ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
National Visa Center (Dept of State)can't get through to NVC?
If they're too busy and even can't get your call in the queue, they'll simply disconnect your call.
Grace2013FemaleChina2013-02-13 17:14:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)IV Application Processing Fees
My IV fee was just invoice and it took 2 business day after my DS-3032 was accepted. Just paid that and it was $230. :dance:
Grace2013FemaleChina2013-02-13 16:57:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)IV Application Processing Fees

The IV Fee is $230 not $400. The IV Fee reflected on VjWiki is outdated.

That is really nice! :dance: I'm still waiting for IV to be invoiced then I'll know for sure.
Grace2013FemaleChina2013-02-13 09:44:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)IV Application Processing Fees
Me too, watching eagerly for the IV fee to be invoiced, since AOS package is a lot of work and I need to wait for help, so the only thing I can do now is paying bills. :innocent:

Hi, can I just ask how much you need to pay for the IV fee? I am a little confused because initially I know it as $230 for the IV fee & $80 for AOS bill, But I just read on the VjWiki guidelines it said $400 for the IV fee...so how it really is? please help

I believe it's $400. It was $300 a few years ago. :(
Grace2013FemaleChina2013-02-12 19:47:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)Optin email
I believe so. Since you have to send all docs via email and the government system (computers etc)couldn't figure that(you have to go EP) out if you don't instruct it. And actually government is rather passive than positive. The OPTIN email is the starting instruction.
Grace2013FemaleChina2013-02-26 23:06:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)Submit DS-230 before the IV Bill is generated
I'm at the same step. I've read some threads, all saying pay IV first. Don't know why, but that's safe. (Now the database is down :( )
Grace2013FemaleChina2013-02-11 17:54:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionWill I ever get my packet?
wow that is nerve wracking, but i think i have read of others taking a long time to get their packet, so i think maybe you are within "acceptable" limits, at least for manila. But maybe you could also call them and ask if your fiancee can pick up a packet from the embassy.
ryecatcher25Not TellingPhilippines2006-02-11 02:53:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionUrgent! Members of the Colombian Club
sounds like columbia is being brought up to manila standards.
ryecatcher25Not TellingPhilippines2006-02-16 23:41:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionBogota and no packets?
Mani correct me if i am wrong but didn't you also contact your congressperson out of frustation from not recieving your NOA2 fast enough? I think i am seeing a pattern here.
ryecatcher25Not TellingPhilippines2006-03-02 06:54:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionWhat is the best way to mail to manila?
I have gathered all the evidence my fiancee will need for her interview. Now what is safest way to get it there the fastest. Fedex, DHL, or what. thanks guys. she lives 30km south of manila
ryecatcher25Not TellingPhilippines2006-04-06 22:32:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionHELP PLEASE
seriously i have read different embassies say 3 months is the limit for those documents.
ryecatcher25Not TellingPhilippines2006-04-18 12:00:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAR in the Philippines?
you were with her just 4 weeks ago? oh i wish you had gone to interview. i would go if i could afford, but if i had time and money i definately would go to interview. of course you have the option of doing a border run. hey it worked for 11 million hispanics
ryecatcher25Not TellingPhilippines2006-04-26 15:13:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAR in the Philippines?
wow, this sucks. i have read other people posting about embassies sending petitions back to the united states (like morroco) but i hadn't heard of it being used in manila. This doesn't bode well for manila visa applicants if they are going to use returning packets back to united states as weapons to delay visas. Cause once it gets sent back it is a several month delay from what i have read on other posts.

From what i have read before suppossedly packets are sent back to united states to see if the foreign person was even eligible for the visa in the first place. So if a mental check comes back "bad" or whatever, then the embassy in effect could say " well it is up to homeland security to decide if a person who is mentally unstable is eligible to come to united states in the first place". Unfortunately once it gets sent back, you are going to lose a lot of time.

I feel really sorry for you. I know that your fiancee is just fine in the head, thats what makes it even worse. It would be one thing if she had a real condition (like hepititis or something) and had to do extra paperwork to come here, but this is truly riddiculous. I really think that their must be some real sadists involved in the visa process who get pleasure out of knowing they are causing others to suffer. Problem is there are no checks and balances in the visa system. An embassy offical's word is the law in a foreign country. Of course sending it back to the united states is not a denial. But it suck you will lose time.

Honestly I would call immediately, becuase i am not sure even if you were there physically now anythihng could be done once a decision has been rendered. The only thing i can think of is to beg them to give a 3rd interview and you will bring other doctors reports.

