ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
PhilippinesIR1/CR1 processing tip
Our CR1 case was sent to the US Embassy Manila without first obtaining an interview date. The NVC stated to direct any further questions to the Embassy in Manila.
This is what you need to do!!!!
Go to the US Embassy Manila website and read the information for obtaining an interview.

You will need the (Filipino) beneficary passport number, issue date and expiration date of the passport, address including zip code, home phone number, cell number and the NVC case number.
You can either call or do online scheduling for the interview. A friend of ours did the online method. We did the telephone method. It is easier to do the online method but it was nice to know it was actually happening when talking to a person. It was fast by phone when calling from the USA at no cost. See the phone number at the Embassy website that you need to call. It is actually a phone number in Texas. Listen to the directory and it will tell you what number to press to connect to the Embassy in Manila. It was less than 5 minutes before I was talking to someone in Manila Embassy and she was very polite.
The Operator will provide you with a identification number that you need to write down. The operator will also send the beneficary an email that will provide a password.
The operator will send the beneficary a second email that will provide access to the website where you enter the passport number, identification number and password. This will allow you to open a PDF file. Print out 2 copies, one as a back up copy. You can also save the PDF file to your computer. The PDF file is the confirmation letter that you need to take with you for your interview and physical.
Good Luck
bestofbostonMalePhilippines2011-02-17 14:45:00
PhilippinesMedical exam (St. Lukes)
Go as soon as you get your interview date to St. Lukes. The Embassy will give you the info you need.
I think you can go before that but I am not certain. I remember another person that went before her receiving her interview date and she said it was no problem. I had my wife wait until we received an interview date and I had her go to Manila to get the physical because of the concern with additional TB testing if they suspect anything from the x-rays. Fortunately for my wife, that was never an issue but for many, it will delay their interview because they need to pass the medical before they can get the interview at the embassy.
The spetum test can delay around 6 weeks.
She can always call St Lukes and ask if she can come now for the physical. I think she needs to make an appointment if I remember correctly.
bestofbostonMalePhilippines2012-07-23 10:02:00
Philippineswedding in the philippines
Your friend may not be able to petition their spouse until your friend becomes a US Citizen. That may be an issue.
If your friend has been in the USA with Green card for 5 years, then he or she should obtain citizenship as soon as possible and then apply for I-130.
Good luck.

Edited by bestofboston, 31 July 2012 - 12:18 PM.

bestofbostonMalePhilippines2012-07-31 12:17:00
PhilippinesK-1 I129K visa Co-Sponsor / Manila
Just get married and file for CR1 visa. Then you can have a co-sponsor. I don't think you have a chance in Manila going the K1 route. They do not approve K1 visas if a co-sponsor is required. Its been that way before I began the process back in May 2010.
Read many VJ articles pertaining to K1 visa will not be approved in Manila if a co-sponsor is required.

Good Luck!
bestofbostonMalePhilippines2012-07-26 06:07:00
PhilippinesTracking Visa after interview
This should be pinned because it seems that most people don't know how to track their visa after interview.

To anyone that wants to know how to track the visa
Go to 2go website e-trace 2go.com.ph
Enter NVC number. It will show invalid until 2go receives the visa from the embassy.
Typically its 1 week minimum after interview before arriving at 2go delivery service. Expedited will be sooner.
In my wifes case it was 10 days after the interview before it appeared in the 2go tracking system.
The next day it was delivered to my wifes home.

Edited by bestofboston, 05 April 2011 - 08:55 AM.

bestofbostonMalePhilippines2011-04-05 08:53:00
PhilippinesTravel agency

Hi guys... :) can anyone recommend a trusted travel agency here in Manila? :) thanks in advance!:)


Why can't your fiancee book you a flight from the USA and pay for it by credit card?

That is what I did for my wife.

Have fiancee email you itenerary.

Edited by bestofboston, 23 October 2012 - 12:59 AM.

bestofbostonMalePhilippines2012-10-23 00:58:00
PhilippinesOne Way Airline Ticket Departing Philippines
Sure you can purchase tickets online. That is what I did for my wife just before she came to the USA
bestofbostonMalePhilippines2012-12-05 18:08:00
Philippinesgetting married in phil
Just be aware that she will need to obtain a police clearance from both countries because she lived in both countries.
bestofbostonMalePhilippines2013-02-14 08:05:00
PhilippinesVonage - Globe
What service are you referring too?
If you are inquiring about phone service, I suggest you purchase a magicjack that plugs into a USB port on a computer and have your future spoouse purchase a phone, Connect the magic jack to her computer that has internet service and connect phone.
You actually do not need the phone because she can talk to you over the computer.
Befoe you sent the magic jack to her, set it up in the USA and obtain phone number in the area code you want.

