on the plane) to her passport. Don't detach or lose the I-94!

Customs is just baggage. No biggie.

POE and customs is almost always at the same airport, but not in Guam.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2007-08-14 11:28:00
PhilippinesPOE...Guam

In my reserve flights, I will arrive at Agana, Guam 4:00am and depart of Houston at 6:25am (non-working hours).
Do they have immigration officers at this hours?

I heard Guam may not be an 'official' POE and you may get deferred to Honolulu. You may wish to consider bypassing Guam and go directly to Honolulu - then onto Houston.

PAL flies direct. Leaves Manila at 330pm on Tu, Thr and Sat and arrives in Honolulu at 745am the same day. Immigration has been staffed both times I came thru at that time of day.

Bill


Guam is an official US POE. Only customs is deferred to Honolulu, so you don't collect your bags until you are in Honolulu.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2007-08-14 01:48:00
PhilippinesPOE...Guam

In my reserve flights, I will arrive at Agana, Guam 4:00am and depart of Houston at 6:25am (non-working hours).
Do they have immigration officers at this hours?


My fiancee (now my wife) entered the US in Guam. It was at 4:30AM and we had no problems. The CPB officer was a really nice Filippino guy.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2007-08-14 01:46:00
PhilippinesYet another CFO question and one about packet 3
QUOTE (wioombeen @ Aug 23 2007, 02:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My SO has a certified copy of my divorce with her. When she presents this to the CFO do they just look at it or will they keep it for their records?

If they do keep it should I send her another certified copy for the interview? I included a true certified copy of my divorce in the I-129F petition so they should already have all those documents for the interview right? Or should I go ahead and get another copy to her?


Now about packet 3.

We have not received ours yet and I'm not to worried yet, but was just wondering if we can just do the packet 3 online at the Us Embassy website to get that out of the way now? Or do I need to wait for the physical packet 3?

At the bottom of this page the US Embassy provides everything in the Packet 3
Immigrant visa info page

Thanks
Wioombeen


I found that it's better to be prepared for anything, so I would send another certified copy of the divorce.

As far as packet 3, you can get the forms on line and it's fine to do those in advance (that's what I did). However, you will need the appointment letter to get into the Embassy.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2007-08-23 15:42:00
PhilippinesFeasibility of our CFO plan
QUOTE (dj1206 @ Aug 28 2007, 01:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hmm, I'm not sure. I'm referring about my experience though. I took the cfo seminar across La Salle University and had to ride a taxi to get the sticker at another building. We got to the other building after an hour because of the traffic. The uncle of my cousin took his CFO seminar at SMEF because he's not a partner of foreign national and was petitioned by his daughter. The ones at PRISM are for partners of foreign nationals.

I think I read a post about someone saying she took it at QC area and she didn't have to ride taxi to get sticker because the other bldg was just behind the place where she had seminar. Im not sure if I remember it correctly.


You were at PRISM and your uncle was at SMEF. I believe K1s and K3s can take the seminar at either PRISM or SMEF, and get the stamp at CFO Main Office or SMEF CFO Extension Office.

Maybe someone can confirm this, or not.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2007-08-28 14:43:00
PhilippinesFeasibility of our CFO plan
It depends if she takes the CFO seminar at PRISM or SMEF. The last I heard, SMEF has a CFO extension office that can issue the sticker. Anybody take the seminar at SMEF who can verify if this is true or not?
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2007-08-28 14:13:00
PhilippinesCheapest flights from US to Cebu?

Anything other than bt-store.com out there? Anyone know any discount agents? I wish i could fly to Cebu for the same price as some of the Manila fairs... Best I had so far was my 1st trip. $1300 round trip... I wish i could fly for around $900!!!



You can't fly from the US to Cebu.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2007-08-17 15:29:00
PhilippinesX-ray film needed at POE?
QUOTE (alulette @ Aug 27 2007, 03:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi, I'll be leaving on Wed. for the US on K1 visa. My POE would be O' Hare Int'l Airport. Would like to know if I still need to present my x-ray film at the Immigration counter or could I just include it in my check-in luggage? Honestly, it's such a hassle if I would have to carry it w/ me on the plane cause I'll also be carrying along my wedding gown.

Hope anyone who has experienced bringing his/her SLEC x-ray film, pls. help me.

Thanks and God bless you!