Best of luck. your story scares the hell out of me because i didn't want to think manila was underhanded, insanely #######, but not underhanded. Guess i was wrong.
ryecatcher25Not TellingPhilippines2006-04-26 03:53:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionstill confused about sending "originals" to fiance..
it is very simple send in origanls of anything you submitted for the 1-129f. send your fiancee orginal plane tickets. original hotel receipt, anything that you originally received as proof of relationship.
ryecatcher25Not TellingPhilippines2006-05-21 00:40:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionManila Packet 4 contents
yes pin this please and also pin the manila interview thread, it used to be pinned didn't it?
ryecatcher25Not TellingPhilippines2006-02-09 08:34:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionManila Embassy Interview
Speaking of fees, how much is the airport exit fees? in other words how much of a fee will my fiancee have to pay to leave the country? also can anyone recomend a cheap hotel near the airport in manila? my fiancee has an early flight and i dont want her to have to get to the airport at midnight because of no taxis during the night.

oh as you may have guessed got visa and cfo stamp. I was glad they didn't try to persuade my fiancee not to come by telling her that i would beat her. i had heard of that happening. but of course they did ask her why not marry a filipino. Oh well doesn't matter by may 31st 4:30 pm i will be hugging my love at the airport.

Thanks to all for the help over the months. Wishing you all a speedy approval. Thanks for moderating PW, hope you are with your loved one soon. But i may check in everynow and then to post advice for newbies. Take care all. :D
ryecatcher25Not TellingPhilippines2006-05-26 12:20:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionManila Embassy Interview
Approved.

That is a great word. I don't want to be over hopeful here, but my fiancee saw the green and white approved sticker. So i believe we are safe to say we are approved. Although honestly i won't rest easy until she has her visa in hand with a cfo stamp on it. If she hadn't clearly seen the sticker then i guess we would still be in the dark about her status, although she did pay the delivery fee, but as we all know that is not proof of approval.

Honestly i am excited, but i can't say i am surprised because i was so detailed when it came to this process. i sent extra evidence for the inital petition and i sent a mountain of evidence for the interview. The only problem i was worried about was the fact that my fiancee had worked in a foreign country (kuwait) and couldn't get apolice certificate from there because you must be physically present to get it. but it says right on the reciprocity list of the state department she cannot get it, so it was not a problem when they asked about it. I knew it shouldn't be a problem, but the crazy manila embassy made me worry for no reason. Just in case someone in the future reads this thread i have confirmed with other people that if you cannot get a police certificate from a country because you must be present to recieve it, then you won't need it for interview.

main interview consisted of 3 questions.
1-who is you petitioner?
2-how did you meet?
3-what is his brithdate?

I have no proof of this, but i believe he was influenced by the packet of evidence i sent with initial petition including many photos, gift and ring receipts, and even i sent in my i-134 financial and paystubs early (even though i knew i would have to resubmit them)

Here are some tips i have for people:
1- write letters and mail them ( i would suggest your fiancee have at least 5 hand written letters from you for interview)
2- Send many small gifts over a period of time ( i would send a 10 dollar gift every 2 weeks) and then you have more proof of relationship with receipt
3- Uee pingo( pingo.com) for phone records. it is a good phone service and gives you a printout of you calling your fiancee
4- save western union receipts
5- have 8-10 emails ready including intial emails to each other and a couple of recent ones
6 - also i think photos of you with her family go a long way ( if you have them from an engagement party)
7- try to send cenomar in with intial petition, it is a good way to try to influence embassy that fiancee has never been married and make sure to have a recent one at interview
8- REHEARSE INTERVIEW AND HAVE FIANCE MEMORIZE YOUR BIOGRAPHY INFORMATION. Your fiance needs to know your full name, address, telephone number and date of birth. remember the embassy only knows a bout you what you sent them in the g-325 form, so make sure your fiance knows that information by heart

DO NOT BELIEVE THE PEOPLE WHO SAY SEND THE MINIMUM!! IT IS NOT WORTH THE RISK!!

If anyonr ever has any questions feel free to ask me. but my best advice is do more than is required. If they want 3 paystubs, send 5. if they want 10 pictures, then have your fiancee bring an album of pictures. And don't risk anything. If you only have this years tax return and they want 3 years worth, then go ahead and get the 3 yers worth. IT IS NOT WORTH THE RISK. WITH MANILA YOU NEED TO GET IT "RIGHT" THE FIRST TIME. I have read too many times of bad things happening because of "small" delays. I always thought of fianceeinwaiting during this process.i pray she is approved soon. her "small" delay is going on 18 months now.