This is how my wife communicates with her family in the Philippines. What is nice is her family can call to anywhere in the USA to a home phone or to a cell phone. It is great because her family can contact you on your cell phone or you can call them on your cell phone at no cost to you assuming you have a cell phone plan that has unlimited minutes.


We have had only one issue with the magic jack since sending it to the Philippines.
Her family does not keep the computer turned on when they are not using it. The problem began to occur when the date on their computer defaulted to its default setting and the time/date was no longer correct. This occurred because the computer backup battery had failed and the computer no longer maintained the correct date when the computer was powered back up. They now set the time and date before trying to use the magic jack and everything is good again. Don't ask me why they don't just have the computer battery replaced because I don't know why.

Edited by bestofboston, 29 March 2013 - 08:08 AM.

bestofbostonMalePhilippines2013-03-29 08:06:00
PhilippinesAny Filipinos here in New Hampshire?
Hopefully we will hear something on my wife's interview date soon from the NVC. She is from Tanjay City and has family living in Cebu. My son lives in Portsmouth, NH.
I work in Seabrook, NH and live in Mass.
My wife is a very kind woman and she would love to get to know some Filipinos here when she comes. Also my neighbors (whole family) are from the Philippines. They know a lot of Filpinos and are very nice people.

Let me know if you would be interested in meeting her when she comes. She is an elementary school teacher in Tanjay City.
bestofbostonMalePhilippines2011-01-03 13:56:00
Philippinesmedical exam exspiring before interveiw

She should be able to get her interview before December.


bestofbostonMalePhilippines2014-09-28 14:51:00
Philippinesaproved today! but i have some questions

K1 interview will take place at the embassy in Manila.  


bestofbostonMalePhilippines2014-10-06 19:51:00
PhilippinesReport of Marriage in Los Angeles Philippine Consulate

Go to Walmart and get your passport photos that you need.  That is where we go for passport photos


bestofbostonMalePhilippines2014-10-20 12:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsTouch
I am waiting on my NOA2. I hear people saying that their case has been touched. How will I know when my case is being touched?
bestofbostonMalePhilippines2010-09-25 07:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsNOA2, when will you come....
Don't feel bad, it has been over 5 months for my wife and I and we have not heard a word from the USCIS. I called the USCIS last week. They told me that they were 13 days behind and that I should hear something in the next two weeks.
I know being patient is hard but just hang in there.
bestofbostonMalePhilippines2010-10-31 11:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsLost all faith - July VSC
I went through the same thing and finally it happened
Be patient for two more weeks. Then contact your senator or congressman
bestofbostonMalePhilippines2010-12-18 10:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsHow can I let the USCIS know what I think of them
You guys should be thankful because if you were trying to get your spouse here, you would be waiting much longer.
It takes 5 plus months at the USCIS and then another 5 plus months on average to get your spouse scheduled for an interview at the Embassy.
I know it is hard to remain patient but like others have said, keep your mind on the prize.
I started the process in early May 2009 and I am still waiting on hearing from the NVC on my wifes interview date.
It does not look like I will see her until March or April of this year at best.
Not bad, 10 to 11 months since the process began.
bestofbostonMalePhilippines2011-01-04 10:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsNOA2 16 days!
People from Haiti are being fast tracked because of the earthquake.
Good for you!
bestofbostonMalePhilippines2011-01-28 14:15:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reportshow do you guys stay in contact with your significant other?
Just to clarify the use of the magic jack. You purchase it and set it up here in the USA before sending it to her. This is when the phone number is assigned to the phone. You can have an area code used in your state if you like.
She connects the magic jack to her USB port on her computer or any internet cafe computer and then she connects a phone to the magic jack. She can call any land line of cell phone in the USA for Zero cost to you. The magic jack includes one year of service when you purchase it. It cost less than $20 per year to use. It is cheaper to pay for the 5 year plan after the first year.
I like it because she can call my cell phone and talk to me while on the way to/from work. She can call my work number, etc. She also uses it to call her sister that lives in the USA. Her whole family loves having magic jack. It is really great.
Also, if she has the magic jack plugged in and the computer on, you can then call her from any phone here in the USA.

