Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
USCIS Service Centers	Service Center Information	QUOTE (villaspurs @ Oct 28 2008, 06:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Steve and Grace @ Oct 26 2008, 08:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Captain Ewok @ Nov 15 2006, 04:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Information on Service Centers: --o California Service Center --o Texas Service Center --o Nebraska Service Center --o Vermont Service Center and, --o National Benefits Center What is your Service Center? Click here to find out. Processing Time(s) can be found here. Hello Captain Ewok, Well, I'm getting all of my documents together and once I get signed papers back from my fiancee in the Philippines I'll be sending my package in to the Nebraska Service Center since I live in Washington State. Yes I will begin a timeline when I do that. I noticed there is no timeline for the I-129F when I click the processing times. Just straight timelines for I-129. I'm sure it's probably similar to the other service centers but was just curious why no timelines are posted for I-129F in Nebraska Service Center. If you know, great. If not your humble opinion would be appreciated. Thanks! Steve All I-129F petitions go through California or Vermont--they no longer go through either Nebraska or Texas (that's why there is no timeline posted for that service center). If you read through the I-129F application, it will tell you exactly where to send your petition. Good luck! Uh-oh I must have a dated form. I shall check that out. I had a feeling something wasn't quite right when I saw many posts regarding California/Vermont processing times. I'll download the latest forms. Thank you so much for letting me know! Best wishes and good luck. Steve	Steve and Evelyn	Male	Philippines	2008-10-28 22:33:00
USCIS Service Centers	Service Center Information	QUOTE (Captain Ewok @ Nov 15 2006, 04:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Information on Service Centers: --o California Service Center --o Texas Service Center --o Nebraska Service Center --o Vermont Service Center and, --o National Benefits Center What is your Service Center? Click here to find out. Processing Time(s) can be found here. Hello Captain Ewok, Well, I'm getting all of my documents together and once I get signed papers back from my fiancee in the Philippines I'll be sending my package in to the Nebraska Service Center since I live in Washington State. Yes I will begin a timeline when I do that. I noticed there is no timeline for the I-129F when I click the processing times. Just straight timelines for I-129. I'm sure it's probably similar to the other service centers but was just curious why no timelines are posted for I-129F in Nebraska Service Center. If you know, great. If not your humble opinion would be appreciated. Thanks! Steve	Steve and Evelyn	Male	Philippines	2008-10-26 19:57:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)	K visas - Stuck at NVC - More questions	Thank you Talyss for those links and your words of encouragement. Nothing to do now but wait and if it becomes too long take further action. Lawyer or congressman type action. We'll give them a week or two and see how it all transpires. Steve & Grace	Steve and Evelyn	Male	Philippines	2009-04-10 07:49:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)	K visas - Stuck at NVC - More questions	Does anyone know of a list such as Igor's list where we can see at least an average time of additional processing? I just learned this morning my case has suffered this fate. Reading VJ some folks get theirs through in a week and others literally months and months. I'm looking to my doctor for strength in this situation. Dr. Johnny Walker. Just kidding. What is scary is reading posts concerning those of you that called and couldn't get information as to what the NVC wanted or needed until you had to get an attorney involved or your Senator or Congressman. I will do that if I have to but what a pain in the you know what! Good luck to all. Best wishes, Steven & Grace	Steve and Evelyn	Male	Philippines	2009-04-10 07:01:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)	STUCK @ NVC for AP	Good news! Our case was forwarded to the Embassy in Manila on Monday May 11th!! Woohoo!! Call it fate or whatever but yesterday also happened to be my fiancee's birthday! I have updated my timeline. Should I edit out "stuck@nvc in my timeline? God speed to everyone else stuck