ALright God willing my fiancee will leave before the end of this month. I guess i need to find out a flight and what (if anything) she will need to do to clear customs in this country. Oh can anyone tell me about the sealed packet that she is to bring to the states? when does she get it? and other adivce for entering country would also be appreciated. thanks all.

:D :dance: :D
ryecatcher25Not TellingPhilippines2006-05-16 00:52:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionManila Embassy Interview
ok, if 100 dollar us fee is paid at bank, how much does my fiancee need to bring to interview to pay for visa delivery (god willing). or are their any other fees she will pay at the embassy?

thanks
ryecatcher25Not TellingPhilippines2006-05-14 01:07:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionManila Embassy Interview
my fiancee had her medical and everything went fine. they said she passed. she said that they took her passport and would send it over to embassy for interview. is this normal? i dont remember reading about that b4. thanks guys
ryecatcher25Not TellingPhilippines2006-05-10 22:02:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionManila Embassy Interview
can people share their airline experiences.

how they bought, did you send cash or pay be creadit. any probablem if you paid by credit?

which points of entry used? ect.

thanks
ryecatcher25Not TellingPhilippines2006-05-10 01:00:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionManila Embassy Interview

Hi everyone! My fiance and I are gathering all documents needed for the interview. We would like to know the following:

1. How many copies of the I-134 do you need to have notarized?
2. Do you need originals of the paystubs and tax returns or will duplicate copies do?

Would appreciate your advise.

Audrey


1) only one is mandatory, but go ahead and print out a copy and get it notorized as well (it won't cost you any extra, and you will have a backup just in case something happens to the first one. However from everything i have read financial information should be dated within 3 months of interview, but i would probably try to be under 2 months if i were you. both for i-134 and for paystubs.

2) duplicates are fine and they do not have to be notorized. rememember 2003,2004, and 2005 tax returns required, along with the W-2's from those years.

Also might consider getting a 2nd letter of intent to marry notorized while you are already at notary ( totally optional)

PS - i would go ahead and try to get a 2nd letter from employer for job verification, just as backup. I had a scare myself with using fedex to send to cavite in philippines. although sending through USPS went ok to her address, for some reason FEDEX couldn't find it and she had to go pick it up, but it was half of day of panic when it said delivered but my fiancee said she didn't have it.
ryecatcher25Not TellingPhilippines2006-05-08 01:15:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionManila Embassy Interview
ok guys a couple of questions....

how does the payment for the visa work? my fiancee pays at a bank and they stamp the ds-156 or 157? or do they give her a seperate stamp?

also has anyone ever been turn down for not using the barcode printed out version of the ds-156/157? It is fine to just fill out the forms the embassy sent right?

thanks guys.

also i have to add that i think this is one of the most reliable threads for information because it is more focused than other threads and people usually only speak from experience. Plus we have a great moderator (PW) :-)
ryecatcher25Not TellingPhilippines2006-05-05 15:56:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionManila Embassy Interview
congrats, too bad you wasted all those calls to your congressman's office :-)
ryecatcher25Not TellingPhilippines2006-04-18 03:07:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionManila Embassy Interview
Piss them off? just for asking if they are approved at end of interview? Of course ask politely, don't be rude, but i cannot see how simply asking if they are approved at end of interview could possibly be seen as offensive. i'm sorry but i am not going to be one of the people on here who has no clue one way or the other if they were approved. If the consul won't do the decent thing and tell her she has been approved, then it will be up to my fiancee to ask "May i ask am i approved?" if my fiancee can't even ask that at the end of the interview, then something is very wrong somewhere.
ryecatcher25Not TellingPhilippines2006-04-04 00:36:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionManila Embassy Interview
Update:

fiancee recieved packet on 4-3-06

a whole 6 weeks before interview, which is actually pretty good breathing room if we didn't already have everything we will need. I am mailing my packet to her this week. What mail services did you guys use to send your packets to your fiancees?

also in light of all the unclear ARs or unclear approvals, i think everyone should instruct their fiancee not to leave the consul's presence until they ask weither or not they have been approved. I am telling my fiancee that the moment the consul tells her "alright go back outside and wait for your number" that i want her to ask if she has been approved and if a visa will be mailed out shortly. I don't want her to leave the consul's presence until she asks. Whenever i have read of people asking at the window if they have been approved, or why they got a white slip, i always hear that the window person says "i don't know". I am so sick of hearing about people walking out of the interview literally not knowing weither they were approved or not. I can only imagine it is a terrible feeling and i want to know one way or the other. Seriously does the consul think its not his job to let the fiance know? or maybe it is just that they don't like to deal with questions and would rather have the person at the window give the fiancee the "bad news"