Lastly, you can go to the magic jack logon ID on the iternet and enter the email and password used for the setup of the magic jack and print out the telephone log and contact list periodically for record purposes that can be later used for her interview.

I hope this helps.

Edited by bestofboston, 02 February 2011 - 09:35 AM.

bestofbostonMalePhilippines2011-02-02 09:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsIts not Fair !

Welcome to the Club! We filed August 30th with no response from Vermont.. Better sit back and relax. These people have no theory to how they process obviously!

David


You need to go to your senators or congressmans website and ask for help. It is easy to do and you will get a response because you are outside its normal processing time.

I contacted my senator and our case as approved by the USCIS two days later.

Good luck!!!
bestofbostonMalePhilippines2011-03-10 11:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsSeriously starting to lose hope now....
Cheer up. The USCIS is only the first phase. We received our NOA2 back on 11/2/2010. Tomorrow my wife will finally have her long awaited interview. Then two more weeks to get her Visa delievered to her home. I hope to see her my April 13th. Almost 1 year has gone by.
It has been over 10 months now and we always provided the information promptly to the NVC.
bestofbostonMalePhilippines2011-03-24 06:15:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsApril Fool's NOT!!!
Is he in the Military?
bestofbostonMalePhilippines2011-04-02 06:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reportsanyone got approved with co sponsor?
Get married and then apply for I-130 and they will permit co-sponsor.
I had heard when we were going through the process that Manila will not approve a K1 visa if a co-sponsor is required.
bestofbostonMalePhilippines2012-10-12 01:37:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresINTERVIEW DATE!!!!!!!!!!!
Go to your embassy website and read what it states.
Most of the information for a CR1 visa is sent to the embassy from the NVC.
You need to bring passport photos
You need to have physical already done at the location/s approved by the embassy
You need to bring photos, telephone logs, whatever proof you have other than the documents you already provided.

A CR1 Visa is easier to obtain than a K1 Visa. Once the USCIS approves your petition, the only way the embassy can deny it is to discover something during interview that was not available to the USCIS. They should not deny Visa based on information already provided to the USCIS. This is a huge advantage that a CR1 beneficary has over a K1 beneficary.

You should read about your embassy first.
bestofbostonMalePhilippines2011-03-10 11:22:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWhats required for CR1 interview?
Is there any fees or surcharges to be paid at the time of the interview for a CR1? We paid the AOS fee and DS230 fee at the NVC.
I remember reading in the past that a fee for the delivery of the Visa was paid to the delivery company after the inteview was complete. I have not read anything lately. Anyone know what is up with that? Has the fee been rolled into the price of the Visa?
bestofbostonMalePhilippines2011-03-14 12:39:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWhats required for CR1 interview?
My wife and I are really confused about what is needed for the CR1 interview. The information provided by the Manila Embassy states that that the following is required.
I-134, I864, Birth Certificate, Wedding Certificate, Police Clearance Certificate, Visa photos and supporting documentation for proof of relationship and a few other things that do not apply to my wife.

We provided the NVC the Birth Certificate, Wedding Certificate, Police Clearance Certificate, and Visa photos of both the Petitioner and Benenficary along with the Affadavit of Support (I-864) and supporting documentation.

Do we need to again provide all the information for the interview at the embassy that has already been provided to the NVC along with a I-134 support documentation?

What does my wife actually need to bring to the interview at the Manila Embassy?

Your help will be greatly appreciated.
bestofbostonMalePhilippines2011-03-14 07:42:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 initial review and accept same day?
That means sit back and wait 5 months. Then maybe you will hear something such as it has been approved. Seriously don't expect to hear anything unless they send you a request for information or evidence.
Good luck.
bestofbostonMalePhilippines2011-03-22 18:45:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresBetween NOA1 & NOA2 - What can be expected?
sending the I-129F now put your I-130 back. K-3 is closed at NVC and is not processed anymore, sending the I-129F will slow down your I-130. You will want to look at CR-1 processing information and times now.