there. Even though I didn't post much I read everyone's posts and hope you all get out of NVC soon! Best wishes and thanks for all of the encouraging words! Best wishes, Grace & Steven	Steve and Evelyn	Male	Philippines	2009-05-12 07:16:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)	STUCK @ NVC for AP	Hello Everyone! Late yesterday afternoon I emailed my congressman knowing that no one would even look at it, if they in fact do read constituent emails, until Monday--if I'm lucky. I for one have no patience for lazy uncaring bureaucrats (not all are that way but they have that reputation). If my email is read on Monday it will be the four week mark of being stuck in NVC. I asked him to please see what he could do to expedite my case. It'll probably bite me in the butt because in other matters in my profession I have done this and sometimes it only irritates those government staff members when they are called on the carpet and they tend to slow it down even more. My email was polite and to the point and not hyperbole. You can get more with honey than you can with vinegar. Should I get any movement I'll be sure and post the results here of course. I feel that in this day and age of computers, databases of everything imaginable and nearly instant everything there is no earthly reason why a background check can't be done in days (if not less) rather than weeks and months. Obviously not all cases are the same but I and my fiancee don't have any legal issues in our past so to me it's inconceivable that a background check--if that's what they are actually doing--should take so long (why the secrecy too about what they are doing with these cases?). Hell, when I was hired at a job not that long ago my employer was able to check my background--criminally and otherwise--in two days. I say why can't the government be equally efficient? I wish you all the best of luck and God speed. If this exercise turns out to be positive I'll surely let you all know. Take care, Grace & Steven	Steve and Evelyn	Male	Philippines	2009-05-02 08:26:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)	STUCK @ NVC for AP	Thanks all for your responses. I had a feeling so I didn't want to get my hopes up. The live operator told me on Friday I was in AP. The letter saying my case was being forwarded was dated two days earlier. I just wanted to find out for sure. Now I'll don my patience garb and continue waiting with the rest of you and join you all in hoping for a speedy resolution of ALL of our cases! Best wishes, Steve & Grace	Steve and Evelyn	Male	Philippines	2009-04-11 21:05:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)	STUCK @ NVC for AP	Has anyone else had this happen? I today received a letter from NVC saying they had received my I-129F petition and that this letter is to let me know that within a week the petition will be forwarded to the appropriate visa-issuing post where the visa interview will take place blah blah blah. The letter is dated Wednesday April 8th. On Friday April 10th I was told on the phone that my case had gone into AP. Is this just a computer glitch? Has it happened to anyone else? Am I in AP or is my case on it's way to Manila? I think I know the answer but thought I would see if this happened to others. Thanks in advance for sharing whatever your experiences were. Good luck and God speed to all! Steve & Grace	Steve and Evelyn	Male	Philippines	2009-04-11 18:42:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	i need suggestions	QUOTE (edp333 @ Aug 24 2007, 07:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (clueless07 @ Aug 23 2007, 06:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> just bring your birth certificate, some valid id's, and when you get in Phil go to US embassy and get a legal capacity to marry. after that go to city hall to get a application form for marriage and you have to wait for 10 days for marriage license. thats all good luck and best wishes Just to clarify, that is 10 Filipino working days or two weeks. Add another day if there is a holiday on a week day. Is there anyway to apply in advance via mail? I'm not sure I can get two weeks off. But I don't know for sure. It would be nice if application could be applied for in advance of my travel. Thanks!!	