My wife's cousin just did her POE at O'Hare two weeks ago. There was some new officer there who asked her for her X-Ray. rolleyes.gif
After some discussion with a supervisor, they let her enter without it.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2007-09-06 12:40:00
PhilippinesX-ray film needed at POE?
QUOTE (jasman0717 @ Aug 27 2007, 11:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (garya505 @ Aug 27 2007, 09:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I remember someone here once said they got asked for it but I don't remember the POE.


I am the only one I can recall that used the xray and that was because the civil surgeon wanted to charge us $35 to take an xray so I used the one she had from St. Lukes.


Actually, I remember a topic like this a while back. Everyone was saying "no X-Ray requested at POE" but there was one person who came in at some oddball POE where the DHS officer asked for it.

QUOTE (beckypua @ Aug 27 2007, 11:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Honolulu asked for my wifes. I blew it as I'd never seen any POE ask for it so I told my wife to put x rays in her luggage.
Big mistake as it took quite awhile for her to get her bags and go back and give the IO the xrays.
I sat outside sweating and waiting.
I don't have any idea what the hell they did with the xray. Probably round filed it.
Same thing happened in Hono to a couple buddys of mine.


Ah, there is is. I knew my memory wasn't going AWOL (yet).
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2007-08-28 00:24:00
PhilippinesX-ray film needed at POE?
I remember someone here once said they got asked for it but I don't remember the POE.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2007-08-27 23:36:00
PhilippinesVaccinations and pregnant
QUOTE (RandyandRina @ Oct 26 2007, 11:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Russ_M @ Oct 26 2007, 01:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thx,
I've had a reply stating the medical might want to know that I KNOW she is pregnant at the medical interview? If this is so, what would be a good way to confirm this for the medical board. I have sent her letters talking about being a daddy, maybe that would be enough evidence for her at the interview?
Your the best, Thx again.

I have not heard of that before, but since you think they will, I suggest to write a Letter of Acknowledgment for the unborn child addressed to SLEC or even USEM, just in case.


I was the one that posted that. It comes from a true case of my wife's cousin. The above suggested letter, while probably not needed, might help if it comes up at interview. However, in the case I know of, the letter had to be notarized, and sent directly to the US Embassy. It's a small amount of work that could save a potential delay (however unlikely).

Keep in mind that the people at the Embassy don't know you or your wife, but they do know that women sometimes show up pregnant at the medical exam, and sometimes the USC petitioner is not the father. This can cause problems with the couple when she gets to the US. Thiis is an unfortunate fact of long distance international relationships. I personally know at least 2 women who had boyfriends in the Philippines while engaged to US men who were petitioners for their K1 VISAs. Again, remember that they don't know you, but they know about this kind of problem.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2007-10-26 15:29:00
Philippineswhich CFO for final stamp?
When we were there in February, they said we could get the CFO stamp at CFO-Main (Pres. Quirino Ave) OR or SMEF-COW, because SMEF-COW had a CFO extension office. Not sure though because we went to CFO-main for ours.

As stated by others, in any case you can't get the CFO stamp at PRISM.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2007-11-12 13:55:00
PhilippinesAcclimatization, Philippines to USA
I help my wife to adjust to life here as much as I can, but I told her, sorry, we have to eat turkey for Thanksgiving!!! laughing.gif
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2007-11-16 01:27:00
Philippinesrenewing passport to married name
You should get your passport amended to married name, then you can buy your airline ticket in married name too.
The Philippine Consulate in LA can do that.

http://www.pcgenla.org/Servicescon.htm
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2007-11-20 14:24:00
PhilippinesPhilippine Bank payment DS156 or DS157?
QUOTE (Epiphany @ Aug 27 2007, 10:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Sheriff Uling @ Aug 27 2007, 09:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I have an epiphany for you... Read Section 4.3 of the Manila Embassy K1 Visa Guide. Hehehehe!!!


Just out of curiosity. Why would a person disregard the "official" form from the united states and randomly read some web site for such important information like this?


Because some of the people here have done this before and know how it works (and the people who publish the forms apparently have not, and don't). laughing.gif
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2007-08-28 00:30:00
PhilippinesPicking Up Visa at Embassy - What If US Citizen Accompanies?
QUOTE (ILoveJoy @ Jan 22 2008, 06:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thanks for all the responses... I have one more question. If the CO does approve my request for Joy to pick up the visa, to they give her some sort of document to show the guard when she returns for the pick up, or will she simply be on some sort of pick up list?