The I-130 is processed first and then the I-129F. In fact, you don't even submit the I-129F until they have received the I-130 unless you want to pay again for the I-129F process. The I-129F requires that you submit a copy of the NOA1 for the I-130 when submitting the I-129F package.

The I-129F will not slow the I-130 process for you. It may for someone waiting in line to get their I-130 processed. Yes it is true that processing the I-129F is a waste of time and money. It does die at the NVC. It in fact did for my case.
Why don't they just delete the K3 process all together? Good question. I don't have an answer because it will die everytime at the NVC.

You can plan on 5 months and 2 weeks for approval of an I-130.
Once you reach the 5 month time frame, you can go to your senator or congressman and request that they help you with your visa for your spouse. It must be at least 5 month or they will not help you. Just go to your senators or congressmen website and the website should have something about visa help.
I went to my senators website after the five month period. Within 2 days of contacting my senator, my NOA2 was approved.
I wish I could say that the NVC process is any easier but it takes a while there also. My NOA2 was dated 11/02/2010. I am still waiting for the NVC to complete processing my case. They lost the first DS230 packet that I sent them. It consist of a lot of original documents, birth certificate, wedding certificate, Police record. Good thing I told my wife to get two of each when she got them. I was able to respond with a second DS230 packet but it still cost me a month. Those dirt bags at the NVC. I know the DS230 packet was received at the NVC because they signed for it through the usps express mail service. The USPS emailed me a pdf copy of the signed receipt. That did me no good at all.

So expect a minimum of 5 months at the USCIS and expect a minimum of 3 months at the NVC and then 1 month after that you will get an interview if the NVC and Embassy is doing a good job. You are looking at around 10 months to get it approved. It is looking like a 10 month + process for my wife and I.

See the time lines at Visa Journey for processing the IR1/CR1 and you will see that it is a long time between the NOA2 and the interview.

Edited by bestofboston, 31 January 2011 - 05:24 PM.

bestofbostonMalePhilippines2011-01-31 17:22:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresdoubts with documents
I had previously read here on VJ that it can only be done by someone here in USA that is qualified in it. You can't cut corners on this.
My wife is from the Philippines and there legal documents are all in English. No
bestofbostonMalePhilippines2010-12-17 11:02:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAP AR due to age difference
The age difference is no problem. The USCIS will not hold the age dufferebce against you.
My wife and I are 25 years apart in age. That may sound like a big number to you but their are couples with 35 years ages differences. My wife just got her Visa approved last Friday. Age difference was never mentioned during the interview. She is 34 and I am 59.
Good luck

The age difference is no problem. The USCIS will not hold the age difference against you.
My wife and I are 25 years apart in age. That may sound like a big number to you but their are couples with 35 years ages differences. My wife just got her Visa approved last Friday. Age difference was never mentioned during the interview. She is 34 and I am 59.
Good luck


bestofbostonMalePhilippines2011-03-31 07:25:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedurese slow visa agent. will not mention the name of the agent.
Looks like you wasted $1,100. Unless your case is unique, you don't need an attorney. All the information is on Visa Journey.com
My wife and I just got our Visa approval without the need of an attorney.
Good luck

Besides you can get the forms in to the NVC quicker than your attorney.

P.S. You can ask us any questions since we just completed everything. It is good to know several people who have already been through the process to coach you through each leg. I had a lot of questions recently about the Embassy interview phase of the process. Fortunately, someone on NVC had already experienced the situation. It is also good to get a second person on Visa journey that has the same answers so you are not being mislead. I like to refer to that as a second person verification.
Good luck

Edited by bestofboston, 02 April 2011 - 06:29 AM.

bestofbostonMalePhilippines2011-04-02 06:24:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNeed some advice, comfort, anything...
Why are you using a lawyer? Most people on Visa Journey go through the process without a lawyer. Unless you have a very unusual situation or have money to burn, you are wasting time and money with the lawyer.
It is a very simple process. It just takes close to a year to get the approval.
Good luck
bestofbostonMalePhilippines2011-03-29 11:14:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHorror Stories
5 to 7 months. Boy did they inform you wrong.
It takes 5 to 6 months just for the USCIS to process your I-130 and then its time for the NVC.
You should look carefully on the timeline data on visa journey for the average time between NOA2 (when I-130 is approved) and your interview date at the embassy. It could be anywhere between 3 months and 5 months.
So plan on 10 months and if it happens sooner, you will be happy.
bestofbostonMalePhilippines2011-01-06 11:51:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHorror Stories