Steve and Evelyn	Male	Philippines	2007-08-24 22:05:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	i need suggestions	Hello everyone! I plan to marry my filipina fiancee in the Philippines in the middle of October. Can anyone tell me what documents I need to bring? I've been married before so obviously my certified divorce decree. What else? My fiancee said I need a form I think she called it "legal capacity to marry". I'm not sure what that is other than I'm of legal age, single (divorced), etc. If anyone could provide me with either a site or a link on VJ I would appreciate it. It takes time to gather documents and I want to be in the Philippines on October 15th. Also what documents the Philippine goverment would require of my fiancee as well. Any help or suggestions you can provide would be most appreciated. Thank you in advance for your help! Best wishes, Steve & Grace	Steve and Evelyn	Male	Philippines	2007-08-23 07:29:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	To Download or Not?	Hello all VJ'ers! In reading the various threads I'm slightly confused. Now that I've received my NOA2 and waiting for NVC to forward my case on to Manila what I want to know is will packet three be mailed or must we download it? As nears as I can tell all I really need is DS-156 for my fiance in the Philippines as well as the remaining list of birth certificate, police record, cenomar, proof of on-going relationship, etc. Obvously my part is the financial stuff--tax returns, I-134 I think it is, to show I can support her, etc. So the question is do I download (need link if you have it handy) or do we wait for snail mail of packet 3? Am I forgetting anything? Thanks everyone! This site is pretty amazing. It has been oustandingly helpful through this process and I'm very appreciative. Best wishes, Steven & Grace	Steve and Evelyn	Male	Philippines	2009-04-03 05:49:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	DOCUMENTS NEEDED FOR K1 INTERVIEW@USEM	I'm filling out the DS-157 Supplemental. Filling this out I wonder if it's still required for the interview at the USEM in Manila. Anyone know for sure? Questions it asks don't seem appropriate. I appreciate your help. Best wishes, Grace & Steven	Steve and Evelyn	Male	Philippines	2009-05-12 15:44:00
Philippines	Tip of the Day	Hello everyone! I plan on marrying Grace the middle of October and then applying for her visa. My question is after marriage is it any easier to get a tourist visa for her to visit me while we wade through the paperwork and wait for the visa process? I know it's nearly impossible for her to get a tourist visa any other time but was wondering if marriage would improve her chances. Thanks!! Steve & Grace	Steve and Evelyn	Male	Philippines	2007-08-29 11:23:00
Philippines	Manila Embassy K1 Visa Guide (Your comments)	I've been searching thru VJ to see if the Embassy in Manila is still or ever was accepting direct consular filings. After reading & reading & reading this site and knowing my situation I feel it would be beneficial for me to marry my fiance in the Philippines and then proceed with DCF if that's possible along with all the other alphabet soup forms, etc. My situation is multiple marriages and a lingering IRS problem which should be solved in the next three months. Any thoughts? Maybe I made an error and I need to go IR-1/CR-1 route. I'm still learning so have patience with me. Also I'm still learning about forums & such. The only thing I know about a thread is that it holds my clothes together! . Thank you all again for sharing your experiences & advice. It's most helpful. God bless & good luck!	Steve and Evelyn	Male	Philippines	2007-06-20 19:02:00
Philippines	Manila Embassy K1 Visa Guide (Your comments)	I've been searching thru VJ to see if the Embassy in Manila is still or ever was accepting direct consular filings. After reading & reading & reading this site and knowing my situation I feel it would be beneficial for me to marry my fiance in the Philippines and then proceed with DCF if that's possible along with all the other alphabet soup forms, etc. My situation is multiple marriages and a lingering IRS problem which should be solved in the next three months. Any thoughts?	Steve and Evelyn	Male	Philippines	2007-06-20 17:42:00
Philippines	my SLEC medical experience 1st day	Thank you Cezychick for that information. It's very good. I've been searching VJ now for about an hour and I can't find what I'm looking for. Someone posted a very long story of her experience in Manila. Everything from interview to medical to POE I think in Detroit. I can't find it. If admins know or someone can post a link to that thread I would appreciate it. I want my fiancee to read it. NOA1 received on 12/12. Now the waiting begins. God speed and good luck to all VJ'ers. Happy New Year too! Steve	Steve and Evelyn	Male	Philippines	2009-01-05 21:34:00