Someone just called after 2 days and gave us a name and window number to tell the guard and it was no problem for us to get in. We both went to pick it up. We were there Feb 2007.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2008-01-22 22:22:00
PhilippinesPicking Up Visa at Embassy - What If US Citizen Accompanies?
QUOTE (Roserick @ Jan 22 2008, 05:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (garya505 @ Jan 22 2008, 07:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I was with my fiancee (now my wife of course) and presented a written request to the CO which was approved, but I know of others who were not. We picked up the VISA 2 days after interview.

Make sure you put your request in writing and sign it. State the reason you are requesting it (... you are there to accompany her on her trip to the US ...). Present the written request to the CO at the interview.


I was just curious about your reason for request.. whistling.gif

Since it was already instructed not to make travel plans..



I simply stated the truth, that I was there to help her with her travel, and gave the date of our flights. I guess they accepted that.
I think they like to limit the number of people returning to the Embassy tp pick VISAs because it's a hassle to have all those people come back again. In my experience, if you make a polite request in writing, that's the best shot you have at getting them to agree. It's totally up to the CO's judgement.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2008-01-22 20:06:00
PhilippinesPicking Up Visa at Embassy - What If US Citizen Accompanies?
QUOTE (ILoveJoy @ Jan 21 2008, 10:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi Folks,

Regarding picking up the visa at the embassy...

I will by accompanying Joy to the embassy interview, and hopefully flying with her to the US a week later. Does anyone know if it is more likely that the consular officer will approve visa pickup if the US citizen fiance is with her? Thanks.

Marc


I was with my fiancee (now my wife of course) and presented a written request to the CO which was approved, but I know of others who were not. We picked up the VISA 2 days after interview.

Make sure you put your request in writing and sign it. State the reason you are requesting it (... you are there to accompany her on her trip to the US ...). Present the written request to the CO at the interview.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2008-01-22 19:08:00
PhilippinesAt my Interview
QUOTE (aynaku05 @ Jan 25 2008, 01:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi Everyone,

I had my interview last Jan. 4, 2008. My fiancé is with me the time I was interviewed. The Consul ask me where i meet my fiancé which I answered, how did we meet and I answer too. If both of us is single which we said yes. His follow-up question is if i had kids which i said yes as it is included at my appointment for the interview. I made it clear that they will not accompany me nor will follow me. My question is did this affect in releasing of my visa. As every thing seems to be okey. After the interview the Consul told me to proceed to window 37. There a staff gave me a paper that said document verification. I don’t have the idea what documents to be verified. He said it will take 2 to 3 weeks to release it. I paid Php 650 for the verification. And Php 165 for the Delbros delivery but until now i have not been notified by the NVC. It is hard on my part contacting the visa call center as my landline is bayantel. I am not a PLDT subscriber. I tried to buy a smart prepaid sim but it did not go thru. I ask our GM at the office if I could use our phone (as we are not allowed to place a personal call) so I could contact them. A visa call center agent said according to their system it will take 6 weeks. If there I couldn’t hear from the USEM I should contact them so they could help me. How long will it take for me to wait for a notice at USEM.

I had this idea that maybe it is my kids surname that affects the releasing of the visa.. My kids surname is different from mine as they uses their father's name although we are not legally married. In their birth certificate their father put the date and place of marriage even though no ceremonies happen. He did this for the kids to use his surname as before the civil code don’t allow to use the father’s name if the parents are not legally married. I bring the original birth certificates of the 2 kids with me should they want a proof, though the Consul did not ask for it and I am willing to explain why did this happen. I gave my CENOMAR that I get from the NSO to prove i was never married.

Anyone had similar problem with mine. What steps did you do. My fiancé was here last Jan. 1 so he could go with my interview. He is about to leave at the 18th and he get me a reservation ticket which we had it open should my visa arrived. We even work on his extention visa waiting for the approval so we could fly back to the US together. But until he leave now notification has not arrive yet. His lawyer in the US was able to talk to one Consul here in Manila but he said the Philippine document that I submitted is still verified. My fiancé already seek the help of their congressman and we are waiting for the reply yet. I feel depressed. I don’t know what to do to prove that I never married. I tried to get true and legal copies of my documents to prove that all the intentions are true. I just pray that there is still hope for me to be with my soon to be husband in the US. crying.gif crying.gif innocent.gif helpsmilie.gif