I have read many posts on this forum and it seems a good 30% of the people have difficulty with USCIS and getting out of the I-130 stage.. I see petitions that were filed in June and have been put on hold or transferred to TSC.This is January and still these documents are not completed. This isn't isolated incidents. I find it difficult to believe that people have to wait a year to get their spouses to this country.
I am only 1 month in the process and I wonder if this happens to me, I may just pack up all my belongings and move to where the wife is.. It's absolutely insane for people who try to obtain these visa's legally to be treated in this manner.
It's been 7 weeks since I left Georgia and me and the wife skype everyday and we also shed tears everyday.. We have known each other for over 2 years and it's not like we are trying to do anything illegal..We fell in love on skype and our meeting made the bond much stronger. She is my soulmate!!!

For the people who had their petitions transferred to TSC I wonder if they stayed in CSC, that they would be finished.
What really upsets me is that these documents sit on someone's desk for 2 months and are not even looked at. Then they find a mistake, a missing document or a blank box and then they want the process to start over. Why not simplify things and have someone check all this before the check is cashed..
It just seems to me that this is a very poor way of conducting a process that is so important to us.
Life is 2 short to have someone else control our destiny in such a manner.
I have been lucky to have Officers at tier 2 level that are compassionate and very informative. I hope that I never have to cope with the insensitive behavior of certain USCIS officials that I have read about on this forum.

When I was in Georgia the consulate told me 5-7 months maximum and my wife would have her visa.
Now I begin to wonder.........

Let's hope USCIS gets the New Year started in timely fashion................


bestofbostonMalePhilippines2011-01-06 11:46:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNVC case completed
Go to the US Embassy in Germany website and see what it tells you to do or go to the germany website on visa journey.
One of those locations should provide you will enough info to help you out.
Each Embassy may be different. In my wifes case, I was able to call the embassy and setup the interview. I had her on my home phone and was using my cell phone to setup the interview date. I needed some info from her such as passport number, date of issue, date of expiration, home phone # for her, and her address.
We saved some time by setting up the interview before the embassy sent a letter to her and I. The letter simply said call the embassy to setup interview date and time.

Edited by bestofboston, 11 April 2011 - 07:43 AM.

bestofbostonMalePhilippines2011-04-11 07:40:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFront loading DS 230
I agree with the previous response. I provided about 6 photos of my wife and I along with copies of the marriage certificate, etc.
You can also send in copies of 3 avadavits. Save original avadavits for interview process at embassy. When doing CR1 process, having a marriage certificate along with photos of you and wife along with photos of both with other relatives helps. I had avadavits but never had a need to provide them to USCIS, NVC or Embassy.
Good luck
bestofbostonMalePhilippines2011-04-19 09:08:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresApproved CR1 visa but worried!
Just hope the processing of her Visa at the embassy is not affected by the US Government shutdown this Friday, 4/15/2011 midnight eastern time zone.
bestofbostonMalePhilippines2011-04-06 13:51:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures5 months for I-130 approval?
The actual duration between your I-130 NOA1 receipt and approval has been 5 months for a very long time. Then you get to wait another 3 to 5 months for the VISA process before your spouse will be able to come here to stay.
Look at Visa Journey timelines for I-130 and you will see how long it takes. Sorry for delivering the bad news.
It took me 10 months to get my spouse here and I did everything as quickly as possible. I always had the paperwork ready for the next phase.
Good Luck

Edited by bestofboston, 19 July 2011 - 12:19 PM.

bestofbostonMalePhilippines2011-07-19 12:18:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures5 months for I-130 approval?

So on the website to check the processing times for the California Service Center, it now says 5 months for I-130 to get processed. It said 3 months right up until this month. We are May filer's and this is such crappy timing.


bestofbostonMalePhilippines2011-07-19 12:14:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMarriage certificate copy - cant see the seal.
You need to submit certified copies only. It is good to have more than one certified copy for the process. What is important is it is a certified copy and not a copy of a certified copy.

Edited by bestofboston, 05 August 2011 - 12:42 PM.

bestofbostonMalePhilippines2011-08-05 12:40:00