I really hope now that the embassy is requiring cenomar at interview, that it will mean that they will not be requesting one on their own. So this should reduced AR's since it seems like a lot of times the delay is just for cenomars.
ryecatcher25Not TellingPhilippines2006-04-03 22:34:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionManila Embassy Interview
Sorry you got such a ### for the interview Purpledonkey. I hope the visa will be in the mail soon. That is to me the most irritation and frustrating part of mainla embassy, the lack of information. I am telling my fiancee that if the interview says ok you can leave and see the man at the window, she is not to leave the interview without asking is she was approved or not and if not what can she do.


Oh by the way all i managed to deciper the updated interview dates so you can add me to the list


Ryecatcher-----12-16-05--01-11-06--xx-xx-xx---05-16-06--2005-xxxxx

not too bad, 4 months to get interview, maybe manila is speeding up a little. who knows people who just got noa2 like rustyash may have interview in june. But i wouldn't hold my breath. :-)
ryecatcher25Not TellingPhilippines2006-03-16 02:20:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionManila Embassy Interview
i hope you don't have an AR but really what are you expecting the congressman's office to do within the first few days of an AR?

Unfortunately delays are a part of this process and we do have to accept them. If you beleive your fiance will gat an AR then it seems that really all you can do is make sure she finds out exactly what she needs to do to remedy it. I know you call manila quite often and that is good, but it seems that you have all the information you alrady need without involving a congressman who really cannot do anything unless the situation really gets out of hand.

I guess i am just trying to dispel the myth that a congressman has some kind of real power at the consulate level when really just calling manila as you already do helps you as much, if not more than, a congressmans aide doing it. Because i get so tired of people going through vermont and not getting a noa2 within 2 weeks asking "should i call my congessman?" of course we all know manila is not a consulate for the faint of heart, but still i would not put much faith in a congressman's office aide in being able to do much.

just my 2 cents

note the vermont crack wasn't intended for anyone having real problems or anyone on this post. thanks

Edited by ryecatcher25, 13 March 2006 - 01:53 AM.

ryecatcher25Not TellingPhilippines2006-03-13 01:50:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanQuestion regarding 2nd I-130 Lagos Nigeria

I have read (though I can't find it specifically right now) that 2nd marriages do sometimes raise suspicion for fraud.  Be prepared to prove your relationship is legitimate!


cujoduMaleArgentina2013-07-18 16:12:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanPacket 4 received and Interview date set!!!
Congrats! Good luck!!
cujoduMaleArgentina2013-10-08 08:54:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)I received a checklist ,OMG HELP ME PLEASE

Call them!


cujoduMaleArgentina2014-05-07 17:19:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionnedd help about DS-230 form
at the question...

places i lived almost 6 months since the age of 16, they just require the city, province and country or i need to put the adress?

and can this form be filled ellectronically or have i to use the one included in my packet 3 wich would be hand written??

thanx in advance
morktuumMale02007-01-21 22:00:00
Asia: East and PacificAll Japan Filers
Hey dbzman.

My fiancee mentioned that she was under the impression that she would be able to get her police records once she had a copy of the NOA2. I just sent her my I-384 with supporting documents and evidence of an ongoing relationship, along with a duplicate copy of the entire I-129F packet that I sent to Nebraska. So, I'll find out soon, if she attempts to get this sealed document from the police when she receives the documents I sent to her.

If that isn't enough for the police to release her records, she should be contacted by the consulate in a couple of weeks anyway.

Interesting, I didn't know that the NVC would mail you a DS-230. I thought that was a form for our Nihonjin significant other's to fill out, and would be in the packet of stuff they get from the consulate out there. I downloaded a current copy from the DOS a couple of days ago just to review it. tongue.gif

QUOTE (dbzman @ Dec 27 2007, 11:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hello Japan filers!!!!

I am in the last stages of the process at the NVC. They mailed me the DS-230 this week.
My wife in Japan asked me a few questions and I told her that I would ask the Japan filers.
She wants to get her police certificate now instead of waiting for Tokyo to send her a packet of instructions. Has anyone done this? Are there any documents that you need for this? Can this be done?
Also, how long does it take to get the police certificate?

Thanks everyone!!!!
helpsmilie.gif

MoltarMaleJapan2007-12-28 12:05:00
Asia: East and PacificAll Japan Filers
QUOTE (Moltar @ Dec 5 2007, 09:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Ah, my case has been touched, first time in 4 months and 2 days... I'm hoping for the best! whistling.gif


Oh, a few minutes after I posted this, I got a confirmation email for the USCIS...