aynaku05


I don't know for sure but I think they want to verify that you are not married.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2008-01-25 03:57:00
PhilippinesThe wait after the interview (Manila)
QUOTE (luv2uallday @ Jan 24 2008, 08:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (djturbo @ Jan 23 2008, 09:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (luv2uallday @ Jan 23 2008, 09:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I am replying in defense of the USEM in manila wacko.gif <--- that's me Well reason it takes 1 month plus for them to do checks is depends on what they are checking. Say if they want to verify a birth certificate or a marriage liscense they have to contact NSO to release to them a copy of whatever document they need to verify problem it takes about 1 month for NSO to do anythig sometimes LONGER... So on the embassy's side their hands are tied... and also they get the blame for most of the holdups that is beyond their control... other checks i seen are backgroud checks.. if there is a hit returned on one of the background checks they have to wait on the FBI to respond with information and the problem with them is sometimes they will not respond in a timely manner in that the embassy's hands are tied as well so the embassy will take the blame on that as well.... On top of that us embassy manila has a heavy workload to juggle so they get held up backlogged and mistakes happen..... So don't put too much blame on the embassy and look at it objectively... We can only expect perfection from superman we can only hope for perfection in everyone else


That's BullSh#t, they should hurry up and give us what we waited and paid for right away. It's hard enough they make us wait a year after filling for our spouse to be able to reunite with us again. Its not fair I say and am sticking to it!

No offense "luv2uallday".. happy.gif



I have alot of experience with the USEM in manila myself... They don't sit 99% of the time sitting and thinking behind their desk thinking ways to screw up your lives. USEM manila is the #1 highest workload of petitions in the whole world... They have the greatest challenge than anyone else to get a decision on hundreds of cases or more a day as fast as possible. I have been there to see the process it's like MCDOnalds but on a goverment scale.. They are asked to do an insurmountable task and do it accurately... I say again when their is doubt or they need to do a check they can only go as fast as the next slowest agency they are waiting on.. US embassy is bottlenecked in so many ways that is beyond their control... So cut them a break... U want to FIND someone to blame? then blame your politicians for keeping USEM manila UNDERSTAFFED... I seen how much workload myself of the consulates have to handle each hour.... They need more staff to handle the work... But they get nothing more cause of beaurocrats but yet you choose to blame the embassy? are they the piniata for all your frustations? your bearocrats hike up your fees to double but yet don't want to take the steps in increasing processing times at the embassy and yet you choose to blame the embassy? I can now for surely see why so many at the embassy are soooooo cynical and frustrated cause those who they are serving don't give them a break for anything.. it's like a child who wants his toy now but can't get it..... I'm not saying the embassy are angels OR perfect by any means I'm just saying that all your waiting (which is hard took 8 months for my wife to get here) is a combination of multiple factors and the embassy is the facade you see but there is so many other processes and agencies behind the embassy that share in the blame... look at things objectively and you will see the truth...


It would be nice if EVERYTHING under the sun was the embassy's fault. It would make life so easy knowing who to blame but the fact is ITS NOT ALL the embassy's fault so if you don't like whats going on how long it takes for you to be with your loved ones THEN WRITE your local congressional theives and tell them to get off their butts in washington and do something about it.... so there I put my whole 2 dollars in have a nice day


There's also the problem of fraud. For example, if a woman (who just happens to be married already) applying for a K-1 VISA has the right connections and a little cash, she can get a new identity and birth certificate in a new name to avoid the delay and expense of getting an annulment.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2008-01-24 20:51:00
PhilippinesDivorce Decree and birth certificate of fiance..cert tru copy or just xerox copy
QUOTE (katrina_07 @ Jan 24 2008, 07:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi VJers! I would just like to know if the US embassy in Manila would be needing a certified true copy of his divorce decree and birth certificate or just a XEROX copy of the divorce decree and birth certificate would do. Usually divorce decrees consist of several pages, right? So should i just ask him to give me the page where it states the previous marriage has been dissolved?

Would really appreciate your immediate reply.

Thanks so much.

Kat


Bring the full originals to the interview. Take them to the CFO too, as they can (and sometimes do) ask for such things.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2008-01-25 19:06:00
PhilippinesAnyone can confirm please???!!!
QUOTE (Sheriff Uling @ Jan 28 2008, 02:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I hope that it's true because the USCs don't really contribute much to interview anyway besides taking up space. The visa interview is about the beneficiary and not the USC. Besides, it's rare that the CO even addresses the USC beyond hello, how are you, and have a nice day. I say let the USCs wait in the lobby. I know that it's a huge relief to be accompanied by the petitioner (I get that). However, I have not read that the policy has changed, but it would not surprise me.

Cheers!!!

Sheriff Uling

p.s.
The USC is allowed to accompany the beneficiary for the AOS stages of the process (once the beneficiary arrives in the states).