Philippines	Vaccination Costs Included? I didin't think so	Wow! Fantastic! I remember seeing a list of shots somewhere on here and their associated costs and I was thinking of robbing a liquor store or a bank to pay for them all! That's great news. Thanks for the quick reply! Best wishes, Steve & Grace	Steve and Evelyn	Male	Philippines	2009-03-31 17:45:00
Philippines	Vaccination Costs Included? I didin't think so	In reading the US Embassy website it states: On May 2, 2008, St. Luke's Medical Center Extension Clinic (SLMCEC), the Embassy's accredited medical facility, will increase the medical examination fee by U.S. $30.70 to cover the costs of administering the currently available new vaccinations. The new medical exam fees will be U.S. $213.35 for adults (15 years and older) and U.S. $185.35 for children (under 15 years of age). To me this means the cost of vaccinations is included in the medical fee. I don't think this is correct but doing a cursory check of VJ I don't see anything. Please confirm for me that any additional vaccination costs are to be paid by the myself. My fiancee's vaccination records were lost by her Mother many years ago and she tells me there is no way to find a record of what shots she had as a child. Any help you can provide would be appreciated. Best wishes, Steven & Grace	Steve and Evelyn	Male	Philippines	2009-03-31 17:36:00
Philippines	Medical and Embassy Questions	Greetings to you as well. I had a feeling that was the case. So it's patience I shall try & practice. Best wishes, Steve & Grace	Steve and Evelyn	Male	Philippines	2009-04-07 08:14:00
Philippines	Medical and Embassy Questions	Good day to all VJ'ers! I read VJ just about everyday so that when I have a question hopefully it will be answered. This thread has been very informative thank you all. My question concerns the timing of scheduling an interview. I was under the impression that once you received a MNL # from the National Visa Center that is was just a matter of time before the actual paperwork would be sent to Manila and that an interview could now be scheduled. I don't think that's the case. When I got my MNL # this morning I asked when my paperworkk would be sent and was told it could be anytime and I was also cautioned that it could receive additional processing. So I guess my question is when exactly can I schedule my fiancee's interview? Must the paperwork physically be at the Embassy? Any insights on others experience would be most appreciated! Thank you all so much for sharing your experiences on VJ! It's incredibly helpful! Best wishes and God speed to all. Steven & Grace	Steve and Evelyn	Male	Philippines	2009-04-07 07:12:00
Philippines	2nd Letter of Intent to Marry	Just an FYI. This morning I learned from NVC that our case is under administrative processing. From everything I've read this could be a one week wait or an eternity. Ugh! Good luck to all. Steve & Grace	Steve and Evelyn	Male	Philippines	2009-04-10 07:37:00
Philippines	2nd Letter of Intent to Marry	The reason I'm asking about Manila being a province is it asks for the city, country and province/state where her passport was issued which is Manila... I guess I could Google it... Thanks!	Steve and Evelyn	Male	Philippines	2009-04-09 16:13:00
Philippines	2nd Letter of Intent to Marry	She said Manila was not in a province such as Cavite, etc....is it in a province? If so which one? Thanks!	Steve and Evelyn	Male	Philippines	2009-04-09 16:10:00
Philippines	2nd Letter of Intent to Marry	I asked my fiancee this and she said no. Is Manila in a province? If so, which one? Thanks! Steven & Grace	Steve and Evelyn	Male	Philippines	2009-04-09 16:04:00
Philippines	2nd Letter of Intent to Marry	Someone posted earlier that #39 & 40 is primarily designed for an attorney if we had one--which makes sense even though I filled it out. I'm going to say no to that and if they ask Grace about it tell her to say that I assisted but she filled it out. I also have simply duplicated my original letter of intent to marry from my I-129F application but obviously used a current date. Thanks all for your help and your experiences! Best wishes, Steven & Grace	Steve and Evelyn	Male	Philippines	2009-04-09 15:53:00