This wasn't just some touch, they sent out my NOA2! WOOO HOOOO!

Man, NOA1 to NOA2 has to be the worst part of the process... waiting and waiting while being separated. But, it's moving forward now. My day is full of awesome today.
MoltarMaleJapan2007-12-05 11:34:00
Asia: East and PacificAll Japan Filers
Ah, my case has been touched, first time in 4 months and 2 days... I'm hoping for the best! whistling.gif
MoltarMaleJapan2007-12-05 10:17:00
Asia: East and PacificAll Japan Filers
QUOTE (Aaron_WSU @ Dec 3 2007, 09:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
As of Yesterday Sayaka was approved at the embassy for her K1 Visa. They said she should be getting it in the mail in 1 week!!!!


Congrats to both of you!

I'm starting to see other Japanese-July filers starting to get their NOA2, so I'm starting to get anxious. ClockWatch2.gif
MoltarMaleJapan2007-12-04 16:27:00
Asia: East and PacificAll Japan Filers
QUOTE (Aaron_WSU @ Sep 25 2007, 05:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Good news everybody!!! We received our NAO2 notice yesterday (9/24) and then we got touched again today!!!! kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif


Congratulations man! Omedetou gozaimasu!
MoltarMaleJapan2007-09-25 22:47:00
Asia: East and PacificAll Japan Filers
QUOTE (Aaron_WSU @ Sep 7 2007, 02:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
It is nice to see a few folks with Japanese fiances on here. My fiance, Sayaka, found a great support group much like this one on the social networking site Mixi.

Just a question to throw out there: how were the reactions from your Japanese fiance's parents when they found out their son/daughter would be marrying a Gaijin??

Sayaka's family was fine with me being an American, but are still worried that I am a University student (although i work full time) and they are sad Sayaka will be leaving Japan to live in America.


My fiancee's parents were very accepting. It helps when you're both in your early 30's and each already have a child. wink.gif Well, it helps with the parent's acceptance, but having children is a whole other can-o-worms. She's the eldest of two daughters, so she will also be head of household when the time comes since her younger sister recently married a first son. Of course, her family and friends are going to miss her, but they are happy for her. Modern technology will help to keep everyone in touch after the move to the States.

I also use Mixi, but man... it's rough to get around on that site. tongue.gif The only kanji I know is 1 through 5, and I haven't even memorized my hiragana and katakana yet. But I manage to fumble my way through it. Currently, my language skill is terrible. Jouzu ja nai!

By the way, my visit was awesome. Stayed at a ryokan with a private onsen in the room, drove on the other side of the road, experienced all kinds of foods and sights, and fell in love with the Toto Washlet and navigation. I might go back out there for Thanksgiving.

Ja
MoltarMaleJapan2007-09-24 14:25:00
Asia: East and PacificAll Japan Filers
Hello fellow Nihon filers. Yoroshiku!

We just started the big waiting process, so there's nothing really to report on our progress, and won't for a couple more months. I'm going out there to visit in the middle of September though, and that should help to break up the waiting a bit. Then when I get back, I'm starting construction and adding another room to my house since my family is going to be growing soon, and that will keep me busy while we continue to wait.

Oh, and flavorgreentea, I found this page to be extremely helpful in guiding us through the process of filing our I-129F.

http://www.visajourn...mp;page=k1guide

Ja, mata kondo na!
MoltarMaleJapan2007-08-24 09:46:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion4 months left....
I would be upset if I were in your shoes. You filed the petition back in January. Now you are being told that maybe next January you will have your interview. I guess there is nothing else you can really do but wait. At least you are seeing each other in the mean time. Keep your spirits up, and hopefully in the future you will look back and appreciate what your love had to survive.
DanichekNot TellingRussia2006-09-18 17:57:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionPolice Certificate
I agree with what was said. The best thing is to go to the interview without the police certificate. The Embassy should should postpone issuing the visa until you submit the police certificate. It is not the end of the world right now.
Also she needs to go to her local police office to get the police record. She cannot get in in Moscow. This means that she will need to travel to her hometown, pay the bribe, get the police certificate and either DHL or hand the police certificate to the US Embassy.
I know how you feel about lawyers. I hired one when I shouldn't have. After our approval from the USCIS, the lawyer has been pretty much useless. It took knowledge on my part to prepare for Irina's interview on Monday. Good luck with everything!
DanichekNot TellingRussia2006-10-11 11:34:00