I forgot to mention that the pre-screener did ask me several questions (when did we meet, how many times did I visit, was I ever married, do I have any children,. etc.). Not sure why she did that, as I was just standing off to the side holding the papers.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2008-01-28 19:00:00
PhilippinesAnyone can confirm please???!!!
When we were there in February it was up to the individual Consular Officer. Ours let me in the room but did not speak to me.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2008-01-27 21:14:00
PhilippinesEarly Medical
QUOTE (SMOKE @ Jan 28 2008, 07:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
i read somewhere...dunno where. might have been here, might have been on another site. "you should make photo copies of your passport, coz they will take it & give it to the embassy" i haven't heard anyone mention this lately. does she need to make a photo copy of her passport before she goes to the medical?


Yes it's a good idea to make a couple of copies of the passport because St Lukes will take it. We didn't need them but you never know ...
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2008-01-30 00:03:00
PhilippinesFlying to Philippines with one-way ticket!
I flew alone to the Philippines in February on a one-way ticket. I had another one-way ticket on a different airline for the return, but nobody asked me for it and it never came up.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2008-01-29 16:40:00
Philippineshow many BC and CENOMAR
QUOTE (joyce_peter @ Jan 26 2008, 07:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
may i know if how many BC and CENOMAR are needed during interview?i mean how many copies...and how many copies of affidavit of support are needed?????????????


I suggest getting 2 CENOMAR, in case someone wants to keep one. They didn't even ask for my fiancee's, but you never know, and they ar cheap so ...

For the BC I suggest getting extra (maybe 3). You'll want to bring a couple of them to the US with you.

Edited by garya505, 26 January 2008 - 10:55 PM.

garya505Not TellingPhilippines2008-01-26 22:54:00
PhilippinesCan I attend my fiance's interview at USEM in Manila?
QUOTE (rjp44 @ Jan 30 2008, 01:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Pinaylang @ Jan 30 2008, 01:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (lirachadsbaby @ Jan 29 2008, 09:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
good.gif good.gif good.gif

go go go kicking.gif its very advantageous to be with her on that day.


Yeah I want to be with him on his interview... and of course travel in the PI... wooo hooooo.... kicking.gif


Come on over. Today the sun is shinning and it's 88F. Much better than cold Ohio.


Ya, but the humidity is like 90% isn't it? Kinda like Houston or Miami in the summer time.

I always felt wet over there.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2008-01-30 14:38:00
PhilippinesCan I attend my fiance's interview at USEM in Manila?
Go for it. I was there and it was an experience we'll remember for a lifetime. Just allow enough time in your trip for VISA delivery.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2008-01-29 16:48:00
PhilippinesGovt to close down NAIA Terminal 1
We're planning a trip for Jan 2009, will Clark be the only international terminal then?
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2008-01-30 16:17:00
PhilippinesOnline Togalog ?
It's Tagalog, not Togalog, you can start with that. mad.gif
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2008-01-30 21:10:00
Philippineswhats comes from the manila embassy
QUOTE (moosestang @ Jan 31 2008, 11:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My fiance has a medical date and embassy date already but she did not get anything from the embassy in the mail yet. I was wondering what comes in the first packet and is there anything in it that has to be sent back to the embassy before the interview? What is in packet 4 and does she have to fill the forms out online and print or can she fill the forms by hand? Is there a link to the forms online any where. What does she need for the medical.


The packets tend to be slow to arrive, but most get them in time. You can get all of the forms online, and the DS-156 needs to be filled out online anyway. The only thing on the packet that she really needs is the official appointment letter, so she can get the forms ready before the packet arrives.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2008-02-01 02:47:00
PhilippinesVisa Pick-up Request Letter
QUOTE (Roserick @ Feb 1 2008, 08:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Forget the letter...

Just ask for it..


They told me flat out that I needed to give them a written request and many of us here know from experience that a written request will give you your best shot at getting them to approve.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2008-02-01 12:00:00
PhilippinesVisa Pick-up Request Letter
QUOTE (frank-lyn @ Jan 31 2008, 06:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hello again and again my fellow VJ'ers.. biggrin.gif ..
Need some ideas on whats the best thing to do when making a Visa Pick-up request letter.
What would be best? Handwritten? or typewritten which is going to be printed out?


I did mine typewritten and signed it. The CO seemed to enjoy reading it, at least he was smiling and he chuckled a little bit, maybe because it was worded so formally. If I remember when I get home tonight I can post it here.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2008-02-01 11:58:00
PhilippinesCebu Pacific Air
QUOTE (Arrta @ Jan 22 2008, 05:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I just tried to purchase tickets online and their site said it could not process my order try another card. It did this for all 3 of my credit cards.
I am trying to purchase tickets for Charry and her friend Joy so they can goto Manila for the interview next month.