Philippines	2nd Letter of Intent to Marry	Oh now I'm remembering other items. On DS-156 form I remember seeing a lot about question 39 and 40. I prepared the form and am sending it to my fiancee for her signature. What again do you answer for #39? Sorry but I'm about to go to work and don't have time to look for the topic on VJ. Thanks! Steven & Grace	Steve and Evelyn	Male	Philippines	2009-04-09 07:51:00
Philippines	2nd Letter of Intent to Marry	Dang it, I forgot to also ask should I address it to the Embassy in Manila or Homeland Security Dept as in the first letter. Thanks! Steven & Grace	Steve and Evelyn	Male	Philippines	2009-04-09 07:45:00
Philippines	2nd Letter of Intent to Marry	I'm about to send my fiancee my I-134 and associated documents. I read where a 2nd letter reaffirming my intent to marry her within 90 days of her arrival is suggested maybe even required. Can the form be the same as the original letter of intent? I have that example from VJ but I'm just curious as to what others have done at this point in their journey. Thanks! Steven & Grace	Steve and Evelyn	Male	Philippines	2009-04-09 07:39:00
Philippines	Watch PACMAN vs. HATTON	Try this site too. I've even seen Philippine basketball on this site. Gooooo Pacman!! http://www.channelsurfing.net/	Steve and Evelyn	Male	Philippines	2009-05-02 08:31:00
Philippines	Age difference between Filipinas and americans (Poll)	USC 57 Filipina 26 Yikes...but it's worked so far!	Steve and Evelyn	Male	Philippines	2007-06-15 13:21:00
Philippines	Question about setting interview date	Just call me frustrated! I've called all of the numbers posted here on Visa Journey. Everyone has been very helpful. The advice that seemed to make the most sense was to "keep calling" until I got an interview date. Well, that doesn't seem to be working so well. Our case was sent to the Embassy on May 11th--maybe arrived by the 16th or so. Everything I read is start calling after it's in the Embassy system, which it is, and an interview can be scheduled. The first couple of calls I was told to wait two weeks. Then just now I was told to wait four weeks and that my fiancee will receive notification from the US Embassy. I'm pretty sure the call center lady was only reading from her script when she said this. I guess what I'm asking now from the wonderful VJ'ers is if anyone has a better idea? I know patience is the by-word but when you get this far and we're so close patience is running thin these days. Any ideas thoughts suggestions would be appreciated. FYI I have all of the telephone numbers. *sigh* Thanks Guys! Best wishes & good luck! Grace & Steven	Steve and Evelyn	Male	Philippines	2009-05-21 19:21:00
Philippines	Question about setting interview date	According to the call center my case is not "eligible" to schedule an interview yet. When I asked what makes it eligible I was told after the consular officers check our paperwork from NVC. Call back in two weeks thank you very much. I will have my fiancee try from PH and I will call back in a couple of days to see if anything has changed. Good luck and God speed to all. The waiting in this process is pure torture but what else is there to do? Best wishes, Grace & Steven	Steve and Evelyn	Male	Philippines	2009-05-19 19:15:00
Philippines	Question about setting interview date	Hi Matt & Bing, You got out of NVC jail about the same time we did. I just called the 301-2000 number which I had understood one could call to schedule an interview. Such was not the case. Our MNL number is in the system at the Embassy so I'm going to try the 888 number in about 15 minutes when they open to see if they'll schedule it for me. When I called the 888 number a couple of days ago they said to wait two weeks. Ugh. I know it was someone reading from a script but it didn't make sense. I too, like most, haven't received any notification from NVC email or snail mail. Let us know how you do on scheduling your interview and I'll do the same. If anyone has any tips I'd appreciate that as well. Best of luck to everyone on VJ!! Best wishes, Grace & Steven	Steve and Evelyn	Male	Philippines	2009-05-19 18:49:00
Philippines	Is it true?	Thank you all so kindly. I appreciate your quick response..... Best wishes, Grace & Steven	Steve and Evelyn	Male	Philippines	2009-05-26 12:34:00
Philippines	Is it true?	Hello! My fiancee was told by a friend of hers who also used K-1 Visa process that she must purchase her ticket from an government approved travel agency. Is this true? Is so maybe you have a link for those agencies? I want to of course make sure she can travel to the states with me on the same flight and sitting next to each other! Arranging flights and seats can be a little challenging when buying tickets from two different places. I will buy mine over the internet once I find the lowest fares. Any help you can provide would be appreciated. Thank you! Grace & Steven	Steve and Evelyn	Male	Philippines	2009-05-26 12:09:00