I tried calling their phone number but got stuck in an endless loop of music and adverts waiting for someone to answer.
Does anyone know if they are open 24/7? Because there is no time listed on the site and the phone didnt say there was noone there to answer.

Marc


I had the same problem. A called my credit card company, they looked at the bounced charge, told me it bounced because of the foreign company, and authorized the next one which worked fine.

Apparently there is a lot of fraud from the country that handles Cebu's credit card transactions, so their fraud filters are tighter than your nutbag when you're swimming on a cold winter day. laughing.gif
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2008-02-02 23:19:00
PhilippinesI-129F QUESTION
QUOTE (genenelson @ Feb 4 2008, 11:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
OK... One more question to go with this....
She does not have a postal ID for her current address...
Does she need to get one? She has a postal ID for her brothers house in Manila.
But she does not live there.

So now I am second guessing which address I should put in.....

Thank You...


It's my understanding of the Philippine postal ID is that it's somewhat of an "odd bird" and not used for much. I think maybe my wife used hers as ID when she went for her Philippine passport or birth certificate or something like that. I have never heard of it coming up during the K-1 process, and my wife has two cousins and a few friends who came to the US on K-1 VISAs.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2008-02-05 02:50:00
PhilippinesI-129F QUESTION
QUOTE (SHAPE OF MY HEART @ Feb 4 2008, 11:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (genenelson @ Feb 5 2008, 12:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
PART 2 BOX B

My girls address does not fit in the box. Do I need to write it out on an additional sheet??

also can I use abbreviations for street, subdivision, etc???

Thank you!!!

This site is a god send...


Gene


yes u can abbreviate the street into St. and Subdivision into Subd.
i think additional sheet makes it complicated unless u really follow what the instructions said about attaching necessary additional sheet..


I had to abbreviate like that. I would only use another sheet if you really need to.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2008-02-05 01:19:00
PhilippinesUSC going to USEM for the interview .. how fast can you get the visa
QUOTE (Roserick @ Feb 1 2008, 10:24 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (kev_n_jena @ Feb 1 2008, 12:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Probably not by law, but I'm just guessing. If you go to the interview, maybe you could refuse to answer any questions and report back on your results.

Kev_n_Jena


Its a question.. I don't need a suggestion to do it...

I am just saying... The whole interview is for her.. Alot of posters are saying alot the of the questions are more towards the petitioner if he's available..


It all depends on the CO. Some don't allow the petitioner in the room, some allow him in but don't talk to him (like in our case), and some will ask him questions. It's the sole decision of the CO, as is approval of VISA pick-up.

The only thing that everyone will agree on is that it's generally a big positive to go, if you can afford it.

We saw lots of women very nervous, some had questions which we could answer. Some were still finishing their forms or gluing on the photos. One lost her numbered ticket and there was a mad scramble for everyone to find it. One went to the wrong window and my fiancee went to find her and get her to the right window.

And, maybe you'll meet some new friends like we did ...
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2008-02-01 12:32:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionManila Embassy Interview

:angry:

Wow!! Such great news on approved petitions and new scheduled interviews as well. It looks like the USE has finally found new resources or set a new priority on K1 interviews because, where they WERE falling farther behind every month, they are now making good headway on the long queue of petitions.

As of right now all bets are off on predictions while they continue to release additional interview slots BEFORE their upcoming announcement of February slots. And that's a GOOD thing!! We have all moved nicely up the list since the January slots were announced. Mari and I were thinking March (MNL2006-789xxx) but now, February is looking pretty good. This has been a great development for all of us! :dance:

Have vic&el4ever, davidjack, or binow checked in case they have a scheduled date? It would be helpful to hear from them either way.

And GOOD LUCK Fmerz and Roy in your upcoming interviews!!!!


We have not received the our appointment letter yet, how do we check if we got an appointment date?


http://203.177.135.1...tment/login.asp


Thanks,

Yes i have that site save and each time i check it, it says: Case Number Not Found on Appointment List :angry: Any idea why it is trying so long too get a letter from them or our we on a nomal timeline?

Good luck too all!

Thanks and god bless you all!


:secret: keep checking the site and get ready for an interview the first or second week of February

Edited by garya505, 11 December 2006 - 09:26 PM.

garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-12-11 21:26:00