Philippines	Two Questions	Thank you all for the clarification regarding the red ribbon. I'll let her know that she might have to explain the stamp in her passport. Best wishes and good luck to all! Grace & Steven	Steve and Evelyn	Male	Philippines	2009-05-30 17:51:00
Philippines	Two Questions	I just finished talking to my fiancee. She saw the way another VJ'er prepared her papers for her interview on Visa Journey. She noticed on a picture of this persons birth certificate a red ribbon. Is this significant? My fiancee has her birth certificate from the NSO office but was curious about the red ribbon on the other persons certificate. Her certificate does not have a red ribbon. I told her I thought as long as it's on the NSO security paper it should be fine. Secondly, before we decided to apply for fiancee visa she applied to be an Au Pair in another country but was refused to enter that country because she didn't finish high school. She had to drop out of high school to take care of her brother and mother and never finished. The foreign country put some sort of stamp in passport. I'm assuming this won't be a problem during her interview at the US Embassy when the consular officer inspects her passport. But if anyone has had a similar experience I would like to hear your thoughts. I'm hoping these are not serious issues as her interview date is June 16th. I appreciate your thoughts and/or advice on these two hopefully insignificant issues. God Bless all and best of luck to everyone! Grace & Steven	Steve and Evelyn	Male	Philippines	2009-05-30 12:00:00
Philippines	medical exam	QUOTE (john&louella @ May 24 2009, 01:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (evemonte @ May 24 2009, 11:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> hi there! am having my medical exam on tues, 26 may. i only learned about it last wed. i was still in singapore when the letter arrived at my bro's. am a bit worried as the last medical check-up i had was in january 09. am always apprehensive about medical exams and i have a history of hyperthyroidism. my last test was in sept 08 and it was within normal range. can u give me some pointers that i need to do/look out for during the medical exam? thanks. eve Hi eve just bring the ff: 1. passport 2. payment more or less 10,500php 3. the letter you received from Manila USem. 4. as a back up, bring your NOA1 NOA2 have it photocopied. 5. bring (3) pics 2x2 white background(us passport photo) 6. also bring your vaccination records if you have any and have it photocopied, if i remember it right 2 copies of them. Remember when was the first day of your last menstruation they always ask for it during the exams. i also have a history of thyroid problem, they checked it and asked if i had my medications when and how long i would suggest you go there at noontime after you had your lunch para di na masyadong maraming tao, thats what i did and it worked the process was easy just expect for lots of waiting lol. Goodluck! you will make it! Are you sure that three passport photos are required? Everything I read is one passport photo. Can anyone clarify that? My fiancee will have her medical this Thursday (instead of Tuesday). I don't want any difficulties for her. Any help you can provide will be appreciated. Best wishes, Grace & Steven	Steve and Evelyn	Male	Philippines	2009-05-31 08:22:00
Philippines	Medical Question	Unfortunately they asked her to return on June 10th to get a pathologist second opinion on her biopsy from her benign cyst removal. She's naturaly worried but I asked to be confident since her surgeon told her they were benign and nothing to worry about. So next Wednesday hopefully will be the day she passes her medical and progresses on to the interview on June 16th. Good luck to all! Best wishes, Grace & Steven	Steve and Evelyn	Male	Philippines	2009-06-06 19:25:00
Philippines	Medical Question	Thank you Babykim. Assuming she passes she has the same interview date as you at the Embassy at 7am. She'll go back at 1pm on Friday to finish her medical. Hopefully it will be a successful day. Thanks again and good luck to you! Best wishes, Grace & Steven	Steve and Evelyn	Male	Philippines	2009-06-04 07:28:00